Content control apparatus, content control method, computer program product, and content control system

Abstract

A content control device, a content control method, a computer program product, and a content control system are provided. A content suitable for an occupant of a vehicle is controlled in accordance with a content utilization tendency outside the vehicle. The content control device (2) includes a first content output section (212) that outputs a content (CA) to an occupant (P) seated on a seat (1) of a vehicle (200), an output control section (214) that controls the content (CA) output by the first content output section (212), an in-vehicle history storage section (222) that stores an in-vehicle output history (HJ), and an out-of-vehicle history acquisition section (213) that acquires an out-of-vehicle output history (HQ). The output control section (214) calculates a similarity (SM) indicating a degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history (HJ) and the out-of-vehicle output history (HQ), and controls the content (CA) output by the first content output section (212) in accordance with the similarity (SM).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to content control devices, content control methods, computer program products, and content control systems. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses the following technology: receiving and accumulating content and its metadata, and for multiple playback services / content that are transmitted or accumulated, calculating an index representing the priority of prompting each viewer / auditor through an automatic selection prompting program, and selecting multiple playback services / content to continuously prompt based on the index.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-174377 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 is intended for content transmission in a limited usage scenario, such as a vehicle. In recent years, however, there has been consideration of using the same application in various situations, such as vehicles, homes, and trains. Therefore, it is necessary to consider various situations beyond just vehicles, and given that the user's preference for content may differ depending on the situation, there is a need for content control suitable for vehicle occupants.

[0008] In other words, there is a problem: controlling the content suitable for vehicle occupants based on their tendency to use content outside the vehicle.

[0009] Methods for solving problems

[0010] As a first method for achieving the above-mentioned objective, a content control device is provided, comprising: a content output unit that outputs content to an occupant seated in a vehicle; an output control unit that controls the content output by the content output unit; a history storage unit that categorizes the content output by the content output unit according to each type of content and stores the number of times each type of content was output as an in-vehicle output history corresponding to the occupant; and an external history acquisition unit that categorizes the content output by the occupant outside the vehicle according to each type of content and acquires the number of times each type of content was output as an external output history, wherein the output control unit calculates a similarity score indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the external output history, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score.

[0011] As a second method for achieving the above-mentioned objective, a content control method is provided, which is a control method for a content control device. The content control device includes: a content output unit that outputs content to an occupant seated in a vehicle; an output control unit that controls the content output by the content output unit; a history storage unit that classifies the content output by the content output unit according to each type of content and stores the number of times each type of content was output as an in-vehicle output history corresponding to the occupant; and an external history acquisition unit that classifies the content output by the occupant outside the vehicle according to each type of content and acquires the number of times each type of content was output as an external output history. In the content control method, the following content control steps are performed: the output control unit calculates a similarity indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the external output history, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity.

[0012] As a third method for achieving the above objectives, a computer program product is provided, comprising a content control program that enables a processor in a content control device configured in a vehicle to function as: a content output unit that outputs content to an occupant seated in the vehicle; an output control unit that controls the content output by the content output unit; a history storage unit that categorizes the content output by the content output unit according to each content type and stores the number of times each content type was output as an in-vehicle output history corresponding to the occupant; and an external history acquisition unit that categorizes the content output by the occupant outside the vehicle according to each content type and acquires the number of times each content type was output as an external output history. The output control unit calculates a similarity score indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the external output history, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score.

[0013] As a fourth approach to achieving the aforementioned objectives, a content control system is provided, comprising a content control device and an information processing device communicatively connected to the content control device. The content control device includes: a content output unit that outputs content to an occupant seated in a vehicle; an output control unit that controls the content output by the content output unit; and a history storage unit that categorizes the content output by the content output unit according to each content type and stores the number of times each content type was output as an in-vehicle output history corresponding to the occupant. The content control device also includes an external history acquisition unit that categorizes the content output by the occupant from the information processing device outside the vehicle according to each content type and acquires the number of times each content type was output as an external output history. The output control unit calculates a similarity score indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the external output history, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score.

[0014] Invention Effects

[0015] Based on the aforementioned content control device, content control method, computer program product, and content control system, it is possible to control content suitable for vehicle occupants according to their external content usage preferences. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the content control system of this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a top view showing an example of the structure of a vehicle equipped with the content control device of this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the content control device according to this embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a chart illustrating an example of a situation where the output history inside the vehicle is similar to the output history outside the vehicle.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a chart illustrating an example of a situation where the output history inside the vehicle is not similar to the output history outside the vehicle.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a chart showing an example of the in-vehicle output history when the occupant is seated in the driver's seat and when the occupant is seated in the front passenger seat.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a chart showing an example of the in-vehicle output history when there is one passenger and the in-vehicle output history for other passengers when there are two passengers.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a chart illustrating an example of different in-vehicle output history and external environmental information.

[0024] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing of the content control device in this embodiment.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0026] 100…Content control system, 200…Vehicle, 1…Seat, 11…First seat, 12…Second seat, 2…Content control device, 21…First processor, 211…Content acquisition unit (part of content output unit), 212…First content output unit (part of content output unit), 213…External history acquisition unit, 214…Output control unit, 215…Occupant detection unit, 216…Driving status detection unit, 22…First memory, 221…Content storage unit, 222…In-vehicle history storage unit (history storage unit), 223…External history storage unit, 23…Communication interface, 3…Output mechanism, 31…First output mechanism, 311…First touch panel, 312…First speaker, 32…Second output mechanism, 33…Third output mechanism, 35…Fifth output mechanism, 4…Intelligent Mobile phone (information processing device), 42…second processor, 421…second content acquisition unit, 422…second content output unit, 43…second memory, 431…external history storage unit, 5…server device, 51…first server device, C, CA, CB…content, CM…camera, CV…driving status, DS…occupant identification information, HJ, HJ1, HJ2, HJ3…in-vehicle output history, HQ, HQ1, HQ2…external output history, NT…output count, P, PA, PB, PC, PD…occupant, PG1…first control program (content control program), PG2…second control program, PT…image, QE…external environment information, RN…order, SM…similarity, SP…speaker, TH…threshold, TP…touch panel, TY…type, VE…vehicle environment information. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the implementation methods of the content control device, content control method, content control program, and content control system will be described.

[0028] [1. Structure of a Content Control System]

[0029] First, refer to Figure 1 The structure of the content control system 100 in this embodiment is explained. Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the content control system 100 of this embodiment.

[0030] The content control system 100 includes a content control device 2 and a smartphone 4. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the content control device 2 is mounted on vehicle 200. Smartphone 4 is communicatively connected to the content control device 2. Smartphone 4 is a smartphone held by occupant P of vehicle 200.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, occupant P includes occupant PA, occupant PB, occupant PC, and occupant PD. Smartphone 4 includes smartphone 4A, smartphone 4B, smartphone 4C, and smartphone 4D. Smartphone 4A is the smartphone held by occupant PA. Smartphone 4B is the smartphone held by occupant PB. Smartphone 4C is the smartphone held by occupant PC. Smartphone 4D is the smartphone held by occupant PD.

[0032] In the following description, without distinguishing between occupant PA, occupant PB, occupant PC, and occupant PD, occupant P may be referred to as occupant P. Similarly, without distinguishing between smartphone 4A, smartphone 4B, smartphone 4C, and smartphone 4D, smartphone 4 may be referred to as smartphone 4.

[0033] Content control device 2 is connected to network NW via first base station BS1, and is communicatively connected to server device 5 via network NW. Content control device 2 obtains content CA from server device 5.

[0034] Networks (NW) include, for example, the Internet.

[0035] Smartphone 4 connects to network NW via second base station BS2, and is communicatively connected to server device 5 via network NW. Smartphone 4 obtains content CB from server device 5.

[0036] Smartphone 4 corresponds to an example of an "information processing device".

[0037] In this embodiment, the case where the "information processing device" is a smartphone 4 is described, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The "information processing device" may also be a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a desktop computer.

[0038] The smartphone 4 has a second control unit 41. The second control unit 41 controls the operation of the smartphone 4.

[0039] The second control unit 41 includes a second processor 42 and a second memory 43.

[0040] The second processor 42 consists of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Microprocessor Unit). The second processor 42 can be a single processor or multiple processors. The second memory 43 is, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile semiconductor memory. The second memory 43 stores the second control program PG2.

[0041] The second control unit 41 includes a second content acquisition unit 421, a second content output unit 422, and an external history storage unit 431.

[0042] The second processor 42 functions as a second content acquisition unit 421 and a second content output unit 422 by executing the second control program PG2 stored in the second memory 43. Furthermore, by executing the second control program PG2 stored in the second memory 43, the second processor 42 causes the second memory 43 to function as an external history storage unit 431.

[0043] External history storage unit 431 stores external output history HQ. External output history HQ is stored in external history storage unit 431 by second content output unit 422.

[0044] In the external output history HQ, the content CB output by occupant P outside the vehicle 200 is classified according to the type TY of the content CB, and the number of times each type TY of the content CB is output is stored as NT. That is, in the external output history HQ, the number of times the content CB is output is stored corresponding to the type TY of the content CB.

[0045] Reference Figure 2 Explanation of the types of CB and TY.

[0046] The external output history HQ is classified according to the external environment information representing the environment in which the occupant P outputs content CB in the vehicle 200. For the external output content CB of the occupant P in the vehicle 200, the number of outputs of each type TY of the content CB is stored as NT.

[0047] "External environment information" includes your own home, trams, motorcycles, pedestrians, etc.

[0048] "External environment information" being "Home" indicates that passenger P output content CB while at home. "External environment information" being "Tram" indicates that passenger P output content CB while inside a tram. "External environment information" being "Motorcycle" indicates that passenger P output content CB while riding a motorcycle. "External environment information" being "Walking" indicates that passenger P output content CB while walking.

[0049] The second content acquisition unit 421 acquires content CB from the server device 5 based on user operations received via a touch panel (illustrated but not shown).

[0050] The second content output unit 422 outputs the content CB acquired by the second content acquisition unit 421 to the touch panel (shown in the omitted illustration) and the speaker (shown in the omitted illustration). When the output of content CB ends, the second content output unit 422 determines the type TY of the output content CB and updates the external output history HQ stored in the external history storage unit 431. The second content output unit 422 increments the output count NT of the content corresponding to type TY in the external output history HQ by "1".

[0051] The content control device 2 obtains the external output history HQ stored in the external history storage unit 431 from the smartphone 4.

[0052] Regarding the vehicle's external output history HQ, refer to... Figure 3 Further explanation is needed.

[0053] [2. Vehicle Structure]

[0054] Next, refer to Figure 2 The structure of the vehicle 200 equipped with the content control device 2 of this embodiment will be described. Figure 2 This is a top view showing an example of a vehicle 200 equipped with the content control device 2 of this embodiment.

[0055] exist Figure 2 The diagram shows the mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes. The X and Y axes are parallel to the horizontal direction. The Z axis is parallel to the vertical direction. The X axis is parallel to the left-right direction of vehicle 200. The Y axis is parallel to the front-back direction of vehicle 200. The positive direction of the X axis represents the right side of the vehicle. The positive direction of the Y axis represents the front of the vehicle. The positive direction of the Z axis represents the top of the vehicle.

[0056] exist Figure 2 The image shows a top view of vehicle 200 with the roof removed.

[0057] like Figure 2 As shown, vehicle 200 includes seat 1, content control device 2, output mechanism 3, and camera CM.

[0058] In this embodiment, seat 1 consists of a first seat 11, a second seat 12, a third seat 13, a fourth seat 14, and a fifth seat 15.

[0059] The first seat 11 and the second seat 12 are located at the front of the vehicle 200. The first seat 11 and the second seat 12 constitute the front seats. The third seat 13, the fourth seat 14 and the fifth seat 15 are located behind the first seat 11 and the second seat 12 in the vehicle 200. The third seat 13, the fourth seat 14 and the fifth seat 15 constitute the rear seats.

[0060] The first seat 11 is the driver's seat located on the right side of the front seats. Occupant PA sits in the first seat 11. Occupant PA is the driver. In this embodiment, occupant P includes the driver.

[0061] The second seat 12 is the front passenger seat located to the left of the first seat 11. Occupant PB sits in the second seat 12.

[0062] The third seat 13 is a seat located on the right side of the rear seats. In this embodiment, the occupant PC sits in the third seat 13.

[0063] The fourth seat 14 is a seat located in the center of the rear seats. In this embodiment, the fourth seat 14 is not occupied by passenger P.

[0064] The fifth seat 15 is the seat located on the left side of the rear seats. In this embodiment, the occupant PD sits in the fifth seat 15.

[0065] Furthermore, in the following description, without distinguishing between the first seat 11, the second seat 12, the third seat 13, the fourth seat 14, and the fifth seat 15, they are sometimes referred to as seat 1.

[0066] The output mechanism 3 consists of a first output mechanism 31, a second output mechanism 32, a third output mechanism 33, a fourth output mechanism 34, and a fifth output mechanism 35.

[0067] For reference Figure 3 As described, the first output mechanism 31 includes a first touch panel 311 and a first speaker 312. The second output mechanism 32 includes a second touch panel 321 and a second speaker 322. The third output mechanism 33 includes a third touch panel 331 and a third speaker 332. The fourth output mechanism 34 includes a fourth touch panel 341 and a fourth speaker 342. The fifth output mechanism 35 includes a fifth touch panel 351 and a fifth speaker 352.

[0068] The first output mechanism 31 is, for example, located in the dashboard in front of the first seat 11. The first touch panel 311 of the first output mechanism 31 is configured with its display surface facing the occupant PA. In other words, the first touch panel 311 of the first output mechanism 31 is configured with its display surface facing rearward.

[0069] The first touch panel 311 and the first speaker 312 output content C1 according to instructions from the content control device 2. The first touch panel 311 displays an image contained in content C1. The first speaker 312 outputs sound contained in content C1. Content C1 corresponds to... Figure 1 The content shown is an example of CA.

[0070] In addition, in this embodiment, since the occupant PA is the driver, the first touch panel 311 is prohibited from displaying images when the occupant PA is driving.

[0071] The second output mechanism 32 is, for example, located in the dashboard in front of the second seat 12. The second touch panel 321 of the second output mechanism 32 is configured such that its display surface faces the occupant PB seated in the second seat 12. In other words, the second touch panel 321 of the second output mechanism 32 is configured such that its display surface faces rearward.

[0072] The second touch panel 321 and the second speaker 322 output content C2 according to the instruction from the content control device 2. The second touch panel 321 and the second speaker 322 output content C2. The second touch panel 321 displays an image contained in content C2. The second speaker 322 outputs sound contained in content C2. Content C2 corresponds to... Figure 1 The content shown is an example of CA.

[0073] The third output mechanism 33 is, for example, located behind the first seat 11 in front of the third seat 13, i.e., behind the back of the first seat 11. The third touch panel 331 of the third output mechanism 33 is configured with its display surface facing the occupant's PC. In other words, the third touch panel 331 of the third output mechanism 33 is configured with its display surface facing rearward.

[0074] The third touch panel 331 and the third speaker 332 output content C3 according to instructions from the content control device 2. The third touch panel 331 displays the image contained in the content C3. The third speaker 332 outputs the sound contained in the content C3. Content C3 corresponds to... Figure 1 The content shown is an example of CA.

[0075] The fourth output mechanism 34 is, for example, located behind the first seat 11 and the second seat 12 in front of the fourth seat 14. The fourth touch panel 341 of the fourth output mechanism 34 is configured so that its display surface faces the occupant P seated in the fourth seat 14. In other words, the fourth touch panel 341 of the fourth output mechanism 34 is configured so that its display surface faces rearward.

[0076] The fourth touch panel 341 and the fourth speaker 342 output content C according to the instructions from the content control device 2. The fourth touch panel 341 displays the image contained in content C. The fourth speaker 342 outputs the sound contained in content C. In this embodiment, since no occupant P is sitting in the fourth seat 14, the fourth touch panel 341 and the fourth speaker 342 do not output content C.

[0077] The fifth output mechanism 35 is, for example, located behind the second seat 12 in front of the fifth seat 15. The fifth touch panel 351 of the fifth output mechanism 35 is configured with its display surface facing the occupant PD. In other words, the fifth touch panel 351 of the fifth output mechanism 35 is configured with its display surface facing rearward.

[0078] The fifth touch panel 351 and the fifth speaker 352 output content C4 according to instructions from the content control device 2. The fifth touch panel 351 displays the image contained in content C4. The fifth speaker 352 outputs the sound contained in content C4.

[0079] Content control device 2 from Figure 3 The first server device 51 shown acquires content C1. In addition, the content control device 2 outputs content C1 to the first touch panel 311 and the first speaker 312 of the first output mechanism 31.

[0080] In addition, content control device 2 from Figure 3 The second server device 52 shown acquires content C2. Additionally, the content control device 2 outputs content C2 to the second touch panel 321 and the second speaker 322 of the second output mechanism 32.

[0081] In addition, content control device 2 from Figure 3 The third server device 53 shown acquires content C3. In addition, the content control device 2 outputs content C3 to the third touch panel 331 and the third speaker 332 of the third output mechanism 33.

[0082] In addition, content control device 2 from Figure 3 The fourth server device 54 shown acquires content C4. Additionally, the content control device 2 outputs content C4 to the fifth touch panel 351 and the fifth speaker 352 of the fifth output mechanism 35.

[0083] Content C1, content C2, content C3, and content C4 are, for example, different content Cs.

[0084] Contents C1, C2, C3, and C4 respectively correspond to Figure 1 The content shown is an example of CA.

[0085] Regarding the structure of the content control device 2, refer to...Figure 3 Further explanation is needed.

[0086] Although this embodiment describes the case where the occupants P are four people, namely occupants P being occupants PA, PB, PC, and PD, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the number of occupants P may be three or fewer. Alternatively, the number of occupants P may be five or more.

[0087] The camera CM is, for example, positioned on the interior side of the roof (not shown in the diagram), specifically in front of the lower surface. The camera CM is equipped with an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and, according to instructions from the content control unit 2, generates an image PT containing all occupants P riding in the vehicle 200. Furthermore, the camera CM outputs the generated image PT to the content control unit 2.

[0088] In this embodiment, the camera CM generates an image PT containing the occupant PA sitting in the first seat 11, the occupant PB sitting in the second seat 12, the occupant PC sitting in the third seat 13, and the occupant PD sitting in the fifth seat 15, according to the instructions from the content control device 2.

[0089] In this embodiment, the case where an image PT is generated by a single camera CM is described, but the implementation is not limited to this. An image PT can also be generated by multiple cameras CM. For example, cameras CM can be configured in the first output mechanism 31, the second output mechanism 32, the third output mechanism 33, the fourth output mechanism 34, and the fifth output mechanism 35 respectively.

[0090] [3. Structure of the content control device]

[0091] Next, refer to Figure 3 The structure of the content control device 2 in this embodiment will be described. Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the content control device 2 in this embodiment.

[0092] like Figure 3 As shown, the content control device 2 is communicatively connected to the first output mechanism 31, the second output mechanism 32, the third output mechanism 33, the fourth output mechanism 34, the fifth output mechanism 35, and the camera CM.

[0093] The first output mechanism 31 includes a first touch panel 311 and a first speaker 312.

[0094] The first touch panel 311 includes a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a touch sensor. The display shows various images according to the instructions of the content control device 2. The touch sensor is integrally formed with the display surface of the display and detects touch operations by the occupant P. The touch sensor outputs a signal indicating the detected touch operation to the content control device 2.

[0095] The first speaker 312 outputs various sounds according to the instructions of the content control device 2.

[0096] The second output mechanism 32 includes a second touch panel 321 and a second speaker 322. The third output mechanism 33 includes a third touch panel 331 and a third speaker 332. The fourth output mechanism 34 includes a fourth touch panel 341 and a fourth speaker 342. The fifth output mechanism 35 includes a fifth touch panel 351 and a fifth speaker 352.

[0097] The second touch panel 321, the third touch panel 331, the fourth touch panel 341 and the fifth touch panel 351 each have a structure that is substantially the same as that of the first touch panel 311.

[0098] In the following description, without distinguishing between the first touch panel 311, the second touch panel 321, the third touch panel 331, the fourth touch panel 341, and the fifth touch panel 351, they are sometimes referred to as "touch panel TP".

[0099] The second speaker 322, the third speaker 332, the fourth speaker 342 and the fifth speaker 352 have a structure that is substantially the same as that of the first speaker 312.

[0100] In the following description, without distinguishing between the first speaker 312, the second speaker 322, the third speaker 332, the fourth speaker 342, and the fifth speaker 352, they are sometimes referred to as "speaker SP".

[0101] Following the instructions of the content control device 2, the camera CM captures an image PT of all occupants P riding in the vehicle 200. Furthermore, the camera CM outputs the captured image PT to the content control device 2.

[0102] The content control device 2 is, for example, composed of an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The content control device 2 includes a first processor 21, a first memory 22, and a communication interface 23.

[0103] The communication interface 23 includes an antenna, a connector, and interface circuitry, and is connected to the first processor 21. The communication interface 23 is used for communicating with the server device 5. For example, the communication interface 23 is an interface for wireless communication with the server device 5, conforming to 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standards.

[0104] Communication interface 23 via Figure 1 The first base station BS1 and the network NW shown communicate with the server device 5.

[0105] Server device 5 includes a first server device 51, a second server device 52, a third server device 53, and a fourth server device 54.

[0106] In response to a request from content control device 2, first server device 51 sends content C1 to content control device 2. Second server device 52, in response to a request from content control device 2, sends content C2 to content control device 2. Third server device 53, in response to a request from content control device 2, sends content C3 to content control device 2. Fourth server device 54, in response to a request from content control device 2, sends content C4 to content control device 2.

[0107] The first server device 51, the second server device 52, the third server device 53, and the fourth server device 54 have substantially the same structure. Without distinguishing between the first server device 51, the second server device 52, the third server device 53, and the fourth server device 54, they are sometimes referred to as server device 5 in the following description.

[0108] The above description focuses on the case where the content control device 2 acquires four content CAs, namely content C1, content C2, content C3, and content C4. However, the content control device 2 is not limited to this. The content control device 2 only needs to acquire at least one content CA. For example, the content control device 2 can acquire one content CA. Furthermore, the content control device 2 can acquire, for example, two content CAs. Furthermore, the content control device 2 can acquire, for example, three content CAs. Furthermore, the content control device 2 can acquire, for example, five or more content CAs.

[0109] In the following description, for convenience, the case where the content control device 2 obtains a content CA, such as content C1, will be mainly explained. Content C1 is obtained from the first server device 51 based on the instruction of the occupant PA and output to the first output mechanism 31.

[0110] The first processor 21 consists of a CPU and an MPU. The first processor 21 can be a single processor or multiple processors. The first memory 22 is, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile semiconductor memory. The first memory 22 stores the first control program PG1.

[0111] The first control procedure PG1 corresponds to an example of the "content control procedure".

[0112] The content control device 2 includes a first content acquisition unit 211, a first content output unit 212, an external history acquisition unit 213, an output control unit 214, an occupant detection unit 215, a driving status detection unit 216, a content storage unit 221, an in-vehicle history storage unit 222, and an external history storage unit 223.

[0113] The first processor 21 functions as a first content acquisition unit 211, a first content output unit 212, an external history acquisition unit 213, an output control unit 214, an occupant detection unit 215, and a driving status detection unit 216 by executing the first control program PG1 stored in the first memory 22. Additionally, the first processor 21 functions as a content storage unit 221, an in-vehicle history storage unit 222, and an external history storage unit 223 by executing the first control program PG1 stored in the first memory 22.

[0114] Content storage unit 221 stores content CA obtained by first content acquisition unit 211. Content CA is stored in content storage unit 221 by first content acquisition unit 211.

[0115] The in-vehicle history storage unit 222 stores the in-vehicle output history HJ. In the in-vehicle output history HJ, the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is categorized according to each type TY of content CA, and the number of times each type TY of content CA is output is associated with the occupant PA and stored accordingly. That is, in the in-vehicle output history HJ, the type TY of content CA is stored in association with the number of times content CA is output NT.

[0116] The in-vehicle output history HJ is stored in the in-vehicle history storage unit 222 by the first content output unit 212.

[0117] The in-vehicle history storage unit 222 is an example of a "history storage unit".

[0118] The types of content CA (Content CA) include at least one of the websites that publish the content and the types of content.

[0119] The website of the content publishing CA corresponds to the application of the content publishing CA. A connection is established between the content publishing CA's website and the application of the content publishing CA.

[0120] For example, when the content CA is music content, the types of content CA include J-POP, rock, classical, jazz, etc.

[0121] In the following description, the type of content CA TY is explained, for example, the type of content CA.

[0122] In this embodiment, the case where the type TY of content CA is the same as the type of content CA is described, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The type TY of content CA may include at least one of a website that publishes content CA and a type of content CA. For example, the type TY of content CA may be a website that publishes content CA and a type of content CA. Furthermore, the type TY of content CA may be, for example, a website that publishes content CA.

[0123] The first content acquisition unit 211 is communicatively connected to the first server device 51 via the communication interface 23, and acquires content CA from the server device 51. For example, based on an instruction from the occupant PA, the first content acquisition unit 211 is communicatively connected to the first server device 51 via the communication interface 23 and acquires content CA from the first server device 51. The first content acquisition unit 211 stores the content CA acquired from the first server device 51 in the content storage unit 221.

[0124] The first content acquisition unit 211 constitutes part of the "content output unit".

[0125] The first server device 51 corresponds to an example of server device 5.

[0126] Here, an example of the processing of the first content acquisition unit 211 will be explained.

[0127] First, the first content acquisition unit 211 displays multiple icons on a touch panel TP, for example. Each icon corresponds to a website providing content CA. Each website corresponds to a first server device 51 providing content CA. An occupant PA performs a touch operation, for example, selecting one icon from the multiple icons displayed on the touch panel TP. The first content acquisition unit 211 is communicatively connected to the first server device 51 corresponding to the selected icon.

[0128] Next, the occupant PA enters account information via the touch panel TP. The first content acquisition unit 211 sends the account information to the first server device 51, which is communicatively connected, and logs into the first server device 51. In addition to account information, password information can also be sent.

[0129] Next, the first content acquisition unit 211 displays icons corresponding to the multiple content items C provided by the first server device 51 on the touch panel TP. The occupant PA performs a touch operation by selecting an icon from the multiple content items C provided by the first server device 51 that corresponds to a content item CA that they wish to view or listen to. The first content acquisition unit 211 downloads the selected content item CA from the first server device 51. Then, the first content acquisition unit 211 stores the content item CA obtained from the first server device 51 in the content storage unit 221.

[0130] The first content output unit 212 outputs content CA to the occupant PA seated in seat 11 of the vehicle 200. For example, the first content output unit 212 causes the first output mechanism 31 to output the content CA acquired by the first content acquisition unit 211.

[0131] Furthermore, the first content output unit 212 determines the type TY of the content CA when the output of the content CA ends. For example, when the first content acquisition unit 211 acquires the content CA from the server device 5, the first content acquisition unit 211 acquires information indicating the type TY of the content CA from the server device 5. Then, the first content output unit 212 determines the type TY of the content CA based on the information indicating the type TY of the content CA acquired by the first content acquisition unit 211.

[0132] When the output of content CA ends, the first content output unit 212 updates the in-vehicle output history HJ stored in the in-vehicle history storage unit 222 and corresponding to the occupant PA. The first content output unit 212 increments the output count NT of content CA corresponding to the type TY of content CA in the in-vehicle output history HJ corresponding to the occupant PA by "1".

[0133] Whenever the output of content CA ends, the first content output unit 212 updates the in-vehicle output history HJ stored in the in-vehicle history storage unit 222 that corresponds to the occupant PA who watched or listened to content CA. In this way, the in-vehicle output history HJ corresponding to occupant PA is stored by the first content output unit 212 in the in-vehicle history storage unit 222.

[0134] The first content output unit 212 constitutes part of the "content output unit".

[0135] That is, the first content acquisition unit 211 and the first content output unit 212 correspond to an example of a "content output unit".

[0136] The external history acquisition unit 213 acquires the external output history HQ corresponding to the occupant PA from the smartphone 4A held by the occupant PA. In the external output history HQ, the content CB output by the occupant PA outside the vehicle 200 is categorized according to each type TY of the content CB, and the number of times NT of each type TY of the content CB is output is stored. That is, the external output history HQ stores the number of times NT of the content CB is output corresponding to the type TY of the content CB.

[0137] The type TY of content CB corresponds to the type TY of content CA. For example, the type TY of content CB is the type of content CB.

[0138] The output control unit 214 calculates a similarity SM, which indicates the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ of the occupant PA and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ of the occupant PA, and controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 based on the similarity SM.

[0139] Similarity score (SM) is calculated as follows, for example, with a maximum score of "10".

[0140] First, the output control unit 214 assigns an order RN to the content CB type TY based on the number of times the content CB is output for each type TY of the content CB, for both the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ. The order RN represents the order of the number of outputs NT from most to least.

[0141] Next, the output control unit 214 determines, for each sequence RN, whether the type TY of the content CA in the in-vehicle output history HJ is consistent with the type TY of the content CB in the out-of-vehicle output history HQ.

[0142] Then, if the category TY corresponding to sequence RN "1" is the same, the output control unit 214 adds "4" to the similarity SM. Furthermore, if the category TY corresponding to sequence RN "2" is the same, the output control unit 214 adds "3" to the similarity SM. Furthermore, if the category TY corresponding to sequence RN "3" is the same, the output control unit 214 adds "2" to the similarity SM. Furthermore, if the category TY corresponding to sequence RN "4" is the same, the output control unit 214 adds "1" to the similarity SM.

[0143] In addition, if the types of content C (TY) are inconsistent under each order RN, the similarity SM is not increased.

[0144] In this manner, the output control unit 214 calculates the similarity SM.

[0145] Then, if the similarity SM is above the threshold TH, the output control unit 214 determines that the in-vehicle output history HJ is similar to the out-of-vehicle output history HQ. Conversely, if the similarity SM is below the threshold TH, the output control unit 214 determines that the in-vehicle output history HJ is not similar to the out-of-vehicle output history HQ.

[0146] The threshold TH is, for example, "6".

[0147] Threshold TH corresponds to an example of "preset threshold".

[0148] When the similarity SM is above the threshold TH, the output control unit 214 controls the content output by the first content output unit 212 based on the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ. For example, the output control unit 214 controls the first content output unit 212 by prioritizing the output of content C of type TY that has been output more frequently in the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ.

[0149] When the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH, the output control unit 214 controls the content output by the first content output unit 212 based on the in-vehicle output history HJ. For example, the output control unit 214 controls the first content output unit 212 by prioritizing the output of content C of type TY that has been output more times NT in the in-vehicle output history HJ.

[0150] The occupant detection unit 215 uses the camera CM to capture image PT, and obtains the captured image PT.

[0151] In addition, the occupant detection unit 215 performs image processing on the image PT to detect occupant P riding in the vehicle 200. The occupant detection unit 215 detects the seating position of occupant PA. In other words, the occupant detection unit 215 detects seat 1 where occupant PA is seated. In addition, the occupant detection unit 215 detects the number of occupants P riding in the vehicle 200.

[0152] Furthermore, the occupant detection unit 215 detects information used to identify occupants P in the vehicle 200, namely occupant identification information DS. Occupant P may include, for example, occupant PA, occupant PB, occupant PC, and occupant PD.

[0153] The driving state detection unit 216 detects the driving state CV. The driving state detection unit 216 communicates, for example, with an ECU (not shown) that controls the driving state CV of the vehicle 200, and obtains the driving state CV from the ECU (not shown), thereby obtaining the driving state CV of the vehicle 200. The driving state CV of the vehicle 200, for example, indicates whether the vehicle 200 is being driven by a driver or in an autonomous driving mode.

[0154] In this embodiment, "autonomous driving" refers to so-called "Level 3" or higher autonomous driving as defined by SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers).

[0155] [4. Specific examples of output control unit processing]

[0156] Next, refer to Figures 3-8 A specific example of the processing of the output control unit 214 will be explained.

[0157] First, refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 This further illustrates the similarity SM.

[0158] Figure 4 This is a chart illustrating an example of a situation where the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ are similar. Figure 5 This is a chart illustrating an example of a situation where the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ are dissimilar.

[0159] exist Figure 4 In the image, an example of in-vehicle output history HJ is shown on the left, and an example of out-of-vehicle output history HQ is shown on the right.

[0160] In both the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ, the left column represents the type of content C (TY), the middle column represents the number of times content C was output (NT), and the right column represents the order of the number of outputs (NT) from most to least.

[0161] The content C can be categorized into four types: TY1 (first type), TY2 (second type), TY3 (third type), and TY4 (fourth type).

[0162] In the in-vehicle output history HJ, for example, the number of times the content CA of the first type TY1 is output is "5 times", the number of times the content CA of the second type TY2 is output is "10 times", the number of times the content CA of the third type TY3 is output is "4 times", and the number of times the content CA of the fourth type TY4 is output is "2 times".

[0163] Therefore, the type TY of content CA with order RN "1" is the second type TY2, the type TY of content CA with order RN "2" is the first type TY1, the type TY of content CA with order RN "3" is the third type TY3, and the type TY of content CA with order RN "4" is the fourth type TY4.

[0164] In the external output history HQ, for example, the number of times the content CB of the first type TY1 is output is "10 times", the number of times the content CB of the second type TY2 is output is "20 times", the number of times the content CB of the third type TY3 is output is "8 times", and the number of times the content CB of the fourth type TY4 is output is "4 times".

[0165] Therefore, the type TY of content CB with order RN "1" is the second type TY2, the type TY of content CB with order RN "2" is the first type TY1, the type TY of content CB with order RN "3" is the third type TY3, and the type TY of content CB with order RN "4" is the fourth type TY4.

[0166] In this case, in both the in-vehicle output history HJ and the external output history HQ, the type TY corresponding to sequence RN "1" is the second type TY2, which is consistent. Additionally, the type TY corresponding to sequence RN "2" is the first type TY1, which is consistent. The type TY corresponding to sequence RN "4" is the fourth type TY4, which is consistent.

[0167] Therefore, the output control unit 214 calculates the similarity SM to be "10 (=4+3+2+1)". Since the similarity SM is above the threshold TH, it is determined that the in-vehicle output history HJ is similar to the out-of-vehicle output history HQ. In this case, the output control unit 214 controls the first content output unit 212, for example, by prioritizing the output of content C of type TY, which is output more frequently in both the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ.

[0168] exist Figure 5 In the image, an example of in-vehicle output history HJ is shown on the left, and an example of out-of-vehicle output history HQ is shown on the right.

[0169] In both the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ, the left column represents the type of content C (TY), the middle column represents the number of times content C was output (NT), and the right column represents the order of the number of outputs (NT) from most to least.

[0170] The content C can be categorized into four types: TY1 (first type), TY2 (second type), TY3 (third type), and TY4 (fourth type).

[0171] Figure 5 The in-vehicle output history HJ shown is Figure 4 The in-vehicle output history HJ shown is the same.

[0172] That is, in the in-vehicle output history HJ, the content CA with the order RN as "first" has the type TY as the second type TY2, the content CA with the order RN as "second" has the type TY as the first type TY1, the content CA with the order RN as "third" has the type TY as the third type TY3, and the content CA with the order RN as "fourth" has the type TY as the fourth type TY4.

[0173] In the external output history HQ, for example, the number of times the content CB of the first type TY1 is output is "5 times", the number of times the content CB of the second type TY2 is output is "1 time", the number of times the content CB of the third type TY3 is output is "30 times", and the number of times the content CB of the fourth type TY4 is output is "0 times".

[0174] Therefore, the type TY of content CB with the order RN as "first" is the third type TY3, the type TY of content CB with the order RN as "second" is the first type TY1, the type TY of content CB with the order RN as "third" is the second type TY2, and the type TY of content CB with the order RN as "fourth" is the fourth type TY4.

[0175] In this case, the type TY corresponding to the "first" position of the sequence RN is type TY2 in the in-vehicle output history HJ and type TY3 in the out-of-vehicle output history HQ, which is inconsistent. Furthermore, in both the in-vehicle and out-of-vehicle output histories HJ and HQ, the type TY corresponding to the "second" position of the sequence RN is type TY1, which is consistent. The type TY corresponding to the "third" position of the sequence RN is type TY3 in the in-vehicle output history HJ and type TY2 in the out-of-vehicle output history HQ, which is inconsistent. The type TY corresponding to the "fourth" position of the sequence RN is type TY4, which is consistent.

[0176] Therefore, the output control unit 214 calculates the similarity SM to be "4 (=3+1)". Since the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH, it is determined that the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ are not similar. In this case, the output control unit 214 controls the first content output unit 212, for example, by prioritizing the output of content C of type TY that has been output more frequently in the in-vehicle output history HJ.

[0177] Return to Figure 3 The structure of the content control device 2 will be explained.

[0178] When the similarity SM is above the threshold TH, if there is content CB that passenger PA output from outside the vehicle 200 before boarding the vehicle 200 in the external output history HQ, the output control unit 214 performs the following processing: That is, the output control unit 214 controls the first content acquisition unit 211 and the first content output unit 212 to control the output of the content C that was output from the middle of the output process.

[0179] In this case, when the external history acquisition unit 213 acquires the external output history HQ from the smartphone 4A, if there is content CB that is being output midway, it acquires information indicating the existence of the content CB that is being output midway as the external output history HQ.

[0180] Furthermore, the first content acquisition unit 211 acquires the content CA corresponding to the content CB that the occupant PA outputs midway through the smartphone 4A. Then, the first content output unit 212 outputs the acquired content CA from the midway point of the output.

[0181] In this way, passenger PA can continue to watch or listen to content CA corresponding to the content CB output to the vehicle 200 via smartphone 4A before boarding the vehicle 200, starting from the middle of the output. Therefore, the convenience of passenger PA can be improved.

[0182] When the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH, the output control unit 214 controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 to prioritize the output of content CA of type TY in the in-vehicle output history HJ, and content CB of type TY whose output frequency NT is less than a predetermined number in the out-of-vehicle output history HQ. The predetermined number is, for example, "4 times".

[0183] The specified number of times can be set, for example, as the average number of times in the output history HQ outside the vehicle, corresponding to the type TY of content C, in the output NT.

[0184] Alternatively, the specified number can be set as a specified proportion of the number of outputs NT corresponding to the type TY of the content C in sequence "1" in the external output history HQ. The specified proportion is, for example, 30%.

[0185] In this embodiment, the output control unit 214 prioritizes outputting content CB of type TY from the content CA included in the in-vehicle output history HJ, whose output count NT is less than a predetermined number in the external output history HQ. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the output control unit 214 may also prioritize outputting content CB of type TY from the content CA included in the in-vehicle output history HJ, whose order RN is less than or equal to a predetermined number in the external output history HQ. The predetermined order RN is, for example, "third position".

[0186] If the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH, the output control unit 214 determines that the in-vehicle output history HJ and the external output history HQ are not similar. In this way, when the in-vehicle output history HJ and the external output history HQ are not similar, the occupant PA can distinguish between the type TY of the content CA output when riding in the vehicle 200 and the type TY of the content CB viewed or listened to using the smartphone 4A outside the vehicle 200.

[0187] Therefore, since the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is controlled in such a way that the content CA type TY contained in the in-vehicle output history HJ is prioritized for output, and the content CB type TY whose output number NT is less than a specified number in the out-of-vehicle output history HQ is output, the content CA that meets the intention of the passenger PA can be output when the passenger PA is riding in the vehicle 200.

[0188] Furthermore, the processing of the output control unit 214 when the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH will be explained.

[0189] If there are multiple types of content CB in the in-vehicle output history HJ containing type TY of content CA, whose output count NT is less than a specified number of times in the external output history HQ, and these multiple types of content CB include type TY of content CB with an output count NT of zero times in the external output history HQ and type TY of content CB with an output count NT of one or more times in the external output history HQ, the output control unit 214 performs the following processing. The specified number of times is, for example, "4 times".

[0190] That is, the output control unit 214 controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 in a manner that prioritizes the output of content CB types that have been output NT more than once in the external output history HQ, compared to content CB types that have been output NT more than once in the external output history HQ.

[0191] For example, regarding the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ: Figure 5 The above-described processing by the output control unit 214 will be explained using the examples of in-vehicle output history HJ and external output history HQ. (Refer to...) Figure 5 As explained, Figure 5 The similarity SM between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ shown is less than the threshold TH.

[0192] In the external output history HQ, the content CB with an output count NT less than a specified number has two categories TY: Category 2 (TY2) and Category 4 (TY4). The output count NT for content CB corresponding to Category 2 (TY2) is "1 time", and the output count NT for content CB corresponding to Category 4 (TY4) is zero.

[0193] Therefore, in this case, the output control unit 214 controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 to be prioritized over the second type TY2 in order to output the second type TY4.

[0194] Furthermore, content CB with zero output counts (NT) in the external output history HQ may not suit the preferences of passenger PA. Therefore, since content CB with one or more output counts (NT) in the external output history HQ is prioritized over content CB with zero output counts (NT) in the external output history HQ, content suitable for passenger PA can be output.

[0195] If the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH, and there is content CB that was output from outside the vehicle 200 to the middle of the journey by passenger PA before boarding the vehicle 200 in the external output history HQ, the output control unit 214 performs the following processing.

[0196] That is, the output control unit 214 controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 in a manner based on the content CB other than the content CB output in the middle of the output history HJ in the vehicle.

[0197] If the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH, the output control unit 214 determines that the in-vehicle output history HJ and the external output history HQ are not similar. In this case, if the in-vehicle output history HJ and the external output history HQ are not similar, the occupant PA may distinguish between the type TY of content CA output when riding in the vehicle 200 and the type TY of content CB viewed or listened to outside the vehicle 200 via a smartphone 4A.

[0198] Therefore, since the output control unit 214 controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 in a manner that outputs content CB other than the content CB in the middle of the output based on the in-vehicle output history HJ, it is able to output content CA that meets the intention of the occupant PA.

[0199] When the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH, the output control unit 214 controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 in a manner that the content C in the output history HJ and the output history HQ outside the vehicle has zero output times NT.

[0200] In this way, since the content C with zero output counts NT in both the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ is type TY, content C that occupant PA has never seen or heard will be output. Therefore, if occupant PA wants to see or hear content C that has never been seen or heard in vehicle 200, the content CA that occupant PA wants to see or hear can be output.

[0201] Additionally, if the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH, the following processing is performed.

[0202] For example, the in-vehicle history storage unit 222 further classifies the content C output by the first content output unit 212 according to the vehicle environment information VE, and stores the number of outputs NT of the content CA under each vehicle environment information VE as the in-vehicle output history HJ, corresponding to the occupant PA. The vehicle environment information VE includes information related to the occupant P of the vehicle 200 that the occupant PA is riding in, i.e., occupant information.

[0203] Vehicle environmental information (VE) includes, for example, the seating position of occupant PA, the number of occupants P in vehicle 200, occupant identification information DS for identifying occupants P in vehicle 200, and the driving state (CV) indicating whether vehicle 200 is being driven by a driver or in autonomous driving mode. Occupants P include, for example, occupant PA, occupant PB, occupant PC, and occupant PD.

[0204] In this case, the output control unit 214 calculates, for example, the similarity SM between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ corresponding to the vehicle environment information VE of the vehicle 200 in which the occupant PA is riding, and controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 based on the similarity SM.

[0205] In this way, since a similarity SM is calculated, which represents the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ corresponding to the vehicle environment information VE of the vehicle 200 in which the occupant PA is riding, and the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is controlled according to the similarity SM, it is possible to output content CA suitable for the occupant PA.

[0206] Next, refer to Figure 6 The vehicle environmental information (VE) includes the seating positions of the occupants (PA). Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of the in-vehicle output history HJ1 when the occupant PA is seated in the driver's seat (=seat 11) and the in-vehicle output history HJ2 when the occupant PA is seated in the front passenger seat (=seat 12).

[0207] The occupant detection unit 215 detects the seating position of occupant PA. Here, the occupant detection unit 215 detects whether occupant PA is seated in seat 11 or seat 12.

[0208] In addition, the vehicle environmental information VE includes the seating position of the occupant PA detected by the occupant detection unit 215.

[0209] Then, the in-vehicle history storage unit 222 stores the in-vehicle output history HJ1 when the occupant PA is seated in seat 11, and the in-vehicle output history HJ2 when the occupant PA is seated in seat 12.

[0210] exist Figure 6 In the image, an example of in-vehicle output history HJ1 is shown on the left, and an example of in-vehicle output history HJ2 is shown on the right.

[0211] In both the in-vehicle output history HJ1 and the in-vehicle output history HJ2, the left column indicates the type of content C (TY), the middle column indicates the number of times content C was output (NT), and the right column indicates the order of the number of outputs (NT) from most to least (RN).

[0212] The content C can be categorized into four types: TY1 (first type), TY2 (second type), TY3 (third type), and TY4 (fourth type).

[0213] Figure 6 The in-vehicle output history HJ1 shown is... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The in-vehicle output history HJ shown is the same.

[0214] That is, in the in-vehicle output history HJ1, the content CA with the order RN as "first" has the type TY as the second type TY2, the content CA with the order RN as "second" has the type TY as the first type TY1, the content CA with the order RN as "third" has the type TY as the third type TY3, and the content CA with the order RN as "fourth" has the type TY as the fourth type TY4.

[0215] In the in-vehicle output history HJ2, for example, the number of times the content CB of the first type TY1 is output is NT "5 times", the number of times the content CB of the second type TY2 is output is NT "0 times", the number of times the content CB of the third type TY3 is output is NT "8 times", and the number of times the content CB of the fourth type TY4 is output is NT "2 times".

[0216] Therefore, the type TY of content CB with the order RN as "first" is the third type TY3, the type TY of content CB with the order RN as "second" is the first type TY1, the type TY of content CB with the order RN as "third" is the fourth type TY4, and the type TY of content CB with the order RN as "fourth" is the second type TY2.

[0217] Since the in-vehicle output history HJ1 and the in-vehicle output history HJ2 are different from each other, it is preferable that the in-vehicle history storage unit 222 stores the in-vehicle output history HJ1 when the occupant PA is seated in seat 11 and the in-vehicle output history HJ2 when the occupant PA is seated in seat 12.

[0218] In this case, the output control unit 214 calculates a similarity SM that indicates the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ, and controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 based on the similarity SM. The in-vehicle output history HJ corresponds to the seating position of the occupant PA.

[0219] In other words, when occupant PA is seated in seat 11, output control unit 214 calculates a similarity SM, which indicates the degree of similarity between in-vehicle output history HJ1 and out-of-vehicle output history HQ, and controls the content CA output by first content output unit 212 based on the similarity SM. Furthermore, when occupant PA is seated in seat 12, output control unit 214 calculates a similarity SM, which indicates the degree of similarity between in-vehicle output history HJ2 and out-of-vehicle output history HQ, and controls the content CA output by first content output unit 212 based on the similarity SM.

[0220] In this way, since the output control unit 214 calculates the similarity SM, which indicates the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ corresponding to the seating position of the occupant PA, and controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 based on the similarity SM, it is possible to output content CA suitable for the occupant PA based on the seating position of the occupant PA.

[0221] Next, refer to Figure 6 This section explains the vehicle environmental information VE, which includes the number of occupants, P, in vehicle 200. Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of the in-vehicle output history HJ1 when occupant PA is traveling alone in vehicle 200, and the in-vehicle output history HJ2 when occupant PA is traveling with fellow passengers in vehicle 200.

[0222] That is, the in-vehicle output history HJ1 shows the in-vehicle output history HJ of passenger PA when there is only one passenger, and the in-vehicle output history HJ2 shows the in-vehicle output history HJ of passenger PA when there are multiple passengers.

[0223] The occupant detection unit 215 detects the number of occupants P in the vehicle 200 where occupant PA is traveling.

[0224] In addition, the vehicle environment information VE includes the number of occupants P detected by the occupant detection unit 215.

[0225] Furthermore, the in-vehicle history storage unit 222 stores the in-vehicle output history HJ1 of the vehicle 200 in which the number of passengers is one, and the in-vehicle output history HJ2 of the vehicle 200 in which the number of passengers is multiple.

[0226] exist Figure 6 In the image, an example of in-vehicle output history HJ1 is shown on the left, and an example of in-vehicle output history HJ2 is shown on the right.

[0227] In both the in-vehicle output history HJ1 and the in-vehicle output history HJ2, the left column indicates the type of content C (TY), the middle column indicates the number of times content C was output (NT), and the right column indicates the order of the number of outputs (NT) from most to least (RN).

[0228] The content C can be categorized into four types: TY1 (first type), TY2 (second type), TY3 (third type), and TY4 (fourth type).

[0229] Figure 6 The in-vehicle output history HJ1 shown is... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The in-vehicle output history HJ shown is the same.

[0230] That is, in the in-vehicle output history HJ1, the content CA with the order RN as "first" has the type TY as the second type TY2, the content CA with the order RN as "second" has the type TY as the first type TY1, the content CA with the order RN as "third" has the type TY as the third type TY3, and the content CA with the order RN as "fourth" has the type TY as the fourth type TY4.

[0231] In the in-vehicle output history HJ2, the content CB with the order RN as "first" has the type TY as the third type TY3, the content CB with the order RN as "second" has the type TY as the first type TY1, the content CB with the order RN as "third" has the type TY as the fourth type TY4, and the content CB with the order RN as "fourth" has the type TY as the second type TY2.

[0232] Since the in-vehicle output history HJ1 and the in-vehicle output history HJ2 are different, it is preferable that the in-vehicle history storage unit 222 stores the in-vehicle output history HJ1 of the passenger PA when the number of passengers in the vehicle 200 is one, and the in-vehicle output history HJ2 of the passenger PA when the number of passengers in the vehicle 200 is multiple.

[0233] In this case, when the number of occupants in the vehicle 200 carrying occupant PA is one, the output control unit 214 calculates a similarity SM, representing the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ1 and the external output history HQ, and controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 based on the similarity SM. Furthermore, when the number of occupants in the vehicle 200 carrying occupant PA is multiple, the output control unit 214 calculates a similarity SM, representing the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ2 and the external output history HQ, and controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 based on the similarity SM.

[0234] In this way, since the output control unit 214 calculates the similarity SM, which represents the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ1 or HJ2 and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ, based on whether the number of passengers P in the vehicle 200 that the passenger PA is riding in is one or more, and controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 based on the similarity SM, it is possible to output content CA suitable for passenger PA based on whether the number of passengers P in the vehicle 200 is one or more.

[0235] Next, refer to Figure 7 This section explains the situation where the vehicle environment information (VE) includes identification information of the occupants of vehicle 200. Figure 7 A diagram illustrating an example of the in-vehicle output history HJ1 when only one passenger PA is in vehicle 200, and the in-vehicle output history HJ2 and HJ3 corresponding to other passengers P when there are two passengers.

[0236] That is, the in-vehicle output history HJ1 represents the in-vehicle output history HJ of passenger PA when there is only one passenger, the in-vehicle output history HJ2 represents the in-vehicle output history HJ of passenger PA when there are two passengers and the other passenger P is passenger PB, and the in-vehicle output history HJ3 represents the in-vehicle output history HJ of passenger PA when there are two passengers and the other passenger P is passenger PC.

[0237] The occupant detection unit 215 detects the occupant identification information DS, which is information used to identify occupant P in the vehicle 200 where occupant PA is traveling. When the vehicle 200 carrying occupant PA has two occupants, the occupant detection unit 215 detects the occupant identification information DS corresponding to occupant PA and the occupant identification information DS corresponding to other occupants P.

[0238] The vehicle environment information VE includes occupant identification information DS of occupant P detected by the occupant detection unit 215. The vehicle environment information VE includes occupant identification information DS corresponding to occupant PA and occupant identification information DS corresponding to other occupants P.

[0239] Furthermore, the in-vehicle history storage unit 222 stores the in-vehicle output history HJ1 of passenger PA when the number of passengers in the vehicle 200 is one, the in-vehicle output history HJ2 of passenger PA when the number of passengers in the vehicle 200 is two and the other passenger P is passenger PB, and the in-vehicle output history HJ3 of passenger PA when the number of passengers in the vehicle 200 is two and the other passenger P is passenger PC.

[0240] exist Figure 7 In the image, an example of in-vehicle output history HJ1 is shown on the left, and examples of in-vehicle output history HJ2 and in-vehicle output history HJ3 are shown on the right.

[0241] In each of the in-vehicle output history HJ1, in-vehicle output history HJ2, and in-vehicle output history HJ3, the type of content C (TY) is shown in the left column, the number of times content C is output (NT) is shown in the middle column, and the order of the number of outputs (NT) from most to least is shown in the right column (RN).

[0242] The content C can be categorized into four types: TY1 (first type), TY2 (second type), TY3 (third type), and TY4 (fourth type).

[0243] Figure 7 The in-vehicle output history HJ1 shown is... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The in-vehicle output history HJ shown is the same as that shown. Figure 6 The in-vehicle output history shown is the same as HJ1.

[0244] That is, in the in-vehicle output history HJ1, the content CA with the order RN as "first" has the type TY as the second type TY2, the content CA with the order RN as "second" has the type TY as the first type TY1, the content CA with the order RN as "third" has the type TY as the third type TY3, and the content CA with the order RN as "fourth" has the type TY as the fourth type TY4.

[0245] Figure 7 The in-vehicle output history HJ2 shown is... Figure 6 The in-vehicle output history shown is the same as HJ2.

[0246] That is, in the in-vehicle output history HJ2, the content CB with the order RN as "first" has the type TY as the third type TY3, the content CB with the order RN as "second" has the type TY as the first type TY1, the content CB with the order RN as "third" has the type TY as the fourth type TY4, and the content CB with the order RN as "fourth" has the type TY as the second type TY2.

[0247] exist Figure 7 In the in-vehicle output history HJ3 shown, for example, the number of times the content CB of the first type TY1 is output is "5 times", the number of times the content CB of the second type TY2 is output is "0 times", the number of times the content CB of the third type TY3 is output is "3 times", and the number of times the content CB of the fourth type TY4 is output is "8 times".

[0248] That is, in the in-vehicle output history HJ3, the content CB with the order RN as "first" has the fourth type TY4, the content CB with the order RN as "second" has the first type TY1, the content CB with the order RN as "third" has the third type TY3, and the content CB with the order RN as "fourth" has the second type TY2.

[0249] Since the in-vehicle output history HJ2 and the in-vehicle output history HJ3 are different, it is preferable that the in-vehicle history storage unit 222 stores the in-vehicle output history HJ2 of passenger PA when passenger PB is a passenger in the vehicle 200 that passenger PA is riding in, and the in-vehicle output history HJ3 of passenger PA when passenger PC is a passenger in the vehicle 200 that passenger PA is riding in.

[0250] In this case, when the passenger in the vehicle 200 that the passenger PA is riding in is the passenger PB, the output control unit 214 calculates the similarity SM, which represents the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ2 and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ, and controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 based on the similarity SM.

[0251] When the passenger in the vehicle 200 that the passenger PA is riding in is the passenger PC, the output control unit 214 calculates the similarity SM, which represents the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ3 and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ, and controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 based on the similarity SM.

[0252] In this way, the output control unit 214 calculates the similarity SM, which represents the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ2 or HJ3 and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ, based on whether the passenger in the vehicle 200 that the passenger PA is riding with is passenger PB or passenger PC. Based on the similarity SM, the output control unit 214 controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212. Therefore, it can output content CA suitable for passenger P based on whether the passenger in the vehicle 200 is passenger PB or passenger PC.

[0253] Next, the vehicle environment information VE, including the driving status CV of vehicle 200, will be explained.

[0254] The driving status CV, for example, indicates whether vehicle 200 is being driven by a driver or is operating autonomously.

[0255] The driving status detection unit 216 detects the driving status CV.

[0256] Furthermore, the in-vehicle history storage unit 222 stores the in-vehicle output history HJM of the occupant PA when the driving state CV of the vehicle 200 in which the occupant PA is riding is driven by a driver, and the in-vehicle output history HJA of the occupant PA when the driving state CV of the vehicle 200 in which the occupant PA is riding is in automatic driving mode.

[0257] The diagrams for the in-vehicle output history HJM and in-vehicle output history HJA are omitted.

[0258] Since the in-vehicle output history HJM is the in-vehicle output history HJ when the occupant PA is driving, the types of content C are limited to music content or radio content, and it is assumed that it does not include moving image content. On the other hand, since the in-vehicle output history HJA is the in-vehicle output history HJ of the occupant PA when the vehicle is in autonomous driving mode, the types of content C include moving image content, etc.

[0259] Therefore, it is assumed that the in-vehicle output history HJM and the in-vehicle output history HJA are different from each other.

[0260] Therefore, the in-vehicle history storage unit 222 preferably stores the in-vehicle output history HJM of the occupant PA when the driving state CV of the vehicle 200 in which the occupant PA is riding is driven by a driver, and the in-vehicle output history HJA of the occupant PA when the driving state CV of the vehicle 200 in which the occupant PA is riding is in automatic driving mode.

[0261] In this case, the output control unit 214 calculates the similarity SM, which indicates the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJM or the in-vehicle output history HJA and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ, based on whether the driving state CV indicates that the vehicle 200 is being driven by a driver or indicates autonomous driving. Based on the similarity SM, the output control unit 214 controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212.

[0262] In this way, the output control unit 214 calculates the similarity SM, which indicates the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJM or the in-vehicle output history HJA and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ, based on whether the driving state CV indicates that the vehicle 200 is being driven by a driver or in an autonomous driving mode. Based on the similarity SM, the output content CA of the first content output unit 212 is controlled, so that the content CA suitable for the occupant P can be output according to the driving state CV of the vehicle 200.

[0263] Next, refer to Figure 8 The external output history HQ is classified according to the external environment information QE representing the environment of the external output content CB of the occupant PA in the vehicle 200, and the external output history HQ stores the number of outputs NT of each type TY of content CB. Figure 8 This is a chart illustrating an example of in-vehicle output history HJ1 and external environmental information QE, which are different from each other: external output history HQ1 and external output history HQ2.

[0264] In each of the in-vehicle output history HJ1, out-of-vehicle output history HQ1, and out-of-vehicle output history HQ2, the type of content C (TY) is shown in the left column, the number of times content C is output (NT) is shown in the middle column, and the order of the number of outputs (NT) from most to least is shown in the right column (RN).

[0265] The content C can be categorized into four types: TY1 (first type), TY2 (second type), TY3 (third type), and TY4 (fourth type).

[0266] External environment information (QE) refers to the environment in which the occupant (PA) is located outside the vehicle (CB). Examples of external environment information (QE) include home, tram, motorcycle, and walking.

[0267] "External Environment Information" being "Home" indicates that passenger PA output content CB while at home. "External Environment Information" being "Tram" indicates that passenger PA output content CB while on a tram. "External Environment Information" being "Motorcycle" indicates that passenger PA output content CB while riding a motorcycle. "External Environment Information" being "Walking" indicates that passenger PA output content CB while walking.

[0268] Figure 8 The in-vehicle output history HJ1 shown is... Figure 4 andFigure 5 The in-vehicle output history HJ shown is the same as that shown. Figure 6 and Figure 7 The in-vehicle output history shown is the same as HJ1.

[0269] That is, in the in-vehicle output history HJ1, the content CA with the order RN as "first" has the type TY as the second type TY2, the content CA with the order RN as "second" has the type TY as the first type TY1, the content CA with the order RN as "third" has the type TY as the third type TY3, and the content CA with the order RN as "fourth" has the type TY as the fourth type TY4.

[0270] Figure 8 The external output history HQ1 shown is, for example, the external output history HQ when the external environment information QE is "home". In the external output history HQ1, for example, the number of times the content CB of the first type TY1 is output is "4 times", the number of times the content CB of the second type TY2 is output is "1 time", the number of times the content CB of the third type TY3 is output is "0 times", and the number of times the content CB of the fourth type TY4 is output is "10 times".

[0271] That is, in the external output history HQ1, the content CB with the order RN as "first" has the fourth type TY4, the content CB with the order RN as "second" has the first type TY1, the content CB with the order RN as "third" has the second type TY2, and the content CB with the order RN as "fourth" has the third type TY3.

[0272] Figure 8 The external output history HQ2 shown is, for example, the external environment information QE when it is "motorcycle". In the external output history HQ2, for example, the number of times the content CB of the first type TY1 is output is "three", the number of times the content CB of the second type TY2 is output is "five", the number of times the content CB of the third type TY3 is output is "nine", and the number of times the content CB of the fourth type TY4 is output is "three".

[0273] That is, in the external output history HQ2, the content CB with the order RN as "first" has the type TY of the third type TY3, the content CB with the order RN as "second" has the type TY of the second type TY2, and the content CB with the order RN as "third" has the type TY of the first type TY1 and the fourth type TY4.

[0274] Since the external output history HQ1 and the external output history HQ2 are different, it is preferable that the external history storage unit 223 classifies the external environment information QE according to each external environment information QE, and stores the number of times the content CB of each type TY of the content CB is output for the occupant PA outside the vehicle 200.

[0275] In this case, the external history acquisition unit 213 acquires, for example, the external environment information QE corresponding to the external output history HQ, which represents the environment in which the occupant PA outputs content CB before boarding the vehicle 200. Additionally, the output control unit 214 calculates a similarity SM indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the external output history HQ, and controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 based on the similarity SM.

[0276] In this way, the output control unit 214 obtains the external output history HQ corresponding to the external environment information QE, calculates the similarity SM, which represents the degree of similarity between the obtained external output history HQ and the internal output history HJ, and controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 based on the similarity SM. Therefore, it can output content CA suitable for the occupant P based on the external environment information QE.

[0277] [5. Content control device processing]

[0278] Next, refer to Figure 9 The processing of the content control device 2 will be explained. Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing of the content control device 2.

[0279] First, in step S101, the vehicle external history acquisition unit 213 acquires the vehicle external output history HQ from the smartphone 4A and stores the acquired vehicle external output history HQ in the vehicle external history storage unit 223.

[0280] Next, in step S103, the output control unit 214 calculates the similarity SM, which represents the degree of similarity between the external output history HQ and the internal output history HJ.

[0281] Next, in step S105, the output control unit 214 determines whether the similarity SM is above the threshold TH.

[0282] If the output control unit 214 determines that the similarity SM is above the threshold TH (step S105; Yes), the output control unit 214 determines that the external output history HQ and the internal output history HJ are similar, and the process proceeds to step S121. If the output control unit 214 determines that the similarity SM is not above the threshold TH, that is, the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH (step S105; No), the output control unit 214 determines that the external output history HQ and the internal output history HJ are not similar, and the process proceeds to step S107.

[0283] Then, in step S107, the output control unit 214 determines whether there is content CB that was output from outside the vehicle 200 to the middle of the journey by the occupant PA before boarding the vehicle 200.

[0284] If the output control unit 214 determines that there is occupant PA outputting content CB from outside the vehicle 200 (step S107; Yes), the process proceeds to step S115. If the output control unit 214 determines that there is no occupant PA outputting content CB from outside the vehicle 200 (step S107; No), the process proceeds to step S109.

[0285] Then, in step S109, the output control unit 214 determines the content CA based on the in-vehicle output history HJ.

[0286] Next, in step S111, the first content acquisition unit 211 acquires the determined content CA from the server device 5 and stores the acquired content CA in the content storage unit 221.

[0287] Next, in step S113, the first content output unit 212 outputs the acquired content CA from the output mechanism 3. Then, the process proceeds to step S133.

[0288] If "yes" is selected in step S107, in step S115, the output control unit 214 determines, based on the in-vehicle output history HJ, to output content CA other than the content CB that is in the middle of the journey.

[0289] Next, in step S117, the first content acquisition unit 211 acquires the determined content CA from the server device 5 and stores the acquired content CA in the content storage unit 221.

[0290] Next, in step S119, the first content output unit 212 outputs the acquired content CA from the output mechanism 3. Then, the process proceeds to step S133.

[0291] If "yes" is found in step S105, in step S121, the output control unit 214 determines whether there is content CB that was output from outside the vehicle 200 to the middle of the journey before the occupant PA boarded the vehicle 200.

[0292] If the output control unit 214 determines that there is occupant PA outputting content CB from outside the vehicle 200 (step S121; Yes), the process proceeds to step S129. If the output control unit 214 determines that there is no occupant PA outputting content CB from outside the vehicle 200 (step S121; No), the process proceeds to step S123.

[0293] Then, in step S123, the output control unit 214 determines the content CA based on the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ.

[0294] Next, in step S125, the first content acquisition unit 211 acquires the determined content CA from the server device 5 and stores the acquired content CA in the content storage unit 221.

[0295] Next, in step S127, the first content output unit 212 outputs the acquired content CA from the output mechanism 3. Then, the process proceeds to step S133.

[0296] If "yes" is selected in step S121, in step S129, the first content acquisition unit 211 acquires the content CA corresponding to the content CB output to the server device 5 and stores the acquired content CA in the content storage unit 221.

[0297] Next, in step S131, the first content output unit 212 outputs the acquired content CA from the output mechanism 3. Then, the process proceeds to step S133.

[0298] In step S133, the content control device 2 determines whether to end the driving of the vehicle 200.

[0299] If the content control device 2 determines that driving of vehicle 200 should not be terminated (step S133; No), the process returns to step S101. If the content control device 2 determines that driving of vehicle 200 should be terminated (step S133; Yes), the process then ends.

[0300] Steps S103, S105, S109, and S123 correspond to an example of the "content control steps".

[0301] [6. Structure and Effects]

[0302] The above is for reference only. Figures 1-9As described, the content control device 2 of this embodiment includes: a first content output unit 212 that outputs content CA to an occupant P sitting in seat 1 of the vehicle 200; an output control unit 214 that controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212; an in-vehicle history storage unit 222 that classifies the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 according to the type TY of content CA, and stores the number of times NT of the content CA of each type TY is output as in-vehicle output history HJ corresponding to the occupant P; and an external history acquisition unit 213 that classifies the content CB output by the occupant P outside the vehicle 200 according to the type TY of content CB, acquires the number of times NT of the content CB of each type TY is output as external output history HQ, and the output control unit 214 calculates a similarity SM indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the external output history HQ, and controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 according to the similarity SM.

[0303] Based on this structure, a similarity SM is calculated, which represents the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ. The content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is controlled based on the similarity SM. Therefore, the content CA suitable for the occupants P of the vehicle 200 can be controlled according to the usage tendency of the external content CB of the vehicle 200.

[0304] In addition, in the content control device 2, the type TY of content C includes at least one of the website that publishes content C and the type of content C.

[0305] Based on this structure, the type TY of content C includes at least one of the websites that publish content C and the type of content C, so it is possible to properly calculate the similarity SM, which represents the degree of similarity between in-vehicle output history HJ and out-of-vehicle output history HQ.

[0306] In addition, in the content control device 2, when the similarity SM is above a preset threshold TH, the output control unit 214 controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 based on the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ.

[0307] According to this structure, when the similarity SM is above a preset threshold TH, the in-vehicle output history HJ is similar to the out-of-vehicle output history HQ. Therefore, by controlling the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 based on the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ, it is possible to control the content CA suitable for the occupants P of the vehicle 200.

[0308] In the content control device 2, when the similarity SM is above a preset threshold TH, if there is a content CB that passenger P outputs from outside the vehicle 200 before boarding the vehicle 200 in the external output history HQ, the output control unit 214 controls the first content output unit 212 so that the content CA corresponding to the content CB that was output from the middle of the output starts to be output.

[0309] According to this structure, when the similarity SM is above a preset threshold TH, the in-vehicle output history HJ is similar to the out-of-vehicle output history HQ. Therefore, when occupant P outputs content CB from outside the vehicle 200 before boarding the vehicle 200, the first content output unit 212 is controlled so that the content CA corresponding to the content CB that was output midway is output from the midway point. Thus, it is possible to control the content CA suitable for occupant P of the vehicle 200.

[0310] In addition, in the content control device 2, when the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH, the output control unit 214 controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 based on the in-vehicle output history HJ.

[0311] According to this structure, when the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH, the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ are dissimilar. In this case, the occupant P may separately use the type TY of content CA output when riding in the vehicle 200 and the type TY of content CB output outside the vehicle 200. Therefore, since the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is controlled based on the in-vehicle output history HJ, it is possible to control the content CA suitable for the occupant P of the vehicle 200.

[0312] Furthermore, in the content control device 2, when the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH, the output control unit 214 controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 to prioritize the output of the content CA of the in-vehicle output history HJ, the content TY of the content CB whose output frequency NT is less than a predetermined number in the out-of-vehicle output history HQ.

[0313] According to this structure, when the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH, the in-vehicle output history HJ and the external output history HQ are not similar. Therefore, since the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is controlled by prioritizing the output of content CA types contained in the in-vehicle output history HJ, and the output frequency NT is less than a predetermined frequency of content CB types in the external output history HQ, by appropriately setting the predetermined frequency, the content CA suitable for the occupants P of the vehicle 200 can be controlled according to the usage tendency of the external content CB of the vehicle 200.

[0314] Furthermore, in the content control device 2, when the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH, if there are multiple types of content CB whose output count NT is less than a predetermined number in the external output history HQ among the types of content CA included in the in-vehicle output history HJ, and these multiple types of content CB include types of content CB whose output count NT is zero in the external output history HQ and types of content CB whose output count NT is more than one in the external output history HQ, the output control unit 214 controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 to prioritize the output of types of content CB whose output count NT is more than one in the external output history HQ compared to types of content CB whose output count NT is zero in the external output history HQ.

[0315] According to this structure, the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is controlled to prioritize the output of content CB types that have been output at least once in the external output history HQ, compared to content CB types that have been output zero times in the external output history HQ (NT). Furthermore, the content CB type (TY) with zero output times in the external output history HQ may not suit the occupants' preferences. Therefore, the content CA suitable for the occupants P of the vehicle 200 can be controlled based on their usage preferences for the external content CB of the vehicle 200.

[0316] In the content control device 2, when the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH, if there is content CB that passenger P output from outside the vehicle 200 before boarding the vehicle 200 in the external output history HQ, the output control unit 214 controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 in a manner that outputs content CA other than the content CA corresponding to the content CB output to the middle of the vehicle based on the in-vehicle output history HJ.

[0317] According to this structure, when the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH, the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ are dissimilar. In this case, occupant P may separately use the type TY of content CA output when riding in vehicle 200 and the type TY of content CB output outside vehicle 200. Therefore, for example, if occupant P outputs content CB to the middle of the journey outside vehicle 200 before riding in vehicle 200, the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is controlled in a manner that outputs content CA other than the content CA corresponding to the content CB output to the middle of the journey based on the in-vehicle output history HJ. Therefore, it is possible to control the content CA suitable for occupant P of vehicle 200 based on the usage tendency of content CB outside vehicle 200.

[0318] In addition, in the content control device 2, when the similarity SM is less than the threshold TH, the output control unit 214 controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 in a manner that the type of content C in the output history HJ and the output history HQ outside the vehicle is zero times is TY.

[0319] According to this structure, the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is controlled in such a way that the type TY of content C whose output count NT in both the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ is zero, thus outputting content CA that the occupant P has never seen or heard before. Therefore, if the occupant P wishes to see or hear content CA that has never been seen or heard in the vehicle 200, the content CA that the occupant P wishes to see or hear can be output.

[0320] In addition, in the content control device 2, the in-vehicle history storage unit 222 further classifies the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 according to the vehicle environment information VE, and stores the number of times the content CA under each vehicle environment information VE is output NT corresponding to the occupant P as the in-vehicle output history HJ. The vehicle environment information VE includes information related to the occupant P of the vehicle 200 that the occupant P is riding in, i.e., occupant information. The output control unit 214 calculates the similarity SM, which represents the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ corresponding to the vehicle environment information VE of the vehicle 200 that the occupant P is riding in and the external output history HQ. The content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is controlled according to the similarity SM.

[0321] Based on this structure, a similarity SM is calculated, representing the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the external output history HQ corresponding to the vehicle environment information VE of the vehicle 200 ridden by passenger P. The content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is then controlled based on the similarity SM. Therefore, by appropriately setting the vehicle environment information VE, the content CA suitable for passenger P of vehicle 200 can be controlled according to the usage tendency of external content CB of vehicle 200.

[0322] Additionally, the content control device 2 includes an occupant detection unit 215 that detects the seating position of occupant P in the vehicle 200 in which occupant P is riding. The vehicle environment information VE includes the seating position of occupant P detected by the occupant detection unit 215. The output control unit 214 calculates a similarity SM that indicates the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ corresponding to the seating position of occupant P. Based on the similarity SM, the first content output unit 212 controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212.

[0323] Based on this structure, a similarity SM is calculated, representing the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ corresponding to the seating position of occupant P. The content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is controlled based on the similarity SM. Therefore, it is possible to control the content CA suitable for occupant P in the vehicle 200 based on the seating position of occupant P.

[0324] Furthermore, the content control device 2 includes an occupant detection unit 215 that detects the number of occupants P in the vehicle 200 that occupant P is riding in. The vehicle environment information VE includes the number of occupants P detected by the occupant detection unit 215. When the number of occupants P in the vehicle 200 is 1, the output control unit 214 calculates a similarity SM, which indicates the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ corresponding to the case where the number of occupants P in the vehicle 200 is 1. Based on the similarity SM, the output content CA of the first content output unit 212 is controlled. When the number of occupants P in the vehicle 200 is multiple, the output control unit 214 calculates a similarity SM, which indicates the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ corresponding to the case where the number of occupants P in the vehicle 200 is multiple. Based on the similarity SM, the output content CA of the first content output unit 212 is controlled.

[0325] According to this structure, when the number of passengers in vehicle 200 occupied by passenger P is one, a similarity SM is calculated, representing the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the external output history HQ corresponding to the case of one passenger in vehicle 200. Based on the similarity SM, the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is controlled. Furthermore, when the number of passengers in vehicle 200 occupied by passenger P is multiple, a similarity SM is calculated, representing the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the external output history HQ corresponding to the case of multiple passengers in vehicle 200. Based on the similarity SM, the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is controlled. Therefore, the content CA suitable for passenger P in vehicle 200 can be controlled based on whether the number of passengers in vehicle 200 occupied by passenger P is one or multiple.

[0326] In addition, in the content control device 2, the occupant detection unit 215 detects occupant identification information DS, which is information identifying occupant P in the vehicle 200 where occupant PA is riding. The vehicle environment information VE includes the occupant identification information DS of occupant P detected by the occupant detection unit 215. The output control unit 214 calculates a similarity SM, which indicates the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ corresponding to the occupant identification information DS of occupant P detected by the occupant detection unit 215, by excluding occupant PA, and controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 based on the similarity SM.

[0327] Based on this structure, a similarity SM is calculated, representing the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ corresponding to the occupant identification information DS indicating occupant P detected by the occupant detection unit 215. The content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is then controlled based on the similarity SM. Therefore, the content CA suitable for the occupant PA of the vehicle 200 can be controlled according to who the passenger is.

[0328] Additionally, the content control device 2 includes a driving state detection unit 216 that detects whether the vehicle 200 is being driven autonomously, indicating the driving state CV. The vehicle environment information VE includes the driving state CV. The output control unit 214 calculates a similarity SM that indicates the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the out-of-vehicle output history HQ corresponding to the driving state CV of the vehicle 200. Based on the similarity SM, the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is controlled.

[0329] Based on this structure, a similarity SM is calculated, representing the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the external output history HQ corresponding to the driving state CV of the vehicle 200 indicating whether the vehicle 200 is being driven autonomously. Based on the similarity SM, the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is controlled. Therefore, it is possible to control the content CA suitable for the occupant P of the vehicle 200 based on whether the vehicle 200 is being driven autonomously.

[0330] In addition, in the content control device 2, the external output history HQ is classified according to the external environment information QE, which represents the environment in which the occupant P outputs content CB outside the vehicle 200. For the content CB output by the occupant P outside the vehicle 200, the number of times the content CB of each type TY of the content CB is output is stored NT. The external history acquisition unit 213 acquires the external output history HQ corresponding to the external environment information QE, which represents the environment in which the occupant P outputs content CB before boarding the vehicle 200. The output control unit 214 calculates the similarity SM, which represents the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the external output history HQ. Based on the similarity SM, the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is controlled.

[0331] According to this structure, the external environment information QE, which represents the environment in which occupant P outputs content CB before boarding vehicle 200, is obtained, along with the external output history HQ. The output control unit 214 calculates a similarity SM, indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the external output history HQ. Based on the similarity SM, the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 is controlled. Therefore, the content CA suitable for occupant P in vehicle 200 can be controlled based on the environment in which occupant P outputs content CB before boarding vehicle 200.

[0332] Furthermore, the content control method of this embodiment is a control method for the content control device 2, which includes: a first content output unit 212 that outputs content CA to an occupant P sitting in seat 1 of the vehicle 200; an output control unit 214 that controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212; an in-vehicle history storage unit 222 that classifies the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 according to the type TY of content CA, and stores the number of times NT of the content CA of each type TY is output as in-vehicle output history HJ corresponding to the occupant P; and an external history acquisition unit 213 that classifies the content CB output by the occupant P outside the vehicle 200 according to the type TY of content CB, and acquires the number of times NT of the content CB of each type TY is output as external output history HQ. In this control method, the output control unit 214 performs the following content control steps: calculates a similarity SM that represents the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the external output history HQ, and controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 according to the similarity SM.

[0333] Therefore, the content control method of this embodiment will have the same effect as the content control device 2 of this embodiment.

[0334] Furthermore, the first control program PG1 of this embodiment enables the first processor 21 of the content control device 2 configured in the vehicle 200 to function as the following components: a first content output unit 212, which outputs content CA to the occupant P sitting in seat 1 of the vehicle 200; an output control unit 214, which controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212; an in-vehicle history storage unit 222, which classifies the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 according to the type TY of content CA, and stores the number of times NT of the content CA of each type TY is output as in-vehicle output history HJ corresponding to the occupant P; and an external history acquisition unit 213, which classifies the content CB output by the occupant P outside the vehicle 200 according to the type TY of content CB, acquires the number of times NT of the content CB of each type TY is output as external output history HQ, and the output control unit 214 calculates a similarity SM indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the external output history HQ, and controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 according to the similarity SM.

[0335] Therefore, the first control program PG1 in this embodiment will have the same effect as the content control device 2 in this embodiment.

[0336] The content control system 100 of this embodiment includes a content control device 2 and a smartphone 4 communicatively connected to the content control device 2. The content control device 2 includes: a first content output unit 212 that outputs content CA to an occupant P sitting in seat 1 of the vehicle 200; an output control unit 214 that controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212; and an in-vehicle history storage unit 222 that classifies the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 according to the type TY of content CA, and stores the number of times NT of each type TY of content CA is output as in-vehicle output history HJ corresponding to the occupant P. The content control device also includes an external history acquisition unit 213 that classifies the content CB output by the occupant P from the smartphone outside the vehicle 200 according to the type TY of content CB, and acquires the number of times NT of each type TY of content CB is output as external output history HQ. The output control unit 214 calculates a similarity SM that represents the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history HJ and the external output history HQ, and controls the content CA output by the first content output unit 212 according to the similarity SM.

[0337] Therefore, the content control system 100 of this embodiment will have the same effect as the content control device 2 of this embodiment.

[0338] [7. Other Implementation Methods]

[0339] The above embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0340] In this embodiment, the case where seat 1 consists of five seats, namely seat 11, seat 12, seat 13, seat 14, and seat 15, is described, but the embodiment is not limited to this. Seat 1 may also consist of three seats. Alternatively, seat 1 may consist of four seats. Furthermore, seat 1 may consist of six or more seats.

[0341] In this embodiment, the output mechanism 3 is described as having a touch panel TP and a speaker SP, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the touch panel TP and the speaker SP may be configured separately.

[0342] In this embodiment, the case where the "information processing device" is a smartphone 4 has been described, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The "information processing device" may also be a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a desktop computer.

[0343] In this embodiment, the case where the type TY of content C is the same as the type of content C is described, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The type TY of content C only needs to include at least one of the website that publishes content C and the type of content C. For example, the type TY of content C can also be the website that publishes content C and the type of content C. Alternatively, the type TY of content C can be, for example, the website that publishes content C.

[0344] In this embodiment, the case where "occupant" is occupant PA is mainly described, but the embodiment is not limited to this. "Occupant" can also be occupant P other than occupant PA. For example, "occupant" can also be occupant PB, occupant PC, or occupant PD.

[0345] In this embodiment, the case where an image PT is generated by a single camera CM is described, but the implementation is not limited to this. An image PT can also be generated by multiple cameras CM. For example, cameras CM can be configured in the first output mechanism 31, the second output mechanism 32, the third output mechanism 33, the fourth output mechanism 34, and the fifth output mechanism 35 respectively.

[0346] In this embodiment, the output control unit 214 prioritizes outputting content CB of type TY from the content CA included in the in-vehicle output history HJ, whose output count NT is less than a predetermined number in the external output history HQ. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the output control unit 214 may also prioritize outputting content CB of type TY from the content CA included in the in-vehicle output history HJ, whose order RN is less than or equal to a predetermined number in the external output history HQ. The predetermined order RN is, for example, "third position".

[0347] For example, Figure 3 The content control device 2 shown is a functional structure, and its actual installation method is not particularly limited. That is, it is not necessary to install hardware corresponding to each functional unit separately; of course, it can also be configured so that the functions of multiple functional units are implemented by a single processor executing a program. In addition, some of the functions implemented by software in the above embodiments can be implemented by hardware, or some of the functions implemented by hardware can be implemented by software.

[0348] in addition, Figure 9 The processing units in the flowchart shown are divided according to the main processing content for easy understanding of the processing of the content control device 2. This invention is not subject to... Figure 9The flowchart illustrates the method of dividing processing units and the limitations on their names. Furthermore, the processing of content control device 2 can be divided into more processing units based on the processing content, or it can be divided in a way that a single processing unit contains more processing steps. Additionally, the processing order in the flowchart is not limited to the example shown.

[0349] [8. Structures supported by the above embodiments]

[0350] The above implementation is a specific example of the following structure.

[0351] (Structure 1)

[0352] A content control device includes: a content output unit that outputs content to an occupant seated in a vehicle; an output control unit that controls the content output by the content output unit; a history storage unit that categorizes the content output by the content output unit according to each content type and stores the number of times each content type was output as an in-vehicle output history corresponding to the occupant; and an external history acquisition unit that categorizes the content output by the occupant outside the vehicle according to each content type and acquires the number of times each content type was output as an external output history. The output control unit calculates a similarity score indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the external output history, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score.

[0353] The content control device of structure 1 calculates the similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity. Therefore, it is possible to control the content suitable for the occupants of the vehicle based on the usage tendency of the external content of the vehicle.

[0354] (Structure 2)

[0355] According to the content control device of Structure 1, the type of content includes at least one of the website that publishes the content and the type of content.

[0356] In the content control device of structure 2, since the content type includes at least one of the website that publishes the content and the content type, it is possible to appropriately calculate the similarity that represents the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history.

[0357] (Structure 3)

[0358] According to the content control device of structure 1 or structure 2, when the similarity is above a preset threshold, the output control unit controls the content output by the content output unit based on the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history.

[0359] In the content control device of structure 3, when the similarity is above a preset threshold, the in-vehicle output history is similar to the out-of-vehicle output history. Therefore, since the content output by the content output unit is controlled based on the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history, it is possible to control content suitable for the occupants of the vehicle.

[0360] (Structure 4)

[0361] According to any one of structures 1 to 3, when the similarity is above a preset threshold, and when there is content in the external output history where the occupant outputs content to the middle of the way outside the vehicle before boarding the vehicle, the output control unit controls the content output unit so that the content to the middle of the way is output from the middle of the way.

[0362] In the content control device of structure 4, when the similarity is above a preset threshold, the in-vehicle output history is similar to the out-of-vehicle output history. Therefore, when there is content output by an occupant outside the vehicle before boarding the vehicle, the content output unit is controlled so that the content that was output midway is output from the midway point, thus enabling control of content suitable for the occupants of the vehicle.

[0363] (Structure 5)

[0364] The content control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when the similarity is less than the threshold, the output control unit controls the content output by the content output unit based on the in-vehicle output history.

[0365] In the content control device of structure 5, if the similarity is less than a threshold, the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history are dissimilar. In this case, occupants may use different types of content output while riding in the vehicle and different types of content output outside the vehicle. Therefore, since the content output by the content output unit is controlled based on the in-vehicle output history, it is possible to control the content suitable for the occupants of the vehicle.

[0366] (Structure 6)

[0367] According to the content control device of structure 5, when the similarity is less than the threshold, the output control unit controls the content output by the content output unit to prioritize the output of content types included in the in-vehicle output history that have been output less than a predetermined number of times in the out-of-vehicle output history.

[0368] In the content control device of structure 6, if the similarity is less than a threshold, the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history are not similar. Therefore, the content output by the content output unit is controlled in a way that prioritizes the types of content included in the in-vehicle output history that have been output less than a predetermined number of times in the out-of-vehicle output history. Thus, by appropriately setting the predetermined number of times, it is possible to control the content suitable for the occupants of the vehicle based on their usage tendencies of the content outside the vehicle.

[0369] (Structure 7)

[0370] According to the content control device of structure 5 or structure 6, when the similarity is less than the threshold, if there are multiple types of content in the in-vehicle output history whose output frequency is less than a predetermined number in the out-of-vehicle output history, and the multiple types of content include types of content whose output frequency is zero times in the out-of-vehicle output history and types of content whose output frequency is one or more times in the out-of-vehicle output history, the output control unit controls the content output by the content output unit to prioritize the output of types of content whose output frequency is one or more times in the out-of-vehicle output history over types of content whose output frequency is zero times in the out-of-vehicle output history.

[0371] The content control device in structure 7 controls the content output by the content output unit to prioritize content types that have been output at least once in the external output history, compared to content types that have been output zero times in the external output history. Furthermore, content types that have been output zero times in the external output history may not suit the occupants' preferences. Therefore, it is possible to control the content suitable for the vehicle occupants based on their usage preferences for external content.

[0372] (Structure 8)

[0373] According to any one of structures 5 to 7, in the case where the similarity is less than the threshold, when there is content in the external output history that the occupant output to the middle of the vehicle before boarding the vehicle, the output control unit controls the content output by the content output unit to output content other than the content output to the middle of the vehicle based on the internal output history.

[0374] In the content control device of structure 8, if the similarity is less than a threshold, the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history are dissimilar. In this case, occupants may use different types of content output while riding in the vehicle and different types of content output outside the vehicle. Therefore, for example, if there is content that an occupant outputs to the outside of the vehicle before riding in the vehicle, the content output unit controls the content output based on content other than that output to the outside of the vehicle, according to the in-vehicle output history. Thus, it is possible to control the content suitable for the occupants of the vehicle based on their usage tendencies of content outside the vehicle.

[0375] (Structure 9)

[0376] According to any one of structures 5 to 8, in the case where the similarity is less than the threshold, the output control unit controls the content output by the content output unit to output the types of content whose output frequency is zero in the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history.

[0377] The content control device in structure 9 controls the content output by selecting content whose output count is zero in both the in-vehicle and out-of-vehicle output histories. Therefore, it outputs content that the occupant has never seen or heard before. Thus, when the occupant wishes to see or hear content that has never been seen or heard in the vehicle, it can output the content the occupant desires.

[0378] (Structure 10)

[0379] According to the content control device of structure 1 or structure 2, the history storage unit further classifies the content output by the content output unit according to the vehicle environment information, and stores the number of times the content under each vehicle environment information is output as the occupant as the in-vehicle output history. The vehicle environment information includes information related to the occupants of the vehicle in which the occupant is riding, i.e., occupant information. The output control unit calculates the similarity between the in-vehicle output history corresponding to the vehicle environment information of the vehicle in which the occupant is riding and the out-of-vehicle output history, and controls the content output by the content output unit according to the similarity.

[0380] The content control device in structure 10 calculates the similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history corresponding to the vehicle environment information of the vehicle in which the occupant is riding, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity. Therefore, by appropriately setting the vehicle environment information, it is possible to control the content suitable for the occupants of the vehicle based on their usage tendencies of external content.

[0381] (Structure 11)

[0382] According to the content control device of structure 10, the content control device includes an occupant detection unit, which detects the seating position of the occupant in the vehicle in which the occupant is riding, and the vehicle environment information includes the seating position of the occupant detected by the occupant detection unit. The output control unit calculates a similarity degree representing the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history corresponding to the seating position of the occupant, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity degree.

[0383] The content control device in structure 11 calculates a similarity score between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history corresponding to the occupant's seating position, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score. Therefore, it is possible to control content suitable for the vehicle's occupants based on their seating position.

[0384] (Structure 12)

[0385] According to the content control device of structure 10 or structure 11, the content control device includes an occupant detection unit that detects the number of occupants in the vehicle in which the occupant is riding. The vehicle environment information includes the number of occupants detected by the occupant detection unit. When the number of occupants in the vehicle in which the occupant is riding is 1, the output control unit calculates a similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history corresponding to the case where the number of occupants in the vehicle is 1, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity. When the number of occupants in the vehicle in which the occupant is riding is multiple, the output control unit calculates a similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history corresponding to the case where the number of occupants in the vehicle is multiple, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity.

[0386] When the number of occupants in the vehicle is one, the content control device in structure 12 calculates a similarity score indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history for that situation, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on this similarity score. Furthermore, when the number of occupants in the vehicle is multiple, it calculates a similarity score indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history for that situation, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on this similarity score. Therefore, it is possible to control content suitable for the occupants of the vehicle based on whether the vehicle has one or multiple occupants.

[0387] (Structure 13)

[0388] According to the content control device of structure 12, the occupant detection unit detects occupant identification information, which is information for identifying occupants in the vehicle in which the occupant is riding. The vehicle environment information includes the occupant identification information detected by the occupant detection unit. The output control unit calculates a similarity score, which indicates the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history corresponding to the occupant identification information detected by the occupant detection unit, by excluding the occupant. The content output by the content output unit is controlled according to the similarity score.

[0389] The content control device in structure 13 calculates a similarity score, representing the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history corresponding to the occupant identification information detected by the occupant detection unit, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score. Therefore, it is possible to control the occupant-appropriate content based on who the passenger is.

[0390] (Structure 14)

[0391] According to the content control device of structures 10 to 13, the content control device includes a driving state detection unit, which detects the driving state indicating whether the vehicle is being driven autonomously, the vehicle environment information includes the driving state, and the output control unit calculates the similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history corresponding to the driving state of the vehicle, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity.

[0392] The content control device in structure 14 calculates a similarity score indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history. Based on this similarity score, it controls the content output by the content output unit. The in-vehicle output history corresponds to the vehicle's driving state, indicating whether the vehicle is currently operating under autonomous driving conditions. Therefore, it is possible to control content suitable for the vehicle's occupants based on whether the vehicle is operating under autonomous driving conditions.

[0393] (Structure 15)

[0394] According to the content control device of Structure 1 or Structure 2, the external output history is classified according to the external environment information representing the environment in which the occupant outputs content outside the vehicle. For the content output by the occupant outside the vehicle, the number of times each type of content is output is stored. The external history acquisition unit acquires the external output history corresponding to the external environment information representing the environment in which the occupant outputs content before boarding the vehicle. The output control unit calculates a similarity indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the external output history. Based on the similarity, the content output unit controls the content output by the content output unit.

[0395] The content control device in structure 15 acquires the external output history corresponding to the external environment information representing the environment in which the occupant outputs content before boarding the vehicle, calculates a similarity score indicating the degree of similarity between the internal and external output histories, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score. Therefore, it is possible to control content suitable for the occupant based on the environment in which the occupant outputs content before boarding the vehicle.

[0396] (Structure 16)

[0397] A content control method is provided, which is a control method for a content control device. The content control device includes: a content output unit that outputs content to an occupant seated in a vehicle; an output control unit that controls the content output by the content output unit; a history storage unit that classifies the content output by the content output unit according to each content type and stores the number of times each content type was output as an in-vehicle output history corresponding to the occupant; and an external history acquisition unit that classifies the content output by the occupant outside the vehicle according to each content type and acquires the number of times each content type was output as an external output history. The content control method performs the following content control steps: the output control unit calculates a similarity score representing the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the external output history, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score.

[0398] The content control method of structure 16 has the same structure as the content control device of structure 1, and therefore will have the same effect as the content control device of structure 1.

[0399] (Structure 17)

[0400] A computer program product includes a content control program that enables a processor in a content control device configured in a vehicle to function as: a content output unit that outputs content to an occupant seated in the vehicle; an output control unit that controls the content output by the content output unit; a history storage unit that categorizes the content output by the content output unit according to each content type and stores the number of times each content type was output as an in-vehicle output history corresponding to the occupant; and an external history acquisition unit that categorizes the content output by the occupant outside the vehicle according to each content type and acquires the number of times each content type was output as an external output history. The output control unit calculates a similarity score indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the external output history, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score.

[0401] The computer program product of Structure 17 has the same structure as the content control device of Structure 1, and therefore will have the same function as the content control device of Structure 1.

[0402] (Structure 18)

[0403] A content control system includes a content control device and an information processing device communicatively connected to the content control device. The content control device includes: a content output unit that outputs content to an occupant seated in a vehicle; an output control unit that controls the content output by the content output unit; and a history storage unit that categorizes the content output by the content output unit according to each content type and stores the number of times each content type was output as an in-vehicle output history corresponding to the occupant. The content control device also includes an external history acquisition unit that categorizes the content output by the occupant from the information processing device outside the vehicle according to each content type and acquires the number of times each content type was output as an external output history. The output control unit calculates a similarity score indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the external output history, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score.

[0404] The content control system of structure 18 has the same structure as the content control device of structure 1, and therefore will have the same effect as the content control device of structure 1.

Claims

1. A content control device, comprising: The content output unit outputs content to the occupants seated in the vehicle. An output control unit controls the content output by the content output unit. The history storage unit categorizes the content output by the content output unit according to each type of content, and stores the number of times each type of content has been output as the in-vehicle output history for the occupant. as well as The external history acquisition unit categorizes the content output by the occupants outside the vehicle according to each content type, and acquires the number of times each content type was output as the external output history. The output control unit calculates a similarity score indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score.

2. The content control device according to claim 1, wherein, The types of content include at least one of the websites that publish the content and the types of content.

3. The content control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the similarity is above a preset threshold, The output control unit controls the content output by the content output unit based on the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history.

4. The content control device according to claim 3, wherein, When the similarity is above a preset threshold, If the external output history contains content that the occupant output midway through the journey outside the vehicle before boarding the vehicle, The output control unit controls the content output unit so that the content that was output in the middle of the output process is output from the middle of the output process.

5. The content control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, If the similarity is less than a preset threshold, The output control unit controls the content output by the content output unit based on the in-vehicle output history.

6. The content control device according to claim 5, wherein, If the similarity is less than the threshold, The output control unit controls the content output by the content output unit to prioritize the types of content included in the in-vehicle output history that have been output less than a predetermined number of times in the out-of-vehicle output history.

7. The content control device according to claim 5, wherein, If the similarity is less than the threshold, If there are multiple types of content in the in-vehicle output history whose output frequency in the out-of-vehicle output history is less than a certain number, and these multiple types of content include types of content whose output frequency in the out-of-vehicle output history is zero and types of content whose output frequency in the out-of-vehicle output history is one or more, then... The output control unit controls the content output by the content output unit to prioritize the output of content types that have been output more than once in the external output history, compared to content types whose output frequency is zero in the external output history.

8. The content control device according to claim 5, wherein, If the similarity is less than the threshold, If the external output history contains content that the occupant output midway through the journey outside the vehicle before boarding the vehicle, The output control unit controls the content output by the content output unit to output content other than the content that was output midway, based on the in-vehicle output history.

9. The content control device according to claim 5, wherein, If the similarity is less than the threshold, The output control unit controls the content output by the content output unit in a manner that the types of content in the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history that have been output zero times are output.

10. The content control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The history storage unit further categorizes the content output by the content output unit according to the vehicle environment information, and stores the number of times each content under the vehicle environment information is output as the occupant as the in-vehicle output history. The vehicle environment information includes information related to the occupants of the vehicle in which the occupant is riding, i.e., occupant information. The output control unit calculates a similarity score between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history corresponding to the vehicle environment information of the vehicle in which the occupant is riding, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score.

11. The content control device according to claim 10, wherein, The content control device includes an occupant detection unit that detects the seating position of the occupant in the vehicle. The vehicle environment information includes the seating position of the occupants detected by the occupant detection unit. The output control unit calculates the similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history corresponding to the seating position of the occupant, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity.

12. The content control device according to claim 10, wherein, The content control device includes an occupant detection unit, which detects the number of occupants in the vehicle to which the occupant is traveling. The vehicle environment information includes the number of occupants detected by the occupant detection unit. When the number of occupants in the vehicle is one, the output control unit calculates a similarity score between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history corresponding to the case where there is only one occupant. Based on the similarity score, the output unit controls the content output by the content output unit. When the number of passengers in the vehicle is large, the output control unit calculates a similarity score between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history corresponding to the case where the number of passengers in the vehicle is large, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score.

13. The content control device according to claim 12, wherein, The occupant detection unit detects occupant identification information, which is information used to identify occupants in the vehicle in which the occupant is riding. The vehicle environment information includes occupant identification information detected by the occupant detection unit. The output control unit calculates a similarity score between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history corresponding to the occupant identification information detected by the occupant detection unit, excluding the occupant, in a manner that indicates the degree of similarity between the occupant identification information and the occupant identification information detected by the occupant detection unit, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score.

14. The content control device according to claim 10, wherein, The content control device includes a driving state detection unit, which detects whether the vehicle is in a driving state indicating whether it is being driven autonomously. The vehicle environment information includes the driving status. The output control unit calculates a similarity score between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history, which represent the degree of similarity between the vehicle's driving state and the output history, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score.

15. The content control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The external output history is categorized according to external environment information representing the environment in which the occupant outputs content outside the vehicle. For each type of content output by the occupant outside the vehicle, the number of times each type of content was output is stored. The external history acquisition unit acquires the external output history corresponding to the external environment information of the environment in which the occupant output content before boarding the vehicle. The output control unit calculates a similarity score indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score.

16. A content control method, which is a control method for a content control device. The content control device has: The content output unit outputs content to the occupants seated in the vehicle. An output control unit controls the content output by the content output unit. The history storage unit categorizes the content output by the content output unit according to each type of content, and stores the number of times each type of content has been output as the in-vehicle output history for the occupant. as well as The external history acquisition unit categorizes the content output by the occupants outside the vehicle according to each content type, and acquires the number of times each content type was output as the external output history. The content control method performs the following content control steps: The output control unit calculates a similarity score indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score.

17. A computer program product comprising a content control program that causes a processor of a content control device configured in a vehicle to function as a component of: The content output unit outputs content to the occupants seated in the vehicle. An output control unit controls the content output by the content output unit. The history storage unit categorizes the content output by the content output unit according to each type of content, and stores the number of times each type of content has been output as the in-vehicle output history for the occupant. as well as The external history acquisition unit categorizes the content output by the occupants outside the vehicle according to each content type, and acquires the number of times each content type was output as the external output history. The output control unit calculates a similarity score indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score.

18. A content control system comprising a content control device and an information processing device communicatively connected to the content control device. The content control device has: The content output unit outputs content to the occupants seated in the vehicle. An output control unit controls the content output by the content output unit. as well as The history storage unit categorizes the content output by the content output unit according to each content type, and stores the number of times each content type was output as the in-vehicle output history corresponding to the occupant. The content control device includes an external history acquisition unit, which categorizes the content output by the occupant from the information processing device outside the vehicle according to each content type, and acquires the number of times each content type has been output as the external output history. The output control unit calculates a similarity score indicating the degree of similarity between the in-vehicle output history and the out-of-vehicle output history, and controls the content output by the content output unit based on the similarity score.

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