Content display control device, content display control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a content display control device and a program that, when displaying a content, suppress unnecessary communication of an application that generates a content image, and efficiently achieve highly convenient content display.SOLUTION: In a content display system 100 in which a content display control device mounted on a vehicle M and a content distribution server 30 can send and receive data to and from each other via a network NW, a content display control device 10 includes an application control unit that controls the operations of each of a plurality of applications that communicates with an external device, and a display control unit that scrolls and displays some of a plurality of content images corresponding to each of the applications on a display screen. The application control unit determines the communication mode of each application depending on the display order of scroll display of the plurality of content images starting from the content image in the display state displayed on the display screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a content display control device, a content display control method, and a program, and more particularly to a content display control device, a content display control method, and a program for controlling the display of content on a display device used in, for example, a mobile object. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known devices that simultaneously display multiple different types of screens. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information terminal that divides the screen into two, and displays a real screen on one side that displays a photographed image of a building or the like with the building name or the like superimposed thereon, and a map screen on the other side that displays information about facilities (e.g., buildings and utility poles) with location information superimposed on map information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-181954 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, when displaying multiple content images generated by multiple gadgets (small applications, widgets) in a display area occupying a portion of a display screen, each of the multiple gadgets may need to communicate with an external device to collect data or update to the latest data. In such cases, the amount of data communication increases, which can lead to problems such as an increase in the processing load and power consumption of the display device.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and one of its objectives is to provide a content display control device that is capable of suppressing unnecessary communication of an application that generates a content image when displaying content, and is capable of efficiently displaying highly convenient content images. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 includes an application control unit that controls the operation of each of a plurality of applications that communicate with an external device, and a display control unit that scrolls a portion of a plurality of content images corresponding to each of the plurality of applications on a display screen, and is characterized in that the application control unit determines the communication mode of each of the applications in accordance with the display order of the scrolling display of the plurality of content images, starting from a content image in a display state displayed on the display screen.

[0007] The invention described in claim 4 is a content display control method for displaying multiple content images using a content display control device, comprising: an application control step in which an application control unit controls the operation of each of multiple applications that communicate with an external device; and a display control step in which a display control unit scrolls and displays on a display screen a portion of the multiple content images corresponding to each of the multiple applications, wherein in the application control step, the application control unit determines the communication mode of each of the applications in accordance with the display order of the scrolling display of the multiple content images, starting from the content image in a display state displayed on the display screen.

[0008] The invention described in claim 5 is a content display control program executed by a content display control device having a computer, comprising an application control step in which an application control unit controls the operation of each of a plurality of applications that communicate with an external device, and a display control step in which a display control unit scrolls and displays on a display screen a portion of a plurality of content images corresponding to each of the plurality of applications, wherein in the application control step, the application control unit executes the determination of the communication mode of each of the applications in accordance with the display order of the scrolling display of the plurality of content images, starting from a content image in a display state displayed on the display screen. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a content display system including a content display control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a front seat portion of a vehicle equipped with a content display control device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a content display control device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a content display screen according to the embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a content display order according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an outline of an operation executed in the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing an example of an operation routine executed in the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing an example of an operation routine executed in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following description and accompanying drawings, substantially the same or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals. EXAMPLES

[0011] 1 shows a content display system 100 using a content display control device 10 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the content display system 100 includes a content display control device 10 mounted on a vehicle M, which is an example of a moving body. The content display system 100 also includes a content distribution server 30.

[0012] The content display control device 10 and the content distribution server 30 are configured to be able to transmit and receive data to and from each other via a network NW. The network NW may be constructed by Internet communication via wireless communication such as a mobile communication network, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), LTE (long term evolution), etc. The data is transmitted and received using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP.

[0013] Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the content display control device 10 is configured as a part of a navigation device (not shown) mounted on a vehicle M. Note that the content display control device 10 may be configured to be connected to the navigation device, or may be configured to include the navigation device.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the front seat of a vehicle M equipped with a content display control device 10. Fig. 2 shows, as an example of an installation, a case in which the content display control device 10 is installed in a dashboard DB of the front seat of the vehicle M.

[0015] The touch panel 11 is, for example, a touch panel monitor that combines a display 11A, which is a display device such as a liquid crystal display capable of displaying images, and a touch pad 11B, which is an input device capable of detecting touch operations. The touch panel 11 is disposed, for example, in a center console CC of a dashboard DB. The touch panel 11 may be disposed in a location that is visible to and within reach of passengers such as the driver. For example, the touch panel 11 may be attached on the dashboard DB.

[0016] The display 11A as a display screen is capable of displaying a content screen under the control of the content display control device 10. In addition, the touch pad 11B is capable of transmitting a signal representing an input operation to the touch pad 11B to the content display control device 10.

[0017] In this embodiment, the orientation of the touch panel 11 will be described assuming that the side closer to the windshield FG is the upper side, and the side farther from the windshield FG is the lower side.

[0018] 3 shows the configuration of the content display control device 10. For example, the content display control device 10 is configured by connecting each unit via a system bus 13. The storage unit 15 is a storage device configured by, for example, a hard disk device, an SSD (solid state drive), a flash memory, etc. The storage unit 15 stores various programs and data for display control in the content display control device 10.

[0019] Specifically, the storage unit 15 stores an application group 15A, which is a plurality of applications that generate content images whose display is controlled by the content display control device 10. Here, an application is a program created in a computer according to a user's business, and for example, each of the applications included in the application group 15A may be a small application called a gadget or widget. In other words, an application is capable of generating some image information that can be displayed on a display screen, and each application is a concept that includes a program that can run on a computer independently or in conjunction with each other.

[0020] In this embodiment, content refers to the contents of information such as text, audio, and video. In this embodiment, each of the multiple applications included in the application group 15A can generate the contents of information such as text, audio, and video, that is, content. Each of the applications can generate image information for displaying the contents of the information provided by the content as an image on the display screen. An image generated from the image information to be displayed on the display screen is called a "content image." In other words, each of the multiple applications included in the application group 15A can generate content and generate image information for displaying the information provided by the content as a content image.

[0021] In this embodiment, each of the multiple applications included in the application group 15A acquires information necessary for generating content by communicating with an external device.

[0022] The storage unit 15 stores a map database 15B in which map information used for generating content is stored. The content display control device 10 may obtain map information from a navigation device (not shown). Various programs used in the content display control device 10 may be obtained, for example, from another server device via a network NW.

[0023] The control unit 17 is a computer that includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and controls the operation of the content display control device 10. The control unit 17 realizes various functions by the CPU reading and executing various programs stored in the ROM and the storage unit 15.

[0024] The control unit 17 includes an application control unit 17A. The application control unit 17A is a functional unit that controls the operation of each of the multiple applications included in the application group 15A. The application control unit 17A reads and executes each of the multiple applications to generate multiple contents. In addition, the application control unit 17A controls communication between each of the multiple applications and an external device.

[0025] The control unit 17 includes a display control unit 17B. The display control unit 17B is a functional unit that performs control related to the display of content images on the display 11A provided in the vehicle M. The display control unit 17B performs control to selectively display a plurality of content images generated by each of a plurality of applications on the display 11A as a display screen.

[0026] For example, the display control unit 17B selectively displays the plurality of content images on the display 11A by displaying content images corresponding to a predetermined number of contents among the plurality of contents in a scrollable manner. Also, for example, the display control unit 17B selectively displays the plurality of content images on the display 11A by displaying content images corresponding to a predetermined number of contents selected from a list of the plurality of contents.

[0027] The communication unit 19 is a network adapter such as a network interface card (NIC) connected to a wireless device (not shown). The control unit 17 communicates data with the outside via the communication unit 19. For example, the control unit 17 transmits and receives data to and from the content distribution server 30 via the communication unit 19.

[0028] For example, the control unit 17 receives data required for each application to generate content from the content distribution server 30 via the communication unit 19. In addition to communication with the content distribution server 30 via the communication unit 19, the control unit 17 may also perform communication such as data collection or vehicle-to-vehicle communication using VICS (registered trademark).

[0029] The input unit 21 is connected to the touch pad 11B of the touch panel 11 provided in the vehicle M. The input unit 21 is an interface that detects an input operation on the touch pad 11B and supplies a signal indicating the input operation to the control unit 17. For example, the input unit 21 detects an input operation related to a selection or search on content displayed on the display 11A of the touch panel 11. Also, for example, the input unit 21 detects a scroll operation, which is an input operation on the touch pad 11B to instruct scrolling of multiple content images displayed on the display 11A.

[0030] In addition, the input unit 21 is connected to a GPS receiver 25 provided in the vehicle M. The input unit 21 also functions as an interface that acquires current position information of the vehicle M from the GPS receiver 25 and supplies the information to the control unit 17.

[0031] The output unit 23 is connected to the display 11A of the touch panel 11. The output unit 23 is an interface that supplies information to be displayed on the display 11A to the display 11A in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 17. The output unit 23 supplies image data to the display 11A for displaying a content image generated by execution of each application in the application group 15A.

[0032] The output unit 23 may be connected to a speaker (not shown) provided in the vehicle M, and may supply audio data to the speaker to be output together with the display of the content image on the display 11A.

[0033] Fig. 4 shows an image displayed on display 11A serving as a display screen of touch panel 11. In Fig. 4, an arrow drawn on the outside of display 11A indicates the up-down direction of display 11A.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 4, the display 11A has a map display area NV and a content display area AR as a display area. As shown in Fig. 4, in the map display area NV, a navigation screen is displayed in which information related to the travel of a mobile object, such as the distance to a destination, is superimposed on a map.

[0035] 4, a plurality of frames FR arranged successively in the vertical direction are displayed in the content display area AR on the display 11A. The plurality of frames FR are displayed so as to be slidable in the vertical direction in sequence. A content image corresponding to a content generated by each of the applications included in the application group 15A is displayed in each of the frames FR. In other words, an area in which one content image is displayed is defined by one frame FR.

[0036] 4 shows a case where two frames FR are located in the content display area AR. Content images are also generated for frames FR located outside the content display area AR, that is, outside the display screen.

[0037] For example, when a frame FR is slid up or down by a user operation, the frame FR located outside the content display area AR is brought into the content display area AR, and the content image generated for the frame FR brought into the content display area AR is displayed. In this way, each of the content images generated for each frame FR is scroll-displayed in the content display area AR.

[0038] For example, with regard to this scroll display, the display control unit 17B of the control unit 17 receives a touch operation on the touch pad 11B indicating scrolling via the input unit 21, and performs display control according to the touch operation. For example, when a swipe operation or a flick operation is received as the touch operation, the display control is performed so as to move the frame FR in the vertical direction.

[0039] Therefore, the display control unit 17B can selectively display a content image desired by the user from among multiple content images on the display 11A by accepting a touch operation by the user of the content display control device 10 and scrolling the display.

[0040] For example, in Fig. 4, a content image for playing a video is displayed in a frame FR located on the upper side of the content display area AR. Also, in Fig. 4, for example, a content image capable of accepting keyword input and enabling video search is displayed in a frame FR located on the lower side of the content display area AR.

[0041] 4, a content image displaying word-of-mouth information about the current location is displayed as an example of a content image generated for a frame FR located below the content display area AR, which is an area outside the content display area AR. Also, in FIG. 4, a content image displaying a ranking of popular stores near the current location of the vehicle M is displayed as an example of a content image generated for the frame FR located below the content displaying the word-of-mouth information.

[0042] For example, in Figure 4, when the display in the content display area AR is scrolled upward by one frame FR, a frame FR that was located outside the content display area AR is brought into the content display area AR, and the content image of the word-of-mouth information generated for the brought-in frame FR is displayed in the content display area AR.

[0043] The content image generated for the frame FR located in the content display area AR is in a "display state" in which it is displayed on the display 11A. On the other hand, the content image generated for the frame FR located outside the content display area AR is in a "non-display state" in which it is not displayed on the display 11A. As described above, even in the non-display state, the content and the content image are generated.

[0044] As described above, each of the applications that generate each of the plurality of contents communicates with an external device such as the content distribution server 30 to generate the content. As described above, the content is generated even in a hidden state, so the application that generates the content communicates to generate the content even in a hidden state.

[0045] However, there may be cases where at least a portion of the information transmitted and received through the communication is not transmitted or received during content generation in the non-display state, and therefore communication in the non-display state does not necessarily have to be performed in the same manner as communication in the display state.

[0046] In this embodiment, the application control unit 17A of the control unit 17 can determine and change the mode of communication between each of the multiple applications and an external device depending on whether each of the multiple content images is in a hidden state where it is not displayed on the display 11A, or in a displayed state where it is displayed on the display 11A.

[0047] For example, the application control unit 17A may control an application so that when a content image corresponding to content generated by one application is in a displayed state, the application performs normal communication with an external device, but when the content image is in a hidden state, the application does not perform communication.

[0048] Also, for example, when a content image is in a non-display state, the application control unit 17A may set the communication mode of the corresponding application to a mode that suppresses the communication amount.

[0049] An example of a communication mode that suppresses the amount of communication traffic is to reduce the transfer speed during communication. For example, the application control unit 17A may reduce the number of items for updating data used in content generation in order to perform communication at a reduced transfer speed.

[0050] Specifically, for example, an application that generates content displaying a ranking of popular stores around a current location communicates to obtain both information indicating the location of a commercial facility related to the current location and information indicating the frequency with which each commercial facility has been set as a destination when a content image corresponding to the content is displayed. When the content image is not displayed, the application may reduce the number of items for which data is updated by communicating to obtain only the information indicating the location of the commercial facility.

[0051] Also, for example, each application may change the communication method depending on whether the content image to be generated is in a display state or a non-display state. For example, a high-speed communication method may be used for normal communication in the display state, and a low-speed communication method may be used for communication in the non-display state. For example, when using a fourth-generation mobile communication system in the display state, each of the applications may use a third-generation mobile communication system or a wireless communication system with a lower communication speed in the non-display state. This makes it possible to limit the transfer speed of communication in the non-display state, thereby reducing the cost of communication.

[0052] Another aspect of suppressing the amount of communication traffic is to reduce the total amount of data communicated within a certain period of time. For example, the application control unit 17A may reduce the frequency of updating data in order to reduce the total amount of data communicated within a certain period of time.

[0053] In this way, by changing the communication mode, it is possible to avoid unnecessary communication and reduce the amount of communication, which in turn reduces the processing load of the content distribution server 30 and the content display control device 10 as an in-vehicle device, and reduces power consumption.

[0054] Fig. 5 shows content images generated corresponding to six frames FR arranged continuously in the vertical direction, together with the touch panel 11. "Cont. AF" in Fig. 5 indicates six content images A to F generated by each of the corresponding applications. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the six frames FR have the same size and shape. Note that the size in this embodiment refers to the apparent size of the content image.

[0055] In Figure 5, as in Figure 4, a navigation screen is displayed in the map display area NV on the display 11A, and a content image C (Cont. C) and a content image D (Cont. D) generated for each of the two frames FR are displayed in the content display area AR.

[0056] 5, of the content images AF, content images C and D are in a displayed state, and content images A, B, E, and F are in a non-displayed state. The six frames FR in which the content images AF are generated are scrolled vertically while maintaining their vertical arrangement. Therefore, as the frames FR are scrolled, the content images AF are also scrolled and displayed in a predetermined order. That is, the content images AF are selectively displayed (scrolled display) in a predetermined scroll order, starting from the content image in a displayed state.

[0057] 5, when the content images AF are scrolled upward, the content images are displayed in the order "ABCDEF." Conversely, when the content images AF are scrolled downward, the content images are displayed in the order "FEDCBA."

[0058] Therefore, when displayed in a specified scroll order, the display order, which is the order from a displayed content image to a hidden content image being displayed, i.e., the order in which the content images are scrolled to a displayed state, varies depending on which content image is in a displayed state.

[0059] An example of a display order (hereinafter also simply referred to as "display order"), which is the order in which non-displayed content images are scrolled in units of frames FR until they are displayed in the content display area AR, will be described below.

[0060] First, the display order of a content image in a displayed state is set to "0" since it is already displayed. Next, the display order of a content image in a hidden state that is displayed when the content image in a displayed state is scrolled one frame FR in either the up or down direction starting from the content image in the displayed state is set to "1." In other words, the display order of a content image corresponding to a frame FR located one frame FR outside the content display area AR is set to "1."

[0061] Furthermore, the display order of a content image that is in a non-display state and is displayed when the content image in a displayed state is scrolled by two frames FR in either the up or down direction starting from the content image in the displayed state is set to "2." In other words, the display order of a content image corresponding to a frame FR located two frames FR outside the content display area AR is set to "2."

[0062] For example, in FIG. 5, the display order of content images C and D is "0", the display order of content images B and E is "1", and the display order of content images A and F is "2".

[0063] As described above, each of the applications that generate content images A-F can change the manner of communication with an external device to a manner that reduces communication volume depending on whether the corresponding content image is in a displayed or hidden state.

[0064] More specifically, each of the applications can determine the manner of communication with an external device for a corresponding content image in accordance with a predetermined scrolling order of a plurality of content images, starting from the content image in a displayed state.

[0065] When changing the communication mode, the degree to which the communication volume is reduced may be changed according to the display order, which is the order in which the content images are brought into a display state.

[0066] For example, the application control unit 17A may control each application so that the degree of suppression of communication traffic is increased when the display order of the content images is later than a predetermined display order. For example, the predetermined display order may be determined for each application, or may be determined according to the properties of each application.

[0067] Also, for example, the application control unit 17A may control each of the applications so that the later the display order is, the greater the degree of suppression of communication traffic.

[0068] 5, when content image C and content image D are in a display state, content image A and content image F, which have a display order of "2," are displayed on the display 11A later than content image B and content image E, which have a display order of "1." In this case, the degree of suppression of communication traffic may be greater for content image A and content image F than for content image B and content image E.

[0069] For example, for the same content image, the frequency of communication may be low when the display order is "1," and communication may not be performed when the display order is "2."

[0070] In this way, by reducing the amount of communication traffic to a greater extent the later the display order, unnecessary communication is reduced when the content image is not displayed, and an appropriate content image can be displayed immediately when the content image is displayed.

[0071] With regard to the restriction of communication traffic, it is possible to control the timing for starting the restriction of communication traffic and the level of communication traffic in more detail.

[0072] For example, while a scroll operation from a user is being accepted, in each application, a communication amount level according to the display order of each corresponding content image may be set for each predetermined time. The predetermined time may be, for example, about 0.1 seconds. It becomes possible to optimize the communication amount following the scroll operation, and unnecessary communication during the scroll operation can be suppressed. For example, the later the display order, the lower the communication amount level can be.

[0073] Also, for example, while a scroll operation from the user is being accepted, the communication amount of each application may be fixed to the communication amount that was set immediately before the acceptance of the scroll operation.

[0074] Then, immediately after the scroll operation is completed, a communication amount may be set to a level according to the display order of each of the corresponding content images.

[0075] Alternatively, when the scroll operation from the user is being accepted, the communication amount of each application may be fixed to the communication amount set immediately before the scroll operation is accepted, and when the scroll operation is completed, a certain period of time is waited, and if the scroll operation is not accepted even after the certain period of time (waiting time) has elapsed, a communication amount at a level corresponding to the display order of each corresponding content image may be set. The waiting time may be, for example, 5 seconds.

[0076] For example, the waiting time may be set at the time of shipping the content display control device 10, or may be set to an arbitrary time. Also, for example, the waiting time may be determined based on a history of the time interval from the completion of a scroll operation in the content display control device 10 to the acceptance of the next scroll operation.

[0077] Also, for example, while a scroll operation from the user is being accepted, the communication amount of each application may be set to the communication amount set when in a display state. Then, after the scroll operation is completed, the communication amount may be set to a level according to the display order of each corresponding content image. This makes it possible to reliably display the content image in the display state immediately after the scroll operation is completed.

[0078] Also, for example, while a scroll operation from a user is being accepted, each application may be put into a non-communication state, and the communication amount may be set to zero. After the scroll operation is completed, a communication amount may be set to a level according to the display order of each corresponding content image. The communication amount during the accepting operation can be reduced.

[0079] In addition to changing the communication mode of the corresponding application depending on whether each of the multiple content images is in a displayed or hidden state in Figures 4 and 5, the communication mode in the hidden state may be determined depending on the nature of the content of each of the multiple content images.

[0080] For example, for content that only needs to communicate when it is displayed, such as content that displays real-time information or information related to the current location, application communication may be stopped when the content is not displayed.

[0081] For example, application communication may be stopped in the hidden state for content that displays real-time rankings or content that displays information related to the current location. Also, for content that incurs a usage fee, it is preferable to stop application communication in the hidden state.

[0082] For example, with regard to content of a nature that requires periodic uploading of information regarding the driving of vehicle M to a server, even if the content is hidden, necessary communication may be continued without stopping communication of the application that generates the content, while communication may be performed in a manner that reduces communication volume.

[0083] For example, even for content of a nature that requires continuous downloading of data from a server, the amount of communication may be reduced to an extent that necessary communication can continue without stopping communication of an application in a hidden state.

[0084] For example, as described above, when suppressing the amount of communication for content of a nature for which it is preferable not to stop communication even in a hidden state, the amount of communication may be suppressed to an extent that necessary communication can be continued. In other words, for that content, the degree to which communication of the application in the hidden state is suppressed may be reduced.

[0085] For example, for content that streams video, in the non-display state, image download may be stopped and only audio may be downloaded. Depending on the nature of the content, the mode of communication in the non-display state may be the same as the mode of communication in the display state.

[0086] When the content images AF are displayed in a predetermined scroll order, for example, they may be scrolled starting from A toward F, and when F is displayed, the display may not change even if the image is further scrolled in the same direction. Alternatively, A may be displayed again after F, and the display from A to F may be repeated.

[0087] Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an overview of the control executed by the application control unit 17A and the display control unit 17B of the control unit 17. For example, when the power supply of the content display control device 10 is turned on, the application control unit 17A and the display control unit 17B start the sequence shown in Fig. 6.

[0088] The application control unit 17A reads out and executes each of the multiple applications included in the application group 15A of the storage unit 15 (step S101). The application control unit 17A starts to control the communication of each application so that it is in a predetermined mode (step S102). For example, the predetermined mode may be a mode in which all communications necessary for generating content are executed, or a mode in which the amount of communication is suppressed.

[0089] When communication between the applications is started, the application control unit 17A causes each application to start generating content (step S103), and supplies image data of the generated content to the display control unit 17B (step S104).

[0090] When image data for displaying the content is supplied, the display control unit 17B starts displaying the content images (step S105). For example, in step S105, the display control unit 17B performs control to display two of the multiple content images on the display 11A and set them to a display state, and to set the other content images to a non-display state.

[0091] Thereafter, when the display control unit 17B receives an input operation indicating the start of a scroll operation performed on the touch panel 11 via the input unit 21 (step S106), the display control unit 17B scrolls and displays the content image in response to the input operation (step S107). For example, in step S107, the content image is displayed while being scrolled in the content display area AR on the display 11A in accordance with the direction and amount of movement of the touch operation on the touch pad 11B.

[0092] When the display control unit 17B receives an input operation indicating the end of the scroll operation (step S108), the display control unit 17B transmits a display state notification indicating whether the content image corresponding to each content is in a display state or a non-display state to the application control unit 17A (step S109). For example, in step 109, it is notified whether the content image is in a display state or a non-display state at the time when the end of the scroll operation is received in step S108.

[0093] When the application control unit 17A receives the display state notification, it changes the communication state of each of the multiple applications in a state depending on whether the content image corresponding to each content is in a displayed state or a hidden state (step S110).

[0094] 7, a display control routine RT1 which is an example of a routine executed by the display control unit 17B and a communication control routine RT2 which is an example of a routine executed by the application control unit 17A will be described. As an example, a case where an application A which is an application that generates a content image A is controlled will be described.

[0095] The display control unit 17B starts a display control routine RT1, for example, when an application A is started and a content image A is generated. When the display control routine RT1 starts, the display control unit 17B waits for a scroll operation on the display area RA on the display 11A (step S201). In step S201, the display control unit 17B waits for a scroll operation, which is an input operation indicating scrolling on the touch pad 11B in the display area RA.

[0096] After executing step S201, the display control unit 17B determines whether or not a scroll operation has been started (step S202). In step S202, the display control unit 17B determines whether or not a scroll operation on the touch pad 11B in the display area RA has been accepted via the input unit.

[0097] In step S202, when the display control unit 17B determines that the scroll operation has not started, the process returns to step S201 and waits for the scroll operation again. In step S202, when the display control unit 17B determines that the scroll operation has started, the display control unit 17B performs scroll display in which each of the content images is scrolled and displayed (step S203). For example, in step S203, the display control unit 17B controls the display of the content images to move in either the up or down direction in response to the scroll operation.

[0098] After executing step S203, the display control unit 17B determines whether or not the scrolling operation has ended (step S204). In step S204, the display control unit 17B determines whether or not the input operation accepted via the input unit has ended. If the display control unit 17B determines in step S204 that the scrolling operation has not ended, the process returns to step S203 and continues the scrolling display.

[0099] When the display control unit 17B determines in step S204 that the scroll operation has ended (step S204: YES), the display control unit 17B performs a display state notification indicating whether each content image is in a displayed state or a hidden state (step S205). In step S205, the display control unit 17B supplies the display state notification to the application control unit 17A.

[0100] After executing step S205, the display control unit 17B ends the display control routine RT1 and repeatedly executes the display control routine RT1.

[0101] When the application control unit 17A starts the communication control routine RT2, the application control unit 17A waits for a display state notification from the display control unit 17B (step S301). After executing step S301, the application control unit 17A determines whether or not a display state notification has been received (step S302).

[0102] In step S302, if the application control unit 17A determines that a display state notification has not been received (step S302: NO), the process returns to step S301 and waits for the display state notification again. In step S302, if the application control unit 17A determines that a display state notification has been received (step S302: YES), the application control unit 17A determines whether or not the content image A is in a display state based on the display state notification (step S303).

[0103] In step S303, if the application control unit 17A determines that the content image A is in a display state (step S303: YES), it controls the application A to perform communication in the normal mode, which is the communication mode when the content image A is displayed (step S304).

[0104] In step S303, when it is determined that the content image A is not in a display state (step S303: NO), the application control unit 17A controls the application A so as to perform communication in a mode in which the communication amount is reduced more than in the normal mode (step S305). For example, the communication control of the application A in step S305 may be performed in a mode according to the nature of the content image A.

[0105] After executing step S304 or step S305, the application control unit 17A ends the communication control routine RT2 and repeatedly executes the communication control routine RT2.

[0106] 8 is a flow chart showing a communication control routine RT3 which is a modified example of the communication control routine RT2. In FIG. 8, steps which are substantially the same as those in the communication control routine RT2 are given the same reference numerals.

[0107] When the application control unit 17A starts the communication control routine RT3, it waits for a display state notification from the display control unit 17B (step S301), and upon receiving the display state notification (step S302), it determines whether the content image A is in a display state (step S303).

[0108] In step S303, when the application control unit 17A determines that the content image A is not in a display state (step S303: NO), it determines whether the display order, which is the order in which the content image A is in a display state, is two or more (step S401).

[0109] In step S401, the application control unit 17A determines whether or not the display order, which is the order until the display state is reached as shown in FIG. 5, is equal to or greater than two frames FR.

[0110] For example, the display state notification may include display order information indicating the display order of the content image A. In this case, in step S401, the application control unit 17A may determine whether the display order is 2 or more based on the display order information.

[0111] In the example shown, the display order used as the criterion in step S401 is 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a different criterion may be set according to the nature of the content of the content image. That is, in step S401, it is determined whether the display order of the content image A is later than a predetermined display order.

[0112] When the application control unit 17A determines in step S401 that the display order is not second or more (step S401: NO), the application control unit 17A controls the application A to communicate in the first suppression mode (step S402).

[0113] In step S402, the application control unit 17A controls communication so that, for example, the degree of suppression of communication volume is small and communication can be immediately changed to normal mode upon entering a display state.

[0114] When the application control unit 17A determines in step S401 that the display order is second or more (step S401: YES), the application control unit 17A controls the application A to communicate in the second suppression mode (step S403).

[0115] In step S403, the application control unit 17A controls communication in a mode in which the degree of communication volume suppression is greater than in the first suppression mode, for example. In step S403, for example, communication of application A may be stopped.

[0116] For example, application A may collect only data necessary for calculating the ranking in step S402, and stop communication in step S403.

[0117] After executing step S304, step S402, or step S403, the application control unit 17A ends the communication control routine RT3 and repeatedly executes the communication control routine RT3.

[0118] As described above, according to the content display system 100 including the content display control device 10 of this embodiment, a part of a plurality of content images corresponding to each of a plurality of applications included in the application group 15A can be scroll-displayed in the content display area AR on the display 11A, which is a display screen provided in the vehicle M. Each of the plurality of applications communicates with an external device to generate a content image.

[0119] Each of the plurality of applications can determine the mode of communication depending on whether each of the plurality of corresponding content images is in a displayed state or a hidden state. When each of the plurality of corresponding content images is in a hidden state, each of the plurality of applications can communicate in a mode that suppresses the amount of communication. Therefore, unnecessary communication can be suppressed.

[0120] Furthermore, the content display control device 10 can scroll and display each of the multiple content images in a predetermined scroll order. Then, the communication mode of each of the multiple applications can be determined according to the order in which each content image is displayed, that is, the display order of the scroll display. Therefore, the later the display order of the content images, the greater the degree to which the communication volume is reduced.

[0121] Also, depending on the nature of the content of each of the plurality of content images, the communication mode of the corresponding application can be made different.

[0122] Therefore, when displaying content, it is possible to suppress unnecessary communication of the application that generates the content image, and it is possible to provide a content display control device that can efficiently realize the display of highly convenient content. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in the amount of data communication and suppress an increase in the processing load and power consumption of the display device.

[0123] Although an example in which the content display control device 10 simultaneously displays two content images has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. Display control may be performed so that one or three or more content images are displayed.

[0124] In addition, in FIG. 5, a case where each of the multiple frames FR is the same size as each other has been described, but this is not limited to this. The arrangement of the multiple frames FR may include frames FR of different sizes. For example, frames FR of the same width but different lengths in the vertical direction may be arranged. Also, for example, the arrangement of the multiple frames FR may include frames FR of different widths. For example, each of the multiple content images may be generated in different sizes by being generated corresponding to the frames FR of different sizes as described above.

[0125] 5, the multiple frames FR are described as having the same shape, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the multiple frames FR may be arranged by combining frames FR having different shapes. For example, the multiple content images may be generated in different shapes by being generated in correspondence with the frames FR having different shapes as described above.

[0126] Furthermore, the scroll direction in which the content display control device 10 controls display is not limited to the up-down direction, and display may be controlled so that scrolling is possible in the left-right direction.

[0127] 4 and 5 show an example in which the position of the content display area AR on the display 11A is on the left side as one faces the display 11A, but this is not limiting. For example, the position of the content display area AR on the display 11A may be on the right side as one faces the display 11A. Alternatively, the content display area AR may be provided on the upper or lower part of the display 11A, and multiple contents displayed in the content display area AR may be scrolled in the left-right direction.

[0128] The configurations in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and can be appropriately selected and modified depending on the application, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 10 Content display control device 30 Content distribution server 11 Touch Panel 11A Display 11B Touchpad 13 System Bus 15 Storage section 15A Application Group 15B Map Database 17 Control Unit 19 Communications Department 21 Input section 23 Output section 25 GPS receiver 100 Content Display System M Vehicle NW Network FR Frame AR content display area NV map display area

Claims

[Claim 1] an application control unit that controls the operation of each of a plurality of applications that communicate with an external device; a display control unit that scrolls and displays a part of a plurality of content images corresponding to each of the plurality of applications on a display screen; A content display control device characterized in that the application control unit determines the communication mode of each of the applications in accordance with the display order of the scrolling display of the multiple content images, starting from the content image in the display state displayed on the display screen.

Images