Information processing device

Abstract

To improve the visual effect of content images displayed by a vehicle.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: a communication unit; and a control unit that communicates with a plurality of vehicles each having a display unit that displays images to the outside via the communication unit, and causes the vehicles to display a portion of content images corresponding to the respective positions when the time during which an inter-vehicle distance among the vehicles during travel remains equal to or less than a reference distance continues for a reference time or longer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There is known a vehicle that displays an image such as an advertisement on an outer wall of a vehicle body. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of calculating a time during which an image displayed on a display attached to a host vehicle can be visually recognized by an occupant of another vehicle, and causing the display to display an advertisement edited to have a video time corresponding to the visually recognizable time.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is room for improvement in the visual effect of content images displayed by vehicles.

[0005] The present disclosure provides an information processing apparatus and the like that enable improvement in the visual effect of content images displayed by vehicles.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing apparatus in the present disclosure includes a communication unit, and a plurality of vehicles having a display unit that displays an image outward, which communicate with the communication unit, and when a time during which an inter-vehicle distance in the plurality of traveling vehicles becomes equal to or less than a reference distance continues for a reference time or longer, a control unit that causes the plurality of vehicles to display a part of a content image corresponding to each position.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the information processing apparatus and the like in the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the visual effect of the content image displayed by the vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 4C

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described.

[0010] <Configuration of Vehicle Management System> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle management system according to an embodiment. The vehicle management system 1 includes one or more server devices 10, one or more terminal devices 12, and a plurality of vehicles 13 that are communicably connected to each other via a network 11. The server device 10 belongs to, for example, a cloud computing system or other computing systems, and is a server computer that functions as a server implementing various functions. The server device 10 corresponds to the "information processing device" in the present embodiment. The terminal device 12 is an information processing terminal used by an operator of a business that posts advertisements on the vehicle 13, and exchanges various information with the server device 10. The terminal device 12 is, for example, a personal computer. The vehicle 13 has a display unit 137 for displaying content images such as advertisements on the outer wall of the vehicle body. The vehicle 13 is, for example, a commercial vehicle such as a bus or a truck, but may be a passenger car. The vehicle 13 is provided with a communication function and an information processing function, and is connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication network. The vehicle 13 may be driven by a driver, or the driving may be automated at any level (for example, any one of levels 1 to 5 in SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)). Also, the vehicle 13 is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle that uses at least part of the energy for running as electric power of a battery. Hereinafter, when distinguishing between a plurality of vehicles 13, the vehicle 13-n (n = 1, 2,...) is numbered. The network 11 is, for example, the Internet, but includes an ad hoc network, a LAN (Local Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), or other networks or any combination thereof.

[0011] In this embodiment, the vehicle management system 1 controls the display of content images by a plurality of vehicles 13. The server device 10 includes a communication unit 101 and a control unit 103 that communicates via the communication unit. The control unit 103 communicates with a plurality of vehicles 13 each having a display unit 137 that displays an image outward through the communication unit 101, and when the time during which the inter-vehicle distance in the plurality of traveling vehicles 13 is equal to or less than the reference distance continues for a reference time or more, the control unit 103 causes the plurality of vehicles 13 to display a part of the content image corresponding to their respective positions. Since the content image can be displayed using a large display surface (hereinafter referred to as a combined display surface) formed by combining the display surfaces of the display units 137 of the plurality of vehicles 13, it is possible to improve the visual effect of the content image.

[0012] <Configuration of Server Device 10> The server device 10 includes a communication unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a control unit 103. The server device 10 is, for example, a single computer. Alternatively, the server device 10 may be configured by two or more computers that are connected in an information communicable manner and operate in cooperation. In that case, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is appropriately arranged in two or more computers.

[0013] The communication unit 101 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 101 receives information used for the operation of the server device 10 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the server device 10. The server device 10 is connected to the network 11 by the communication unit 101 and performs information communication with the vehicle 13 via the network 11.

[0014] The storage unit 102 includes, for example, one or more semiconductor memories that function as a main memory device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The RAM is, for example, an SRAM (Static RAM) or a DRAM (Dynamic RAM). The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM). The storage unit 102 stores information used for the operation of the server device 10 and information obtained by the operation of the server device 10.

[0015] The control unit 103 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination of these. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) specialized for specific processing. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The control unit 103 executes information processing related to the operation of the server device 10 while controlling each part of the server device 10.

[0016] The functions of the server device 10 are realized by executing a control program on a processor included in the control unit 103. The control program is a program for causing a computer to execute the processing of the steps included in the operation of the server device 10, so as to cause the computer to realize the functions corresponding to the processing of those steps. That is, the control program is a program for causing a computer to function as the server device 10. Also, some or all of the functions of the server device 10 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 103. Further, the control program may be stored in a non-transitory recording and storage medium readable by the server device 10, and the server device 10 may read it from the medium.

[0017] <Configuration of Terminal Device 12> The terminal device 12 includes a communication unit 121, a storage unit 122, a control unit 123, an input unit 125, and an output unit 126.

[0018] The communication unit 121 includes a communication module compatible with wired or wireless LAN standards, a module compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation), etc. The terminal device 12 is connected to the network 11 via the communication unit 121 through a nearby router device or a base station for mobile communication, and performs information communication with other devices via the network 11.

[0019] The storage unit 122 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The storage unit 122 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 122 stores information used for the operation of the control unit 123 and information obtained by the operation of the control unit 123.

[0020] The control unit 123 includes, for example, one or more general-purpose processors such as a CPU or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or one or more dedicated processors specialized for specific processing. Alternatively, the control unit 123 may include one or more dedicated circuits such as an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 123 operates in accordance with a control / processing program or in accordance with an operation procedure implemented as a circuit to comprehensively control the operation of the terminal device 12. Then, the control unit 123 transmits and receives various information to and from the server device 10 etc. via the communication unit 121, and executes the operation according to this embodiment.

[0021] The input unit 125 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interfaces include, for example, physical keys, capacitive keys, pointing devices, a touch screen provided integrally with a display, a camera that captures an imaging image or an image code, or an IC card reader. The input interfaces may include a microphone that receives voice input. The input unit 125 receives the input of information used for the operation of the control unit 123 and sends the input information to the control unit 123.

[0022] The output unit 126 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interfaces are, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The output unit 126 outputs the information obtained by the operation of the control unit 123.

[0023] The functions of the control unit 123 are realized by a processor included in the control unit 123 executing a control program. The control program is a program for causing the processor to function as the control unit 123. Also, some or all of the functions of the control unit 123 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 123.

[0024] <Configuration example of vehicle 13> The vehicle 13 has a communication unit 131, a storage unit 132, a control unit 133, a positioning unit 134, an input unit 135, and an output unit 136. The output unit 136 includes a display unit 137. One or more of these units may be configured as a single control device, or may be configured by a personal computer including a tablet terminal, a smartphone terminal, or a navigation device. Alternatively, each unit may be connected so as to be able to communicate information via an in-vehicle network conforming to a standard such as CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0025] The storage unit 132, the control unit 133, and the input unit 135 have configurations equivalent to those of the storage unit 122, the control unit 123, and the input unit 125 of the terminal device 12, respectively.

[0026] The communication unit 131 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, an interface corresponding to a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G, or 5G. The communication unit 131 receives information used for the operation of the control unit 133 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the control unit 133. The control unit 133 is connected to the network 11 via the base station of the mobile communication by the communication unit 131 and performs information communication with other devices via the network 11.

[0027] The positioning unit 134 includes one or more GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers. GNSS includes, for example, at least any one of GPS (Global Positioning System), QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), BeiDou, GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and Galileo. Based on the information acquired by the positioning unit 134, the position information of the vehicle 13 is obtained.

[0028] The output unit 136 includes one or more output interfaces for outputting information obtained by the operation of the control unit 123. The output interface includes, for example, a display or a speaker, and further includes a display unit 137 provided outside the vehicle body. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. Also, the display unit 137 is, for example, a substantially rectangular LED (Light Emitting Diode) display with a side length of several meters or more.

[0029] The control unit 133 controls these units while exchanging various information with the communication unit 131, the storage unit 132, the positioning unit 134, the input unit 135, and the output unit 136, and controls the operation of the vehicle 13.

[0030] <Operation of the vehicle management system 1> FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the procedure of the interrelated operations of the server device 10, the terminal device 12, and the vehicle 13. The steps related to various information processes of the server device 10, the terminal device 12, and the vehicle 13 in FIG. 2 are executed by the respective control units 103, 123, and 133. Also, the steps related to the transmission and reception of various information of the server device 10, the terminal device 12, and the vehicle 13 are executed by the respective control units 103, 123, and 133 transmitting and receiving information to and from each other via the communication units 101, 121, and 131, respectively. In the server device 10, the terminal device 12, and the vehicle 13, the control units 103, 123, and 133 respectively appropriately store the information to be processed, transmitted, and received in the storage units 102, 122, and 132.

[0031] In step S20, the server device 10 acquires the schedule information of each of the plurality of vehicles 13. The schedule information includes the area and time zone in which each vehicle 13 travels. The schedule information is stored in each vehicle 13 and may be sent from the vehicle 13 to the server device 10, or the schedule information for each vehicle 13 may be stored in the server device 10 and read out by the control unit 103. Step S20 is executed, for example, once a day.

[0032] In step S21, the server device 10 sends the operation information to the terminal device 12. The operation information includes information on the advertising fee for each area and time zone in which the plurality of vehicles 13 travel. The advertisement is displayed as content images on the combined display surface by the display units 137 of the plurality of vehicles 14. The advertising fee is set to increase, for example, according to the size of the combined display surface or the number of vehicles 14 forming the combined display surface. Also, the advertising fee may increase or decrease according to the attributes of the area and the time zone. For example, it is presumed that there are more consumers who are exposed to the advertisement in an area with a high population density, a time zone, or a combination of an area and a time zone, so it is possible to set a higher advertising fee.

[0033] In step S22, the server device 10 receives advertisement application information from the terminal device 12. The advertisement application information includes identification information for identifying an operator and their financial information, the area where the vehicle 13 travels, information specifying the time zone, and data of the content image for the advertisement. The terminal device 12 outputs the operation information received from the server device 10 by display or the like, and in response to an operation for advertisement application by the operator of the operator, sends the advertisement application information to the server device 10.

[0034] In step S23, the server device 10 determines the content image for each set of vehicles 14. The server device 10 associates the content image according to the advertisement application for each set of a plurality of vehicles 14 that travel in the same area in the same time zone. When a plurality of content images are applied for a single set of vehicles 14, the server device 10, for example, prioritizes the plurality of content images in the order of application, in descending order of the advertisement fee, etc., and associates the content image with a higher priority than others with the set of vehicles 14. Alternatively, the server device 10 can also derive the aspect ratio of the substantially rectangular combined display surface and select the content image on the condition that it matches the aspect ratio. The aspect ratio is classified, for example, at least as portrait or landscape. For example, the server device 10 stores in advance in the storage unit 102 information on the display surface generated by the display unit 137 for each vehicle 14, and can derive the aspect ratio of the planned combined display surface using such information.

[0035] When the operation of the vehicle 14 starts, in step S25, the server device 10 acquires the position information of each vehicle 14. Each vehicle 14 sends information on its current position to the server device 10 at an arbitrary cycle, for example, at a cycle of several tens of microseconds to several seconds.

[0036] In step S26, the server device 10 generates a display instruction for the content image for each vehicle 14 and sends the instruction to each vehicle 14. The detailed procedure of step S26 is shown in FIG. 3.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation procedure of the server device 10 related to the generation of a display instruction for a content image. Each step in FIG. 3 is executed by the control unit 103.

[0038] In step S30, the control unit 103 acquires the position information of each vehicle 14 for each set of vehicles 14. The control unit 103 reads out the position information sent from each vehicle 14 and stored in the storage unit 102.

[0039] In step S31, the control unit 103 determines whether the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicles 14 is less than or equal to a reference. The control unit 103 derives the inter-vehicle distance from the difference in the positions of the vehicles 14 and compares it with the reference. The inter-vehicle distance may be the front-rear distance when a plurality of vehicles 14 are traveling in a column, or the left-right distance when a plurality of vehicles 14 are traveling in parallel. When a plurality of vehicles 14 are traveling in a column, a combined display surface is formed by the display unit 137 on the side surface of each vehicle 14, and when a plurality of vehicles 14 are traveling in parallel, a combined display surface is formed by the display unit 137 on the rear surface of each vehicle 14. The reference is a distance that is large enough to ensure the safe driving of the vehicle 14 and small enough to form a combined display surface by the display surface of the display unit 137. The control unit 103 can use the reference for the column when the positions of the plurality of vehicles 14 are in a column, and the reference for the parallel when the positions of the plurality of vehicles 14 are in parallel. If the inter-vehicle distance is less than or equal to the reference (Yes in step S31), the control unit 103 proceeds to step S32, and if the inter-vehicle distance is not less than or equal to the reference (No in step S31), the control unit 103 ends the procedure of FIG. 3.

[0040] In step S32, the control unit 103 determines whether the reference time has elapsed while the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicles 14 is less than or equal to the reference. The reference time is arbitrarily set between ten seconds and several tens of seconds as a time sufficient to display the content image on the combined display surface. If the reference time has elapsed (Yes in step S32), the control unit 103 proceeds to step S33, and if the reference time has not elapsed (No in step S32), the control unit 103 returns to step S31.

[0041] In step S33, the control unit 103 assigns content images to the display surfaces of the plurality of vehicles 14. The control unit 103 assigns a part of the content image to each vehicle 14 according to the position of each vehicle 14.

[0042] Figs. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing examples of the assignment of content images. An example in which the content image 40 shown in Fig. 4A is assigned to the vertically arranged vehicles 13-1 and 13-2 is shown in Fig. 4B, and an example in which it is assigned to the horizontally arranged vehicles 13-1 and 13-2 is shown in Fig. 4C. When the vehicles 13-1 and 13-2 are vertically arranged as shown in Fig. 4B, the control unit 103 makes an assignment so that partial content images 40-1 and 40-2 obtained by dividing the content image 40 into left and right parts are respectively displayed on the respective display units 127. Further, when the vehicles 13-1 and 13-2 are horizontally arranged as shown in Fig. 4C, the control unit 103 makes an assignment so that partial content images 40-1 and 40-2 obtained by dividing the content image 40 into left and right parts are respectively displayed on the respective display units 127.

[0043] Returning to Fig. 3, in step S35, the control unit 103 sends a display instruction for the content image to each of the plurality of vehicles 14. The display instruction includes data of a part of the assigned content image. The display instruction also includes information regarding the display surface on which a part of the content image should be displayed, for example, the distinction between the left and right side surfaces and the rear surface. Then, the control unit 103 ends the procedure of Fig. 3.

[0044] Returning to Fig. 2, in step S27, each vehicle 13 displays a part of the content image based on the display instruction sent from the server device 10. As shown in Fig. 4B or Fig. 4C, when the vehicles 13-1 and 13-2 respectively display the content images 40-1 and 40-2, the content image 40 is displayed as a whole on the combined display surface formed by the respective display units 127 of the vehicles 13-1 and 13-2.

[0045] In step S28, the server device 10 performs a charging process for the advertising fee related to the display of the content image. The server device 10 uses the identification information of the business operator who has applied for the advertisement placement and executes the charging process in cooperation with the server that manages the financial account of the business operator.

[0046] In step S29, the server device 10 sends the result of the charging process to the terminal device 12 and ends the procedure shown in FIG. 2.

[0047] By operating each component of the vehicle management system 1 according to the above procedure, it is possible to improve the visual effect of the content image displayed by the vehicle.

[0048] <Modification Example> FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of the allocation of content images in the modification example. The content image 50 shown in FIG. 5A is a moving image including an object 51 that moves from the right direction to the left direction of the drawing. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the vehicles 13-1 and 13-2 travel in a vertical column in accordance with the moving direction 52 indicated by the arrow, the control unit 103, for example, allocates the partial content images 50-1 and 50-2 obtained by dividing the content image 50 into left and right parts to the respective display units 127 for display. At this time, the allocation of the content images 50-1 and 50-2 is performed so that the moving direction of the object 51 is opposite to the moving direction of the vehicles 13-1 and 13-2. The control unit 103 derives the moving direction of the object 51 from the content image 50 and derives the moving direction of the vehicles 13-1 and 13-2 from the change over time of the positions of the vehicles 13-1 and 13-2. By doing so, when a stationary observer observes the content image 50 as a whole, the sense of speed of the movement of the object 51 is emphasized. Alternatively, the moving direction of the object 51 may be the same as the moving direction 52 of the vehicles 13-1 and 13-2. By doing so, when the observer is moving in the same direction as the moving direction 52 of the vehicles 13-1 and 13-2, it becomes possible to stably observe the movement of the object 51.

[0049] In the above, the embodiments have been described based on the drawings and examples. However, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each means, each step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and a plurality of means, steps, etc. can be combined into one or divided.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0050] 1 Vehicle management system 10 Server device 11 Network 12 Terminal device 13 Vehicle 101, 121, 131 Communication unit 102, 122, 132 Storage unit 103, 123, 133 Control unit 125, 135 Input unit 126, 136 Output unit 134 Positioning unit 137 Display unit

Claims

1. A communication unit, A plurality of vehicles each having a display unit for displaying an image outward, communicate with the communication unit, and when the time during which the inter-vehicle distance in the plurality of traveling vehicles becomes less than or equal to a reference distance continues for a reference time or more, the plurality of vehicles are caused to display a part of a content image corresponding to their respective positions. A control unit, An information processing apparatus having the same.

2. In Claim 1, The control unit selects, as a content image for causing the plurality of vehicles to display a content image having a higher priority than others from a plurality of content images. An information processing apparatus.

3. In Claim 1, The control unit selects, as a content image for causing the plurality of vehicles to display a content image corresponding to the aspect ratio of the display surface formed by the display units of the plurality of vehicles from a plurality of content images. An information processing apparatus.

4. In Claim 1, The control unit selects, as a content image for causing the plurality of vehicles to display a content image corresponding to the section or time zone in which the plurality of vehicles travel from a plurality of content images. An information processing apparatus.

5. In Claim 1, When the content image to be displayed on the display unit on the side portion of the plurality of vehicles includes a moving object, the control unit allocates a part of the content image to the plurality of vehicles such that the moving direction of the moving object has a predetermined relationship with the moving direction of the plurality of vehicles. An information processing apparatus.

Images