Contents output device and contents output method

Abstract

To improve convenience of a user operation in outputting content provided for a user account on a moving body.SOLUTION: A contents output device has: a display control part which controls output of contents to a display device provided for each seat of a moving body; and an identification part which identifies each passenger seated on a seat of the moving body, where the display control part, according to a contents output command from one passenger seated on one seat, connects an account of the one passenger regarding content viewing, outputs contents provided for the account to one display device being a display device of the one seat, and when the one passenger left the one seat, stops an output of content to the display device of the one seat while maintaining connection of the account.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, research and development has been conducted to obtain data on the seating position of a user and provide assistance to the user.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a seating position determination system that can identify the seating position of each user in a vehicle. This system determines the seating position of the user by detecting the user's smart key when opening the door and searching for the smart key after closing the door. This system also stores vehicle settings such as the user's HMI settings, and automatically adjusts the vehicle settings to the user's preferences when the user sits down. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-84358 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, when content is displayed using a user's account on a display device provided for each seat in a vehicle, the user may need to perform operations such as turning the content display on and off to prevent other users from viewing the content when the user leaves the seat to get off the vehicle, change seating position (change seats), etc. Such operations may be necessary even when the user leaves the seat temporarily, which can be inconvenient for the user.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present application aims to improve the convenience of user operations when outputting content provided to a user's account on a mobile device, thereby further improving traffic safety and contributing to the development of a sustainable transportation system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a content output device that has a display control unit that controls the output of content to display devices provided in each seat of a mobile body, and an identification unit that identifies each passenger seated in the seat of the mobile body, wherein the display control unit, in accordance with a content output instruction from a passenger seated in a seat, connects to the passenger's account related to content viewing and outputs content provided to the account to the display device in the seat, and when the passenger leaves the seat, stops the output of the content to the display device in the seat while maintaining the connection to the account. According to another aspect of the present invention, the display control unit disconnects the account of the one passenger when a predetermined waiting time has elapsed after stopping the output of the content to the display device of the one seat. According to another aspect of the present invention, the mobile body is a vehicle, and the waiting time is determined based on the location where the mobile body is parked when the one passenger leaves the one seat. According to another aspect of the present invention, when the display control unit detects that a passenger is seated in the moving body during the waiting time after stopping the output of the content to the display device in the one seat, it determines whether the passenger is seated in the moving body, and if the passenger is seated in the moving body, it resumes the output of the stopped content to the display device in the seat where the passenger is seated. According to another aspect of the present invention, when a passenger is detected to be seated in the vehicle during the waiting time after stopping the output of the content to the display device of the one seat, the display control unit determines whether the passenger is seated in the vehicle, and when the passenger is not seated in the vehicle, the display control unit maintains the stopped state of output of the stopped content. According to another aspect of the present invention, when the vehicle becomes full during the waiting time after stopping the output of the content to the display device of the one seat, the display control unit determines whether the one passenger is present in the vehicle, and when the one passenger is not present in the vehicle, disconnects the account of the one passenger. According to another aspect of the present invention, the display control unit shortens the waiting time when the switch of the driving device of the moving body is turned off during the waiting time after stopping the output of the content to the display device of the one seat. Another aspect of the present invention is a content output method executed by a computer of a content output device that outputs content to a display device provided in each seat of a mobile body, the content output method including a display control step of controlling the output of content to the display device provided in each of the seats, and an identification step of identifying each of the passengers seated in the seats of the mobile body, wherein the display control step, in accordance with a content output instruction from a passenger seated in a seat, connects to the account of the passenger related to content viewing, and outputs content provided to the account to a display device that is the display device of the seat, and when the passenger leaves the seat, stops outputting the content to the display device of the seat while maintaining the connection to the account. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of user operations when outputting content provided to a user's account on a mobile object. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a scene in which a content output device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle on which a content output device is mounted. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the content output device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the operation of the content output device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the operation of the content output device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the suspension of content output when a passenger leaves their seat. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a change of the content output destination accompanying the movement of a passenger. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [1. Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [1.1 Overall overview] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a scene in which a content output device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. The content output device 1 is mounted on a moving object 2 in which a plurality of people ride together as passengers P. In the example shown in Fig. 1, a passenger car 2a with three rows of seats, a passenger car 2b with two rows of seats, and a bus 2c are shown as examples of the moving object 2. However, these are merely examples, and the moving object 2 may be any vehicle capable of carrying a plurality of people (for example, a shared car, a taxi, a public bus, etc.).

[0011] Furthermore, the moving object 2 is not limited to a vehicle, and may be any moving object capable of carrying multiple people. Such moving objects may be land moving objects such as passenger cars, buses, taxis, and trains, marine moving objects such as ships and submarines, air moving objects such as aircraft including eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft) and airships, or space moving objects such as spaceships and artificial satellites.

[0012] The content output device 1, for example, outputs content provided by a server device provided outside the mobile body 2, content stored in a storage device provided in the mobile body 2, etc., inside the interior (cabin) of the mobile body 2 in accordance with instructions from a passenger P of the mobile body 2. In this embodiment, the content refers to any information that the user can view via an audiovisual device, such as a movie, animation, drama, game, etc.

[0013] 1 shows a first content server 4a, a second content server 4b, and a game server 5 as examples of server devices that provide content. A content output device 1 is communicably connected to the first content server 4a, the second content server 4b, and the game server 5 via a communication network 3. The communication network 3 is, for example, the Internet.

[0014] The first content server 4a and the second content server 4b are used for different content viewing services provided by different content providers. For example, the content viewing services may be Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc. Hereinafter, the first content server 4a and the second content server 4b will be collectively referred to as the content server 4.

[0015] In this embodiment, for example, the content provided by each of the first content server 4a and the second content server 4b can be viewed by the user by obtaining an account for the corresponding content viewing service in advance and subscribing to the content viewing service.

[0016] The game server 5 is a server device that provides game content (hereinafter also referred to as game content), and is operated, for example, by a company that provides a service providing game content. For example, a user can enjoy an online game by accessing the game server 5. In this embodiment, the user can use the game content provided by the game server 5 (play the game) by obtaining an account for the corresponding game content providing service in advance and subscribing to the game providing service. In this embodiment, viewing content also includes using the game content. When using game content, the user watches and hears the video and audio of the game content.

[0017] Hereinafter, content provision services, including content viewing services and game content provision services, will be collectively referred to as content provision services.

[0018] Each company that provides content provision services using the first content server 4a, the second content server 4b, and the game server 5, for example, opens a website on the communication network 3 for users to use these services. A user can view content provided by each service by logging in to the website of each service using an account that the user has obtained for that service.

[0019] The content provided by the first content server 4a, the second content server 4b, and the game server 5 is prohibited from being viewed by anyone other than users who have obtained accounts (hereinafter also referred to as account users) under the terms of the corresponding services, for example.

[0020] In addition, the content output device 1 may communicate with a content server or a game server (both not shown) that can be used without obtaining an account via the communication network 3, and output the content provided by these server devices within the room of the mobile object 2. The number of content servers and / or game servers that can be connected to the communication network 3 and used by the content output device 1 is arbitrary.

[0021] [1.2 Vehicle configuration] Next, the configuration of the mobile object 2 on which the content output device 1 is mounted will be described. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the mobile body 2. Fig. 2 shows the configuration of a passenger car 2a with three rows of seats as an example of the mobile body 2, but other mobile bodies such as a passenger car 2b and a bus 2c may also be configured in a similar manner.

[0022] Cabin 10, in which passenger P of moving body 2 is seated, is provided with driver's seat 12a where a driver who operates steering wheel 11 is seated, passenger seat 12b, second-row left seat 12c, second-row right seat 12d, third-row left seat 12e, and third-row right seat 12f. Hereinafter, driver's seat 12a, passenger seat 12b, second-row left seat 12c, second-row right seat 12d, third-row left seat 12e, and third-row right seat 12f will be collectively referred to as seats 12.

[0023] A display device is provided in front of each of the seats 12 of the moving body 2 so that the passenger P seated in that seat 12 can view content. For example, a display device 13a that can be seen by the driver, i.e., passenger P, seated in driver's seat 12a, is disposed on an instrument panel (not shown) of the moving body 2 in a position forward of driver's seat 12a. Also, a display device 13b that can be seen by passenger P seated in passenger seat 12b is disposed on the instrument panel in a position forward of passenger seat 12b.

[0024] Furthermore, display devices 13c and 13d that can be seen by passengers P seated in the second-row left seat 12c and the second-row right seat 12d are arranged on the rear surfaces (surfaces facing the rear of the vehicle 2) of the backrests (backrests) of the driver's seat 12a and the passenger's seat 12b, respectively, in front of the second-row left seat 12c and the second-row right seat 12d. Similarly, display devices 13e and 13f that can be seen by passengers P seated in the third-row left seat 12e and the third-row right seat 12f are arranged on the rear surfaces of the backrests of the second-row left seat 12c and the second-row right seat 12d, respectively, in front of the third-row left seat 12e and the third-row right seat 12f.

[0025] In addition, a display device 13g is disposed in the center of the instrument panel of the moving body 2, which is a central display device that can be seen by all passengers P seated in any of the seats 12. Hereinafter, the display devices 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, and 13g will also be collectively referred to as display device 13.

[0026] Here, in this specification, "display device 13 provided on seat 12" and "display device 13 on seat 12" refer to a display device 13 provided in front of each seat 12 of a moving body 2 for viewing by a passenger P seated in that seat 12.

[0027] In this embodiment, the display device 13 is a touch panel that has both a display function and a function for user operation input. However, the display device 13 is not limited to a touch panel and may be any type of display device. If the display device 13 does not have an operation input function, each seat 12 may be provided with, in addition to the display device 13, an input device that is operated by the passenger P seated in that seat 12. The input device may be, for example, a keyboard, a keypad, or a game controller.

[0028] Furthermore, the display devices 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, and 13g do not all need to be the same type of display device, and different types of display devices may be mixed together. For example, the display device 13a may be a HUD (head-up display) instead of a touch panel.

[0029] Speakers 14La and 14Ra, 14Lb and 14Rb, 14Lc and 14Rc, 14Ld and 14Rd, 14Le and 14Re, and 14Lf and 14Rf are arranged inside the headrests above the backrests of the driver's seat 12a, passenger seat 12b, second-row left seat 12c, second-row right seat 12d, third-row left seat 12e, and third-row right seat 12f.

[0030] Hereinafter, speakers 14La, 14Lb, 14Lc, 14Ld, 14Le, and 14Lf will be collectively referred to as speakers 14L, and speakers 14Ra, 14Rb, 14Rc, 14Rd, 14Re, and 14Rf will be collectively referred to as speakers 14R. Also, hereinafter, speakers 14R and 14L will be collectively referred to as speakers 14. The speakers 14L and 14R function as a left speaker and a right speaker, respectively, that output stereo sound to the passenger P seated in the corresponding seat 12.

[0031] Seat occupancy sensors 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, and 15f that detect whether a passenger P is seated in each seat 12 are provided under the seating surfaces of the driver's seat 12a, passenger seat 12b, second-row left seat 12c, second-row right seat 12d, third-row left seat 12e, and third-row right seat 12f. Hereinafter, seat occupancy sensors 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, and 15f will also be collectively referred to as seat occupancy sensors 15.

[0032] Additionally, an interior camera 16 is provided in the cabin 10 of the moving body 2 at a position where it can capture images of passengers P seated in the driver's seat 12a, passenger seat 12b, second-row left seat 12c, second-row right seat 12d, third-row left seat 12e, and third-row right seat 12f. The interior camera 16 is disposed, for example, above the windshield (not shown) of the moving body 2 (i.e., in a position close to the ceiling of the cabin 10).

[0033] The vehicle 2 may also be provided with a media reader 17, which is a device for reading storage media, located on the instrument panel below the display device 13g, which is the central display device. The media reader 17 may include a device for reading semiconductor memory such as a USB memory (registered trademark) or an SD memory card (registered trademark), as well as a CD / DVD drive, which is a device for reading storage media such as a CD or DVD.

[0034] The moving object 2 also includes a vehicle control device 18 that controls the traveling of the moving object 2, which is a vehicle, and a navigation device 19. The vehicle control device 18 detects the on / off state of a switch SW of a driving device M provided in the moving object 2 and the traveling speed of the moving object 2, and controls the driving device M. The navigation device 19 receives GNSS radio waves, for example, according to conventional technology, and identifies the current traveling location and / or stopping location of the moving object 2 from the position coordinates of the current position of the moving object 2 and map information, and provides guidance on the traveling route of the moving object 2 to the destination.

[0035] [1.3 Content output device configuration] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the content output device 1 mounted on the moving object 2. As shown in FIG. The content output device 1 includes a processor 20, a memory 21, and a communication device 22. The memory 21 is configured by, for example, a volatile and / or non-volatile semiconductor memory and / or a hard disk device. The communication device 22 is a transceiver for wirelessly communicating between the content output device 1 and external devices (including the content server 4 and the game server 5) via the communication network 3.

[0036] The processor 20 is, for example, a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The processor 20 may also include a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a program is written, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing data, and the like. The processor 20 includes an identification unit 25 and a display control unit 26 as functional elements or units.

[0037] These functional elements of the processor 20 are realized, for example, by the processor 20, which is a computer, executing a program 23 stored in the memory 21. The program 23 can be stored in any computer-readable storage medium. Alternatively, all or part of the functional elements of the processor 20 can be configured by hardware including one or more electronic circuit components.

[0038] The identification unit 25 identifies each passenger P seated in a seat 12 of the moving body 2. When a person gets on the moving body 2 and becomes a passenger P, the identification unit 25 stores unique information of the passenger P, such as a facial image, in the memory 21 as identification information 24 for identifying the passenger P.

[0039] Specifically, for example, the identification unit 25 detects that a new person has boarded the vehicle 2 and sat in one of the seats 12, based on the video of the interior of the cabin 10 acquired by the interior camera 16 and seating information (information on whether or not a person is seated in that seat 12) from the seating sensors 15 arranged in each seat 12. When the identification unit 25 detects that a new person has boarded and sat in that seat, it acquires a facial image of that person from the video and sensor output, and identifies the seat 12 in which that person is seated. The identification unit 25 associates the acquired facial image with seat information indicating the identified seat 12, and stores this information as new identification information 24 of the passenger P in the memory 21.

[0040] The "seat information indicating the seat 12" may be, for example, a seat number that is pre-assigned to each seat 12. The identification unit 25 may assign a passenger ID, which is a temporary ID, to each passenger P, and the identification information 24 may include the passenger ID of the corresponding passenger P. Note that while FIG. 2 shows one block of identification information 24 in the memory 21, in reality, the memory 21 stores as many pieces of identification information 24 as there are passengers P.

[0041] Furthermore, the identification unit 25 detects that any passenger P in the cabin 10 has left the seat 12 from the image of the interior of the cabin 10 acquired by the indoor camera 16 and the seating information from the seating sensor 15. When the identification unit 25 detects that any passenger P has left the seat 12, it notifies the display control unit 26 of this fact and information indicating the seat 12 that has been left.

[0042] When the identification unit 25 detects that any passenger P has left their seat, it identifies the passenger P who has left their seat based on the identification information 24 of each passenger P stored in the memory 21 (for example, it identifies the passenger ID of the passenger P who has left their seat).

[0043] The identification unit 25 traces (or tracks) the movement of the passenger P who has left the seat from the video of the inside of the cabin 10 acquired by the indoor camera 16, and determines whether or not the passenger P has disembarked from the moving body 2. When the passenger P disembarks, the identification unit 25 notifies the display control unit 26 of this, and deletes the seat information indicating the seat 12 associated with the facial image of the passenger P from the identification information 24 of the passenger P.

[0044] Furthermore, when the passenger P who left the seat returns to the vehicle 2 and sits down after leaving the seat (including when the passenger P who disembarked returns to the vehicle 2 and sits down), the identification unit 25 identifies the seat 12 in which the passenger P sat. The identification unit 25 updates the identification information 24 of the passenger P stored in the memory 21 with seat information indicating the seat 12 in which the passenger P sat after leaving the seat. That is, the identification unit 25 overwrites the seat information indicating the seat 12 associated with the facial image of the passenger P in the identification information 24 of the passenger P with the seat information indicating the seat 12 in which the passenger P sat after leaving the seat, thereby updating the identification information 24. Here, there may be cases where the passenger P sits down in the same seat 12 after leaving the seat 12. In this case, the seat information indicating the seat 12 associated with the facial image of the passenger P is the same before and after the update.

[0045] When any passenger P leaves his / her seat and then takes up his / her seat, the recognition unit 25 notifies the display control unit 26 to that effect.

[0046] Furthermore, when the recognition unit 25 detects that the moving object 2 is full, it notifies the display control unit 26 to that effect. Whether the moving object 2 is full can be determined, for example, by whether sensor information indicating that people are seated is output from the seating sensors 15 of all the seats 12 of the moving object 2.

[0047] The display control unit 26 controls the output of content to the display devices 13 provided in each of the seats 12 of the moving body 2. For example, in accordance with an instruction from one passenger P seated in one seat 12, the display control unit 26 connects to an account related to content viewing for the one passenger P and outputs content provided to the account to the display device 13 of the one seat 12. Here, "connecting to an account related to content viewing" specifically means logging in to a content providing service using the account.

[0048] Specifically, the display control unit 26 accesses the website of the content providing service specified by the passenger P seated in one seat 12, in accordance with instructions input by the passenger P to the display device 13, which is a touch panel arranged on the seat 12. The display control unit 26 also acquires the account of the passenger P input to the display device 13 by the passenger P.

[0049] The display control unit 26 logs in to the content providing service on the accessed website using the acquired account. The passenger P inputs an output instruction for the content that the passenger P wants to view using the account to the display device 13. In accordance with the content output instruction, the display control unit 26 transmits an output request for the content to the corresponding first content server 4a, second content server 4b, or game server 5.

[0050] The content providing service provides the requested content to the account of the passenger P used for the login from the first content server 4a, the second content server 4b, or the game server 5. Specifically, the display control unit 26 acquires data of the content to be provided (including video data, audio data, etc.) from the corresponding first content server 4a, the second content server 4b, or the game server 5. Using the acquired content data, the display control unit 26 outputs the specified content to one display device 13 arranged in one seat 12 where the passenger P is seated.

[0051] Hereinafter, a passenger P who sits in a seat 12 and inputs an account connection instruction using a display device 13 arranged in the seat 12 will also be referred to as the "target user PT," and the seat 12 in which the target user PT sits will also be referred to as the "target seat 12T." The display device 13 arranged in the target seat will also be referred to as the "target display device 13T," and the content designated by the target user through the content output instruction will also be referred to as the "target content."

[0052] In particular, in this embodiment, when the target user PT leaves the target seat 12T in which they have been seated, the display control unit 26 stops outputting the target content to the target display device 13T while maintaining the connection of the target user PT's account (i.e., while maintaining the logged-in state of the account). As described above, the identification unit 25 detects that the passenger P has left the seat 12. The display control unit 26 can determine whether the passenger P who has left the seat 12 is the target user PT, for example, by determining whether the target content is being output on the display device 13 of the seat 12.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a case in which a target user PT, who is one passenger P, leaves his / her seat. In the example of FIG. 6, the target user PT is seated in the passenger seat 12b. Therefore, in this case, the passenger seat 12b is the target seat 12T, and the display device 13b arranged in the passenger seat 12b is the target display device 13T. The display control device outputs the target content to the target display device 13T while the target user PT is seated in the target seat 12T.

[0054] Then, when the target user PT leaves the passenger seat 12b, which is the target seat 12T where he / she had been sitting, for example, to get off the vehicle, the display control unit 26 stores in the memory 21 correspondence information associating the account of the target user PT related to the target content with information indicating the target seat 12T, and stops output of the target content to the target display device 13T. Here, "stopping output of the target content to the target display device 13T" specifically means stopping transmission of video data of the target content to the target display device 13T so that the target content is not displayed on the target display device 13T. At this time, the display control unit 26 may, for example, temporarily suspend the operation of the target content (e.g., video playback operation, or game video output and user operation acquisition operation) and keep the target content without displaying it on the target display device 13T. Furthermore, while output of the target content is stopped, the display control unit 26 may display a predetermined default screen on the screen of the target display device 13T.

[0055] As a result, when content (target content) provided to the account of the target user PT is output at the mobile body 2, the output of the target content is stopped and the account connection state is maintained when the target user PT leaves their seat, thereby preventing others from viewing the content and simplifying the user operation related to resuming the output of the target content when the target user PT returns to their original seat 12, thereby improving convenience.

[0056] When the output of the target content to the target display device 13T is stopped due to the target user PT leaving the target seat 12T, the display control unit 26 starts measuring the elapsed time since the output of the target content was stopped. Then, when a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since the output of the target content was stopped, the display control unit 26 disconnects the account of the target user PT. In other words, the display control unit 26 logs out the account.

[0057] As a result, if the target user PT is away from his / her desk for a longer period of time than the waiting time, the display control unit 26 will disconnect the account, so the target user PT does not need to return to the mobile body 2 and operate it to disconnect the account, thereby further improving convenience for the target user PT.

[0058] Here, the waiting time is determined based on the location where the moving object 2 is parked when the target user PT leaves the target seat 12T. For example, if the moving object 2 is parked at a convenience store, the waiting time is set to 5 minutes, and if the moving object 2 is parked at a supermarket, the waiting time is set to 1 hour. Note that the waiting time for each stopping location and / or each type of stopping location can be determined in advance and stored in the memory 21.

[0059] The display control unit 26 can obtain information that the moving object 2 has stopped from the vehicle control device 18. In addition, the display control unit 26 can obtain information on the stopping location from the navigation device 19.

[0060] The length of time from when the passenger P disembarks until when he or she re-boards can generally vary depending on the location where the moving body 2 is stopped. In the above configuration, the waiting time can be set depending on the location where the moving body 2 is stopped, which can further improve convenience for the user (specifically, the target user PT).

[0061] Furthermore, after the output of the target content to the target display device 13T is stopped, when the identification unit 25 detects that any one of the passengers P in the moving body 2 is seated (i.e., any one of the passengers P has sat in any of the seats 12) before the waiting time has elapsed, the display control unit 26 determines whether or not the target user PT is seated in the cabin 10 of the moving body 2 based on the identification information 24 stored in the memory 21 by the identification unit 25. Then, when the target user PT is seated in the cabin 10 of the moving body 2, the display device 13 of the seat 12 where the target user PT is currently seated is designated as the target display device 13T, and the output of the stopped target content is resumed.

[0062] This allows the target user PT who leaves the seat 12 to continue viewing the target content at another seat 12 that he or she subsequently takes, thereby further improving convenience for the target user PT.

[0063] FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which a target user PT, who is one passenger P, leaves his / her seat and dismounts from the vehicle 2, and then, when he / she re-boards, sits in a seat 12 different from the original seat 12. In the example of FIG. 7, the target user PT leaves and dismounts from the passenger seat 12b. As a result, the display control unit 26 stops outputting the target content to the display device 13b of the passenger seat 12b. Thereafter, the target user PT re-boards and sits in the second-row right seat 12d. In this case, when the target user PT re-boards and sits in the second-row right seat 12d, the identification unit 25 updates the seat information included in the identification information 24 for the target user PT stored in the memory 21 to the second-row right seat 12d. In addition, the identification unit 25 transmits a notification to the display control unit 26 that one of the passengers P has sat down.

[0064] When the display control unit 26 receives the notification from the identification unit 25, it searches through all of the identification information 24 stored in the memory 21 and finds the identification information 24 of the target user PT. This allows the display control unit 26 to know that the target user PT is seated in the cabin 10. Then, based on the seat information included in the discovered identification information 24, the display control unit 26 determines the display device 13d in the second row right seat 12d where the target user PT is currently seated as the target display device 13T, and resumes the output of the stopped target content.

[0065] Even if the target user PT moves from the passenger seat 12b to the second row right seat 12d without getting out of the vehicle, the same operation as above will resume output of the target content on the display device 13d in the second row right seat 12d where the target user PT is currently sitting.

[0066] Furthermore, after the output of the target content to the target display device 13T is stopped, when the identification unit 25 detects that any passenger P is seated in the moving body 2 before the waiting time has elapsed, the display control unit 26 determines whether or not the target user PT is seated in the cabin 10 of the moving body 2. When the target user PT is not seated in the cabin 10, the display control unit 26 maintains the state in which the output of the target content to the target display device 13T is stopped.

[0067] As a result, even if another passenger P takes a seat 12 after the target user PT leaves the seat 12, the output of the target content remains stopped, thereby appropriately preventing the other passenger P from illegally viewing the target content.

[0068] Furthermore, after the output of the target content to the target display device 13T is stopped, when the identification unit 25 detects that the moving body 2 is full before the waiting time has elapsed, the display control unit 26 determines whether or not the target user PT is in the cabin 10 of the moving body 2 based on the identification information 24 from the identification unit 25. Then, when the moving body 2 is full and the target user PT is not in the cabin 10 of the moving body 2, the display control unit 26 disconnects the account of the target user PT.

[0069] As a result, for example, if the target user PT is unlikely to reboard, such as when the vehicle 2 becomes full after the target user PT leaves the vehicle to disembark, the account is automatically disconnected without waiting for the waiting time to elapse, thereby reducing the power consumed by unnecessary maintenance of the account connection state.

[0070] The display control unit 26 may also shorten the standby time if the switch SW of the drive device M of the moving object 2 is turned off before the standby time has elapsed after the output of the target content to the target display device 13T has been stopped. The display control unit 26 can know that the drive device of the moving object 2 has been turned off from information from the vehicle control device 18.

[0071] When the switch SW of the drive device M of the moving object 2 is turned off, it is generally considered that the target user PT who left after starting to watch content is unlikely to return to the moving object again. According to the above configuration, when the switch SW of the drive device M of the moving object 2 is turned off, the standby time is shortened, so it is possible to prevent unnecessary consumption of power by maintaining the account connection state for an unnecessarily long time.

[0072] [1.4 Content Output Device Operation] Next, we will explain the operation of the content output device 1. Figures 4 and 5 are flow diagrams showing the procedure of a content output method executed by the processor 20, which is the computer of the content output device 1. The process starting from Figure 4 starts when the mobile object 2 is powered on and the devices mounted on the mobile object 2, including the content output device 1, are powered on, and thereafter is repeatedly executed until the mobile object 2 is powered off.

[0073] 4, when the process starts, the identification unit 25 of the content output device 1 identifies the passenger P currently riding in the moving body 2, generates identification information 24 for each passenger, and stores the identification information 24 in the memory 21 (S100). Thereafter, the identification unit 25 detects a person leaving or sitting in any of the seats 12 in the cabin 10 of the moving body 2, and a person riding in the moving body 2 (i.e., an increase in the number of passengers), identifies the passenger, and creates or updates the identification information 24 for the passenger.

[0074] Next, the display control unit 26 of the content output device 1 determines whether or not a passenger P seated in one seat 12 has issued an instruction to connect an account via the display device 13 of the seat 12 (S102). If no instruction to connect an account has been issued via the display device 13 from any of the passengers P seated in the seats 12 (S102, NO), the display control unit 26 returns to step S102 and repeats the process, waiting for an instruction to connect an account to be input from any of the passengers P in any of the seats 12.

[0075] On the other hand, when a passenger P seated in one of the seats 12 issues an instruction to connect to an account via the display device 13 of that seat 12 (S102, YES), the account connection instruction is followed and the account of the passenger P entered at the time of the instruction is connected (S104). As described above, "connecting to an account" means logging in to that account on the website of the content providing service.

[0076] In the following description, the passenger P who inputs the account connection instruction will be referred to as the target user PT, and the seat 12 in which the target user PT is seated when the account connection instruction is input will be referred to as the target seat 12T.

[0077] Next, the display control unit 26 determines whether or not a content output instruction has been input from the target user PT via the display device 13 of the target seat 12T (S106). If a content output instruction has not been input (S106, NO), the display control unit 26 determines whether or not an instruction to disconnect the account has been input from the target user PT via the display device 13 of the target seat 12T (S108). As described above, "disconnecting the account" refers to logging off the account on the website of the content providing service.

[0078] If an instruction to disconnect the account is not input (S108, NO), the display control unit 26 returns to step S106 and repeats the process. On the other hand, if an instruction to disconnect the account is input (S108, YES), the display control unit 26 shifts the process to step S130 in Fig. 5, disconnects the account (S130), and ends this process.

[0079] On the other hand, when a content output instruction is input in step S106 (S106, YES), the display control unit 26 sets the content specified in the content output instruction as the target content, sets the display device 13 in the target seat 12T as the target display device 13T, and starts outputting the target content on the target display device 13T (S110).

[0080] Next, the display control unit 26 determines whether the output of the target content has been completed on the target display device 13T (S112). If the output of the target content has been completed (S112, YES), the display control unit 26 returns to step S106 and repeats the process.

[0081] On the other hand, if the output of the target content has not ended (S112, NO), the display control unit 26 determines whether or not the target user PT has left the target seat 12T (S114). Specifically, the display control unit 26 determines whether or not it has received a notification from the identification unit 25 that the target user PT has left the target seat 12T.

[0082] If the target user PT has not left the seat (S114, NO), the display control unit 26 returns to step S112 and repeats the process.

[0083] On the other hand, when the target user PT leaves the target seat 12T (S114, YES), the display control unit 26 stops outputting the target content on the target display device 13T while maintaining the connection state of the account connected in step S100 (S116 in Figure 5).

[0084] Next, the display control unit 26 determines whether a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since the output of the target content was stopped in step S116 (S118). If the waiting time has elapsed (S118, YES), the process proceeds to step S130 to disconnect the account and terminate this process. At this time, the display control unit 26 may instruct the identification unit 25 to delete the identification information 24 for the target user PT from the memory 21.

[0085] On the other hand, if the waiting time has not elapsed (S118, NO), the identification unit 25 determines whether any passenger P has been detected sitting down in the cabin 10 of the moving body 2 (i.e., the action or behavior of any passenger P sitting down in any seat 12) (S120).

[0086] If no seating of the passenger P is detected (S120, NO), the display control unit 26 returns to step S118 and repeats the process. On the other hand, when it is detected that any passenger P is seated (S120, YES), the identification unit 25 generates or updates the identification information 24 for the seated passenger P (S122). Then, the display control unit 26 determines whether the target user PT is present in the cabin 10 based on the identification information 24 of all passengers P (S124).

[0087] Then, when the target user PT is present in the cabin 10 (S124, YES), the display control unit 26 designates the display device of the seat 12 where the target user PT is currently seated as the target display device 13T, and resumes output of the target content that was stopped in step S116 on the target display device 13T (S126). Thereafter, the display control unit 26 returns to step S112 and repeats the process.

[0088] On the other hand, if the target user PT is not in the cabin 10 in step S124 (S124, NO), the display control unit 26 determines whether or not the cabin 10 of the moving object 2 is full (S128) based on the information from the identification unit 25. If the cabin 10 of the moving object 2 is not full (S128, NO), the display control unit 26 returns to step S118 and repeats the process.

[0089] On the other hand, if the cabin 10 of the moving object 2 is full (S128, YES), the display control unit 26 disconnects the account established in step S104 (S130) and ends this process. At that time, the display control unit 26 may instruct the identification unit 25 to delete the identification information 24 for the target user PT from the memory 21.

[0090] 4 and 5, the processes from steps S102 to S112 and the processes from steps S16, S118, and S124 to S130 correspond to the display control step in this disclosure. Also, steps S100, S114, S120, and S122 correspond to the identification step in this disclosure.

[0091] 2. Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiment, the identification unit 25 detects the seating and leaving of passenger P in each seat 12 using a seating sensor 15 provided in each seat 12, but it may also be configured to detect this from images of the interior of the cabin 10 acquired by an interior camera 16.

[0092] The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0093] 3. Configurations supported by the above embodiments The above-described embodiment supports the following configurations.

[0094] (Configuration 1) A content output device having a display control unit that controls the output of content to display devices provided in each seat of a mobile body, and an identification unit that identifies each passenger seated in the seat of the mobile body, wherein the display control unit, in accordance with a content output instruction from a passenger seated in a seat, connects to the account of the passenger related to content viewing and outputs content provided to the account to the display device of the seat, and when the passenger leaves the seat, stops the output of the content to the display device of the seat while maintaining the connection to the account. According to the content output device of configuration 1, when content provided to a user (passenger) account is output on a mobile object, when the user leaves their seat, the output of the content is stopped and the account remains connected, thereby preventing others from viewing the content and simplifying the user operation for resuming the output of the content when the user returns to their original seat, thereby improving convenience.

[0095] (Configuration 2) The content output device described in Configuration 1, wherein the display control unit disconnects the account of the one passenger when a predetermined waiting time has elapsed after stopping the output of the content to the display device of the one seat. According to the content output device of configuration 2, if the user (the above-mentioned one passenger) is away from his / her seat for a period of time that exceeds the waiting time, the display control unit disconnects the account, so that the user does not need to return to the vehicle to operate it in order to disconnect the account, thereby further improving convenience for the user.

[0096] (Configuration 3) The content output device described in Configuration 2, wherein the moving body is a vehicle, and the waiting time is determined based on the location where the moving body is parked when the one passenger leaves the one seat. According to the content output device of configuration 3, the waiting time can be set to match the typical time between passengers getting off the vehicle and getting back on, which can vary depending on the location where the vehicle is stopped, thereby further improving convenience for users.

[0097] (Configuration 4) A content output device as described in configuration 2 or 3, wherein when a passenger is detected to be seated in the moving body during the waiting time after stopping the output of the content to the display device of the one seat, the display control unit determines whether the one passenger is seated in the moving body, and if the one passenger is seated in the moving body, resumes the output of the stopped content to the display device of the seat where the one passenger is seated. According to the content output device of configuration 4, when a user (one passenger) who has started viewing content provided to his / her account in one seat in a vehicle leaves his / her seat and then sits down again in the vehicle, he / she can resume viewing the content in the seat where he / she has sat again, whether the seat where he / she has sat again is the original seat (the one seat) or a different seat. This makes it possible to further improve user convenience with the content output device of configuration 4.

[0098] (Configuration 5) A content output device described in any of configurations 2 to 4, wherein, when a passenger is detected to be seated in the moving body during the waiting time after stopping the output of the content to the display device of the one seat, the display control unit determines whether the passenger is seated in the moving body, and when the passenger is not seated in the moving body, the display control unit maintains the stopped state of output of the stopped content. According to the content output device of configuration 5, even if a passenger who has started viewing content provided to his / her account in a seat in a vehicle leaves the seat and another passenger takes the seat, the output of the content is maintained in a stopped state, thereby appropriately preventing other passengers from viewing the content.

[0099] (Configuration 6) A content output device described in any of configurations 2 to 5, wherein the display control unit, when the vehicle becomes full during the waiting time after stopping the output of the content to the display device of the one seat, determines whether the one passenger is present in the vehicle, and when the one passenger is not present in the vehicle, disconnects the account of the one passenger. According to the content output device of configuration 6, when a user (one passenger) who has started viewing content using an account leaves the vehicle and there is a low possibility that the user will board again, such as when the vehicle becomes full, the account is automatically disconnected without waiting for the waiting time to elapse, thereby reducing the power consumed for unnecessary maintenance of the account connection state.

[0100] (Configuration 7) A content output device described in any one of configurations 2 to 6, wherein the display control unit shortens the waiting time when the switch of the driving device of the moving body is turned off during the waiting time after stopping the output of the content to the display device of the one seat. When the switch of the drive device of the mobile body is turned off, it is generally considered that a passenger who has left the seat after starting to watch content is unlikely to return to the mobile body. According to the content output device of configuration 7, when the switch of the drive device of the mobile body is turned off, the standby time is shortened, so it is possible to prevent unnecessary consumption of power by maintaining the account connection state for an unnecessarily long time.

[0101] (Configuration 8) A content output method executed by a computer of a content output device that outputs content to a display device provided in each seat of a mobile body, the content output method including a display control step of controlling the output of content to the display device provided in each of the seats, and an identification step of identifying each of the passengers seated in the seats of the mobile body, wherein in the display control step, in accordance with a content output instruction from a passenger seated in a seat, a connection is made to the account of the passenger related to content viewing, and content provided to the account is output to a display device that is the display device of the seat, and when the passenger leaves the seat, the output of the content to the display device of the seat is stopped while maintaining the connection to the account. According to the content output method of configuration 8, when content provided to a user (passenger) account is output on a mobile vehicle, when the user leaves their seat, the output of the content is stopped and the account remains connected, thereby preventing others from viewing the content and simplifying the user operation for resuming the output of the content when the user returns to their original seat, thereby improving convenience. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1...content output device, 2...mobile body, 3...communication network, 4...content server, 4a...first content server, 4b...second content server, 5...game server, 10...cabin, 11...steering wheel, 12...seat, 12a...driver's seat, 12b...passenger seat, 12c...second row left seat, 12d...second row right seat, 12e...third row left seat, 12f...third row right seat, 12T...target seat, 13, 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g...display device, 13T...target display device, 14, 14L, 14 R, 14La, 14Lb, 14Lc, 14Ld, 14Le, 14Lf, 14Ra, 14Rb, 14Rc, 14Rd, 14Re, 14Rf...speaker, 15, 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f...seat occupancy sensor, 16...indoor camera, 17...media reader, 18...vehicle control device, 19...navigation device, 20...processor, 21...memory, 22...communication device, 23...program, 24...identification information, 25...identification unit, 26...display control unit, M...drive device, P...occupant, PT...target user, SW...switch.

Claims

1. a display control unit that controls output of content to a display device provided in each seat of the vehicle; an identification unit that identifies each passenger seated in the seat of the vehicle; and The display control unit In accordance with a content output instruction from one passenger seated in one seat, connect to an account of the one passenger related to content viewing, and output the content provided to the account to one display device that is the display device of the one seat; When the passenger leaves the seat, the output of the content to the display device at the seat is stopped while maintaining the connection of the account. Content output device.

2. The display control unit disconnecting the account of the one passenger when a predetermined waiting time has elapsed after stopping the output of the content to the display device of the one seat; The content output device according to claim 1 .

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

4. When the display control unit detects that a passenger is seated in the vehicle during the waiting time after stopping the output of the content to the display device of the one seat, determining whether the one passenger is seated in the vehicle; When the one passenger is seated in the vehicle, the display device of the seat where the one passenger is seated resumes output of the stopped content. The content output device according to claim 2 .

5. When the display control unit detects that a passenger is seated in the vehicle during the waiting time after stopping the output of the content to the display device of the one seat, determining whether the one passenger is seated in the vehicle; When the one passenger is not seated in the vehicle, the stopped state of output of the content is maintained. The content output device according to claim 2 .

6. During the waiting time after stopping the output of the content to the display device of the one seat, the display control unit: When the vehicle is full, determine whether the one passenger is in the vehicle, and when the one passenger is not in the vehicle, disconnect the account of the one passenger. The content output device according to claim 2 .

7. When a switch of a drive device of the moving body is turned off during the waiting time after the output of the content to the display device of the one seat is stopped, the display control unit shortening the waiting time; 7. The content output device according to claim 2.

8. A content output method executed by a computer of a content output device that outputs content to a display device provided in each seat of a moving vehicle, comprising: a display control step of controlling output of content to the display devices provided at the respective seats; an identification step of identifying each of the passengers seated in the seats of the vehicle; Including, In the display control step, In accordance with a content output instruction from one passenger seated in one seat, connect to an account of the one passenger related to content viewing, and output the content provided to the account to one display device that is the display device of the one seat; When the passenger leaves the seat, the output of the content to the display device at the seat is stopped while maintaining the connection of the account. Content output method.

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