Signage display system and signage display method

Abstract

To improve a situation in which it is difficult for elevator users to know the elevator maintenance plan and the response status of the maintenance personnel.SOLUTION: In a signage display system including a plurality of display devices provided in an elevator system and a signage control device that distributes contents to the plurality of display devices, the signage control device includes a content sending unit that distributes contents to the display devices and an update control unit that permits the start of playback of the content when content distribution is complete. The display devices include a content receiving unit that receives contents, a content storage unit that stores the received content, a display unit that displays the content stored in the content storage unit, and a playback control unit that starts playback of the content that has been permitted to be played when permission to start playback is obtained from the update control unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a signage display system and a signage display method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an elevator information display control system comprising a first transmission control device that transmits elevator information, a second transmission control device that receives the elevator information from this first transmission control device, and multiple information display devices each having a display unit, and a display synchronization device that uses the reception time of a reception completion signal from each of these information display devices to calculate a correction time for each second transmission control device and transmits it to the corresponding second transmission control device, each second transmission control device having a means for receiving the elevator information and sending a reception completion signal to the display synchronization device, a transmission deviation correction means that, when a correction time is received from the display synchronization device, sends a correction command including this correction time, and a display control means that displays the elevator information received after this correction time has elapsed on its own display unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-47645 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Regarding elevator car displays, in the case of front-to-back specifications with entrances and exits on both the front and back, or in the case of main and auxiliary operation panels with car call buttons installed on both sides of the entrances and exits, two or more car position displays may be installed.

[0005] When updating signage content on in-car displays, if content is sent and updated sequentially to the displays in the same car, the old and new content will be displayed at the same time, which can be confusing for viewers.

[0006] To solve this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a display synchronization device sends a correction time to a display device, and displays the correction time on the display unit after the correction time has elapsed.

[0007] However, the method of Patent Document 1 is a technology for correcting the time required to transmit the elevator information to be displayed from a first transmission device to a second transmission device, and it is difficult to accurately grasp the time required for transmission. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above problem is solved by a signage display system comprising a plurality of display devices provided in an elevator system and a signage control device that distributes content to the plurality of display devices, wherein the signage control device comprises a content sending unit that distributes content to the display devices and an update control unit that allows playback of the content to begin when content distribution is complete, and the display devices comprise a content receiving unit that receives content, a content storage unit that stores the received content, a display unit that displays the content stored in the content storage unit, and a playback control unit that starts playback of the content that has been allowed to be played when permission to start playback is obtained from the update control unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present invention allows the content displayed in an elevator system to be the same content. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Arrangement example of display devices in the embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] An example of the arrangement of display devices including a boarding area in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a content distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Example of display device management table in the embodiment of the present invention [Figure 6] Example of a distribution content management table in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 7] Example of a content playback table according to an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 8] Content playback example in the embodiment of the present invention [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a playback control process when content is distributed according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a content playback control process when content is distributed, including a display device at a platform, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a content playback control process of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing for explaining the embodiments, the same components are given the same names and reference numerals as much as possible, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0012] The present invention is not limited to the following examples, and includes various modifications and equivalent configurations within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, the above examples have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations.

[0013] Furthermore, the processing units and processing modules described in the embodiments may be realized in part or in whole in hardware, for example by designing them as integrated circuits, or may be realized in software by having a processor interpret and execute a program that realizes each function.

[0014] The information explained in the embodiment may be a table, a database (DB), or data stored in the main memory. [Example]

[0015] FIG. 1 shows an example of the layout of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] An elevator 3 is connected to a content distribution device 1 via a network 2. Content such as news, weather forecasts, and advertisements distributed from the content distribution device 1 is displayed on a display screen 5 of a display device 4 located inside the elevator 3 car.

[0017] The content can be either a still image or a video. In this example, the content is displayed on display devices installed on the walls on the left and right of the elevator doors, but if the display devices were independent, the displayed content would be different.

[0018] If different content is displayed in the same cart, there will be no sense of unity, which may make it difficult to understand the content, and in the case of advertising content, the effectiveness of the advertising may be reduced.

[0019] In particular, in the case of news or weather forecast content, content that does not reflect information that is updated over time and new content containing the latest information are displayed at the same time, which can confuse elevator passengers.

[0020] Therefore, in the present invention, when multiple display devices are installed inside an elevator car, control is performed so that the same content is displayed on all of them, thereby making it possible to provide more easily understandable information.

[0021] 2 shows an example of the arrangement of display devices including landing areas in an embodiment of the present invention. In recent buildings, display devices are installed not only in the elevators but also at landing areas 7, and some buildings are equipped with elevator systems that can provide the same content as inside the elevators.

[0022] In addition, in some cases, display devices are placed on the left and right sides of a single door 6, as in Figure 1, and in other cases, doors 6 are provided on both the front and back of the car, as in the elevator in Figure 2, and display devices 4 are placed on either the left or right side of each door 6.

[0023] Although various types of elevators are available, the networks to which display devices installed inside elevator cars or at elevator landings are generally connected are often slow, making it difficult to simultaneously distribute content to multiple display devices.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a content distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The content distribution device 1 is composed of a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), and has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30, memory 31 composed of RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory), an external storage device 32 such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), and input / output units 33 such as a network interface, display, keyboard, etc.

[0026] The memory 31 includes a transmission unit 34, which stores a display permission unit 35 that allows the display of content and a content transmission unit 36 ​​that transmits content as software modules.

[0027] The external storage device 32 includes a display device management table 37 for managing the display devices 4 that display content, a distribution content management table 38 for managing content to be distributed to the display devices 4, and a distribution content storage unit 39 for storing content to be distributed to the display devices 4.

[0028] The input / output unit 33 is a device such as a display, a keyboard, and a mouse.

[0029] A transmission unit 34 , a display permission unit 35 , and a content transmission unit 36 ​​, which are configured as software modules, are executed by the CPU 30 with reference to tables and the like stored in the external storage device 32 .

[0030] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Like the content distribution device 1, the display device 4 is also composed of a computer, and the memory 41 is implemented as a software module, and is equipped with a receiving unit 45 that receives content transmitted from the content distribution device 1, and a display control unit 46 that controls the display of the received content.

[0032] The external storage device 42 includes a content playback table 47 for managing content, and a content storage unit 48 for storing received content.

[0033] A receiving unit 45 and a display control unit 46, which are configured as software modules, refer to the table stored in the external storage device 42 and are executed by the CPU 40.

[0034] The input / output unit 43 is an input device such as a display screen 5 or a touch panel.

[0035] FIG. 5 is an example of a display device management table in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] The display device management table 37 is a table for managing the display devices to which the content distribution device 1 distributes content, and stores the serial number No. 50, elevator number 51, display device number 52, installation location 53, content being distributed 54, and playback permission column 55, which stores "allowed" if playback of the content is permitted and "waiting" if playback is not permitted, in correspondence with each other.

[0037] For example, No. 1-4 is a display device associated with elevator number 1, and since content 1 has already been distributed to all display devices, the playback permission 55 field is set to "allowed."

[0038] No. 5-8 is a display device associated with elevator number 2, and since content 3 is currently being distributed, playback permission is "waiting."

[0039] Based on the information in this table, it is determined whether or not the distribution of the content has been completed for each elevator car.

[0040] FIG. 6 is an example of a distribution content management table in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] No. 60, content name 61, display period 62, distribution destination 63, and possible distribution destination 64 are stored in association with each other.

[0042] For example, No. 1 is a content called Weather 1, which is about a weather forecast, and has a display time limit of 12 hours, meaning that it can be displayed for 12 hours from the time of distribution. The distribution destination is 1-4, and it has been distributed to display devices No. 1-4 in the display device management table.

[0043] There is no restriction on the distribution destinations, as there is no mention of the distribution destinations 64.

[0044] FIG. 7 is an example of a content playback table in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] The content playback table 47 is referenced when the display control unit 46 of the display device 4 plays back content stored in the content storage unit 48, and determines whether or not playback is permitted.

[0046] The No. 60, the distributed content name 61, the display expiration date 62, the playback start time 65 indicating the playback start time, the playback in progress 66 indicating whether the content is currently being played or waiting for distribution, and the playback permission 67 indicating whether playback is permitted within the display are stored in association with each other.

[0047] FIG. 8 shows an example of content playback in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] The content played back on the display device 4 is divided into four categories: announcements, news, weather forecasts, and advertisements, and the content in the four categories is played back repeatedly in order.

[0049] In this example, the following content is played: Announcement (Customer), News 1, Weather 1, and Advertisement.

[0050] Numerals 71-74 are images of content, which display information about the current floor and the next floor to stop at, as well as images of content distributed from the content distribution device 1. In this example, the content is a still image, but it may also be video content.

[0051] In the news category, a content named "News 2" is distributed, and in the weather forecast category, a content named "Weather 2" is distributed, and these are repeatedly played back as shown in the lower diagram of FIG.

[0052] In this example, an example of changing content is explained, but if there is no content in the same category, the time allocated to that category will not be displayed.

[0053] In addition, when playing advertising content for a fee, it is possible to increase advertising revenue by increasing the time slots for the advertising category. If there is no content in other categories, it is possible to change the category to the advertising category rather than not displaying it.

[0054] FIG. 9 is an example of a flowchart showing a playback control process when content is distributed in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] The content transmitting unit 36 ​​selects an elevator to which the content is to be distributed (S1), and selects a display device corresponding to the elevator.

[0056] The playback permission 67 column of the content playback table 47 of the content display device to which the content is to be sent is set to "waiting" (S3), and the content sending unit 36 ​​sequentially sends the content to all the selected display devices (S4).

[0057] The transmitted content is received by the receiving unit 45 of the display device, stored in the content storage unit 48, and registered in the content playback table. When registration in the content playback table is complete, information indicating successful transmission is sent to the content distribution device.

[0058] It is determined whether the content was successfully sent to all display devices (S5). If it was successful, if there is old content in the same category, the playback permission 67 field is set to hidden (S6), and the playback permission 67 field of the content sent to all selected display devices is set to "allowed," which means that display is allowed (S8), and the process ends.

[0059] If there is a display device for which transmission has failed, the display device for which transmission has failed is notified to the system administrator (S10), and the process ends.

[0060] A display device that fails to receive content within a predetermined time may be configured not to display any content in the category of the content, or may be configured to display content that does not conflict with other content pre-registered in a content storage unit.

[0061] Furthermore, if an instruction is received from the content distribution device and content is displayed indicating that the display device has failed to receive the content, it becomes clear which display devices require attention during maintenance by maintenance personnel, making maintenance work on the display devices easier.

[0062] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a content playback control process when content is distributed including a display device at a platform in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] The content transmission unit 36 ​​selects an elevator to which the content is to be distributed (S20), and then selects a display device in the elevator car corresponding to the elevator and a display device at the landing. The playback permission 67 column of the content playback table 47 of all the selected display devices is set to "waiting for distribution of the content" (S22).

[0064] The content sending unit 36 ​​sequentially sends the content to all the selected display devices (S23). The sent content is received by the receiving unit 45 of the display device, stored in the content storage unit 48, and registered in the content playback table. When registration in the content playback table is complete, information indicating successful transmission is sent to the content distribution device.

[0065] It is determined whether the content has been successfully transmitted to the display devices at all the selected boarding points (S24), and if it has been successfully transmitted, the playback permission 67 field is set to "hidden" if there is old content in the same category (S25), and the playback permission 67 field of the content transmitted to the display devices at all the boarding points is set to "yes" which means that display is permitted (S26).

[0066] At this time, the display devices at the platform that failed to receive the content are set to display old content if there is any. Because the display devices at the platform are on different floors and are far apart, even if different content is displayed, it is not unnatural because users will end up looking at one of the display devices.

[0067] If there is a display device at a platform where transmission has failed, the system administrator is notified of the display device where transmission has failed (S31).

[0068] Next, it is determined whether the content has been successfully sent to all in-car display devices (S27), and if the content has been successfully sent to all in-car display devices, if there is old content of the same category, the playback permission 67 field is set to hidden (S28), and the playback permission 67 field of the content distributed to all in-car display devices is set to yes, which means display permission (S29).

[0069] If there is a display device in the car for which transmission has failed, the system administrator is notified of the display device for which transmission has failed (S32).

[0070] If there is old content currently being played in the car, the display settings are maintained so that the user can continue to view it. This avoids the unnatural display of different content being displayed on multiple display devices in the small space of a car.

[0071] Furthermore, if the display device at the platform also fails to receive the content, old content can be played back, making it possible to display content that is more consistent between inside the car and at the platform.

[0072] In addition, for elevators operated as a composite set of multiple elevators, the content may be unified on a composite basis.

[0073] FIG. 11 is an example of a flowchart showing a content playback control process of a display device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] The display control unit 46 determines whether the content to be played back in the next category is registered in the content playback table 47 (S40). If it is not registered, the display control unit 46 waits for the playback time of the category to end without displaying the content of the category (S47).

[0075] Even if this process completes the reception of the content currently being received and permission to play it has been obtained, if content of the same category is currently being played, the newly permitted content of the same category will not be played, but will be played when the playback of the currently playing content is completed and the time arrives for the next permitted content of that category to be played.

[0076] If the content is registered in the content playback table 47, the current time is compared with the display period 62 based on the playback start time in the content playback start column 65 (S41). It is confirmed whether the content has passed the display period 62 (S42), and if the display period has passed, the content stored in the content storage unit 48 is deleted, and also deleted from the content playback table 47 (S46).

[0077] If the display period has not passed, the playback permission 67 column is checked to determine whether playback has been permitted (S43), and if not, the process returns to S40. If permitted, the content storage unit 48 is referenced, the content is played back (S44), and the process returns to S40.

[0078] In this example, we have explained the playback of normal content, but for pre-specified content such as content notifying of a fire, content notifying of an earthquake, or content notifying of a power outage, playback will be performed without determining the category or whether playback is permitted.

[0079] By performing the process in this manner, it becomes possible to convey urgent information to the user in a timely manner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1 Content distribution device, 2 Network, 3 Inside elevator car, 4 Display device, 5 Display screen, 6 Door, 7 Landing area, 30, 40 CPU 31, 41 Memory, 32, 42 External storage device, 33, 43 Input / output unit, 34 Transmission unit, 35 Display permission unit, 36 Content transmission unit, 37 Display device management table, 38 Distribution content management table, 39 Distribution content storage unit, 45 Reception unit, 46 Display control unit, 47 Content playback table, 48 Content storage unit

Claims

1. A signage display system including a plurality of display devices provided in an elevator system and a signage control device that distributes content to the plurality of display devices, The signage control device a transmitting unit that distributes content to the display device; a display permission unit that allows the start of playback of the content whose distribution has been completed when the distribution of the content has been completed; The display device a receiving unit for receiving content; a content storage unit for storing received content; A signage display system including a display control unit that displays content permitted by a display permission unit.

2. The signage display system according to claim 1, The signage display system includes a display control unit that, when permission to play content is obtained from a display permission unit, waits for the end of the content currently being played, and then displays the content that has been permitted to be played.

3. The signage display system according to claim 2, The display permission unit permits the start of playback when the signage control device distributes the content to all display devices that are the target of content distribution.

4. The signage display system according to claim 2, When the receiving unit receives predetermined content, the display control unit plays the received content without waiting for permission from the display permission unit.

5. The signage display system according to claim 2, The signage display system is configured such that, when predetermined content is received by the content receiving unit, the display control unit plays the received content without waiting for the end of the content currently being played.

6. The signage display system according to claim 2, The display control unit compares the display period during which the content can be played with the current time, and plays the content if the display period has not passed.

7. The signage display system according to claim 2, When the display permission unit does not receive information indicating successful reception of the content from the receiving units of all the display devices to which the content is distributed within a predetermined time, If the display device that did not receive the information indicating successful reception is a display device installed in a car, the content distributed to the display device in the car is not displayed; If the display device that did not receive the information indicating successful reception is a display device installed at a platform, the signage display system allows the display device at the platform to display the distributed content.

8. The signage display system according to claim 2, A signage display system, wherein when the receiving unit fails to receive the content, the display control unit displays predetermined content stored in a content storage unit.

9. A signage display method including a plurality of display devices provided in an elevator system and a signage control device that distributes content to the plurality of display devices, a transmitting unit of the signage control device distributing content to the display device; a display permission unit permitting the start of playback of the content when distribution of the content is completed; a receiving unit of the display device receiving the content and storing the received content in a content storage unit; The signage display method displays content that is permitted to be played back when a display control unit obtains permission to play back the content from a display permission unit.

Images