Content presentation device

Abstract

To provide a content presentation device for offering service with a high entertainment property to a client waiting for vehicle delivery.SOLUTION: A content presentation device 20 includes a control part for identifying a process executed at present among a plurality of processes which are sequentially executed in manufacturing of a vehicle 14 ordered by a user 13 and acquiring a content previously associated with the identified process, so as to present the acquired content to the user 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a content presentation device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a device that provides a user with information regarding the progress of a specific vehicle at each stage until delivery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-297954 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional devices do not provide enough entertainment value to customers while they wait for their vehicle to be delivered.

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a highly entertaining service to customers waiting for delivery of their vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A content presentation device according to the present disclosure includes: Identifying a currently performed process among a plurality of processes that are sequentially performed in the production of a vehicle ordered by a user; Acquire the content that is already associated with the specified process, Presenting the acquired content to the user It has a control unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide highly entertaining services to customers waiting for delivery of their vehicles. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a content presentation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a content presentation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a content presentation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0011] The configuration of a content presentation system 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0012] The content presentation system 10 includes a content presentation device 20, a management device 30, and a terminal device 40. The content presentation device 20 is capable of communicating with the management device 30 and the terminal device 40 via a network 50.

[0013] The content presentation device 20 is a computer such as a server that belongs to a cloud computing system or other computing system and is installed in a facility such as a data center. The content presentation device 20 is operated by a company that produces multiple vehicles in a factory 11.

[0014] The management device 30 is a mobile device such as a mobile phone, smartphone, or tablet held by the manager 12. Alternatively, the management device 30 may be a general-purpose device such as a PC installed in the factory 11, or a dedicated device for the factory 11. "PC" is an abbreviation for personal computer. The management device 30 is used by the manager 12 to manage the progress of production of each vehicle in the factory 11.

[0015] The terminal device 40 is a mobile device such as a mobile phone, smartphone, or tablet held by the user 13. Alternatively, the terminal device 40 may be a general-purpose device such as a PC installed at the user 13's home or elsewhere. The terminal device 40 is used by the user 13 to view or listen to content presented by the content presentation device 20. The user 13 is a customer who has ordered a vehicle 14 and is waiting for delivery.

[0016] Network 50 may include the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or any combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. Network 50 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or any combination thereof. A wireless network may be, for example, an ad hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.

[0017] An overview of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0018] The content presentation device 20 identifies a currently performed process among multiple processes that are performed sequentially in the production of the vehicle 14 ordered by the user 13. The content presentation device 20 acquires content that is pre-linked to the identified process. The content presentation device 20 presents the acquired content to the user 13. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a highly entertaining service to customers waiting for delivery of their vehicle.

[0019] The vehicle 14 may be any type of automobile, such as a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, a hydrogen vehicle, an HEV, a PHEV, a BEV, or an FCEV. "HEV" is an abbreviation for hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is an abbreviation for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is an abbreviation for battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is an abbreviation for fuel cell electric vehicle. The vehicle 14 may be a dedicated MaaS vehicle. "MaaS" is an abbreviation for Mobility as a Service.

[0020] In this embodiment, the multiple processes include at least a pressing process, a welding process, a painting process, an assembly process, and an inspection process, which are performed in this order. The pressing process is a process of manufacturing various parts that constitute the vehicle body, as well as other parts such as doors and a hood. The welding process is a process of joining together the various parts manufactured in the pressing process to manufacture the vehicle body. The painting process is a process of painting the vehicle body manufactured in the welding process and parts such as the doors and a hood manufactured in the pressing process. The assembly process is a process of assembling a vehicle 14 by attaching a power source such as an engine or a motor, parts painted in the painting process, and other parts such as an air conditioner, seats, and a steering wheel to the vehicle body painted in the painting process. The inspection process is a process of inspecting the vehicle 14 assembled in the assembly process.

[0021] The multiple processes may further include an option installation process. For example, the option installation process may be performed before or after the inspection process. The option installation process is a process of attaching optional equipment such as a navigation device or optional parts such as decorative parts to the vehicle 14.

[0022] The configuration of the content presentation device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0023] The content presentation device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit .

[0024] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. "CPU" is an abbreviation for central processing unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for graphics processing unit. An example of the programmable circuit is an FPGA. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for field-programmable gate array. An example of the dedicated circuit is an ASIC. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for application specific integrated circuit. The control unit 21 controls each part of the content presentation device 20 and executes processing related to the operation of the content presentation device 20.

[0025] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM, a ROM, or a flash memory. "RAM" is an abbreviation for random access memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for read only memory. RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. "SRAM" is an abbreviation for static random access memory. "DRAM" is an abbreviation for dynamic random access memory. ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. "EEPROM" is an abbreviation for electrically erasable programmable read only memory. Flash memory is, for example, an SSD. "SSD" is an abbreviation for solid-state drive. Magnetic memory is, for example, an HDD. "HDD" is an abbreviation for hard disk drive. The storage unit 22 functions, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores data used in the operation of the content presentation device 20 and data obtained by the operation of the content presentation device 20.

[0026] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication module. The communication module is, for example, a module that complies with a wired LAN communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wireless LAN communication standard such as IEEE802.11. "IEEE" is an abbreviation for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The communication unit 23 receives data used in the operation of the content presentation device 20 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the content presentation device 20.

[0027] The functions of the content presentation device 20 are realized by executing a program according to this embodiment on a processor serving as the control unit 21. That is, the functions of the content presentation device 20 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the content presentation device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the content presentation device 20. That is, the computer functions as the content presentation device 20 by executing the operations of the content presentation device 20 in accordance with the program.

[0028] The program can be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical disks, magneto-optical recording media, and ROMs. The program can be distributed by selling, transferring, or lending portable media such as SD cards, DVDs, or CD-ROMs that store the program. "SD" is an abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for compact disc read only memory. The program can also be distributed by storing it in the storage of a server and transferring it from the server to another computer. The program can also be provided as a program product.

[0029] A computer temporarily stores a program stored on a portable medium or transferred from a server in its main storage device. The computer then reads the program stored in the main storage device using a processor and executes processing in accordance with the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from a portable medium and execute processing in accordance with the program. The computer may also execute processing in accordance with the received program each time a program is transferred from a server to the computer. Processing may also be executed through a so-called ASP-type service that achieves its functions by issuing execution instructions and obtaining results without transferring the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. A program is information used for processing by a computer and includes something equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to a computer but has properties that specify computer processing falls under the category of "something equivalent to a program."

[0030] Some or all of the functions of the content presentation device 20 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 21. In other words, some or all of the functions of the content presentation device 20 may be realized by hardware.

[0031] The operation of the content presentation device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The operation described below corresponds to the content presentation method according to this embodiment. That is, the content presentation method according to this embodiment includes steps S1 to S3 shown in Fig. 3.

[0032] In S1, the control unit 21 identifies the currently performed process among a plurality of processes that are performed sequentially in the production of the vehicle 14 ordered by the user 13. Details of step S1 will be described below.

[0033] In this embodiment, when the user 13 orders a vehicle 14, a user ID for identifying the user 13 and a VIN for identifying the vehicle 14 are linked to each other and registered in a database. "ID" is an abbreviation for "identifier." "VIN" is an abbreviation for "vehicle identification number." The database may be an internal database built in the memory unit 22, or may be an external database that the control unit 21 can access via the communication unit 23.

[0034] In this embodiment, the production progress of the vehicle 14, i.e., which process is currently being performed on the vehicle 14, is linked to the VIN and managed in a database. For example, when a certain process is started for the vehicle 14, the VIN is read from a tag, such as an RFID tag, attached to the vehicle 14 or a part of the vehicle 14 by a tag reader installed on the line corresponding to that process in the factory 11. "RFID" is an abbreviation for radio-frequency identification. The read VIN is notified to the management device 30. Then, the management device 30 links the process ID for identifying that process and the current date and time to the VIN and registers them in the database.

[0035] The control unit 21 identifies the VIN linked to the user ID in the database. The control unit 21 further identifies the process ID corresponding to the most recent date and time among the dates and times linked to the identified VIN in the database, thereby identifying the process currently being performed for the vehicle 14 ordered by the user 13.

[0036] In S2, the control unit 21 acquires the content that is pre-linked to the process identified in S1. The step S2 will be described in detail below.

[0037] In this embodiment, for a vehicle model that is the same as or similar to vehicle 14, content such as digests of scenes in which each of the pressing process, welding process, painting process, assembly process, and inspection process is being performed, an introduction to the flow of each process, or the voices or faces of workers involved in each process is linked to a process ID and pre-registered in the database. Content such as digests of scenes in which an optional installation process is being performed, an introduction to the flow of each process, the voices or faces of workers involved in the optional installation process, or explanations of the functions and usage of optional equipment or optional parts may also be linked to a process ID and pre-registered in the database. For a vehicle model that is the same as or similar to vehicle 14, in addition to content related to individual processes, common content such as digests of design scenes, digests of parts factories, development stories, an introduction to the area where factory 11 is located, or interviews with chief engineers may also be pre-registered in the database.

[0038] The control unit 21 acquires, from the database, the content linked to the process ID identified in S1. The control unit 21 may further acquire common content.

[0039] In S3, the control unit 21 presents the content acquired in S2 to the user 13. Specifically, the control unit 21 transmits the content acquired in S2 to the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 23. Upon receiving the content from the content presentation device 20, the terminal device 40 outputs the received content to the user 13 via an output device such as a display or a speaker.

[0040] Steps S1 to S3 may be repeated periodically, may be performed in response to a request from a user 13, or may be performed as needed, such as when the production of the vehicle 14 progresses to the next stage.

[0041] When a certain process is started, the control unit 21 may grant the user 13 access rights to content linked to that process. For example, when a certain process is started, the control unit 21 may unlock a chapter corresponding to that process in a video that introduces the overall flow of performing a plurality of processes.

[0042] The control unit 21 may refer to the database to predict the timing at which each process will start, and notify the user 13 of the predicted timing in advance. For example, the control unit 21 may work in conjunction with a calendar application installed on the terminal device 40 to automatically set a schedule or task.

[0043] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, two or more blocks shown in the block diagrams may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Two or more steps shown in the flowcharts may be executed in parallel or in a different order, instead of being executed in chronological order as described, depending on the processing capabilities of the device executing each step, or as needed. Other modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10 Content Presentation System 11 Factory 12 Administrator 13 users 14 vehicles 20 Content presentation device 21 Control Unit 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 30 Management device 40 Terminal Equipment 50 Network

Claims

[Claim 1] Identifying a currently performed process among a plurality of processes that are sequentially performed in the production of a vehicle ordered by a user; Acquire the content that is already associated with the specified process, Presenting the acquired content to the user A content presentation device including a control unit.

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