On-vehicle information reproduction device and information reproduction method

Abstract

To improve user experience of a vehicle occupant.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle information reproduction device for controlling reproduction of one or a plurality of contents included in a list includes: a controller; and a storage medium storing a program. When the controller performs the program, the device acquires arrival prediction time to a destination of a vehicle, accepts designation of a specified content in a plurality of contents, generates the list so that reproduction of the content reproduced last terminates in a range from arrival prediction time to first prescribed time before based on the specified content, each reproduction time of the plurality of contents, and the arrival prediction time, and updates the list by changing one or a plurality of contents included in the list so that reproduction of the content reproduced last is terminated in the range from changed arrival prediction time to the first prescribed time before when the arrival prediction time is changed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle information playback device and an information playback method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology for playing content such as music or video in a vehicle to make the time spent by vehicle occupants in the vehicle more comfortable. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information providing center that creates a program guide including content, and an in-vehicle system that plays content information according to the program guide. The in-vehicle system calculates an estimated time required for the vehicle to arrive at a destination, and changes candidates for unplayed content information according to the calculated time, and plays the content information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3702843 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When content such as music or video is being played in a vehicle, taking into consideration the user experience of the vehicle occupants, it is preferable that the playback of the content be terminated, for example, just before the vehicle arrives at its destination.

[0005] The present disclosure has been devised in view of the above-described conventional situation, and aims to improve the user experience of vehicle occupants. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure provides an in-vehicle information playback device that controls playback of one or more contents included in a list, the in-vehicle information playback device comprising a control device and a storage medium having a program stored therein, wherein the control device executes the program to perform processing, the processing including: obtaining an estimated arrival time of the vehicle at a destination; accepting designation of a specific content from among a plurality of contents; generating the list based on the specific content, the playback times of each of the plurality of contents, and the estimated arrival time so that playback of the content to be played last ends within a range from the estimated arrival time to a time preceding a first predetermined time; and, if the estimated arrival time is changed, updating the list by replacing one or more contents included in the list so that playback of the content to be played last ends within a range from the changed estimated arrival time to a time preceding the first predetermined time.

[0007] The present disclosure also provides an information playback method for controlling playback of one or more pieces of content included in a list, which method includes obtaining an estimated arrival time of a vehicle at a destination, accepting designation of a specific piece of content from among a plurality of pieces of content, and generating the list based on the specific content, the playback times of each of the plurality of pieces of content, and the estimated arrival time so that playback of the last piece of content to be played ends within a range from the estimated arrival time to a time going back a first predetermined time, and if there is a change in the estimated arrival time, updating the list by replacing one or more pieces of content included in the list so that playback of the last piece of content to be played ends within a range from the changed estimated arrival time to a time going back a first predetermined time.

[0008] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, storage medium, computer program, etc., are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present disclosure enables an improved user experience for vehicle occupants. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle equipped with a control device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a flowchart showing an overview of processing by a control device according to a first embodiment; [Figure 3] Flowchart showing list generation processing according to the first embodiment [Figure 4] Flowchart showing list update processing according to the first embodiment [Figure 5] Flowchart showing list update processing according to the first embodiment [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a list update according to the first embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate, detailed descriptions will be provided of embodiments specifically disclosing an in-vehicle information playback device and an information playback method according to the present disclosure. However, unnecessary detailed descriptions may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) [composition] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle 1 equipped with control devices 30A and 30B according to a first embodiment. The vehicle 1 includes an In-Vehicle Infotainment (hereinafter referred to as "IVI") 10, a Rear Seat Entertainment (hereinafter referred to as "RSE") 20, a drive unit 70, a receiver 80, a speed sensor 90, a front seat display 100, a rear seat display 110, an amplifier 120, and a speaker 130. The IVI is sometimes called in-vehicle infotainment. The RSE is sometimes called rear seat entertainment. The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the vehicle 1 may further include components related to the running of the vehicle 1, etc. Here, the description will focus on the functions according to this embodiment.

[0013] The IVI 10 provides information and entertainment to the occupants of the vehicle 1 via the front seat display 100 and the speaker 130. Examples of information provided to the occupants by the IVI 10 include route guidance and road traffic information. The IVI 10 includes a car navigation system (not shown). Examples of entertainment provided to the occupants by the IVI 10 include content such as music and videos. The video content includes one or more chapters contained in the video.

[0014] The IVI 10 includes a control device 30A, a storage medium 40A, and an information receiving device 50A. The control device 30A is configured using an Electronic Control Unit (hereinafter referred to as "ECU"). The control device 30A references and executes programs and data stored in the storage medium 40A, thereby realizing various functions of the control device 30A.

[0015] The storage medium 40A is a storage unit for storing various data, programs, etc. The storage medium 40A may be composed of a volatile or non-volatile storage medium such as a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as "RAM"), a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as "ROM"), or a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as "HDD"). Examples of data stored in the storage medium 40A include video data and audio data. The IVI 10 acquires the video data and audio data through device-to-device communication with the user terminal 60. The user terminal 60 is, for example, a smartphone carried by an occupant of the vehicle 1. Device-to-device communication between the IVI 10 and the user terminal 60 may be wired or wireless. The IVI 10 also acquires the video data and audio data from a drive device 70 that has loaded a storage medium such as a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc.

[0016] The information receiving device 50A receives road traffic information from the receiver 80. The road traffic information may also be referred to as Vehicle Information and Communication System (hereinafter referred to as "VICS (registered trademark)") information. The road traffic information includes information on road congestion, road closures due to accidents or construction, and the like. The receiver 80 receives road traffic information from Frequency Modulation (hereinafter referred to as "FM") multiplex broadcasting or from beacons installed on the road. The information receiving device 50A also acquires speed information of the vehicle 1 from a speed sensor 90. The information receiving device 50A transmits the road traffic information and the speed information to a car navigation system (not shown). The car navigation system can calculate an estimated arrival time to a destination set by the occupant of the vehicle 1 based on the road traffic information and the speed information. The control device 30A can acquire the estimated arrival time from the car navigation system. Hereinafter, the estimated arrival time may be referred to as the arrival time.

[0017] The control device 30A may be configured to include the storage medium 40A and the information receiving device 50A. That is, the control device 30A, the storage medium 40A, and the information receiving device 50A may be configured as an integrated device. The control device 30A may also be configured as an integrated device with a car navigation system (not shown).

[0018] The IVI 10 displays, for example, the arrival time at the destination on the front seat display 100. The front seat display 100 is a display that can be seen by an occupant sitting in the front seat of the vehicle 1, i.e., the driver's seat or the passenger seat. The front seat display 100 is configured to be able to accept input of information or data by an occupant of the vehicle 1.

[0019] The RSE 20 provides entertainment to the occupants of the vehicle 1 via the rear seat display 110 and the speaker 130. Examples of entertainment that the RSE 20 provides to the occupants include music, video content, games, etc. Hereinafter, music may be referred to as "songs."

[0020] The RSE 20 includes a control device 30B, a storage medium 40B, and an information receiving device 50B. The control device 30B, the storage medium 40B, and the information receiving device 50B are configured similarly to the control device 30A, the storage medium 40A, and the information receiving device 50A, respectively.

[0021] The RSE 20 receives video data from the IVI 10. The RSE 20 also transmits and receives audio data to and from the IVI 10. The RSE 20 displays moving images, such as movies, on the rear seat display 110. The rear seat display 110 is a display that can be viewed by passengers sitting in the rear seats of the vehicle 1. The rear seat display 110 is configured to be able to accept input of information or data by passengers of the vehicle 1.

[0022] The amplifier 120 adjusts the audio data signal transmitted from the IVI 10 or the RSE 20, such as amplifying it, and transmits the adjusted signal to the speaker 130. The speaker 130 outputs the signal received from the amplifier 120 as audio. This allows the passengers of the vehicle 1 to hear, for example, music, audio from a video, or audio guidance from a car navigation system.

[0023] The control device 30A and the control device 30B may be configured as an integrated control device. Hereinafter, the control devices 30A and 30B may be referred to as an in-vehicle information reproduction device. The control device 30A, the storage medium 40A, and the information receiving device 50A may be configured as an integrated device. Therefore, the in-vehicle information reproduction device may be configured to include the control device 30A, the storage medium 40A, and the information receiving device 50A. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described focusing on the control device 30A, but the various functions realized by the control device 30A can also be realized by the control device 30B.

[0024] In this embodiment, the control device 30A controls the playback of the content included in a list by playing back the list including one or more pieces of content stored in the storage medium 40A. The content played back by the control device 30A is provided to the occupants of the vehicle 1 by the front seat display 100, the rear seat display 110, and the speaker 130.

[0025] For example, a case may be considered in which the vehicle 1 performs both route guidance by the IVI 10, more specifically, a car navigation system (not shown), and content playback by the control device 30A. When the vehicle 1 arrives at a destination, the IVI 10 plays a voice guidance message, such as "You have arrived at your destination." From the perspective of the user experience of the vehicle 1's occupants, it is preferable that the content playback ends just before the voice guidance message is played. For example, if the content playback ends while being interrupted by the voice guidance message, the vehicle 1's occupants may not be fully satisfied with the content. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control device 30A generates a list in which the playback of content ends according to the arrival time at the destination. Furthermore, if the arrival time at the destination changes while the vehicle 1 is traveling, the control device 30A updates the generated list accordingly. This improves the user experience of the vehicle occupants.

[0026] [Processing flow] 2, 3, 4, and 5, a flow of control of content playback in the vehicle 1 by the control device 30A will be described. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an overview of the processing of the control device 30A according to the first embodiment.

[0027] The control device 30A stores a plurality of contents in the storage medium 40A based on the audio data or video data transmitted from the user terminal 60 or the drive device 70 (step S200). Note that the storage of a plurality of contents in the storage medium 40A may be performed in advance before the start of this flowchart.

[0028] The IVI 10 receives a destination setting made by the occupant of the vehicle 1 (step S201), and then calculates the arrival time at the destination using a car navigation system (not shown).

[0029] The control device 30A acquires the arrival time at the destination set in step S201 (step S202). The control device 30A may acquire the arrival time at the destination from, for example, a car navigation system (not shown).

[0030] The control device 30A receives a designation of content to be played from an occupant of the vehicle 1 (step S203). The designation of content to be played may be performed by a user operation such as touching the front seat display 100. The occupant of the vehicle 1 designates a specific content from among the plurality of contents stored in the storage medium 40 in step S200.

[0031] The control device 30A generates a list including one or more contents based on the playback time of each of the plurality of contents stored in the storage medium 40A in step S200, the arrival time at the destination acquired in step S202, and the content specified by the occupant of the vehicle 1 in step S203 (step S204). Details of the processing in step S204 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0032] The control device 30A plays the list generated in step S204 (step S205). More precisely, the control device 30A sequentially plays one or more pieces of content included in the list generated in step S204. If the content to be played is music, the music is played by the speaker 130 provided in the vehicle 1. If the content to be played is a video, the video is played by the front seat display 100 or the rear seat display 110 and the speaker 130 provided in the vehicle 1.

[0033] The control device 30A acquires the latest arrival time (step S206). The arrival time at the destination may be calculated at regular intervals by, for example, a car navigation system (not shown). The control device 30A may acquire the arrival time at the destination that was most recently calculated by the car navigation system (not shown).

[0034] The control device 30A determines whether or not a change has occurred in the arrival time (step S207). The control device 30A may determine whether or not a change has occurred in the arrival time by comparing the arrival time acquired in step S202 with the latest arrival time acquired in step S206.

[0035] If the control device 30A determines that the arrival time has changed (step S207; YES), it acquires the latest arrival time acquired in step S206 as the changed arrival time (step S212). Then, the control device 30A proceeds to step S213.

[0036] When it is determined that there is no change in the arrival time (step S207; NO), the control device 30A determines whether two or more contents remain in the list of contents being played (step S208). Note that the control device 30A determines whether two or more contents remain in the list, including the content being played.

[0037] When the control device 30A determines that two or more contents remain in the list of contents being played back (step S208; YES), the process returns to step S205 and repeats the process.

[0038] If the control device 30A determines that there are no more than two contents remaining in the list being played back (step S208; NO), it plays back the last content in the list as soon as the playback of the second-to-last content in the list is completed (step S209). Note that if the last content in the list is already being played back at the time of the determination in step S208, the control device 30A continues to play that content.

[0039] The control device 30A acquires the latest arrival time (step S210). The control device 30A may acquire the arrival time at the destination that is most recently calculated by a car navigation system (not shown).

[0040] If the control device 30A determines, based on the latest arrival time acquired in step S210, that the arrival time has become later during playback of the last content in the list (step S211; YES), it acquires the latest arrival time acquired in step S210 as the changed arrival time (step S212).

[0041] When the control device 30A acquires the changed arrival time in step S212, it updates the list (step S213). Details of the process in step S213 will be described later with reference to Figures 4 and 5. After updating the list, the control device 30A returns to step S205 and repeats the process.

[0042] If the control device 30A determines that the arrival time has not become later during playback of the last content in the list based on the latest arrival time acquired in step S210 (step S211; NO), it plays the content to the end (step S214). This ends playback of the list. Then, the control device 30A ends this processing flow.

[0043] It is preferable that list playback end in time with the arrival time at the destination. As will be described later with reference to Figures 3, 4, and 5, list generation and updating are performed so that list playback ends within a range from the arrival time at the destination up to a time preceding the first predetermined time. Specifically, after list playback ends, the IVI 10 preferably plays a voice prompt such as "You have arrived at your destination" at an appropriate time. Here, the appropriate time is described as being within one minute of the end of list playback. If there is no change in the arrival time, or if there is a change in the arrival time and the list is updated as described below, the voice prompt is played at the appropriate time after list playback ends. Note that in this specification, the term "first predetermined time" is used merely to distinguish it from the term "second predetermined time" as described below. Therefore, it is not intended to limit the respective lengths of the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time. The lengths of the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time may be different or the same.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the list generation process according to the first embodiment.

[0045] The control device 30A accesses the storage medium 40A (step S300).

[0046] The control device 30A extracts a similar group of content specified in step S203 shown in FIG. 2 from the plurality of content stored in the storage medium 40A accessed in step S300 (step S301). For example, if a piece of music is specified in step S203, the control device 30A extracts the music from the plurality of content stored in the storage medium 40A. Also, for example, if a video is specified in step S203, the control device 30A extracts the video from the plurality of content stored in the storage medium 40A. In other words, a similar group of the specified content refers to, for example, content of the same format as the specified content among the plurality of content stored in the storage medium 40A. Examples of formats include music and video. Hereinafter, content of the same format as the specified content may be referred to as content similar to the specified content.

[0047] Hereinafter, the similar group of the specified content will be described as content of the same format as the specified content, but is not limited thereto. For example, if a certain song is specified as content, the similar group of the specified content may mean songs in the same genre as the song, or songs by the same artist as the song. In this case, the similar group of the specified content may also be videos using the specified song. The genre may be, for example, classical or pop. Furthermore, for example, multiple genres may be pre-set as similar genres. For example, if pop and rock are pre-set as similar genres and a certain pop song is specified, the similar group of the specified content may mean pop or rock songs. Similarly, multiple artists may be pre-set as similar artists.

[0048] The control device 30A generates a list that ends within a predetermined time range before the arrival time based on the playback time of each content included in the similar group extracted in step S301, the arrival time at the destination acquired in step S202, and the playback time of the content specified by the occupant of vehicle 1 in step S203 (step S302). The control device 30A may generate the list by combining the content specified by the occupant of vehicle 1 in step S203 with one or more pieces of content included in the similar group extracted in step S301. Note that the control device 30A may generate a list using only the content specified by the occupant of vehicle 1 in step S203. In this case, the list contains one piece of content.

[0049] More precisely, the predetermined time range before the arrival time is a range from the arrival time to a time preceding the arrival time by a first predetermined time. For example, the control device 30A may generate a list so that the list ends within a range from one minute prior to the arrival time. After the list playback ends, it is preferable for the IVI 10 to play a voice guidance message such as "You have arrived at your destination" at an appropriate timing. Here, the appropriate timing may vary depending on the person. For example, some people prefer the voice guidance to be played immediately after the list playback ends, while others may prefer sufficient time between the end of the list playback and the voice guidance. Therefore, the range of time prior to the arrival time at the destination at which the list playback ends may be set in advance by the occupant of the vehicle 1. The control device 30A may set the predetermined time range before the arrival time taking into account the content of the voice guidance, in other words, the length of time the voice guidance is played. Here, the description will be given assuming that the list playback ends within a range from one minute prior to the arrival time. In this case, for example, if the arrival time is 10:00, the control device 30A generates a list that ends between 9:59 and 10:00. As a result, for example, a voice guidance such as "You have arrived at your destination" is played a few seconds after playback of the list ends. For example, when playback of the list ends, the occupants of the vehicle 1 can recognize that they will soon arrive at their destination. Note that the first content in the list, i.e., the song to be played first, is the content specified by the occupants of the vehicle 1 in step S203. After generating the list, the control device 30A ends this processing flow. Then, the control device 30A proceeds to step S205 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 and plays the generated list.

[0050] 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the list update process according to Embodiment 1. "A" shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to "A" shown in FIG.

[0051] If the control device 30A is playing the last content in the list and the arrival time has become later (step S400; YES), that is, if the process immediately before step S212 is step S211, the control device 30A proceeds to step S500 shown in FIG. 5.

[0052] If the last content in the list has not been played back or the arrival time has not been delayed (step S400; NO), that is, if the process immediately before step S212 is step S207, the control device 30A proceeds to step S401. First, the process of the control device 30A after step S401 will be described.

[0053] The control device 30A calculates the time from the playback start time of a content item corresponding to a change area in the list to the changed arrival time (step S401). The change area is a range from the pre-change arrival time to a time going back a second predetermined time. The range of the change area, in other words, the time length, may be set in advance by a user such as a passenger of the vehicle 1. For example, the change area may be set to a range from the pre-change arrival time to a time going back 10 minutes. For example, if the pre-change arrival time is 10:00 and the change area is a range from 10:00 to a time going back 10 minutes, the content item corresponding to the change area in the list is the content item included in the list that is played between 9:50 and 10:00. If there is more than one content item corresponding to the change area in the list, the playback start time of the first content item among the multiple contents item is the playback start time of the first content item among the multiple contents item. For example, if the playback start time of the content item corresponding to the change area in the list is 9:50 and the post-change arrival time is 10:10, the time calculated by the control device 30A in step S401 is 20 minutes.

[0054] The change area may be set to a range from the playback end time of the list to a time going back by a second predetermined time. The range of the change area may also be set according to the content specified by the occupant of the vehicle 1 in step S203 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0055] The control device 30A accesses the storage medium 40A (step S402).

[0056] The control device 30A extracts a similar group of content designated in step S203 shown in FIG. 2 from the plurality of content stored in the storage medium 40A (step S403).

[0057] The control device 30A determines whether the content corresponding to the changed area of ​​the list can be replaced with only the content similar to the specified content extracted in step S403, based on the time calculated in step S401 and the changed arrival time (step S404). Here, the control device 30A determines whether the content corresponding to the changed area of ​​the list can be replaced so as to satisfy the following two constraints. The first constraint is that when the content is replaced, the total playback time of one or more pieces of content newly added to the list is less than the time calculated in step S401. If the first constraint is satisfied, playback of the list after the content replacement ends before the changed arrival time. The second constraint is that when the content is replaced, playback of the list after the content replacement ends within a range from the changed arrival time to a time that is a predetermined time earlier. If the second constraint is satisfied, playback of the list after the content replacement ends, for example, one minute before the arrival time.

[0058] If the control device 30A determines that the content corresponding to the change area of ​​the list can be replaced only with content similar to the specified content (step S404; YES), the control device 30A advances the process to step S409.

[0059] When the control device 30A determines that the content corresponding to the change area of ​​the list cannot be replaced only with content similar to the designated content (step S404; NO), the control device 30A accesses the storage medium 40A (step S405).

[0060] Then, the control device 30A, which has accessed the storage medium 40A in step S405, combines content similar to the specified content with content dissimilar to the specified content, and determines whether or not the content corresponding to the change area of ​​the list can be replaced based on the time calculated in step S401 and the changed arrival time (step S406). For example, if the specified content is music, content dissimilar to the specified content refers to content other than music. For example, if the list is composed only of music, the control device 30A determines whether or not one or more music pieces corresponding to the change area of ​​the list can be replaced by a combination of one or more music pieces and videos. The control device 30A determines whether or not the content can be replaced so as to satisfy the two constraints described in the explanation of step S404.

[0061] If the control device 30A determines that the content corresponding to the change area of ​​the list cannot be replaced even if the content similar to the specified content and the content dissimilar to the specified content are combined (step S406; NO), the control device 30A ends this processing flow. In this case, the list is not updated.

[0062] When the control device 30A determines that the content corresponding to the change area of ​​the list can be replaced by combining content similar to the designated content and content dissimilar to the designated content (step S406; YES), it presents a permission acceptance screen for changing the format of the content to be played to the occupant of the vehicle 1 (step S407). The control device 30A may, for example, display the permission acceptance screen on the front seat display 100 or the rear seat display 110. The occupant of the vehicle 1 can input permission or denial to change the format of the content to be played, for example, from music to video, via the front seat display 100 or the rear seat display 110.

[0063] If the permission of the occupant of the vehicle 1 to change the format of the content to be played back is not obtained (step S408; NO), the control device 30A ends this processing flow, and in this case, the list is not updated.

[0064] If the occupant of the vehicle 1 gives permission to change the format of the content to be played back (step S408; YES), the control device 30A replaces the content corresponding to the change area of ​​the list so that the playback of the list ends within a predetermined time range before the changed arrival time (step S409). This updates the list. Then, the control device 30A ends this processing flow.

[0065] Note that a setting regarding whether or not to allow a change in the format of content to be played back may be made in advance by an occupant of vehicle 1, etc. For example, the occupant of vehicle 1 may set a setting that always allows a change in the format of content to be played back. In this case, the control device 30A omits the processes of steps S407 and S408. Also, for example, the occupant of vehicle 1 may set a setting that always allows or does not allow a change in the format of content to be played back. In this case, if the control device 30A determines that the content corresponding to the change area of ​​the list cannot be replaced only with content similar to the specified content (step S404; NO), it ends this processing flow.

[0066] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the processing of control device 30A from step S500 onwards will be described.

[0067] The control device 30A calculates the difference between the arrival times before and after the change (step S500). For example, if the arrival time after the change is 10:05 and the arrival time before the change is 10:00, the control device 30A calculates that the difference between the arrival times before and after the change is 5 minutes.

[0068] The control device 30A accesses the storage medium 40A (step S501).

[0069] The control device 30A determines whether or not there is any content among the plurality of contents stored in the storage medium 40A whose playback time is equal to or less than the difference calculated in step S500 (step S502). For example, if the control device 30A calculates that the difference is 5 minutes in step S500, it determines whether or not there is any content among the plurality of contents stored in the storage medium 40A whose playback time is less than 5 minutes.

[0070] If the control device 30A determines that there is no content among the plurality of contents stored in the storage medium 40A whose playback time is equal to or less than the difference calculated in step S500 (step S502; NO), the control device 30A ends this processing flow. In this case, the list is not updated.

[0071] If the control device 30A determines that there is a content among the multiple contents stored in the storage medium 40A whose playback time is equal to or less than the difference calculated in step S500 (step S502; YES), the control device 30A adds the content to the list (step S503). Then, the control device 30A ends this processing flow. This updates the list.

[0072] Note that the control device 30A may take the changed arrival time into consideration when adding content to the list in step S503. For example, the control device 30A may add content to the list so that playback of the list ends within a predetermined time range from the changed arrival time. The number of pieces of content that the control device 30A adds to the list in step S503 may be one or more.

[0073] The control device 30A may also select content to add to the list by combining the playback time of the content with additional factors. For example, the control device 30A may select content to add to the list from content similar to the content specified by the occupant of the vehicle 1, extracted in step S301 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the control device 30A may select content to add to the list after re-extracting content dissimilar to the content specified by the occupant of the vehicle 1. Alternatively, the control device 30A may select content to add to the list from content that has been preset as additional content.

[0074] Furthermore, if the arrival time during playback of the last content in the list becomes earlier than the playback end time of the list, the control device 30A may, for example, fade out the playback of the content. Alternatively, if the content is a song, for example, the control device 30A may end the playback of the content at a dividing point, such as between the first and second verses. Alternatively, if the content is a video, for example, the control device 30A may end the playback of the content at a dividing point, such as the end of a chapter included in the video. This makes it possible to prevent the content being played from ending at an inconvenient dividing point when the vehicle 1 arrives at the destination.

[0075] [List update example] Next, an example of list update will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of list update according to the first embodiment.

[0076] The travel time of vehicle 1 before the change in arrival time is travel time T1. Here, the description will be given assuming that control device 30A generates and plays list LST1 or list LST2. List LST1 includes songs M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, and M6. List LST2 includes videos V1 and V2. Furthermore, in the change region, which is the range from the arrival time to a time preceding a second predetermined time, songs M5 and M6 are included in the case of list LST1, and video V2 is included in the case of list LST2. In the example of FIG. 6, the change region is set to a range from the arrival time to a time preceding 10 minutes.

[0077] Furthermore, each of the lists LST1 and LST2 is generated so that playback ends within a range from the arrival time to a time preceding the first predetermined time. In the example of Fig. 6, each of the lists LST1 and LST2 ends within a range from the arrival time to a time preceding the arrival time by one minute.

[0078] 6, a change in arrival time occurs during playback of song M2 in the case of list LST1, or video V1 in the case of list LST2. Then, the control device 30A updates the list. First, an example of list update when the changed arrival time is earlier than the arrival time before the change, in other words, when the arrival time is shortened, will be described.

[0079] 6, the travel time of the vehicle 1 is reduced from travel time T1 to travel time T2. If the list LST1 or list LST2 continues to be played back, the playback of the content will end prematurely when the vehicle arrives at the destination. Therefore, the control device 30A updates the list LST1 or list LST2.

[0080] First, an example of when the control device 30A updates the list LST1 will be described. The control device 30A calculates the playback start time of the content corresponding to the changed area, i.e., the time from the playback start time of song M5 to the changed arrival time. The control device 30A then replaces the content corresponding to the changed area in the list LST1 based on the calculated time and the changed arrival time. In the example of FIG. 6, the control device 30A updates the list LST1 to the list LST3 by replacing songs M5 and M6 included in the list LST1 with songs M7 and M8. Alternatively, the control device 30A updates the list LST1 to the list LST4 by replacing songs M5 and M6 included in the list LST1 with song M9. The playback of each of the lists LST3 and LST4 ends within a range from the changed arrival time to a predetermined time before.

[0081] 6 shows an example in which both songs M5 and M6 that fall within the change area of ​​list LST1 are replaced. However, the control device 30A may replace all of the content that falls within the change area of ​​the list, or may change any of the content that falls within the change area of ​​the list.

[0082] Next, an example in which the control device 30A updates the list LST2 will be described. The control device 30A calculates the playback start time of the content corresponding to the changed area, i.e., the time from the playback start time of the video V2 to the changed arrival time. Then, the control device 30A replaces the content corresponding to the changed area of ​​the list LST2, in this case, the video V2, based on the calculated time and the changed arrival time. In the example of FIG. 6, the control device 30A updates the list LST2 to the list LST5 by replacing the video V2 included in the list LST2 with the video V3. Alternatively, the control device 30A updates the list LST2 to the list LST6 by replacing the video V2 included in the list LST2 with the video 4 and the song M10. Alternatively, the control device 30A updates the list LST2 to the list LST7 by replacing the video V2 included in the list LST2 with the song M11 and the song M10. When updating the list LST2 to the list LST6 or the list LST7, the control device 30A performs the update after obtaining permission from the occupants of the vehicle 1. The playback of each of the list LST5, the list LST6, and the list LST7 ends within a range from the changed arrival time to a predetermined time before.

[0083] Note that the control device 30A may not update the list if the updated arrival time is earlier than the pre-change arrival time but later than the time obtained by going back a first predetermined time from the pre-change arrival time. In other words, the control device 30A may update the list if the updated predicted arrival time is earlier than the time obtained by going back a first predetermined time from the pre-change predicted arrival time. In the example of FIG. 6, if the updated arrival time is earlier than the pre-change arrival time by within one minute, the control device 30A may not update the list LST1 or the list LST2. This is because the vehicle 1 will arrive at the destination immediately after the playback of the list is completed even if the list is not updated. However, if the updated arrival time is earlier than the playback end time of the list LST1 or the list LST2, the list LST1 or the list LST2 must be updated.

[0084] Next, an example of updating the list when the changed arrival time is later than the arrival time before the change, in other words, when the arrival time is extended, will be described.

[0085] 6, the travel time of the vehicle 1 is extended from travel time T1 to travel time T3. In this case, there is a period of time from when the playback of the list LST1 or list LST2 ends until the vehicle 1 arrives at the destination during which no content is played back and no entertainment is provided to the occupants of the vehicle 1. Therefore, the control device 30A updates the list LST1 or list LST2.

[0086] First, an example of when the control device 30A updates the list LST1 will be described. The control device 30A calculates the playback start time of the content corresponding to the changed area, i.e., the time from the playback start time of song M5 to the changed arrival time. The control device 30A then replaces the content corresponding to the changed area in the list LST1 based on the calculated time and the changed arrival time. In the example of FIG. 6, the control device 30A updates the list LST1 to the list LST8 by replacing songs M5 and M6 included in the list LST1 with songs M13 and M14. Playback of the list LST8 ends in the range from the changed arrival time to a time that is a predetermined time earlier.

[0087] Next, an example of when the control device 30A updates the list LST2 will be described. The control device 30A calculates the playback start time of the content corresponding to the change area, i.e., the time from the playback start time of the video V2 to the changed arrival time. Then, the control device 30A replaces the content corresponding to the change area of ​​the list LST2, in this case, the video V2, based on the calculated time and the changed arrival time. In the example of FIG. 6, the control device 30A updates the list LST2 to the list LST10 by replacing the video V2 included in the list LST2 with the video V5 and the music M16. Alternatively, the control device 30A updates the list LST2 to the list LST11 by replacing the video V2 included in the list LST2 with the music M17 and the music M18. When updating the list LST2 to the list LST10 or the list LST11, the control device 30A performs the update after obtaining permission from the occupant of the vehicle 1. The reproduction of each of the lists LST10 and LST11 ends in the range from the changed arrival time to a predetermined time before.

[0088] A case will be described in which a change in arrival time occurs during playback of song 6 in list LST1 or video V2 in list LST2, and the changed arrival time is later than the arrival time before the change. Referring to FIG. 5 , in this case, content whose playback time is equal to or less than the difference between the arrival times before and after the change is added to the list. However, this is not limited to this, and the control device 30A may add content whose playback time is equal to or less than the difference between the playback end time of the list and the changed arrival time to the list. In the example of FIG. 6 , the control device 30A adds song M15, whose playback time is longer than the difference between the arrival times before and after the change but shorter than the difference between the playback end time of list LST2 and the changed arrival time, to list LST2. As a result, the control device 30A updates list LST2 to list LST9. For example, if a change in arrival time occurs and the changed arrival time is later than the arrival time before the change, the control device 30A may add to the list the content stored in storage medium 40A with the shortest playback time. In this case, however, the playback time of the content with the shortest playback time must be equal to or less than the difference between the playback end time of the list and the updated arrival time. Furthermore, if there is no content in the storage medium 40A that can be added to the list, the control device 30A does not need to update the list. In this case, list LST1 or list LST2 continues to be played.

[0089] (Summary of the first embodiment) The above description of the first embodiment discloses at least the following techniques. Note that the components corresponding to the first embodiment are shown in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0090] (Technology 1) The in-vehicle information playback device is an in-vehicle information playback device that controls the playback of one or more contents included in a list (e.g., list LST1), and is equipped with a control device (e.g., control device 30A) and a storage medium (e.g., storage medium 40A) on which a program is stored, and the control device performs processing by executing the program, and the processing includes obtaining an estimated arrival time of the vehicle at its destination, accepting designation of a specific content from among the multiple contents, generating a list based on the specific content, the playback times of each of the multiple contents, and the estimated arrival time so that playback of the content to be played last ends within a range from the estimated arrival time to a time preceding a first predetermined time, and if there is a change in the estimated arrival time, updating the list by replacing one or more contents included in the list so that playback of the content to be played last ends within a range from the changed estimated arrival time to a time preceding the first predetermined time.

[0091] This allows the in-vehicle information playback device to end playback of the content in time for arrival at the destination, thereby improving the user experience of the vehicle occupants.

[0092] (Technology 2) In the in-vehicle information reproduction device according to the first technique, the process may include generating a list by combining a specific content with one or more pieces of content similar to the specific content.

[0093] This allows the in-car information playback device to generate a list by combining a specific piece of content with one or more pieces of content similar to that piece of content.

[0094] (Technology 3) In the in-vehicle information playback device described in Technology 1 or 2, the processing may include, when the changed predicted arrival time is earlier than the predicted arrival time before the change, updating the list by replacing content played in a change area that is in a range from the predicted arrival time before the change to a time going back a second predetermined time with content different from the changed content.

[0095] As a result, if the estimated arrival time becomes earlier, the in-vehicle information playback device can replace the content included in a specific area of ​​the list and update the list, thereby ending playback of the content in time for arrival at the destination.

[0096] (Technology 4) In the in-vehicle information playback device described in Technology 1 or 2, the processing may include, when the changed predicted arrival time is earlier than a time that is a first predetermined time before the predicted arrival time before the change, updating the list by replacing content that is played in a change area that is in a range from the predicted arrival time before the change to a time that is a second predetermined time before the predicted arrival time with content that is different from the content that is played back.

[0097] As a result, if the predicted arrival time becomes earlier by more than a first predetermined time, the in-vehicle information playback device can replace the content included in a specific area of ​​the list and update the list, thereby ending playback of the content in line with the arrival time at the destination.

[0098] (Technology 5) In the in-vehicle information playback device described in any one of Techniques 1 to 4, the processing may include, when a change occurs in the predicted arrival time during playback of the content to be played last and the predicted arrival time after the change is later than the predicted arrival time before the change, updating the list by adding, from among the multiple contents, content whose playback time is equal to or less than the difference between the predicted arrival times before and after the change.

[0099] As a result, if the predicted arrival time becomes later during playback of the last content in the list, the in-vehicle information playback device can finish playback of the content in time with the arrival time at the destination by updating the list by adding content whose playback time is equal to or less than the difference between the predicted arrival times before and after the change.

[0100] (Technology 6) In the in-vehicle information playback device described in any one of Techniques 1 to 5, the processing may include, in order to update the list, replacing one or more pieces of content included in the list with one or more pieces of content that are not similar to the specific content, or adding one or more pieces of content that are not similar to the specific content to the list, performing the update based on permission of an occupant of the vehicle.

[0101] This allows the in-vehicle information reproducing device to update the list by combining similar and dissimilar content with a specific content, if permission is obtained from the vehicle occupant.

[0102] (Technology 7) In the in-vehicle information reproduction device according to any one of the first to sixth techniques, the content may include music (for example, song M1), video (for example, video V1), and one or more chapters included in the video.

[0103] This allows the in-car information playback device to generate a list made up of music, video, and one or more chapters contained in the video.

[0104] (Technology 8) In the in-vehicle information reproducing device according to any one of the first to sixth techniques, the process may include accepting a designation of a particular content by a vehicle occupant.

[0105] This allows the in-vehicle information playback device to play back the specific content designated by the vehicle occupant, and also allows the in-vehicle information playback device to generate a list using content similar to the specific content designated by the vehicle occupant.

[0106] (Technology 9) The information playback method controls the playback of one or more pieces of content included in a list, obtains an estimated arrival time of the vehicle at its destination, accepts designation of a specific piece of content from among the multiple pieces of content, generates a list based on the specific content, the playback times of each of the multiple pieces of content, and the estimated arrival time so that playback of the last piece of content to be played ends within a range from the estimated arrival time to a time going back a first predetermined time, and if there is a change in the estimated arrival time, updates the list by replacing one or more pieces of content included in the list so that playback of the last piece of content to be played ends within a range from the changed estimated arrival time to a time going back a first predetermined time.

[0107] As a result, the information reproduction method can obtain the same effect as that of Technique 1.

[0108] The functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by supplying programs and applications for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device using a network or storage medium, etc., and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the programs.

[0109] In addition, the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by a circuit that realizes one or more functions (for example, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (hereinafter referred to as "ASIC") or a Field Programmable Gate Array (hereinafter referred to as "FPGA")).

[0110] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0111] The present disclosure is useful for an in-vehicle information reproducing device and an information reproducing method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1 vehicle 10 IVI 20 RSE 30A, 30B Control device 40A,40B storage medium 50A, 50B Information receiving device 60 User terminals 70 Drive device 80 receivers 90 Speed ​​Sensor 100 Front seat display 110 Rear seat display 120 amps 130 Speaker LST1,LST2,LST3,LST4,LST5,LST6,LST7,LST8,LST9,LST10,LST11 list M1,M2,M3,M4,M5,M6,M7,M8,M9,M10,M11,M12,M13,M14,M15,M16,M17,M18 songs V1, V2, V3, V4, V5 videos

Claims

1. An in-vehicle information playback device that controls playback of one or more contents included in a list, A control device and a storage medium storing a program, The control device executes the program to perform processing, The process comprises: obtaining an estimated time of arrival of the vehicle at the destination; Accepting designation of a specific content from among the plurality of contents; generating the list based on the specific content, the playback times of each of the plurality of contents, and the predicted arrival time so that playback of the content to be played last will end within a range from the predicted arrival time to a time preceding by a first predetermined time; When the estimated arrival time is changed, updating the list by replacing one or more contents included in the list so that playback of the last content to be played ends within a range from the changed estimated arrival time to a time preceding the first predetermined time. In-vehicle information playback device.

2. The process comprises: generating the list by combining the specific content with one or more pieces of content similar to the specific content; 2. The in-vehicle information reproducing device according to claim 1.

3. The process comprises: and updating the list by replacing content played in a change area that is within a range from the predicted arrival time before the change to a time that is a second predetermined time before the predicted arrival time with content different from the content played in the change area when the predicted arrival time after the change is earlier than the predicted arrival time before the change.

2. The in-vehicle information reproducing device according to claim 1.

4. The process comprises: updating the list by replacing content played in a change area that is in a range from the predicted arrival time before the change to a time that is a second predetermined time before the predicted arrival time with content different from the content played in the change area when the predicted arrival time after the change is earlier than the first predetermined time before the predicted arrival time; 2. The in-vehicle information reproducing device according to claim 1.

5. The process comprises: updating the list by adding, when a change occurs in the predicted arrival time during playback of the content to be played last and the changed predicted arrival time is later than the predicted arrival time before the change, a content of which playback time is equal to or shorter than the difference between the predicted arrival times before and after the change, from among the plurality of contents; 2. The in-vehicle information reproducing device according to claim 1.

6. The process comprises: and if updating the list involves replacing one or more pieces of content included in the list with one or more pieces of content that are not similar to the specified content, or adding one or more pieces of content that are not similar to the specified content to the list, performing the update based on the permission of an occupant of the vehicle.

2. The in-vehicle information reproducing device according to claim 1.

7. The content includes music, video, and one or more chapters included in the video.

2. The in-vehicle information reproducing device according to claim 1.

8. The process comprises: receiving a designation of the particular content from an occupant of the vehicle; 2. The in-vehicle information reproducing device according to claim 1.

9. An information playback method for controlling playback of one or more contents included in a list, comprising: Obtaining a predicted arrival time for the vehicle at its destination; Accepts the designation of specific content from multiple contents, generating the list based on the specific content, the playback times of each of the plurality of contents, and the predicted arrival time, so that playback of the content to be played last will end within a range from the predicted arrival time to a time preceding by a first predetermined time; when the predicted arrival time is changed, updating the list by replacing one or more contents included in the list so that the playback of the last content to be played ends within a range from the changed predicted arrival time to a time preceding the first predetermined time; Information reproduction method.

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