Information provision system, management server, information provision method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information providing system capable of inserting another content according to attributes of a distribution destination provided with a display device into content displayed by a plurality of display devices and displaying the content.SOLUTION: An information providing system includes display control devices and a management server which can communicate with the display control devices via a communication network. The management server comprises a first distribution unit and a second distribution unit. The first distribution unit distributes first content displayed in a display unit of a distribution destination according to a prescribed schedule to a display control device which controls the display unit. The second distribution unit distributes second content according to attributes of the distribution destination and display conditions for displaying the second content to the display control device. The display control device includes a display control unit which inserts the second content into the first content according to the display conditions when displaying the first content in the display unit according to the schedule.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing system, a management server, an information providing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is an information providing system that provides content such as video and audio to users by using a plurality of display devices such as digital signage and a distribution server that distributes content to the display devices via a network.

[0003] For example, there is known an information providing system in which a distribution server distributes content to a set top box (STB), which is a display control device that controls a display device, according to a set schedule (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, an information providing system as disclosed in Patent Document 1 allows a user (eg, a company, a store, etc.) who uses a display device such as a digital signage to display content on the display device according to a set schedule.

[0005] There is a demand to utilize multiple display devices included in such an information providing system to display content for each user on each display device by interleaving different content according to the attributes of the distribution destination to which the display device is installed.

[0006] However, the conventional technology has a problem in that it is not possible to interrupt and display content displayed on multiple display devices with other content that corresponds to the attributes of the distribution destination to which the display devices are installed.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and provides an information provision system that can interrupt and display content displayed on multiple display devices with other content that corresponds to the attributes of the distribution destination to which the display devices are installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, an information providing system according to one embodiment of the present invention is an information providing system including a display control device and a management server capable of communicating with the display control device via a communication network, wherein the management server has a first distribution unit that distributes first content to be displayed on a display unit of a distribution destination to the display control device that controls the display unit according to a predetermined schedule, and a second distribution unit that distributes second content according to attributes of the distribution destination and display conditions for displaying the second content to the display control device, and the display control device has a display control unit that, when displaying the first content on the display unit according to the schedule, inserts the second content into the first content according to the display conditions. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an information provision system can be provided that can interrupt and display content displayed on multiple display devices with other content that corresponds to the attributes of the distribution destination to which the display devices are installed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an information providing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a process according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining interrupt display of content according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining content according to an attribute according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a display control device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information providing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of management information according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a content display process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of interrupt display of content according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of content interrupt display according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a content display process according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] [First embodiment] <System configuration> 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of an information providing system according to an embodiment. The information providing system 1 includes, for example, a content distribution server 101, an advertisement management server 102, and a plurality of display control devices 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, etc. In the following description, when referring to any one of the plurality of display control devices 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, etc., the term "display control device 110" is used. In addition, the content distribution server 101 and the advertisement management server 102 may be one management server 100.

[0013] The display control device 110 is communicably connected to, for example, a content distribution server 101 or a management server 100 via a communication network 2 such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). The display control device 110 has a computer configuration, and executes a predetermined program to perform a display control process for displaying content, such as video (moving image + audio) or images, distributed from the content distribution server 101 on a display unit.

[0014] Among the multiple display control devices 110, the display control devices 110a to 110b are devices such as STBs (Set Top Boxes) that display content distributed from a content distribution server 101 on display devices 111 connected to the display control devices. The display devices 111 are, for example, display devices such as digital signage. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display devices 111 may be, for example, other display devices such as a display, a monitor, or a projector.

[0015] The display control device 110 may be an integrated device having a built-in display device 112, like the display control device 110d. The display device 111 and the display device 112 are an example of a display unit that displays content. The display device 111 and the display control device (integrated) 110d are an example of a display device.

[0016] The content distribution server 101 is, for example, an information processing device having a computer configuration, or a system including a plurality of information processing devices. The content distribution server 101 executes a first distribution process for distributing content (hereinafter referred to as a first content) to be displayed on a display unit (display device 111 or display device 112) of a distribution destination according to a predetermined schedule to a display control device 110 that controls the display unit. Note that the first distribution process may be the same as the conventional technology shown in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0017] In addition, the content distribution server 101 in this embodiment executes a second distribution process to distribute content (hereinafter referred to as second content) according to the attributes of the distribution destination and display conditions for displaying the second content to the display control device 110.

[0018] For example, the display control device 110 transmits a request to acquire the second content including attribute information indicating the attributes of the distribution destination where the display control device 110 is located or identification information (hereinafter, referred to as a device ID) for identifying the display control device 110 to the management server 100. In response to this, the management server 100 distributes the second content and the display conditions according to the attributes of the distribution destination where the display control device 110 is installed to the display control device 110 that made the request.

[0019] The advertisement management server 102 is an information processing device having a computer configuration, or a system including multiple information processing devices. The advertisement management server 102 accepts settings of advertisement content, which is an example of second content, and shares with the content distribution server 101, for example, the advertisement content, attribute information indicating attributes of the advertisement content, and display conditions of the advertisement content.

[0020] Note that the advertisement content is an example for explanation, and the second content may be various other contents such as, for example, official notices of a national or local government, or operation information of transportation facilities.

[0021] 1 is an example, and the functions of the content distribution server 101 and the advertisement management server 102 may be realized by more servers. Also, the functions of the content distribution server 101 and the advertisement management server 102 may be realized by one management server 100. In the following description, when there is no particular need to distinguish between the content distribution server 101 and the advertisement management server 102, the servers that realize the functions of the content distribution server 101 and the advertisement management server 102 will be collectively referred to simply as the management server 100.

[0022] The information terminal 10 is a general information terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, a smartphone, etc. The information terminal 10 is used to access the management server 100 by, for example, a registrant who registers a first content in the management server 100, or a person in charge of an advertising agency who registers an advertisement content (an example of a second content) in the management server 100.

[0023] (Processing Overview) 2 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a process according to an embodiment. Here, it is assumed that a display control device 110 and a display device 111 are installed as digital signage in, for example, a tenant of a store or the like.

[0024] In step S1, a person in charge of a tenant uses an information terminal 10a to register in the content distribution server 101 a first content to be displayed on a display device 111 installed in the tenant, a schedule for displaying the first content, and the like.

[0025] In step S2, the content distribution server 101 distributes the first content registered by the information terminal 10a to the display control device 110. As an example, the content distribution server 101 distributes the first content to the display control device 110 according to a schedule for displaying the first content. As a result, in step S3, the display control device 110 displays the first content on the display device according to the registered schedule.

[0026] As another example, in step S2, the content distribution server 101 may distribute the first content and the schedule registered by the information terminal 10a to the display control device 110. In this case, in step S3, the display control device 110 causes the display device 111 to display the first content according to the distributed schedule. Note that the processes in steps S1 to S3 may be similar to those of the conventional technology.

[0027] In step S4, a person in charge at an advertising agency or the like who manages the advertising content uses the information terminal 10b to register the second content to be displayed on the display device 111 of the distribution destination having a predetermined attribute, and the display conditions for displaying the second content, etc., in the advertising management server 102. In response to this, in step S5, the advertising management server 102 shares attribute information indicating the attributes of the distribution destination, the registered advertising content, the display conditions, etc., with the content distribution server 101.

[0028] In step S6, the content distribution server 101 distributes the registered advertising content and display conditions to the display control device 110 that controls the display device 111 of the distribution destination having a predetermined attribute. Note that it is assumed here that the display device 111 is installed at the distribution destination having a predetermined attribute.

[0029] For example, the display control device 110 transmits a request to acquire the second content to the content distribution server 101 at a predetermined time interval or at a preset time. On the other hand, when the content distribution server 101 accepts the request for the second content, it distributes advertising content to be displayed on the destination display device 111 having a predetermined attribute, display conditions, etc. to the requesting display control device 110. As a result, in step S7, the display control device 110 displays the second content in an interrupt manner in the first content being displayed according to the acquired display conditions.

[0030] (About interrupt display) 3 is a diagram for explaining the interrupt display of content according to an embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the display condition of the second content is to display 15-second advertisement A and 15-second advertisement B once each in a 30-second advertisement frame every 10 minutes (1 roll).

[0031] Fig. 3(A) shows an image of an example of a process of interrupting a first content with a second content. In Fig. 3(A), a white rectangle 301 indicates the first content, and black rectangles (advertisement A 302a and advertisement B 302b) indicate advertisement contents (second content), and the width of each rectangle indicates the time for which the content is displayed. In the example of Fig. 3(A), the first content is composed of multiple small contents.

[0032] The display control device 110 displays advertisement A or advertisement B alternately in an interrupt manner in the first content, for example, once every five minutes, based on the display conditions. As a specific example, the display control device 110 initializes a timer at time t0 when the display of the first content starts.

[0033] The display control device 110 also cuts in and displays advertisement A302a, which is advertising content, at time t1, five minutes after time t0, when the display of the small content 301a of the first content being displayed ends. Furthermore, the display control device 110 cuts in and displays advertisement B302b at time t2, five minutes after time t1, when the display of the small content 301b being displayed ends. Similarly, the display control device 110 cuts in and displays advertisement A302a at time t3, five minutes after time t2, when the display of the small content 301c being displayed ends.

[0034] Fig. 3B shows an image of another example of the process of interrupting the display of the first content with the display of the second content. The example of Fig. 3B shows an example of the process when the display time of the first content 301m, 301n is relatively long.

[0035] At time t1, five minutes after time t0, when the display of the first content 301m being displayed ends, the display control device 110 interrupts and displays the advertisement A 302a, which is the advertising content.

[0036] Here, the display control device 110 calculates whether two advertisement contents (advertisement A 302a, advertisement B 302b) can be displayed within a predetermined time (10 minutes) when the next first content 301n is displayed. Also, as shown in Fig. 3(B), if advertisement B 302b cannot be displayed when the next first content 301n is displayed, advertisement B 302b is displayed before the next first content 301n is displayed.

[0037] 3A and 3B are merely examples. The display control device 110 may use another method for interrupting the first content with the second content, as long as the method satisfies the display conditions.

[0038] (About attribute-based content) Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining content according to attributes according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the management server 100 manages advertisement content 411 and display conditions 412 for each of channels 410a, 410b, and 410c according to attributes such as "above the register," "product sales floor," or "entrance." In the following description, "channel 410" will be used to refer to any of channels 410a, 410b, and 410c.

[0039] Preferably, the management server 100 stores log information 413 indicating the display status of the advertisement content for each channel (attribute).

[0040] 4, the A company store 420 is provided with a display control device (above the register) 110-1 having an attribute of "above the register", and display control devices (product sales floor) 110-2 and 110-3 having an attribute of "product sales floor". The B company store 421 is provided with a display control device (above the register) 110-11 having an attribute of "above the register", a display control device (product sales floor) 110-12 having an attribute of "product sales floor", and a display control device 110-13 having an attribute of "entrance".

[0041] In this case, the display control devices (above the register) 110-1 and 110-11 having the attribute "above the register" of the A company store 420 and the B company store 421 acquire the advertisement content 411 and the display conditions from the channel (above the register) 410a corresponding to the attribute "above the register." In addition, the display control devices (above the register) 110-1 and 110-11 transmit log information indicating the display status such as the start of the display of the advertisement content or the success of the display to the channel (above the register) 410a.

[0042] Furthermore, the display control devices (product sales floor) 110-2, 110-3, 110-12 having the attribute of "product sales floor" of the A company store 420 and the B company store 421 acquire advertisement content 411 and display conditions from the channel (product sales floor) 410b corresponding to the attribute of "product sales floor." Furthermore, the display control devices (product sales floor) 110-2, 110-3, 110-12 transmit log information indicating the display status such as the start of display of advertisement content or successful display to the channel (product sales floor) 410b.

[0043] In this way, the management server 100 may interrupt and display the same second content (eg, advertisement content, etc.) to distribution destinations having the same attribute among a plurality of tenants (eg, stores, contractors, etc.).

[0044] The configuration of the channels 410a, 410b, 410c, etc. of the management server 100 shown in Fig. 4 is an image for explanation. For example, the management server 100 may attach attribute information or a channel ID, etc. to the advertisement contents 411 and the display conditions 412 of the channels 410a, 410b, 410c, etc., and store and manage them in one storage unit (for example, the second content storage unit 706 described later). Similarly, the management server 100 may attach attribute information or a channel ID, etc. to the log information 413 of the channels 410a, 410b, 410c, etc., and store and manage them in one storage unit (for example, the log information storage unit 708 described later).

[0045] According to this embodiment, with the configuration shown in Figures 1 to 4, it is possible to provide an information providing system that can interrupt and display content displayed on multiple display devices with other content that corresponds to the attributes of the distribution destination to which the display devices are installed.

[0046] <Hardware configuration> (Computer hardware configuration) The information terminal 10 has, for example, the hardware configuration of a computer 500 as shown in Fig. 5. The content distribution server 101, the advertisement management server 102, and the management server 100 are each configured by one or more computers 500.

[0047] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer according to an embodiment. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the computer 500 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, a HD (Hard Disk) 504, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 507, a network I / F 508, a keyboard 509, a pointing device 510, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 512, a media I / F 514, and a bus line 515.

[0048] Of these, the CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the computer 500. The ROM 502 stores programs used to start up the computer 500, such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader). The RAM 503 is used, for example, as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores programs such as an OS (Operating System), applications, and device drivers, as well as various data. The HDD controller 505 controls the reading and writing of various data from and to the HD 504 under the control of the CPU 501, for example.

[0049] The display 506 displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, characters, or an image. The display 506 may be provided outside the computer 500. The external device connection I / F 507 is an interface such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) for connecting an external device such as a local device. The network I / F 508 is an interface for data communication using a communication network.

[0050] The keyboard 509 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 510 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The keyboard 509 and the pointing device 510 may be provided outside the computer 500.

[0051] The DVD-RW drive 512 controls reading and writing of various data from and to a DVD-RW 511, which is an example of a removable recording medium. The DVD-RW 511 is not limited to a DVD-RW, and may be another removable recording medium. The media I / F 514 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from and to a medium 513 such as a flash memory. The bus line 515 includes an address bus, a data bus, various control signals, and the like for electrically connecting the above components.

[0052] (Hardware configuration of the display control device) Fig. 6(A) shows an example of the hardware configuration of display control devices (STBs) 110a, 110b, and 110c connected to a display device 111. In the example of Fig. 6(A), the display control device 110 has a CPU 601, a memory 602, a storage device 603, a communication I / F 604, a display device connection I / F, a bus 606, and the like.

[0053] The CPU 601 is a calculation device that realizes each function of the display control device 110 by executing a program for the display control device 110 stored in, for example, a storage device 603 or a memory 602. The memory 602 includes, for example, a RAM used as a work area or the like for the CPU 601, and a ROM that stores in advance a program for starting up the display control device 110, etc. The storage device 603 is, for example, a large-capacity non-volatile storage device such as an HDD or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0054] The communication I / F 604 is a communication interface, such as a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, or a wireless WAN, for connecting the display control device 110 to the communication network 2. The communication I / F 604 is an interface, such as a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), a Digital Visual Interface (DVI), or a Display Port, for connecting the display device 111 to the display control device 110. The bus 606 is commonly connected to the above components and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals, and various control signals.

[0055] Fig. 6(B) shows an example of the hardware configuration of a display control device (integrated type) 110d incorporating a display device 112. In the example of Fig. 6(B), the display control device 110 has a CPU 601, a memory 602, a storage device 603, a communication I / F 604, the display device 112, an audio output circuit 611, a speaker 612, and a bus 606. Note that the CPU 601, memory 602, storage device 603, communication I / F 604, and bus 606 in Fig. 6(B) may be similar to the CPU 601, memory 602, storage device 603, communication I / F 604, and bus 606 described in Fig. 6(A).

[0056] The display device 112 is, for example, a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The audio output circuit 611 is a circuit that converts audio data into an audio signal and outputs the amplified audio signal to a speaker 612, thereby outputting audio.

[0057] <Functional configuration> FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information providing system 1 according to an embodiment.

[0058] (Management Server Functionality Configuration) The management server 100 realizes, for example, a communication unit 701, a first content management unit 702, a first content storage unit 703, a first distribution unit 704, a second content management unit 705, a second content storage unit 706, a second distribution unit 707, a log information storage unit 708, a frame management unit 709, an account management unit 710, etc. by executing a predetermined program on one or more computers 500 included in the management server 100. Note that at least a part of the above functional configurations may be realized by hardware.

[0059] The communication unit 701 uses, for example, the network I / F 508 or the like to connect the management server 100 to the communication network 2, and executes communication processing for communicating with the display control device 110, the information terminal 10, or the like.

[0060] The first content management unit 702 accepts registration of the first content, schedule, and the like from, for example, the information terminal 10a in FIG.

[0061] The first content storage unit 703 is realized by a program executed by one or more computers 500 included in the management server 100, the HD 504, the HDD controller 505, etc. The first content storage unit 703 stores the first content accepted by the first content management unit 702, a schedule, etc.

[0062] The first distribution unit 704 executes a first distribution process to distribute the first content to the display control device 110. As an example, the first distribution unit 704 distributes the first content stored in the first content storage unit 703 to the display control device 110 according to a schedule stored in the first content storage unit 703.

[0063] As another example, the first distribution unit 704 may distribute the first content and the schedule stored in the first content storage unit 703 to the display control device 110.

[0064] The second content management unit 705 accepts registration of second content (for example, advertising content), display conditions, and the like, from, for example, the information terminal 10b in FIG.

[0065] The second content storage unit 706 is realized by a program executed by one or more computers 500 included in the management server 100, the HD 504, the HDD controller 505, etc. The second content storage unit 706 stores the second content and the display conditions, etc., accepted by the second content management unit 705 for each channel (attribute).

[0066] The second distribution unit 707 manages the second content and the display conditions stored by the second content storage unit 706 for each channel (attribute), for example, by using management information 800 as shown in FIG.

[0067] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of management information according to an embodiment. In the example of Fig. 8, management information 800 includes information such as "channel (attribute)", "display conditions", and "content" as items. "Channel (attribute)" corresponds to channel (above register) 410a and channel (sales floor) 410b described in Fig. 4, etc.

[0068] The "display condition" indicates the condition under which the second content is displayed in an interrupted manner in the first content. For example, the display condition "10 minute roll, two 15 second pieces of content" indicates that 15 second advertisement content is displayed twice in a 30 second advertisement space in 10 minutes (1 roll), as described in Figs. 3(A) and (B). The "content" is information indicating the file of the second content, the file name of the second content, or the acquisition destination of the second content, etc.

[0069] In addition, when the second distribution unit 707 receives a request to acquire the second content from the display control device 110, it executes a second distribution process to distribute the second content and display conditions according to the attributes of the display control device 110 to the requesting display control device 110 based on the management information 800.

[0070] The log information storage unit 708 is realized by a program executed by one or more computers 500 included in the management server 100, the HD 504, the HDD controller 505, etc. The log information storage unit 708 stores the log information 413 indicating the display status of the second content transmitted by the display control device 110, for example, for each channel (attribute).

[0071] The frame management unit 709 executes a frame management process for managing one or more time frames in which the second content is inserted into the first content. For example, the frame management unit 709 receives settings such as the time of one roll, the time during which the second content can be displayed within the time of one roll, and the number of frames from the information terminal 10.

[0072] 2 can use the information terminal 10b to access a web server provided by the slot management unit 709 to search for available time slots. The information providing system 1 and the advertising agency can provide available time slots (advertising slots) to, for example, advertisers.

[0073] The account management unit 710 manages account information of users or tenants registered in the information providing system 1. Here, a tenant is a contract unit such as a company, department, business establishment, store, group, or organization.

[0074] 7 is an example of the functional configuration of the management server 100. For example, the functional configuration of the management server 100 may be distributed across multiple servers.

[0075] (Functional configuration of the display control device) The display control device 110 realizes, for example, a communication unit 711, an acquisition unit 712, a display control unit 713, and a storage unit 714 by executing a predetermined program in the CPU 601. Note that at least a part of the above functional configurations may be realized by hardware.

[0076] A communication unit 711 uses the communication I / F 604 and the like to connect the display control device 110 to the communication network 2, and executes communication processing for communicating with the management server 100 and the like.

[0077] The acquisition unit 712 acquires, for example, the first content, the second content, and a display condition for displaying the second content from the management server 110 via the communication unit 711. Note that the acquisition unit 712 may further acquire a schedule for displaying the first content.

[0078] As described in FIG. 2, the display control unit 713 executes a display control process to interrupt the first content with the second content in accordance with the display conditions when displaying the first content on a display unit such as the display device 111 or the display device 112.

[0079] The storage unit 714 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 601, the storage device 603, etc., and stores the first content, the schedule, the second content, the display conditions, etc., delivered from the management server 100.

[0080] (Functional configuration of information terminal) As an example, the information terminal 10 has a general web browser 721. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the information terminal 10 may access the management server 100 by an application or the like compatible with the information providing system 1.

[0081] <Processing flow> Next, the process flow of the information providing method according to this embodiment will be described.

[0082] [First embodiment] (Content display processing) 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a content display process according to the first embodiment. This process shows an example of a content display process in which the display control device 110 causes the display device 111 to display the first content and the second content distributed by the management server 100.

[0083] In step S901, the first distribution unit 704 of the management server 100 distributes the first content to the display control device 110 according to the schedule stored in the first content storage unit 703 when it is time to distribute the first content.

[0084] In step S902 , the acquisition unit 712 of the display control device 110 stores the first content received by the communication unit 711 from the management server 100 in the storage unit 714 .

[0085] In step S903, the display control unit 713 of the display control device 110 starts displaying the first content stored in the storage unit 714 using the display device 111.

[0086] In step S904, when a predetermined time arrives, or when a predetermined time interval has elapsed since the second content was acquired, the acquisition unit 712 of the display control device 110 transmits a request to acquire the second content to the management server 100. The acquisition information of the second content includes, for example, information indicating the attributes of the display device 111 to which the content is to be distributed (hereinafter, referred to as attribute information).

[0087] In step S905, when the second distribution unit 707 of the management server 100 accepts the content acquisition request, it acquires the second content corresponding to the attribute information included in the content acquisition request and the display condition from the second content storage unit 706. Note that the second distribution unit 707 can acquire the second content corresponding to the attribute information and the display condition by using, for example, management information 800 as shown in FIG.

[0088] In step S906, the second distribution unit 707 of the management server 100 distributes the acquired second content, the display conditions, and the like to the display control device 110 that has made the request.

[0089] In step S907, the acquisition unit 712 of the display control device 110 stores in the storage unit 714 the second content and the display conditions and the like that the communication unit 711 has received from the management server 100.

[0090] In step S908, the display control unit 713 of the display control device 110, in accordance with the distribution conditions stored in the storage unit 714, interrupts the first content being displayed and displays the second content.

[0091] (Content interrupt processing 1) Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of content interruption processing according to the first embodiment. This processing shows an example of content interruption display executed by the display control unit 713 of the display control device 110 in step S908 in Fig. 9, for example.

[0092] In step S1001, the display control unit 713 initializes a timer that measures elapsed time in synchronization with the start of display of the first content. For example, in FIG. 3A, when the display of the first content starts from time t0, the display control unit 713 initializes the timer at time t0.

[0093] In step S1002, the display control unit 713 judges whether it is time to cut in, and when it is time to cut in, the process proceeds to step S1003. For example, as described in FIG. 3(A), the display condition of the second content is assumed to be "displaying 15-second advertisement A and advertisement B once each in a 30-second advertisement frame in 10 minutes (1 roll)." In this case, the display control unit 713 determines the cut-in timing to cut in the second content into the first content once every 5 minutes based on the display condition. For example, in FIG. 3(A), the cut-in timings are time t1, which is 5 minutes after time t0, time t2, which is 5 minutes after time t1, and time t3, which is 5 minutes after time t2.

[0094] In step S1003, the display control unit 713 determines whether or not the small content being displayed at the interrupt timing has ended, and if the small content being displayed has ended, the process proceeds to step S1004.

[0095] In step S1004, the display control unit 713 interrupts and displays the second content. Here, interrupt display refers to displaying the second content (advertisement A 302a) between the small content 301a of the first content and the next small content, for example, as shown in FIG. 3(A).

[0096] In step S1005, the display control unit 713 determines whether or not it is time to end the second content. For example, the display control unit 713 may determine that it is time to end the second content when it reaches the end time specified in the display conditions, or when it has been displayed a specified number of times.

[0097] If it is not time to end the second content, display control unit 713 returns the process to step S1002. On the other hand, if it is time to end the second content, display control unit 713 ends the process of FIG.

[0098] By the process of FIG. 10, the display control device 110 can display the second content (advertisement A 302a, advertisement B 302b, etc.) by interjecting it into the first content, as shown in FIG. 3(A), for example.

[0099] (Content interrupt processing 2) Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing another example of the content interruption processing according to the first embodiment. This processing shows another example of the content interruption display executed by the display control unit 713 of the display control device 110 in step S908 in Fig. 9, for example. Note that the processing in steps S1001 to S1005 in Fig. 11 is similar to the processing in steps S1001 to S1005 described in Fig. 10, and therefore description thereof will be omitted here.

[0100] In steps S1101 and S1102, the display control unit 713 calculates whether the remaining second contents can be displayed within a predetermined time when the next small content is displayed, and judges whether the remaining second contents can be displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, if the next first content 301n (small content) is displayed after the advertisement A302a is interrupted and the advertisement B302b cannot be displayed within the predetermined time (10 minutes), the display control unit 713 judges that the remaining second contents cannot be displayed within the predetermined time when the small content is displayed.

[0101] If the remaining second content can be displayed within the predetermined time when the small content is displayed, the display control unit 713 returns the process to step S1002. On the other hand, if the remaining second content cannot be displayed within the predetermined time when the small content is displayed, the display control unit 713 shifts the process to step S1103.

[0102] When the process proceeds to step S1103, the display control unit 713 displays the remaining second content in an interrupt manner. For example, in FIG. 3B, if the advertisement B302b cannot be displayed within a predetermined time period after the next first content 301n is displayed, the display control unit 713 displays the advertisement B302B (the remaining second content) before the next first content 301n.

[0103] By the process of FIG. 11, the display control device 110 can display the second content (advertisement A 302a, advertisement B 302b, etc.) by interjecting it into the first content, as shown in FIG. 3(B), for example.

[0104] [Second embodiment] The content display process according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 9 is an example, and various modifications are possible. In the second embodiment, a variation of the content display process will be described.

[0105] Fig. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a content display process according to the second embodiment. This process shows another example of a content display process in which the display control device 110 causes the display device 111 to display the first content and the second content distributed by the management server 100. Note that the processes of steps S906 to S908 in Fig. 12 are similar to the content display process according to the first embodiment described in Fig. 9, and therefore will not be described here.

[0106] In step S1201, the first distribution unit 704 of the management server 100 distributes the first content stored in the first content storage unit 703 and the schedule to the display control device 110.

[0107] In step S1202, the acquisition unit 712 of the display control device 110 stores in the storage unit 714 the first content and the schedule received by the communication unit 711 from the management server 100.

[0108] In step S1203, the display control unit 713 of the display control device 110 starts displaying the first content stored in the storage unit 714 using the display device 111 based on the schedule stored in the storage unit 714. In this manner, the schedule for displaying the first content may be managed by the display control device 110, thereby making it possible to reduce the load on the management server 100.

[0109] In step S1204, when a predetermined time arrives, or when a predetermined time interval has elapsed since the second content was acquired, the acquisition unit 712 of the display control device 110 transmits an acquisition request for the second content to the management server 100. The acquisition information for the second content includes, for example, a device ID for identifying the display control device 110 to which the second content is to be distributed.

[0110] In this case, the management server 100 can identify the attribute information of the display control device 110 based on the device ID by storing the correspondence between the device ID of the display control device 110 and the attribute information. In this way, the display control device 110 does not necessarily need to manage the attribute information of the display control device 110 or the display device 111.

[0111] As described above, according to each embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information provision system that can interrupt and display content displayed on multiple display devices with other content that corresponds to the attributes of the distribution destination to which the display devices are installed.

[0112] <Supplementary Information> Each function of each embodiment described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and a device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (digital signal processor), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or a conventional circuit module designed to execute each function described above.

[0113] Additionally, the devices described in the examples are merely one of a number of computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the management server 100 includes a number of computing devices, such as a server cluster, configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link, including a network, shared memory, and the like, and to perform the processes disclosed herein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1 Information provision system 100 Management Server 110 Display control device 111 Display device (an example of a display unit) 112 Display device (an example of a display unit) 302a Advertisement A (advertising content) 302b Advertisement B (advertising content) 704 First Distribution Section 707 Second Distribution Section 709 Frame Management Department 713 Display control section 800 Management information [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0115] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-65675 A

Claims

1. An information providing system including a display control device and a management server capable of communicating with the display control device via a communication network, The management server includes: a first distribution unit that distributes a first content to be displayed on a display unit of a distribution destination according to a predetermined schedule to the display control device that controls the display unit; a second distribution unit that distributes, to the display control device, second content corresponding to an attribute of the distribution destination and a display condition for displaying the second content; having The display control device includes: a display control unit that, when causing the display unit to display the first content according to the schedule, causes the second content to be inserted into the first content according to the display condition; Information provision system.

2. A plurality of the display control devices are disposed at a plurality of distribution destinations, 2. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the management server has management information in which the second content and the display condition are stored for each attribute of the distribution destination.

3. the second content is advertising content; 3 . The information providing system according to claim 1 , wherein the advertising content according to an attribute of the distribution destination is displayed by interrupting the first content displayed on the display unit of the distribution destination.

4. a time slot management unit that manages one or more time slots in which the second content is inserted into the first content, The information providing system according to claim 3 , wherein the time slots are provided to advertisers.

5. 5. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the display condition includes information on the length of a time frame in which the second content is inserted into the first content and the number of times within a predetermined time period.

6. the first content includes a plurality of contents; The information providing system according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit causes the second content to be inserted between the plurality of contents so as to satisfy the display condition.

7. The information providing system according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit is a display device connected to the display control device, or a display device included in the display control device.

8. A management server capable of communicating with a display control device via a communication network, a first distribution unit that distributes a first content to be displayed on a display unit of a distribution destination and a schedule for displaying the first content to the display control device that controls the display unit; a second distribution unit that distributes a second content according to an attribute of the distribution destination and a display condition for displaying the second content to the display control device, the display control device causing the second content to be inserted into the first content according to the display condition when the first content is displayed on the display unit according to the schedule; A management server having:

9. An information providing method executed by a computer capable of communicating with a display control device via a communication network, comprising: The computer, A process of distributing a first content to be displayed on a display unit of a distribution destination and a schedule for displaying the first content to the display control device that controls the display unit; a process of distributing a second content according to an attribute of the distribution destination and a display condition for displaying the second content to the display control device, the display control device causing the second content to be inserted into the first content according to the display condition when the first content is displayed on the display unit according to the schedule; A method of providing information.

10. A program for causing a computer to execute the information providing method according to claim 9.

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