Display device, content display method, and computer program

Abstract

To suppress an increase in facility usage time depending on the congestion level while increasing the effectiveness of advertising communication to facility users. [Solution] The display device of the present disclosure has a display unit and is installed in a toilet stall, and includes an acquisition means for acquiring usage status information indicating the usage status of the toilet stall, and a display control means for controlling the display of advertising content on the display unit based on the usage status information, and the display control means determines whether or not to play at least one of the N advertising contents again after playing N pre-set advertising contents while the toilet stall is in use.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device, a content display method, and a computer program. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology is known in which a display is installed in a private room in a restroom facility, and when a user approaches the toilet bowl, a sensor detects the user and displays images of advertisements, event information, etc., in order to increase the effectiveness of advertising to users (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-155564 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, according to the invention described in Patent Document 1, the usage time per person increases as users view advertisements, which may result in the facility becoming crowded.

[0005] In view of the above, in one aspect, the present disclosure proposes a technology for suppressing an increase in facility usage time depending on the congestion level while increasing the effectiveness of advertising communication to facility users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present disclosure provides a display device having a display unit and installed in a toilet cubicle, the display device being configured to display a status of use of the toilet cubicle, The congestion of the toilet facility including the toilet cubicle derived based onThe toilet comprises an acquisition means for acquiring information, and a display control means for controlling display of advertisement content on the display unit based on the congestion information, and the display control means plays back N pieces of advertisement content set in advance while the toilet is in use. When the congestion information indicates that the network is not congested, at least one of the N pieces of advertisement content is reproduced again, and when the congestion information indicates that the network is congested, the advertisement content is not reproduced again. The present invention proposes a display device characterized by the above-mentioned.

[0007] Further features related to the present disclosure will be apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings. Also, the aspects of the present disclosure are achieved and realized by the elements and combinations of various elements and the following detailed description and the appended claims. It should be understood that the description of the present specification is merely a typical example and does not limit the scope or application of the present disclosure in any way. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress an increase in facility usage time depending on the congestion level while increasing the effectiveness of advertisement transmission to facility users. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a vacancy management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of toilet facility installation in the vacancy management system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a vacancy management server and a display terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the vacancy management server and the display terminal according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] 4A to 4C are diagrams showing examples of data in a vacancy management DB and an advertisement management DB according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process for updating vacant room information and controlling the display of advertising content in the vacant room management server according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of toilet facility installation in the vacancy management system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 4A to 4C are diagrams showing examples of data in a vacancy management DB and an advertisement management DB according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing the process of updating queue information of the vacancy management server according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart showing the updating of vacant room information by the vacant room management server and the display control process of advertising content according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the updating of vacant room information by the vacant room management server and the display control process of advertising content in this modified example. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the vacant room management server 10 in the third embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a vacant room management DB having congestion degree information. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart for explaining a process of each display terminal 40 in the third embodiment. [Figure 15] 13 is a flowchart for explaining exit monitoring and interrupt processing executed in the display terminal 40. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. (1) Embodiment 1 <System configuration> (Network Configuration) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vacant room management system according to this embodiment. The vacant room management system 100 in Fig. 1 includes a vacant room management server 10, a vacant room detection sensor 30, and a display terminal 40, which are connected via a network 50.

[0011] The vacancy management server 10 is an information processing device that distributes display content (hereinafter referred to as advertising content) including advertising images, advertising videos, and questionnaire images to the display terminals 40. The distributed advertising content is displayed on the displays of the display terminals 40 installed in the restroom cubicles 20, respectively.

[0012] The display terminal 40 is an information display device that is installed in each toilet cubicle in the toilet facility A and displays advertising content such as advertisements while the user is using the toilet cubicle. For example, a tablet terminal is used as the display terminal 40.

[0013] The vacant room detection sensor 30 is installed in each toilet cubicle in the toilet facility A, and is a monitoring device for detecting vacancy information (vacancy status) of the toilet cubicle 20 used by a user. The vacant room detection sensor 30 is installed in each cubicle to be monitored. The vacant room detection sensor 30 detects whether the toilet cubicle 20 is being used by a user or not.

[0014] The vacancy detection sensor 30 may be, for example, a human presence sensor that detects the presence of a user in the toilet cubicle 20 or a magnetic sensor that detects the opening and closing of the door of the toilet cubicle 20. When a human presence sensor is used, it can be determined that the toilet cubicle 20 is being used by a user when a human presence is detected in the toilet cubicle 20. In addition, when the toilet cubicle 20 is a normally open type, it can be determined that the toilet cubicle 20 is being used by a user when a magnetic sensor detects that the door of the toilet cubicle 20 is closed. The vacancy detection sensor 30 detects whether the toilet cubicle 20 is being used by a user at regular intervals, and transmits a detection signal of the toilet cubicle 20 to the vacancy management server 10 via the network 50. In this embodiment, a magnetic sensor that detects the opening and closing of the door is used as the vacancy detection sensor 30. The vacancy detection sensor 30 detects the opening and closing state of the door, for example, every 5 seconds. Furthermore, the vacancy detection sensor 30 outputs a detection signal when a certain period of time, such as every minute, has elapsed and when the opening and closing state has changed. Here, the vacant room detection sensor 30 outputs a detection signal 1 when the door is closed, and a detection signal 0 when the door is open, together with the private room ID.

[0015] The network 50 is a communication network including wired and wireless networks, and includes, for example, the Internet, a public line network, and WiFi (registered trademark).

[0016] (Installation example) Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of installation of a toilet facility in a vacancy management system according to this embodiment. A vacancy detection sensor 30 is installed at a predetermined location in each toilet cubicle 20 to monitor vacancy information (vacancy status) of the toilet cubicle 20. In the case of the toilet facility of Fig. 2, a total of five cubicles are provided, so a total of five vacancy detection sensors 30 are installed for each toilet cubicle 20. The vacancy detection sensors 30 are communicatively connected to the vacancy management server 10 via a wireless or wired network in the toilet facility.

[0017] As described above, the vacancy detection sensor 30 may be, for example, a human presence sensor that detects the presence of a user inside the toilet cubicle 20 or a magnetic sensor that detects the opening and closing of the door of the toilet cubicle 20. When a human presence sensor is used as the vacancy detection sensor 30, the vacancy detection sensor 30 may be installed on the ceiling or the like of the toilet cubicle 20. Also, when a magnetic sensor is used as the vacancy detection sensor 30, the vacancy detection sensor 30 may be installed on the door of the toilet cubicle 20.

[0018] The display terminal 40 is installed in a predetermined location in each toilet cubicle 20. In the case of the toilet facility of Fig. 2, a total of five cubicles are provided, and therefore a total of five display terminals 40 are installed for each toilet cubicle 20. The display terminals 40 are communicatively connected to the vacancy management server 10 via a wireless or wired network in the toilet facility.

[0019] (Hardware configuration) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the vacant room management server and the display terminal according to this embodiment.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3(A), the vacant room management server 10 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 14, and a communication device 15.

[0021] The CPU 11 executes various programs and performs arithmetic processing. The ROM 12 stores programs required at startup. The RAM 13 is a work area for temporarily storing the processing by the CPU 11 and storing data. The HDD 14 stores various data and programs. The communication device 15 communicates with other devices via a network 50.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3B, the display terminal 40 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a communication device 44, a memory 45, and a display device 46.

[0023] The CPU 41 executes various programs and performs arithmetic processing. The ROM 42 stores programs necessary at startup, etc. The RAM 43 is a work area for temporarily storing processing by the CPU 41 and storing data. The communication device 44 communicates with the vacant room management server 10 via the network 50. The memory 45 stores and preserves advertising content data. The display device 46 displays advertising content distributed from the vacant room management server 10.

[0024] (Software configuration) Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the vacant room management server and the display terminal according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4(A), the vacant room management server 10 has a distribution unit 101, a detection unit 102, a determination unit 103, a display control unit 104, and a storage unit 105 as main functional units.

[0025] The distribution unit 101 distributes advertising content to a display terminal 40 installed in a toilet cubicle 20.

[0026] The detection unit 102 detects the presence or absence of a user using each of the multiple toilet cubicles 20. Specifically, the detection unit 102 receives detection information from the vacancy detection sensor 30 installed in the toilet cubicle 20 periodically or when the detection information changes. The detection information includes a facility ID, a cubicle ID, and a detection signal. When the detection signal indicates 1, the detection unit 102 detects that the toilet cubicle in the facility has a user as the detection result, and when the detection signal indicates 0, the detection unit 102 detects that the toilet cubicle in the facility has no user as the detection result. The detection unit 102 updates the vacancy management DB 105a based on the detection information.

[0027] The determination unit 103 determines whether or not there is an unoccupied toilet cubicle 20 among the multiple toilet cubicles 20 based on the detection result by the detection unit 102. Specifically, the determination unit 103 determines whether or not there is an unoccupied toilet cubicle 20 among the multiple toilet cubicles 20 in the same facility by referring to the vacancy management DB 105a.

[0028] When the determination unit 103 determines that there is a toilet cubicle 20 with no user, the display control unit 104 executes control to display advertising content on the display terminal 40 provided in the toilet cubicle 20 in which a user is detected by the detection unit 102. In addition, when the determination unit 103 determines that there is no toilet cubicle 20 in which a user is detected by the detection unit 102, the display control unit 104 executes control to not display advertising content on the display terminal 40 provided in the toilet cubicle 20 in which a user is detected by the detection unit 102.

[0029] The storage unit 105 stores a vacancy management DB (Data Base) 105a and an advertisement management DB 105b. The vacancy management DB 105a is a database for managing vacancy information (vacancy status) of toilet cubicles 20 in the toilet facility in real time. The advertisement management DB 105b is a database for managing advertisement content to be displayed on a display terminal 40 provided in the toilet cubicle 20.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 4(B), the display terminal 40 has, as its main functional units, a receiving unit 401, a storage unit 402, and a display control unit 403. The receiving unit 401 receives advertising content distributed by the distribution unit 101 of the vacant room management server 10. The storage unit 402 stores the advertising content received by the receiving unit 401 in the memory 45. The display control unit 403 displays or hides the advertising content according to the control of the display control unit 104 of the vacant room management server 10.

[0031] Each functional unit is realized by a computer program executed on hardware resources such as the CPU, ROM, and RAM of the computer that constitutes the vacancy management server 10 and the display terminal 40. These functional units may be read as "means," "module," "unit," or "circuit."

[0032] (Vacancy management DB and advertising management DB) Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of data in the vacancy management DB and the advertisement management DB according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5(A), the vacancy management DB 105a has data items such as "facility ID", "facility name", "number of private rooms", "number of vacant rooms", "private room ID and vacant room information", etc.

[0033] "Facility ID" indicates a unique identifier assigned to each toilet facility. "Facility Name" indicates the name of the toilet facility. "Number of cubicles" indicates the total number of toilet cubicles provided in the toilet facility. "Number of vacant rooms" indicates the number of vacant toilet cubicles out of the "Number of cubicles." "Number of vacant rooms" changes in real time depending on the availability of toilet cubicles.

[0034] "Stallion ID and Vacancy Information" indicates a unique identifier assigned to each toilet stall and the vacancy information of the said stall. In the case of Figure 5, the "Stallion ID" corresponds to 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and among these, toilet stalls with the numbers indicating "Stallion ID" underlined indicate that they are in use. On the other hand, toilet stalls with the numbers indicating "Stallion ID" not underlined indicate that they are not in use.

[0035] When the vacancy management server 10 receives detection information from a vacancy detection sensor 30 installed in a toilet cubicle 20, it identifies the facility ID and cubicle ID contained in the detection information, and if the detection signal contained in the detection information indicates 1, it updates the vacancy management DB 105a by indicating that the toilet cubicle is fully occupied, and if the detection signal contained in the detection information indicates 0, it updates the vacancy management DB 105a by indicating that the toilet cubicle is vacant.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5(B), the advertisement management DB 105b has data items such as "advertising ID", "advertiser ID", and "advertising content data". "Advertising ID" indicates a unique identifier assigned to each advertisement. "Advertiser ID" indicates a unique identifier assigned to each advertiser who has placed an advertisement. "Advertising content data" indicates the content data of the placed advertisement.

[0037] <Information Processing> Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing the updating of vacant room information and the display control process of advertising content in the vacant room management server according to this embodiment. Each step (hereinafter, abbreviated as "S") can be realized by the CPU 11 reading and executing a program capable of realizing the flow chart shown in Fig. 6.

[0038] First, the vacant room management server 10 distributes advertisement content data in advance to the display terminal 40 installed in the restroom cubicle 20 during non-operational operating hours (for example, late night hours) as a preset setting. The display terminal 40 receives the advertisement content data and stores the advertisement content data in the memory 45 in advance.

[0039] S101: The detection unit 102 periodically receives detection information including a facility ID, a private room ID, and a detection signal. The detection information is transmitted from the vacant room detection sensor 30 to the management server 10 at regular intervals and when the door open / close state changes.

[0040] S102: Based on the detection information (detection result) received by the detection unit 102 in S1, the detection unit 102 updates the "private room ID and vacant room information" corresponding to the facility ID and private room ID in the vacant room management DB 105a in accordance with the detection signal. The detection signal is 1 when a user is detected, and is 0 when a user is not detected. In addition, in conjunction with the update of the "private room ID and vacant room information", the determination unit 103 also updates the "number of vacant rooms".

[0041] S103: The judgment unit 103 refers to the vacant room management DB 105a and judges whether or not there is a vacant room among the multiple toilet cubicles 20 in the facility corresponding to the facility ID of the detection information received in S101. If there is a vacant room among the multiple toilet cubicles 20, proceed to S104. On the other hand, if there is no vacant room among the multiple toilet cubicles 20, that is, if all toilet cubicles 20 are full, proceed to S5. Note that whether or not there is a vacant room can be determined by referring to the "number of vacant rooms" in the vacant room management DB 105a.

[0042] S104: The display control unit 104 refers to the vacant room management DB 105a, and executes control to display the advertisement content on the display terminal 40 provided in the restroom cubicle 20 where the user is present. That is, under the control of the display control unit 104, the display terminal 40 (display control unit 403) calls up the advertisement content data from the memory 45 and displays it on the display device 46.

[0043] S105: The display control unit 104 executes control to hide the advertisement content (control to not display the advertisement content) on the display terminal 40 provided in the toilet cubicle 20. That is, under the control of the display control unit 104, the display terminal 40 (display control unit 403) does not display the advertisement content data on the display device 46.

[0044] In addition, when a user uses the toilet cubicle 20 for a long time (when a predetermined time or more has passed since the vacancy detection sensor 30 detected the user's presence in the toilet cubicle 20), it is also possible to perform control to hide the advertising content while displaying the elapsed time (stay time). This can encourage the user to shorten the usage time and refrain from using the toilet cubicle for long periods of time.

[0045] When there are no vacant toilet cubicles 20, that is, when all toilet cubicles 20 are full, if advertising content is displayed on the display terminal 40 in the toilet cubicle 20, the amount of time each user spends using the toilet cubicle 20 will increase as they view the advertisements, which may result in congestion at the toilet facilities.

[0046] According to this embodiment, when there are no vacant toilet cubicles 20, i.e., when all toilet cubicles 20 are full, control is executed to hide advertising content on the display terminal 40 in the toilet cubicle 20, thereby preventing an increase in the usage time of the toilet cubicle 20 due to users viewing advertisements and suppressing congestion in the toilet facility, such as the formation of waiting lines.

[0047] On the other hand, if there is a vacant toilet cubicle 20, that is, if all toilet cubicles 20 are not full, control is executed to display advertising content on the display terminal 40 in the toilet cubicle 20, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of advertising communication to users. Needless to say, in this case, there are still vacant toilet cubicles 20, so congestion at the toilet facilities is not induced.

[0048] (Modification) In the first embodiment, the display terminal 40 that displays the advertisement content is limited to the toilet cubicle 20 in which a user is present. In this case, the advertisement content is not displayed on the display terminal 40 in an empty toilet cubicle where no user is present, so that it is possible to save power consumption, etc.

[0049] Furthermore, in order to display advertising content in accordance with the user's actions, the display control unit 104 may be configured to activate the flowchart shown in Fig. 6 when the detection information of any toilet cubicle in the toilet facility A indicates that the door has changed from a closed state to an open state. In this case, in S103, the determination unit 103 may refer to the vacancy information of toilet cubicles other than the toilet cubicle whose door has changed from a closed state to an open state among the multiple toilet cubicles from the vacancy management DB 105a, and determine whether or not there are any vacancies in the other cubicles.

[0050] Furthermore, the toilet cubicles in which the advertisement content is displayed are not limited to toilet cubicles 20 in which a user is present, and the advertisement content may also be displayed on the display terminals 40 of toilet cubicles 20 that are vacant and in which no user is present in S104.

[0051] Also, the display terminal 40 is configured to receive the advertising content data from the vacant room management server 10 during non-operating hours (for example, late night hours) as a pre-setting, and to store the advertising content data in advance in the memory 45. However, the display terminal 40 may not store the advertising content data in the memory 45 in advance, and may stream the advertising content data when the vacant room management server 10 (distribution unit 101) executes control to cause the display terminal 40 to display the advertising content in S4.

[0052] In addition, when the vacancy management server 10 (distribution unit 101) executes control to hide the advertisement content in S105 on the display terminal 40, the streaming distribution of the advertisement content data may be stopped. Alternatively, the advertisement content data may be streamed, but the advertisement content may be hidden.

[0053] (2) Embodiment 2 Next, a description will be given of embodiment 2. Note that in this embodiment, detailed descriptions of configurations similar to those in embodiment 1 may be omitted.

[0054] (Installation example) Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of toilet facility installation in the vacant room management system according to this embodiment. Compared to Fig. 2, the toilet facility installation example according to this embodiment has a human presence sensor 60 added.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 7, a human presence sensor 60 is installed on the ceiling or the like of queue waiting space B provided near the inside of the entrance / exit of the restroom facility. Queue waiting space B is an area where users are expected to stand while waiting their turn for a restroom cubicle 20 when the restroom facility becomes crowded. The human presence sensor 60 is installed at an appropriate position so as to be able to detect people in queue waiting space B where a certain queue forms.

[0056] The human presence sensor 60 is, for example, an infrared sensor that detects the presence of people waiting to use a toilet cubicle 20 (people queuing) within the toilet facility. The human presence sensor 60 is communicably connected to the vacancy management server 10 via a wireless or wired network within the toilet facility. The human presence sensor 60 transmits detection information including a detection signal indicating the presence or absence of a user and a facility ID to the vacancy management server 10 at predetermined time intervals. The detection signal indicates 1 when a human presence is detected, and indicates 0 when no human presence is detected.

[0057] (Vacancy management database) Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data in the vacancy management DB and advertisement management DB according to this embodiment. Compared to Fig. 5, the vacancy management DB 105a has data items such as "queue information" in addition to "facility ID", "facility name", "number of private rooms", "number of vacant rooms", "private room ID and vacant room information", for example.

[0058] "Queue information" indicates whether or not there are people queuing in queue waiting space B provided within the toilet facility. Specifically, when the vacancy management server 10 determines that there is someone waiting to use the toilet cubicle 20 based on the detection information transmitted from the human presence sensor 60, the vacancy management server 10 sets the queue information to 1. On the other hand, when the vacancy management server 10 determines that there is no person waiting to use the toilet cubicle 20 based on the detection information transmitted from the human presence sensor 60, the vacancy management server 10 sets the queue information to 0. Therefore, when the "queue information" is 1, it means that there are people waiting to use the toilet facility (people queuing) in queue waiting space B.

[0059] <Information Processing> 9 is a flow chart showing the process of updating queue information in the vacant room management server according to this embodiment. In order to manage the congestion status of the toilet facility A, the vacant room management server according to this embodiment updates the queue information indicating the presence or absence of a queue waiting to use a toilet cubicle based on the detection results detected by the vacant room detection sensor 30 in each cubicle and the human presence sensor 60 in the queue waiting space.

[0060] S201: The detection unit 102 periodically receives detection information including a facility ID and a detection signal from the human presence sensor 60 at a timing when the detection information changes. The detection information is information indicating whether or not the human presence sensor 60 has detected a human presence in the queue waiting space B provided in the restroom facility.

[0061] S202: The determination unit 103 refers to the vacant room management DB 105a and determines whether the detection signal of the detection information received in S201 is 1. If the detection signal is 1, proceed to S203. On the other hand, if the detection signal is not 1 (the detection signal is 0), proceed to S204.

[0062] S203: The judgment unit 103 refers to the vacant room management DB 105a and judges whether or not there is a vacant room among the multiple toilet cubicles 20 in the facility corresponding to the facility ID of the detection information received in S201. If there is a vacant room among the multiple toilet cubicles 20, proceed to S204. On the other hand, if there is no vacant room among the multiple toilet cubicles 20, proceed to S205. Note that whether or not there is a vacant room can be determined by referring to the "number of vacant rooms" in the vacant room management DB 105a.

[0063] S204: The detection unit 102 updates the "queue information" in the vacant room management DB 105a by setting the detection signal value included in the detection information from the human presence sensor 60 to 0. Specifically, if the process proceeds to NO in S202, the detection signal is 0, so the detection unit 102 updates the "queue information" in the vacant room management DB 105a by setting 0. If the process proceeds to YES in S203, that is, even if the detection signal is 1 in S202 (despite the detection of human presence in the queue waiting space B), if there is a vacant room in any of the multiple toilet cubicles 20 in S203, the detection unit 102 sets 0 instead of 1 in the "queue information" in the vacant room management DB 105a. Since the queue waiting space B is a waiting place for users when no toilet cubicle 20 is available, even if a human presence is detected in the queue waiting space B when any of the multiple toilet cubicles 20 is available, the human presence may indicate that the person is not a person in queue (e.g., a simple passerby, etc.) or may be a false detection by the human presence sensor 60. In this way, it is possible to prevent detection of people who are not in queue. The vacant room management server updates the queue information in the vacant room management DB 105a from time to time.

[0064] S205: The detection unit 102 updates the "queue information" in the vacant room management DB 105a of the storage unit 105 by setting the detection signal value 1 included in the detection information from the human presence sensor 60.

[0065] Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing the updating of vacant room information in the vacant room management server and the display control processing of advertising content according to this embodiment. The flow chart in Fig. 10 according to this embodiment 2 differs from Fig. 6 according to this embodiment 1 in that a branch decision is made in S305 using the matrix information updated in the flow chart in Fig. 9 (S204 and S205) to separate the display control.

[0066] The flowchart in Fig. 9 starts when detection information is received from the human presence sensor 60. The flowchart in Fig. 10 starts when detection information is received from the vacant room detection sensor 30. The vacant room management server 10 also executes the flowcharts in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 independently at their respective times.

[0067] First, the vacant room management server 10 distributes advertisement content data in advance to the display terminal 40 installed in the restroom cubicle 20 during non-operational operating hours (for example, late night hours) as a preset setting. In addition, the display terminal 40 receives the advertisement content data and stores the advertisement content data in the memory 45 in advance.

[0068] S301: The detection unit 102 periodically receives detection information including a facility ID, a private room ID, and a detection signal. The detection information is transmitted from the vacant room detection sensor 30 to the vacant room management server 10 at regular intervals and when the door open / close state changes.

[0069] S302: Based on the detection information (detection result) received by the detection unit 102 in S301, the detection unit 102 updates the "private room ID and vacant room information" corresponding to the facility ID and private room ID in the vacant room management DB 105a in accordance with the detection signal. The detection signal is 1 when a user is detected, and is 0 when a user is not detected. In addition, in conjunction with the update of the "private room ID and vacant room information", the determination unit 103 also updates the "number of vacant rooms".

[0070] S303: The judgment unit 103 refers to the vacant room management DB 105a and judges whether or not there is a vacant room among the multiple toilet cubicles 20 in the facility corresponding to the facility ID of the detection information received in S301. If there is a vacant room among the multiple toilet cubicles 20, proceed to S304. On the other hand, if there is no vacant room among the multiple toilet cubicles 20, proceed to S305.

[0071] S304: The display control unit 104 executes control to display the advertisement content on the display terminal 40 provided in the toilet cubicle 20. That is, under the control of the display control unit 104, the display terminal 40 (display control unit 403) calls up the advertisement content data from the memory 45 and displays it on the display device 46.

[0072] S305: The determination unit 103 refers to the vacant room management DB 105a and determines whether or not there is a queue, that is, whether or not there are people waiting to use the facility (people in line), at the facility corresponding to the facility ID of the detection information received in S301. If there is a queue, proceed to S306. On the other hand, if there is no queue, proceed to S304. The presence or absence of a queue can be determined by referring to the "queue information" in the vacant room management DB 105a.

[0073] S306: The display control unit 104 executes control to hide the advertisement content (control to not display the advertisement content) on the display terminal 40 provided in the toilet cubicle 20. That is, under the control of the display control unit 104, the display terminal 40 (display control unit 403) does not display the advertisement content data on the display device 46.

[0074] In addition, when a user uses the toilet cubicle 20 for a long time (when a predetermined time or more has passed since the vacancy detection sensor 30 detected the user's presence in the toilet cubicle 20), it is also possible to perform control to hide the advertising content while displaying the elapsed time (stay time). This can encourage the user to shorten the usage time and refrain from using the toilet cubicle for long periods of time.

[0075] According to this embodiment, even if there is no vacant toilet cubicle 20, that is, even if all toilet cubicles 20 are full but there are no people waiting to use them (people queuing), advertising content is displayed on the display terminal 40 in the toilet cubicle 20. On the other hand, if there is no vacant toilet cubicle 20, that is, all toilet cubicles 20 are full and there are people waiting to use them (people queuing), advertising content is not displayed on the display terminal 40 in the toilet cubicle 20.

[0076] Even if toilet cubicle 20 is full, if there are no people waiting to use it (people queuing), the time that users spend using toilet cubicle 20 will increase, but people queuing will not be made to wait. This makes it possible to increase the effectiveness of advertising to users even in an environment where toilet cubicle 20 is full.

[0077] In addition, when toilet cubicle 20 is full and there is a person waiting to use it (a person queuing), control is executed to hide advertising content on display terminal 40 in toilet cubicle 20, thereby preventing an increase in the amount of time that the toilet cubicle 20 is used due to the user viewing advertisements and reducing congestion at the toilet facility.

[0078] (Modification) Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing the updating of vacant room information of the vacant room management server and the display control processing of advertising content according to this modified example. Compared with Fig. 10, the flow chart according to this modified example has S304-2 added. The following mainly describes the differences from Fig. 10.

[0079] S305: The determination unit 103 refers to the vacant room management DB 105a and determines whether or not there is a queue, that is, whether or not there are people waiting to use the facility (people in line), in the facility corresponding to the facility ID of the detection information received in S301. If there is no queue, proceed to S304-2.

[0080] S304-2: The display control unit 104 executes control to display the advertisement content on the display terminal 40 provided in the toilet cubicle 20. That is, under the control of the display control unit 104, the display terminal 40 (display control unit 403) calls up the advertisement content data from the memory 45 and displays it on the display device 46.

[0081] Here, the control of the display control unit 104 in S304-2 is such that the display terminal 40 displays the advertising content with a shorter display time (playback time) than the control in S304 in which the advertising content is displayed on the display terminal 40.

[0082] For example, if the advertising content is a video that is played for 10 seconds each, in S304, control is performed to display two pieces of advertising content on the display terminal 40. In this case, the display time of the advertising content is 20 seconds. On the other hand, in S304-2, control is performed to display one piece of advertising content on the display terminal 40. In this case, the display time of the advertising content is 10 seconds.

[0083] Also, for example, the display terminal 40 prestores in the memory 45 two or more playback videos with different display times (playback times), such as a 10-second playback video and a 20-second playback video, as advertising content. In S304, control is performed to cause the display terminal 40 to select and display a 20-second playback video. On the other hand, in S304-2, control is performed to cause the display terminal 40 to select and display a 10-second playback video.

[0084] According to this modified example, even if all toilet cubicles 20 are full, when there are no people waiting to use them (people queuing), control is performed to shorten the display time (playback time) of the advertising content on the display terminal 40 in the toilet cubicle 20, compared to when any of the toilet cubicles 20 is vacant.

[0085] Even if the toilet cubicle 20 is full, if there are no people waiting to use it (people queuing), the advertisement content is displayed with a shortened display time (playback time), so that the effect of communicating advertisements to users can be increased while reducing the impact of congestion on the toilet facility when there are people waiting to use it (people queuing).

[0086] (3) Embodiment 3 Next, a third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment discloses controlling the display time of advertisement content displayed on the display terminal 40 according to the congestion degree (level of congestion). Note that detailed description of the same configuration as the first embodiment in this embodiment may be omitted.

[0087] <Processing in the vacancy management server 10> 12 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the vacant room management server 10 in the embodiment 3. The subject of operation in each of the following steps is each related functional unit (e.g., the detection unit 102, the determination unit 103, etc.), but since each functional unit is realized by the CPU 11 executing a processing program, the subject of operation may be the CPU 11.

[0088] S401: The detection unit 102 of the vacant room management server 10 acquires information indicating whether or not a room is vacant (whether or not the toilet cubicle is in use) and information regarding whether or not there is a queue from each display terminal 40 installed in the cubicle 20 of each toilet facility in each facility (such as an office building or a commercial facility). The information indicating whether or not a room is vacant is based on information detected by the vacant room detection sensor 30 of the display terminal 40, as in the first and second embodiments. The information regarding whether or not there is a queue is information detected by the human presence sensor 60, as in the second embodiment.

[0089] Then, the detection unit 102 updates the information stored in the vacant room management DB 105a (see Figure 13: number of vacant rooms, vacant room information corresponding to vacant room ID, and queue information) for each toilet cubicle 20 in the same area and with the same attributes (for example, the same toilet facility (women's toilet) on the same floor of the same office building) based on the vacant room information and information on whether there is a queue at the toilet facility.

[0090] S402: The determination unit 103 of the vacant room management server 10 determines the congestion degree of the toilet facility A having toilet cubicles 20 of the same area and the same attributes based on the information updated in S401. The congestion degree is information indicating the level of congestion of the toilet facility A, and is classified into the following congestion levels, for example. The determination unit 103 determines which of these classifications the toilet facility A falls into and determines the congestion degree.

[0091] Crowding level 1 (highest level of congestion): All toilet cubicles are full and there is a waiting line; Crowding level 2 (less crowded than Crowding level 1): toilet cubicles are full, but there is no queue; Crowding level 3: The toilet cubicles are not full, but 0 < number of available cubicles ≦ N (N = 1, 2, 3, ...: any integer); Crowding level 4: The toilet is not full, and the number of available stalls is greater than N.

[0092] S403: The determination unit 103 determines the congestion level based on the latest information on the number of vacant rooms, the vacant room information, and the queue information in the vacant room management DB 105a, and updates the congestion level information in the vacant room management DB 105a. For example, assuming N=1 above, in the case of FIG. 13, the congestion level of each toilet facility is determined as follows. The 1st floor women's toilet with facility ID=001 has no vacant rooms and there is a queue, so the congestion level is "1". The 1st floor men's toilet in the same facility has 1 vacant room and 0<number of vacant rooms≦N=1, so the congestion level is "3". The 2nd floor men's toilet in the same facility has no vacant rooms but no queue, so the congestion level is "2". The shared toilet with facility ID=002 has 6 vacant rooms and the number of vacant rooms>N=1, so the congestion level is determined to be "4". In this embodiment, the degree of congestion is determined based on whether or not there is a queue, and a comparison of the number of vacant cubicles with a reference number N. However, the degree of congestion may be determined based only on whether or not there is a queue, or only on the number of vacant cubicles, or the degree of congestion may be determined based on the ratio of vacant cubicles to the total number of cubicles in the target toilet facility.

[0093] <Processing in Display Terminal 40> Fig. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of each display terminal 40 in the third embodiment. The subject of operation in each of the following steps is each related functional unit (e.g., display control unit 403, etc.), but since each functional unit is realized by CPU 41 executing a processing program, the subject of operation may be CPU 41. Note that, before executing the processing shown in the flowchart of Fig. 14 (e.g., at night when the facility is not open), each display terminal 40 is assumed to be executing a process of receiving display content (N pieces of advertising content to be displayed when the facility opens (which may include shortened advertising content, as described later)) from vacancy management server 10.

[0094] S501: The display control unit 403 of each display terminal 40 acquires from the memory 45 identification information (facility ID) of the facility (such as an office building or commercial facility), attribute information of the restroom facility in which the display terminal 40 is installed (information for identifying the restroom, such as women's, men's, shared, multi-purpose, the floor on which it is installed (1st floor, 2nd floor, etc.), and area (the location of the restroom facility on the north side, south side, etc. of an office building, etc.)), and information on the maximum number of loops when displaying the N advertising videos to be displayed.

[0095] S502: The display control unit 403 sets the maximum loop count acquired in S501 (for example, stores it in an internal memory (not shown) of the CPU 41).

[0096] S503: The display control unit 403 displays an initial screen (for example, a still image displaying information on an office building, commercial facility, or other fixed information) on the screen of the display device 46 of the display terminal 40. When the toilet cubicle is not in use, the initial screen is displayed on the screen.

[0097] S504: The receiving unit 401 of each display terminal 40 acquires the congestion degree information transmitted from the vacant room management server 10. The congestion degree information may be transmitted from the vacant room management server 10 periodically (e.g., every 8 seconds), or the display terminal 40 may request the vacant room management server 10 to transmit the congestion degree information periodically (e.g., every 8 seconds) using the transmission function of the communication device 44. The congestion degree information includes the congestion degree (see FIG. 13) of toilet facilities (toilet cubicles) with the same attribute in the same facility (same facility ID: e.g., the same office building, the same commercial facility, etc.) and information indicating the usage status of the toilet cubicle in which the display terminal 40 is installed.

[0098] S505: The display control unit 403 determines whether a user has entered the toilet cubicle 20 in which its own display terminal 40 is installed. Whether or not there has been entry is determined based on the previous entry / non-entry determination result based on the previously acquired information indicating the usage status of the toilet cubicle, and the currently acquired usage status information of the relevant toilet cubicle. For example, if the previous entry / non-entry determination determined that there was "no user" and the currently acquired information on the usage status of the toilet cubicle indicates that there is "a user", it is determined that there has been entry. If it is determined that there has been entry (Yes in S505), the process proceeds to S506. On the other hand, if it is determined that there has been no entry (No in S505), the process proceeds to S510. It should be noted that when a non-advertising still image, which will be described later, is displayed (when the user has spent a long time in the toilet stall and is being encouraged to leave), the previous entry determination result was "entered," and the currently acquired information on the usage status of the relevant toilet stall is "entered." In this case, it may not be determined that "entry has occurred," and the process may transition to S510, or a more stern warning display advising the user to leave (such as a display saying "security will be contacted" as there is a possibility that the user may be involved in a crime or be ill) may be displayed.

[0099] S506: The display control unit 403 performs the first "playback of N pieces of advertising content (video)". The N pieces of advertising content (video) include, for example, at least one advertising video (first level advertising video) that has a high priority and is always played, and multiple advertising videos (second level advertising videos) that have a lower priority than the first level advertisements. The display order during the first playback is the first level advertising video → second level advertising video. Furthermore, when there are multiple second level advertising videos, the display order of them can be determined randomly.

[0100] S507: The display control unit 403 judges whether or not to loop-play N pieces of advertisement content (videos) based on the congestion level information acquired in S504. For example, it judges to loop-play again when the congestion level is equal to or lower than the congestion level of 3. That is, it judges not to loop-play again when the congestion level is 1 or 2 (more crowded than congestion level 3) (the processing may be different such that no playback is performed when the congestion level is 1, but only the first level advertisement video is played again when the congestion level is 2), and judges to loop-play again when the congestion level is 3 or 4. In addition, it may be possible to change the time of the advertisement content to be loop-played between the congestion level of 3 and the congestion level of 4 (when the congestion level is 4, advertisement content of normal length is played, and when the congestion level is 3, shortened advertisement content is played). The shortened advertisement content can be distributed from the vacant room management server 10 to each display terminal 40 together with the normal advertisement content, for example, at night, and stored in the RAM 43 or memory 45. If the display control unit 403 determines to loop the advertisement content (Yes in S507), the process proceeds to S508. On the other hand, if the display control unit 403 determines not to loop the advertisement content (No in S507), the process proceeds to S509.

[0101] S508: The display control unit 403 loops N pieces of advertising content (videos) again. At this time, similar to the first playback, the order of the first level advertising video → the second level advertising video (the playback order of the second level advertising videos is randomly determined), or the first level advertising video and the second level advertising video may be shuffled and the playback order may be randomly determined. Also, as described above, the display control unit 403 can loop playback of normal length advertising content or shortened advertising content according to the degree of congestion. Note that, if the degree of congestion is updated (changed) in the vacancy management server 10 during the second or subsequent loop playback, the new information on the degree of congestion may be taken into consideration in determining whether or not to loop playback the next time (S507).

[0102] S509: The display control unit 403 displays a non-advertising still image on the screen that is unrelated to the advertising content, such as encouraging the user to leave the room (switching the display from video to still images). Examples of non-advertising still images include "Your stay time is 15 minutes," "Thank you for using the service," and "The restroom is currently crowded. Please cooperate by leaving the room promptly."

[0103] S510: The display control unit 403 compares the business hours of the facility (such as an office building or commercial facility) stored in the ROM 42 or memory 45 with the time indicated by a timer (clock) (not shown) to determine whether the facility is closed. If the facility is closed (Yes in S510), the processing in the display terminal 40 ends. On the other hand, if the facility is open (No in S510), the processing proceeds to S511.

[0104] S511: Using a timer not shown, the display control unit 403 determines whether a predetermined time (e.g., 8 seconds) has passed since the latest congestion level information was acquired. If the predetermined time has passed (Yes in S511), the process proceeds to S504. If the predetermined time has not passed (No in S511), the display control unit 403 waits until the predetermined time has passed. The subject of operation in each of the following steps is each associated functional unit (e.g., the display control unit 403, etc.), but since each functional unit is realized by the CPU 41 executing a processing program, the subject of operation may be the CPU 41.

[0105] <Exit monitoring and interrupt processing> Fig. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the exit monitoring and interruption processing executed in the display terminal 40. This processing is executed in parallel with the processing in Fig. 14 (advertising content display management processing). Specifically, after the business hours of a facility (office building or commercial facility) start and the display terminal 40 starts, this processing is executed after a user enters the restroom cubicle 20 in which the display terminal 40 is installed.

[0106] S601: The display control unit 403 starts monitoring for a user's exit when it is confirmed that the user has entered the restroom cubicle 20 in which the display terminal 40 is installed.

[0107] S602: The display control unit 403 judges whether the user who entered has left (whether the user's leaving has been detected). The confirmation of the user's leaving can be determined based on the result of the user's entering (user present) based on the information indicating the usage status of the toilet cubicle acquired last time (acquired from the vacancy management server 10) and the information on the usage status of the toilet cubicle acquired this time (no user present). Alternatively, for example, the display terminal 40 may periodically directly communicate with the vacancy detection sensor 30 (for example, using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like) and detect whether the user has entered or left the toilet cubicle in which the display terminal 40 is installed by comparing the information on the usage status acquired in the last communication with the information on the usage status acquired in the current communication. The process of S602 is continued until the user's leaving is detected, and when the user's leaving is detected (Yes in S602), the process proceeds to S603.

[0108] S603: The display control unit 403 executes interrupt processing. For example, if N pieces of advertising content are being played back (including repeat playback) at the time when leaving the room is detected (while S506 and S508 are being executed), the display control unit 403 stops playing back the advertising content. Also, if a non-advertising still image is being displayed, the display control unit 403 stops displaying the non-advertising still image.

[0109] S604: The display control unit 403 performs an initial screen display (for example, a still image displaying information on an office building, commercial facility, or other fixed information) instead of playing back the advertising content or displaying a non-advertising still image. By the above process, when the user leaves the toilet cubicle, the display terminal 40 in the toilet cubicle is forced to stop playing the advertising content. That is, in this embodiment, if the user leaves the toilet cubicle within the time during which N pieces of advertising content are displayed (hereinafter referred to as the predetermined time), the advertising content is displayed for the same length of time until the user leaves the cubicle, regardless of the degree of congestion. If the user uses the toilet cubicle for more than the predetermined time, either the advertising content or a non-advertising still image is displayed depending on the degree of congestion.

[0110] <Modification> (i) In the above (S504 in FIG. 14), the display terminal 40 is configured to acquire the congestion degree information from the vacancy management server 10, but this is not the only possible embodiment. For example, in one toilet cubicle 20, the display terminal 40 may be configured to communicate with the vacancy detection sensor 30 to enable direct information acquisition, and in one toilet facility A, the display terminals 40 may be configured to be able to communicate with each other. Alternatively, in one toilet facility A, each display terminal 40 in each toilet cubicle 20 may be configured to be able to communicate with the vacancy detection sensor 30. By creating a closed system space in one toilet facility A in this way, each display terminal 40 in the toilet facility A may be able to determine the congestion degree.

[0111] (ii) The congestion status may be constantly monitored in parallel with the process of FIG. 14, and if the congestion level changes during the reproduction of N advertisement contents, the reproduction mode of the contents may be changed. For example, if the congestion level changes from "4" (number of vacant cubicles > N, and there is a margin for vacant toilet cubicles) or "3" (the toilet cubicles are not full, but there is a margin for vacant toilet cubicles) to "2" (the toilet cubicles are full, but there is no queue) or "1" (the toilet cubicles are full, and there is a queue for vacant toilet cubicles), the reproduction may be stopped midway even during the reproduction of advertisement contents. Also, for example, if the congestion level changes to "4" (number of vacant cubicles > N, and there is a margin for vacant toilet cubicles) or "3" (the toilet cubicles are not full, but there is a margin for vacant toilet cubicles) during the reproduction of the advertisement contents of the first level during loop reproduction, the advertisement contents of the second level may be changed to shortened versions and reproduced.

[0112] (iii) Although the initial playback of the N pieces of advertising content is not terminated even if the congestion level changes, other configurations may be adopted. For example, if the congestion level changes to "3" or "4" during the initial playback of the N pieces of advertising content (S506), the playback of the content may be terminated midway, and the screen display may be switched to show a message such as "The restroom is currently very crowded. We sincerely apologize, but please leave the restroom promptly after using it," requesting the user's cooperation in speeding up the process.

[0113] <Summary> As described above, when it is determined that none of the toilet cubicles 20 are vacant or are crowded, the vacancy management system 100 according to this embodiment controls the display terminal 40 in the toilet cubicle 20 to hide the advertising content or to shorten the display time of the advertising content, thereby preventing an increase in the usage time of the toilet cubicle 20 due to the user viewing the advertisement and reducing congestion in the toilet facility. On the other hand, when any of the toilet cubicles 20 are vacant or not crowded, the display terminal 40 in the toilet cubicle 20 controls the display of the advertising content or to lengthen the display time of the advertising content, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of advertising communication to users. In this case, there are still vacant toilet cubicles 20, so congestion in the toilet facility is not induced.

[0114] In the above embodiment, when there is no vacant stall or when there is a queue, the advertisement content is hidden. However, it is not necessarily the case that no display content should be displayed in a crowded situation. For example, the display time may be made shorter than that of the advertisement content displayed when there is a vacant stall or when there is no queue. When there is a vacant stall, a 60-second advertisement video may be displayed, and when there is no vacant stall, a 10-second advertisement video may be displayed. Furthermore, it is possible to display information content that requires a short viewing time of the user, such as the availability (crowding) of the toilet facility, the usage time (stay time) of the toilet stall 20, notices, and warning notices, instead of advertisement content that requires a certain amount of viewing time or more, such as still image content of about one page or several pages. In other words, the display content displayed on the display terminal 40 is defined as a first display content and a second display content, and the first display content is a display content that requires a longer viewing time of the user than the second display content, and the second display content is a display content that requires a shorter viewing time of the user than the first display content. Such first display content and second display content may be displayed on the display terminal 40 of each stall depending on the congestion state of the restroom facility.

[0115] Furthermore, a sensor is provided in each of a plurality of toilet cubicles in a facility (a toilet facility in a commercial facility such as an office building or a shopping center) to detect the presence or absence of a user (entering or leaving the cubicle). The utilization status (crowding status: congestion level) of the toilet facility is determined based on the detection information from the sensor. The determination of the congestion status can be configured to be performed by the vacant room management server 10 or the display terminal 40 by acquiring the detection information of each toilet cubicle. Then, the vacant room management server 10 or the display terminal 40 displays the advertisement content on the display device provided in each toilet cubicle for a display time according to the determination result of the congestion status. For example, when the congestion level is the highest (crowding level 1) or the second highest (crowding level 2), only the first normal content is played, when the congestion level is the third highest (crowding level 3), the first normal content is played, and the shortened content is played in a loop from the second time onwards, and when the congestion level is the lowest (crowding level 4), in addition to the first normal content, the normal content is also played in a loop from the second time onwards. In this way, advertising content according to the degree of congestion can be displayed in each restroom facility, making it possible to increase the effectiveness of advertising without increasing congestion in the restrooms.

[0116] Although the technology of the present disclosure has been described by showing specific examples according to preferred embodiments, it is clear that various modifications and changes can be made to these examples without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the contents defined in the claims. In other words, the technology of the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited by the details of the examples and the attached drawings.

[0117] In addition, the technology disclosed herein can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-mentioned embodiments to a system or device via a network or a recording medium, and having one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and run the program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 101 Distribution Department 102 Detection unit 103 Judgment section 104 Display control unit 105 Storage section

Claims

1. A display device having a display unit and installed in a toilet cubicle, An acquisition means for acquiring congestion information of a toilet facility including the toilet cubicle, the congestion information being derived based on a usage status of the toilet cubicle; a display control means for controlling display of the advertising content on the display unit based on the congestion information, The display device is characterized in that the display control means plays N pre-set pieces of advertising content while the toilet cubicle is in use, and then, if the congestion information indicates that the toilet cubicle is not crowded, plays at least one of the N pieces of advertising content again, and if the congestion information indicates that the toilet cubicle is crowded, does not play the advertising content again.

2. In claim 1, The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display control means, when determining that the N pieces of advertising content should be reproduced again, reproduces the N pieces of advertising content in order again.

3. In claim 1, The display device according to the present invention, characterized in that, when it is determined that the advertising content is to be stopped, the display control means displays an image encouraging the user to leave instead of replaying the advertising content.

4. In claim 3, The acquisition means acquires the congestion information at predetermined time intervals, The display device is characterized in that the display control means does not stop displaying the advertising content even if the congestion information indicates congestion while the N advertising contents are being played back for the first time, and stops displaying the advertising content when the congestion information is updated to information indicating congestion while at least one of the N advertising contents is being played back again.

5. A content display method for displaying advertising content on a display unit of a display device installed in a toilet stall, comprising: acquiring congestion information of a toilet facility including the toilet cubicle, the congestion information being derived based on a usage status of the toilet cubicle; and controlling display of advertising content on the display unit based on the congestion information; The content display method includes controlling the display of advertising content on the display unit, while the toilet cubicle is in use, playing N pieces of pre-set advertising content, and then replaying at least one of the N pieces of advertising content if the congestion information indicates that the toilet cubicle is not crowded, and not replaying the advertising content again if the congestion information indicates that the toilet cubicle is crowded.

6. A program for causing a computer to execute the content display method according to claim 5.

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