Distribution device, distribution method, and distribution program

Abstract

To provide a distribution apparatus which sets an advertisement rate in accordance with a sales effect of an advertisement, a distribution method, and a distribution program.SOLUTION: A distribution apparatus includes: a distribution unit 332 which distributes advertisement data 321 of a facility stored in a storage unit 32 to a vehicle; a second acquisition unit 333 which acquires information on the amount paid in the facility on the advertisement by a user getting on the vehicle to which the advertisement has been distributed by the distribution unit 332; and a setting unit 334 which sets an advertisement rate of the advertisement on the basis of the information on the amount paid acquired by the second acquisition unit 333.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a distribution device, a distribution method, and a distribution program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a distribution device that distributes advertisements to vehicle-mounted terminals is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The distribution device described in Patent Document 1 distributes an advertisement to a vehicle-mounted terminal, and when the vehicle arrives at the advertised store and receives arrival information from the vehicle-mounted terminal, charges the advertiser an advertising fee. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-343249 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional technology charges a flat advertising fee if a vehicle is successfully guided to the advertised store, and one example of the problem is that it is not possible to set advertising fees based on the sales effect of the advertisement, such as the amount paid to the store as a result of the advertisement.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has as its object to provide a distribution device, a distribution method, and a distribution program that are capable of setting advertising fees according to the sales effect of advertising, for example. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The distribution device described in claim 1 is characterized by comprising a distribution unit that distributes facility advertisements to vehicles, an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the amount paid at the advertised facility by a user riding in a vehicle to which the advertisement has been distributed by the distribution unit, and a setting unit that sets the advertisement distribution fee based on the information regarding the amount acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0007] Furthermore, the distribution method described in claim 8 is a distribution method executed by a distribution device, and is characterized by including a distribution step of distributing an advertisement for a facility to a vehicle, an acquisition step of acquiring information regarding the amount paid at the advertised facility by a user riding in the vehicle to which the advertisement was distributed, and a setting step of setting a distribution fee for the advertisement based on the acquired information regarding the amount.

[0008] Furthermore, the distribution program described in claim 9 is a distribution program executed by a distribution device equipped with a computer, characterized in that it causes the computer to function as a distribution means for distributing facility advertisements to vehicles, an acquisition means for acquiring information regarding the amount paid at the advertised facility by users riding in the vehicle to which the advertisement has been distributed, and a setting means for setting the advertisement distribution fee based on the acquired information regarding the amount. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a distribution system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the distribution device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of advertisement management data according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of advertisement distribution by the distribution system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the distribution process according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the distribution device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below. Furthermore, in the description of the drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals.

[0011] [Embodiment] 1. Outline of distribution system 1 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a distribution system 1 according to an embodiment. The distribution system 1 is a system that distributes advertisements to vehicles VE. The distribution system 1 includes a terminal device 2 and a distribution device 3. The terminal device 2 and the distribution device 3 communicate with each other via a network NE, which is a wireless communication network.

[0012] (Regarding terminal device 2) The terminal device 2 is an information processing terminal used by a user. The terminal device 2 may be, for example, a stationary navigation device installed in the vehicle VE. The terminal device 2 may also be, for example, a portable terminal device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, a desktop PC, a PDA, etc.) owned by the user. In this embodiment, the terminal device 2 is assumed to be a navigation device installed in the vehicle VE.

[0013] (About the vehicle VE) The vehicle VE is a vehicle such as an automobile that can travel on roads. The vehicle VE may be an automobile that burns fuel such as gasoline or diesel in an engine and travels using the driving force of the engine. The vehicle VE may also be an electric vehicle that travels using electricity to drive a motor. The vehicle VE may also be a hybrid vehicle that travels using an engine and a motor in cooperation with each other. The vehicle VE may also be a fuel cell vehicle that travels by generating electricity from hydrogen and driving a motor with the generated electricity. Examples of energy used for travel by the vehicle VE include fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and hydrogen, as well as electricity. When the vehicle VE travels using electricity to drive a motor, the electricity may be supplied from a secondary battery such as a battery installed in the vehicle VE, may be generated by reacting a fuel such as hydrogen, or may be generated by driving a generator with the engine. The vehicle VE may also be a passenger car, a passenger car such as a bus, or a freight vehicle such as a truck. In this embodiment, the vehicle VE is assumed to be a passenger car.

[0014] (Regarding Distribution Device 3) The distribution device 3 is a computer such as a server computer. The distribution device 3 distributes advertisements to the terminal devices 2 of the vehicles VE that are the distribution targets. The advertisements may be display data including text, images, and videos. The advertisements may also be audio data such as voice and music. The advertisements may be distributed together with other content data. For example, the advertisements may be distributed together with content such as road directions, images, videos, and music. In this embodiment, the distribution device 3 is described as a single computer, but it may also be implemented as a computer system using multiple computers. For example, the distribution device 3 may be implemented by dividing it into multiple computers for each service or function to be provided.

[0015] 1 illustrates an example in which there is one terminal device 2 that communicates with the distribution device 3, but there may be multiple terminal devices mounted on multiple vehicles VE. Also, in order to provide advertisements to multiple users riding in one vehicle VE, multiple terminal devices 2 may be mounted on one vehicle VE.

[0016] 2. Configuration of Terminal Device 2 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal device 2 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 2 includes an audio input unit 21, an audio output unit 22, an imaging unit 23, an input unit 24, a display unit 25, a sensor unit 26, and a terminal main body 27.

[0017] (Regarding the voice input unit 21) The voice input unit 21 includes a microphone that receives voice and converts it into an electrical signal, and generates voice information by performing A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion or the like on the electrical signal. In the first embodiment, the voice information generated by the voice input unit 21 is a digital signal. Then, the voice input unit 21 outputs the voice information to the terminal main body 27.

[0018] (Regarding the audio output unit 22) The audio output unit 22 includes a speaker, converts a digital audio signal input from the terminal main body 27 into an analog audio signal by D / A (Digital / Analog) conversion, and outputs audio corresponding to the analog audio signal from the speaker.

[0019] (Regarding the imaging unit 23) The imaging unit 23 captures an image of the surroundings of the vehicle VE and generates a captured image under the control of the terminal main body 27. Then, the imaging unit 23 outputs the generated captured image to the terminal main body 27.

[0020] (Regarding input unit 24) The input unit 24 includes input devices such as a touch panel, input buttons, a keyboard, and a mouse, and receives input of various data in response to user operations. The input unit 24 then outputs the received input data to the terminal main body 27.

[0021] (Regarding the display unit 25) The display unit 25 is configured with a display using a liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and displays various images under the control of the terminal main body 27.

[0022] (Regarding the sensor unit 26) The sensor unit 26 includes various sensor devices that detect the state of the vehicle VE in which the terminal device 2 is mounted. The sensor unit 26 detects the state of the vehicle VE using the various sensor devices. In this embodiment, the sensor unit 26 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor. The GPS sensor receives GPS signals from GPS satellites to measure information indicating the latitude, longitude, and altitude of an object. The information acquired by the GPS sensor is also referred to as "position information" below. The sensor unit 26 may also include a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a direction sensor, etc.

[0023] (About the terminal body 27) As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal main body 27 includes a communication unit 271, a control unit 272, and a storage unit 273.

[0024] (Regarding the communication unit 271) The communication unit 271 communicates with external devices. For example, the communication unit 271 includes a communication unit capable of communicating using various communication methods, such as mobile communication, short-range communication such as DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications), and short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and communicates with external devices. For example, under the control of the control unit 272, the communication unit 271 transmits and receives information to and from the distribution device 3 via the network NE by mobile communication. Furthermore, the communication unit 271 transmits and receives information to and from surrounding devices by, for example, short-range communication. Furthermore, the communication unit 271 transmits and receives information to and from a portable terminal device such as a smartphone by setting the communication unit 271 to be able to communicate with the portable terminal device by short-range wireless communication.

[0025] The communication unit 271 may be provided in multiple parts for each communication method. Furthermore, the communication unit 271 may be provided as a device separate from the terminal main body 27 and connected to the terminal main body 27. Furthermore, some communication methods may be provided in a separate device connected to the terminal main body 27, and communication may be performed via that separate device.

[0026] (Regarding the control unit 272) The control unit 272 is realized by a controller such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing various programs stored in the storage unit 273, and controls the overall operation of the terminal device 2. The control unit 272 is not limited to a CPU or an MPU, and may be configured by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0027] (Regarding the storage unit 273) The storage unit 273 stores various programs executed by the control unit 272, data necessary when the control unit 272 performs processing, and the like.

[0028] When the terminal device 2 receives an advertisement or content from the distribution device 3 via the communication unit 271, the terminal device 2 outputs the received advertisement or content. For example, if the advertisement or content is image data, the terminal device 2 displays the image of the advertisement or content on the display unit 25. Furthermore, if the advertisement or content is audio data, the terminal device 2 outputs the audio of the advertisement or content from the audio output unit 22.

[0029] The terminal device 2 also detects the state of the vehicle VE using the sensor unit 26. For example, the terminal device 2 periodically detects the current location information of the vehicle VE using the sensor unit 26. The terminal device 2 transmits the information on the state of the vehicle VE detected by the sensor unit 26 from the communication unit 271 to the distribution device 3.

[0030] The terminal device 2 also acquires payment information related to the payment made by the user riding in the vehicle VE. The payment information may include, as necessary, the amount paid by the user, facility information such as location information of the facility where the payment was made, and advertisement information such as the advertisement ID of the advertisement used for the payment. The payment may be stored in the terminal device 2 or in another device.

[0031] For example, if the terminal device 2 has a payment function, account information used for payment, such as a credit card number or an account number, is registered in the terminal device 2. Alternatively, software for performing electronic payments, such as electronic money, is installed in the terminal device 2, and the electronic money is charged to the terminal device 2. When making a payment, the terminal device 2 communicates with surrounding devices using various communication methods, such as short-range communication or short-range wireless communication, and receives a payment request from the surrounding devices. The payment request includes information on the amount to be paid by the user. The payment request may also include facility information, such as location information of the facility where the payment is made, and advertising information, such as an advertising ID of the advertisement used for the payment, as necessary. Upon receiving the payment request, the terminal device 2 makes a payment using the account information or the charged electronic money. When making a payment, the terminal device 2 may output payment details, such as the amount to be paid and the account used for the payment, as images or sounds from the audio output unit 22 or the display unit 25. Furthermore, when making a payment, the terminal device 2 may perform a payment approval operation by the user on the input unit 24, or may input the user's voice into the voice input unit 21 to perform voice authentication of the user.

[0032] On the other hand, for example, if the other device has a payment function, the terminal device 2 acquires payment information from the other device having the payment function. For example, if a portable terminal device such as a smartphone owned by a user has a payment function, the terminal device 2 communicates with the portable terminal device using various communication methods such as short-range wireless communication to acquire the payment information.

[0033] The terminal device 2 acquires the payment information in this way. The terminal device 2 transmits the acquired payment information from the communication unit 271 to the distribution device 3.

[0034] Furthermore, the terminal device 2 detects a user riding in the vehicle VE in which the terminal device 2 is installed. For example, a user riding in the vehicle VE sets up a portable terminal device owned by the user and the terminal device 2 so that they can communicate with each other via short-range wireless communication or the like. When the user is located inside or near the vehicle VE, the terminal device 2 becomes capable of communicating with the portable terminal device owned by the user via the communication unit 271. The terminal device 2 assigns identification information such as an ID to the portable terminal device that has been set up to be capable of communication and stores the information in the storage unit 273, and identifies the user based on the identification information of the portable terminal device. The terminal device 2 identifies the user based on the identification information of the portable terminal device that has become capable of communication, and detects the identified user as a user riding in the vehicle VE. Note that the terminal device 2 may identify the user by performing face recognition on an image captured by the imaging unit 23, and detect the identified user as a user riding in the vehicle VE.

[0035] 3. Configuration of Distribution Device 3 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a distribution device 3 according to an embodiment. The distribution device 3 is, for example, a server device. The distribution device 3 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33.

[0036] (Regarding communication unit 31) Under the control of the control unit 33, the communication unit 31 transmits and receives information to and from the terminal device 2 (communication unit 271) via the network NE.

[0037] (Regarding the storage unit 32) The storage unit 32 stores various programs including a distribution program that executes a distribution process described below. The storage unit 32 also stores data and the like required for processing the various programs. For example, the storage unit 32 stores advertisement data 321, advertisement management data 322, and distribution fee data 323.

[0038] (Regarding advertising data 321) The advertisement data 321 is data of the advertisement to be distributed.

[0039] (Regarding advertising management data 322) The advertisement management data 322 is data that stores management information related to advertisements, such as advertisement distribution conditions. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the advertisement management data 322 according to the embodiment. The advertisement management data 322 has fields such as "advertising ID," "distribution conditions," "advertising facility," and "requester."

[0040] The "advertising ID" field is an area for storing identification information for identifying advertisements. Each advertisement in the advertisement data 321 is assigned a unique advertising ID as identification information for identifying it. The "advertising ID" field stores the advertising ID of each advertisement.

[0041] The "Delivery Conditions" item is an area for storing conditions for delivering an advertisement. The advertisement in the advertisement data 321 has delivery conditions for delivering the advertisement defined. The delivery conditions may be any conditions that determine whether to deliver the advertisement. In this embodiment, the delivery conditions are defined by a delivery area and a delivery time period. The delivery area may be defined in any way. For example, the delivery area may be defined as a predetermined range that includes the facility of the advertisement. For example, if the advertisement is for a supply facility such as a gas station, the delivery area may be defined by location information within a radius of the supply facility. The delivery time period may also be defined in any way. For example, the delivery time period may be defined as the time period during the business hours of the facility of the advertisement.

[0042] The "advertised facility" field is an area for storing information about the facility being advertised. The "advertised facility" field stores information about the facility, such as the location information of the facility being advertised. Each facility, such as the facility being advertised, may be assigned identification information that identifies it. The facility identification information may be a unique ID, or may be a number that is predetermined for the facility, such as a number indicating the facility's telephone number or address. The "advertised facility" field may store the facility's identification information.

[0043] The "requester" field is an area for storing the requester of the advertisement. The "requester" field stores information about the requester who requested the distribution of the advertisement.

[0044] (Regarding distribution fee data 323) Returning to Fig. 3, the distribution fee data 323 is data that stores the cumulative distribution fee for advertisements distributed over a certain period for each advertisement requester.

[0045] (Regarding the control unit 33) The control unit 33 is realized by a controller such as a CPU or an MPU executing various programs stored in the storage unit 32, and controls the overall operation of the distribution device 3. The control unit 33 is not limited to a CPU or an MPU, and may be configured using an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. The control unit 33 includes a first acquisition unit 331, a distribution unit 332, a second acquisition unit 333, a setting unit 334, and a billing unit 335.

[0046] (Regarding the first acquisition unit 331) The first acquisition unit 331 sequentially acquires information about the state of the vehicle VE from the terminal device 2 mounted on the vehicle VE via the communication unit 31. For example, the first acquisition unit 331 sequentially acquires position information from the vehicle VE.

[0047] (Regarding distribution unit 332) The distribution unit 332 distributes advertisements to the vehicle VE. Based on the information acquired by the first acquisition unit 331, the distribution unit 332 determines whether to distribute an advertisement to the vehicle VE from which the information was acquired. For example, the distribution unit 332 determines whether the acquired information satisfies the distribution conditions of any advertisement. The distribution unit 332 determines that the vehicle VE from which the acquired information satisfies the distribution conditions of the advertisement is a vehicle VE to which the advertisement is to be distributed. The distribution unit 332 reads out an advertisement whose distribution conditions are satisfied from the advertisement data 321. Then, the distribution unit 332 distributes the read advertisement from the communication unit 31 to the vehicle VE determined to be a distribution target. In this way, if there is an advertisement for which the information acquired by the first acquisition unit 331 satisfies the distribution conditions, the distribution unit 332 distributes the advertisement that satisfies the distribution conditions to the vehicle VE from which the information was acquired.

[0048] (Regarding the second acquisition unit 333) The second acquisition unit 333 acquires information regarding the amount paid at the advertised facility by a user riding in a vehicle VE to which an advertisement has been distributed by the distribution unit 332. For example, the second acquisition unit 333 acquires payment information from the terminal device 2 mounted on the vehicle VE via the communication unit 31. If the acquired payment information includes advertisement information such as an advertisement ID, the second acquisition unit 333 identifies the advertisement used from the advertisement ID and acquires the amount included in the payment information as the amount paid by the user at the identified advertised facility. Furthermore, if the acquired payment information includes location information of the facility, the second acquisition unit 333 identifies the advertised facility used from the facility location information and acquires the amount included in the payment information as the amount paid by the user at the identified facility.

[0049] (Regarding the setting unit 334) The setting unit 334 sets a delivery fee for the delivered advertisement. The setting unit 334 sets the delivery fee for the advertisement based on the information on the amount acquired by the first acquisition unit 331. For example, the setting unit 334 sets a higher delivery fee for the advertisement as the amount paid at the advertised facility increases.

[0050] (Regarding the billing unit 335) The charging unit 335 charges a delivery fee for the advertisement. The charging unit 335 charges the requester of the delivered advertisement the delivery fee set by the setting unit 334. For example, the charging unit 335 adds the delivery fee set by the setting unit 334 to the cumulative delivery fee of the requester of the delivered advertisement in the delivery fee data 323.

[0051] [4. Specific examples of distribution methods] Next, a specific example of advertisement distribution by the distribution system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of advertisement distribution by the distribution system 1 according to the embodiment.

[0052] A business operator wishing to distribute an advertisement prepares the advertisement to be distributed. The business operator also determines the conditions for distributing the advertisement. For example, a case will be described in which an advertisement for a business operator that operates a gas station or other gas station is to be distributed. Business operator A that operates the gas station prepares an advertisement for the gas station that it operates. Business operator A also determines the distribution conditions as a distribution area that includes the gas station that it operates and a distribution time period that corresponds to the business hours of the gas station.

[0053] The advertisement is stored in advertisement data 321 in the storage unit 32 of the distribution device 3. The distribution conditions of the advertisement are stored in advertisement management data 322 in the storage unit 32. For example, when an advertisement is to be distributed to vehicles VE in area A between 7:00 and 21:00, the distribution conditions are set as "<distribution area> Area A, <distribution time zone> 7:00 to 21:00", as in the advertisement ID "A001" in FIG. 4.

[0054] In the vehicle VE, the terminal device 2 periodically detects the state of the vehicle VE, such as location information, and sequentially transmits the detected information on the state of the vehicle VE to the distribution device 3.

[0055] The distribution device 3 sequentially acquires information on the status of the vehicle VE from the terminal device 2 mounted on the vehicle VE via the communication unit 31. For example, the distribution device 3 sequentially acquires location information of the vehicle VE from the vehicle VE. Based on the acquired information, the distribution device 3 determines whether the vehicle VE from which the information was acquired satisfies the distribution conditions of each advertisement, and distributes an advertisement to the vehicle VE that satisfies the distribution conditions. For example, the distribution device 3 determines whether the location of the vehicle VE in the acquired location information is within any of the distribution areas in the advertisement management data 322. If the location of the vehicle VE is within the distribution area of ​​any advertisement, the distribution device 3 determines whether the current time is within the distribution time period of the advertisement in which the vehicle VE is within the distribution area. If the current time is within the distribution time period of the advertisement, the distribution device 3 distributes the advertisement to the vehicle VE that is within the distribution area. As a result, for example, in FIG. 5, an advertisement with advertisement ID "A001" is distributed to the vehicle VE in area A.

[0056] In this way, the distribution device 3 can distribute advertisements effectively by distributing advertisements to vehicles VE that satisfy the distribution conditions. For example, a business operator that operates a gas station can distribute advertisements for the gas station to vehicles VE that pass through an area A that includes the gas station during a time period that includes the business hours of the gas station.

[0057] The distributed advertisement is displayed on the display unit 25 of the terminal device 2 of the vehicle VE, or on a portable terminal device of a user that can communicate with the terminal device 2. The user of the vehicle VE refers to the distributed advertisement, goes to the advertised gas station, and uses the advertisement to fill up with gas. The advertisement may be, for example, a coupon that can be used at the gas station, and a discount can be received by reading the advertisement with a reading device at the gas station. The user of the vehicle VE pays for the gas refueling fee using the payment function of the terminal device 2 or the payment function of the user's portable terminal device. For example, when the terminal device 2 receives a payment request from the gas station device, it pays the amount to be paid using account information or charged electronic money. Also, for example, the portable terminal device pays for the gas refueling fee using the payment function. The terminal device 2 communicates with the portable terminal device using various communication methods, such as short-range wireless communication, and acquires payment information. In the terminal device 2, the communication unit 271 transmits the payment information to the distribution device 3. The payment information may include, as necessary, information such as the amount paid by the user, facility information such as location information of the facility where the payment was made, and the advertisement ID of the advertisement used for the payment.

[0058] The distribution device 3 acquires payment information from the terminal device 2 mounted on the vehicle VE via the communication unit 31. The distribution device 3 identifies the advertisement used from the advertisement ID of the advertisement in the acquired payment information, and acquires the amount included in the payment information as the amount paid by the user at the advertised facility identified. The distribution device 3 sets a distribution fee for the advertisement based on the amount paid at the advertised facility. The distribution device 3 sets a higher advertisement distribution fee the larger the amount paid at the advertised facility. The distribution device 3 charges the set distribution fee to the requester of the distributed advertisement. In this way, the distribution device 3 can set an advertising fee for the distributed advertisement according to the sales effect of the distributed advertisement, and can charge the set advertising fee.

[0059] [5. Processing Procedure] Next, a procedure of a distribution process executed by the distribution device 3 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the distribution process according to the embodiment. Note that the flow shown in the flowchart of Fig. 6 is repeatedly executed, for example, every time information on the state of the vehicle VE is received from the terminal device 2 mounted on the vehicle VE.

[0060] The first acquisition unit 331 acquires information about the state of the vehicle VE (step S10).

[0061] The distribution unit 332 determines whether to distribute an advertisement to the vehicle VE from which the information was obtained, based on the acquired information. For example, the distribution unit 332 determines whether the acquired information satisfies the distribution conditions of any advertisement (step S11). If the acquired information does not satisfy the distribution conditions of any advertisement (step S11: No), the processing ends.

[0062] On the other hand, if the distribution conditions of any of the advertisements are satisfied (step S11: Yes), the distribution unit 332 distributes the advertisement to the vehicles VE that satisfy the distribution conditions (step S12). For example, the distribution unit 332 determines that the vehicles VE that satisfy the advertisement distribution conditions are vehicles VE that are targets for distribution of the advertisement. The distribution unit 332 reads out the advertisements whose distribution conditions are satisfied from the advertisement data 321. Then, the distribution unit 332 distributes the read advertisements from the communication unit 31 to the vehicles VE that have been determined to be targets for distribution.

[0063] The second acquisition unit 333 acquires information regarding the amount paid at the advertised facility by a user riding in the vehicle VE that delivered the advertisement (step S13). For example, the second acquisition unit 333 acquires payment information from the terminal device 2 mounted on the vehicle VE via the communication unit 31. If the acquired payment information includes an advertising ID of the advertisement, the second acquisition unit 333 identifies the advertisement used from the advertising ID and acquires the amount included in the payment information as the amount paid by the user at the identified facility. Furthermore, if the acquired payment information includes location information of the facility, the second acquisition unit 333 identifies the advertised facility used from the facility location information and acquires the amount included in the payment information as the amount paid by the user at the identified facility.

[0064] The setting unit 334 sets the advertisement delivery fee based on the information on the amount acquired by the first acquisition unit 331 (step S14). For example, the setting unit 334 sets the advertisement delivery fee based on the amount paid at the advertised facility. For example, the setting unit 334 sets the advertisement delivery fee higher as the amount paid at the advertised facility increases.

[0065] The charging unit 335 charges the advertisement distribution fee (step S15), and ends the process. For example, the charging unit 335 charges the distribution fee set by the setting unit 334 to the requester of the distributed advertisement.

[0066] As a result, the distribution device 3 according to the present embodiment can set an advertising fee for an advertisement according to the sales effect of the advertisement, and can charge the set advertising fee.

[0067] In the advertisement management data 322 shown in FIG. 4, the distribution conditions are described as a distribution area and a distribution time period. However, the distribution conditions are not limited to this. For example, the distribution conditions may be only one of the distribution area and the distribution time period. Furthermore, the distribution conditions may include other conditions. For example, the distribution conditions may be the characteristics of the vehicle VE, the characteristics of the driver, or the remaining energy of the vehicle VE. The terminal device 2 has vehicle characteristics, such as the vehicle type and the type of vehicle (e.g., bus, transport vehicle, or passenger car), set in advance, and transmits the set vehicle characteristics to the distribution device 3. The terminal device 2 also captures an image of the driver using the imaging unit 23, analyzes the captured image to identify the driver's characteristics, such as the driver's age group and gender, and transmits the identified driver characteristics to the distribution device 3. The terminal device 2 also directly or indirectly detects the remaining energy using a sensor and transmits the detected remaining energy to the distribution device 3. For example, if the vehicle VE is provided with a fuel gauge that indicates the remaining amount of fuel such as gasoline or diesel, or a fuel gauge that indicates the remaining amount of a secondary battery such as a battery, the sensor can indirectly detect the remaining amount of energy from the fuel gauge or fuel gauge. If the received characteristics of the vehicle VE, characteristics of the driver, and the remaining amount of energy of the vehicle VE satisfy the distribution conditions of any advertisement, the distribution device 3 may distribute the advertisement to the vehicle VE that satisfies the distribution conditions.

[0068] The effectiveness of an advertisement for a user decreases over time. Therefore, even if a vehicle VE to which an advertisement has been delivered visits the advertised facility, the longer the time that has passed since the advertisement was delivered, the less likely the advertisement is to be effective. Therefore, the setting unit 334 may set the advertisement delivery fee based on the amount paid at the advertised facility within a predetermined time after the advertisement is delivered. For example, as described with reference to FIG. 5 , when delivering an advertisement for a gas station, the setting unit 334 may set the advertisement delivery fee based on the amount paid at the advertised gas station within a predetermined time (e.g., one hour) after the advertisement is delivered. The terminal device 2 may transmit payment information to the distribution device 3 as needed, and the distribution device 3 may calculate the amount paid within the predetermined time from the payment information received from the distribution device 3 within the predetermined time after the advertisement is delivered. Furthermore, the terminal device 2 may transmit the amount paid at the advertised facility within the predetermined time after the advertisement is delivered as payment information. This allows the distribution device 3 to set the advertisement fee based on the amount that is deemed to have increased due to the delivered advertisement, and charge the set advertisement fee.

[0069] In the embodiment, the advertisement delivery fee is set based on the amount paid at the advertised facility. However, this is not limiting. For example, the advertisement delivery fee may be set based on information about the amount paid, such as the amount paid at the advertised facility or a value correlated to the amount paid. For example, at a gas station that refuels a vehicle VE, the amount of fuel supplied correlates with the refueling fee. At a power supply facility that charges the battery of a vehicle VE, the power supply time and amount correlate with the power supply fee. Therefore, the setting unit 334 may set the advertisement delivery fee based on the amount of energy supplied to the vehicle VE for driving, such as the amount of fuel supplied, the power supply time, and the amount of power supplied. Furthermore, the setting unit 334 may set the advertisement delivery fee based on the amount of fuel supplied, the amount of energy used for driving the vehicle VE, or the amount of energy paid to refuel the vehicle VE per the amount of fuel supplied. For example, the advertisement may be an advertisement related to a fuel supply facility that refuels the vehicle VE with energy used for driving, such as a gas station or the amount of power supplied. The distribution unit 332 distributes advertisements for the refueling facilities to the vehicle VE. The second acquisition unit 333 acquires information on the amount of energy refueled to the vehicle VE at the refueling facility or the amount of energy paid for the refueling. The setting unit 334 may set a distribution fee for the advertisement based on the amount of energy refueled or the amount of energy paid for the refueling. For example, the setting unit 334 sets a higher advertisement distribution fee the greater the amount of energy refueled or the amount of energy paid for the refueling. This allows the distribution device 3 to set an advertisement fee according to the sales effect of the advertised refueling facility and charge the set advertisement fee.

[0070] In the embodiment, the facility is a gas station or other gas station, and the advertisement is an advertisement for the gas station. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The facility may be any facility where a user makes a payment. For example, the facility may be a retail store such as a convenience store, a restaurant, or a commercial facility.

[0071] Furthermore, if multiple users riding in the vehicle VE view an advertisement delivered to the vehicle VE, become interested in the advertised facility, and each user makes a payment at the advertised facility, the delivered advertisement has a sales effect on the multiple users. In such a case, the delivery fee for the advertisement may be set according to the sales effect on the multiple users. For example, the delivery unit 332 delivers an advertisement to the vehicle VE. The advertisement delivered to the vehicle VE is displayed on the portable terminal device of each user riding in the vehicle VE, which is capable of communicating with the terminal device 2 of the vehicle VE. The advertisement may be, for example, a coupon, and a discount may be received by selecting a button on the coupon screen. Each user uses the advertisement to make a payment at the advertised facility. For example, each user makes a payment at the facility using the payment function of the portable terminal device. The portable terminal device of each user transmits payment information to the terminal device 2. The payment information may include, as necessary, facility information such as the amount paid by the user, location information of the facility where the payment was made, and advertisement information such as the advertising ID of the advertisement used for payment. The terminal device 2 transmits the payment information received from each user's portable terminal device to the delivery device 3. In the distribution device 3, the second acquisition unit 333 acquires information regarding the amount paid at the advertised facility by each of multiple users riding in the vehicle VE to which the advertisement was distributed. For example, the second acquisition unit 333 acquires the amount paid by each user at the advertised facility from payment information received from the terminal device 2. The setting unit 334 calculates a total amount by adding up the amounts paid by the multiple users, and sets a distribution fee for the advertisement based on the total amount. For example, the setting unit 334 sets a higher distribution fee for the advertisement as the total amount increases. This allows the distribution device 3 to set a distribution fee according to the sales effect on multiple users and charge the set advertising fee.

[0072] Furthermore, if an advertisement delivered to a vehicle VE is viewed by multiple users riding in the vehicle VE, the advertisement can be provided to multiple users with a single advertisement delivery, resulting in high advertising effectiveness. In such cases, the advertisement delivery fee may be increased. For example, the terminal device 2 detects the number of users riding in the vehicle VE and transmits the number of users to the terminal device 2 along with payment information. In the delivery device 3, the second acquisition unit 333 further acquires the number of users riding in the vehicle VE to which the advertisement was delivered. For example, the second acquisition unit 333 acquires the number of users riding in the vehicle VE to which the advertisement was delivered from the number of users riding received along with the payment information. The setting unit 334 increases the advertisement delivery fee as the acquired number of users increases. For example, the setting unit 334 sets a higher surcharge rate as the number of users increases, such as 20% when the number of users is two and 40% when the number of users is three, and increases the advertisement delivery fee by the set surcharge rate. This allows the distribution device 3 to set a distribution fee according to the advertising effectiveness for multiple users and charge the set advertising fee.

[0073] In the embodiment, the case where payment is made using the terminal device 2 or a portable terminal device carried by the user has been described as an example. However, this is not limited to this. Payment may be made using another information processing device, and payment information may be obtained from the other information processing device. When a facility makes payment using a payment terminal such as a point-of-sale (POS) register, payment information may be obtained from the payment terminal. For example, the advertisement may be a coupon, and a discount may be received by reading the advertisement with a reading device of the payment terminal. The payment terminal reads the advertisement with the reading device and settles the user's payment. The payment terminal transmits payment information to the terminal device 2 or the user's portable terminal device. The payment information may include, as necessary, facility information such as the amount paid by the user, location information of the facility where the payment was made, and advertisement information such as the advertisement ID of the advertisement used for payment. The portable terminal transmits the received payment information to the terminal device 2. The terminal device 2 transmits the received payment information to the distribution device 3. When payment is made using a credit card or the like at a server device, payment information may be obtained from the server device that makes the payment. For example, the advertisement may be a coupon, and a discount may be received by selecting a button on the coupon screen or by having the advertisement read by a reader on the payment terminal. The amount to be paid by the user, facility information such as location information of the facility where the payment was made, and the advertisement ID of the advertisement used for payment are transmitted from the user's portable terminal device or payment terminal to the server device that performs the payment, and payment is then made. Upon completion of the payment, the server device that performs the payment transmits payment information to the distribution device 3. The distribution device 3 may periodically request and transmit the payment information from the server device that performs the payment.

[0074] In the embodiment, the case where the distribution device 3 sets the advertisement distribution fee and charges the set distribution fee has been described as an example. However, this is not limited to this. The distribution fee may be charged by a different device.

[0075] In the embodiment, the distribution device 3 is described as a single computer. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The distribution device 3 according to the embodiment described above may be implemented as a computer system including multiple computers. The distribution device 3 according to the embodiment described above may be realized in a system Sy described below.

[0076] For example, the system Sy may be a system that includes a terminal device installed in the vehicle VE (which may be a navigation terminal pre-installed in the vehicle VE, or an information processing terminal such as a smartphone owned by the user), an edge computer that performs data processing (edge ​​processing) near the terminal device, a cloud computer that exists on the cloud side and provides various types of information in push format, and an information processing device that performs consistency processing on the information collected from the edge computer and the cloud computer.

[0077] The edge computers and cloud computers are devices that provide content to users. For example, one edge computer may be a device that corresponds to an app that detects driving hazards and provides users with content that warns or cautions them. Another cloud computer may be a device that corresponds to an app that provides users with tourist information or advertising content.

[0078] The information processing device is also a server device incorporating an information matching engine, and performs a matching process on the original data of the content (e.g., message information) collected from the edge computer and the cloud computer in accordance with the information matching engine, and performs audio output control to output content that reads out the message information according to the matching result. For example, the information processing device determines a priority for outputting the content based on allowable range information that specifies a time range or a geographical range in which content output is permitted, and controls the content to be output from the terminal device according to the determined priority.

[0079] The allowable range information may be set for the information processing device by each of the edge computer and the cloud computer.

[0080] [6. Summary] As described above, the distribution device 3 according to the present embodiment includes the distribution unit 332, the second acquisition unit 333, and the setting unit 334. The distribution unit 332 distributes an advertisement for a facility to the vehicle VE. The second acquisition unit 333 acquires information about the amount paid at the advertised facility by a user riding in the vehicle VE to which the advertisement was distributed by the distribution unit 332. The setting unit 334 sets a distribution fee for the advertisement based on the information about the amount acquired by the second acquisition unit 333. This allows the distribution device 3 to set the advertising fee according to the sales effect of the advertisement.

[0081] The setting unit 334 also sets the advertisement distribution fee based on information about the amount paid at the facility in the advertisement within a predetermined time after the advertisement is distributed. This allows the distribution device 3 to set the advertisement fee according to the amount that can be considered to have increased due to the distributed advertisement.

[0082] The advertisement is an advertisement about a refueling facility that refuels the vehicle VE with energy to use for traveling. The second acquisition unit 333 acquires information on the amount of energy refueled or the amount of energy paid for the refueling by the vehicle VE that distributed the advertisement at the advertised refueling facility. This allows the distribution device 3 to set an advertising fee according to the sales effect at the advertised refueling facility.

[0083] The second acquisition unit 333 acquires information regarding the amount paid by each of multiple users riding in the vehicle VE to which the advertisement was distributed at the advertised facility. The setting unit 334 calculates a total amount by adding up the amounts paid by the multiple users from the acquired information, and sets the advertisement distribution fee based on the total amount. This allows the distribution device 3 to set the advertisement distribution fee according to the sales effect on multiple users.

[0084] The second acquisition unit 333 further acquires the number of users riding in the vehicle VE to which the advertisement is distributed. The setting unit 334 increases the advertisement distribution fee as the number of users acquired by the second acquisition unit 333 increases. This allows the distribution device 3 to increase the advertisement distribution fee when the number of people to which the advertisement can be provided is large and a high advertising effect can be obtained.

[0085] [7. Other] (Hardware configuration) The distribution device 3 according to the embodiment described above is realized, for example, by a computer 1000 configured as shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the distribution device 3 according to the embodiment. The computer 1000 includes a CPU 1100, a RAM 1200, a ROM 1300, an HDD 1400, a communication interface (I / F) 1500, an input / output interface (I / F) 1600, and a media interface (I / F) 1700.

[0086] The CPU 1100 operates and controls each unit based on programs stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400. The ROM 1300 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 starts up, programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 1000, and the like.

[0087] The HDD 1400 stores programs executed by the CPU 1100, data used by such programs, etc. The communication interface 1500 receives data from other devices via a predetermined communication network and sends it to the CPU 1100, and transmits data generated by the CPU 1100 to other devices via the predetermined communication network.

[0088] The CPU 1100 controls output devices such as a display and a printer, and input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 acquires data from the input devices via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 also outputs generated data to the output devices via the input / output interface 1600.

[0089] Media interface 1700 reads a program or data stored in recording medium 1800 and provides it to CPU 1100 via RAM 1200. CPU 1100 loads the program or data from recording medium 1800 onto RAM 1200 via media interface 1700 and executes the loaded program. Recording medium 1800 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disc), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

[0090] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the distribution device 3 according to the embodiment, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 executes programs loaded onto the RAM 1200 to implement the functions of the control unit 33. The CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 1800, but as another example, the CPU 1100 may obtain these programs from another device via a predetermined communication network.

[0091] (others) Furthermore, among the processes described in each of the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using known methods. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the information shown in the drawings.

[0092] Furthermore, the components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional components and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0093] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content.

[0094] Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms that include the embodiments described in the Disclosure of the Invention section and that have been modified and improved in various ways based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0095] Furthermore, the above-mentioned "section, module, unit" can be read as "means" or "circuit," etc. For example, an acquisition unit can be read as an acquisition means or an acquisition circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1. Distribution System 2. Terminal Device 3. Distribution Device 31 Communications Department 32 Storage section 33 Control Unit 321 Advertising Data 322 Advertising Management Data 323 Distribution Fee Data 331 First acquisition part 332 Distribution Department 333 Second Acquisition Department 334 Settings 335 Billing Department VE vehicle

Claims

1. a distribution unit that distributes an advertisement for the facility to a vehicle, the advertisement including identification information that identifies the advertisement; an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the amount paid at the advertised facility, including the payment amount and identification information of the advertisement used for the payment, identifies the advertisement used from the identification information included in the acquired information regarding the amount, and acquires information regarding the amount paid at the advertised facility by a user riding in the vehicle that delivered the advertisement, by regarding the payment amount included in the information regarding the amount as the amount paid by the user at the identified advertised facility; a setting unit that sets a delivery fee for the advertisement based on the information regarding the amount acquired by the acquisition unit; Equipped with the advertisement is an advertisement about a supply facility that supplies a vehicle with energy to be used for traveling, The acquisition unit acquires information on the amount of energy replenished by the vehicle to which the advertisement was delivered at the advertised refueling facility or the amount of energy replenishment paid for the refueling. A distribution device characterized by:

2. a distribution unit that distributes an advertisement for the facility to a vehicle, the advertisement including identification information that identifies the advertisement; an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the amount paid at the advertised facility, including the payment amount and identification information of the advertisement used for the payment, identifies the advertisement used from the identification information included in the acquired information regarding the amount, and acquires information regarding the amount paid at the advertised facility by a user riding in the vehicle that delivered the advertisement, by regarding the payment amount included in the information regarding the amount as the amount paid by the user at the identified advertised facility; a setting unit that sets a delivery fee for the advertisement based on the information regarding the amount acquired by the acquisition unit; Equipped with the acquisition unit acquires information regarding the amount paid by each of a plurality of users riding in the vehicle that delivered the advertisement at the facility advertised; The setting unit calculates a total amount by adding up the amounts paid by the plurality of users from the acquired information, and sets a delivery fee for the advertisement based on the total amount. A distribution device characterized by:

3. The setting unit sets a delivery fee for the advertisement based on information about an amount paid at the facility of the advertisement within a predetermined time after the advertisement is delivered.

3. The distribution device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The vehicle is provided with a terminal device having a payment function, The acquisition unit acquires information about the amount paid at the facility advertised from the terminal device of the vehicle that delivered the advertisement.

4. The distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the distribution device is a distribution device for distributing a content to a user.

5. The acquisition unit acquires information about the amount paid by the user at the advertised facility from an information processing device that performed payment by the user who gets into the vehicle.

4. The distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the distribution device is a distribution device for distributing a content to a user.

6. The acquisition unit further acquires the number of users who will be riding in the vehicle to which the advertisement is distributed, The setting unit sets a higher advertisement delivery fee as the number of people acquired by the acquisition unit increases.

6. The distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the distribution device is a distribution device for distributing a content to a user.

7. A distribution method executed by a distribution device, a distribution step of distributing an advertisement for the facility, including identification information for identifying the advertisement, to the vehicle; an acquisition step of acquiring information regarding the amount paid at the advertised facility, including the payment amount and identification information of the advertisement used for the payment, identifying the advertisement used from the identification information included in the acquired information regarding the amount, and acquiring information regarding the amount paid at the advertised facility by the user riding in the vehicle that delivered the advertisement, by taking the payment amount included in the information regarding the amount as the amount paid by the user at the identified advertised facility; a setting step of setting a delivery fee for the advertisement based on the acquired information on the amount; Including, the advertisement is an advertisement about a supply facility that supplies a vehicle with energy to be used for traveling, The acquiring step acquires information on the amount of energy replenished by the vehicle to which the advertisement is distributed at the advertised refueling facility or the amount of energy replenishment paid for the refueling. A distribution method characterized by:

8. A distribution method executed by a distribution device, a distribution step of distributing an advertisement for the facility, including identification information for identifying the advertisement, to the vehicle; an acquisition step of acquiring information regarding the amount paid at the advertised facility, including the payment amount and identification information of the advertisement used for the payment, identifying the advertisement used from the identification information included in the acquired information regarding the amount, and acquiring information regarding the amount paid at the advertised facility by the user riding in the vehicle that delivered the advertisement, by taking the payment amount included in the information regarding the amount as the amount paid by the user at the identified advertised facility; a setting step of setting a delivery fee for the advertisement based on the acquired information on the amount; Including, the acquiring step acquires information about the amount paid by each of the users riding in the vehicle that delivered the advertisement at the facility advertised; The setting step calculates a total amount by adding up the amounts paid by the plurality of users from the acquired information, and sets a delivery fee for the advertisement based on the total amount. A distribution method characterized by:

9. A distribution program executed by a distribution device having a computer, The computer a distribution means for distributing an advertisement for the facility to a vehicle, the advertisement including identification information for identifying the advertisement; an acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the amount paid at the advertised facility, including the payment amount and identification information of the advertisement used for the payment, identifying the advertisement used from the identification information included in the acquired information relating to the amount, and acquiring information relating to the amount paid at the advertised facility by a user riding in the vehicle that delivered the advertisement, by regarding the payment amount included in the information relating to the amount as the amount paid by the user at the identified advertised facility; a setting means for setting a delivery fee for the advertisement based on the acquired information on the amount; It functions as the advertisement is an advertisement about a supply facility that supplies a vehicle with energy to be used for traveling, The acquisition means acquires information on the amount of energy replenished by the vehicle to which the advertisement was distributed at the advertised refueling facility or the amount of energy replenishment paid for the refueling. A distribution program characterized by:

10. A distribution program executed by a distribution device having a computer, The computer a distribution means for distributing an advertisement for the facility to a vehicle, the advertisement including identification information for identifying the advertisement; an acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the amount paid at the advertised facility, including the payment amount and identification information of the advertisement used for the payment, identifying the advertisement used from the identification information included in the acquired information relating to the amount, and acquiring information relating to the amount paid at the advertised facility by a user riding in the vehicle that delivered the advertisement, by regarding the payment amount included in the information relating to the amount as the amount paid by the user at the identified advertised facility; a setting means for setting a delivery fee for the advertisement based on the acquired information on the amount; It functions as the acquiring means acquires information regarding the amount paid by each of the users riding in the vehicle that delivered the advertisement at the facility advertised; The setting means calculates a total amount by adding up the amounts paid by the plurality of users from the acquired information, and sets a delivery fee for the advertisement based on the total amount. A distribution program characterized by:

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