Distribution device, distribution method, and distribution program

Abstract

To set a distribution rate in accordance with an effect of content.SOLUTION: A distribution unit 332 distributes content to a vehicle VE. A storage unit 32 stores the number of times of distribution of the content by the distribution unit 332, for each content and the vehicle VE. A setting unit 335 determines the number of times of distribution to the vehicle VE which is a distribution destination of the content distributed by the distribution unit 332 by reference to the storage unit 32, and sets a distribution rate of the content distributed by the distribution unit 332, on the basis of the number of times of distribution.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, an in-car video display system that displays advertisements on a display device installed inside a vehicle such as a railway car is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The in-car video display system described in Patent Document 1 calculates advertising fees based on the number of times the advertising video is shown and the number of passengers at the time of showing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-134120 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the advertising fee is calculated based on the number of times the advertising video is shown and the number of passengers at the time of showing, so even if the advertising video is shown multiple times in a vehicle in which the same user is riding, the same advertising fee is calculated each time. However, when a user views content such as an advertisement multiple times, the user becomes accustomed to the content, which reduces the effectiveness of the content, as an example of a problem.

[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 a distribution fee according to the effectiveness of content, for example. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The distribution device described in claim 1 is characterized by comprising: a distribution unit that distributes content to vehicles; a memory unit that stores the number of times the content has been distributed by the distribution unit for each content and vehicle; and a setting unit that refers to the memory unit to determine the number of times the content distributed by the distribution unit has been distributed to a destination vehicle, and sets a distribution fee for the content distributed by the distribution unit based on the number of times the content has been distributed.

[0007] Furthermore, the distribution method described in claim 6 is a distribution method executed by a distribution device, and is characterized by including a distribution step of distributing content to a vehicle, and a setting step of determining the number of times the distributed content has been distributed to a destination vehicle by referring to a memory unit that stores the number of times the content has been distributed for each content and vehicle, and setting a distribution fee for the distributed content based on the number of times the content has been distributed.

[0008] Furthermore, the distribution program described in claim 7 is a distribution program executed by a distribution device having a computer, characterized in that it causes the computer to function as a distribution means for distributing content to vehicles, and a setting means for determining the number of times the distributed content has been distributed to the destination vehicle by referring to a memory unit that stores the number of times the content has been distributed for each content and vehicle, and setting a distribution fee for the distributed content based on the number of times the content has been distributed. [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 content management data according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the number of distributions data according to the embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of content distribution by the distribution system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the distribution process according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 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] FIG. 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 content such as 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 content such as advertisements to the terminal devices 2 of the target vehicles VE. The content may be display data including text, images, and videos. The content may also be audio data such as voice and music. The content may be distributed together with other content data. 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 content 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 of various 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 content from the distribution device 3 via the communication unit 271, the terminal device 2 outputs the received content. For example, if the content is image data, the terminal device 2 displays an image of the content on the display unit 25. Furthermore, if the content is audio data, the terminal device 2 outputs the audio of the 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] 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 to be able to 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 able to communicate 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 able to communicate 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 able to communicate, and detects the identified user as a user riding in the vehicle VE. Note that the terminal device 2 may also 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. The terminal device 2 transmits information about the detected user from the communication unit 271 to the distribution device 3. For example, the terminal device 2 transmits the user's identification information from the communication unit 271 to the distribution device 3.

[0031] 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.

[0032] (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.

[0033] (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 required for processing the various programs. For example, the storage unit 32 stores content data 321, content management data 322, distribution count data 323, and distribution fee data 324.

[0034] (About content data 321) The content data 321 is data of the content to be distributed.

[0035] (Regarding Content Management Data 322) The content management data 322 is data that stores management information related to content, such as content distribution conditions, number of distributions, etc. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the content management data 322 according to the embodiment. The content management data 322 has items such as "content ID," "distribution conditions," and "request source."

[0036] The "content ID" field is an area for storing identification information for identifying content. Each piece of content in the content data 321 is assigned a unique content ID as identification information for identifying it. The "content ID" field stores the content ID of each piece of content.

[0037] The "Delivery Conditions" item is an area for storing conditions for delivering content. The content of content data 321 has delivery conditions defined for the content. The delivery conditions may be any conditions that determine whether to deliver the content. 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, if the content is an advertisement for a facility, the delivery area is defined as a predetermined range that includes the advertised facility. For example, if the content is an advertisement for a refueling facility such as a gas station, the delivery area may be defined by location information within a radius of the refueling facility. The delivery time period may also be defined in any way. For example, if the content is an advertisement for a facility, the delivery time period is defined as the business hours of the advertised facility.

[0038] The "requester" field is an area for storing the requester of the content. The "requester" field stores information about the requester who requested the distribution of the content.

[0039] (Regarding distribution count data 323) Returning to FIG. 3, the distribution count data 323 is data that stores the number of times content has been distributed. In this embodiment, the distribution count data 323 stores the number of times content has been distributed for each content and vehicle. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the distribution count data 323 according to this embodiment. The distribution count data 323 has items such as "content ID", "vehicle ID", and "number of distributions".

[0040] The "content ID" field is an area for storing the content ID of the content. The "content ID" field stores the content ID of the distributed content.

[0041] The "Vehicle ID" field is an area for storing identification information for identifying a vehicle VE. Each vehicle VE is assigned a unique vehicle ID as identification information for identifying it. A vehicle ID may be assigned individually to each vehicle ID, or color-coded information of the terminal device 2, such as the serial number of the terminal device 2, provided in the vehicle ID may be used as the vehicle ID. The "Vehicle ID" field stores the vehicle ID of the vehicle VE that delivered the content.

[0042] The "Number of times of distribution" field is an area for storing the number of times the content has been distributed. The "Number of times of distribution" field stores the number of times the content has been distributed for each content and each vehicle.

[0043] (Regarding distribution fee data 324) Returning to Fig. 3, the distribution fee data 324 is data that stores the cumulative distribution fee for content distributed over a certain period for each content requester.

[0044] (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, an update unit 334, a setting unit 335, and a billing unit 336.

[0045] (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.

[0046] (Regarding distribution unit 332) The distribution unit 332 distributes content to the vehicle VE. Based on the information acquired by the first acquisition unit 331, the distribution unit 332 determines whether to distribute content 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 content. The distribution unit 332 determines that the vehicle VE from which the acquired information satisfies the distribution conditions of the content is a distribution target vehicle VE to which the content is to be distributed. The distribution unit 332 reads out content whose distribution conditions are satisfied from the content data 321. Then, the distribution unit 332 distributes the read out content from the communication unit 31 to the vehicle VE determined to be a distribution target. In this way, if there is content whose information acquired by the first acquisition unit 331 satisfies the distribution conditions, the distribution unit 332 distributes the content that satisfies the distribution conditions to the vehicle VE from which the information was acquired.

[0047] When the distribution unit 332 distributes content, it counts the number of times the content has been distributed. The distribution unit 332 stores the number of times the content has been distributed in the distribution count data 323 of the storage unit 32 in correspondence with the distributed content and the vehicle VE to which it has been distributed. For example, the distribution unit 332 determines whether a record corresponding to the content ID of the distributed content and the vehicle ID of the vehicle VE to which it has been distributed is stored in the distribution count data 323. If the record is stored in the distribution count data 323, the distribution unit 332 counts up the value in the distribution count field of the record. On the other hand, if the record is not stored in the distribution count data 323, the distribution unit 332 sets the value in the distribution count field to 1 and adds a record corresponding to the content ID of the distributed content and the vehicle ID of the vehicle VE to the distribution count data 323.

[0048] (Regarding the second acquisition unit 333) The second acquisition unit 333 acquires information about a user riding in the vehicle VE to which content has been distributed by the distribution unit 332. For example, the second acquisition unit 333 acquires user identification information from the terminal device 2 mounted on the vehicle VE via the communication unit 31.

[0049] (Regarding update section 334) The update unit 334 determines a vehicle VE in which the user has changed from the information about the user acquired by the second acquisition unit 333. For example, for each vehicle VE, the update unit 334 determines a vehicle VE in which the user identification information acquired by the second acquisition unit 333 has changed as a vehicle VE in which the user has changed. The update unit 334 may determine a vehicle VE in which all of the user identification information has changed as a vehicle VE in which the user has changed. In this case, a vehicle VE in which all of the users riding in the vehicle VE have changed is determined as a vehicle VE in which the user has changed. Furthermore, the update unit 334 may determine a vehicle VE in which only part of the user identification information has changed as a vehicle in which the user has changed. In this case, a vehicle VE in which all of the users riding in the vehicle VE have changed is determined as a vehicle VE in which the user has changed. The update unit 334 updates the number of content deliveries stored in the delivery count data 323 of the storage unit 32 to zero for a vehicle VE in which the user has changed. For example, the update unit 334 updates the number of deliveries of the record in the number of deliveries data 323 that corresponds to the vehicle ID of the vehicle VE whose user has changed to zero.

[0050] (Regarding the setting unit 335) The setting unit 335 sets a content distribution fee according to the number of times the content is distributed. For example, when the distribution unit 332 distributes content, the setting unit 335 refers to the number of distributions data 323 in the storage unit 32 and determines the number of times the content distributed by the distribution unit 332 has been distributed to the vehicle VE as a distribution destination. The setting unit 335 then sets a distribution fee for the content distributed by the distribution unit 332 based on the determined number of distributions. The setting unit 335 sets a lower distribution fee per distribution of the content from the distribution unit 332 the more the number of distributions. For example, the setting unit 335 divides the number of distributions into multiple ranges, and sets a lower distribution fee per distribution of the content for a range with a higher number of distributions.

[0051] (Regarding the billing unit 336) The charging unit 336 charges a content distribution fee. The charging unit 336 charges the requester of the distributed content the distribution fee set by the setting unit 335. For example, the charging unit 336 adds the distribution fee set by the setting unit 335 to the cumulative distribution fee of the requester of the distributed content in the distribution fee data 324.

[0052] [4. Specific examples of distribution methods] Next, a specific example of content distribution by the distribution system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of content distribution by the distribution system 1 according to the embodiment.

[0053] A business operator wishing to distribute content prepares the content to be distributed. The business operator also determines the conditions for distributing the content. For example, a case will be described where an advertisement for a business operator that operates a gas station or other gas station is to be distributed. Business operator A, which operates the gas station, prepares an advertisement for the gas station as content. Business operator A also determines the conditions for distribution, which are a distribution area that includes the gas station it operates and a distribution time period that corresponds to the business hours of the gas station.

[0054] The content is stored in content data 321 of storage unit 32 of distribution device 3. The distribution conditions of the content are stored in content management data 322 of storage unit 32. For example, when content is to be distributed to a vehicle 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 content ID "A001" in FIG. 4.

[0055] 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.

[0056] The distribution device 3 sequentially acquires information about 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 content, and distributes the content 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 distribution area of ​​the content management data 322. If the location of the vehicle VE is within the distribution area of ​​any content, the distribution device 3 determines whether the current time is within the distribution time period of the content for which the vehicle VE is within the distribution area. If the current time is within the distribution time period of the content, the distribution device 3 distributes the content to the vehicle VE that is within the distribution area. As a result, for example, in FIG. 6, content with content ID "A001" is distributed to the vehicle VE in area A.

[0057] In this way, the distribution device 3 can effectively distribute content by distributing the content to vehicles VE that satisfy the distribution conditions. For example, if the content is an advertisement for a gas station, a business operator of the gas station can distribute the advertisement for the gas station to vehicles VE that pass through area A that includes the gas station during the hours that include the business hours of the gas station.

[0058] The distributed content 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.

[0059] However, when a user views content such as an advertisement multiple times, the user becomes accustomed to the content, and the effectiveness of the content decreases.

[0060] Therefore, the distribution device 3 counts the number of times the content is distributed. For example, the distribution device 3 stores the number of times the content is distributed in the distribution count data 323 of the storage unit 32 in association with the distributed content and the vehicle VE. The distribution device 3 then sets a distribution fee for the advertisement according to the number of times the content is distributed. For example, the setting unit 335 references the distribution count data 323 of the storage unit 32 to determine the number of times the content is distributed to the vehicle VE, and sets the distribution fee for the distributed content based on the determined number of times the content is distributed. For example, the more the number of times the content is distributed, the lower the distribution fee set for each distribution of the content from the distribution unit 332. For example, the setting unit 335 sets the distribution fees as follows: 10 yen for the first distribution, 9 yen for the second to fourth distributions, 8 yen for the fifth to seventh distributions, 7 yen for the eighth to tenth distributions, and 6 yen for the eleventh or more distributions. As a result, for example, if the same content is delivered to the same vehicle VE five times, the delivery fee for the first delivery will be set at 10 yen, the delivery fees for the second to fourth deliveries will be set at 9 yen, and the delivery fee for the fifth delivery will be set at 8 yen.

[0061] The distribution device 3 charges the set distribution fee. This allows the distribution device 3 to set a distribution fee according to the effectiveness of the distributed content, and to charge the set distribution fee.

[0062] On the other hand, if the user riding in the vehicle VE changes, for example, due to a change in the user riding in the vehicle VE, the delivered content can also be viewed by the new user. Since the new user views the delivered content anew, the effectiveness of the content is not reduced.

[0063] Therefore, the distribution device 3 acquires information about the user riding in the vehicle VE to which the content has been distributed. For example, the distribution device 3 acquires user identification information from the terminal device 2 mounted in the vehicle VE. The distribution device 3 determines the vehicle VE whose user has changed from the acquired user-related information. For example, for each vehicle VE, the distribution device 3 determines the vehicle VE whose acquired user identification information has changed as the vehicle whose user has changed. The distribution device 3 updates the number of content deliveries stored in the delivery count data 323 of the storage unit 32 for the vehicle VE whose user has changed to zero. In this way, by initializing the number of content deliveries for the vehicle VE whose riding user has changed to zero, the distribution device 3 can set a delivery fee according to the effectiveness of the content for the new user.

[0064] [5. Processing Procedure] Next, a procedure of a distribution process executed by the distribution device 3 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the distribution process according to the embodiment. Note that the flow shown in the flowchart of Fig. 7 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.

[0065] The first acquisition unit 331 acquires information about the state of the vehicle VE (step S10).

[0066] The distribution unit 332 determines whether to distribute content to the vehicle VE that obtained the information based on the acquired information. For example, the distribution unit 332 determines whether the acquired information satisfies the distribution conditions of any content (step S11). If the acquired information does not satisfy the distribution conditions of any content (step S11: No), the process ends.

[0067] On the other hand, if the distribution conditions of any of the contents are satisfied (step S11: Yes), the distribution unit 332 distributes the content to the vehicle VE that satisfies the distribution conditions (step S12). For example, the distribution unit 332 determines that the vehicle VE that satisfies the content distribution conditions is a distribution target vehicle VE to which the content is to be distributed. The distribution unit 332 reads out the content whose distribution conditions are satisfied from the content data 321. Then, the distribution unit 332 distributes the read out content from the communication unit 31 to the vehicle VE that is determined to be a distribution target.

[0068] The distribution unit 332 counts the number of times the content has been distributed (step S13). For example, the distribution unit 332 stores the number of times the content has been distributed in the distribution count data 323 of the storage unit 32 in association with the distributed content and the vehicle VE.

[0069] The update unit 334 determines whether the user of the vehicle VE has changed (step S14). For example, for each vehicle VE, the update unit 334 determines that the user of the vehicle VE has changed if the user identification information acquired by the second acquisition unit 333 has changed. If the user of the vehicle VE has not changed (step S14: No), the process proceeds to step S16, which will be described later.

[0070] On the other hand, if the user of the vehicle VE has changed (step S14: Yes), the update unit 334 updates the number of distributions of the content stored in the distribution count data 323 of the memory unit 32 for the vehicle VE whose user has changed to zero (step S15).

[0071] The setting unit 335 sets a content distribution fee according to the number of times the content is distributed (step S16). For example, the setting unit 335 refers to the distribution count data 323 in the storage unit 32 to determine the number of times the distributed content has been distributed to the vehicle VE as a distribution destination, and sets a distribution fee for the content distributed by the distribution unit 332 based on the determined number of times the content has been distributed.

[0072] The charging unit 336 charges the content distribution fee (step S17), and ends the process. For example, the charging unit 336 charges the distribution fee set by the setting unit 335 to the requester of the distributed content.

[0073] As a result, the distribution device 3 according to this embodiment can set a distribution fee according to the effectiveness of the content, and can charge the set distribution fee.

[0074] In the content management data 322 shown in FIG. 4, the distribution conditions are the distribution area and the 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, and 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 energy amount of the vehicle VE satisfy the distribution conditions of any of the content, the distribution device 3 may distribute the content to the vehicle VE that satisfies the distribution conditions.

[0075] In the embodiment, the facility is a gas station or other gas station, and the content is an advertisement for the gas station. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The facility may be any facility. For example, the facility may be a retail store such as a convenience store, a restaurant, or a commercial facility. The content may be any content that charges a distribution fee for distribution.

[0076] Furthermore, if multiple users in the vehicle VE view content such as an advertisement distributed to the vehicle VE, the content is provided to multiple users with a single content distribution, resulting in a high content effectiveness. In such cases, a content distribution 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. In the distribution device 3, the second acquisition unit 333 further acquires the number of users riding in the vehicle VE to which the content is distributed. For example, the second acquisition unit 333 acquires the number of users riding in the vehicle VE to which the content is distributed from user identification information acquired from the terminal device 2 installed in the vehicle VE. The setting unit 335 increases the content distribution fee by a larger number of users. For example, the setting unit 335 sets a higher surcharge rate for the larger number of users, such as 20% if the number of users is two and 40% if the number of users is three, and increases the content distribution fee by the set surcharge rate. This allows the distribution device 3 to set a distribution fee according to the effectiveness of the content for multiple users, and to charge the set distribution fee.

[0077] In the embodiment, the distribution device 3 stores the number of times the content has been distributed for each content and vehicle. However, this is not limiting. The distribution device 3 may store the number of times the content has been distributed for each content, vehicle, and user. For example, the distribution count data 323 stores the number of times the content has been distributed for each content, vehicle, and user. The second acquisition unit 333 acquires information about users riding in the vehicle VE to which the content has been distributed by the distribution unit 332. For example, the second acquisition unit 333 acquires user identification information from the terminal device 2 installed in the vehicle VE via the communication unit 31. When the distribution unit 332 distributes content to the vehicle VE, the distribution unit 332 stores the number of times the content has been distributed in the distribution count data 323 of the storage unit 32 in correspondence with the content ID of the distributed content, the vehicle ID of the vehicle VE to which the content has been distributed, and the user identification information for each user riding in the vehicle VE. The setting unit 335 sets a content distribution fee according to the number of times the content has been distributed. For example, the setting unit 335 refers to the delivery count data 323 in the storage unit 32 to determine the number of deliveries to the vehicle VE and user to which the content is delivered. When multiple users ride in the vehicle VE, the delivery count may be the average of the delivery counts for each user riding in the vehicle VE, or the delivery count for the user driving the vehicle VE. For example, the setting unit 335 determines the average delivery count by determining the delivery count for each user riding in the vehicle VE. Alternatively, the setting unit 335 determines the delivery count for the user driving the vehicle VE. The setting unit 335 may then set the delivery fee for the content based on the determined delivery count. In this case, even if a user riding in the vehicle VE changes, the delivery count for the content does not need to be updated to zero. In other words, processing by the update unit 334 does not need to be performed. As a result, if a user who rides in the vehicle VE and views the delivered content gets off the vehicle VE and then rides the same vehicle VE again to view the same content, the delivery count for the content continues to be counted. If a user has already viewed the content while riding in the vehicle VE in the past, the effectiveness of the content is reduced. Therefore, the distribution device 3 continuously counts the number of times the content is distributed, thereby enabling it to set a distribution fee according to the effectiveness of the content and to charge the set distribution fee.

[0078] In the embodiment, the case where the distribution device 3 sets the content 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] The allowable range information may be set for the information processing device by each of the edge computer and the cloud computer.

[0084] [6. Summary] As described above, the distribution device 3 according to this embodiment includes the distribution unit 332, the storage unit 32, and the setting unit 335. The distribution unit 332 distributes content to vehicles VE. The storage unit 32 stores the number of times the content has been distributed by the distribution unit 332 for each content and vehicle VE. The setting unit 335 refers to the storage unit 32 to determine the number of times the content distributed by the distribution unit 332 has been distributed to the destination vehicle VE, and sets a distribution fee for the content distributed by the distribution unit 332 based on the number of times the content has been distributed. This allows the distribution device 3 to set a distribution fee according to the effectiveness of the content.

[0085] Furthermore, the setting unit 335 sets a lower distribution fee per distribution of the content distributed by the distribution unit as the number of distributions increases, which allows the distribution device 3 to set a distribution fee according to the effectiveness of the content.

[0086] The distribution device 3 further includes a second acquisition unit 333 (passenger number acquisition unit). The second acquisition unit 333 acquires the number of users riding in the vehicle VE to which the content has been distributed. The setting unit 335 sets a content distribution fee based on the number of distributions, increasing the larger the number of users acquired by the second acquisition unit 333. This allows the distribution device 3 to set a distribution fee according to the effect of the content on multiple users.

[0087] The distribution device 3 further includes a second acquisition unit 333 (user information acquisition unit) and an update unit 334. The second acquisition unit 333 acquires information about a user riding in a vehicle VE. The update unit 334 determines a vehicle VE whose user has changed from the information about the user acquired by the second acquisition unit 333. The update unit 334 updates the number of times content has been distributed to the vehicle VE whose user has changed, stored in the storage unit 32, to zero. This allows the distribution device 3 to set a distribution fee according to the effectiveness of the content for the new user when the user riding in the vehicle VE changes.

[0088] The distribution device 3 further includes a second acquisition unit 333 (user information acquisition unit). The second acquisition unit 333 acquires information about users riding in the vehicle VE. The storage unit 32 stores the number of times the content has been distributed by the distribution unit 332 for each content, vehicle VE, and user. The setting unit 335 refers to the storage unit 32 to determine the number of times the content distributed by the distribution unit 332 has been distributed to the vehicle VE and user to which the content has been distributed, and sets a distribution fee for the content distributed by the distribution unit 332 based on the number of times the content has been distributed. This allows the distribution device 3 to continue counting the number of times the content has been distributed when the user gets off the vehicle VE and then gets back on, and to set a distribution fee according to the effectiveness of the content.

[0089] [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. 8. Fig. 8 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] (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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content.

[0098] 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 undergone various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0099] 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]

[0100] 1. Distribution System 2. Terminal Device 3. Distribution Device 31 Communications Department 32 Storage section 33 Control Unit 321 Content Data 322 Content Management Data 323 Delivery Count Data 324 Delivery Fee Data 331 First acquisition part 332 Distribution Department 333 Second Acquisition Department 334 Update Department 335 Settings 336 Billing Department VE vehicle

Claims

1. a distribution unit that distributes content to vehicles; a storage unit that stores the number of times the content has been distributed by the distribution unit for each content and each vehicle; a setting unit that refers to the storage unit to determine the number of times the content distributed by the distribution unit is distributed to a distribution destination vehicle, and sets a distribution fee for the content distributed by the distribution unit to a requester based on the number of times the content is distributed; Equipped with The setting unit sets a lower delivery fee per delivery of the content delivered by the delivery unit to the requester as the number of deliveries increases. A distribution device characterized by:

2. a passenger number acquiring unit that acquires the number of users who will be riding in the vehicle to which the content has been distributed; The setting unit sets a content distribution fee to the requester based on the number of distributions so that the larger the number of passengers acquired by the passenger number acquisition unit, the higher the distribution fee.

2. The distribution device according to claim 1.

3. a user information acquisition unit that acquires information about a user who gets on the vehicle; an update unit that determines a vehicle to which the user has changed based on the information about the user acquired by the user information acquisition unit, and updates the number of times the content has been distributed, stored in the storage unit, for the vehicle to which the user has changed, to zero; 3. The distribution device according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. a user information acquisition unit that acquires information about a user who gets on the vehicle; the storage unit stores the number of times the content has been distributed by the distribution unit for each content, vehicle, and user; The setting unit refers to the storage unit to determine the number of times the content distributed by the distribution unit is distributed to the vehicles and users as distribution destinations, and sets a distribution fee for the content distributed by the distribution unit to the requester based on the number of times the content is distributed.

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

5. a distribution unit that distributes content to vehicles; a storage unit that stores the number of times the content has been distributed by the distribution unit for each content and each vehicle; a user information acquisition unit that acquires information about a user who gets on the vehicle; an update unit that determines a vehicle to which the user has changed based on the information about the user acquired by the user information acquisition unit, and updates the number of times the content has been distributed, stored in the storage unit, for the vehicle to which the user has changed, to zero; a setting unit that refers to the storage unit to determine the number of times the content distributed by the distribution unit is distributed to a distribution destination vehicle, and sets a distribution fee for the content distributed by the distribution unit to a requester based on the number of times the content is distributed; A distribution device comprising:

6. A distribution method executed by a distribution device, a distribution step of distributing the content to the vehicle; a setting step of determining the number of times the content has been distributed to a destination vehicle by referring to a storage unit that stores the number of times the content has been distributed for each content and vehicle, and setting a distribution fee for the source of the content distribution based on the number of times the content has been distributed; Including, The setting step sets a lower delivery fee per delivery to the requester for the content delivered in the delivery step as the number of deliveries increases. A distribution method characterized by:

7. A distribution program executed by a distribution device having a computer, The computer a distribution means for distributing content to a vehicle; a setting means for determining the number of times the content has been distributed to a destination vehicle by referring to a storage unit that stores the number of times the content has been distributed for each content and vehicle, and for setting a distribution fee for the source of the content distribution based on the number of times the content has been distributed; It functions as The setting means sets a lower delivery fee per delivery of the content delivered by the delivery means to the requester as the number of deliveries increases. A distribution program characterized by:

8. A distribution method executed by a distribution device, a distribution step of distributing the content to the vehicle; a user information acquisition step of acquiring information about a user riding in the vehicle; an updating step of determining a vehicle to which the user has changed from information about the user acquired in the user information acquiring step, and updating the number of times the content has been distributed to zero for the vehicle to which the user has changed, the number of times the content has been distributed being stored in a storage unit that stores the number of times the content has been distributed for each content and vehicle; a setting step of determining the number of times the content has been distributed to the vehicle as a distribution destination by referring to the storage unit, and setting a distribution fee for the requester of the content based on the number of times the content has been distributed; A distribution method comprising:

9. A distribution program executed by a distribution device having a computer, The computer a distribution means for distributing content to a vehicle; a user information acquisition means for acquiring information about a user riding in the vehicle; an updating means for determining a vehicle to which the user has changed from information about the user acquired by the user information acquiring means, and updating the number of times the content has been distributed to zero for the vehicle to which the user has changed, the number of times the content has been distributed being stored in a storage unit that stores the number of times the content has been distributed for each content and vehicle; a setting means for determining the number of times the content has been distributed to a vehicle as a distribution destination by referring to the storage unit, and setting a distribution fee for the requester of the content based on the number of times the content has been distributed; A distribution program characterized by functioning as

Images