Information processing device, information processing method, information processing system, program, and storage medium

Abstract

To make it possible to provide a user with appropriate content of content provided by a content providing service.SOLUTION: An information processing device according to the present disclosure includes holding means for holding access information for audio content provided from an external server for providing content in association with information on access conditions of audio content, acquisition means for acquiring location information of a communication terminal used by a user, identification means for identifying audio content to which access is provided to the communication terminal based on the access conditions of the audio content, and provision means for providing content information including access information associated with the identified audio content to the communication terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, an information processing system, a program, and a storage medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a technology has been known for use in tourist guides, etc., in which, when the location registered for text content is within a certain distance from the user's current location, audio content corresponding to the text content is generated and transmitted to the user's terminal (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-40653 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Recently, services such as podcasts have been provided that distribute audio content such as talks and programs over the Internet. Audio content creators upload their created content to such services and provide the audio content to users via the services.

[0005] A large number of audio contents are provided by various distribution services, allowing users to enjoy a wide range of audio contents, but there is a problem in that it is not easy to find audio contents that suit the user.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a technology that can provide a user with appropriate content from among the content provided by a content providing service. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the present invention, Access information for audio content provided by an external server for providing content, Contains location information set for audio content a storage means for storing the audio content in association with information on access conditions; an acquisition means for acquiring location information of a communication terminal used by a user; audio content to which the communication terminal is provided access; the location of the communication terminal; Audio content access conditions and A means for identifying based on the providing means for providing content information including the access information associated with the identified audio content to the communication terminal; an estimation means for estimating audio content having a high priority for a user based on information indicating an operation history of the communication terminal with respect to the audio content, the information being acquired from the communication terminal; Equipped with The access information includes information for accessing from the communication terminal to the audio content held in the external server for providing the content. fruit, the providing means provides the communication terminal with location information set for the identified audio content; Furthermore, the acquisition means acquires from the communication terminal a designated position designated in the communication terminal, The providing means provides the content information of the audio content included within a predetermined range from the designated position to the communication terminal. An information processing device characterized by the above features is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide appropriate content from among the content provided by the content providing service to the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of content information according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation history information according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart showing a series of operations in a content selection process according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart showing a series of operations in a content display process according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying information about audio content being played back according to the present embodiment; [Figure 7B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in which a list of audio contents according to the present embodiment is further displayed. [Figure 7C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying detailed information about a specific audio content according to the present embodiment; [Figure 7D] FIG. 10 shows an example of a notification displayed on a lock screen according to the embodiment; [Figure 8] A flowchart showing a series of operations including the registration of audio content according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of content information of audio content according to the present embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be combined in any desired manner. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used to designate identical or similar components, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0011] <Configuration of information processing system> An information processing system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The information system 10 includes, for example, an information processing device 100, a content providing device 101, a communication device 102, and a communication device 103. The communication device 102 or the communication device 103 can communicate with the information processing device 100 and the content providing device 101 via wireless communication or the Internet.

[0012] The communication device 102 is a communication terminal used by a user 104 who is a listener of the audio content, and includes, for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, etc. The user 104 uses the communication device 102 to access the content providing device 101 and play back the audio content in a streaming format.

[0013] The communication device 103 is a communication terminal used by the content creator 105, and includes, for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, etc. The content creator 105 uses the communication device 103 to set, in the information processing device 100, access information for its own audio content held by the content providing device 101 and access conditions for the audio content.

[0014] The content providing device 101 is, for example, a server configured on a cloud service, which holds audio content created by a content creator 105 and distributes the audio content to a communication device 102 of a user 104 (for example, by streaming).

[0015] The information processing device 100 is, for example, a server configured on a cloud service, and provides a service (content selection service) that selects and provides appropriate audio content to the communication device 102. Details of the content selection service will be described later, but the information processing device 100 transmits access information for audio content to the communication device 102 that satisfies access conditions set by the content creator 105. This allows the communication device 102 to access the content providing device 101 based on the access information from the information processing device 100 and play back audio content that is appropriate for the location of the communication device 102 (or a location specified by the user 104 of the communication device 102).

[0016] In the following description, as an example, a case will be described in which a user 104 carrying a communication device 102 is driving a vehicle, and an application for receiving a content provision service is running on the communication device 102. For example, when the user 104 driving the vehicle moves, a content selection service provides audio content according to the location of the user 104 (i.e., the location of the communication device 102). The communication device 102 may cooperate with an in-vehicle device to provide information on audio content within the vehicle, or may be incorporated into the in-vehicle device.

[0017] The content selection service provided by executing a computer program on the information processing device 100 is managed, for example, by a service provider that provides the content selection service. The information processing device 100 as hardware may be managed by the service provider, or may be managed by another business that operates a data center or the like. Note that the functions to be described below that are realized by the information processing device 100 may be realized in an edge node that may be arranged between a server and a communication device. In other words, the edge node may also be an example of an information processing device.

[0018] Although the present embodiment has been described taking as an example a case where a service for distributing audio content is used, the present embodiment can also be applied to cases where video content or document content is distributed.

[0019] <Configuration of information processing device> Next, an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Note that each of the functional blocks described with reference to the figure may be integrated or separated, and the described functions may be realized by different blocks. Also, what is described as hardware may be realized by software, and vice versa. Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the information processing device 100 is a single device, but the information processing device 100 may be configured by multiple devices, or may be configured as one or more virtual machines.

[0020] The communication unit 201 includes a communication circuit or a communication module that can communicate with the communication device 102 via a network.

[0021] The control unit 202 includes a processor 210 and a memory 211. The processor 210 may be composed of one or more processors. The control unit 202 controls the operation of each unit of the information processing device 100 by causing the processor 210 to execute a computer program stored in the memory 211 or the storage unit 204. Furthermore, the function of each unit included in the control unit 202 is realized, for example, by the processor 210 executing the computer program.

[0022] The memory 211 is a volatile storage medium such as a DRAM, and temporarily stores parameters and processing results for the control unit 202 to execute a computer program. The power supply unit 203 is a power supply that provides power for each unit of the information processing device 100 to operate.

[0023] The storage unit 204 includes a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory, and stores setting values ​​and computer programs required for operation of the information processing device 100. The computer programs stored in the storage unit 204 include an operating system and various applications for realizing various functions of the information processing device 100. The storage unit 204 includes, for example, content information 220, user information 221, operation history information 222, and map information 223.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 4A, for example, the content information 220 includes access information for audio content held in the content providing device 101 and information on access conditions for accessing the audio content. The access information is information for an external device to access the audio content provided by the content providing device 101. The access information may include, for example, a URL of the audio content, but is not limited to this. The access information may include information that allows an external device to access the audio content provided by the content providing device 101, and may be, for example, an RSS feed that includes information that allows an external device to access the audio content.

[0025] The access information is based on information provided by the content providing device 101 to the communication device 103 (used by the content creator 105) and transmitted from the communication device 103 to the information processing device 100. In other words, the access information is information set by the content creator 105 for the audio content in the communication device 103.

[0026] The access condition information includes conditions for the communication device 102 accessing the audio content. For example, the access condition information can define the range of locations of the communication device 102 accessing the audio content. For example, the access condition information for the audio content can include location information (registered location) set for the audio content, and the audio content can be provided to the communication device 102 that is present within a range (accessible range) defined by a predetermined radius centered on the registered location.

[0027] The access condition information may further include a condition for moving the registered location. For example, if the condition for moving the registered location is set to "fixed," the registered location will not change. For example, if the registered location set for the audio content is (longitude A, longitude A), the registered location will remain (longitude A, longitude A) even after time has passed.

[0028] As another example, if the condition for moving the registered location is set to "switch and move the registered location every hour," the registered location will switch every hour. For example, the registered location set for the audio content may be made up of multiple registered locations such as {(latitude B, longitude B), (latitude C, longitude C), ...}, and one of the registered locations may change every hour. The registered locations may be changed in order or randomly.

[0029] As yet another example, when the condition for moving the registered location is set to "move according to the location of communication device X," the registered location may be associated with the location of the content creator's 105's communication device 103, and may move according to the location of the communication device 103. Such a setting of the registered location allows the user 104 to move as if following the content creator 105 that is transmitting information, thereby providing a viewing experience in which the user 104 can follow, acquire, and enjoy audio content transmitted by the content creator 105.

[0030] To facilitate understanding of the embodiment, an example will be described in which the radius indicating the accessible range is the same for all content (e.g., a radius of 1 km). However, the accessible range may be set separately for each audio content depending on the content of the audio content, the distribution intention, the registered location, the above-mentioned movement conditions, etc. For example, the accessible range for content A may be set to a radius of 1 km, and for content B a radius of 500 m. In this way, it is possible to present a situation in which a user viewing content B approaches and chases the moving registered location, while the user is viewing content B. Furthermore, a radius of 100 m may be set for content C. In this way, it is possible to present a situation in which a user viewing content C views the audio content while approaching the person carrying communication device X to a range where they can barely see him or her.

[0031] The user information 221 includes information about the user 104 who is a user of the system. The user information 221 includes a user identifier, authentication information for using the content selection service, and the like.

[0032] The operation history information 222 is information indicating an operation history of audio content for each user 104, acquired from the communication device 102. The operation history information 222 includes, for example, a date and time 421, an operation target content identifier 422, and a playback time 423, as shown in FIG. 4B . The date and time 421 indicates the date and time when the target audio content was operated. The operation target content identifier 422 is an identifier of the audio content operated by the user 104. The playback time 423 indicates how long the user 104 played the target audio content. For example, the playback time 423 can be calculated from the playback start time and playback end time, or playback completion can be determined. Note that the information is not limited to the length of time, and may also indicate what percentage of the length of the audio content was played. In addition to the information shown in FIG. 4B , the operation history information 222 may include other information, such as the frequency at which the user 104 stopped playback of the audio content and information on the playback speed during playback.

[0033] The map information 223 includes information such as roads, railway lines, facilities such as buildings and shops, addresses, latitude, longitude, and altitude. The information processing device 100 may, for example, provide the map information to the communication device 102 of the user 104 (or the communication device 103 of the user 105) and cause the communication device 102 to display a map. By providing the map information, the communication device 102 can visually display the positional relationship between the position of the user 104 and the positional information set in the audio content.

[0034] The content information management unit 212 manages access information for audio content provided by the content providing device 101 in association with information on access conditions for the audio content. The content information management unit 212 generates or updates the content information 220, for example, by acquiring access information and access condition information for the audio content from the content registration unit 216 and associating the two.

[0035] The content information management unit 212 can register, as favorite audio content, audio content designated by the user 104 on the communication device 102. The content information management unit 212 may manage the favorite content registered for each user using a separate table that manages favorite information for each user.

[0036] The location information acquisition unit 213 acquires location information of the communication device 102 used by the user 104 from the communication device 102. The location information of the communication device 102 includes, for example, latitude and longitude information of the communication device 102 obtained by a GPS within the communication device 102. The location information of the communication device 102 may also include latitude, longitude, and altitude information. In another example, the location information acquisition unit 213 may further acquire, from the communication device 102, a specified position on a map specified in the communication device 102 (for example, latitude and longitude information).

[0037] The content identification unit 214 identifies audio content to which the communication device 102 is to be provided access, based on the access conditions of the audio content (in the content information 220). For example, if the location of the communication device 102 satisfies the access conditions set for the audio content, the content identification unit 214 identifies the audio content as the audio content to which the communication device 102 is to be provided access.

[0038] In one example, the content identification unit 214 determines that the location of the communication device 102 satisfies the access conditions set for the audio content if the location of the communication device 102 is within a predetermined distance from the registered location set for the audio content.

[0039] In another example, the content identification unit 214 determines that the location of the communication device 102 satisfies the access condition if a designated location specified on the map of the communication device 102 is within a predetermined distance from the registered location set for the audio content.

[0040] Furthermore, the content identification unit 214 can take into consideration the above-mentioned registered location movement condition. For example, if the registered location movement condition is set to "switch registered locations and move every hour," the registered locations are switched every hour, and if the location of the communication device 102 is located within a predetermined distance from the registered location, the content identification unit 214 determines that the location of the communication device 102 satisfies the access condition set for the audio content. If the registered location movement condition is set to "move according to the location of communication device X," the content identification unit 214 determines that the location of the communication device 102 satisfies the access condition, for example, if the location of the communication device 102 is located within a predetermined distance from the location of the communication device 103.

[0041] The content information providing unit 215 provides the communication device 102 with access information associated with the audio content identified by the content identifying unit 214. When providing the access information to the communication device 102, the content information providing unit 215 may provide content information including the access information to the communication device 102. The content information may include, for example, at least one of the episode name of the audio content, detailed information, a thumbnail image, the name of the service that provides the audio content, the name of the channel on which the audio content is registered, and the name of the creator who produces the audio content.

[0042] When providing content information, the content information providing unit 215 may provide the communication device 102 with location information set in the audio content identified by the content identifying unit 214. In this case, the content information providing unit 215 may provide the communication device with map information including the location of the communication device 102, out of the map information 223. In this way, the communication device 102 can display a map of the area around the communication device 102 and superimpose the location information of the audio content on the map, allowing the user 104 to visually understand what audio content is registered in the area around the user's location.

[0043] When the location information acquisition unit 213 acquires a specified location specified in the communication device 102, the content information providing unit 215 can provide the communication device 102 with content information of audio content included within a predetermined range from the specified location. In this way, not only can audio content corresponding to the location to which the user 104 is actually moving be acquired, but also the user can grasp the existence of audio content provided in the vicinity of the specified location specified on the map displayed on the communication device 102 and play the audio content.

[0044] When the content information providing unit 215 transmits multiple access information for multiple audio contents to the communication device 102, it provides the communication device 102 with content information for the audio contents prioritized in order of proximity to the above-mentioned specified location or the location of the communication device 102.

[0045] The content information providing unit 215 may estimate audio content having a high priority for the user based on information indicating operation histories for audio content stored in the operation history information 222. For example, the content information providing unit 215 may select audio content or a genre of audio content that has been played many times by the user (or has a long total playback time), and then estimate audio content similar to or of the same genre as the selected content. When there is no audio content within a predetermined range from the specified position, the content information providing unit 215 may provide content information of the estimated audio content to the communication device 102. Furthermore, when there is no audio content within a predetermined range from the specified position and the estimated audio content does not exist, the content information providing unit 215 may provide content information of the audio content to the communication device 102 according to a ranking determined based on operation histories of multiple users.

[0046] The content registration unit 216 acquires access information and access conditions for audio content from the communication device 103 used by the content creator 105, and provides the acquired information to the content information management unit 212. This enables the content creator 105 to register to which users (e.g., users near a desired location) the audio content stored in the content providing device 101 will be provided. For example, if the content creator creates audio content including a conversation about a building or store in a specific location, setting access conditions according to the location of the user 104 makes it easier for users 104 near a location related to the conversation to access the audio content.

[0047] <Configuration of communication device> Next, an example of the functional configuration of the communication device 102 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Note that each of the functional blocks described with reference to the following figures may be integrated or separated, and the described functions may be realized by different blocks. Also, what is described as hardware may be realized by software, and vice versa.

[0048] The communication unit 301 includes, for example, a communication circuit, and communicates with the information processing device 100 or the content providing device 101 by connecting to the Internet via mobile communication such as LTE, or by connecting to a network via wireless LAN communication.

[0049] The control unit 302 includes a processor 310 and a memory 311, and controls the operation of each unit in the communication device 102 by, for example, having the processor 310 execute a computer program stored in the storage unit 307. The processor 310 includes one or more processors, and the memory 311 includes, for example, a volatile memory such as a DRAM.

[0050] The operation unit 303 includes buttons and a touch panel provided on the communication device 102, and accepts user operations via the buttons and GUIs for various operations displayed on the display unit 306. The power supply unit 304 provides power to each unit of the communication device 102. The sensor unit 305 includes various sensors such as a GPS receiver, a gyro sensor, and an imaging element. The sensor unit 305 can acquire the position of the communication device 102 using a GPS signal.

[0051] The display unit 306 includes a display device such as an LCD or an OLED. The display unit 306 displays a GUI based on the content information received from the information processing device 100 in response to an instruction from the control unit 302. The control unit 302 executes an application for the content selection service and displays the content information of the audio content received from the information processing device 100 on the GUI. Note that instead of using the application for the content selection service, the communication device 102 may execute a web browser and display the content information of the audio content received from the information processing device 100 on the GUI.

[0052] 7A to 7D, examples of GUIs that the communication device 102 displays on the display unit 306 will be described. Note that the information displayed in Fig. 7A to 7D may be included in content information received from the information processing device 100, or may be information that the communication device 102 obtains from the content providing device 101 based on access information from the information processing device 100.

[0053] 7A shows an example of a screen 700 that displays information about audio content currently being played. In the screen 700, a first portion of the screen displays information about audio content that is set in positions around the communication device 102, and a second portion of the screen displays information about the audio content currently being played.

[0054] In this screen 700, the communication device 102 displays, for example, map information 701, a current location 702 of the communication device 102, a location where audio content is set, and a predetermined range 703 from the location of the communication device 102, superimposed on the map information. The communication device 102 can display an icon corresponding to the classification of the audio content at the location where the audio content is set. For example, a gourmet icon 704 indicates that the audio content set at that location is, for example, related to gourmet information. A person icon 705 indicates that the audio content set at that location is, for example, a conversation by a specific person. A gourmet icon 706 indicates that the audio content set at that location is related to gourmet information. Because the gourmet icon 706 is outside the predetermined range 703, it may be displayed in a different manner (e.g., grayed out) than the gourmet icon 704 displayed within the predetermined range 703. The user can intuitively understand from the predetermined range 703 that the audio content set within that range will be provided to the communication device 102.

[0055] Furthermore, the communication device 102 displays information about the content being played in an area 710. The information about the content being played includes operation buttons 711 for the audio content, a thumbnail image 712 of the audio content, a title 713 of the audio content, and a provider 714 of the audio content.

[0056] FIG. 7B shows an example of a screen displaying a list of audio content items set in positions around the communication device 102 in addition to information about the content being played. In FIG. 7B, a list of audio content items set in positions other than the audio content being played is displayed in an area 720. The audio content items in the list are, for example, audio content items set in positions within a predetermined range 703. The information about the audio content items in the list includes a thumbnail image 721, a provider 722 of the audio content items, a title 723 of the audio content items, and an operation button 724. Displaying such a GUI allows the user to easily check what audio content items are set in positions around the communication device 102. Furthermore, if the user finds audio content items that are more interesting than the audio content items being played, the user can easily start playing the other audio content items.

[0057] FIG. 7C shows an example of a screen displaying detailed information about specific audio content. The screen shown in FIG. 7C is displayed, for example, when a user presses a detail display button (not shown) on the screen shown in FIG. 7B. The communication device 102 displays detailed information 731 in an area 730 in addition to the audio content information shown in FIG. 7B. The detailed information 731 may include, for example, text information including an explanation about the audio content, an image, a link to an SNS or a web page, and the like. Note that instead of displaying the text information in the area 730, the detailed information 731 may be read aloud. In this case, the user of the vehicle can easily understand the content of the detailed information without having to read the text related to the detailed information.

[0058] 7D shows an example of a notification displayed on a lock screen 740 of the communication device 102 before the screen 700 shown in FIG. 7A is displayed. For example, when the communication device 102 receives access information for audio content from the information processing device 100, the communication device 102 can display (for example, on the lock screen 740) a notification 741 notifying the user of the existence of the audio content. The notification 741 includes a message notifying the user that there is audio content set in the vicinity of the communication device 102. When the user taps the notification 741, the communication device 102 transitions the screen display to, for example, the screen 700 shown in FIG. 7A described above.

[0059] 7A to 7D, an example has been described in which the current location 702 of the communication device 102 is used, but a location (designated location) designated by the user in the map information may be used instead of the current location 702. In this case, the predetermined range 703 indicates a predetermined range from the designated location, and the map information, area 710, area 720, and area 730 display information about audio content set in locations around the designated location.

[0060] 3 again. The storage unit 307 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor memory, and stores programs and setting values ​​executed by the control unit 302. The computer programs stored in the storage unit 307 include an operating system for implementing the various functions of the communication device 102, and various applications including an application for the content selection service described above.

[0061] <Series of operations in content selection processing in information processing device> Next, a series of operations in the content selection process executed in the information processing device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. This process is realized by the processor 210 of the control unit 202 executing a computer program recorded in the storage unit 204.

[0062] In S501, the content registration unit 216 acquires access information for audio content provided from the content providing device 101 from the communication device 103 of the content creator. The access information for the audio content is the information described with reference to FIG. 4A, such as the URL of the audio content or an RSS feed containing information for accessing the audio content. In S502, information on access conditions set for the audio content is acquired from the communication device 103. The information on the access conditions is the information described with reference to FIG. 4A.

[0063] In S503, the content information management unit 212 associates the access information and access conditions acquired in S501 and S502 and stores them in a database (content information 220 in the storage unit 204). In S504, the location information acquisition unit 213 acquires location information of the communication device 102 used by the user 104. In S505, the content identification unit 214 identifies audio content to which the communication device 102 will be provided access, based on the location of the communication device 102 and the access conditions. The content identification unit 214 identifies the audio content by the processing example described with reference to FIG. 2. In S506, the content information provision unit 215 provides the communication device 102 with content information including the access information of the identified audio content by the processing example described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0064] <Series of operations for content display processing in a communication device> Next, a series of operations in the content display process executed in the communication device 102 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. This process is realized by the processor 310 of the control unit 302 executing a computer program recorded in the storage unit 307.

[0065] In S601, the control unit 302 transmits location information (information on the location of the communication device 102 or a specified location specified in the communication device 102) to the information processing device 100. In S602, the control unit 302 acquires content information including access information for audio content from the information processing device 100. The content information including access information transmitted from the information processing device 100 is content information provided by the content information providing unit 215 described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0066] In S603, the control unit 302 uses the access information of the audio content to access the audio content in the content providing device 101. As described above, the access information acquired from the information processing device 100 includes, for example, a URL for accessing the content providing device 101, and therefore the control unit 302 accesses the audio content using, for example, the URL.

[0067] In S604, the control unit 302 acquires information about the audio content from the content providing device 101 and displays the information about the audio content on the display unit 306. The control unit 302 may display, for example, the notification shown in Fig. 7D. Alternatively, the control unit 302 may acquire, from the information processing device 100, map information related to the audio content, information about audio content set at locations around the location of the communication device 102 or the specified location, or the like, and display the screen 700 shown in Fig. 7A. The control unit 302 may further start streaming of the audio content.

[0068] Next, a series of operations including the registration of audio content in the information processing device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. This processing is realized by the processor 210 of the control unit 202 executing a computer program recorded in the storage unit 204.

[0069] In S801, the content registration unit 216 acquires access information for audio content created by the content creator 105 and location information to be set for the audio content. The access information for the audio content created by the content creator 105 is access information for the content providing device 101 described above.

[0070] In S802, the content registration unit 216 associates access information for the audio content with location information and registers the information as content information 220 described with reference to FIG. 4A, for example. The content creator 105 can set access conditions such as the conditions for moving the registered location described above. The content registration unit 216 can also update the location information set in the audio content based on new location information from the communication device 103 of the content creator 105. That is, the content creator 105 can change the location information set in the audio content. For example, if gourmet information for a store is set at the store's location in map information, the registered location of the audio content can be changed if the store relocates. Alternatively, the content creator 105 can change the registered location to a location that is more likely to be in contact with users than the previously set location.

[0071] As described above with reference to FIG. 4A , the content registration unit 216 can register the location of the communication device 103 of the content creator 105 in association with the location information to be set for the audio content. In this way, the location where the audio content can be viewed changes as the content creator 105 moves, thereby creating the impression that other users may encounter the audio content, thereby diversifying the audio content. Furthermore, as described above with reference to FIG. 4A , the content registration unit 216 can register multiple pieces of location information as the location information to be set for the audio content. By allowing multiple pieces of location information to be set for the audio content, the content creator 105 can have the opportunity to have the audio content viewed from multiple locations. Furthermore, the content registration unit 216 can register the location information to be set for the audio content so that it switches sequentially among the multiple pieces of location information. For example, the content creator 105 can register, in the audio content, location information that indicates movement along a fixed route at a fixed time. The information processing device 100 can provide a user who views the audio content with a new viewing experience, such as listening to the audio content while traveling along the route. The content registration unit 216 may further associate and register a plurality of audio contents created by the content creator 105. This may provide, for example, a tour-like viewing experience in which a series of audio contents are strung together and viewed in order while moving through the series of audio contents. For example, if audio contents are set for each station on a predetermined line, the user 104 can view the audio contents in order according to the movement while moving through the stations on the line.

[0072] Note that the information processing device 100 may, before registering audio content, acquire location information to be set in the audio content, and provide the communication device 103 with content information on audio content of other users that is set at a location within a predetermined distance from the location information, using the content information providing unit 215. For example, when acquiring location information to be set in the audio content from the communication device 103, the content information providing unit 215 may provide the communication device 103 with content information on the audio content shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 shows an example in which an example of content information is displayed on map information 901 on a screen 900 of the communication device 103. For example, upon receiving the location information, the content information providing unit 215 provides the communication device 103 with information (e.g., 904, 905, 906, etc.) indicating the locations of audio content of other users that is set at a location within a predetermined distance from a location 902 indicated by the location information. At this time, information 903 indicating a measure of distance may be added. By referring to such screen 900, the content creator 105 can consider what location should be set for the audio content.

[0073] In S803, the information processing device 100 acquires, from the communication device 102, location information of the communication device 102 of a user 104 other than the content creator 105 or location information specified by the communication device 102. In S804, the information processing device 100 provides access information for the audio content to the communication device 102 based on the location information from the communication device 102 and the location information set in the audio content. Note that the processing of S803 and S804 may be similar to S504 to S506 of the series of operations shown in FIG. 5.

[0074] As described above, the information processing device 100 stores access information for audio content provided by the content providing device 101 in association with information on the access conditions of the audio content, and acquires location information for the communication device 102 used by the user from the communication device 102. The information processing device 100 then identifies audio content for which access is to be provided to the communication device 102 based on the access conditions of the audio content, and provides content information including access information associated with the identified audio content to the communication device 102. In this way, it becomes possible to provide appropriate content from among the content provided by the content providing service to the user.

[0075] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 registers audio content that is provided by the content providing device 101 and that is created by the content creator 105, acquires location information from the communication device 102 used by the user 104, and provides content information including access information to the audio content to the communication device 102. At this time, the information processing device 100 acquires and registers the access information to the audio content and location information to be set in the audio content from the communication device 103, and provides the content information including the access information for the audio content to the communication device 102 based on the location information from the communication device 102 and the location information set in the audio content. In this way, the content creator can increase the opportunity to provide content provided by the content providing service to users suitable for the audio content.

[0076] Furthermore, by providing appropriate audio content to the user 104 according to the above-described embodiment, the user 104 can reduce the number of times that the user 104 performs a content search to find the desired content, which also reduces the processing load on the server for searching for content.

[0077] <Summary of the embodiment> In the above-described embodiments, the following information processing device, information processing method, information processing system, program, and storage medium are provided.

[0078] (Item 1-1) a storage means for storing access information for audio content provided from an external server for providing content in association with information on access conditions for the audio content; an acquisition means for acquiring location information of a communication terminal used by a user; a specifying means for specifying audio content to which the communication terminal is to be provided access based on an access condition of the audio content; providing means for providing content information including the access information associated with the specified audio content to the communication terminal.

[0079] (Item 1-2) the information on the access conditions for the audio content includes location information set for the audio content; Item 1-1. The information processing device according to item 1-1, wherein the providing means provides the communication terminal with location information set for the identified audio content.

[0080] (Item 1-3) 3. The information processing device according to item 1-2, wherein the providing means provides the communication terminal with the content information of audio content for which the location of the communication terminal satisfies the access condition.

[0081] (Items 1-4) The acquiring means further acquires, from the communication terminal, a designated position designated on the communication terminal; 3. The information processing device according to item 1-2, wherein the providing means provides the content information of audio content included within a predetermined range from the specified position to the communication terminal.

[0082] (Items 1-5) 5. The information processing device according to item 1-4, wherein the providing means provides the communication terminal with the content information of audio content prioritized in order of proximity to the specified position or the position of the communication terminal.

[0083] (Items 1-6) The information processing device described in item 1-4 is characterized in that it further has an estimation means for estimating audio content with a high priority for a user based on information indicating the operation history of audio content on the communication terminal obtained from the communication terminal.

[0084] (Items 1-7) The information processing device described in items 1-6, characterized in that the providing means provides the content information of the audio content estimated by the estimation means to the communication terminal when there is no audio content within the specified range from the specified position.

[0085] (Items 1-8) An information processing device as described in item 1-7, characterized in that when there is no audio content within the specified range from the specified position and there is no audio content estimated by the estimation means, the content information of the audio content is provided to the communication terminal according to a ranking determined based on the operation history of multiple users.

[0086] (Items 1-9) 1. An information processing method executed in an information processing device having a storage means for storing access information for audio content provided from an external server for providing content in association with information on access conditions for the audio content, the method comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring location information of a communication terminal used by a user from the communication terminal; a specifying step of specifying audio content to which the communication terminal is to be provided access based on an access condition of the audio content; providing content information including the access information associated with the specified audio content to the communication terminal.

[0087] (Items 1-10) An information processing system including an information processing device and a communication terminal used by a user, The information processing device includes: a storage means for storing access information for audio content provided from an external server for providing content in association with information on access conditions for the audio content; an acquisition means for acquiring location information of the communication terminal; a specifying means for specifying audio content to which the communication terminal is to be provided access based on an access condition of the audio content; providing means for providing content information including the access information associated with the identified audio content to the communication terminal; The communication terminal a transmitting means for transmitting location information of the communication terminal to the information processing device; displaying content information of the audio content provided from the information processing device on a display means, and starting playback of the audio content from the external server; An information processing system comprising:

[0088] (Item 1-11) A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the information processing device according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-8.

[0089] (Items 1-12) A storage medium that stores a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing device according to any one of items 1-1 to 1-8.

[0090] (Item 2-1) a registration means for registering audio content provided from an external server for providing content and created by a first user; an acquisition means for acquiring location information of a second communication terminal used by a second user or location information designated in the second communication terminal; means for providing content information including access information to the audio content to the second communication terminal; the registration means acquires the access information to the audio content and location information to be set for the audio content from a first communication terminal used by the first user and registers them; The providing means provides content information including the access information of the audio content to the second communication terminal based on the location information of the second communication terminal or the location information specified in the second communication terminal and the location information set in the audio content.

[0091] (Item 2-2) Item 2-1. The information processing device according to item 2-1, wherein the registration means updates the location information set in the audio content based on new location information from the first communication terminal.

[0092] (Item 2-3) The information processing device described in item 2-1 is characterized in that the providing means further acquires location information set in the audio content before registering the audio content, and provides the first communication terminal with content information of other users' audio content set in locations within a predetermined distance from the location information.

[0093] (Item 2-4) Item 2-1. The information processing device according to item 2-1, wherein the registration means registers the location of the first communication terminal in association with location information set in the audio content.

[0094] (Item 2-5) Item 2-1. The information processing device according to item 2-1, wherein the registration means registers a plurality of pieces of location information as the location information to be set in the audio content.

[0095] (Item 2-6) Item 2-1. The information processing device according to item 2-1, wherein the registration means registers the location information to be set in the audio content so that the location information is switched sequentially among a plurality of pieces of location information.

[0096] (Item 2-7) Item 2-1: The information processing device according to item 2-1, wherein the registration means associates and registers a plurality of pieces of audio content created by the first user.

[0097] (Item 2-8) An information processing method executed in an information processing device, a registration step of registering audio content provided from an external server for providing content and created by a first user; an acquisition step of acquiring location information of a second communication terminal used by a second user or location information designated in the second communication terminal; providing content information including access information to the audio content to the second communication terminal; In the registration step, the access information to the audio content and location information to be set for the audio content are acquired from a first communication terminal used by the first user and registered; An information processing method in which, in the providing step, content information including the access information of the audio content is provided to the second communication terminal based on location information of the second communication terminal or location information specified in the second communication terminal and location information set in the audio content.

[0098] (Item 2-9) An information processing system including an information processing device and a first communication terminal used by a first user, The information processing device includes: a registration means for registering audio content provided from an external server for providing content and created by the first user; an acquisition means for acquiring location information of a second communication terminal used by a second user or location information designated in the second communication terminal; means for providing content information including access information to the audio content to the second communication terminal; the registration means acquires the access information to the audio content and location information to be set for the audio content from the first communication terminal used by the first user and registers them; the providing means provides content information including the access information of the audio content to the second communication terminal based on location information of the second communication terminal or location information designated in the second communication terminal and location information set in the audio content; The first communication terminal access information acquiring means for acquiring the access information to the audio content from the external server for providing the content; an information processing system comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits the access information to the audio content and location information to be set in the audio content to the information processing device;

[0099] (Item 2-10) A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the information processing device according to any one of items 2-1 to 2-7.

[0100] (Item 2-11) A storage medium that stores a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing device according to any one of items 2-1 to 2-7.

[0101] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 100...information processing device, 101...content providing device, 102...communication device, 103...communication device, 212...content information management unit, 213...location information acquisition unit, 214...content identification unit, 215...content information providing unit, 216...content registration unit

Claims

1. a storage means for storing access information for audio content provided from an external server for providing content in association with information on access conditions for the audio content, including location information set for the audio content; an acquisition means for acquiring location information of a communication terminal used by a user; a specifying means for specifying audio content to which the communication terminal is to be provided access based on a location of the communication terminal and an access condition of the audio content; providing means for providing content information including the access information associated with the identified audio content to the communication terminal; an estimation means for estimating audio content having a high priority for a user based on information indicating an operation history of the communication terminal with respect to the audio content, the information being acquired from the communication terminal; the access information includes information for accessing, from the communication terminal, the audio content stored in the external server for providing the content; the providing means provides the communication terminal with location information set for the identified audio content; Furthermore, the acquisition means acquires from the communication terminal a designated position designated in the communication terminal, The providing means provides the content information of the audio content included within a predetermined range from the designated position to the communication terminal.

2. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said providing means provides said content information of audio content to said communication terminal, the content information being provided by said communication terminal at a location where said communication terminal satisfies said access condition.

3. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the providing means provides the communication terminal with the content information of audio contents prioritized in order of proximity to the specified position or the position of the communication terminal.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the providing means provides the content information of the audio content estimated by the estimation means to the communication terminal when there is no audio content within the specified range from the specified position.

5. The information processing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, when there is no audio content within the specified range from the specified position and there is no audio content estimated by the estimation means, the content information of the audio content is provided to the communication terminal according to a ranking determined based on the operation histories of multiple users.

6. 1. An information processing method executed in an information processing device having a storage means for storing access information for audio content provided from an external server for providing content in association with information on access conditions for the audio content, including location information set for the audio content, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring location information of a communication terminal used by a user; a specifying step of specifying audio content to which the communication terminal is to be provided access based on a location of the communication terminal and an access condition of the audio content; a providing step of providing content information including the access information associated with the identified audio content to the communication terminal; an estimation step of estimating audio content having a high priority for a user based on information indicating an operation history of the communication terminal with respect to audio content, the information being acquired from the communication terminal; the access information includes information for accessing, from the communication terminal, the audio content stored in the external server for providing the content; In the providing step, location information set for the specified audio content is provided to the communication terminal; Furthermore, in the acquiring step, a designated position designated in the communication terminal is acquired from the communication terminal; In the providing step, the content information of the audio content included within a predetermined range from the designated position is provided to the communication terminal.

7. An information processing system including an information processing device and a communication terminal used by a user, The information processing device includes: a storage means for storing access information for audio content provided from an external server for providing content in association with information on access conditions for the audio content, including location information set for the audio content; an acquisition means for acquiring location information of the communication terminal; a specifying means for specifying audio content to which the communication terminal is to be provided access based on a location of the communication terminal and an access condition of the audio content; providing means for providing content information including the access information associated with the identified audio content to the communication terminal; an estimation means for estimating audio content having a high priority for a user based on information indicating an operation history of the communication terminal with respect to the audio content, the information being acquired from the communication terminal; the access information includes information for accessing, from the communication terminal, the audio content stored in the external server for providing the content; the providing means provides the communication terminal with location information set for the identified audio content; Furthermore, the acquisition means acquires from the communication terminal a designated position designated in the communication terminal, the providing means provides the communication terminal with the content information of the audio content included within a predetermined range from the designated position; The communication terminal a transmitting means for transmitting location information of the communication terminal to the information processing device; displaying content information of the audio content provided from the information processing device on a display means, and starting playback of the audio content from the external server; An information processing system comprising:

8. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. A storage medium for storing a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images