JP2009025998A - Showpiece guide system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a showpiece guide system which can deliver sub content to all members in a group who have come to the vicinity of a showpiece in synchronization with reproduction of main content describing the contents of the showpiece. <P>SOLUTION: When an IC tag 61 owned by an IC tag owner in a delivery area 70 set in the vicinity of a video information reproducer 20 is detected, a reader/writer 30 transmits the user IDs of all users belonging to a group 50 of the IC tag owner to a sound information delivery server 10 according to a user ID acquired from the IC tag 61. The sound information delivery server 10 monitors a user 51 entering and exiting the delivery area 70, by using the user ID sent from the reader/writer 30 and delivers sound information to the PDA 60 of a user 51 who has entered the delivery area 70 according to the reproduction elapsed time of video information reproduced by the video information reproducer 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system and a method for providing a user with a detailed description of an exhibit such as an introduction of an artist.

Conventionally, in art galleries and exhibitions, audio guides have been developed that provide audio information on detailed explanations of exhibits, such as introductions of works of art, to users who are viewing the exhibits. In recent years, in addition to audio information, Audio / video guides that provide video information to users have also been developed.

In general, in the audio guide, audio information related to the exhibit is provided to all users through speakers or the like provided by the playback device. In the audio / video guide, the audio / video information related to the exhibit is displayed in front of or next to the exhibit. Is provided to all users by a video playback device (for example, a monitor) attached to the computer.

  As an audio guide for providing audio information related to an exhibition to a user only for a user who has come to the vicinity of the exhibition, Patent Document 1 discloses identification information for identifying an exhibition near the exhibition. A wireless transmitter that transmits wirelessly is installed, a plurality of audio information relating to various exhibits is stored in an information terminal possessed by the user, and the audio information corresponding to the identification information received from the wireless transmitter is stored in the information terminal An audio guide for selecting and outputting is disclosed.

However, with the above-described method, the audio information related to the contents of the exhibit is fixed, and audio information suitable for the user cannot be provided. For example, voice information corresponding to the language desired by the user or voice information suitable for the user's age cannot be provided to the user.

  As a voice guide for providing voice information suitable for a user according to the user, Patent Document 2 discloses a telephone number of a user's mobile phone and user attribute information (for example, explanation in Japanese) in a non-contact type IC card. Or an explanation in English) is recorded on the non-contact IC card possessed by the user, and when the user comes in front of the exhibition, the non-contact type IC card reader stores the information in the non-contact type IC card. A voice guide is disclosed that reads these pieces of information and provides voice information related to the exhibits according to the user attribute information read from the non-contact IC card to a mobile phone that is an information terminal possessed by the user.

However, when the above-described invention is applied to an audio / video guide that provides video information using a monitor or the like, an information terminal possessed by a user who came to a specific place such as a museum (for example, in front of an exhibit) In this case, since the audio information is individually reproduced in this case, the video information reproduced on the monitor cannot be synchronized with the audio information reproduced on the information terminal. , Sub-contents (for example, audio) are synchronized with the reproduction of main contents (for example, video information) explaining the contents of the exhibits for users who have come to the vicinity of the exhibits in the museum or other places where exhibits are exhibited. An exhibit guide system for distributing information) to a user is disclosed.

JP-A-5-333799 JP 2004-295595 A

  In the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-278991, a user has a wireless identification medium (for example, an IC tag) and an information terminal in order to be provided with sub-contents related to the main content of the exhibit. By entering the distribution area set in the main content playback device that plays back the main content of the product, the sub content is distributed from the sub content playback device to the information terminal owned by the user.

  However, when a user acts in a group composed of a plurality of users, it is troublesome for all users belonging to the group to possess the wireless identification medium, and furthermore, all users belonging to the group are distributed at once. There is a case where the sub-content cannot be distributed to all users belonging to the group without necessarily entering the area.

  Therefore, the present invention does not allow all users belonging to the group to possess a wireless identification medium, but to all users belonging to the group who came in the vicinity of the exhibit where the exhibit is exhibited, such as a museum. An object of the present invention is to provide an exhibit guide system and method capable of easily distributing sub-contents (for example, audio information) to a user in synchronization with reproduction of main contents (for example, video information) explaining the contents of an exhibit. .

  A first invention that solves the above-described problem is an exhibit guide system that provides the contents of an exhibit, a main content playback device that plays back the main content related to the exhibit, and a group composed of a plurality of the users Information terminals possessed by all the users belonging to the group, radio identification media possessed by a part of the users (identification media holders), a radio identification medium detector for detecting the radio identification media, and A group specifying device for specifying a group and a sub-content distribution device for distributing sub-contents of the main content to the information terminal.

  The main content playback device includes means for playing back the main content related to the exhibit, and means for returning the identification information of the main content being played back and its playback elapsed time in response to an external request, The information terminal includes means for reproducing sub-contents of the main content.

  Further, the wireless identification medium stores a user ID of the identification medium holder, and the wireless identification medium detector is installed for each main content reproduction device, and the detected user ID is stored in the wireless identification medium. get.

  Further, the group specifying device refers to the database storing the user IDs of all the users belonging to the group of the identification medium holder in association with the user ID of the identification medium owner, and the database. Means for acquiring user IDs of all the users belonging to the group of the identification medium holders from the user IDs of the identification medium holders acquired by the wireless identification medium unit.

  Further, the sub-content distribution device is defined in a range in which the wireless identification medium detection detects the wireless identification medium, and the group specifying device determines whether the user enters or leaves an area set for each main content reproduction device. Area monitoring means for judging by holding the acquired user ID for each area, and when the area monitoring means judges that the identification medium holder has entered the area, the user who has been delivered by referring to the database Based on the ID, information terminal specifying means for acquiring an address of the information terminal that distributes the sub-content, and the main content playback device specified from the wireless identification medium terminal that has detected the wireless identification medium, and the specified main content playback In the device, identification information of the main content being played back and the playback progress When the main content is being played back, the sub-content is specified from the identification information of the main content being played back, and the information terminal specifying means acquired in accordance with the elapsed playback time of the main content Sub-content distribution means for distributing to the address of the information terminal is provided.

  Furthermore, the second invention is the exhibit guide system according to the first invention, wherein the sub-content distribution means of the sub-content distribution device determines that the user has left the area by the area monitoring means. Then, the information terminal is identified from the user ID, and the distribution of the sub-content to the identified information terminal is stopped.

  Further, a third invention is the exhibit guide system according to the first invention or the second invention, wherein the sub-content distribution device stores the attribute information of the user in association with a user ID. Further, for each of the main contents, a plurality of the sub contents corresponding to the attribute information are stored, and when the sub contents are distributed to the information terminal, from the user ID transmitted from the group specifying device, The attribute information of a user who has entered the area is specified, and the sub-content corresponding to the specified attribute information is distributed to the information terminal.

  Furthermore, a fourth invention is the exhibit guide system according to any one of the first invention to the third invention, wherein the main content reproduction device is an operation means for starting / stopping reproduction of the main content. Only when the main content is being played back, the sub-content delivery device is notified of the main content being played back and the elapsed playback time, and the sub-content delivery means of the sub-content delivery device When the main content being played back and the elapsed playback time are not notified from the device, delivery of the sub-content to the information terminal is put on standby.

  Further, a fifth invention is the exhibit guide system according to the fourth invention, wherein the area monitoring means of the sub-content distribution device is in a waiting state for the distribution of the sub-content. When the main content being reproduced and the elapsed playback time are notified from the user ID held in association with the area of the main content playback apparatus that has notified the main content being reproduced and the elapsed playback time. The sub-content is distributed to all the specified information terminals.

  Further, a sixth invention is the exhibit guide system according to the fourth invention or the fifth invention, wherein the main content reproduction device is configured such that when the main content is not reproduced by the identified main content reproduction device. The content urging the user to start the reproduction of the main content is distributed to the identified main content reproduction device.

  Further, a seventh invention is the exhibit guide system according to any one of the first invention to the sixth invention, wherein the wireless identification medium detector for detecting the wireless identification medium is the main content reproduction device. It has the some antenna arrange | positioned in the vicinity.

  Further, an eighth invention is the exhibit guide system according to any one of the first invention to the seventh invention, wherein the sub-content distribution device is identified from the user ID in association with the user ID. The log of the sub-content distributed to the information terminal is stored.

  Furthermore, a ninth invention is an exhibit guide method for providing the contents of an exhibit to a user, and the exhibit guide method is a radio installed for each main content playback device that plays back the main content related to the exhibit. An identification medium detector detects a wireless identification medium possessed by a part of the group composed of a plurality of users, and from the detected wireless identification medium, the user (identification) possessing the wireless identification medium Step a for obtaining a user ID of a medium owner), an apparatus comprising a database storing user IDs of all the users belonging to the group of the identification medium owner in association with the user ID of the identification medium owner Is detected by the wireless identification medium device from the user ID acquired by the wireless identification medium device with reference to the database. Identifying the group of the identification medium holders who possess the line identification medium device, obtaining user IDs of all the users belonging to the identified group, and distributing sub-contents of the main content to the information terminal The sub-content distribution device is transmitted from the group specifying device that the user has entered / exited into the area defined for each main content playback device, which is defined in a range in which the wireless identification medium detection detects the wireless identification medium In step c where the user ID is determined for each area, and in step c, when the sub-content distribution device determines that the user has entered the area, from the wireless identification medium terminal that transmitted the user ID The main content playback device is identified and the identified main Inquires the content reproduction apparatus for the main content being reproduced and its elapsed playback time, and when the main content is being reproduced, the main content corresponding to the main content being reproduced is matched with the elapsed reproduction time of the main content being reproduced. The step d of delivering the sub-content to the information terminal possessed by the user specified by the user ID is executed.

  Furthermore, the tenth invention is the exhibit guide method according to the ninth invention, wherein when the sub-content distribution device determines in step c that the user has left the area, the sub-content distribution is performed. A step e is executed in which the device stops the delivery of the sub-content to the information terminal possessed by the user specified by the user ID.

  Furthermore, an eleventh invention is the exhibit guide method according to the ninth invention or the tenth invention, wherein the sub-content distribution device stores the attribute information of the user in association with a user ID. Further, for each of the main contents, a plurality of the sub contents corresponding to the attribute information are stored, and when the sub contents are distributed to the information terminal in the step c, the sub contents are distributed. The attribute information of the user is specified from the user ID of the user possessing the information terminal, and the sub-content corresponding to the specified attribute information is distributed to the information terminal.

  According to the above-described invention, for each main content playback device, the area defined by the range in which the wireless identification medium detection detects the wireless identification medium is set, and the wireless identification detected by the wireless identification medium detector The main content reproduction can be performed for the user who has come near an exhibit at a place where an exhibit such as an art museum is displayed by monitoring the user's access to the area using a user ID read from a medium. The sub-content corresponding to the main content reproduced by the device can be distributed.

  In the present invention, the wireless identification medium device obtains the data by referring to a database storing the user IDs of all the users belonging to the group of the identification medium holder in association with the user ID of the identification medium owner. To the area by obtaining a user ID of all the users belonging to the group of the identification medium holders who possess the wireless identification medium device detected by the wireless identification medium device from the user ID It is possible to determine the entry / exit of each sub-group, and the sub-content can be distributed to the user other than the owner of the identification medium.

  Further, when the sub-content is distributed, the sub-content can be distributed in synchronization with the reproduction of the main content by acquiring the main content reproduced by the main content reproduction apparatus and the elapsed reproduction time. Become.

  Further, the sub-content of the main content is stored for each attribute information of the user, and the sub-content suitable for the user is distributed by specifying the attribute information from the user ID read from the wireless identification medium It becomes possible to do.

  Furthermore, since the main content reproduction apparatus includes the operation means for starting / stopping reproduction of the main content, the user can browse the main content from the beginning when the user comes near the exhibit. .

  Note that when the main content is started to be played back, it is preferable that the sub-content is distributed to all the users in the vicinity of the main content playback device that has started the playback, and the main content is started to be played back. If not, it is preferable to display on the main content playback device content that prompts the main content to be played back.

  Furthermore, the wireless identification medium detector for detecting the wireless identification medium includes a plurality of antennas, and each antenna has directivity, whereby the size of the area can be easily set and changed.

  Furthermore, the log of the sub-content distributed to the user is held for each user, so that the log of the sub-content can be provided to the user.

  In the present invention, the main content is content that explains the contents of the exhibit, and is common content to the user, and video information and image information are suitable as the main content. Further, the sub-content is a pair of contents corresponding to the main content in the time axis, and may be different for each attribute information of the user. The sub-content includes audio information, video information, image information, and the like. Is preferred.

  The attribute information of the user means information indicating a language, age, and operation mode desired by the user (such as an automatic mode of content playback or a manual mode), and the information terminal refers to the sub-content. A PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) or a mobile phone is desirable as a terminal having a playback function.

  According to the present invention described above, all users belonging to a group who come near an exhibit at a place where exhibits are exhibited without having a wireless identification medium owned by all users belonging to the group are displayed. Thus, it is possible to provide an exhibit guide system and method that can easily distribute sub-contents (for example, audio information) to users in synchronization with the reproduction of main contents (for example, video information) that explain the contents of exhibits.

  From here, the exhibit guide system 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exhibit guide system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, in the exhibit guide system 1 according to the present invention, a video playback device 20 serving as a main content playback device for playing back video information as main content is installed in front of an exhibit 90, and this video playback device. At 20, the video information describing the contents of the exhibit 90 is reproduced.

  In the exhibit guide system 1 according to the present invention, audio information that is sub-content of video information is not reproduced by the video reproduction device 20, but is a PDA 60 (Personal Digital) which is an information terminal possessed by the user 51 who browses the exhibit 90. Played by the Assistant).

  The user 51 of the exhibit guide system 1 acts in units of groups 50 composed of a plurality of users 51, and in order to identify each group 50, the group 50 is given a group ID 50a.

  Some users 51 of the group 50 have an IC tag 61 that is a wireless identification medium, and other users 51 do not have an IC tag 61. For example, in the case of a group 50 composed of a museum guide and a museum visitor, the user 51 holding the IC tag 61 is a museum guide, and the user 51 not holding the IC tag 61 is a museum visitor. become.

  In the future, when the user 51 who owns the IC tag 61 and the user 51 who does not possess the IC tag 61 are explicitly distinguished, the user 51 who possesses the IC tag 61 is described as an IC tag owner.

  The IC tag 61 possessed by the IC tag holder stores a user ID that is information for identifying the IC tag holder. When the reader / writer 30 detects the IC tag 61, the audio information distribution server 10 detects the IC tag 61. The group 50 to which the IC tag holder belongs is specified from the user ID stored in the ID, and the audio information which is the sub-content of the video information is distributed to the PDA 60 owned by the user 51 belonging to the specified group 50.

  In order to distribute audio information to the PDA 60 possessed by each user 51 belonging to the group 50, the exhibition guide system 1 has an audio information distribution server 10 serving as a sub-content distribution device for distributing audio information to the PDA 60. A wireless router 80 serving as a relay station when the audio information distributed from the audio information distribution server 10 is wirelessly distributed to the PDA 60 is disposed on the network 40.

  The audio information distribution server 10 sets an area 70 (hereinafter referred to as distribution area) for distributing audio information related to the exhibit 90, and when the video information is being played back by the video playback device 20, the IC in the distribution area 70 is set. For all PDAs 60 possessed by the users 51 of the group 50 to which the tag holder belongs, the audio information corresponding to the video information being played back by the video playback device 20 is reproduced as the video information being played back by the video playback device 20. Deliver according to the elapsed time.

  The distribution area 70 is set for each video playback device 20, and has two antennas 31a and 31b near the video playback device 20 in order to monitor the user's entry and exit from the distribution area 70. A reader / writer 30 that communicates with each other is installed. The position and size of the distribution area 70 are defined by the range in which the reader / writer 30 can detect the IC tag 61.

  In addition, the audio | voice information delivery server 10 memorize | stores the some audio | voice information corresponding to each user's 51 attribute information (for example, the language which a user desires) for every video information, and PDA60 which the user 51 possesses is stored. Audio information corresponding to each attribute information is distributed.

  That is, in the exhibit guide system 1 according to the present invention, when the IC tag holder who has the IC tag 61 enters the distribution area 70, the IC tag holder including the user 51 who does not have the IC tag 61 can be In the PDA 60 possessed by all users 51 belonging to the group 50 to which it belongs, audio information corresponding to the attribute information of each user 51 is reproduced in accordance with the reproduction location of the video information reproduced by the video reproduction device 20.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the exhibit guide system 1. The IC tag 61 possessed by the IC tag holder is an IC tag 61 using a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band, and the memory of the IC tag 61 is information for identifying the IC tag holder. A user ID is stored.

  In addition, the PDA 60 possessed by the user 51 is assigned a unique address (hereinafter referred to as a PDA address) on the network 40, and in addition to means for communicating with the wireless router 80 serving as an access point for wireless communication, The audio information streamed from the audio information distribution server 10 is converted into an analog signal, and the converted analog signal is output to an earphone jack or the like.

  The video playback device 20 that plays back video information that is the main content is realized by combining a monitor and a video server. A unique address (hereinafter referred to as a video playback device address) is assigned to the video playback device 20 on the network 40. The video playback device 20 is provided with means for storing video information to be played back and playing back the stored video information on a monitor.

  The video playback device 20 is connected to the network 40. When the video information playback device 20 receives a playback information notification request indicating the playback status of the video information from the audio information distribution server 10 via the network 40, the video playback device 20 plays back the video information. Information is notified to the voice information distribution server 10. In addition to the information indicating the reproduction / stop of the video information, this reproduction information includes identification information given to the video information being reproduced and the elapsed reproduction time when the video information is being reproduced.

  In the exhibit guide system 1, a reader / writer 30 is installed for each exhibit 90 in order to monitor the entry / exit of the IC tag holder to / from the distribution area 70. The reader / writer 30 is a device that communicates with the IC tag 61 possessed by the IC tag holder, and includes two antennas 31 a and 31 b for transmitting radio waves to the IC tag 61. A unique address (hereinafter referred to as a reader / writer address) is allocated.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the two antennas 31 a and 31 b included in the reader / writer 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the two antennas 31 a and 31 b are arranged on the left and right sides of the video reproduction device 20, respectively, and the antenna 31 a is located on the right side when viewed from the video reproduction device 20 by adjusting the directivity of the antennas 31 a and 31 b. The IC tag 61 is set to detect the IC tag 61 held by the IC tag holder in the left side, and the antenna 31b is set to detect the IC tag 61 held by the IC tag holder on the left side.

  The distribution area 70 (shaded portion) is defined by the detection range of the antenna 31a and the detection range of the antenna 31b, and the horizontal size of the distribution area 70 depends on the installation interval between the two antennas 31a and 31b. Since the vertical size of 70 depends on the outputs of the antennas 31a and 31b, adjusting the installation interval of the two antennas 31a and 31b, the outputs of the antennas 31a and 31b, etc. allows the distribution area 70 to have an arbitrary shape / It is possible to set the size.

  In the present embodiment, the function as a group specifying device that specifies the group 50 to which the IC tag holder in the distribution area 70 belongs and acquires the user IDs of all the users 51 belonging to the specified group 50 is provided to the reader / writer 30. In order to realize this function, the reader / writer 30 associates with the user ID of the IC tag holder and stores the user IDs of all users 51 belonging to the IC tag holder group 50 (hereinafter referred to as DB). : Group Base 33 which is a data base) and a group identification means for identifying the group 50 to which the IC tag holder belongs from the user ID received from the IC tag 61 and acquiring the user IDs of all the user IDs 51 belonging to the identified group 50 32.

  The group DB 33 provided in the reader / writer 30 is realized by an information storage device such as a hard disk, and the group specifying means 32 is realized by a computer program for causing the CPU of the reader / writer 30 to function as the group specifying means 32.

  FIG. 4 is an example of the group DB 33 provided in the reader / writer 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the group DB 33 includes a user ID stored in the IC tag 61 possessed by the IC tag holder and a user 51 who belongs to the same group 50 as the IC tag holder and does not have the IC tag 61. The user ID assigned to the user ID is described, and for each user ID, the group ID 50a of the group 50 to which the user 51 belongs is described.

  When the group identification means 32 provided in the reader / writer 30 receives the user ID from the IC tag 61 possessed by the IC tag holder in the distribution area 70, the group identification means 32 refers to the group DB 33 and identifies the group 50 to which the IC tag holder belongs. After specifying and acquiring the user IDs of all the users 51 belonging to the specified group 50, all the acquired user IDs are transmitted to the voice information distribution server 10.

  For example, according to FIG. 4, when the user A and the user D are IC tag holders, the user 51 constituting the group 50 to which the user A belongs, that is, the group 50 whose group ID 50a is G01, is the IC tag holder. In addition to user A, user B and user C. Moreover, the user 51 which comprises the group 50 to which the user D belongs, ie, the group 50 whose group ID 50a is G02, is the user E and the user F in addition to the user D who is the IC tag holder.

  Therefore, when the reader / writer 30 receives the user ID of the user A, the user IDs of the user A, the user B, and the user C configuring the group 50 whose group ID 50a is G01 are transmitted to the voice information distribution server 10. .

  The voice information distribution server 10 to which the user ID is transmitted from the reader / writer 30 keeps a list of user IDs transmitted from the reader / writer 30, thereby monitoring the entry / exit of the IC tag holder in the distribution area 70.

  That is, when a user ID that is not held by the voice information distribution server 10 is acquired from the reader / writer 30, it is determined that a new user 51 has entered the distribution area 70, and a user ID that the voice information distribution server 10 does not hold is determined. The voice information distribution server 10 adds the user ID to the list.

  Furthermore, the voice information distribution server 10 determines that the IC tag holder has come out of the distribution area 70 when the already held user ID is not transmitted from the reader / writer 30, and the user who is no longer transmitted from the reader / writer 30. The ID is deleted from the list of user IDs held by the voice information distribution server 10.

  The audio information distribution server 10 connected to the network 40 has, as a database, a video information DB 17 that stores information related to video information in association with video information identification numbers, and an audio that stores audio information for each video information identification number. Information DB 13, user DB 15 that stores attribute information in association with the user ID assigned to user 51, distribution area DB 16 for storing IC tag holders in distribution area 70, and audio distributed to each user 51 A log DB 14 for storing a log of information is provided. The audio information distribution server 10 further distributes audio information distribution means 11 for streaming audio information to the PDA 60 and distribution for monitoring the entry / exit of the IC tag holder to / from the distribution area 70. Area monitoring means 12.

  Each DB of the audio information distribution server 10 is realized by an information storage device such as a hard disk. The audio information distribution means 11 and the distribution area monitoring means 12 are computer programs for causing the CPU of the audio information distribution server 10 to function as respective means. It is realized with.

  The distribution area monitoring unit 12 provided in the audio information distribution server 10 is a unit that monitors the user 51 to / from the distribution area 70 according to the user ID acquired from the IC tag 61 by the reader / writer 30.

  The audio information distribution unit 11 provided in the audio information distribution server 10 is a unit that distributes audio information to the user 51. When the distribution area monitoring unit 12 determines that the user 51 has entered the distribution area 70, the audio information distribution unit 11 sends audio information that conforms to the attribute information of the user 51 to the user 51 that has entered the distribution area 70. When the distribution area monitoring means 12 determines that the user 51 has exited from the distribution area 70 and starts streaming distribution of the selected audio information to the PDA 60 possessed by the user 51, the user 51 exits the distribution area 70. This is means for stopping streaming distribution of audio information.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining information stored in the video information DB 17. As shown in FIG. 5, in the video information DB 17, a video playback device address at which video information is played back and a video playback device 20 are set in advance in association with identification information for identifying video information. The reader / writer address of the reader / writer 30 is described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining information stored in the voice information DB 13. As shown in FIG. 6, the audio information DB 13 is provided with an audio information table 13a that stores audio information for each identification number of video information in advance, and this audio information table 13a is associated with attribute information. A path in which audio information corresponding to attribute information is stored is described.

  In FIG. 6, attribute information (00) indicates Japanese, a path in which Japanese voice information is stored is described as voice information corresponding to attribute information (00), and attribute information (01) indicates English. A path in which English speech information is stored is described as speech information corresponding to the attribute information (01), and the attribute information (02) indicates Chinese, and the speech information corresponding to the attribute information (02) , A path storing Chinese voice information is described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating information stored in the user DB 15. As shown in FIG. 7, in the user DB 15, the user ID stored in the IC tag 61 possessed by the IC tag holder and the user ID assigned to the user 51 not possessing the IC tag 61 are described. For each user ID, attribute information of the user 51 and a PDA address of the PDA 60 possessed by the user 51 are described.

  By referring to the user DB 15, the attribute information of each user 51 and the PDA address of the PDA 60 possessed by each user 51 can be acquired.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining information stored in the distribution area DB 16. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the distribution area DB 16 includes a distribution area table 16 a for each reader / writer address of the reader / writer 30, and the distribution area table 16 a includes a user ID of the user 51 in the distribution area 70. A list of

  The distribution area table 16a of the distribution area DB 16 is operated by the distribution area monitoring means 12, and based on the user ID transmitted from the reader / writer 30, the user ID of the user 51 determined that the distribution area monitoring means 12 has entered the distribution area 70 is stored. The user 51 is added to the distribution area table 16a corresponding to the reader / writer 30 that has transmitted the user ID, and the distribution area monitoring means 12 determines that the distribution area monitoring means 12 has exited the distribution area 70 based on the user ID transmitted from the reader / writer 30. Are deleted from the distribution area table 16a corresponding to the reader / writer 30 that transmitted the user ID.

  In the exhibit guide system 1 according to the present embodiment, the user IDs of all users 51 belonging to the group 50 of IC tag holders in the distribution area 70 are voiced from the reader / writer 30 by the function of the reader / writer 30 described above. Since the information is transmitted to the information distribution server 10, when the IC tag holder enters the distribution area 70, all of the IC tag holder groups 50 have entered the distribution area 70, and the IC tag holder has the distribution area 70. When exiting from 70, all of the IC tag holder groups 50 exit from the distribution area.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining information stored in the log DB 14. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the log DB 14 stores, for each user ID described in the user DB 15, a log table 15 a that stores the contents of voice information distributed to the PDA 60 possessed by the user 51 specified by the user ID. In the log table 15a, information such as a path where the distributed audio information is stored and a location where the audio information is distributed is stored as the contents of the audio information distributed to the user.

  Among the above-described DBs, the contents of the distribution area DB 16 are operated by the distribution area monitoring means 12, the contents of the log DB 14 are operated by the audio information distribution means 11, and the contents of other DBs are preset.

  When the voice information distribution server 10 receives the user ID from the reader / writer 30, the distribution area monitoring means 12 of the voice information distribution server 10 transmits the user ID from the distribution area table 16a included in the distribution area DB 16. The distribution area table 16a of 30 reader / writer addresses is selected, and it is confirmed whether or not each received user ID is held in the distribution area table 16a.

  If there is a user ID that is not held in the selected distribution area table 16a in the received user ID, the distribution area monitoring means 12 determines that the user 51 has newly entered the distribution area 70, and uses this user ID. It registers in the selected distribution area table 16a and delegates the start of distribution of audio information to the audio information distribution means 11.

  The distribution area monitoring means 12 is described in the selected distribution area table 16a, but when there is a user ID that is not included in the user ID received from the reader / writer 30, the user 51 specified by this user ID is distributed. It is determined that the user has left the area 70, and the user ID is deleted from the distribution area table 16a, and the audio information distribution means 11 is delegated to stop the distribution of the audio information.

  When the voice information distribution unit 11 distributes the voice information to the PDA 60, the contents of the distributed voice information are described in the log DB 14 in the log table 14a corresponding to the user ID possessing the PDA 60 that has distributed the voice information.

  From here, a series of operations for streaming audio information to the PDA 60 possessed by the user will be described. By explaining this operation, the operation of the entire exhibit guide system 1 of the present invention becomes clear. This explanation also serves as an explanation of the exhibition guidance method.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation in which the distribution area monitoring means 12 of the audio information distribution server 10 monitors the entry and exit of the user 51 to and from the distribution area 70. FIG. 11 shows the audio information distribution server 10 starting to distribute audio information. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the audio information delivery server 10 stopping the delivery of the audio information.

  First, an operation in which the distribution area monitoring unit 12 of the audio information distribution server 10 monitors the entry / exit of the IC tag holder to / from the distribution area 70 will be described with reference to FIG. The operation illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is performed every time the reader / writer 30 detects the IC tag 61. The first step S1 of this operation is a step in which the reader / writer 30 detects the IC tag 61. It is.

  In this step, the reader / writer 30 detects the IC tag 61 by transmitting radio waves at regular intervals using the two antennas 31 a and 31 b and receiving a response from the IC tag 61. The radio wave to be transmitted includes a command for reading the user ID from the IC tag 61. When receiving the radio wave, the IC tag 61 transmits a user ID as a response to the command.

  The response transmitted from the IC tag 61 is received by one of the two antennas 31a and 31b, and the reader / writer 30 possesses the IC tag holder in the distribution area 70 from the signal received by the antennas 31a and 31b. The user ID stored in the IC tag 61 is obtained. When a plurality of IC tags 61 are detected in this step, the reader / writer 30 acquires a plurality of user IDs.

  In the next step S2, the reader / writer 30 specifies the group 50 from the user ID of the IC tag holder acquired in step S1. In this step, when the group identification means 32 provided in the reader / writer 30 receives the user ID from the IC tag 61 possessed by the IC tag holder in the distribution area 70, the group identification means 32 refers to the group DB 33, and the IC tag holder The group ID 50a of the group 50 to which it belongs is specified.

  In the next step S3, the reader / writer 30 transmits all the user IDs of the users 51 belonging to the group 50 identified in step S2 to the voice information distribution server 10. When the group identification unit 32 provided in the reader / writer 30 identifies the group ID 50a in step S2, the group identification unit 32 acquires all the user IDs associated with the identified group ID 50a from the group DB 33, and acquires them. In this step, all user IDs are transmitted to the voice information distribution server 10.

  The next step S4 is a step in which the distribution area monitoring means 12 of the voice information distribution server 10 operates. In this step, when the audio information distribution server 10 receives a user ID from any reader / writer 30, the distribution area monitoring means 12 provided in the audio information distribution server 10 operates. When the distribution area monitoring unit 12 operates, the distribution area table 16a specified by the reader / writer address of the reader / writer 30 that has transmitted the user ID is selected from the distribution area DB 16.

  Step S5 is a step in which the distribution area monitoring unit 12 of the audio information distribution server 10 checks whether there is a user 51 who has entered the distribution area 70 identified by the reader / writer address that transmitted the user ID.

  In this step S5, the distribution area monitoring means 12 of the audio information distribution server 10 determines that the user 51 is distributed when the user ID not described in the selected distribution area table 16a is included in the received user ID. 70, the user ID not described is added to the distribution area table 16a, and the process proceeds to step S6. If no user 51 has entered the distribution area 70, the process proceeds to step S6.

  Step S6 is a step executed when there is a user 51 who has entered the distribution area 70. It is determined that the reader / writer address of the reader / writer 30 that has transmitted the user ID and the distribution area monitoring means 12 have entered the distribution area 70. The user ID of the user 51 is handed over to the audio information distribution means 11 to request the start of audio information distribution, and the process proceeds to step S7.

  Note that details of the operation of the audio information distribution unit 11 to start distributing audio information will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  Step S7 is a step in which the distribution area monitoring unit 12 of the voice information distribution server 10 confirms whether there is a user 51 who has exited from the distribution area 70 specified by the reader / writer address that transmitted the user ID.

  In step S7, the distribution area monitoring unit 12 of the audio information distribution server 10 specifies the user ID described in the selected distribution area table 16a with this user ID when it is not included in the received user ID. It is determined that the user 51 to be moved out of the distribution area 70, the user ID not included in the received user ID is deleted from the distribution area table 16a, and the process proceeds to step S8. When there is no user 51 leaving the distribution area 70, the operation illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 10 ends.

  Step S8 is a step executed when there is a user 51 exiting from the distribution area 70. The user ID of the user 51 determined that the distribution area monitoring means 12 has exited from the distribution area 70 is delivered to the voice information distribution means 11, The audio information distribution means 11 is requested to stop the distribution of audio information to the PDA 60 possessed by the user 51, and the operation illustrated in the flowchart of FIG.

  Details of the operation in which the audio information distribution unit 11 stops distributing audio information will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  Next, the operation in which the audio information distribution server 10 starts distributing audio information will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation in which the audio information distribution server 10 starts distributing audio information.

  The first step S10 of this procedure is a step in which the audio information distribution means 11 of the audio information distribution server 10 acquires information relating to the video information from the video information DB 17. In this step, the audio information distribution unit 11 acquires the video playback device address and the video information identification number from the video information DB 17 as information stored in association with the delivered reader / writer address.

  The next step S11 is a step in which the audio information distribution means 11 of the audio information distribution server 10 acquires the attribute information and PDA address of the user 51 from the user DB 15. The voice information distribution unit 11 refers to the user DB 15 and acquires user attribute information and a PDA address stored in association with the delivered user ID.

  The next step S12 is a step of acquiring audio information corresponding to the attribute information. In this step, the audio information distribution means 11 of the audio information distribution server 10 selects the audio information table corresponding to the identification number of the video information acquired in step S10 from the audio information DB 13, and the user 51 acquired in step S11. Audio information corresponding to attribute information is selected.

  The next step S13 is a step of requesting the video playback device 20 to notify the playback information indicating the playback status of the video information. In this step, the audio information distribution means 11 of the audio information distribution server 10 transmits a message requesting notification of the reproduction information of the video information to the video reproduction device 20 specified by the video reproduction device address acquired in step S10. .

  The next step S14 is a step in which the video reproduction device 20 notifies the reproduction information of the video information. In this step, when the video playback device 20 receives a message requesting notification of playback information of video information from the audio information distribution server 10, the video playback device 20 adds video information in addition to information indicating playback / stop of video information. Is reproduced, the reproduction information including the identification information of the reproduced video information and the reproduction elapsed time is notified to the audio information distribution server 10.

  The next step S15 is a step of starting delivery of audio information to the PDA 60 possessed by the user. In this step, the audio information distribution means 11 of the audio information distribution server 10 calculates a location where audio information distribution starts from the elapsed reproduction time of the video information notified from the video reproduction device 20 in step S14, and the wireless router 80 The audio information acquired in step S12 from the calculated location is streamed to the PDA 60 via.

  The next step S16 is a step in which audio information is reproduced. In this step, when the PDA 60 possessed by the user 51 receives audio information from the wireless router 80, the audio information reproducing means 11 provided in the PDA 60 operates to reproduce the received audio information. With this step, the operation for starting the delivery of audio information is completed.

  Since the user IDs of all users belonging to the group 50 identified by the reader / writer 30 in step S3 in FIG. 10 are transmitted from the reader / writer 30 to the audio information distribution server 10, in step S16 in FIG. Regardless of whether the tag 61 is possessed or not, the audio information is distributed to the PDA 60 of each user 51 belonging to the group 50.

  Next, the operation in which the audio information distribution server 10 stops distributing audio information will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation in which the audio information distribution server 10 stops distributing audio information.

  The first step S20 of this procedure is a step in which the audio information distribution means 11 of the audio information distribution server 10 acquires the PDA address from the user DB 15. The voice information distribution unit 11 refers to the user DB 15 and acquires a PDA address stored in association with the user ID delivered from the distribution area monitoring unit 12.

  In the next step S21, the audio information distribution means 11 of the audio information distribution server 10 stops distributing the audio information distributed to the PDA address acquired in step S21. With this step, the operation for stopping the delivery of the audio information is completed.

(Description of modification)
The video playback device 20 of the exhibit guide system 1 described above does not include an operation unit that allows a user to operate playback (playback start / stop) of video information, but the video playback device 20 includes the above-described operation unit. Is preferred. As a modified example of the exhibit guide system 1 described above, an exhibit guide system 2 when the video reproduction apparatus includes an operation unit will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the exhibit guide system when the video reproduction device 120 includes an operation unit. In the exhibit guide system 2 illustrated in FIG. 2, the video playback device 120 and the audio information distribution server 110 have different functions from the video playback device 20 and the audio information distribution server 10 illustrated in FIG. is doing.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the operation means provided in the video reproduction device 120 is a proximity reader / writer 121 that detects the IC tag 61 held by the user 51 in the proximity (for example, the communication distance is 10 cm). When the user 51 holds the IC tag 61 over the proximity reader / writer 121, the video information is reproduced. When the user 51 removes the IC tag 61 from the proximity reader / writer 121, the video information stops.

  The operation means provided in the video playback device 120 may not be the proximity reader / writer 121, but may be an operation button for the user to start or stop playback of video information, or an infrared sensor for detecting the user 51 itself. Also good.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the exhibit guide system 2 when the video reproduction device 120 includes an operation unit. As described above, the exhibition guide system 1 and the exhibition guide system 2 differ in the functions of the video playback device 120 and the audio information distribution server 110.

  A proximity reader / writer 121 is connected to the video playback device 120, and the video playback device 120 has a function of starting / stopping playback of video information based on the output of the proximity reader / writer 121.

  Furthermore, the audio information distribution unit 111 of the audio information distribution server 110 has a function of changing the behavior by starting / stopping reproduction of video information. The other elements included in the audio information distribution server 110 are the same as those described above. Since there is no change, explanation is omitted here.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in which the audio information distribution server 110 starts distributing audio information when the video reproduction device 120 includes an operation unit. Steps S110 to S112 in FIG. 15 have the same contents as steps S10 to S12 in FIG.

  After step S112 is executed, as in step S13 of FIG. 11, in step S113, the audio information distribution unit 111 of the audio information distribution server 110 requests the video reproduction device 120 to notify the reproduction information of the video information. Send a message to

  The next step S114 is a step in which the video reproduction device 120 notifies the reproduction information of the video information. In this step, when the video playback device 120 receives a message requesting notification of the playback information of the video information from the audio information distribution server 110, the video playback device 120 adds the video information in addition to the information indicating the playback / stop of the video information. Is reproduced, the reproduction information including the identification information of the reproduced video information and the reproduction elapsed time is notified to the audio information distribution server 110.

  Step S115 is a step in which the audio information distribution server 110 confirms whether or not the video is reproduced by the video reproduction device 20, and the audio information distribution server 110 uses the reproduction information notified from the video reproduction device 20 in step S114. When the stop of the video information is indicated, the process proceeds to step S116, and when the reproduction of the video information is indicated, the process proceeds to step S120.

  Step S116, which is executed when the playback information acquired from the video playback device 120 indicates that the video information has been stopped, is obtained from the audio information distribution server 110 as guidance content for prompting the start of playback of the video information. This is a step of transmitting to the video playback device 120.

  The next step S117 is a step in which the guided content described above is played back by the video playback device 120. Step 118 is a step in which the video playback device 120 confirms whether or not video information has started to be played by operating the operating means (here, the proximity reader / writer 121) of the video playback device 120 by the user.

  In step S118, the step does not proceed until the reproduction of the video information is started. When the reproduction of the video information is started, the process proceeds to step S119. In step S119, the video reproduction apparatus 120 identifies the identification information of the video information that has been reproduced and the identification information thereof. The elapsed playback time is notified to the audio information distribution server 110.

  In step S120, the audio information distribution unit 111 of the audio information distribution server 110 distributes audio information suitable for the attribute information of the user 51 to the PDA 60 possessed by the user 51.

  When distributing audio information via step S119, the audio information distribution unit 111 refers to the distribution area DB 116 before distributing the audio information, and sets the reader / writer address of the reader / writer 30 that transmitted the user ID. The corresponding distribution area table 16a is selected, and the audio information may be distributed to all the PDAs 60 specified by the user ID described in the selected distribution area table 16a.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described so far, and various modifications can be made.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, in this embodiment, the group 50 to which the IC tag holder in the distribution area 70 belongs is specified, and the user IDs of all the users 51 belonging to the specified group 50 are acquired. Although the function as a device is provided in the reader / writer 30, the function as a group specifying device may be provided in the audio information distribution server 10, and a server that operates independently as a group specifying device is connected to the network. 40 may be arranged.

  When the voice information distribution server 10 has a function as a group specifying device, the reader / writer 30 transmits only the user ID received from the IC tag 61 to the voice information distribution server 10, and the voice information distribution server 10 has been described so far. Similar to the contents, the group 50 to which the IC tag holder in the distribution area 70 belongs is specified, the user IDs of all the users 51 belonging to the specified group 50 are acquired, and the user 51 enters and leaves the distribution area 70 is monitored. To do.

  When a server that operates independently as a group specifying device is arranged on the network 40, the reader / writer 30 transmits only the user ID received from the IC tag 61 to this server. Similarly to the contents, the group 50 to which the IC tag holder in the distribution area 70 belongs is specified, and the user IDs of all the users 51 belonging to the specified group 50 are transmitted to the voice information distribution server 10.

The figure explaining an exhibit guide system. The block diagram of an exhibit guide system. The figure explaining arrangement | positioning of two antennas which a reader / writer has. The figure which showed an example of group DB33. The figure explaining the information memorize | stored in video information DB. The figure explaining the information memorize | stored in audio | voice information DB. The figure explaining the information memorize | stored in user DB. The figure explaining the information memorize | stored in delivery area DB. The figure explaining the information memorize | stored in log DB. The flowchart which showed the operation | movement which monitors the user's exit / entry to a delivery area. The flowchart which showed the operation | movement which starts delivery of audio | voice information. The flowchart which showed the operation | movement which stops delivery of audio | voice information. The figure explaining the modification of an exhibit guide system. The block diagram of the modification of an exhibit guide system. The flowchart which showed the operation | movement which starts delivery of audio | voice information in the modification of an exhibit guide system.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2 Exhibit guide systems 10, 110 Audio information distribution server 11 Audio information distribution means, 12 Distribution area monitoring means 13 Audio information DB, 14 Log DB, 15 User DB, 16 Distribution area DB
17 Video information DB
111 voice information distribution means, 112 distribution area monitoring means 113 voice information DB, 114 log DB, 115 user DB
116 Distribution area DB, 117 Video information DB
20, 120 Video information reproducing apparatus 121 Proximity reader / writer 30 Reader / writer 31a, b Antenna 32 Group identification means 33 Group DB
40 network 50 group 51 user 60 PDA
61 IC tag 70 Distribution area 80 Wireless router 90 Exhibit

Claims (11)

An exhibit guide system that provides the contents of an exhibit,
A main content playback device comprising: means for playing back the main content related to the exhibit; and means for returning the identification information of the main content being played back and the playback elapsed time in response to an external request;
An information terminal possessed by all the users belonging to a group composed of a plurality of users and provided with means for reproducing sub-contents of the main content;
A wireless identification medium possessed by a part of the users of the group (identification medium holder), and storing a user ID of the identification medium owner;
A wireless identification medium detector that is installed for each main content reproduction device and acquires a user ID stored in the detected wireless identification medium;
The database that stores the user IDs of all the users belonging to the group of the identification medium owner in association with the user ID of the identification medium owner, and the database that is obtained by the wireless identification medium device with reference to the database Means for acquiring, from the user ID of the identification medium holder, the user IDs of all the users belonging to the group of the identification medium holder;
The wireless identification medium detection is defined in a range in which the wireless identification medium is detected, and the user ID acquired by the group identification device for each area, and the user ID obtained by the group identification device is set for each area. Area monitoring means for judging by holding, and when the area monitoring means judges that the identification medium holder has entered the area, the database is referred to and the sub-content is distributed based on the delivered user ID Information terminal specifying means for acquiring the address of the information terminal, and the main content playback device is specified from the wireless identification medium terminal that has detected the wireless identification medium, and the specified main content playback device has the main content playback device Queries the identification information and the elapsed playback time, and Is reproduced, the sub-content is identified from the identification information of the main content being reproduced, and is distributed to the address of the information terminal acquired by the information terminal identification means according to the elapsed reproduction time of the main content A sub-content distribution device comprising: a sub-content distribution device comprising:
An exhibition guide system characterized by comprising:   2. The exhibit guide system according to claim 1, wherein when the area monitoring unit determines that the user has left the area, the sub-content distribution unit of the sub-content distribution device uses the information terminal based on a user ID. And the distribution of the sub-content to the specified information terminal is stopped.   3. The exhibit guide system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sub-content distribution device stores the attribute information of the user in association with a user ID, and further, for each main content, When storing a plurality of the sub-contents corresponding to the attribute information and distributing the sub-contents to the information terminal, the attribute information of the user who has entered the area from the user ID transmitted from the group specifying device And the sub-content corresponding to the specified attribute information is distributed to the information terminal.   4. The exhibit guide system according to claim 1, wherein the main content reproduction device includes an operation unit for starting / stopping reproduction of the main content, and the main content is reproduced. Only when the main content being played back and the playback elapsed time are notified to the sub-content delivery device, and the sub-content delivery means of the sub-content delivery device sends the main content being played back from the main content playback device and the When the elapsed playback time is not notified, the exhibition guide system is placed in a waiting state for delivery of the sub-contents to the information terminal.   5. The exhibit guide system according to claim 4, wherein the area monitoring unit of the sub-content distribution device is the main content being reproduced from the main content reproduction device waiting for distribution of the sub-content and the When the playback elapsed time is notified, all the information terminals identified from the main content being played back and the user ID associated with and held in the area of the main content playback device that has notified the playback elapsed time An exhibition guide system that distributes the sub-contents.   6. The exhibit guide system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the main content playback device, when the main content is not played back by the specified main content playback device, An exhibition guide system, wherein content for prompting a user to start reproduction of the main content is distributed.   The exhibit guide system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the wireless identification medium detector that detects the wireless identification medium includes a plurality of antennas arranged in the vicinity of the main content playback device. Exhibit guide system characterized by having.   8. The exhibit guide system according to claim 1, wherein the sub-content distribution device is associated with a user ID and distributed to the information terminal specified by the user ID. Exhibit guide system characterized by memorizing logs. An exhibit guide method for providing users with the contents of an exhibit,
A wireless identification medium detector installed for each main content playback device that reproduces the main content related to the exhibit detects and detects a wireless identification medium possessed by a part of a group composed of a plurality of users. Obtaining a user ID of the user (identification medium holder) possessing the wireless identification medium from the wireless identification medium
An apparatus comprising a database storing user IDs of all the users belonging to the group of identification medium holders in association with a user ID of the identification medium owner refers to the database, and the wireless identification medium device Identifies the group to which the identification medium holder possessing the wireless identification medium device detected by the wireless identification medium device belongs, and identifies the user IDs of all the users belonging to the identified group. Obtaining step b,
The sub-content distribution device that distributes the sub-content of the main content to the information terminal is defined in a range in which the wireless identification medium detection detects the wireless identification medium, and the user to an area set for each main content reproduction device Step c for determining whether the user ID transmitted from the group specifying device is stored for each area.
In step c, when the sub-content distribution apparatus determines that the user has entered the area, the main content reproduction apparatus is identified from the wireless identification medium terminal that has transmitted the user ID, and is reproduced on the identified main content reproduction apparatus. When the main content is being played back, the sub-content corresponding to the main content being played back is set to the user according to the playback elapsed time of the main content being played back. Delivering to the information terminal possessed by the user specified by the ID, d
Exhibit guide method characterized in that is executed.   10. The exhibit guide method according to claim 9, wherein in step c, when the sub-content distribution device determines that the user has left the area, the sub-content distribution device is identified by a user ID. The exhibit guide method, wherein the step e of stopping the distribution of the sub-contents to the information terminal possessed by the user is executed. The exhibit guide method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the sub-content distribution device stores the attribute information of the user in association with a user ID, and further, for each main content, A plurality of the sub-contents corresponding to the attribute information are stored, and when the sub-contents are distributed to the information terminal in the step c, the user ID of the user possessing the information terminal that distributes the sub-contents Then, the attribute information of the user is specified, and the sub-content corresponding to the specified attribute information is distributed to the information terminal.

Images