JP2011076450A - Server device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for easily managing the layout of a reproducing unit and content data to be reproduced by the reproducing unit. <P>SOLUTION: A notification section 58 notifies a terminal device of map information of an area, where the terminal device should be installed and map information of an area formed by a plurality of partial areas. A receiving section 60 receives position information on the notified map information and position information for a position, where the terminal device is installed from the terminal device. An identification section 62 identifies a group related to a partial area, including the received position information and one group of a plurality of groups. Also, the identification section 62 identifies content data related to the identified group and at least one content data from among a plurality of content data. An output section 66 transmits the identified content data to the terminal device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to communication technology, and more particularly to a server device that communicates with a playback device.

  When various devices are connected to the network, it is preferable that the arrangement position in the device installation area can be easily grasped. Therefore, a device layout map (device layout diagram) indicating the arrangement position in the device installation area is generated. Here, the device layout diagram is image data indicating an arrangement position in an installation area of an input / output device such as a printer connected to a network. In order to create a device layout diagram, a device late-out management device and a device layout editing / viewing device are connected to the network.

  The device layout management device generates and stores a device layout diagram, generates a device layout diagram in response to a request from the device layout editing / viewing device, and transmits the device layout diagram to the device layout editing / viewing device. The device layout editing / viewing device becomes a client of the device layout management device, requests the device layout management device for a device layout diagram, and receives a device icon and device layout data. In addition, the device layout editing / viewing apparatus accepts a device icon movement operation on the device layout diagram from the received device icon and device layout data, and designates the position of the device icon based on the received movement operation to specify the device layout. The figure is edited (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-109213 A

  One of advertising media using digital technology is digital signage. In digital signage, images and information are displayed on a flat display using digital technology for display and communication. Also, since digital signage stores a large number of display information received by digital communication in a built-in storage device, it is possible to switch display contents flexibly and develop various video advertisements. In order to improve the advertising effect by advertisement data, it is effective to arrange a plurality of playback devices in a store or the like and display various advertisement data on each of the plurality of playback devices. When the content of the advertisement data is changed according to the category of the product displayed on the shelf, the advertisement effect is further improved. For example, in a reproduction apparatus installed on a shelf on which meat is displayed, advertisements relating to meat and advertisements for dishes using meat are displayed.

  The advertisement data that is played back by one playback device may be updated. Further, when the playback device is moved to another shelf, the advertisement data to be played back by the playback device may be changed. Furthermore, the advertisement data to be reproduced in the reproduction apparatus may be changed by changing the category of the product displayed on the shelf. As described above, since the position of the playback device, advertisement data, and the like are not always fixed, flexible management of a plurality of playback devices is desired. That is, even when a plurality of playback devices are connected to the network as in digital signage, management based on the device layout diagram is effective. Furthermore, in addition to the layout of the playback device, it is required to manage content data such as advertisement data.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for easily managing the layout of a playback device and the content data to be played back on the playback device.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a server device according to an aspect of the present invention notifies a terminal device of map information of an area in which the terminal device is to be installed and an area formed by a plurality of partial areas. Includes a notification unit that receives the positional information on the map information notified by the notification unit and the location where the terminal device is installed, and the positional information received by the reception unit. Means for specifying any one of a plurality of groups, and content data associated with the specified group, and at least one of the plurality of content data A specifying unit including means for specifying the content data, and the content data specified in the specifying unit And a transmission unit for transmitting to the end device. The specifying unit stores a table in which a plurality of partial areas, a plurality of groups, and a plurality of content data are associated with each other.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is also a server device. This device includes a storage unit that stores map information of an area in which a terminal device is installed and that is formed by a plurality of partial areas, and a transmission request for map information stored in the storage unit. A receiving unit that receives from the device, a generation unit that extracts map information from the storage unit in response to a transmission request received by the receiving unit, and stores the extracted map information, and a generation unit that generates the packet signal A transmission unit that transmits the packet signal to the terminal device. The storage unit also stores information related to the partial area in which the terminal device is arranged, and the generation unit estimates the direction in which the terminal device is installed from the information about the partial area in which the terminal device is arranged, according to the estimated direction. The map information is rotated and stored in the packet signal.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, the layout of the playback device and the content data to be played back on the playback device can be easily managed.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the reproduction | regeneration system based on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the server apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the map data memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of another table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of another table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the map data displayed on the display part of FIG. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a playback procedure in the playback system of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the menu screen displayed on the display part which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the map data displayed on the display part which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows another structure of the map data displayed on the display part which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows another structure of the map data displayed on the display part which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows another structure of the map data displayed on the display part which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the reproduction | regeneration procedure in the reproduction | regeneration system which concerns on the modification of this invention.

  Before describing the present invention in detail, an outline will be described. An embodiment of the present invention relates to a playback system formed by a server device installed in a store or the like and a plurality of playback devices. Each playback device is connected to a server device via a wireless LAN. Each playback device is installed on a shelf and plays back content data related to the category of the product displayed on the shelf. The content data is downloaded from the server device. Here, when the installation position of the playback device is moved, when the category of the product displayed on the shelf is changed, when the content data is updated, the server device causes the playback device to download new content data. In order to simplify the processing, it is desirable that the installation position of the playback device can be easily managed. In order to cope with this, the reproduction system according to the present embodiment executes the following processing.

  The server device stores map data (hereinafter simply referred to as “map data”) showing a layout of a shelf or the like in a store. In the map data, coordinates are defined to specify the installation position of each shelf. The server device transmits the map data to the playback device. The playback device displays the map data on the screen, and the store clerk operating the playback device selects the location where the playback device is installed on the map data. The playback device transmits information regarding the installation position to the server device. The server device stores in advance the correspondence between the position and the category and the correspondence between the category and the content data. The server device specifies the category from the received information regarding the installation position and specifies the content data from the category. The server device transmits the specified content data to the playback device.

  Here, when the installation position of the playback apparatus is moved, the server apparatus may perform the above processing at the moved installation position. Moreover, when changing the category of the product displayed on the shelf, the correspondence relationship between the position and the category may be updated in the server device. Furthermore, when the content data is updated, the content data is transmitted again, and the correspondence relationship between the category and the content data is updated in the server device.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a playback system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The playback system 100 includes a first playback device 10 a, a second playback device 10 b, a third playback device 10 c, and a server device 14 that are collectively referred to as the playback device 10. Further, the reproduction system 100 is provided in the store 18, and the store 18 includes a first shelf 16a, a second shelf 16b, a third shelf 16c, a fourth shelf 16d, a fifth shelf 16e, 6 shelf 16f, 7th shelf 16g, 8th shelf 16h, 9th shelf 16i, 10th shelf 16j, 11th shelf 16k, 12th shelf 16l are included.

  The store 18 is, for example, a supermarket. The server device 14 stores a plurality of content data. Further, the server device 14 has a wireless communication function, and distributes a plurality of stored content data to a plurality of playback devices 10. Note that the server device 14 does not stream content data to the playback device 10 but causes the playback device 10 to download a plurality of content data. When the content data is updated, the server device 14 causes the playback device 10 to re-download the content data.

  In each shelf 16, prepared dishes, meat, fresh fish, vegetables and the like are arranged. Further, each shelf 16 is configured with a plurality of stages. The reproduction apparatus 10 is installed on the shelf 16. The playback device 10 has a wireless communication function and can communicate with the server device 14 and stores predetermined content data. Here, as described above, the stored content data is downloaded from the server device 14 and related to the category of the product displayed on the shelf 16 on which the playback device 10 is arranged. The playback device 10 plays back content data, displays an image of the played back content data, and outputs sound of the played back content data.

  The server device 14 manages the installation position of each playback device 10, the category of products displayed on each shelf 16, and the content data corresponding to each category. The contents of these information can be changed. In order to respond flexibly to changes, it is required that the above information be easily created or easily managed. Therefore, the server device 14 and the playback device 10 execute the following processing.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the server device 14. The server device 14 includes an antenna 50, a communication unit 52, a storage unit 54, a map generation unit 56, a notification unit 58, a reception unit 60, a specification unit 62, a content generation unit 64, an output unit 66, and a control unit 68.

  The communication unit 52 performs wireless communication with the playback device 10 (not shown) via the antenna 50. For example, the communication unit 52 performs wireless communication according to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) compliant with a standard such as IEEE802.11. As the transmission process, the communication unit 52 receives data from the notification unit 58 and the output unit 66 and generates a packet signal so as to store the data. The communication unit 52 modulates the generated packet signal. As a modulation method, BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM and the like are defined. Here, the result of modulation corresponds to an OFDM signal in the frequency domain.

  The communication unit 52 converts an OFDM signal in the frequency domain into an OFDM signal in the time domain by executing IFFT (Inverse Fast Fourier Transform) on the modulated result. The communication unit 52 performs frequency conversion on the time domain OFDM signal to generate a radio frequency packet signal. Further, the communication unit 52 transmits a radio frequency packet signal from the antenna 50. Note that the communication unit 52 includes a PA (Power Amplifier), a mixer, and a D / A conversion unit. The packet signal is transmitted according to an access control function called CSMA / CA, similarly to a wireless LAN compliant with a standard such as IEEE 802.11.

  The communication unit 52 receives a packet signal transmitted from the reproduction apparatus 10 (not shown) by the antenna 50 as a reception process. The communication unit 52 performs frequency conversion on the radio frequency packet signal received via the antenna 50 to generate a time domain OFDM signal. The communication unit 52 converts the time-domain OFDM signal to the frequency-domain OFDM signal by performing FFT on the time-domain OFDM signal. The frequency domain OFDM signal is formed by a plurality of subcarrier signals. The communication unit 52 demodulates the OFDM signal in the frequency domain. The communication unit 52 outputs the demodulated result to the map generation unit 56 and the reception unit 60. The communication unit 52 also includes an LNA (Low Noise Amplifier), a mixer, an AGC, and an A / D conversion unit.

  The storage unit 54 stores a plurality of content data. The storage unit 54 is a storage medium such as a hard disk. Each content data stored in the storage unit 54 is, for example, a moving image for advertising an item placed on the shelf 16, and is created for each category of products displayed on the shelf 16. The content data is compressed by MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) or the like. Here, the moving image itself and the moving image digital data are referred to as content data without distinction. The storage unit 54 also stores the map information of the store 18 in FIG. 1 and information on the installation position of the shelf 16 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “map data”). Here, the map information of the store 18 is formed by arranging a plurality of shelves 16 as shown in FIG. The map data is also generated as digital data.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the map data stored in the storage unit 54. As in FIG. 1, a store 18 and a shelf 16 are shown. Here, the coordinates are defined such that the horizontal axis corresponds to the x axis, the vertical axis corresponds to the y axis, and the portion where the x axis and the y axis intersect corresponds to the origin. At the origin, x and y are each “0”. Returning to FIG. The storage unit 54 also stores a table relating to the installation position of each shelf 16 and the category of products displayed on each shelf 16 on the map data shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows the data structure of the table stored in the storage unit 54. As shown in the figure, a shelf name field 200, an area field 202, a stage number field 204, and a category field 206 are included. In the shelf name column 200, the name of the shelf 16 shown in FIG. 3 is shown. In the area column 202, the installation position of each shelf 16 is shown as a coordinate value. Since the bottom surface of the shelf 16 has a predetermined area, the installation position of the shelf 16 is shown as an area. In the column number column 204 and the category column 206, categories for each column of the shelf 16 are shown. Categories are defined as prepared dishes, meat, fresh fish, vegetables and the like. In one shelf 16, the category may be different for each level, or the category may be the same for all levels. Such a table associates a plurality of shelves 16 with a plurality of categories. Returning to FIG.

  The map generation unit 56 receives a transmission request for map data from the playback device 10 (not shown) via the communication unit 52. The reproduction apparatus 10 is newly installed on the shelf 16, for example. Upon receiving the transmission request, the map generation unit 56 extracts map data from the storage unit 54. As described above, the map data is the map information of the store 18 where the playback device 10 is to be installed, and the map information of the store 18 formed by the area where the plurality of shelves 16 are arranged. The map generation unit 56 outputs the map data to the communication unit 52 to store the map data in the packet signal and notify the playback device 10 of the packet signal to the terminal device.

  As a response to the packet signal in which the map data is stored, the receiving unit 60 receives, from the communication unit 52, the position information on the map data and the position where the playback device 10 is installed. The position information is shown as coordinates on the coordinate axes defined in the map data, and includes information on the number of steps in the shelf 16 and identification information for identifying the playback device 10. Such position information is generated by the playback device 10 when the store clerk operating the playback device 10 identifies the map data displayed on the playback device 10. The generation of position information in the playback device 10 will be described later. Further, the packet signal in which the position information is stored is transmitted from the playback device 10 to the communication unit 52. The receiving unit 60 outputs the position information to the specifying unit 62.

  The specifying unit 62 receives position information from the receiving unit 60. As described above, the position information includes information regarding the number of stages in the shelf 16. The specifying unit 62 specifies a category based on the received position information. The specifying unit 62 refers to the table of FIG. 4 stored in the storage unit 54 in order to specify the category. The specifying unit 62 specifies the shelf 16 and the number of steps including the position information based on the area field 202 and the step number column 204 of the table. Further, the specifying unit 62 specifies a category associated with the number of stages of the shelves 16 and any one of a plurality of categories based on the category column 206. Furthermore, the specifying unit 62 specifies content data based on the specified category. Therefore, the storage unit 54 also stores a table in which categories and content data are associated with each other.

  FIG. 5 shows the data structure of another table stored in the storage unit 54. As shown, a category field 208 and a content data name field 210 are included. Here, for clarity of explanation, the category and the content data are associated one-to-one, but a plurality of content data may be associated with one category. The content data associated with a category is, for example, moving image data for advertising a product of the category. Returning to FIG. The specifying unit 62 specifies content data associated with the specified group and at least one content data among the plurality of content data with reference to the table of FIG. 5 stored in the storage unit 54. .

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the storage unit 54 stores a table in which an area in which a plurality of shelves 16 are arranged, a plurality of categories, and a plurality of content data are associated with each other. Further, the specifying unit 62 stores the correspondence relationship between the installation position of each playback device 10 and the category in the storage unit 54. FIG. 6 shows the data structure of yet another table stored in the storage unit 54. As shown, a playback device name column 212, a coordinate column 214, a stage number column 216, an area column 218, and a category column 220 are included. The playback device name column 212, the coordinate column 214, and the step number column 216 include identification information of the playback device 10, position coordinates, and information on the number of steps, respectively, and these information are included in the position information from the playback device 10. The area column 218 and the category column 220 include the area and category specified by the specifying unit 62 based on the position information, respectively, and the information is specified by the specifying unit 62. Returning to FIG.

  The content generation unit 64 refers to the table of FIG. 6 and the table of FIG. 5 stored in the storage unit 54 and extracts the content data specified by the specifying unit 62 from the storage unit 54. The content generation unit 64 outputs the content data to the communication unit 52, stores the content data in a packet signal, and causes the playback device 10 to transmit the packet signal to the terminal device. Here, the packet signal in which the content data is stored is downloaded and transmitted.

  With the above configuration, when the installation position of the playback apparatus 10 is moved, the reception unit 60 receives new moved position information from the playback apparatus 10. The specifying unit 62 specifies the shelf 16 again based on the new position information. The specifying unit 62 updates the group and specifies content data associated with the updated group. 4 is changed when the category of the product displayed on the shelf is changed, and the content data of FIG. 5 stored in the storage unit 54 is stored when the content data is updated. The name column 210 may be updated. At that time, the specifying unit 62 executes the above-described processing. The control unit 68 controls the overall operation of the server device 14.

  This configuration can be realized in terms of hardware by a CPU, memory, or other LSI of any computer, and in terms of software, it can be realized by a program loaded in the memory, but here it is realized by their cooperation. Draw functional blocks. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the playback apparatus 10. The playback apparatus 10 includes an antenna 20, a communication unit 22, a map reception unit 24, a display unit 26, a specification unit 28, a response unit 30, a content reception unit 32, a playback unit 34, a control unit 36, and an operation unit 38. The antenna 20 and the communication unit 22 are configured in the same manner as the antenna 50 and the communication unit 52 in FIG.

  The operation unit 38 is an interface such as a button, a keyboard, and a mouse, and receives an instruction from a store clerk or the like. The operation unit 38 outputs the received instruction to a desired component in the playback device 10. The map receiving unit 24 receives an instruction (hereinafter referred to as “display instruction”) from the operation unit 38 for displaying the map data on the display unit 26. The map reception unit 24 outputs a display instruction to the communication unit 22 to store the display instruction in a packet signal, and causes the server device 14 to transmit the packet signal to the terminal device. Moreover, the communication part 22 receives the packet signal in which map data was stored from the server apparatus 14 as a response with respect to the packet signal in which the display instruction | indication was stored. The communication unit 22 outputs the map data to the map reception unit 24. The map receiving unit 24 displays map data on the display unit 26. The display unit 26 displays map data.

  FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the map data displayed on the display unit 26. Similar to FIG. 3, the first shelf 16 a to the twelfth shelf 16 l are arranged in the store 18. In addition to the map data, a first stage button 80, a second stage button 82, a third stage button 84, a fourth stage button 86, and a fifth stage button 88 are arranged. Returning to FIG. When the display unit 26 displays the map data, the operation unit 38 receives information regarding the position where the reproducing apparatus 10 is installed from a store clerk or the like. More specifically, a pointer 90 is displayed as shown in FIG. The store clerk operates the operation unit 38 to move the pointer 90 to the position where the reproducing apparatus 10 is installed, and then determines the position. Here, the position is determined as the value of the above-mentioned coordinates. Furthermore, the store clerk operates the operation unit 38 to select the number of stages in which the playback apparatus 10 is installed from the first-stage buttons 80 to 88. The operation unit 38 outputs information on the position and information on the number of steps to the specifying unit 28.

  The specifying unit 28 receives information on the position and information on the number of steps from the operation unit 38, and generates the position information described above based on the information. Further, the specifying unit 28 adds the identification information of the reproducing apparatus 10 to the position information. The specifying unit 28 outputs the position information to the response unit 30. The response unit 30 causes the communication unit 22 to transmit the packet signal in which the position information is stored as a response to the packet signal in which the map data is stored. The communication unit 22 transmits a packet signal to the server device 14 in accordance with an instruction from the response unit 30.

  The content reception unit 32 receives content data from the server device 14 via the communication unit 22. The content reception unit 32 outputs the content data to the reproduction unit 34. The reproduction unit 34 reproduces content data. The display unit 26 stores content data. The reproduction unit 34 displays the reproduced content data on the display unit 26. The control unit 36 controls the operation of the entire playback device 10.

  The operation of the playback system 100 configured as above will be described. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a playback procedure in the playback system 100. The server device 14 extracts map data (S10), and transmits the map data to the playback device 10 (S12). The playback device 10 displays the map data (S14). Further, the playback device 10 receives information related to the installation position (S16). The playback device 10 transmits the position information to the server device 14 (S18). The server device 14 specifies the shelf 16 based on the position information (S20). Moreover, the server apparatus 14 specifies a category (S22). Furthermore, the server device 14 specifies content data (S24). The server device 14 transmits the content data to the playback device 10 (S26). The playback device 10 plays back the content data (S28).

  Next, a modified example will be described. In the embodiment, a case is described in which the playback device is installed on a shelf and the installation position is registered in the server device. In the modification, a case will be described in which the customer operates the playback device after registering the installation position. The customer operates the playback device to display store map data. At this time, if the current customer position, that is, the installation position of the playback device is also displayed in the map data, the customer can grasp his / her position, which is preferable for the customer. Furthermore, in order to make it easier for the customer to grasp his / her position more clearly, the reproduction system according to the modified example executes the following processing. The reproduction system 100, the server device 14, and the reproduction device 10 according to the modification are of the same type as those in FIGS. Therefore, here, the description will focus on differences from the embodiment.

  In the display unit 26 of each playback apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 7, a menu screen for a screen that can be browsed by the customer is shown. FIG. 10 shows a menu screen displayed on the display unit 26 according to the modification of the present invention. Here, "1. CM", "2. Current position", "3. Beef sales position notification", "4. Potato sales position notification", and "5. Tomato sales position notification" are displayed. The customer uses the operation unit 38 to select one of “1” to “5”. When “1” is selected, the operation unit 38 notifies the reproduction unit 34 to that effect. The playback unit 34 plays back the stored content data that is the content data described above, and displays the content data on the display unit 26. Hereinafter, a process when “2” is selected will be described, and a description of a process when “3” to “5” are selected will be omitted.

  When “2” is selected, the operation unit 38 notifies the map reception unit 24 to that effect. The map reception unit 24 outputs a map data transmission request to the communication unit 22. The map data transmission request includes identification information for identifying the playback device 10. The communication unit 22 transmits a packet signal storing a transmission request for map data to the server device 14. Thereafter, the communication unit 22 receives a packet signal storing map data from the server device 14. Here, the map data is different from the map data in the embodiment. In order to clarify this, hereinafter, the configuration of the server device 14 shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

  The storage unit 54 also stores information regarding the shelf 16 on which the terminal device is arranged. In order to explain the information about the shelf 16, an angle formed by the normal line and the axis with respect to the display surface of the shelf 16 is assumed when one direction of the store 18 is used as an axis. For example, a downward straight line in FIG. 3 is defined as an axis, and an angle is defined such that the axis rotates clockwise from the axis. The display surface of the second shelf 16b faces upward in FIG. Therefore, the normal to the display surface of the second shelf 16b is an upward straight line in FIG. In this case, the angle formed by the normal and the axis is 180 degrees. Further, the display surface of the tenth shelf 16j is a straight line in the left direction of FIG. In this case, the angle formed by the normal and the axis is 90 degrees. The information regarding the shelf 16 corresponds to an angle for reversely rotating the aforementioned angle. That is, in the former example, it is 180 degrees, and in the latter example, it is 270 degrees. Therefore, it can be said that the reverse rotation reverses the sign for the angle.

  FIG. 11 shows a data structure of a table stored in the storage unit 54 according to the modification of the present invention. As shown, a shelf name column 230 and a rotation angle column 232 are included. The shelf name column 230 indicates the name of each shelf 16, and the rotation angle column 232 indicates the rotation angle corresponding to each shelf 16. The rotation angle corresponds to the information related to the shelf 16 described above. Returning to FIG. The map generation unit 56 receives a map data transmission request from the playback device 10 via the communication unit 52. Based on the identification information of the playback device 10 included in the map data transmission request, the map generation unit 56 refers to the table of FIG. The shelf 16 is specified. In addition, the map generation unit 56 identifies the rotation angle corresponding to the shelf 16 by referring to the table of FIG. 11 stored in the storage unit 54.

  The map generation unit 56 extracts the map information and the rotation angle from the storage unit 54 in response to the transmission request. Here, the rotation angle corresponds to estimating the direction in which the playback apparatus 10 is installed. The map generation unit 56 rotates the map information according to the rotation angle (hereinafter, the rotated map information is also referred to as “map data”). The map generation unit 56 outputs the map data to the notification unit 58. The notification unit 58 instructs the communication unit 52 to transmit the packet signal storing the map data to the playback device 10.

  Returning to the description of the playback apparatus 10 shown in FIG. The map receiving unit 24 displays map data on the display unit 26. The map data corresponds to map information obtained by reversely rotating the angle between the normal and the axis with respect to the display surface of the shelf 16 in which the reproducing apparatus 10 is installed. For this reason, map data in which the direction of the normal line and the direction of the axis coincide is displayed. FIG. 12 shows a configuration of map data displayed on the display unit 26 according to the modification of the present invention. Here, the playback device 10 is assumed to be the first playback device 10a or the second playback device 10b. As shown in the figure, the display surfaces of the seventh shelf 16g and the tenth shelf 16j face downward. That is, the direction of the normal to these is the downward direction, which coincides with the axis direction.

  FIG. 13 shows another configuration of map data displayed on the display unit 26 according to the modification of the present invention. Here, the playback device 10 is assumed to be the third playback device 10c. As shown in the figure, the display surface of the second shelf 16b faces downward. That is, the direction of the normal to these is the downward direction, which coincides with the axis direction. As is clear from FIGS. 12 and 13, the map data is displayed so that the installation direction of the playback device 10 faces a fixed direction regardless of the orientation of the display surface of the shelf 16, that is, the installation direction of the playback device 10. . Returning to FIG.

  Under the situation where the map data shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is displayed, the operation unit 38 may receive an instruction to enlarge a part of the display. In response to the instruction, the map reception unit 24 displays the map data with a part enlarged on the display unit 26. FIG. 14 shows still another configuration of map data displayed on the display unit 26 according to the modification of the present invention. This corresponds to a case where the periphery of the second playback device 10b is enlarged in the map data of FIG. Returning to FIG.

  The description returns to the case where the display unit 26 of each playback device 10 displays the menu screen shown in FIG. The customer uses the operation unit 38 to select any one of “3. Information on beef sales position”, “4. Information on potato sales position”, and “5. Information on sales position of tomato”. The operation unit 38 outputs a map data transmission request and a sales position transmission request to the map reception unit 24 to the communication unit 22. Hereinafter, a combination of a map data transmission request and a sales position transmission request is also referred to as a “map data transmission request”. The communication unit 22 transmits a packet signal storing a transmission request for map data to the server device 14.

  In the server device 14 of FIG. 2, the storage unit 54 also stores sales positions for various products. Based on the map data transmission request, the map generation unit 56 generates map data as described above. In addition, the map generation unit 56 also extracts information related to the sales position from the storage unit 54, and synthesizes a mark indicating the sales position on the map data. Hereinafter, the map data in which the sales position marks are combined is also referred to as “map data”. The notification unit 58 transmits the packet signal storing the map data to the playback device 10 via the communication unit 52.

  The communication unit 22 in FIG. 7 receives a packet signal storing map data from the server device 14. The map receiving unit 24 displays the map data on the display unit 26. FIG. 15 shows still another map data configuration displayed on the display unit 26 according to the modification of the present invention. Here, as in FIG. 12, the playback device 10 is assumed to be the first playback device 10a or the second playback device 10b. The target position 92 is displayed on the first shelf 16a as the aforementioned mark.

  FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing a playback procedure in the playback system 100 according to the modification of the present invention. The playback apparatus 10 receives a current position display instruction (S40). The playback device 10 transmits a transmission request to the server device 14 (S42). The server device 14 specifies the shelf 16 on which the playback device 10 is installed (S44), and specifies the rotation angle (S46). The server device 14 generates map data by rotating the map information according to the rotation angle (S48). The server device 14 transmits a packet signal storing the map data to the reproduction device 10 (S50). The playback device 10 displays the map data (S52).

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the table in which the position of the shelf, the category, and the content data are associated with each other is stored and the content data is specified based on the position information received from the playback device, the specifying process is simplified. Can be executed. Moreover, since the position information is generated by displaying the map data on the playback device and specifying the position where the playback device is installed on the map data, the processing for the store clerk can be simplified. Further, since a table in which the shelf position, category, and content data are associated with each other is stored, the layout of the playback device and the content data to be played back on the playback device can be easily managed. Even when the category and content data are changed, the table only needs to be corrected, so that the change can be flexibly handled. Even if the playback apparatus moves, it is only necessary to specify the content data again with reference to the table, so that the movement can be flexibly handled. Since the position information includes information on the number of shelf stages, it is possible to cope with the case where the category of the product is different for each shelf stage.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. .

  In the embodiment of the present invention, when the reproduction apparatus 10 moves, the store clerk operates the reproduction apparatus 10 in the same manner as when the reproduction apparatus 10 was first installed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, when the playback device 10 moves, the store clerk may operate the playback device 10 differently from when it was first installed. The reproducing apparatus 10 is provided with a gyro sensor, and movement is detected by the gyro sensor. When the movement is detected, the playback device 10 automatically transmits a packet signal storing a display instruction to the server device 14. According to this modification, when the playback device 10 moves, the playback device 10 automatically acquires map data, so that it is possible to suppress forgetting to update the position information.

  10 playback devices, 14 server devices, 16 shelves, 18 stores, 20 antennas, 22 communication units, 24 map reception units, 26 display units, 28 identification units, 30 response units, 32 content reception units, 34 playback units, 36 control units , 38 operation unit, 50 antenna, 52 communication unit, 54 storage unit, 56 map generation unit, 58 notification unit, 60 reception unit, 62 identification unit, 64 content generation unit, 66 output unit, 68 control unit, 100 reproduction system.

Claims (4)

A notification unit for notifying the terminal device of the map information of the area that is the map information of the area where the terminal device should be installed and formed by a plurality of partial areas;
A reception unit that receives position information from the terminal device that is position information on the map information notified by the notification unit and that is a position where the terminal device is installed;
A group associated with the partial area including the position information received in the reception unit, and means for specifying any one of the plurality of groups, and content data associated with the specified group, A specifying unit including means for specifying at least one content data of the plurality of content data;
A transmission unit that transmits the content data identified in the identification unit to the terminal device;
The server unit stores a table in which a plurality of partial areas, a plurality of groups, and a plurality of content data are associated with each other.   The server device according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit stores different partial areas according to height. The reception unit receives the moved position information from the terminal device,
The specification unit updates a partial area and a group including the terminal device based on position information received by the reception unit, and specifies content data associated with the updated group. Item 3. The server device according to Item 1 or 2. A storage unit that stores map information of an area in which the terminal device is installed and is formed by a plurality of partial areas;
A receiving unit for receiving a transmission request for map information stored in the storage unit from the terminal device;
In response to the transmission request received at the receiving unit, the map information is extracted from the storage unit, and the generated map information is stored by storing the extracted map information; and
A transmission unit that transmits the packet signal generated in the generation unit to the terminal device;
The storage unit also stores information on a partial area where the terminal device is arranged,
The generation unit estimates a direction in which the terminal device is installed from information on a partial area in which the terminal device is arranged, rotates map information according to the estimated direction, and stores the map information in a packet signal. A server device as a feature.

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