JP6015369B2 - Digital signage equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital signage apparatus that notifies information acquired through communication.

  In recent years, digital signage devices (electronic signboards) that display advertisement information acquired via communication have begun to spread. Digital signage devices are fixedly installed in building displays and station buildings, and are also installed in transportation vehicles such as moving buses and trains.

  In addition to displaying advertisement information acquired through communication, a digital signage device has also been proposed that displays text information included in broadcast data when broadcast data by FM character multiplex broadcasting is received (for example, Patent Documents). 1). Recently, multimedia broadcasting has started in which contents such as audio and video are distributed in a streaming format or a download format via broadcasting or communication. The technology described in Patent Document 1 is an alternative to FM character multiplex broadcasting. It is also envisaged to use multimedia broadcasting.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-75220

  The digital signage device described in Patent Literature 1 displays a character information program included in the received broadcast data when receiving the broadcast data from the FM broadcast station. Therefore, only content display at the timing synchronized with the broadcast can be performed, and the advertisement information acquired via wireless communication can be displayed only between the programs. Even if content other than advertisement information can be acquired via wireless communication, the type and display time of the content are in accordance with the broadcast schedule.

  In particular, in multimedia broadcasting, in the case of download distribution, a large amount of content may be broadcast in a short time. In this case, if all the content received by the digital signage device is held in the storage unit, a large-capacity storage is required, and reproduction cannot catch up, and eventually a part of the content held in the storage unit is not reproduced. Must be deleted.

  Therefore, in view of such problems, the present invention is a digital signage device capable of reproducing content acquired through broadcasting and communication according to a desired schedule while efficiently using a given storage area. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, a digital signage device according to the present invention includes a communication unit that receives communication data including content and a playlist of the content via communication, a holding unit that holds the received communication data, A broadcast receiving unit that receives broadcast data including content via a broadcast wave, and broadcast data selected from the received broadcast data are held in the holding unit, and content based on communication data or broadcast data is stored in a playlist. A control unit that sequentially notifies the notification unit, and when the broadcast reception unit receives the broadcast data, the control unit determines whether the received broadcast data is included in the reproduction list, and is included in the reproduction list. when, to hold the broadcast data to the holding unit, the control unit, the broadcasting list which is a list of content of the receivable broadcasting data through the broadcast wave Previously has acquired, is included in the playlist, identify content that is not contained in the broadcast list, the communication data including the identified content, and wherein the Rukoto is received in the communication unit.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to reproduce | regenerate the content acquired via broadcast and communication with a desired schedule, utilizing the provided storage area efficiently.

It is explanatory drawing which showed the rough connection relation of the content delivery system. It is the functional block diagram which showed the outline of the digital signage apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the content acquisition method by communication. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the content acquisition method by broadcast. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of a play list. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the content reproduction method.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

(Content distribution system 100)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic connection relationship of the content distribution system 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the content distribution system 100 includes a digital signage device 110, a communication terminal 120, a server 130, and a broadcast station 140.

  The digital signage device 110 is an electronic signboard installed on a moving body such as a bus, a taxi, a train, and a ship, for example, and notifies passengers of contents such as advertisements and programs. In the present embodiment, a vehicle 112 such as a bus is taken as an example of the moving body. The type of data including content includes moving image or still image data, audio data, and the like.

  The communication terminal 120 is configured by, for example, a roadside machine installed in a garage 114 such as a base of the vehicle 112. And the communication terminal 120 makes the server 130 and the digital signage apparatus 110 communicate using radio | wireless communication techniques, such as DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) and wireless LAN.

  For example, the server 130 is installed in a garage 114 such as a base of the vehicle 112 and holds communication data including contents such as advertisements and programs. The communication data is updated regularly (for example, every day). While the digital signage device 110 is stopped in the garage 114, the digital signage device 110 communicates with the server 130 to acquire communication data.

  The broadcast station 140 downloads and distributes broadcast data including content using broadcast waves. That is, the broadcasting station 140 performs so-called multimedia broadcasting. Of broadcast data distributed by multimedia broadcasting, highly real-time data such as news is updated several times a day. Also, in preparation for the case where broadcast data is not received, broadcast data having the same contents and the same time stamp is broadcast a plurality of times. The digital signage device 110 acquires broadcast data via the multimedia broadcast of the broadcast station 140.

  As described above, the digital signage apparatus 110 can reproduce the content acquired in advance through communication, even in an environment where it is difficult to receive broadcast waves, by acquiring content by combining communication and broadcasting. Also, if the broadcast wave can be received at any timing while the vehicle 112 is running, the update frequency such as news, weather forecast, road traffic information, railway operation information, airplane flight information, stock price, exchange rate, fortune-telling is relatively high. High content can be downloaded and played back.

  In multimedia broadcasting, if dedicated content tailored to each digital signage device 110 is transmitted, the broadcast organization becomes complicated and the digital signage device 110 that can receive the broadcast is limited. For this reason, here, it is assumed that highly versatile content for a large number of digital signage devices 110 is transmitted using broadcast waves.

  Although the case where the server 130 is installed in the garage 114 of the vehicle 112 has been described here, the communication terminal 120 is connected to a communication network such as the Internet, and the server 130 is digitally connected via the communication network and the communication terminal 120. It may be in communication with the signage device 110. In this case, the installation location of the server 130 is not limited to the garage 114 as long as it can be connected to the communication network, and may be anywhere.

  Here, the communication terminal 120 is installed in the garage 114 of the vehicle, and the digital signage device 110 mounted on each of the plurality of vehicles 112 can acquire content using the same communication terminal 120. Therefore, in the content distribution system 100, it is not necessary to make a plurality of line contracts for each digital signage device 110, and the digital signage device 110 can receive the latest content by multimedia broadcasting without making a line contract for the mobile communication terminal. You can get it.

  The digital signage device 110 according to the present embodiment can easily set the content reproduction schedule for each digital signage device 110 and can efficiently use the storage area without compressing the storage area with unnecessary content. It becomes. Hereinafter, a schematic configuration of the digital signage apparatus 110 will be described, and a specific processing flow will be described in detail.

(Digital signage device 110)
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of the digital signage device 110. As shown in FIG. 2, the digital signage device 110 includes a communication unit 200, a broadcast receiving unit 202, a holding unit 204, a temporary storage unit 206, a notification unit 208, and a control unit 210.

  The communication unit 200 communicates with the server 130 (communication terminal 120) and receives communication data using the above-described wireless communication technology. This communication data includes a content play list (play list) in addition to the above content.

  Here, the case where the communication unit 200 communicates with the communication terminal 120 and the server 130 via the wireless communication technology and receives communication data has been described. However, the communication unit 200 is not limited to the wireless communication technology, and the wired communication technology. The communication data may be acquired from the server 130 using.

  Further, a storage medium such as a USB memory or an SD card in which communication data is stored may be connected to the digital signage device 110, and the control unit 210 may acquire the communication data from the storage medium and hold it in the holding unit 204. . In this case, the communication unit 200 is a communication function unit between the control unit 210 and the storage medium, for example, a function unit (USB host function or the like) itself that is mounted on the control unit 210 and controls communication by USB. May be.

  The broadcast receiving unit 202 receives broadcast data via a broadcast wave from the broadcast station 140. Then, the broadcast receiving unit 202 decodes the received broadcast data, decrypts the encrypted content, and stores the decrypted content, time stamp (time information), and EPG (electronic program guide) information, for example, The broadcast data is output to the control unit 210 through an interface such as USB. At this time, the content is output to the control unit 210 in a stream format, for example.

  The holding unit 204 includes an HDD, a flash memory, a nonvolatile RAM, and the like. The holding unit 204 is connected to the control unit 210, a program for operating the CPU of the control unit 210, communication data received via the communication unit 200, and broadcast data received via the broadcast receiving unit 202. Content, and playback log information of the content.

  The temporary storage unit 206 is composed of, for example, a volatile memory such as a DRAM, is connected to the control unit 210, and operates the CPU expanded from the holding unit 204 while the digital signage device 110 is in operation, or the control unit 210. The processing data by is stored.

  For example, the notification unit 208 includes a display device (display) with a speaker, and displays content such as image data and audio data transmitted from the control unit 210 according to a standard such as HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface). , To inform the content.

  The control unit 210 is configured by, for example, an SOC (System On a Chip) in which a plurality of functions are integrated. Specifically, the control unit 210 includes a CPU, hardware for decoding communication data, a USB host function, an HDMI source function for the notification unit 208, a control function for the holding unit 204 and the temporary storage unit 206, and the like.

(Content acquisition method)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of a content acquisition method by communication. As shown in FIG. 3, the digital signage device 110 communicates with the server 130 via the communication terminal 120 while the vehicle 112 is stopped in the garage 114. Specifically, when the vehicle 112 stops in an area where communication with the communication terminal 120 is possible, wireless communication between the digital signage device 110 and the communication terminal 120 is established, and communication with the server 130 is started (S300).

  Here, the content and playlist held by the server 130 are updated every day, for example. Further, the playlist is different for each vehicle 112 (digital signage device 110) and is held in the storage of the server 130 in association with ID information for identifying the vehicle 112 (digital signage device 110).

  The digital signage device 110 transmits ID information for identifying the digital signage device 110 to the server 130 (S302). When the server 130 receives the ID information from the digital signage device 110, the server 130 transmits a playlist corresponding to the ID information stored in the storage of the server 130 to the digital signage device 110.

  The control unit 210 of the digital signage apparatus 110 stores the received playlist in the holding unit 204 (S304), and reads the playlist and the EPG information stored in the holding unit 204 in advance into the temporary storage unit 206 (S306). .

  Here, the control unit 210 acquires EPG information in advance from broadcast data received by the broadcast receiving unit 202 while the vehicle 112 is moving. Specifically, the EPG information is a broadcast list that is a list showing the content name, distribution time zone, and the like regarding the content of the broadcast data that can be received via the broadcast wave.

  The control unit 210 determines whether there is content that is included in the playlist but not included in the broadcast list and is not held in the holding unit 204 (S308). When there is content that is not held (YES in S308), the communication unit 200 is caused to receive communication data including the content from the server 130 (S310). Then, the control unit 210 repeats the content confirmation step S308 until all necessary content is held in the holding unit 204.

  When all necessary content is held in holding unit 204 (NO in S308), control unit 210 causes notification unit 208 to output a sound for notifying the driver of vehicle 112, for example, the completion of acquisition of communication data. (S312), the process ends.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of a content acquisition method by broadcasting. When the communication data is not acquired, for example, when the vehicle 112 is running, as shown in FIG. 4, when the broadcast receiving unit 202 does not receive the multimedia broadcast (NO in S350), until it can be received. When waiting and receiving is possible (YES in S350), broadcast data is acquired via multimedia broadcasting (S352). Then, the broadcast receiving unit 202 decodes the received broadcast data and outputs the decoded broadcast data to the control unit 210 (S354).

  The control unit 210 determines whether the content included in the received broadcast data is included in the playlist (S356). If the content is not included in the playlist (NO in S356), the process returns to broadcast reception determination step S350.

  As described above, when the content acquired through the broadcast wave is not included in the playlist, the storage unit 204 is not used to hold the storage area 204 so that the content to be played back can be effectively held by not holding the content in the holding unit 204. It becomes possible to do.

  When the content included in the received broadcast data is included in the playlist (YES in S356), the received content is held in the holding unit 204 (S358). Then, the control unit 210 refers to the content already held in the holding unit 204, and determines whether there is content having the same (same type) category as the received content (S360). If there is no content with the same category (NO in S360), the process returns to broadcast reception determination step S350. Here, the category indicates the type of content such as news, advertisement, traffic information, etc., and is set in advance for each content.

  Then, when there is content of the same category (YES in S360), the control unit 210 compares the time stamps of the content of the same category (S362), leaves the content with the later time stamp, and has the earlier time stamp. The other content, that is, the old content is deleted (S364). At this time, if the time stamps are the same, only one of the contents is deleted. Then, the process returns to the broadcast reception determination step S350.

  As described above, when the broadcast receiving unit 202 newly receives broadcast data of the same category as the broadcast data held in the holding unit 204, the digital signage device 110 of the present embodiment is included in each broadcast data. Time stamps with updated broadcast data are compared, and only the broadcast data with the later time indicated by the time stamp is held in the holding unit 204. The control unit 210 reproduces the broadcast data remaining in the holding unit 204 at a timing based on the playlist.

  Therefore, the digital signage apparatus 110 can replace the content held in the holding unit 204 with the latest version frequently and in real time with respect to content such as the above-described news that is relatively frequently updated.

  The digital signage device 110 performs content reproduction processing based on a playlist in parallel with the content acquisition processing illustrated in FIG. 4. Hereinafter, after describing the playlist, a content reproduction method of the digital signage apparatus 110 will be described in detail.

(playlist)
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a playlist. As shown in FIG. 5A, for example, a playlist folder is arranged in the holding unit 204. Within the playlist folder, time zone folders divided for each reproduction time zone are provided, and playlists are stored in the respective time zone folders.

  For example, in the 0500-1000 folder, which is the time zone folder in the playlist folder shown in FIG. 5A, a playlist of contents to be reproduced in the time zone from 5:00 to 10:00 is stored.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, for example, “001 picture 003”, “002 picture 001”, “003 movie 002”, “004 picture 004”, “005 picture 001”, “006 picture 002”, “007 move 001”, “008 move c”, “008 movie 001”, “008 movie 001”, “008 movie”, “008 movie 001”, “008 movie”, “008 movie” . In each character string, the first three characters are ordinal numbers indicating the generation order, and the remaining characters indicate the content name. Here, the name of the content is a file name excluding the extension of the content.

  In the playlist shown in FIG. 5B, the first picture 003. jpg file, second picture001. jpg file, third movie002. mp4 file, fourth picture004. jpg file, fifth broadcast001. jpg file, sixth picture002. jpg file, 7th movie001. mp4 file, 8th broadcast002. Play mp4 file.

  Here, the file whose name includes picture or movie character string is the content acquired through communication, and the file including the broadcast character string is acquired via multimedia broadcasting. Content. In the case of a still image with an extension of jpg or the like, for example, the still image is displayed on the notification unit 208 for a preset time (for example, 30 seconds). On the other hand, in the case of a moving image with an extension of mp4 or the like, it is displayed on the notification unit 208 until the moving image ends.

  A playlist suitable for the route of the vehicle 112 on which each of the digital signage devices 110 is mounted is set. For example, types of routes include local routes that are frequently used by local residents, specific routes that connect airports and stations, long-distance bus routes that run long distances such as high speeds, and tourist routes.

  Specifically, in the case of local routes, notifications such as “Tax payment”, “Change of national health insurance card”, “Event” from local governments, advertisements from nearby dealers, etc. Content such as operation information of other nearby transportation facilities will be put on the playlist.

  In addition, for specific routes, transfer guidance information for transportation connected to the specific route, tourism souvenirs (specialties), advertisements for accommodation, etc., facility information near the bus stop to stop, if it is a route to a specific airport, Information on facilities and boarding procedures, flight operation information, etc. will be posted on the playlist.

  On long-distance bus routes, there are information on traffic jams, information on distances to resting places, information on transfer to transportation systems connected to long-distance bus routes, tourist souvenirs, advertisements for accommodations, etc. It is put on the playlist. On the sightseeing route bus, places of sightseeing spots scheduled to be visited, sightseeing souvenirs, rest areas, etc. are listed in the playlist.

(Content playback method)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of the content reproduction method. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the control unit 210 reads a playlist from the holding unit 204 to the temporary storage unit 206 while the vehicle 112 is traveling (S <b> 400).

  The control unit 210 starts reproducing the content held in the holding unit 204 according to the playlist (S402). The control unit 210 causes the notification unit 208 to notify the content based on the communication data or the broadcast data selected from the communication data and the broadcast data stored in the holding unit 204 in the order of the playlist, and the content is reproduced until the end of the playlist. When finished, return to the beginning of the playlist and repeat playback.

  During the reproduction of the content, the control unit 210 determines whether or not emergency data has been received (S404), and if no emergency data has been received (NO in S404), the process proceeds to a notification timing determination processing step S408. When the broadcast receiving unit 202 receives emergency data via a broadcast wave (YES in S404), the control unit 210 causes the holding unit 204 to hold the emergency data (S406). Here, the emergency data includes emergency information such as emergency earthquake bulletin and tsunami information.

  Subsequently, the control unit 210 responds to the emergency data received so far according to the content of the emergency information such as after the currently playing content, at the end of the playlist, or after a preset standby time has elapsed. It is determined whether the notification timing has come (S408). When the notification timing has not come (NO in S408), the process proceeds to stop instruction determination step S412. When the notification timing is reached (YES in S408), emergency information is notified to the notification unit 208 (S410).

  When the emergency information is, for example, a tsunami warning, it may be assumed that the urgency is not so high depending on the scale of the tsunami and the expected arrival time. Also, tsunami warning cancellation information is issued as emergency information. In such a case, the notification timing at which emergency information should be notified may be late, such as when the end of the playlist is set as the notification timing, or the notification timing is set to repeat the emergency information, etc. It can be changed.

  Then, the control unit 210 determines whether or not there is an instruction to stop the reproduction of the content (S412). If there is an instruction to stop (YES in S412), the control unit 210 stops the reproduction of the content (S414), and the process Exit. If there is no instruction to stop (NO in S412), the process proceeds to emergency data reception determination step S404.

  As described above, since the digital signage device 110 can acquire the content of emergency information included in the emergency data of multimedia broadcasting, communication concentration is higher than when emergency information regarding earthquakes, tsunamis, and the like is acquired via wireless communication. It is possible to avoid the influence of congestion due to, and to obtain emergency information quickly.

  The place where the above-mentioned digital signage device 110 is installed is not limited to the inside of the vehicle 112, and there is a period in which communication with the communication terminal 120 and reception of the broadcast of the broadcasting station 140 are possible, so that people can come and go. It may be provided at any place. In any case, the digital signage device 110 is preferably used when the state transitions to a state where communication with the communication terminal 120 is possible, and a state where communication with the communication terminal 120 is impossible and broadcast from the broadcast station 140 can be received. It is done.

  In particular, as in the above-described embodiment, the digital signage device 110 is mounted on the vehicle 112, and the communication unit 200 receives communication data via communication with the communication terminal 120 installed in the garage 114 of the vehicle 112. The communication data can be received regularly and reliably at the timing of returning to the garage 114, and the risk of the communication terminal 120 being stolen can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Is done.

  Note that the steps of the content acquisition method and the content reproduction method of the present specification do not necessarily have to be processed in time series in the order described in the flowchart, and may include processing in parallel or by a subroutine.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a digital signage device that notifies information acquired through broadcasting and communication.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 ... Digital signage apparatus 112 ... Vehicle 114 ... Garage 120 ... Communication terminal 202 ... Broadcast receiving part 204 ... Holding part 208 ... Notification part 210 ... Control part

Claims (1)

A communication unit for receiving communication data including a content and a playlist of the content via communication;
A holding unit for holding the received communication data;
A broadcast receiving unit for receiving broadcast data including content via a broadcast wave;
A control unit that causes the holding unit to hold broadcast data selected from the received broadcast data, and that causes the notification unit to notify the communication data or content based on the broadcast data in the order of the playlist;
With
When the broadcast receiving unit receives the broadcast data, the control unit determines whether the received broadcast data is included in the playlist, and if the broadcast data is included in the playlist, the control unit Holding the broadcast data ;
The control unit has acquired in advance a broadcast list that is a list of broadcast data content that can be received via the broadcast wave, and identifies content that is included in the reproduction list and not included in the broadcast list; It said communication data including the content identified, digital signage device according to claim Rukoto is received by the communication unit.

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