Controlling content distribution using multiple devices

There is provided an information processing apparatus including a first advertisement management part configured to manage an output of first advertisement content from a first device, a second advertisement management part configured to manage an output of second advertisement content from a second device, the second device being different from the first device, the second advertisement content being related to the first advertisement content, and a linked output controller configured to control, based on first information acquired by the first advertisement management part from the first device and linked output setting information defining an operation of the second advertisement content in association with the first information, the output of the second advertisement content from the second device through the second advertisement management part.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2013-021409 filed Feb. 6, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

It is already in widespread use to distribute advertisement content to a device through a network. For example, on a web page being browsed by a user, an advertisement related to contents of the web page is generally displayed. Advanced functions of devices and speeding up of the network have increased rich and appealing pieces of advertisement content containing moving images and the like. JP 2008-306407A describes an example of technology for displaying such pieces of advertisement content.

SUMMARY

The number of devices to which pieces of advertisement content are to be distributed has recently been increasing, since the portability of the devices enhanced and network communication functions are added to various types of devices. Further, the number of scenes is also increasing where there are multiple such devices around a user. For example, there are a scene in which the user has multiple devices at home and a scene in which multiple users each carrying a device gather together. However, no technology is sufficiently proposed yet for leading such situations to the achievement of distribution of more appealing advertisement content.

In light of the foregoing, it is desirable in the present disclosure to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program, which are novel and improved, and which are capable of achieving an expression of advertisement content that is more appealing by using multiple devices.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing apparatus which includes a first advertisement management part configured to manage an output of first advertisement content from a first device, a second advertisement management part configured to manage an output of second advertisement content from a second device, the second device being different from the first device, the second advertisement content being related to the first advertisement content, and a linked output controller configured to control, based on first information acquired by the first advertisement management part from the first device and linked output setting information defining an operation of the second advertisement content in association with the first information, the output of the second advertisement content from the second device through the second advertisement management part.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing method which includes managing an output of first advertisement content from a first device, managing an output of second advertisement content from a second device, the second device being different from the first device, the second advertisement content being related to the first advertisement content, and controlling, based on first information acquired from the first device and linked output setting information defining an operation of the second advertisement content in association with the first information, the output of the second advertisement content from the second device.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a program for causing a computer to achieve a function of managing an output of first advertisement content from a first device, a function of managing an output of second advertisement content from a second device, the second device being different from the first device, the second advertisement content being related to the first advertisement content, and a function of controlling, based on first information acquired from the first device and linked output setting information defining an operation of the second advertisement content in association with the first information, the output of the second advertisement content from the second device.

A display of advertisement content on a first terminal and a display of advertisement content on a second terminal are linked with each other in accordance with linked output setting information set in advance, and thus, there can be achieved an expression of the advertisement content that is different from the case of the advertisement content being output from a single device, and that is unique to the case of the advertisement content being output from the multiple devices.

According to one or more of embodiments of the present disclosure, an expression of the advertisement content that is more appealing can be achieved by using multiple devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

1. First embodiment (example of linking between tablet terminal and TV)

2. Second embodiment (another example of linking between tablet terminal and TV)

3. Third embodiment (example of linking between terminals)

4. Fourth embodiment (another example of linking between terminals)

5. Fifth embodiment (example of linking between tablet terminal and electronic billboard)

6. Hardware configuration

1. First Embodiment

FIGS. 1A to 1Care each a diagram schematically showing a first embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 1Ashows a state before advertisement distribution in the present embodiment. Here, a content server90distributes content to each of a tablet terminal200and a TV300. For example, the tablet terminal200may be used for browsing content of related information of broadcast content viewed on the TV300.

FIG. 1Bshows a state during advertisement distribution in the present embodiment. In the case where the tablet terminal200and the TV300each transmit an advertisement acquisition request (GetAd) to an advertisement server100, pieces of advertisement content (Ad) are distributed to the tablet terminal200and the TV300, respectively. The advertisement acquisition request is transmitted by an advertisement application executed in common by the tablet terminal200and the TV300, for example.

Here, the advertisement server100may be the same server as or a different server from the content server90. It should be noted that the advertisement server100recognizes that the tablet terminal200and the TV300are used in cooperation with each other, and distributes pieces of advertisement content for a linked display, which will be described later, to the tablet terminal200and the TV300, respectively. In the case where the advertisement server100and the content server90are different servers, the content server90notifies the advertisement server100of usage states of such tablet terminal200and TV300.

The pieces of advertisement content (Ad) distributed to the tablet terminal200and the TV300, respectively, are displayed on the respective screens of the tablet terminal200and the TV300. In the example shown in the figure, the advertisement content is displayed on the tablet terminal200at the top right of the screen and the advertisement content is displayed on the TV300at the bottom left of the screen. Note that it is not necessary that the advertisement content be displayed simultaneously with the distribution. That is, the distribution of the advertisement content may be executed at a background of broadcast content viewing.

Here, the advertisement content (Ad) distributed to the tablet terminal200and the advertisement content (Ad) distributed to the TV300are related to each other, for example, the pieces of advertisement content may correspond to the same advertisement target. The subject items of the pieces of advertisement content may be the same or different from each other. For example, an image in advertisement content may be divided and the divided image pieces may be distributed to the tablet terminal200and the TV300. In this case, the advertisement content on the tablet terminal200is displayed in conjunction with the advertisement content on the TV300, and thus, a series of image pieces is displayed over the tablet terminal200and the TV300, which makes it easier for the advertisement to attract user's attention.

FIG. 1Cshows a state during advertisement linking in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the tablet terminal200and the TV300each display advertisement content (Ad), and when a user operation (Click!) is given to the advertisement content in the tablet terminal200, the display of the advertisement content on the TV300changes. In the example shown in the figure, on that occasion, a web page of the advertiser is displayed (Ad_Web), a display area of the advertisement content on the screen is expanded (Ad_Expand), or a video serving as the advertisement content is displayed (Ad_Video).

The change of the display of the advertisement content on the TV300is achieved as follows: the tablet terminal200which has received a user operation transmits an advertisement control request (Request) to the advertisement server100; and, in response, the advertisement server100controls (Control) the display of the advertisement content on the TV300. Note that the advertisement control request to be transmitted may not necessarily be an explicit request, and may be contents of the user operation as they are, for example. The display on the TV300after the change is executed on the basis of contents of the display in display areas having different sizes, an address of a web site, video content, and the like. Those pieces of information or data may be included in the advertisement content distributed during the advertisement distribution, or may be additionally distributed with a control signal from the advertisement server100.

FIG. 2is a block diagram schematically showing a functional configuration of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 2, a system10according to the present embodiment includes the advertisement server100, the tablet terminal200, and the TV300.

The advertisement server100is a collection of functions that can be achieved with one or multiple server devices in a network. Each of the server devices is achieved with a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus, which will be described later, for example. The advertisement server100includes a first advertisement management part110, a second advertisement management part120, a linked display controller130, and a storage140. Note that, in the information processing apparatus that is used as the server device, the storage140is used as a storage device, and other parts may be used like software with a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) operating in accordance with a program.

The first advertisement management part110manages a display of advertisement content on the tablet terminal200serving as a first device. More specifically, the first advertisement management part110acquires, from advertisement content142stored in the storage140, advertisement content (first advertisement content) for the tablet terminal200, and distributes the first advertisement content to the tablet terminal200. The distributed first advertisement content is displayed on the tablet terminal200. In this case, the first advertisement management part110may extract, in accordance with control performed by the linked display controller130, content suitable for a display linked with advertisement content displayed on the TV300from the advertisement content142, and may distribute the content as first advertisement content to the tablet terminal200. The first advertisement management part110may also distribute the first advertisement content in accordance with an advertisement acquisition request (GetAd) transmitted from the tablet terminal200.

Further, the first advertisement management part110acquires, from the tablet terminal200, information (first information) related to a display of advertisement content, and provides the linked display controller130with the information. The first information may be, for example, information for notifying that the display of the advertisement content on the tablet terminal200has started. Further, the first information may also be information showing an occurrence of a trigger for starting the display of the first advertisement content or for changing the display of the first advertisement content in the tablet terminal200, such as a predetermined user operation.

The second advertisement management part120manages a display of advertisement content on the TV300serving as a second device. More specifically, the second advertisement management part120acquires, from the advertisement content142stored in the storage140, advertisement content (second advertisement content) for the TV300, and distributes the second advertisement content to the TV300. The distributed second advertisement content is displayed on the TV300. In this case, the second advertisement management part120may extract content suitable for a display on the TV300from the advertisement content142. Further, the second advertisement management part120may extract, in accordance with control performed by the linked display controller130, content suitable for a display linked with the tablet terminal200from the advertisement content142, and may distribute the extracted content to the TV300.

Further, the second advertisement management part120controls the display of the advertisement content on the TV300in accordance with the control performed by the linked display controller130. The control by the linked display controller130may be performed on the basis of the information acquired by the first advertisement management part110from the tablet terminal200, for example. In accordance with the control, the second advertisement management part120starts the display of the advertisement content on the TV300and changes the display of the advertisement content on the TV300, for example. Here, examples of the change of the display of the advertisement content include jumping to a web page, changing in the display area, and starting video display.

Here, the first advertisement content displayed on the tablet terminal200and the second advertisement content displayed on the TV300are extracted from the same advertisement content142, and are related to each other. As described above, those pieces of advertisement content may correspond to a same advertisement target, for example. Each of the pieces of advertisement content may include a common part, or may include corresponding different parts. For example, a series of images may be divided and the divided image pieces may be distributed to the tablet terminal200and the TV300.

The linked display controller130controls the display of the second advertisement content on the TV300through the second advertisement management part120, on the basis of the first information acquired by the first advertisement management part110from the tablet terminal200and linked display setting information144defining operation of the second advertisement content displayed on the TV300in association with the first information. The linked display setting information144is information set in advance in association with the advertisement content142, for example, and may be stored in the storage140.

In the present embodiment, the linked display setting information144may include one or more of the following definitions, for example.In the case where a display of advertisement content is started on the tablet terminal200, a display of advertisement content is also started on the TV300.In the case where a user operation is given to advertisement content displayed on the tablet terminal200, a display of advertisement content on the TV300is changed to a web page of an advertiser (a browser of the TV300is activated and causes a user to access a web page of the advertiser).In the case where a user operation is given to advertisement content displayed on the tablet terminal200, a display area of advertisement content on the TV300is expanded.In the case where a user operation is given to advertisement content displayed on the tablet terminal200, a display of advertisement content on the TV300is changed from a still image to a video.

Further, the linked display controller130may perform control such that the first advertisement management part110extracts, as the first advertisement content, content suitable for a display linked with the second advertisement content displayed on the TV300on the basis of the linked display setting information144. Accordingly, for example, in the case where the setting is established such that the advertisement content displayed on the TV300is changed to a web page of the advertiser by giving a user operation to the advertisement content displayed on the tablet terminal200, advertisement content including an operation icon displaying “access to web page” may be distributed to the tablet terminal200.

Note that, although the storage140is included in the advertisement server100in the present embodiment, the storage140may be included in a storage server other than an advertisement server in another embodiment. Further, the storage140may not necessarily be used as a single storage device, and may be used as multiple storage devices dispersedly in a network.

The tablet terminal200is the first device that communicates with the advertisement server100through a network. The tablet terminal200is achieved with a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus, which will be described later, for example. The tablet terminal200includes a display controller210, a display part220, and an operation part230. Note that, in the information processing apparatus that is used as the tablet terminal200, the display controller210may be used like software with a processor such as a CPU operating in accordance with a program, the display part220may be used as a display serving as an output device, and the operation part230may be used as a touch panel or the like serving as an input device.

Note that the first device shown as an example of the tablet terminal200in the present embodiment may be any device in another embodiment, as long as the device has functions of displaying advertisement content and acquiring an operation given by a user to the advertisement content. Examples of such device include a mobile phone (smartphone), a personal computer, a game console, and a media player.

The display controller210acquires advertisement content (first advertisement content) distributed from the advertisement server100, and causes the display part220to display the first advertisement content. In order to acquire the advertisement content from the advertisement server100, the display controller210may transmit an advertisement acquisition request (GetAd). The display controller210may temporarily cache the distributed advertisement content in a storage (not shown). Further, the display controller210may start the display of the advertisement content on the display part220or may change the display of the advertisement content on the display part220in accordance with a user operation acquired by the operation part230. Information of the user operation acquired by the operation part230may be transmitted to the advertisement server100as the first information.

The TV300is the second device that communicates with the advertisement server100through a network. The TV300is achieved with a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus, which will be described later, for example. The TV300includes a display controller310and a display part320. Note that, in the information processing apparatus that is used as the TV300, the display controller310may be used like software with a processor such as a CPU operating in accordance with a program, and the display part320may be used as a display serving as an output device.

Note that the second device shown as an example of the TV300in the present embodiment may be any device in another embodiment, as long as the device has a function of displaying advertisement content in conjunction with the display on the first device (tablet terminal200, in this example). Examples of such device include a personal computer, a game console, and a recorder. In the case where the device is a game console or a recorder, the display part320may be connected to the device as an external device (such as TV).

The display controller310acquires advertisement content (second advertisement content) distributed from the advertisement server100, and causes the display part320to display the second advertisement content. In order to acquire the advertisement content from the advertisement server100, the display controller310may transmit an advertisement acquisition request (GetAd). The display controller310may temporarily cache the distributed advertisement content in a storage (not shown). Further, the display controller310may start the display of the advertisement content on the display part320or may change the display of the advertisement content on the display part320in accordance with a control signal transmitted from the advertisement server100. The control signal transmitted from the advertisement server100may be based on the first information acquired from the tablet terminal200displaying the first advertisement content. The display of the second advertisement content on the display part320is controlled by the control signal, and thus, the display of the advertisement content on the tablet terminal200is linked to the display of the advertisement content on the TV300.

According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure described above, in the case where a user views a TV at home, for example, advertisement content on a tablet terminal being used as a second screen is displayed in conjunction with advertisement content on the TV. For example, in the case where the user interested in advertisement content displayed on the tablet terminal selects the advertisement content, more detailed information is displayed on the TV. According to such a configuration, pieces of advertisement content can be displayed in a combination based on properties of respective devices (the tablet terminal is at hand, but an amount of displayable information is small; the TV is placed far away, but an amount of displayable information is large, and the like) among the multiple devices that are being used by the user, and hence, there can be achieved the distribution of more appealing advertisement content utilizing the properties of the device.

2. Second Embodiment

FIG. 3AandFIG. 3Bare each a diagram schematically showing a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that the figure of the state before advertisement distribution is omitted, as the state is the same as that of the first embodiment.FIG. 3Ashows a state during advertisement distribution in the present embodiment. In the case where the TV300transmits an advertisement acquisition request (GetAd) to the advertisement server100, advertisement content (Ad) is distributed to the TV300. The advertisement acquisition request is transmitted by an advertisement application executed in the TV300, for example.

Here, in the present embodiment, the TV300recognizes that the tablet terminal200and the TV300are used in cooperation with each other, and acquires, for a linked display to be described later, advertisement content for the tablet terminal200and advertisement content for the TV300from the advertisement server100. The TV300forwards, out of the pieces of advertisement content acquired from the advertisement server100, the advertisement content for the tablet terminal200to the tablet terminal200. In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the advertisement content distributed to the TV300and the advertisement content forwarded to the tablet terminal200are displayed on the respective screens.

FIG. 3Bshows a state during advertisement linking in the present embodiment. Also in the present embodiment, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the tablet terminal200and the TV300each display advertisement content (Ad), and when a user operation (Click!) is given to the advertisement content in the tablet terminal200, the display of the advertisement content on the TV300changes. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the tablet terminal200directly controls (Control) the display of the advertisement content on the TV300. The display after the change on the TV300is executed on the basis of contents of the display in display areas having different sizes, an address of a web site, video content, and the like. Those pieces of information or data may be included in the advertisement content distributed during the advertisement distribution, or may be additionally acquired from the advertisement server100when the TV300receives a control signal from the tablet terminal200.

FIG. 4is a block diagram schematically showing a functional configuration of the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 4, a system20according to the present embodiment includes the advertisement server100, the tablet terminal200, and the TV300. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the TV300further includes a first advertisement management part330, a second advertisement management part340, and a linked display controller350. The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in functions of the respective parts and is the same in that the parts may be used like software with a processor. Accordingly, the difference of the present embodiment from the first embodiment will be mainly described below and the description of the common parts will be omitted.

The first advertisement management part330acquires advertisement content (first advertisement content) for the tablet terminal200from the advertisement content142stored in the storage140of the advertisement server100through a network, and forwards the first advertisement content to the tablet terminal200. Further, the first advertisement management part330acquires information (first information) related to a display of advertisement content from the tablet terminal200, and provides the linked display controller350with the information.

The second advertisement management part340acquires advertisement content (second advertisement content) for the TV300from the advertisement content142stored in the storage140of the advertisement server100through a network, and provides internally the display controller310with the second advertisement content. In addition, the second advertisement management part340controls the display controller310, to thereby control internally the display of the advertisement content on the TV300.

The linked display controller350acquires linked display setting information144stored in the storage140of the advertisement server100through a network. The linked display controller350may refer to the linked display setting information144on a real-time basis in accordance with the first information acquired by the first advertisement management part330, or may acquire the linked display setting information144and cache the linked display setting information144in the storage (not shown) in advance.

Here, for example, the first advertisement management part330, the second advertisement management part340, and the linked display controller350may each transmit in cooperation with each other an advertisement acquisition request (GetAd) to the advertisement server100. The first advertisement management part330, the second advertisement management part340, and the linked display controller350may acquire the first advertisement content for the tablet terminal200, the second advertisement content for the TV300, and the linked display setting information144, respectively, from the advertisement server100.

Note that, in the present specification, “to acquire linked display setting information and pieces of advertisement content from an advertisement server” does not necessarily mean that the linked display setting information and the pieces of advertisement content are acquired from a single device. As described above, the advertisement server100according to one or more of embodiments of the present disclosure may be a collection of functions that are achieved with one or multiple server devices in a network. Therefore, the term “server” does not necessarily mean a specific server device. Accordingly, even though there is the description of “to acquire linked display setting information and pieces of advertisement content from a server”, the server device for achieving the function of providing the linked display setting information may be different from the server device for achieving the function of providing the pieces of advertisement content.

On the other hand, in the tablet terminal200, the display controller210acquires the first advertisement content forwarded from the TV300and causes the display part220to display the first advertisement content. In the present embodiment, the first advertisement management part330included in the TV300may transmit, to the advertisement server100, an advertisement acquisition request (GetAd) for acquiring the first advertisement content for the tablet terminal200. The display controller210may also be capable of making a request to transmit the advertisement acquisition request or to forward the first advertisement content to the first advertisement management part330. On the other hand, information such as a user operation acquired by the operation part230is provided to the display controller210and is also transmitted to the first advertisement management part330of the TV300as the first information, and may further be forwarded to the advertisement server100.

Note that, in the present embodiment, the tablet terminal200is communicable with the TV300, but may not be communicable with the advertisement server100. For example, the tablet terminal200may be communicable with the TV300using a wireless local area network (LAN), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like, but may not be connected to a network such as the Internet for communicating with the advertisement server100. Accordingly, the tablet terminal200may be various types of information terminals shown as examples in the first embodiment, and may also be a device used at home, such as a remote controller.

According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure described above, also in the case where the tablet terminal200does not communicate with the advertisement server100and communicates mainly with the TV300, the tablet terminal200can achieve the same functions as those of the first embodiment. Accordingly, it becomes possible that the tablet terminal200is not only used as an information processing apparatus having a network communication function, but also used as a device such as a remote controller having a function of performing communication within a limited area, such as within a home.

FIG. 5AandFIG. 5Bare each a diagram schematically showing a third embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 5Ashows a state during advertisement distribution in the present embodiment. Here, in the case where a master terminal400and slave terminals500each transmit an advertisement acquisition request (GetAd) to the advertisement server100, pieces of advertisement content (Ad) are distributed to the devices, respectively. The advertisement acquisition request is transmitted by an advertisement application executed in common by the master terminal400and the slave terminals500, for example.

Here, the advertisement content (Ad) to be distributed to the master terminal400and the pieces of advertisement content (Ad) to be distributed to the slave terminals500may correspond to the same advertisement target, for example. The subject items of the pieces of advertisement content may be the same or different from each other. For example, an image in advertisement content may be divided and the divided image pieces may be distributed to the master terminal400and the slave terminals500. In this case, a series of image pieces is displayed over the multiple terminals, which makes it easier for the advertisement to attract user's attention.

Note that, although the figure shows one master terminal400and two slave terminals500, the number of terminals is not limited thereto. For example, the number of the master terminals400may be two or more, and the number of the slave terminals500may be one, or three or more. For example, in the case where divided pieces of advertisement content are to be distributed to the master terminal400and the slave terminals500, (the linked display controller130of) the advertisement server100recognizes the number of terminals that are distribution targets, and may determine the number of pieces into which the advertisement content is to be divided depending on the number.

FIG. 5Bshows a state during advertisement linking in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, synchronized with the start of the display of advertisement content (Ad) on the master terminal400, the display of advertisement content (Ad) on the slave terminal500may also be started. Further, synchronized with the change of the display of advertisement content (Ad) on the master terminal400, the display of the advertisement content (Ad) on the slave terminal500may also be changed. Here, the start or the change of the display of the advertisement content on the master terminal400may be caused by a user operation given to the master terminal400, or may be caused by a sensing result such as position information of the master terminal400or by a time.

The change of the display of the advertisement content on the slave terminal500is achieved as follows: the master terminal400transmits an advertisement control request (Request) to the advertisement server100; and, in response, the advertisement server100controls (Control) the display of the advertisement content on the slave terminal500. Note that the advertisement control request to be transmitted may not necessarily be an explicit request, and may be the contents of the user operation as they are, a sensing result, a time, or the like.

Note that the advertisement distribution and the advertisement linking (display) according to the present embodiment may be continuous or noncontinuous in terms of time. That is, the advertisement may be distributed on a real-time basis during displaying of the advertisement, or may be distributed at a background before displaying the advertisement. In the case where the advertisement distribution is executed on a real-time basis, the fact that the advertisement is distributed to the master terminal400may be a trigger for executing the advertisement distribution to the slave terminal500. In the case where the advertisement distribution is executed in the background, the advertisement distribution to the master terminal400and the advertisement distribution to the slave terminal500may be executed at different times.

Further, in the present embodiment, the role of the master terminal400and the role of the slave terminal500are interchangeable. That is, in the case where there are multiple terminals and pieces of advertisement content are distributed to the terminals, respectively, a terminal which has started the display of the advertisement content first may become the master terminal400, and other terminal(s) may each become the slave terminal500. The interchanging of the roles may occur also after the start of the display of the advertisement content on each of the terminals.

That is, in the case where the displays of the pieces of advertisement content on the slave terminals500are started in conjunctions with the start of the display of the advertisement content on the master terminal400, when a display of advertisement content on any one of the slave terminals500has changed by a user operation, this slave terminal500may become the master terminal400, and the displays of the pieces of advertisement content on the slave terminals500including the display of the original master device may be changed in conjunction. Such a link can also be called a two-way link of advertisement content display between the first device and the second device.

FIG. 6is a block diagram schematically showing a functional configuration of the third embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 6, a system30according to the present embodiment includes the advertisement server100, the master terminal400, and the slave terminal500. The advertisement server100is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the first device is the master terminal400and the second device is the slave terminal500. Accordingly, detailed description will be omitted except for the linked display setting information144, which will be described later.

The master terminal400is the first device that communicates with the advertisement server100through a network. The master terminal400is a similar device as the tablet terminal200of the first embodiment, for example, and is achieved with a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus, which will be described later. The master terminal400includes a display controller410, a display part420, and an operation part430. Note that, in the information processing apparatus that is used as the master terminal400, the display controller410may be used like software with a processor such as a CPU operating in accordance with a program, the display part420may be used as a display serving as an output device, and the operation part430may be used as a touch panel or the like serving as an input device.

The display controller410acquires first advertisement content distributed from the advertisement server100, and causes the display part420to display the first advertisement content. In order to acquire advertisement content from the advertisement server100, the display controller410may transmit an advertisement acquisition request (GetAd). The display controller410may temporarily cache the distributed advertisement content in a storage (not shown). Further, the display controller410may start the display of the advertisement content on the display part420or may change the display of the advertisement content on the display part420in accordance with a user operation acquired by the operation part430. Information of the user operation acquired by the operation part430may be transmitted to the advertisement server100as the first information.

The slave terminal500is the second device that communicates with the advertisement server100through a network. The slave terminal500is a similar device as the tablet terminal200of the first embodiment, for example, and is achieved with a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus, which will be described later. The slave terminal500includes a display controller510and a display part520. Note that, in the information processing apparatus that is used as the slave terminal500, the display controller510may be used like software with a processor such as a CPU operating in accordance with a program, and the display part520may be used as a display serving as an output device.

Note that, as described above, since the role of the master terminal400and the role of the slave terminal500are interchangeable in the present embodiment, the configuration of the master terminal400may be the same as the configuration of the slave terminal500. That is, the slave terminal500may also include an operation part in the same manner as the master terminal400. However, for simplicity of the description, the structural elements that are not related to the roles of the master terminal400and the slave terminal500are omitted in the figure, the master terminal400and the slave terminal500being determined at least temporarily.

Since the present embodiment relates to the linked display of pieces of advertisement content between devices that are different from those of the first and second embodiments, the linked display setting information stored in the storage140of the advertisement server100may include one or more of the following definitions, which are different from the definitions of the first embodiment, for example. Note that linked display settings using sensing results such as position information, sound, acceleration, a captured image, and the like as first information are usable in the case where an information processing apparatus that is used as the master terminal400includes a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, a microphone, an acceleration sensor, an imaging device, and the like.In the case where a display of advertisement content is started on the master terminal400, a display of the same advertisement content is started on the slave terminal500.In the case where a display of advertisement content is changed by a user operation on the master terminal400, a change corresponding to the change on the master terminal400occurs in the advertisement content displayed on the slave terminal500.In the case where an arrival of a predetermined time is detected in the master terminal400, a display of advertisement content on the master terminal400and a display of advertisement content on the slave terminal500are started.In the case where position information of the master terminal400indicates a specific place, a display of advertisement content on the master terminal400and a display of advertisement content on the slave terminal500are started.In the case where position information of the master terminal400indicates a specific place, a display of advertisement content on the master terminal400and a display of advertisement content on a slave terminal500located near the place are started.In the case where a specific application or function is activated in the master terminal400, a display of advertisement content on the master terminal400and a display of advertisement content on the slave terminal500are started.In the case where the master terminal400senses specific sound, a display of advertisement content on the master terminal400and a display of advertisement content on the slave terminal500are started.In the case where acceleration of the master terminal400exceeds a predetermined value, a display of advertisement content on the master terminal400and a display of advertisement content on the slave terminal500are startedIn the case where a captured image taken by the master terminal400includes a predetermined letter, picture, or expression of a human face, a display of advertisement content on the master terminal400and a display of advertisement content on the slave terminal500are started.
(3-3. Conclusion)

According to the third embodiment of the present disclosure described above, multiple information terminals carried by people who are friends with each other are caused to function as master terminals and slave terminals, and can share same advertisement content. Further, by starting the display of advertisement content using as a trigger various conditions not limited to a user operation, the sharing of the advertisement content can be started at an unexpected timing, for example. The present embodiment can achieve distribution of more appealing advertisement content using elements such as the sharing with friends and unexpectedness of the situation.

FIG. 7AandFIG. 7Bare each a diagram schematically showing a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 7Ashows a state during advertisement distribution in the present embodiment. In the case where the master terminal400transmits an advertisement acquisition request (GetAd) to the advertisement server100, the advertisement content (Ad) is distributed to the master terminal400. The advertisement acquisition request is transmitted by an advertisement application executed by the master terminal400, for example.

Here, in the present embodiment, the master terminal400recognizes a slave terminal500to be linked with, and for a linked display, which will be described later, advertisement content for the master terminal400and advertisement content for the slave terminal500are acquired from the advertisement server100. The master terminal400forwards the advertisement content for the slave terminal500out of the pieces of advertisement content acquired from the advertisement server100to the slave terminal500. Note that, in the case where the master terminal400and the slave terminal500are the terminals of an identical type, for example, the master terminal400may provide the slave terminal500with a copy of the advertisement content acquired from the advertisement server100.

FIG. 7Bshows a state during advertisement linking in the present embodiment. Also in the same manner as in the third embodiment, in the present embodiment, synchronized with the start of the display of advertisement content (Ad) on the master terminal400, the display of advertisement content (Ad) on the slave terminal500may also be started. Further, synchronized with the change of the display of advertisement content (Ad) on the master terminal400, the display of the advertisement content (Ad) on the slave terminal500may also be changed. The present embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that the master terminal400directly controls (Control) the display of the advertisement content on the slave terminal500. The start of display and the change of display of the advertisement content on the master terminal400may be caused by a user operation given to the master terminal400, or may be caused by a sensing result such as position information of the master terminal400or by a time. For example, when the master terminal400detects such a trigger, the master terminal400transmits a control signal to the slave terminal500, the control signal controlling the slave terminal500to operate in the same manner as the master terminal400.

Note that the advertisement distribution and the advertisement linking (display) according to the present embodiment may also be continuous or noncontinuous in terms of time. That is, the advertisement may be distributed on a real-time basis during displaying of the advertisement, or may be distributed at a background before displaying the advertisement. In the case where the advertisement distribution is executed on a real-time basis, the advertisement is distributed to the master terminal400, and the advertisement may subsequently be forwarded to the slave terminal500. In the case where the advertisement distribution is executed in the background, the advertisement distribution to the master terminal400and the forwarding to the slave terminal500may be executed at different times.

FIG. 8is a block diagram schematically showing a functional configuration of the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 8, a system40according to the present embodiment includes the advertisement server100, the master terminal400, and the slave terminal500. The present embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that the master terminal400includes a first advertisement management part440, a second advertisement management part450, and a linked display controller460. The present embodiment is the same as the third embodiment in functions of the respective parts and is the same in that the parts may be used like software with a processor. Accordingly, the difference of the present embodiment from the third embodiment will be mainly described below and the description of the common parts will be omitted.

The first advertisement management part440acquires advertisement content (first advertisement content) for the master terminal400from the advertisement content142stored in the storage140of the advertisement server100through a network, and provides internally the display controller410with the first advertisement content. Further, the first advertisement management part440acquires internally information (first information) related to a display of the first advertisement content and acquired by the operation part430and the like, and provides the linked display controller460with the information.

The second advertisement management part450acquires advertisement content (second advertisement content) for the slave terminal500from the advertisement content142stored in the storage140of the advertisement server100through a network, and forwards the second advertisement content to the slave terminal500. Further, the second advertisement management part450transmits a control signal to the slave terminal500in accordance with control performed by the linked display controller460, and thus, the display of the second advertisement content on the slave terminal500is controlled.

The linked display controller460acquires linked display setting information144stored in the storage140of the advertisement server100through a network. The linked display controller460may refer to the linked display setting information144on a real-time basis in accordance with the first information provided by the operation part430or the like, or may acquire the linked display setting information144and cache the linked display setting information144in the storage (not shown) in advance.

Here, for example, the first advertisement management part440, the second advertisement management part450, and the linked display controller460may each transmit in cooperation with each other an advertisement acquisition request (GetAd) to the advertisement server100. The first advertisement management part440, the second advertisement management part450, and the linked display controller460may acquire the first advertisement content for the master terminal400, the second advertisement content for the slave terminal500, and the linked display setting information144, respectively, from the advertisement server100.

On the other hand, in the slave terminal500, the display controller510acquires the second advertisement content forwarded from the master terminal400, and causes the display part520to display the second advertisement content. In the present embodiment, the second advertisement management part450included in the master terminal400may transmit, to the advertisement server100, an advertisement acquisition request (GetAd) for acquiring the advertisement content for the slave terminal500. The display controller510may also be capable of making a request to transmit the advertisement acquisition request or to forward the second advertisement content to the second advertisement management part450.

Note that, in the present embodiment, the slave terminal500is communicable with the master terminal400, but may not be communicable with the advertisement server100. For example, the slave terminal500may be communicable with the master terminal400using a wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like, but may not be connected to a network such as the Internet for communicating with the advertisement server100. Such a state may be stationary or may be temporary. For example, when the master terminal400is in a state of being connected to the network at a point of distributing advertisement content shown inFIG. 7Aand then is in an off-line state after that, and when the master terminal400approaches the slave terminal500which is also in an off-line state, the forwarding of the advertisement content to the slave terminal500may be executed. In this case, in addition, if the linked display controller460acquires the linked display setting information144and caches the linked display setting information144in the storage (not shown) during advertisement distribution, it becomes possible to execute a linked display of advertisement content even in the case where the master terminal400and the slave terminal500are both in off-line states and are in a state in which the master terminal400and the slave terminal500are able to communicate only with each other.

Note that, also in the present embodiment, the role of the master terminal400and the role of the slave terminal500are interchangeable in the same manner as in the third embodiment, and hence, the slave terminal500may also include a first advertisement management part, a second advertisement management part, a linked display controller, and an operation part, in the same manner as the master terminal400. However, for simplicity of the description, the structural elements that are not related to the roles of the master terminal400and the slave terminal500are omitted in the figure, the master terminal400and the slave terminal500being determined at least temporarily.

According to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure described above, even in the case where the slave terminal500does not communicate with the advertisement server100and communicates mainly with the master terminal400, the slave terminal500can achieve the same functions as those of the third embodiment. Also, the master terminal400does not have to communicate with the advertisement server100except during advertisement distribution. Accordingly, it becomes possible to achieve a linked display of advertisement content between devices even in the case where it is difficult to execute communication with the advertisement server100, as long as the devices are able to communicate with each other.

FIG. 9is a diagram schematically showing a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 9shows a state during advertisement linking in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the advertisement server100distributes advertisement content corresponding to advertisement content (Ad) displayed on an electronic bill board600to the tablet terminal200located near the electronic bill board600. The fact that the tablet terminal200is located near the electronic bill board600may be determined on the basis that the tablet terminal200becomes communicable with a radio station installed near the electronic bill board600or on the basis of position information acquired using a GPS and the like by the tablet terminal200. The advertisement server100changes the display of the advertisement content (Ad) displayed on the electronic bill board600on the basis of the number of tablet terminals200that have distributed advertisement content, user operations given to the pieces of advertisement content on the respective tablet terminals200, and the like.

FIG. 10is a block diagram schematically showing a functional configuration of the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 10, a system50according to the present embodiment includes the advertisement server100, the tablet terminal200, and the electronic bill board600. The advertisement server100and the tablet terminal200are the same as those of the first embodiment except that the second device is the electronic bill board600. Accordingly, detailed description will be omitted except for the linked display setting information144, which will be described later.

The electronic bill board600is a large-sized display device in a street, for example, and may be used for displaying mainly an advertisement. The electronic bill board600is the second device that communicates with the advertisement server100through a network. Alternatively, the electronic bill board600may be provided in an integrated manner with the advertisement server100. The electronic bill board600is achieved with a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus, which will be described later, for example (a device can be referred to as information processing apparatus in the case where a display, which is an output device, has a large size and includes a processor such as a CPU for the control part). The electronic bill board600includes a display controller610and a display part620. Note that, in the information processing apparatus that is used as the electronic bill board600, the display controller610may be used like software with a processor such as a CPU operating in accordance with a program, and the display part620may be used as a display serving as an output device.

Since the present embodiment relates to the linked display of pieces of advertisement content between devices that are different from those of the first to fourth embodiments, the linked display setting information stored in the storage140of the advertisement server100may include one or more of the following definitions, which are different from the definitions of the first to fourth embodiments, for example. Note that linked display settings using position information as the first information is usable in the case where an information processing apparatus that is used as the tablet terminal200includes a GPS sensor and the like.In the case where the tablet terminal200comes near to the electronic bill board600, a display of advertisement content related to advertisement content displayed on the electronic bill board600is started on the tablet terminal200.In the case where the number of tablet terminals200displaying advertisement content is more than or equal to a predetermined number, a display of advertisement content on the electronic bill board600is changed.In the case where the number of tablet terminals200on which a predetermined user operation is given to the displayed advertisement content is more than or equal to a predetermined number, the display of the advertisement content on the electronic bill board600is changed.

Here, the change of the display of the advertisement content on the electronic bill board600may be that a still image starts to move as a video, that displayed scenes are switched, and the like. For example, the display of the advertisement content on the electronic bill board600is changed, using the following as conditions: users, the number of which being more than or equal to a predetermined number, are gathered and display pieces of advertisement content on the tablet terminals200; and users, the number of which being more than or equal to a predetermined number, further perform predetermined operations to the pieces of advertisement content displayed on the tablet terminals200. Thus, the feeling that the gathered users work together and change the display of the advertisement content on the electronic bill board600can be obtained, which makes it easy for the advertisement to remain in the users' impressions.

6. Hardware Configuration

Next, with reference toFIG. 11, a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus according to one or more of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.FIG. 11is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus900shown in the figure may be used as the server device, the tablet terminal, the TV, the master terminal, the slave terminal, and the electronic bill board according to the above embodiments, for example.

The information processing apparatus900includes a central processing unit (CPU)901, read only memory (ROM)903, and random access memory (RAM)905. Further, the information processing apparatus900may also include a host bus907, a bridge909, an external bus911, an interface913, an input device915, an output device917, a storage device919, a drive921, a connection port923, and a communication device925. In addition, the information processing apparatus900may also include an imaging device933and a sensor935as necessary. The information processing apparatus900may also include a processing circuit such as a digital signal processor (DSP) instead of or along with the CPU901.

The CPU901functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit and controls an entire operation or a part of the operation of the information processing apparatus900according to various programs recorded in the ROM903, the RAM905, the storage device919, or a removable recording medium927. The ROM903stores programs and arithmetic parameters used by the CPU901. The RAM905primarily stores programs used in execution of the CPU901and parameters and the like varying as appropriate during the execution. The CPU901, the ROM903, and the RAM905are connected with each other via the host bus907configured from an internal bus such as a CPU bus or the like. In addition, the host bus907is connected to the external bus911such as a peripheral component interconnect/interface (PCI) bus via the bridge909.

The input device915is a device operated by a user, such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, buttons, a switch and a lever. Also, the input device915may be a remote control device using, for example, infrared light or other radio waves, or may be an external connection device929such as a mobile phone compatible with the operation of the information processing apparatus900. The input device915includes an input control circuit that generates an input signal on the basis of information input by the user and outputs the input signal to the CPU901. The user inputs various kinds of data to the information processing apparatus900and instructs the information processing apparatus900to perform a processing operation by operating the input device915.

The output device917is configured from a device capable of visually or aurally notifying the user of acquired information. For example, the output device917may be: a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display; an audio output device such as a speaker and headphones; or a printer. The output device917outputs results obtained by the processing performed by the information processing apparatus900as video in the form of text or an image or as audio in the form of audio or sound.

The storage device919is a device for storing data configured as an example of a storage of the information processing apparatus900. The storage device919is configured from, for example, a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, or a magneto-optical storage device. This storage device919stores programs to be executed by the CPU901, various data, and various data obtained from the outside.

The drive921is a reader/writer for the removable recording medium927such as a magnetic disk, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and is built in or externally attached to the information processing apparatus900. The drive921reads out information recorded on the attached removable recording medium927, and outputs the information to the RAM905. Further, the drive921writes the record on the attached removable recording medium927.

The connection port923is a port for allowing devices to directly connect to the information processing apparatus900. Examples of the connection port923include a universal serial bus (USB) port, an IEEE1394 port, and a small computer system interface (SCSI) port. Other examples of the connection port923may include an RS-232C port, an optical audio terminal, and a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port. The connection of the external connection device929to the connection port923may enable the various data exchange between the information processing apparatus900and the external connection device929.

The communication device925is a communication interface configured from, for example, a communication device for establishing a connection to a communication network931. The communication device925is, for example, a wired or wireless local area network (LAN), Bluetooth (registered trademark), a communication card for wireless USB (WUSB), or the like. Alternatively, the communication device925may be a router for optical communication, a router for asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL), a modem for various communications, or the like. The communication device925can transmit and receive signals and the like using a predetermined protocol such as TCP/IP on the Internet and with other communication devices, for example. The communication network931connected to the communication device925is configured from a network and the like, which is connected via wire or wirelessly, and is, for example, the Internet, a home-use LAN, infrared communication, radio wave communication, and satellite communication.

The imaging device933is a device that images real space using various members including an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), a lens for controlling image formation of a subject on the image sensor, and the like, and that generates a captured image. The imaging device933may image a still image or may image a video.

The sensor935is, for example, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an optical sensor, or an audio sensor. The sensor935acquires, for example, information related to a state of the information processing apparatus900itself, such as the attitude of the housing the information processing apparatus900, and information related to an ambient environment of the information processing apparatus900such as the brightness and noise of the surroundings of the information processing apparatus900. Further, the sensor935may include a GPS sensor that receives global positioning system (GPS) signals and measures latitude, longitude, and altitude of the apparatus.

Heretofore, an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus900has been shown. Each of the structural elements described above may be configured using a general-purpose material, or may be configured from hardware dedicated to the function of each structural element. The configuration may be changed as appropriate according to the technical level at the time of carrying out embodiments.

The embodiments of the present disclosure may include the information processing apparatus, the system, the information processing method executed in the information processing apparatus or the system, the program for causing the information processing apparatus to function, and the non-transitory tangible media having the program recorded thereon, which have been described above, for example.

Further, in the description of the above embodiments, the block diagrams of functional configurations merely show the functional configurations for achieving the functions according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. The respective devices may further include other functional configurations for achieving other functions. Further, the functional configurations for achieving the functions according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may also be used for achieving other functions of each of the devices.

Further, although the display of an image is exemplified as a method of outputting advertisement content in the description of the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the advertisement content may be output as audio, or may be output as a motion of a device, such as vibration. The linking of outputs of pieces of advertisement content is not limited to the linking of the same output mode (for example, between images and between audios), and the linking may be achieved between different output modes (for example, image and audio, image and vibration, and audio and vibration).

(1) An information processing apparatus including:

a first advertisement management part configured to manage an output of first advertisement content from a first device;

a second advertisement management part configured to manage an output of second advertisement content from a second device, the second device being different from the first device, the second advertisement content being related to the first advertisement content; and

a linked output controller configured to control, based on first information acquired by the first advertisement management part from the first device and linked output setting information defining an operation of the second advertisement content in association with the first information, the output of the second advertisement content from the second device through the second advertisement management part.

(2) The information processing apparatus according to (1),

wherein the first information includes information showing an occurrence of a trigger for starting or changing the output of the first advertisement content from the first device.

(3) The information processing apparatus according to (2),

wherein the first information includes information showing a user operation acquired in the first device.

(4) The information processing apparatus according to (2) or (3),

wherein the first information includes information showing a sensing result in the first device.

(5) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (2) to (4),

wherein, when the first information is acquired, the linked output controller causes the output of the second advertisement content from the second device to be started.

(6) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (2) to (5),

wherein, when the first information is acquired, the linked output controller causes the output of the second advertisement content from the second device to be changed.

(7) The information processing apparatus according to (6),

wherein the second advertisement management part manages a display of the second advertisement content on the second device, and

wherein, when the first information is acquired, the linked output controller switches the display of the second advertisement content on the second device from a still image to a video.

(8) The information processing apparatus according to (6) or (7),

wherein the second advertisement management part manages a display of the second advertisement content on the second device, and

wherein, when the first information is acquired, the linked output controller changes a display area of the second advertisement content in the second device.

wherein the linked output controller acquires the linked output setting information from an external device.

(10) The information processing apparatus according to (9),

wherein the first advertisement management part acquires the first advertisement content from the external device, and

wherein the second advertisement management part acquires the second advertisement content from the external device.

(11) The information processing apparatus according to (10), further including

an output controller configured to cause the second advertisement content to be output from an output part of the second device included in the information processing apparatus,

wherein the first advertisement management part forwards the first advertisement content to the first device and also receives the first information from the first device, and

wherein the second advertisement management part provides the output controller with the second advertisement content.

(12) The information processing apparatus according to (10), further including

an output controller configured to cause the first advertisement content to be output from an output part of the first device included in the information processing apparatus,

wherein the first advertisement management part provides the output controller with the first advertisement content and also acquires internally the first information, and

wherein the second advertisement management part forwards the second advertisement content to the second device, and also transmits, to the second device, a control signal for controlling the output of the second advertisement content.

(13) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (12),

wherein the first information includes information showing that the first device which is portable has come close to the second device, and

wherein, when the first information is acquired, the first advertisement management part causes the output of the first advertisement content from the first device to be started.

(14) The information processing apparatus according to (13),

wherein, when the first information shows that a number of the first devices having come close to the second device and outputting the first advertisement content is more than or equal to a predetermined number, the linked output controller causes the output of the second advertisement content from the second device to be changed.

(15) The information processing apparatus according to (13) or (14),

wherein the first information further includes information showing a predetermined user operation acquired in the first device from which the first advertisement content is output, and

wherein, when the first information shows that a number of the first devices having acquired the predetermined user operation is more than or equal to a predetermined number, the linked output controller causes the output of the second advertisement content from the second device to be changed.

(16) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (15),

wherein the first advertisement content and the second advertisement content are generated by dividing a series of advertisement content, and

wherein the linked output controller determines a number of pieces into which the series of advertisement content is to be divided depending on a number of the first devices and a number of the second devices.

(17) An information processing method including:

managing an output of first advertisement content from a first device;

managing an output of second advertisement content from a second device, the second device being different from the first device, the second advertisement content being related to the first advertisement content; and

controlling, based on first information acquired from the first device and linked output setting information defining an operation of the second advertisement content in association with the first information, the output of the second advertisement content from the second device.

(18) A program for causing a computer to achieve

a function of managing an output of first advertisement content from a first device,

a function of managing an output of second advertisement content from a second device, the second device being different from the first device, the second advertisement content being related to the first advertisement content, and

a function of controlling, based on first information acquired from the first device and linked output setting information defining an operation of the second advertisement content in association with the first information, the output of the second advertisement content from the second device.