On-train information providing device, on-train information providing system, and audio data providing method

An on-train information providing system comprising a ground transmitting and receiving device that transmits video data of on-train advertisements to an on-train transmitting and receiving device, an on-train information providing device that provides passengers of a train with the video data, wherein said on-train transmitting and receiving device transmits the video data received from the ground transmitting and receiving device to the on-train information providing device, and wherein:

• the on-train information providing device comprises:
• a storage unit that stores therein (1) a plurality of video data, (2) a program listing including a plurality of video data entries, wherein each video data entry includes respective video data identified with a video data name that represents a title of the video data and a valid time period, (3) a plurality of items of first audio data, and (4) an audio listing in which a file number that is an identification number of an audio file corresponding to each item of the first audio data is associated with an audio file name;
• a sound recognizing unit that, prior to reproduction of video data to the passengers of the train,
• retrieves video data and the program listing from the storage unit,
• judges whether each video data within its respective valid time period includes second audio data,
• if the video data includes second audio data, determines whether a sound level of the second audio data is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold until a reproduction time of the video data ends,
• attach an audio flag, to each respective video data entry in the program listing,
• wherein the audio flag is a first value indicating that the second audio data is to be sent out (1) when the video data includes second audio data and (2) if the sound level of the second audio data is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value, and
• wherein the audio flag is a second value indicating that the first audio data is to be sent out (1) when the video data does not include second audio data or (2) when the video data includes second audio data and the sound level of the second audio data is not greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value, and
• stores a revised program listing back in the storage unit, wherein the revised program listing includes the plurality of video data entries with the respective audio flags;
• and
• a controlling unit that (1) retrieves the revised program listing from storage, (2) determines, based on the audio flag attached to each respective video data entry, whether the respective video data is to include (i) first audio data stored in the storage unit or (ii) the second audio data, (3) transmits the video data to a display device that is arranged on the train to reproduce the video data, and (4) transmits the first audio data or the second audio data, based on the determination, to a wireless transmitting unit that is arranged on the train and transmits the first audio data or the second audio data as a radio signal to audio reproducing devices of the passengers, wherein
• when the controlling unit determines that the video data is to include first audio, the controlling unit selects an item of first audio data from the plurality of items of first audio data stored in the storage unit and transmits the selected item of first audio to the wireless transmitting unit.

An audio data providing method implemented by an on-train information providing device that provides video data of on-train advertisements transmitted from a ground transmitting and receiving device to an on-train transmitting and receiving device with passengers of a train, comprising:

• storing, in a storing unit, (1) a plurality of video data, (2) a program listing including a plurality of video data entries, wherein each video data entry includes a respective video data identified with a video data name that represents a title of the video data and a valid time period, (3) a plurality of first audio data, and (4) an audio list in which a file number that is an identification number of an audio file corresponding to each item of the first audio data is associated with an audio file name;
• retrieving, by a sound recognizing unit, prior to reproduction of video data to the passengers of the train, the video data and the program listing stored at the storing step;
• judging, by the sound recognizing unit, prior to the reproduction of video data to the passengers of the train, whether each video data within its respective valid time period includes second audio data;
• if the video data includes second audio data, determining whether a sound level of the second audio data is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value until a reproduction time of the video data ends,
• attaching an audio flag, to each respective video data entry in the program listing,
• wherein the audio flag is a first value indicating that the second audio data is to be sent out (1) when the video data includes second audio data and (2) if the sound level of the second audio data is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value, and
• wherein the audio flag is a second value indicating that the first audio data is to be sent out (1) when the video data does not include second audio data or (2) when the video data includes second audio data and the sound level of the second audio data is not greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value,
• sending, by the sound recognizing unit, prior to the reproduction of video data to the passengers of the train, a revised program listing back to the storage unit, wherein the revised program listing includes the plurality of video data entries with the respective audio flags;
• retrieving, by a controlling unit, the revised program listing from storage;
• based on the audio flag attached to each respective video data entry, determining, by the controlling unit, whether the respective video data is to include (i) first audio data stored in the storage unit or (ii) the second audio data;
• and
• transmitting, by the controlling unit, (1) the video data to a display device that is arranged on the train to reproduce the video data, and (2) based on the determination, transmitting the first audio data or the second audio data to a wireless transmitting unit that is arranged on the train and transmits the first audio data or the second audio data as a radio signal to audio reproducing devices of the passengers, wherein
• when the controlling unit determines that the video data is to include first audio data stored in the storage unit, the controlling unit selects an item of first audio data from the plurality of items of first audio data stored in the storage unit and transmits the selected item of first audio data to the wireless transmitting unit.