System for facilitating use of equipment and program

Abstract

To provide a system for facilitating the use of equipment and a program for use in the system configured to easily motivate a user to use target equipment.SOLUTION: A system 1 for facilitating the use of equipment includes target equipment 2, a user terminal 3 used by a user, a user application 34 that runs on the user terminal 3, a relay server 4, and a supporter terminal 5 used by a supporter. The target equipment 2 generates history information when used by the user, and transmits the history information to the user terminal 3. The user terminal 3 transmits the history information received from the target equipment to the relay server 4. The relay server 4 includes use information transmission means which generates, on the basis of the history information received in a server communication unit 41, equipment use information including a user name corresponding to the history information, and transmits the equipment use information to the supporter terminal 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an appliance usage promotion system and a program used in this system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for the purpose of health management, etc., vital data measured using measuring devices such as a weight scale, a body composition monitor, and a blood pressure monitor is stored on a server on the Internet, and the vital data stored on the server is checked from various terminals. In recent years, fitness data such as the usage history of fitness devices and the amount of activity acquired by an activity monitor is also stored on a server on the Internet and used to improve health.

[0003] As a system used for such a purpose, for example, Patent Document 1 describes an information processing system including a server having a database of vital information measured by a vital information measuring device, and a first terminal device and a second terminal device configured to be able to communicate with the server. The second terminal device of the information processing system is configured to acquire, from the vital information measuring device, vital information of a user of the second terminal device measured by the vital information measuring device, and transmit the information to the server. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-188008 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] To improve the effectiveness of health management using vital data and fitness data, it is desirable to collect these data continuously. Therefore, there has been a demand for technology that can increase users' motivation to use vital data measuring devices and fitness devices, and naturally encourage them to use these devices.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above background, and aims to provide an equipment usage promotion system and a program for use in the equipment usage promotion system that can easily increase users' motivation to use the target equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a device usage promotion system that is used to promote use of a target device by a user based on a usage history of the target device used by the user, the system comprising: The target device; A user terminal used by the user; A user application that runs on the user terminal; A relay server; A supporter terminal used by a supporter; The target device is: a history information generating unit that generates history information including a device ID of the target device when the user uses the target device; a device communication unit that transmits the history information generated by the history information generation unit to the user terminal, The user terminal, a user terminal communication unit configured to be able to communicate with the target device and the relay server; A user terminal storage unit that stores information in the user terminal, The user application a history information receiving means for causing the user terminal communication unit to receive the history information; a history information storage unit for storing the history information received by the user terminal communication unit in the user terminal storage unit; a history information transmission unit that transmits the history information stored in the user terminal storage unit from the user terminal communication unit to the relay server, The relay server includes: A server communication unit configured to be able to communicate with the user terminal and the supporter terminal; a usage information transmission means for generating device usage information including a user name corresponding to the history information based on the history information received by the server communication unit, and transmitting the device usage information to the supporter terminal; The supporter terminal includes: A supporter terminal communication unit configured to be able to communicate with the relay server; and a supporter terminal display unit that displays the device usage information received by the supporter terminal communication unit. Effect of the Invention

[0008] In the device usage promotion system, when a target device is used by a user, a history information generation unit of the target device generates history information. This history information is transmitted to the user terminal by the device communication unit, and then transmitted from the user terminal communication unit to the relay server. Meanwhile, after receiving the history information, the relay server generates device usage information corresponding to the history information by the usage information transmission means, and transmits the device usage information to the supporter terminal. Then, the supporter terminal that has received the device usage information displays the device usage information on the supporter terminal display unit.

[0009] In this way, the device usage promotion system is configured to notify the supporter of the fact that the user has used the target device as device usage information. Therefore, it is expected that the notification of the usage history of the target device to the supporter will motivate the user and encourage the user to use the target device. In addition, it is expected that the supporter, who has grasped the user's use of the target device from the device usage information, will convey a positive message to the user regarding the use of the target device by various means, thereby further increasing the user's motivation.

[0010] Therefore, according to the above aspect, it is possible to provide a device usage promotion system and a program used in the device usage promotion system that can easily increase a user's motivation to use a target device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of a device usage promotion system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a target device included in the device usage promotion system of the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a user terminal in a state in which a history record is displayed in the device usage promotion system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a user terminal in a state in which supporter reaction information is displayed in the equipment usage promotion system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a supporter terminal in a state in which device usage information is displayed in the device usage promotion system of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a supporter terminal when supporter reaction information is input in the equipment usage promotion system of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a time chart of the operation of recording history information in the relay server in the device usage promotion system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a time chart of the operation of transmitting supporter reaction information to a user terminal in the device usage promotion system of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] (Equipment Usage Promotion System) The configuration of each part of the appliance usage promotion system will be described.

[0013] [Target devices] In the device usage promotion system, the target device used by the user may take various forms. For example, the target device may be a beauty device used for beautifying the skin, a massage device for massaging various parts of the body, a training device for training various parts of the body, etc.

[0014] The target equipment is preferably a training equipment. In order to obtain the effect of training using the training equipment, it is usually necessary to use the training equipment continuously. However, it may take a relatively long time for the user to feel the effect of training using the training equipment. Even in such a case, the equipment usage promotion system can easily maintain the motivation to continue using the training equipment until the user can feel the effect of training.

[0015] The training equipment in the equipment usage promotion system may take various forms. For example, the training equipment may be an electrical muscle stimulation (hereinafter referred to as "EMS") equipment that promotes muscle movement by applying electrical stimulation to the user's muscles.

[0016] The history information generating unit of the target device is configured to generate history information when the user uses the target device. The history information includes at least a device ID previously assigned to the target device. In addition to the device ID of the target device, the history information may include information such as the time when the use of the target device started and ended, the mode of use of the target device, and the number of times the target device has been used. Note that the above-mentioned "mode of use of the target device" includes, for example, the operation mode of the target device. More specifically, when the target device is a training device, the "mode of use of the target device" includes, for example, the operation mode of the training device, training intensity, exercise amount, and calories burned.

[0017] The timing at which the history information is generated by the history information generating unit may take various forms. It is preferable that the history information generating unit is configured to generate the history information at the time when the user finishes using the target device. In this case, a more accurate usage history of the target device can be recorded in the relay server.

[0018] The device communication unit of the target device is configured to be able to transmit the history information generated in the history information generation unit to the user terminal. More specifically, the device communication unit may be configured to be able to perform two-way communication with the user terminal communication unit provided in the user terminal, or may be configured to be able to perform only transmission to the user terminal communication unit. The manner of communication between the device communication unit and the user terminal communication unit is not particularly limited as long as the history information can be transmitted to the user terminal. For example, an information communication network such as a personal area network or a local area network can be used for communication between the device communication unit and the user terminal communication unit. From the viewpoint of further improving the convenience when transmitting the history information to the user terminal, it is preferable that the device communication unit is configured to transmit the history information to the user terminal communication unit via wireless communication.

[0019] The timing at which the device communication unit transmits the history information to the user terminal may take various forms. For example, the device communication unit may be configured to transmit the history information to the user terminal every time the user uses the target device. The device communication unit may accumulate history information from the user's use of the target device until a predetermined period has elapsed, and may be updated to transmit the accumulated history information to the user terminal every time the predetermined period has elapsed.

[0020] Furthermore, for example, when the device communication unit and the user terminal communication unit are capable of bidirectional communication, the device communication unit may be configured to transmit history information after communication with the user terminal communication unit is established. In this case, the usage history of the target device can be reliably transmitted to the user terminal.

[0021] Also, for example, the device communication unit may be configured to continue transmitting the history information to the user terminal until a predetermined transmission duration has elapsed after starting transmission of the history information to the user terminal. By continuing to transmit the history information to the user terminal for a predetermined period of time, the history information is transmitted when the user application is operating, and the possibility that the user terminal can receive the history information can be increased. The length of the transmission duration may be set appropriately depending on the operation of the user terminal to which the history information is to be transmitted, etc.

[0022] The target device is preferably configured to be turned off after a predetermined waiting period has elapsed after a user performs an operation to turn off the power of the target device. The operation to turn off the power of the target device may be performed immediately after the user has finished using the target device. Even in such a case, by providing a waiting period after the user performs an operation to turn off the power, a sufficient period for the target device to transmit the history information can be ensured, and the possibility that the user terminal will receive the history information can be increased. Note that, if the target device has a display device such as a light or a display, it is preferable that the display device is turned off during the waiting period.

[0023] [User terminal] The specific form of the user terminal in the device usage promotion system is not particularly limited, but from the standpoint of ease of use for the user, it is preferable that the user terminal be a mobile terminal such as a tablet personal computer or a smartphone.

[0024] The user terminal communication unit in the user terminal has a user terminal communication unit configured to be able to communicate with the target device and the relay server, and a user terminal storage unit that stores information in the user terminal. The user terminal communication unit may be configured to at least receive history information transmitted by the device communication unit of the target device and transmit history information to the server communication unit provided in the relay server. The user terminal communication unit may be configured to perform two-way communication with the server communication unit. The mode of communication between the user terminal communication unit and the server communication unit is not particularly limited, and various modes may be taken. For example, an information communication network such as a personal area network, a local area network, or a wide area network may be used for communication between the user terminal communication unit and the server communication unit. The user terminal communication unit may be configured to transmit history information to the server communication unit via wired communication, or may be configured to transmit history information to the server communication unit via wireless communication.

[0025] The user terminal storage unit is configured to store information in the user terminal, such as user applications and other programs that run on the user terminal. The specific form of the user terminal storage unit is not particularly limited and may take various forms. For example, the user terminal storage unit may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory.

[0026] [Relay server] The relay server has a server communication unit configured to be able to communicate with the user terminal and the supporter terminal. The server communication unit may be configured to be able to perform two-way communication with the user terminal and the supporter terminal. For communication between the server communication unit and the user terminal, and for communication between the server communication unit and the supporter terminal, an information communication network such as a personal area network, a local area network, or a wide area network may be used. In addition, the server communication unit may be configured to be able to communicate with other terminals via wired communication, or may be configured to be able to communicate with other terminals via wireless communication.

[0027] The relay server may have a server storage unit that stores information in the relay server. The server storage unit stores information in the relay server, such as programs that run on the relay server and history records. The specific form of the server storage unit is not particularly limited and may take various forms. For example, the server storage unit may be a main storage device or an auxiliary storage device of the relay server. In addition, the server storage unit may be a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, or a magnetic storage medium.

[0028] The relay server has a usage information transmission means for generating device usage information including a user name corresponding to the history information received by the server communication unit based on the history information, and transmitting the device usage information to the supporter terminal. The operation of the usage information transmission means can be realized, for example, by a program stored in the server storage unit.

[0029] The device usage information includes at least a user name corresponding to the history information. The device usage information may further include a device ID corresponding to the history information and the number of times the target device has been used. The user name corresponding to the history information may be included in the history information itself, for example. Also, for example, the user name of the user terminal that transmitted the history information may be set as the user name corresponding to the history information. Furthermore, for example, if the relay server holds a correspondence relationship between the device ID included in the history information and the user name corresponding to the device ID, it may also determine the user name corresponding to the history information based on the device ID included in the history information and the correspondence relationship.

[0030] The device usage information transmitted from the relay server to the supporter terminal may take various forms. For example, the device usage information may be transmitted to the supporter terminal in the form of an e-mail, a short message, a message in a messenger application, or the like. In addition, when a supporter application described later is executed on the supporter terminal, the device usage information may be transmitted to the supporter terminal as a push notification to the supporter application. In any case, the supporter who has grasped the usage history of the target device by the user from the device usage information can convey a positive message to the user about the use of the target device by various means such as a call, e-mail, a short message service, or a messenger application, thereby further increasing the motivation of the user to continue using the target device. Furthermore, the supporter can use the device usage information to check the safety of the user.

[0031] The relay server may have a history record storage means for generating a history record including the history information received at the server communication unit based on the history information, and storing the history record in the server storage unit. The operation of the history record storage means can be realized, for example, by a program stored in the server storage unit.

[0032] The history record includes at least the history information. The history record may further include information corresponding to the history information, if necessary. The timing at which the history record storage means is executed is not particularly limited, and may take various forms. For example, the relay server may be configured to execute the history record storage means every time the server communication unit receives history information. Also, the relay server may be configured to execute the history record storage means at predetermined intervals.

[0033] The history record generated in the history record storage means is stored in the server storage unit. The history record stored in the server storage unit may be transmitted to a user terminal at the request of the user and displayed on the terminal. In this case, the user can check the usage history of the target device retroactively. As a result, it is expected that the motivation of the user to use the target device will be further increased. In addition, the history record stored in the server storage unit may be transmitted to a supporter terminal at the request of a supporter and displayed on the terminal.

[0034] [User application] The user application is configured to be operable on a user terminal, and has a history information receiving means for causing the user terminal communication unit to receive history information, a history information storage means for storing the history information received in the user terminal communication unit in a user terminal memory unit, and a history information transmission means for transmitting the history information stored in the user terminal memory unit to the relay server via the user terminal communication unit.

[0035] The timing at which the user application executes the history information receiving means may take various forms. For example, the user application may be configured to execute the history information receiving means, the history information storage means, and the history information transmitting means each time a predetermined period elapses while the user application is executed in the foreground. The user application may also be configured to execute the history information receiving means, the history information storage means, and the history information transmitting means when the user application transitions from a state in which the user application is executed in the background to a state in which the user application is executed in the foreground. The user application may also be configured to execute the history information receiving means, the history information storage means, and the history information transmitting means based on a user instruction input to the user application.

[0036] The history information storage means may process the history information received from the device communication unit as necessary when storing the history information in the user terminal storage unit. For example, the history information storage means may add a user name corresponding to the history information to the history information when storing the history information in the user terminal storage unit. The method of determining a user name based on the history information may take various forms. For example, when the user terminal storage unit holds a correspondence relationship between the device ID of the target device and the user name, the history information storage means may determine a user name from the device ID included in the history information based on the correspondence relationship. In addition, the history information storage means may use, for example, the user name of the user terminal as the user name corresponding to the history information.

[0037] It is preferable that the user application has a communication confirmation means for determining whether or not communication between the user terminal communication unit and the server communication unit is established, and the history information transmission means is configured to transmit the history information to the relay server after the communication confirmation means determines that communication between the user terminal communication unit and the server communication unit is established. In this case, it is possible to ensure that the history information transmitted from the user terminal reaches the relay server.

[0038] The user application may also have a history record display means for acquiring the history record from the relay server and displaying the history record on the user terminal. In this case, the user can more easily grasp the usage history of the target device, and it is expected that the user's motivation for continuing to use the target device will be further increased. The timing at which the user application executes the history record display means is not particularly limited and may take various forms. For example, the user application may be configured to execute the history record display means when instructed by the user.

[0039] The display mode of the history records displayed on the user terminal by the history record display means may take various modes. For example, the history record display means may display a list of the history records as a table. Also, for example, the history record display means may extract days on which the target device has a usage history based on the history records, and display the history records by attaching an icon to the days on a calendar on which the target device has a usage history.

[0040] [Supporter terminal] The device usage promotion system may further include a supporter terminal used by a supporter. In this specification, the term "supporter" refers to a person who is different from the user and who is permitted by the user to use the device usage promotion system. The specific form of the supporter terminal is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of ease of use for the supporter, it is preferable that the supporter terminal is a mobile terminal such as a tablet personal computer or a smartphone.

[0041] The supporter terminal has a supporter terminal communication unit configured to be able to communicate with a record server, and a supporter terminal display unit that displays the device usage information received by the supporter terminal communication unit.

[0042] The supporter terminal communication unit may be configured to receive device usage information from at least a server communication unit provided in the relay server. The supporter terminal communication unit may be configured to perform two-way communication with the server communication unit. The mode of communication between the supporter terminal communication unit and the server communication unit is not particularly limited, and various modes may be used. For example, an information communication network such as a personal area network, a local area network, or a wide area network may be used for communication between the supporter terminal communication unit and the server communication unit. The supporter terminal communication unit may be configured to receive device usage information from the server communication unit via wired communication, or may be configured to receive device usage information from the server communication unit via wireless communication.

[0043] The supporter terminal display unit may take various forms as long as it can present the device usage information to the supporter. For example, the supporter terminal display unit may be a display or a touch panel. The form in which the device usage information is displayed on the supporter terminal display unit is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of making it easier for the supporter to understand that the device usage information has been received, it is preferable that the supporter terminal display unit is configured to display the device usage information as a push notification.

[0044] [Supporter App] The device usage promotion system may have a supporter application running on a supporter terminal. The supporter application may be configured to, for example, obtain a history record corresponding to device usage information received from a relay server based on the device usage information, and display the history record on a display unit of the supporter terminal.

[0045] a supporter reaction input unit for inputting supporter reaction information, which is a reaction of the supporter to the device use information received by the supporter terminal communication unit, when the device use promotion system has a supporter application; and a supporter reaction information transmitting means for transmitting the supporter reaction information from the supporter terminal communication unit to the relay server, The relay server includes a supporter reaction information forwarding means for forwarding the supporter reaction information received by the server communication unit to the user terminal, It is preferable that the user application has a supporter reaction display means for displaying the supporter reaction information received by the user terminal communication unit on the user terminal.

[0046] In this case, the supporter can use the supporter app to grasp the user's usage history of the target device and can convey a positive message to the user for using the target device, making it easier to convey messages to the user. Furthermore, the supporter's reaction is presented to the user by the supporter reaction display means, which is expected to further increase the user's motivation to continue using the target device.

[0047] The content and input manner of the supporter reaction information input by the supporter reaction input means may take various forms. For example, the supporter reaction input means may be configured to be able to input standard messages such as "Like" or "Support" to the supporter terminal as the supporter reaction information. Also, for example, the supporter reaction input means may be configured to be able to input any message to the supporter terminal as the supporter reaction information.

[0048] The timing at which the supporter app executes the supporter reaction information transmission means is not particularly limited and may take various forms. For example, the supporter app may be configured to confirm that the supporter terminal and the relay server are in a communicable state after the supporter reaction information is input, and to execute the supporter reaction information transmission means when the supporter terminal and the relay server are in a communicable state.

[0049] The display mode of the supporter reaction information displayed on the user terminal by the supporter reaction display means may take various modes. For example, the supporter reaction display means may display a list of supporter reaction information for the use history of each target device as a table or a timeline on the supporter terminal display unit. Also, for example, the supporter reaction display means may extract a day on which there is a use history corresponding to the supporter reaction information based on the history record and the supporter reaction information acquired from the relay server, and display the supporter reaction information on the supporter terminal display unit by attaching an icon to the day on a calendar on which there is a use history corresponding to the supporter reaction information. EXAMPLES

[0050] An embodiment of the device usage promotion system will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8. The device usage promotion system 1 of this embodiment is used to promote the use of a target device by a user based on the usage history of the target device 2 used by the user. As shown in Fig. 1, the device usage promotion system 1 has the target device 2, a user terminal 3 used by the user, a user application 34 running on the user terminal 3, a relay server 4, a supporter terminal 5 used by a supporter, and a supporter application 54 running on the supporter terminal 5. The configuration of each part of the device usage promotion system 1 will be described in detail below.

[0051] [Target device 2] The target equipment 2 in the equipment usage promotion system 1 of this example is training equipment. More specifically, the target equipment 2 is an EMS device 20 for imparting electrical stimulation to the muscles of a user to promote muscle movement. The EMS device 20 has at least one pair of electrodes 21 provided at positions capable of contacting the user's body, and is configured to be able to pass a current through a circular current path including these electrodes 21 and the user's body.

[0052] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the EMS device 20 has a footrest 221 provided on its upper surface 22 on which the user's feet are placed, at least one pair of electrodes 21 provided on the footrest 221, a potential difference forming section 23 (see FIG. 1) for forming a potential difference between the electrodes 21, and a grounding section 243 that bulges downwardly from a front end 241 and a rear end 242 on the lower surface 24 of the EMS device 20, and may be configured to be able to swing in the forward / backward direction while the grounding section 243 is in contact with the floor surface.

[0053] When using the EMS device 20, a potential difference is formed between the electrodes 21 with the user placing both feet on the footrest 221 of the EMS device 20, and a pulse current is passed through a current path including the electrodes 21 and the user's body. For example, the potential difference forming unit 23 of the EMS device 20 is configured to form a potential difference between the electrodes 21 according to a previously stored exercise control program, and to apply electrical stimulation having a predetermined pattern to the muscles of the user's legs. Examples of the exercise control program include an exercise control program for increasing muscle strength, an exercise control program for exercise simulating walking, and an exercise control program for muscle conditioning.

[0054] When electrical stimulation is applied to the muscles of the user's legs via the electrodes 21, the muscles of the user's legs contract in response to the electrical stimulation. When the muscles of the user's legs contract, the EMS device 20 swings back and forth in response to the movement of the user's legs. This can promote the movement of the user's legs. The training effect can also be improved by the user intentionally swinging the EMS device 20.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 1, the target device 2 of this example has a history information generating unit 25 and a device communication unit 26 in addition to the electrode 21 and the potential difference forming unit 23. The history information generating unit 25 is configured to generate history information including a device ID for identifying the target device 2 and the number of times the target device 2 has been used when the user uses the target device 2. The history information generating unit 25 of this example is connected to the potential difference forming unit 23 and the device communication unit 26. The history information generating unit 25 is configured to generate history information at the time when the execution of the motion control program by the potential difference forming unit 23 is completed. In addition, the history information generating unit 25 is configured to transmit the history information to the device communication unit 26 after the generation of the history information is completed. The operations of the potential difference forming unit 23 and the history information generating unit 25 can be realized by, for example, an electronic circuit or a program held in a microcomputer.

[0056] The device communication unit 26 is configured to transmit the history information generated in the history information generation unit 25 to the user terminal 3. More specifically, the device communication unit 26 in this example is configured to be able to perform wireless communication with the user terminal 3 via a personal area network. The device communication unit 26 is also configured to start transmitting the history information to the user terminal 3 upon receiving the history information from the history information generation unit 25, and to continue transmitting the history information until a predetermined transmission duration period has elapsed since the start of the transmission of the history information.

[0057] Moreover, the target device 2 in this example is configured to be turned off after a predetermined waiting period has elapsed after the user performs an operation to turn off the power of the target device 2. The length of the waiting period in the target device 2 in this example is specifically the same as the length of the transmission duration period in the device communication unit 26.

[0058] [User terminal 3] Specifically, the user terminal 3 in this example is a smartphone. The user terminal 3 has a user terminal communication unit 31, a user terminal storage unit 32, and a user terminal input / output unit 33. The user terminal communication unit 31 is configured to be able to communicate with each of the target device 2 and the relay server 4. More specifically, the user terminal communication unit 31 is configured to be able to receive history information from the target device 2 via a personal area network. In addition, the user terminal communication unit 31 is configured to be able to perform two-way communication with other information communication devices such as the relay server 4 via a local area network and / or a wide area network.

[0059] The user terminal storage unit 32 is configured to store various information such as programs operating on the user terminal 3, including the user application 34, and history information received from the terminal communication unit. The user terminal storage unit 32 in this example is specifically a non-volatile memory.

[0060] The user terminal input / output unit 33 is configured to allow the user to input information to the user terminal 3 and to present information to the user from the user terminal 3. The user terminal input / output unit 33 in this example is specifically a touch panel.

[0061] [Relay Server 4] The relay server 4 has a server communication unit 41, a server storage unit 42, a history record saving means 43, a usage information sending means 44, and a supporter reaction information transferring means 45. The server communication unit 41 is configured to be able to communicate with each of the user terminal 3 and the supporter terminal 5. More specifically, the server communication unit 41 is configured to be able to perform two-way communication with the user terminal 3 and the supporter terminal 5 via a local area network and / or a wide area network.

[0062] The server storage unit 42 is configured to store various information such as programs and history records that run on the relay server 4. The server storage unit 42 in this example is specifically a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device.

[0063] The history record storage means 43, the usage information transmission means 44, and the supporter reaction information transfer means 45 are executed by a program stored in the server storage unit 42. The history record storage means 43 is configured to generate a history record including the history information received by the server communication unit 41 based on the history information, and to store the history record in the server storage unit 42.

[0064] The relay server 4 in this example is configured to execute the history record storage means 43 every time the server communication unit 41 receives history information. The relay server 4 holds a correspondence between information identifying the user terminal 3 and a user name in the server storage unit 42. This allows the history record storage means 43 to determine a user name corresponding to the history information based on the information identifying the user terminal 3 that transmitted the history information and the above-mentioned correspondence. Therefore, the history record generated by the history record storage means 43 in this example includes the user name corresponding to the history information in addition to the history information.

[0065] The usage information transmission means 44 is configured to generate equipment usage information including a user name corresponding to the historical information received by the server communication unit 41, based on the historical information, and to transmit the equipment usage information from the server communication unit 41 to the supporter terminal 5.

[0066] The relay server 4 in this example is configured to execute the usage information transmission means 44 every time the server communication unit 41 receives history information. As described above, the relay server 4 holds a correspondence between information identifying the user terminal 3 and a user name in the server storage unit 42. This allows the usage information transmission means 44 to determine a user name corresponding to the history information based on the information identifying the user terminal 3 that transmitted the history information and the above-mentioned correspondence.

[0067] The supporter reaction information forwarding means 45 is configured to forward the supporter reaction information received by the server communication unit 41 to the user terminal 3 when the server communication unit 41 receives supporter reaction information described below from the supporter terminal 5.

[0068] [User Application 34] The user application 34 is executed based on a program stored in the user terminal storage unit 32. The user application 34 has a history information receiving means 341, a history information storage means 342, a history information transmitting means 343, a history record display means 344, and a supporter reaction display means 345. The history information receiving means 341 is configured to cause the user terminal communication unit 31 to receive the history information. More specifically, the user application 34 in this example is configured to execute the history information receiving means 341 at intervals equal to the length of the transmission duration period in the device communication unit 26 of the target device 2, and cause the user terminal communication unit 31 to receive the history information.

[0069] The history information storage means 342 is configured to store the history information received by the user terminal communication unit 31 in the user terminal storage unit 32. The user application 34 in this example is configured to execute the history information storage means 342 by the history information receiving means 341 every time the user terminal communication unit 31 receives history information from the target device 2.

[0070] The history information transmission means 343 transmits the history information stored in the history information storage means 342 to the relay server 4 via the user terminal communication unit 31. The user application 34 in this example is configured to execute the history information transmission means 343 every time the history information storage means 342 is executed.

[0071] The history record display means 344 is configured to acquire the history record from the relay server 4 and display the history record on the user terminal 3. The user application 34 in this example is configured to execute the history record display means 344 when an instruction is received from the user via the user terminal input / output unit 33.

[0072] The history record display means 344 is configured to extract a day on which the target device 2 has a use history based on the history record, and display the history record by attaching an icon to the day on the calendar C on which the target device 2 has a use history, as shown in FIG. 3. For example, the history record display means 344 in this example is configured to display one of three types of icons I1, I2, and I3 according to the number of times in the supporter reaction information corresponding to the use history of the target device. The icon I1 is attached when the supporter reaction information (described later) corresponding to the use history of the target device 2 has not been transmitted from the supporter. The icon I2 is attached when the number of times the supporter reaction information (described later) corresponding to the use history of the target device 2 has been transmitted is 1 or more and 4 or less. The icon I3 is attached when the number of times the supporter reaction information (described later) corresponding to the use history of the target device 2 has been transmitted is 5 or more.

[0073] The supporter reaction display means 345 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to display the supporter reaction information received by the user terminal communication unit 31 on the user terminal 3 when the user terminal communication unit 31 receives the supporter reaction information transferred from the relay server 4. More specifically, the supporter reaction display means 345 in this example is configured to display the supporter reaction information received by the user terminal communication unit 31 as a push notification P1 on the user terminal input / output unit 33, as shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, the supporter reaction display means 345 is configured to extract a day on which there is a usage history corresponding to the supporter reaction information based on the history record and the supporter reaction information acquired from the relay server 4 when there is an instruction from the user via the user terminal input / output unit 33, and to display the supporter reaction information by attaching an icon I2 or I3 to the day on the calendar C on which there is a usage history corresponding to the supporter reaction information, as shown in FIG.

[0074] [Supporter Terminal 5] Specifically, the supporter terminal 5 in this example is a smartphone. The supporter terminal 5 has a supporter terminal communication unit 51, a supporter terminal storage unit 52, and a supporter terminal display unit 53. The supporter terminal communication unit 51 is configured to be able to communicate with the relay server 4. More specifically, the supporter terminal communication unit 51 is configured to be able to perform two-way communication with other information communication devices such as the relay server 4 via a local area network and / or a wide area network.

[0075] The supporter terminal storage unit 52 is configured to store various information such as programs that operate on the supporter terminal 5, including the supporter app 54. The supporter terminal storage unit 52 in this example is specifically a non-volatile memory.

[0076] The supporter terminal display unit 53 is configured to be able to present the device usage information received by the supporter terminal communication unit 51 to the supporter. The supporter terminal display unit 53 in this example is specifically a touch panel, and also serves as an input device for inputting information from the supporter to the supporter terminal 5. When the device usage information is received by the supporter terminal communication unit 51, the supporter terminal 5 is configured to display the device usage information as a push notification P2 on the supporter terminal display unit 53 as shown in FIG.

[0077] [Supporter App 54] The supporter application 54 has a supporter reaction input means 541 and a supporter reaction information transmission means 542. The supporter reaction input means 541 is configured to allow the supporter to input supporter reaction information, which is a reaction to the device use information received by the supporter terminal communication unit 51. The supporter reaction input means 541 in this example first acquires a history record from the relay server 4. Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the supporter reaction input means 541 causes the supporter terminal display unit 53 to display a list of the history records R as a table T, and also causes an input button B for inputting supporter reaction information for each history record R. The number of input buttons B and the content input by the input buttons B are not particularly limited, but for example, the supporter response input means 541 in this example is configured to display two types of input buttons B, a button B1 for inputting "Like" and a button B2 for inputting "Support", on the supporter terminal display unit 53, and to input these standard messages into the supporter app 54 as supporter response information.

[0078] 1 is configured to transmit supporter reaction information from the supporter terminal communication unit 51 to the relay server 4. The supporter application 54 in this example is configured to confirm that the supporter terminal 5 and the relay server 4 are in a communicable state after the supporter reaction information is input, and to execute the supporter reaction information transmitting means 542 when the supporter terminal 5 and the relay server 4 are in a communicable state.

[0079] [Operation when transmitting device usage information to supporter terminal 5] With reference to Fig. 7, an example of the operation of the device usage promotion system 1 of this embodiment when it transmits device usage information to the supporter terminal 5 will be described. In the device usage promotion system 1, when the user finishes using the target device 2 (step S21), the history information generation unit 25 generates history information of the target device 2 (step S22). Thereafter, the device communication unit 26 starts transmitting the history information generated by the history information generation unit 25 (step S24). The transmission of the history information by the history information generation unit 25 continues until a predetermined transmission duration has elapsed, and the transmission ends at the point when the transmission duration has elapsed (step S25).

[0080] Meanwhile, the user terminal 3 executes the history information receiving means 341 of the user application 34 at intervals equal to the length of the transmission duration period (step S31). Therefore, when the history information receiving means 341 is executed, if the transmission of the history information from the device communication unit 26 continues and the user terminal 3 is within a range where the history information can be received, the user terminal communication unit 31 can receive the history information. The user application 34 that has received the history information executes the history information storage means 342 to store the history information in the user terminal storage unit 32 (step S32). After that, the user application 34 executes the history information transmission means 343 to transmit the history information to the relay server 4 (step S33).

[0081] When the relay server 4 receives the history information transmitted from the user terminal 3 (step S41), it executes the history record storage means 43. The history record storage means 43 generates a history record corresponding to the history information (step S42), and then stores the history record in the server storage unit 42 (step S43). In this manner, the history record including the history information can be stored in the relay server 4. Although not shown in the figure, the history record stored in the relay server 4 is transmitted to the user terminal 3 in response to a user request, and is displayed on the user terminal input / output unit 33 in a format shown in FIG. 3, for example. In addition, when a supporter requests the relay server 4 to acquire the history record, the history record can also be displayed on the supporter terminal display unit 53 of the supporter terminal 5 in a format shown in FIG. 6, for example.

[0082] Furthermore, when the relay server 4 receives the history information transmitted from the user terminal 3, it executes the usage information transmitting means 44. The usage information transmitting means 44 generates device usage information including the user name corresponding to the history record (step S44), and transmits the device usage information from the server communication unit 41 to the supporter terminal 5 (step S45). The supporter terminal 5 that has received the device usage information displays the device usage information on the supporter terminal display unit 53 in the form shown in Fig. 5, for example (steps S51, S52).

[0083] In this way, when the relay server 4 in the device usage promotion system 1 of this example receives history information from the user terminal 3, it generates device usage information corresponding to the history information and transmits the device usage information to the supporter terminal communication unit 51. This device usage information is displayed on the supporter terminal display unit 53, so that the supporter can easily know that the target device 2 has been used by the user.

[0084] Furthermore, the target device 2 is configured to be turned off after a predetermined waiting period has elapsed after the user performs an operation to turn off the power of the target device 2. Therefore, a sufficient period for the target device 2 to transmit the history information after the user performs an operation to turn off the power of the target device 2 can be secured, and the possibility that the user terminal 3 will receive the history information can be further increased.

[0085] [Operation when transmitting supporter reaction information to user terminal 3] 8, an example of the operation of the device usage promotion system 1 of this example when it transmits supporter reaction information to the user terminal 3 will be described. In the device usage promotion system 1 of this example, when a supporter inputs supporter reaction information to device usage information using the supporter reaction input means 541, the supporter terminal 5 executes the supporter reaction information transmitting means 542. As a result, the supporter reaction information to the device usage information is transmitted to the relay server 4 (steps T51, T52).

[0086] When the relay server 4 receives the supporter reaction information, it executes the supporter reaction information forwarding means 45 and forwards the supporter reaction information to the user terminal 3 (steps T41, T42). Then, the user terminal 3 that has received the supporter reaction information executes the supporter reaction display means 345 and displays the supporter reaction information on the user terminal input / output unit 33 in the form shown in Fig. 4, for example (steps T31, T32).

[0087] In this way, the device usage promotion system 1 of this example can more easily convey to the user the supporter's reaction to the use of the target device 2. In addition, by conveying the reaction from the supporter to the user, it is expected that the motivation of the user to continue using the target device 2 will be further increased.

[0088] The above describes the aspects of the device usage promotion system based on the embodiments, but the specific aspects of the device usage promotion system according to the present invention are not limited to the aspects of the embodiments, and the configuration can be changed as appropriate within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention.

[0089] For example, the appliance usage promotion system may take the following aspects (1) to (3).

[0090] [1] A device usage promotion system for encouraging a user to use a target device based on a usage history of the user's use of the target device, comprising: The target device; A user terminal used by the user; A user application that runs on the user terminal; A relay server; A supporter terminal used by a supporter; The target device is: a history information generating unit that generates history information including a device ID of the target device when the user uses the target device; a device communication unit that transmits the history information generated by the history information generation unit to the user terminal, The user terminal, a user terminal communication unit configured to be able to communicate with the target device and the relay server; A user terminal storage unit that stores information in the user terminal, The user application a history information receiving means for causing the user terminal communication unit to receive the history information; a history information storage unit for storing the history information received by the user terminal communication unit in the user terminal storage unit; a history information transmission unit that transmits the history information stored in the user terminal storage unit from the user terminal communication unit to the relay server, The relay server includes: A server communication unit configured to be able to communicate with the user terminal and the supporter terminal; a usage information transmission means for generating device usage information including a user name corresponding to the history information based on the history information received by the server communication unit, and transmitting the device usage information to the supporter terminal; The supporter terminal includes: A supporter terminal communication unit configured to be able to communicate with the relay server; a supporter terminal display unit that displays the device usage information received by the supporter terminal communication unit.

[0091] [2] The device usage promotion system further includes a supporter app that runs on the supporter terminal, The supporter app includes: a supporter reaction input means for inputting supporter reaction information, which is a reaction to the device use information received by the supporter terminal communication unit, by the supporter; and a supporter reaction information transmitting means for transmitting the supporter reaction information from the supporter terminal communication unit to the relay server, The relay server includes a supporter reaction information forwarding means for forwarding the supporter reaction information received by the server communication unit to the user terminal, The device usage promotion system according to claim 1, wherein the user application has a supporter reaction display means for displaying the supporter reaction information received by the user terminal communication unit on the user terminal. [3] An equipment usage promotion system as described in [1] or 2, wherein the target equipment is training equipment.

[0092] The program may take the following aspects (4) to (5).

[0093] [4] A program configured to be operable on the relay server in the device usage promotion system according to any one of [1] to [3], A program having a usage information transmission means for generating device usage information including a user name corresponding to the history information based on the history information received in the server communication unit, and transmitting the device usage information to the supporter terminal. [5] A program configured to be operable on the supporter terminal in the device usage promotion system according to any one of [1] to [3], a supporter reaction input means for inputting supporter reaction information, which is a reaction to the device use information received by the supporter terminal communication unit, by the supporter; and a supporter reaction information transmitting means for transmitting the supporter reaction information from the supporter terminal communication unit to the relay server. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1. Equipment usage promotion system 2. Target devices 3. User terminal 4. Relay Server 5 Supporter terminal

Claims

1. 1. A device usage promotion system for promoting use of a target device by a user based on a usage history of the target device used by the user, comprising: The target device; A user terminal used by the user; A user application that runs on the user terminal; A relay server; A supporter terminal used by a supporter; The target device is: a history information generating unit that generates history information including a device ID of the target device when the user uses the target device; a device communication unit that transmits the history information generated by the history information generation unit to the user terminal, The user terminal, a user terminal communication unit configured to be able to communicate with the target device and the relay server; A user terminal storage unit that stores information in the user terminal, The user application a history information receiving means for causing the user terminal communication unit to receive the history information; a history information storage unit for storing the history information received by the user terminal communication unit in the user terminal storage unit; a history information transmission unit that transmits the history information stored in the user terminal storage unit from the user terminal communication unit to the relay server, The relay server includes: A server communication unit configured to be able to communicate with the user terminal and the supporter terminal; a usage information transmission means for generating device usage information including a user name corresponding to the history information based on the history information received by the server communication unit, and transmitting the device usage information to the supporter terminal; The supporter terminal includes: A supporter terminal communication unit configured to be able to communicate with the relay server; a supporter terminal display unit that displays the device usage information received by the supporter terminal communication unit.

2. The device usage promotion system further includes a supporter application that operates on the supporter terminal, The supporter app includes: a supporter reaction input means for inputting supporter reaction information, which is a reaction to the device use information received by the supporter terminal communication unit, by the supporter; and a supporter reaction information transmitting means for transmitting the supporter reaction information from the supporter terminal communication unit to the relay server, The relay server includes a supporter reaction information forwarding means for forwarding the supporter reaction information received by the server communication unit to the user terminal, The device usage promotion system according to claim 1 , wherein the user application includes a supporter reaction display unit that displays the supporter reaction information received by the user terminal communication unit on the user terminal.

3. 3. The equipment usage promotion system according to claim 1, wherein the target equipment is training equipment.

4. 3. A program configured to be operable on the relay server in the device usage promotion system according to claim 1, A program having a usage information transmission means for generating device usage information including a user name corresponding to the history information based on the history information received in the server communication unit, and transmitting the device usage information to the supporter terminal.

5. A program configured to be operable on the supporter terminal in the equipment usage promotion system according to claim 2, a supporter reaction input means for inputting supporter reaction information, which is a reaction to the device use information received by the supporter terminal communication unit, by the supporter; and a supporter reaction information transmitting means for transmitting the supporter reaction information from the supporter terminal communication unit to the relay server.

Images