Information processor, method for processing information, and computer program

Abstract

To allow a user to maintain a motivation to continue taking actions to improve the quality of sleep.SOLUTION: In a CPU11 of a management server 1, an acquisition unit 51 acquires sleep information regarding sleep of a user from a terminal, a generation unit 53 generates evaluation information regarding evaluation of the quality of sleep of the user on the basis of the sleep information, and a determination unit 55 determines an incentive to provide to the user according to the evaluation information, and a notification control unit 56 notifies the terminal of the content of the incentive.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a computer program.

Background Art

[0002] As a technique related to sleep improvement, for example, when a user inputs answers to questions such as diet, sleep time, wake-up time, working hours, age, gender, height, and weight, a professional staff member makes a diagnosis through a consultant terminal and selects and presents products such as cosmetics, supplements, and health foods that are considered appropriate for the user (for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, there are known techniques for acquiring biological data during the sleep of a user who is not using products such as bedding, supplements, and nutritional drinks, calculating the sleep time, sleep depth, number of awakenings, etc., and selecting products for sleep improvement according to the user's attributes, and techniques for using information related to the user's attributes in the improvement, development, marketing, etc. of products (for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, it has been a problem for the user to grasp their own sleep situation for sleep improvement and maintain the motivation to continue actions for sleep improvement (for example, lifestyle improvement, use of supplements, etc.). In particular, when the effect of sleep improvement is not seen in the short term, the actions for sleep improvement may not be continued and may be stopped.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to maintain the motivation for a user to continue actions for improving sleep.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is an acquisition means for acquiring sleep information regarding a user's sleep from a terminal, a generation means for generating evaluation information regarding the evaluation of the quality of the user's sleep based on the sleep information, a determination means for determining an incentive to be given to the user according to the evaluation information, a notification means for notifying the terminal of the content of the incentive, and an information processing apparatus having the above.

[0007] An information processing method and a computer program corresponding to the above information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention are also provided as an information processing method and a computer program corresponding to the information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to maintain the motivation for a user to continue actions for improving sleep.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

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Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. <System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system S including a management server 1 which is an aspect of the information processing apparatus according to this embodiment. The information processing system S is configured by connecting a management server 1, user terminals 2-1 to 2-n (n is an integer value of 1 or more), and wearable terminals 3-1 to 3-m (m is an integer value of 1 or more) via a network N. The network N is, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a VPN (Vertual Private Network), etc. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually describe each of the user terminals 2-1 to 2-n, these are collectively referred to as "user terminal 2", and when it is not necessary to individually describe each of the wearable terminals 3-1 to 3-m, these are collectively referred to as "wearable terminal 3".

[0011] (Management Server 1) The management server 1 is an information processing device that manages the entire information processing system S. The management server 1 can acquire various types of information transmitted from each of the user terminal 2 and the wearable terminal 3 and perform various types of processing. Further, the management server 1 can transmit various types of information to each of the user terminal 2 and the wearable terminal 3 and enable them to execute various types of processing. The user terminal 2 is, for example, a smartphone or the like used by a person (hereinafter referred to as "user") whose sleep quality is to be evaluated. The wearable terminal 3 is, for example, a wearable terminal worn on the user's body.

[0012] For example, the management server 1 acquires information regarding the user's attributes (hereinafter referred to as "attribute information") transmitted from the user terminal 2 or the wearable terminal 3 and stores and manages it in a database. Examples of the user's attribute information include information such as the user's age, gender, and medical history.

[0013] In addition, the management server 1 acquires information regarding the user's sleep (hereinafter referred to as "sleep information") from at least one of the user terminal 2 arranged near the user and the wearable terminal 3 worn on the user's body, and stores and manages it in a database. Examples of the user's sleep information include information regarding the user's physical movements during sleep (hereinafter referred to as "motion information"), information regarding the user's voice during sleep (hereinafter referred to as "voice information"), and information indicating the user's sleep or wakefulness status. Among these, the motion information includes, for example, information such as the user's turning over and waking up during sleep based on the acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor mounted on the user terminal 2 or the wearable terminal 3. Also, the voice information includes, for example, information such as the user's sleep talk and snoring recorded. Further, the information indicating the sleep or wakefulness status includes, for example, information such as the bedtime, wake-up time, wakefulness time, and number of awakenings based on the user's pulse wave or the like.

[0014] The management server 1 acquires information regarding the user's sleep after waking up (hereinafter referred to as "feedback information") input by the user himself / herself into at least one of the user terminal 2 and the wearable terminal 3, stores it in a database, and manages it. Examples of the user's feedback information include, for example, the user's self-evaluation regarding his / her own sleep, the captured image of the user's face when waking up, and the like. The captured image of the user's face when waking up is used as a basis for judgment such as the dark circles under the eyes that appear when eye fatigue has accumulated, or the rough skin that appears when the physical condition is not good.

[0015] Based on at least one of the acquired sleep information and feedback information of the user, the management server 1 generates information regarding the evaluation of the quality of the user's sleep (hereinafter referred to as "evaluation information"), stores it in a database, and manages it. Examples of the user's evaluation information include, for example, information obtained by scoring the quality of sleep with a numerical value or the like (hereinafter referred to as "sleep score"), and evaluation in words, and the like.

[0016] The management server 1 determines an incentive to be given to the user according to the evaluation information, and notifies the user terminal 2 or the wearable terminal 3 (terminal) of the content of the incentive. Examples of the incentive to be determined (given to the user) include, for example, points, coupons, money, prizes, and the like. Among these, points and coupons may be made available for the purchase of various products. Further, the types of products available for each point or coupon may be determined. For example, there may be points or coupons that can only be used for the purchase of products related to sleep (such as supplements), or there may be points or coupons that can also be used for the purchase of products not related to sleep.

[0017] Based on the continuously generated user evaluation information, the management server 1 generates information regarding the user's sleep tendency (hereinafter referred to as "tendency information"), stores it in the database, and manages it. Examples of the user's tendency information include information such as the change in the sleep score. Based on the generated tendency information, the management server 1 changes the incentive grant rate given to the user. For example, when the management server 1 determines from the user's tendency information that the user is actively taking actions to improve sleep, it sets the incentive grant rate to be high. On the contrary, when the management server 1 determines that the user is not taking actions to improve sleep, it sets the incentive grant rate to be low.

[0018] Based on the generated user tendency information and the user's attribute information acquired in advance, the management server 1 generates information for improving the user's sleep (hereinafter referred to as "improvement information"), stores it in the database, and manages it. Examples of the user's improvement information include information regarding a proposal for the optimal sleep time for the user, information regarding a proposal for products such as supplements, and information regarding a proposal for meals. For example, when the user's sleep is insufficient, the management server 1 generates improvement information including at least the recommended bedtime (hereinafter referred to as "recommended bedtime") recommended as the bedtime at which the user can ensure sufficient sleep based on the user's average wake-up time, and notifies the user terminal 2 or the wearable terminal 3.

[0019] When the management server 1 notifies the user terminal 2 or the wearable terminal 3 of the improvement information including the recommended bedtime, when the current time approaches the recommended bedtime, it notifies that the incentive grant rate has been changed. Specifically, for example, assume that the recommended bedtime is 11:00 p.m. In this case, at each of the time points of 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. when the current time is, it may be notified to the user terminal 2 or the wearable terminal 3 that the incentive grant rate has been changed. The incentive grant rate may be changed, for example, so that the incentive grant rate becomes high when the user falls asleep earlier than the recommended bedtime.

[0020] The management server 1 determines whether the quality of the user's sleep has been improved based on the user's evaluation information or tendency information. When the management server 1 determines that the quality of the user's sleep has not been improved, it determines an incentive (such as points or coupons) available for products related to sleep, such as supplements, to be given to the user. Also, when the management server 1 determines that the quality of the user's sleep has been improved, it can also determine an incentive available for products not related to sleep to be given to the user.

[0021] The management server 1 calculates a predicted value of the user's evaluation information based on the evaluation information when using products related to sleep. Examples of the evaluation information when using products related to sleep include the user's past sleep scores and the sleep scores of other users. The specific configuration and details of the processing of the management server 1 will be described later.

[0022] (User terminal 2) The user terminal 2 (first terminal) is an information processing device such as a smartphone operated by a user who uses the information processing system S. The user terminal 2 can execute a predetermined application program that enables the use of the information processing system S.

[0023] The user terminal 2 can perform various processes based on various information sent from the management server 1 and various information input by the user's operations. Also, the user terminal 2 can detect various information from the user's body. It can also send various information to the management server 1.

[0024] For example, the user terminal 2 detects the user's sleep information and transmits it to the management server 1. Also, the user terminal 2 receives an operation for inputting feedback information and transmits the input information to the management server 1. When control information for causing the user terminal 2 to display evaluation information, trend information, improvement information, incentive content, etc. is transmitted, the user terminal 2 acquires such control information and displays the evaluation information, trend information, improvement information, incentive content, etc. on a display or the like.

[0025] Also, when control information for notifying the user terminal 2 that the granting rate of the incentive given to the user has been changed is transmitted, the user terminal 2 acquires such control information and displays on a display or the like that the granting rate of the incentive has been changed. Note that the specific configuration and details of the processing of the user terminal 2 will be described later.

[0026] (Wearable terminal 3) The wearable terminal 3 (second terminal) is an information processing device such as a wearable terminal that can be worn on the body of a user who uses the information processing system S. The wearable terminal 3 can execute a predetermined application program that enables the use of the information processing system S.

[0027] The wearable terminal 3 can perform various processes based on various information transmitted from the management server 1 and various information input by the user's operations. The wearable terminal 3 may directly acquire various information transmitted from the management server 1, or may acquire it via the user terminal 2. Also, the wearable terminal 3 can detect various information from the user's body. Also, the wearable terminal 3 can transmit various information to the management server 1. The wearable terminal 3 may directly transmit various information to the management server 1, or may transmit it via the user terminal 2.

[0028] For example, the wearable terminal 3 detects the user's sleep information and transmits it to the management server 1. Further, the wearable terminal 3 receives an operation for inputting feedback information and transmits the input information to the management server 1. When control information for causing the wearable terminal 3 to display evaluation information, trend information, improvement information, incentive content, etc. is transmitted, the wearable terminal 3 acquires the control information and displays the evaluation information, trend information, improvement information, incentive content, etc. on a display or the like.

[0029] Also, when control information for notifying the wearable terminal 3 that the granting rate of the incentive given to the user has been changed is transmitted, the wearable terminal 3 acquires the control information and displays on a display or the like that the granting rate of the incentive has been changed. Note that the specific configuration and details of the processing of the wearable terminal 3 will be described later.

[0030] The above-described processing by each of the management server 1, the user terminal 2, and the wearable terminal 3 that constitute the information processing system S is an example. Further, since it is only necessary for the information processing system S as a whole to have a function for realizing the above-described processing, part or all of the functions for realizing the above-described processing may be shared or cooperated within the information processing system S.

[0031] For example, part or all of the functions of the management server 1 may be the functions of other information processing apparatuses within the information processing system S. Also, part or all of the functions of other information processing apparatuses within the information processing system S may be the functions of the management server 1. Furthermore, part or all of the functions of the management server 1 may be transferred to another server or the like not shown in the figure. Thereby, the processing of the information processing system S as a whole is promoted, and it becomes possible to complement each other's processing.

[0032] <Hardware Configuration> (Hardware Configuration of Management Server 1) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the management server 1. The management server 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20.

[0033] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to a program recorded in the ROM 12 or a program loaded from the storage unit 18 to the RAM 13. The RAM 13 also appropriately stores data and the like necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes. The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are interconnected via the bus 14. The input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14.

[0034] Connected to the input / output interface 15 are the output unit 16, the input unit 17, the storage unit 18, the communication unit 19, and the drive 20. The output unit 16 is composed of a display, a speaker, etc., and outputs various information as images and sounds. The input unit 17 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc., and accepts the input of various information. The storage unit 18 is composed of a hard disk, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), etc., and stores various data. The communication unit 19 communicates with other devices via the above-mentioned network N composed of the Internet, etc.

[0035] A removable medium 21 composed of a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, etc. is appropriately mounted on the drive 20. The program read from the removable medium 21 by the drive 20 is installed in the storage unit 18 as necessary. Also, the removable medium 21 can store various data stored in the storage unit 18 in the same manner as the storage unit 18.

[0036] (Hardware Configuration of User Terminal 2) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the user terminal 2. In addition to the hardware configuration of the management server 1 shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 2 has a sensor unit 42. That is, the user terminal 2 and the wearable terminal 3 each have a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a bus 34, an input / output interface 35, an output unit 36, an input unit 37, a storage unit 38, a communication unit 39, a drive 40, and a removable media 41 corresponding to each of the CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, the bus 14, the input / output interface 15, the output unit 16, the input unit 17, the storage unit 18, the communication unit 19, the drive 20, and the removable media 21 shown in FIG. 2, and further have a sensor unit 42. The sensor unit 42 is composed of various sensors such as an acceleration sensor, a human presence sensor, a proximity sensor, and an optical sensor such as LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), and detects, for example, the sleep information of the user.

[0037] (Hardware Configuration of Wearable Terminal 3) The hardware configuration of the wearable terminal 3 has the same configuration as the hardware configuration of the user terminal 2 shown in FIG. 3. That is, the wearable terminal 3 has each of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a bus, an input / output interface, an output unit, an input unit, a storage unit, a communication unit, a drive, a removable media, and a sensor unit having the same functions as each of the CPU 31, the ROM 32, the RAM 33, the bus 34, the input / output interface 35, the output unit 36, the input unit 37, the storage unit 38, the communication unit 39, the drive 40, the removable media 41, and the sensor unit 42 shown in FIG. 3, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

[0038] <Functional Configuration> (Functional Configuration of Management Server 1) FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configurations of the management server 1, the user terminal 2, and the wearable terminal 3. In the CPU 11 of the management server 1, when operating, an acquisition unit 51, a management unit 52, a generation unit 53, a determination unit 54, a decision unit 55, and a notification control unit 56 function.

[0039] In addition, the storage unit 18 of the management server 1 is provided with a database that stores various types of information about users and various types of information about products that can be provided to users. Examples of the databases provided in the storage unit 18 include an attribute DB61 that stores user attribute information, a sleep DB62 that stores user sleep information, a feedback DB63 that stores user feedback information, an evaluation DB64 that stores user evaluation information, a tendency DB65 that stores user tendency information, an improvement DB66 that stores user improvement information, an incentive DB67 that stores incentive content, a product DB48 that stores information about products that can be provided to users, and the like.

[0040] The acquisition unit 51 acquires various types of information as acquisition means. For example, the acquisition unit 51 acquires various types of information transmitted from each of the user terminal 2 and the wearable terminal 3. Examples of the various types of information acquired by the acquisition unit 51 include, in addition to attribute information, sleep information, and feedback information, input information for displaying each of the user evaluation information, tendency information, and improvement information generated by the generation unit 53 described later, and input information for displaying the content of the incentive.

[0041] The management unit 52 stores and manages the various types of information acquired by the acquisition unit 51 in the databases of the storage unit 18. For example, the management unit 52 stores and manages the user's attribute information, sleep information, feedback information, evaluation information, tendency information, and improvement information in the attribute DB61, sleep DB62, feedback DB63, evaluation DB64, tendency DB65, and improvement DB66, respectively. In addition, the management unit 52 stores and manages the content of the incentive in the incentive DB67. Further, the management unit 52 stores and manages information about products that can be provided to users in the product DB48.

[0042] The generation unit 53 generates various types of information as generation means. For example, the generation unit 53 generates the user's evaluation information based on at least one of the user's sleep information and feedback information stored in the database of the storage unit 18. The generation unit 53 continuously generates the user's evaluation information. The evaluation information generated by the generation unit 53 is stored in the evaluation DB64 of the storage unit 18.

[0043] When generating the user's evaluation information, the generation unit 53 calculates a predicted value of the evaluation information based on the evaluation information generated when the user used a product related to sleep in the past and the evaluation information generated when other users used a product related to sleep. The generation unit 53 may calculate the above-mentioned predicted value, for example, using a learning model obtained by machine learning with the usage status of the product and the evaluation information when the product was used as teacher data.

[0044] Also, the generation unit 53 generates the user's tendency information based on the user's evaluation information continuously stored in the evaluation DB64. The user's tendency information generated by the generation unit 53 is stored in the tendency DB65 of the storage unit 18.

[0045] Also, the generation unit 53 generates the user's improvement information based on the user's tendency information stored in the tendency DB65 and the user's attribute information stored in the attribute DB61. The user's improvement information generated by the generation unit 53 is stored in the improvement DB66 of the storage unit 18.

[0046] The determination unit 54 determines whether the quality of the user's sleep has been improved based on at least one of the user's evaluation information stored in the evaluation DB64 and the user's tendency information stored in the tendency DB65 as determination means. For example, when the transition of the sleep score as the user's tendency information shows a tendency to improve the user's sleep, the determination unit 54 determines that the quality of the user's sleep has been improved. In contrast, when the transition of the user's sleep score does not show a tendency to improve the user's sleep, the determination unit 54 determines that the quality of the user's sleep has not been improved.

[0047] The determination unit 55 determines an incentive to be given to the user according to the user's evaluation information. Specifically, the determination unit 55 determines an incentive to be given to the user based on the result of the determination by the determination unit 54. The content of the incentive determined by the determination unit 55 is stored in the incentive DB 67.

[0048] Also, the determination unit 55 changes the granting rate of the incentive to be given to the user based on the user's tendency information. Specifically, the determination unit 55 changes the granting rate of the incentive to be given to the user based on the result of the determination by the determination unit 54. For example, when the sleep score as the user's tendency information shows a tendency to gradually increase, the result of the determination by the determination unit 54 is that "the quality of the user's sleep has improved". In this case, the determination unit 55 changes the granting rate of the incentive to be given to the user to be higher.

[0049] Also, the determination unit 55 changes the granting rate of the incentive to be given to the user according to the degree of the user's effort for the improvement information. For example, when the user falls asleep earlier than the recommended bedtime as the improvement information, the determination unit 55 changes the granting rate of the incentive to be given to the user to be higher. In this way, by changing the granting rate of the incentive to be given to the user according to the situation so as to be higher, it is possible to maintain the motivation to improve sleep.

[0050] Also, when the result of the determination by the determination unit 54 is that "the quality of the user's sleep has not improved", the determination unit 55 determines an incentive available for products related to sleep as the incentive to be given to the user. Products related to sleep are, for example, supplements and the like. On the other hand, when the result of the determination by the determination unit 54 is that "the quality of the user's sleep has improved", the determination unit 55 determines an incentive available for products not related to sleep as the incentive to be given to the user.

[0051] The notification control unit 56 uses the user terminal 2 and the wearable terminal 3 as notification means to notify various types of information. Specifically, for example, the notification control unit 56 transmits, via the communication unit 19, control information for causing the user terminal 2 and the wearable terminal 3 to display each of the user's evaluation information, tendency information, and improvement information generated by the generation unit 53. Here, the user's evaluation information generated by the generation unit 53 includes the predicted value of the evaluation information.

[0052] In addition, the notification control unit 56 transmits, via the communication unit 19, control information for causing the user terminal 2 and the wearable terminal 3 to display the content of the incentive given to the user. Further, the notification control unit 56 transmits, via the communication unit 19, control information for causing the user terminal 2 and the wearable terminal 3 to display that the granting rate of the incentive given to the user has been changed.

[0053] (Functional Configuration of User Terminal 2) When the CPU 31 of the user terminal 2 operates, an acquisition unit 71, a display control unit 72, and a transmission control unit 73 function.

[0054] The acquisition unit 71 acquires various types of information. For example, the acquisition unit 71 acquires the user's sleep information detected by the sensor unit 42. Further, the acquisition unit 71 acquires the information received by the input unit 37. Examples of the information received by the input unit 37 include information input to cause the display or the like of the output unit 36 to display each of the user's evaluation information, tendency information, and improvement information generated by the management server 1, and information input to cause the display or the like of the output unit 36 to display the content of the incentive given to the user.

[0055] In addition, the acquisition unit 71 acquires various types of information transmitted from the management server 1 to the user terminal 2. For example, the acquisition unit 71 acquires control information for causing the user terminal 2 to display each of the user's evaluation information, tendency information, and improvement information, control information for causing the user terminal 2 to display the content of the incentive given to the user, control information for causing the user terminal 2 to display that the grant rate of the incentive given to the user has been changed, and the like.

[0056] The display control unit 72 executes control to display various types of information. Specifically, the display control unit 72 executes control to display various types of information on the display of the output unit 36 or the like. For example, the display control unit 72 executes control to display each of the user's evaluation information, tendency information, and improvement information on the display of the output unit 36 or the like based on the control information acquired by the acquisition unit 71. Also, for example, the display control unit 72 executes control to display the determined content of the incentive and that the grant rate of the incentive given to the user has been changed on the display of the output unit 36 or the like based on the control information acquired by the acquisition unit 71.

[0057] The transmission control unit 73 executes control to transmit various types of information via the communication unit 39. For example, the transmission control unit 73 executes control to transmit sleep information to the management server 1. Also, the transmission control unit 73 executes control to transmit various types of input information to the management server 1. Examples of the input information transmitted to the management server 1 include, in addition to attribute information and feedback information, input information for causing the management server 1 to display each of the user's evaluation information, tendency information, and improvement information generated by the management server 1, input information for causing the management server 1 to display the content of the incentive given to the user, and the like.

[0058] (Functional Configuration of Wearable Terminal 3) In the CPU of the wearable terminal 3, when operating, the acquisition unit 81, the display control unit 82, and the transmission control unit 83 function.

[0059] The acquisition unit 81 acquires various types of information. For example, the acquisition unit 81 acquires the user's sleep information detected by the sensor unit. Also, the acquisition unit 81 acquires the information received by the input unit. Examples of the information received by the input unit include, for example, the information input to display each of the user's evaluation information, trend information, and improvement information generated by the management server 1 on the display of the output unit, and the information input to display the content of the incentive given to the user on the display of the output unit.

[0060] In addition, the acquisition unit 81 acquires various types of information transmitted from the management server 1 to the wearable terminal 3. For example, the acquisition unit 81 acquires control information for displaying each of the user's evaluation information, trend information, and improvement information on the wearable terminal 3, control information for displaying the content of the incentive given to the user on the wearable terminal 3, control information for displaying on the wearable terminal 3 that the granting rate of the incentive given to the user has been changed, and the like.

[0061] The display control unit 82 executes control to display various types of information. Specifically, the display control unit 82 executes control to display various types of information on the display of the output unit. For example, the display control unit 82 executes control to display each of the user's evaluation information, trend information, and improvement information on the display of the output unit based on the control information acquired by the acquisition unit 81. Also, for example, the display control unit 82 executes control to display on the display of the output unit the content of the incentive given to the user and that the granting rate of the incentive given to the user has been changed based on the control information acquired by the acquisition unit 81.

[0062] The transmission control unit 83 executes control to transmit various types of information via the communication unit. For example, the transmission control unit 83 executes control to transmit sleep information to the management server 1. Also, the transmission control unit 83 executes control to transmit various types of input information to the management server 1. Examples of the input information transmitted to the management server 1 include, in addition to attribute information and feedback information, input information for displaying each of the user's evaluation information, trend information, and improvement information generated by the management server 1, and input information for displaying the content of the incentive given to the user.

[0063] <Flow of processing in management server 1> FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing until the content of the incentive is notified according to the user's evaluation information among the processing of the management server 1. In the management server 1, when the user's attribute information is transmitted from the user terminal 2 or the wearable terminal 3 (YES in step S1), the acquisition unit 51 acquires the attribute information (step S2), and the management unit 52 stores and manages the attribute information in the database (step S3). On the other hand, when the attribute information has not been transmitted (NO in step S1), in the management server 1, the determination process of step S1 is repeated until the attribute information is transmitted.

[0064] Also, when the user's sleep information is transmitted from the user terminal 2 or the wearable terminal 3 (YES in step S4), the acquisition unit 51 acquires the sleep information (step S5), and the management unit 52 stores and manages the sleep information in the database (step S6). On the other hand, when the sleep information has not been transmitted (NO in step S4), in the management server 1, the determination process of step S4 is repeated until the sleep information is transmitted.

[0065] Also, when feedback information of the user is transmitted from the user terminal 2 or the wearable terminal 3 (YES in step S7), the acquisition unit 51 acquires the feedback information (step S8), and the management unit 52 stores and manages the feedback information in the database (step S9). On the other hand, when the feedback information of the user has not been transmitted (NO in step S7), in the management server 1, the determination process in step S7 is repeated until the feedback information of the user is transmitted.

[0066] Next, in the management server 1, the generation unit 53 generates evaluation information of the user based on at least one of the user's sleep information and feedback information (step S10), and the management unit 52 stores and manages the evaluation information in the database (step S11). Then, the determination unit 55 determines an incentive to be given to the user according to the evaluation information (step S12), and the notification control unit 56 notifies the user terminal 2 and the wearable terminal 3 of the content of the incentive (step S13).

[0067] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow until an incentive corresponding to the degree of effort for the user's improvement information is determined among the processes of the management server 1. In the management server 1, the generation unit 53 generates tendency information of the user based on the evaluation information of the user continuously generated (step S21). Then, based on the generated tendency information and the attribute information acquired in advance, when the user's sleep is insufficient (YES in step S22), the generation unit 53 generates improvement information including the recommended bedtime (step S23). Then, the notification control unit 56 causes the user terminal 2 or the wearable terminal 3 to notify the improvement information including the recommended bedtime (step S24). On the other hand, when the user's sleep is not insufficient (NO in step S22), the process proceeds to step S29.

[0068] When the current time approaches the recommended bedtime on the management server 1 (YES in step S25), the notification control unit 56 causes the user terminal 2 or the wearable terminal 3 to notify that the incentive grant rate has been changed (step S26). On the other hand, when the current time has not approached the recommended bedtime (NO in step S25), on the management server 1, the determination process in step S25 is repeated until the current time approaches the recommended bedtime.

[0069] After that, when the user goes to bed later than the recommended bedtime (YES in step S27), the determination unit 55 sets the incentive grant rate low (step S28). On the other hand, when the user goes to bed at the recommended bedtime or earlier than the recommended bedtime (NO in step S27), the determination unit 55 sets the incentive grant rate high (step S29).

[0070] <Specific Example> FIGS. 7 to 9 are diagrams showing specific examples of the screens displayed on the user terminal 2. The screen illustrated in FIG. 7 is composed of display areas F1 to F5. Among these, in the display area F1, a graph with the horizontal axis representing time and the vertical axis representing the sleep score is displayed. The graph in the display area F1 shows the transition of the sleep score as the user's tendency information. Specifically, it is shown that the user's sleep score transitions in the order of "66", "66", "68", "63", "62", "65", "63", "62". By looking at the transition of the sleep score displayed in the display area F1, the user can grasp over time whether their sleep has improved.

[0071] In the display area F2, as the user's evaluation information, the user's most recent bedtime, wake-up time, sleep duration, and the evaluation of the sleep duration are displayed. Specifically, the user's most recent bedtime is "0:30", the wake-up time is "6:10", the sleep duration is "5 hours and 40 minutes", and as the evaluation of the sleep duration, a message "The sleep duration is insufficient" is displayed. By looking at the evaluation information displayed in the display area F2, the user can easily grasp the state of their own recent sleep.

[0072] In the display area F3, as the user's trend information, the evaluation of the graph showing the transition of the sleep score displayed in the display area F1 is displayed. Specifically, as the evaluation of the graph showing the transition of the sleep score, a message "The sleep score is showing a decreasing trend" is displayed. By looking at the trend information displayed in the display area F3, the user can easily grasp the trend of their own sleep state.

[0073] In the display area F4, as an input form for the user to input feedback information, a question for the user, an answer field for inputting an answer to the question, and an operation button for imaging the user's face are displayed. Specifically, as the question for the user, a message of the question "How do you feel when waking up?" and, as the answer field, an input form A1 that can be answered in multiple steps based on "Bad", "Normal", "Good", and a camera activation button B1 are displayed. By performing an input operation on the input form displayed in the display area F4, the user can easily send the feedback information to the management server 1.

[0074] In the display area F5, the number of points the user has (112pt) and, as the user's improvement information, a button B2 (operation button) for displaying information about products that can be provided to the user are displayed. By simply looking at the information displayed in the display area F5, the user can easily confirm the number of points they have. Also, by simply pressing the button B2, the user can confirm the products that can be purchased with the number of points they have, or confirm the number of points required to purchase a product they are interested in.

[0075] When the captured image of the user's face taken by pressing the camera activation button B1 in the display area F4 of FIG. 7 is transmitted to the management server 1 as feedback information, the management server 1 generates evaluation information, trend information, and improvement information based on various information including the feedback information. Then, the generated evaluation information, trend information, and improvement information are displayed on the user terminal 2. FIG. 8 shows another example of the evaluation information, trend information, and improvement information displayed on the screen of the user terminal 2.

[0076] The screen illustrated in FIG. 8 is composed of a display area F11 and a display area F12. Among these, in the display area F11, captured images of the user's face taken on different days and the sleep scores on those days are displayed. Specifically, the captured image of the user's face and the sleep score (62) on "20XX.03.07 (today)" and the captured image of the user's face and the sleep score (64) on "20XX.03.06 (yesterday)" are displayed. Note that the button B3 surrounded by a dashed line can display the captured images of the user's face and the sleep scores in the past by pressing it. By simply looking at the information displayed in the display area F11, the user can visually grasp the relationship between the state of their face when waking up and the sleep score at that time.

[0077] In addition, improvement information using elements of gamification is displayed in the display area F12. Specifically, the title "Sleep Challenge", the content of the improvement information "Points increase with sleep of more than XX hours", the current number of points held (112pt), the number of points given to the user by executing the "Sleep Challenge" (+38pt), and the number of points held after the points are given (150pt) are displayed. By taking sleep based on the improvement information displayed in the display area F12, the user can increase the sleep score while enjoying it in a game-like manner, so that the motivation to improve sleep can be maintained.

[0078] When the button B2 labeled "Go to Recommended" displayed in the display area F5 of FIG. 7 above is pressed, a screen as shown in FIG. 9, for example, is displayed. FIG. 9 shows specific examples of products recommended to the user among the information on products that can be provided to the user as improvement information. Specifically, as "recommended products", "sleep supplements", "sleep-promoting pillows", and "skin care products" are displayed. Among these, since "sleep supplements" and "sleep-promoting pillows" are products related to sleep, the point awarding rate given to the user upon purchase is "1.5 times". In contrast, since "skin care products" are products not related to sleep, the point awarding rate given to the user upon purchase is "1.2 times". That is, it is set such that the point awarding rate for products related to sleep is higher than that for products not related to sleep. Thereby, it is possible to maintain the motivation for the user to purchase products related to sleep and improve sleep.

[0079] In the example of FIG. 9, as "recommended products", products related to sleep (sleep supplements, sleep-promoting pillows) and products not related to sleep (skin care products) are displayed on the screen. However, for example, when the quality of the user's sleep has not improved, products related to sleep may be preferentially or limitedly displayed. Thereby, while the quality of the user's sleep has not improved, sales promotion of products related to sleep can be carried out, and after the quality of sleep has improved, sales promotion of other products other than products related to sleep can be carried out. As a result, it is possible to maintain the motivation for the user to purchase products related to sleep and improve sleep.

[0080] <Advantageous Effects of the Present Embodiment> According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to maintain the motivation for the user to continue actions for sleep improvement.

[0081] <Other Embodiments> As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, etc. within the range capable of achieving the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0082] For example, the above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or by software. In other words, the above functional configuration is merely illustrative and not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient that the information processing system S is equipped with a function capable of executing the above-described series of processes as a whole, and the functional blocks used to realize this function are not particularly limited to the above examples.

[0083] Also, the location of the functional blocks is not particularly limited and can be arbitrary. For example, the functional blocks of the management server 1 may be transferred to other devices or the like, or the functional blocks of other devices may be transferred to a server or the like. Also, one functional block may be constituted by hardware alone, software alone, or a combination thereof.

[0084] When the series of processes are executed by software, the program constituting the software is installed in a computer or the like from a network N or a recording medium. The computer may be a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. Also, the computer may be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs, for example, a general-purpose smartphone or personal computer other than a server.

[0085] A recording medium containing such a program is not only constituted by a removable medium (not shown) distributed separately from the apparatus main body for providing the program to a user or the like, but also constituted by a recording medium or the like provided to a user or the like in a state pre-installed in the apparatus main body. Since the program can be distributed via the network N, the recording medium may be mounted on or accessible to a computer connected to or connectable to the network N.

[0086] In addition, in this specification, the step of describing a program recorded on a recording medium includes not only processes that are performed in chronological order according to that order, but also processes that are executed in parallel or individually, even if they are not necessarily processed in chronological order. Further, in this specification, the term "system" shall mean the entire device composed of a plurality of devices, a plurality of means, and the like.

[0087] In other words, the management server 1, which is one aspect of the information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied, can take various embodiments having the following configurations. (1) That is, an acquisition means for acquiring sleep information regarding the user's sleep from the terminal (for example, the acquisition unit 51 in FIG. 4), a generation means for generating evaluation information regarding the evaluation of the user's sleep quality based on the sleep information (for example, the generation unit 53 in FIG. 4), a determination means for determining an incentive to be given to the user according to the evaluation information (for example, the determination unit 55 in FIG. 4), and a notification means for notifying the terminal of the content of the incentive (for example, the notification control unit 56 in FIG. 4). The information processing apparatus (the management server 1 is) has these components. Thereby, based on the sleep information of the user acquired from the first terminal or the second terminal, the quality of the user's sleep is evaluated. And an incentive according to the content of the evaluation is given to the user. As a result, it is possible to maintain the motivation for the user to continuously take actions to improve their own sleep. (2) Note that the terminal may include at least one of a first terminal (user terminal 2) arranged near the user and a second terminal (wearable terminal 3) worn by the user.

[0088] (3) Further, the acquisition means may acquire feedback information regarding sleep input by the user from the terminal, and the generation means may generate evaluation information based on the sleep information and the feedback information. Thereby, since the user's subjectivity and the user's captured image (for example, a captured image of the face) are acquired as feedback information, it is possible to perform a highly accurate evaluation based on more refined sleep information.

[0089] (4) Further, the generation means may generate tendency information regarding the user's sleep tendency based on the continuously generated user evaluation information, and the determination means may change the incentive granting rate based on the tendency information. Thereby, an incentive suitable for the user's sleep tendency can be granted.

[0090] (5) Further, the generation means may generate improvement information for improving the user's sleep based on the tendency information and the attribute information regarding the user's attributes acquired in advance. Thereby, tendency information and improvement information are generated based on the continuously generated user evaluation information and the user's attribute information. By notifying the user of the improvement information, the user can obtain the improvement information that serves as a guideline when taking actions to improve sleep.

[0091] (6) Further, when the user's sleep is insufficient, the generation means generates the improvement information including the recommended bedtime at which the user can ensure sufficient sleep based on the user's average wake-up time. When the user falls asleep earlier than the recommended bedtime, the determination means increases the incentive granting rate, and the notification means may notify that the incentive granting rate has been changed when the user's bedtime approaches the calculated bedtime. Thereby, the incentive granting conditions are determined according to the degree of the user's efforts with respect to the improvement information. As a result, the user can increase the incentives granted by actively working on the improvement information, so that the user's motivation can be maintained.

[0092] (7) Further, it further has a determination means (for example, determination unit 54 in FIG. 4) for determining whether or not the quality of the user's sleep has been improved based on the evaluation information. When the determination means determines that the quality of sleep has not been improved, the determination means determines an incentive to be given to the user as an incentive that can be used for sleep-related products, and when it is determined that the quality of sleep has been improved, it is determined as an incentive to be given to the user as an incentive that can also be used for products not related to sleep. Thereby, while the quality of sleep is not improved, it is possible to promote the sales of sleep-related products such as supplements and pillows, and after the quality of sleep has been improved, it is possible to promote the sales of other products other than sleep-related products.

[0093] (8) Further, the generation means can calculate a predicted value of the evaluation information based on the evaluation information when using a sleep-related product. Thereby, it is possible to show the user the effect (predicted value) when using a sleep-related product (for example, a supplement that promotes sleep), so that the purchase of the supplement can be promoted.

[0094] (9) Further, the sleep information can include at least one or more of motion information regarding the physical movement of the user during sleep, voice information regarding the voice emitted by the user during sleep, and information indicating the sleep or wakefulness state of the user. Thereby, the physical movement of the user during sleep, the voice emitted by the user during sleep, and the information indicating the sleep or wakefulness state of the user are acquired as sleep information, so that a highly accurate evaluation based on more refined sleep information becomes possible.

[0095] (10) Further, one aspect of the present invention is an information processing method having an acquisition step of acquiring sleep information regarding the user's sleep from a terminal, a generation step of generating evaluation information regarding the evaluation of the quality of the user's sleep based on the sleep information, a determination step of determining an incentive to be given to the user according to the evaluation information, and a notification step of notifying the terminal of the content of the incentive.

[0096] (11) Further, one aspect of the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to execute an acquisition step of acquiring sleep information regarding a user's sleep from a terminal, a generation step of generating evaluation information regarding evaluation of the quality of the user's sleep based on the sleep information, a determination step of determining an incentive to be given to the user according to the evaluation information, and a notification step of notifying the terminal of the content of the incentive.

Explanation of Signs

[0097] 1: Management server, 2: User terminal, 3: Wearable terminal, 11: CPU, 16: Output unit, 17: Input unit, 18: Storage unit, 19: Communication unit, 31: CPU, 36: Output unit, 37: Input unit, 38: Storage unit, 39: Communication unit, 51: Acquisition unit, 52: Management unit, 53: Generation unit, 54: Judgment unit, 55: Determination unit, 56: Notification control unit, 71: Acquisition unit, 72: Display control unit, 73: Transmission control unit, 81: Acquisition unit, 82: Display control unit, 83: Transmission control unit, S: Information processing system, N: Network

Claims

1. An acquisition means for acquiring sleep information related to the user's sleep from a terminal; A generation means for generating evaluation information related to the evaluation of the user's sleep quality based on the sleep information; A determination means for determining an incentive to be given to the user according to the evaluation information; A notification means for notifying the terminal of the content of the incentive; An information processing apparatus having the above.

2. The terminal includes at least one of a first terminal arranged near the user and a second terminal worn by the user, The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. The acquisition means acquires feedback information related to sleep input by the user from the terminal, The generation means generates the evaluation information based on the sleep information and the feedback information, The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

4. The generation means generates trend information related to the user's sleep trend based on the continuously generated evaluation information of the user, The determination means changes the awarding rate of the incentive based on the trend information, The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

5. The generation means generates improvement information for improving the user's sleep based on the trend information and attribute information related to the user's attributes acquired in advance, The information processing apparatus according to Claim 4.

6. When the user's sleep is insufficient, the generation means generates the improvement information including a recommended bedtime at which the user can ensure sufficient sleep based on the user's average wake-up time, The determination means increases the awarding rate of the incentive when the user falls asleep earlier than the recommended bedtime, The notification means notifies that the awarding rate of the incentive has been changed when the user's bedtime approaches the calculated bedtime, The information processing apparatus according to Claim 5.

7. Further comprising a determination means for determining whether or not the user's sleep quality has been improved based on the evaluation information, When the determination means determines that the sleep quality has not been improved, the determination means determines an incentive to be given to the user as an incentive that can be used for sleep-related products, and when it is determined that the sleep quality has been improved, the determination means determines an incentive to be given to the user as an incentive that can also be used for products not related to sleep, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

8. The generation means calculates a predicted value of the evaluation information based on the evaluation information when using a product related to sleep. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

9. The sleep information includes at least one of motion information related to the physical movement of the user during sleep, voice information related to the voice emitted by the user during sleep, and information indicating the sleep or wakefulness status of the user. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

10. An acquisition step of acquiring sleep information related to the user's sleep from a terminal; A generation step of generating evaluation information related to the evaluation of the quality of the user's sleep based on the sleep information; A determination step of determining an incentive to be given to the user according to the evaluation information; An informing step of informing the terminal of the content of the incentive; An information processing method having the above.

11. An acquisition step of acquiring sleep information related to the user's sleep from a terminal; A generation step of generating evaluation information related to the evaluation of the quality of the user's sleep based on the sleep information; A determination step of determining an incentive to be given to the user according to the evaluation information; An informing step of informing the terminal of the content of the incentive; A computer program for causing a computer to execute the above.

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