Incentive management apparatus, incentive management system, incentive management method, and program

Abstract

To provide an incentive management apparatus, an incentive management system, an incentive management method, and a program for facilitating improvement of environment in which a user exists.SOLUTION: In an incentive management system 10, an incentive management apparatus includes: an acquisition unit which acquires measurement information from at least one sensor that measures a physical quantity related to an environment of a target space; an output unit which outputs, when the measurement information satisfies an improvement condition for improving the environment of the target space, a signal for encouraging improvement of the environment of the target space, to a user terminal associated with the target space; and an offering unit which offers, after outputting the signal, an incentive to a user of the user terminal according to a predetermined condition. The offering unit offers the incentive to the user of the user terminal when the measurement information from the at least one sensor acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies, as the predetermined condition, good-environment condition indicating that the environment of the target space is good.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an incentive management device, an incentive management system, an incentive management method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 states that "if it is determined that the user's behavior corresponds to the behavior defined for each area, points for the behavior are read from the area information storage unit and awarded to the user." [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-111460 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] There is a need for a mechanism that promotes improvements to the environment in which users exist. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] A reward management device according to one aspect of the present invention may include an acquisition unit that acquires measurement information from at least one sensor that measures a physical quantity related to the environment of a target space. The reward management device may also include an output unit that, if the measurement information satisfies an improvement condition for improving the environment of the target space, outputs a signal to a user terminal associated with the target space to encourage improvement of the environment of the target space. The reward management device may also include an award unit that, after outputting the signal, awards a reward to a user of the user terminal in accordance with predetermined conditions.

[0005] In the reward management device, if the measurement information from the at least one sensor acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies a good condition indicating that the environment of the target space is good, as the predetermined condition, the granting unit may grant a reward to the user of the user terminal.

[0006] In any of the reward management devices, the acquisition unit may further acquire activity information related to user activity from the user terminal, and the granting unit may grant a reward to the user of the user terminal based on the activity information in accordance with the predetermined conditions.

[0007] Any of the reward management devices may further include an identification unit that identifies an improvement activity to be performed to improve the environment of the target space. When the identification unit identifies the improvement activity by the user, the granting unit may grant a reward based on the improvement activity to the user of the user terminal in accordance with the predetermined conditions.

[0008] The reward management device may further include an identification unit that identifies an improvement activity to be performed to improve the environment of the target space based on activity information indicating an improvement activity corresponding to the measurement information from the at least one sensor, and the output unit may output the signal indicating the identified improvement activity to the user terminal.

[0009] In any of the reward management devices, the identification unit may identify a first activity as the improvement activity if an indicator whose measurement information satisfies the improvement condition satisfies a specific condition, and may identify a second activity different from the first activity as the improvement activity if the indicator whose measurement information satisfies the improvement condition does not satisfy the specific condition.

[0010] In any of the reward management devices, the index may be a period, a frequency, a degree of abnormality, or an index that combines at least two of the period, the frequency, and the degree of abnormality.

[0011] In any of the reward management devices, the at least one sensor may be an air quality sensor or an environmental sensor. The first activity may include an activity of ventilating the target space.

[0012] In any of the reward management devices, the air quality sensor may be a gas sensor, the environmental sensor may be a pollen sensor, a dust sensor, a temperature sensor, and a temperature sensor, and the first activity and the second activity may include an activity of ventilating the target space.

[0013] In any of the reward management devices, the second activity may include an activity of installing, changing settings, or changing the position of equipment that is installed in the target space and changes the environment of the target space.

[0014] In any of the reward management devices, the activity information may indicate an improvement activity according to a type of physical quantity measured by the at least one sensor. The at least one sensor may include a first sensor that measures a first physical quantity and a second sensor that measures a second physical quantity different from the first physical quantity. The identification unit may identify the improvement activity based on activity information indicating an improvement activity corresponding to first measurement information from the first sensor and second measurement information from the second sensor, and based on the first measurement information and the second measurement information.

[0015] In any of the reward management devices, the first sensor and the second sensor may be an air quality sensor or an environmental sensor. The identification unit may identify a first activity as the improvement activity if an indicator of at least one of the first measurement information and the second measurement information that satisfies the improvement condition satisfies a specific condition, and may identify a second activity different from the first activity as the improvement activity if an indicator of at least one of the first measurement information and the second measurement information that satisfies the improvement condition does not satisfy the specific condition. The first activity may include an activity of ventilating the target space, installing improvement equipment in the target space, or changing the settings of improvement equipment installed in the target space. The second activity may include an activity of installing improvement equipment in the target space or changing the settings of improvement equipment installed in the target space.

[0016] In any of the reward management devices, the improvement equipment may be an air purifier.

[0017] In any of the reward management devices, the awarding unit may award the user a reward of a degree corresponding to the improvement activity indicated in the signal based on degree information indicating the degree of reward for each content of the improvement activity indicated in the signal.

[0018] In any of the reward management devices, the acquisition unit may acquire activity information related to the user's activities from the user terminal, and the granting unit may identify improvement activities performed by the user based on the activity information and grant the user points according to the identified improvement activities.

[0019] In any of the reward management devices, the user terminal may be installed in the target space and communicate with a device that changes the environment of the target space.

[0020] An incentive management system according to one aspect of the present invention may include any one of the incentive management devices and the at least one sensor.

[0021] A reward management method according to one aspect of the present invention may include a step in which an acquisition unit acquires measurement information from at least one sensor that measures a physical quantity related to the environment of a target space. The reward management method may include a step in which an output unit outputs a signal to a user terminal associated with the target space, encouraging improvement of the environment of the target space, if the measurement information satisfies an improvement condition for improving the environment of the target space. The reward management method may include a step in which, after outputting the signal, an award unit awards an award to a user of the user terminal in accordance with a predetermined condition. The awarding step may include a step in which the award unit awards an award to the user of the user terminal if the measurement information acquired by the acquisition unit from the at least one sensor satisfies a good condition indicating that the environment of the target space is good, as the predetermined condition.

[0022] A program according to one aspect of the present invention, when executed by a computer, may cause the computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires measurement information from at least one sensor that measures physical quantities related to the environment of a target space. The program may cause the computer to function as an output unit that, if the measurement information satisfies an improvement condition for improving the environment of the target space, outputs a signal to a user terminal associated with the target space, encouraging improvement of the environment of the target space. After outputting the signal, the program may cause the computer to function as an award unit that awards a reward to a user of the user terminal in accordance with a predetermined condition. If the measurement information acquired by the acquisition unit from the at least one sensor satisfies a good condition indicating that the environment of the target space is good, as the predetermined condition, the award unit may award a reward to the user of the user terminal.

[0023] The above summary of the invention does not list all of the features of the present invention, and subcombinations of these features may also be inventions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the overall configuration of an incentive management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the reward management device according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for providing a reward in response to a user's improvement activity. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the overall configuration of a reward management system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0027] The reward management system 10 includes a reward management device 100, a gas sensor 20, an environmental sensor 22, and a user terminal 40. The reward management system 10 may further include the user terminal 40, and an air purifier 24 and an air conditioner 26 as improved facilities.

[0028] The gas sensor 20, the environmental sensor 22, the air purifier 24, and the air conditioner 26 are installed in a space 50, which is a space separated by walls or the like, such as a room in a building. The space 50 may be an indoor space. The user terminal 40 may be a mobile terminal owned by a user who enters and leaves the space 50, such as a smartphone, a smart watch, a tablet, a laptop, VR / AR goggles, or a head-mounted display. The user terminal 40 may also be a terminal installed in the space 50, such as a smart thermostat, a smart remote control, or a smart speaker. The environmental sensor 22 may be at least one of a pollen sensor, a dust sensor, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor.

[0029] The gas sensor 20 measures the concentration of a specific gas in the space 50. The gas to be measured may be carbon dioxide, a VOC gas (volatile organic compound gas), or oxygen. The gas to be measured may be a flammable gas such as methane, propane, or ethanol. The gas to be measured may be a refrigerant gas such as chlorofluorocarbons, alternative chlorofluorocarbons, R32, or R1234yf. The gas to be measured may be a toxic gas such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, or formaldehyde. The gas to be measured may be a greenhouse gas such as nitrous oxide.

[0030] In this embodiment, the gas sensor 20 measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in the space 50. If the environmental sensor 22 is a pollen sensor, it measures the amount of pollen that indicates the amount of pollen present in the space 50. The gas sensor 20 and the environmental sensor 22 are examples of sensors that measure specific physical quantities in the space 50, and the reward management system 10 may also include sensors that measure physical quantities other than the gas sensor 20 and the environmental sensor 22. The sensor may be a camera mounted on the user terminal.

[0031] The air purifier 24 collects dust, pollen, and the like present in the space 50. The air conditioning equipment 26 adjusts the temperature, humidity, and airflow in the space 50. The air purifier 24 and the air conditioning equipment 26 are examples of improvement equipment that changes the environment of the space 50. The equipment that changes the environment of the space 50 may be equipment that can adjust the amount of gas that is the target of measurement by the gas sensor 20 in the space 50 by operating itself.

[0032] The reward management device 100 communicates with the gas sensor 20, the environmental sensor 22, and the user terminal 40 via a network 30 such as the Internet. The user terminal 40 communicates with the air purifier 24 and the air conditioner 26 via a network 32 such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The gas sensor 20, the environmental sensor 22, the air purifier 24, and the air conditioner 26 may communicate via either the network 30 or the network 32.

[0033] The reward management device 100 may be configured with a computer. The computer may be a personal computer, tablet computer, smartphone, workstation, server computer, general-purpose computer, or a computer system in which multiple computers are connected. Such a computer system is also a computer in the broad sense. The computer may be a dedicated computer designed for the estimation process of the reward management device 100, or may be dedicated hardware realized by a dedicated circuit. The computer may be implemented in a virtual computer environment. When a computer is used, the reward management device 100 is realized by the computer executing a program.

[0034] The reward management device 100 provides rewards to users who perform activities that improve the environment of the space 50 and manages the rewards of each user. The reward may be monetary value that can be used to pay the provider in exchange for a product or service, a coupon that can be used as a gift certificate or discount voucher, electronic money, points that can be used in place of cash, or parts necessary for maintaining a good environment. The parts necessary for maintaining a good environment may be a filter for the air purifier 24 or a cleaning agent.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the reward management device 100. The reward management device 100 includes a control unit 110, a memory unit 120, and a communication unit 130. The control unit 110 may be configured with a microprocessor such as a CPU or MPU, or a microcontroller such as an MCU. The memory unit 120 may be a computer-readable recording medium, and may include at least one of SRAM, DRAM, EPROM, EEPROM (registered trademark), and flash memory such as a USB memory. The memory unit 120 stores programs and the like required for the control unit 110 to manage users' rewards.

[0036] The control unit 110 has an acquisition unit 102, a determination unit 104, an identification unit 106, an output unit 107, and an assignment unit 108. The acquisition unit 102 acquires measurement information from at least one of the gas sensor 20 and the environmental sensor 22 via the network 30. The measurement information may include the carbon dioxide concentration, which is a physical quantity measured by the gas sensor 20, or the pollen amount measured by the environmental sensor 22, statistical information based on the measured physical quantity, and the measurement time when the gas sensor 20 or the environmental sensor 22 measured the physical quantity. The statistical information may include at least one of the average value, maximum value, minimum value, variance, moment, and histogram of the physical quantity measured by the gas sensor 20 and the environmental sensor 22.

[0037] The determination unit 104 determines whether the measurement information satisfies an improvement condition for improving the environment of the space 50. For example, the determination unit 104 may determine that the improvement condition is satisfied when the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or higher than a reference value. The determination unit 104 may determine that the first improvement condition is satisfied when the period during which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or higher than the reference value does not satisfy the reference period. The determination unit 104 may determine that the first improvement condition is satisfied when the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is currently equal to or higher than the reference value but the period during which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or higher than the reference period does not satisfy the reference period. The determination unit 104 may determine that the second improvement condition is satisfied when the period during which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or higher than the reference period is equal to or higher than the reference period. The determination unit 104 may determine that the third improvement condition is satisfied when the value indicated by the environmental sensor 22 in the space 50 is equal to or higher than the reference value.

[0038] The determination unit 104 may determine whether the improvement condition is satisfied based not only on the period during which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value, but also on the frequency with which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value, the degree of abnormality related to the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50, or an index combining at least two of the period, frequency, and degree of abnormality. Here, the degree of abnormality may be the amount of deviation between a measured value obtained by statistically processing (e.g., average, maximum, minimum, variance, moment, histogram, etc.) the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 and a reference value. The reference value may be dynamically determined based on the time-series trend of the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50. For example, if the reference value for the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is 1000 ppm, the difference between the average value of the measured value within a certain period and 1000 ppm may be determined as the degree of abnormality. The determination unit 104 may determine that the first improvement condition is satisfied if the degree of abnormality in the space 50 is equal to or less than the reference degree of abnormality. The determination unit 104 may determine that the second improvement condition is satisfied if the degree of abnormality in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference degree of abnormality. The determination unit 104 may determine that the first improvement condition is satisfied when the frequency at which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or higher than the standard value is less than the standard frequency. The determination unit 104 may determine that the first improvement condition is satisfied when, at least at the present time, the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or higher than the standard value but the frequency at which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or higher than the standard value is less than the standard frequency. The determination unit 104 may determine that the second improvement condition is satisfied when the frequency at which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or higher than the standard frequency is greater than or equal to the standard frequency.

[0039] When the measurement information satisfies an improvement condition for improving the environment of the space 50, the output unit 107 outputs a signal encouraging improvement of the environment of the target space to the user terminal 40 associated with the space 50. The communication unit 130 is a communication interface for communication via the network 30 and the network 32. The communication unit 130 may be a communication interface for long-distance communication and short-distance communication. When the measurement information satisfies an improvement condition for improving the environment of the space 50, the communication unit 130 transmits the signal encouraging improvement of the environment of the target space output from the output unit 107 to the user terminal 40 associated with the space 50. The user terminal 40 may be equipped with a display unit. The display unit may display a message based on the signal encouraging improvement of the environment of the target space.

[0040] The storage unit 120 may store a user ID list in which the user IDs of users who are eligible to receive a reward are registered. The storage unit 120 may store, in association with the space 50, a user ID list in which the user IDs of users who are eligible to receive a reward are registered, and a list of sensor types or improved equipment present in the space 50.

[0041] The communication unit 130 may transmit a signal to the user terminal 40 of the user ID associated with the space 50 identified from the user terminal list, prompting the user to improve the environment of the space 50. For example, the signal may include a message prompting the user to ventilate the space 50. The signal may include a message prompting the user to operate the air purifier 24 to remove pollen and the like from the space 50.

[0042] If the current carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value, but the indicator that indicates that the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value does not satisfy the specific condition, the signal may include a message prompting ventilation of the space 50. The indicator may be a duration, a frequency, an abnormality level, or a combination of at least two of the duration, the frequency, and the abnormality level. If the indicator is a duration, the specific condition may be a condition that the period during which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value satisfies a reference period. If the period during which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value has not yet met the reference period and thus a first improvement condition that the specific condition is not met is satisfied, the signal may include a message prompting ventilation of the space 50.

[0043] If the indicator is frequency, the specific condition may be a condition that the frequency with which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value satisfies the reference frequency. If the frequency with which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value does not yet satisfy the reference frequency, thereby satisfying the first improvement condition that the specific condition is not satisfied, the signal may include a message encouraging ventilation of the space 50. If the indicator that the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value satisfies the first improvement condition that the specific condition is not satisfied, the signal may include a message encouraging action to improve the air quality of the space 50 according to the carbon dioxide concentration. For example, if the indicator is a period, the signal may include a message encouraging ventilation of the space 50. The message encouraging ventilation of the space 50 may be a message encouraging opening the windows 52 in the space 50. If the air conditioning equipment 26 has a ventilation function, the message encouraging ventilation of the space 50 may be a message encouraging activation of the ventilation function of the air conditioning equipment 26.

[0044] If the indicator that the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value satisfies the specific condition, the signal may include a message encouraging the installation of an air conditioning device 26 having a ventilation function in the space 50. If the indicator is a period, if the period during which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference period satisfies a second improvement condition that the specific condition is satisfied, the signal may include a message encouraging the installation of an air conditioning device 26 having a ventilation function in the space 50. If the indicator is a frequency, if the frequency at which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference frequency satisfies a second improvement condition that the specific condition is satisfied, the signal may include a message encouraging the installation of an air conditioning device 26 having a ventilation function in the space 50 or changing its settings. The signal may also include a message encouraging the change of the installation location of the gas sensor 20. If the indicator that the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value satisfies the second improvement condition that the specific condition is satisfied, the signal may include a message encouraging the installation of an air conditioning device 26 having a ventilation function in the space 50 or changing its settings. For example, if the indicator is a period of time, and the period during which the carbon dioxide concentration in space 50 is above a standard value meets a specific condition that the period is equal to or greater than the standard period, the signal may include a message encouraging the installation of air conditioning equipment 26 with ventilation function in space 50.

[0045] A situation in which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is high in the short term may be one in which a large number of people are temporarily present in the space 50, such as a meeting. In such a case, since the high carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is temporary, the signal may be a message urging emergency measures, such as opening the windows 52 in the space 50. On the other hand, if the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is high in the long term, since the ventilation status of the space 50 is chronically poor, the signal may be a message urging the installation of an air conditioner 26 with a ventilation function in the space 50 in order to continuously improve the ventilation status of the space 50. In other words, the signal may be a message urging the purchase of an air conditioner 26 with a ventilation function. Alternatively, the signal may be a message urging the replacement of the air purifier 24 or a component of the ventilation function of the air conditioner 26. Alternatively, the signal may be a message urging the relocation of the air purifier 24 or the air conditioner 26. Alternatively, the signal may be a message urging the improvement of the installation location of the gas sensor 20 installed in the space 50.

[0046] If the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is high infrequently, this may be due to occasional meetings or other situations where a large number of people are temporarily present in the space 50. In such cases, the high carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is temporary, and the signal may be a message urging emergency measures, such as opening the windows 52 in the space 50. On the other hand, if the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is high frequently, this may be due to chronic poor ventilation in the space 50 or an inappropriate installation location of the gas sensor 20. Therefore, in order to continuously improve the ventilation status of the space 50, the signal may be a message urging the installation of an air conditioner 26 with a ventilation function in the space 50. That is, the signal may be a message urging the purchase of an air conditioner 26 with a ventilation function. Alternatively, the signal may be a message urging the replacement of the air purifier 24 or a component of the ventilation function of the air conditioner 26. Alternatively, the signal may be a message urging the improvement of the installation location of the gas sensor 20 installed in the space 50. Alternatively, the signal may be a message urging the relocation of the air purifier 24 or the air conditioner 26.

[0047] The acquisition unit 102 may periodically acquire measurement information from the gas sensor 20 or the environmental sensor 22. The acquisition unit 102 may acquire measurement information from the gas sensor 20 or the environmental sensor 22 in response to a request from a user. After the output unit 107 outputs a signal, the determination unit 104 determines whether the measurement information from the gas sensor 20 or the environmental sensor 22 acquired by the acquisition unit 102 satisfies a good condition indicating that the environment of the space 50 is good. The determination unit 104 may determine that the good condition is satisfied if the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is less than a reference value. The determination unit 104 may determine that the good condition is satisfied if the value indicated by the environmental sensor 22 in the space 50 is less than a reference amount. Alternatively, the determination unit 104 may set an original reference amount from these physical amounts and determine that the good condition is satisfied in a composite manner.

[0048] After the output unit 107 outputs a signal, the granting unit 108 grants a reward to the user of the user terminal 40 in accordance with predetermined conditions. If the determination unit 104 determines that the measurement information from the gas sensor 20 or the environmental sensor 22 satisfies a good condition indicating that the environment of the space 50 is good, the granting unit 108 may grant a reward to the user of the user terminal 40. The storage unit 120 may store a reward list indicating the number of rewards for each user. The granting unit 108 may grant a reward to the user of the user terminal 40 by updating the number of rewards for the corresponding user in the reward list.

[0049] The identification unit 106 identifies improvement activities to be performed to improve the environment of the space 50 based on the measurement information from the gas sensor 20 or the environmental sensor 22 and the activity information indicating improvement activities corresponding to the measurement information. The activity information indicates activities according to the improvement conditions satisfied by the measurement information. The activity information may indicate improvement activities according to the types of physical quantities measured by the gas sensor 20 and the environmental sensor 22.

[0050] For example, if the carbon dioxide concentration in space 50 is equal to or higher than the reference value, the activity information indicates an activity of ventilating space 50. If the carbon dioxide concentration in space 50 is equal to or higher than the reference value but the period during which the carbon dioxide concentration in space 50 is equal to or higher than the reference value has not yet reached the reference period, the activity information indicates an activity of opening a window to ventilate space 50 or an activity of activating the ventilation function of air conditioning equipment 26. If the period during which the carbon dioxide concentration in space 50 is equal to or higher than the reference period has reached the reference period, the activity information indicates an activity of replacing air conditioning equipment 26 with one that has a ventilation function.

[0051] For example, if the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value, the activity information indicates an activity of ventilating the space 50. If the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value but the frequency with which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value is not yet equal to the reference frequency, the activity information indicates an activity of opening a window to ventilate the space 50 or an activity of activating the ventilation function of the air conditioner 26. If the frequency with which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value is equal to or greater than the reference frequency, the activity information indicates an activity of replacing the air conditioner 26 with one that has a ventilation function or changing the installation location of the gas sensor 20 to an appropriate location.

[0052] If the value indicated by the environmental sensor 22 in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value, the activity information indicates an activity that activates the air purification function of the air purifier 24 or the air conditioner 26.

[0053] When the carbon dioxide concentration in space 50 or the value indicated by environmental sensor 22 is equal to or higher than the reference value, the activity information may indicate, as an activity, viewing a report or a video of a report that provides information on why space 50 should be ventilated or cleaned. For the purpose of spreading the improvement activities, the activity information may indicate an activity of informing others that the environment of space 50 has improved as a result of the improvement activities that the person has carried out, for example, an activity of spreading information using a social networking service (SNS).

[0054] When the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 or the value indicated by the environmental sensor 22 is equal to or greater than a reference value, the activity information may indicate that the air purifier 24 and the air conditioner 26 are linked together and set to perform ventilation or air cleaning.

[0055] If the value indicated by the environmental sensor 22 in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value, the activity information may indicate wearing a mask or washing hands within the space 50 as an activity that will improve the environment within the space 50 in order to improve public health.

[0056] If the determination unit 104 determines that the measurement information from the gas sensor 20 or the environmental sensor 22 satisfies the good condition indicating that the environment of the space 50 is good, the assignment unit 108 may identify the activity performed by the user based on the information provided from the user terminal 40.

[0057] The acquiring unit 102 acquires activity information related to the user's activities from the user terminal 40. The assigning unit 108 may identify an improvement activity performed by the user based on the activity information, and assign a score to the user according to the identified improvement activity.

[0058] For example, the user terminal 40 may implement an application that communicates with the air purifier 24 or the air conditioner 26. If the user terminal 40 has a function for changing the function settings of the air purifier 24 or the air conditioner 26, the acquisition unit 102 may acquire setting change information indicating the content of the setting change from the user terminal 40 as activity information related to the user's activity. Based on the setting change information, the assignment unit 108 may identify a change in the function settings of the air purifier 24 or the air conditioner 26 as an improvement activity.

[0059] If the user terminal 40 has a function for detecting that a part has been replaced in the air purifier 24 or the air conditioner 26, the acquisition unit 102 may acquire, from the user terminal 40, part replacement information indicating that a part has been replaced in the air purifier 24 or the air conditioner 26 and information on the replaced part, as activity information related to the user's activity. For example, if the user terminal 40 is VR / AR goggles, the acquisition unit 102 may acquire, using a camera attached to the VR / AR goggles, part replacement information indicating that a part such as a filter has been replaced in the air purifier 24 or the air conditioner 26 and information on the replaced part, as activity information related to the user's activity. Based on the part replacement information, the assignment unit 108 may identify, as an improvement activity, that a part has been replaced in the air purifier 24 or the air conditioner 26 and the replaced part.

[0060] The acquiring unit 102 may acquire, as activity information related to the user's activity, equipment installation information indicating that an air conditioner 26 or an air purifier 24 having a specific function such as ventilation or air purification has been newly installed in the space 50 via the user terminal 40. The assigning unit 108 may identify, as an improvement activity, that an equipment having a specific function has been installed based on the equipment installation information.

[0061] The user terminal 40 may detect that the user is wearing a mask by, for example, image recognition of the user's face. If the user terminal 40 is a mask with an air purification function, a contact sensor, acceleration sensor, or other sensor provided on the mask may detect that the mask with air purification function is worn by the user. If the user terminal 40 is a smart watch, the user's hand washing may be detected based on the detection results of an acceleration sensor, motion sensor, or other sensor provided on the user terminal 40. The acquisition unit 102 may acquire detection result information from the user terminal 40 as activity information related to the user's activity. If the user terminal 40 is a mask with an air purification function, a contact sensor, acceleration sensor, or other sensor on the mask with air purification function may detect that the mask with air purification function is worn by the user.

[0062] The granting unit 108 grants a reward to the user of the user terminal 40 according to the identified activity content. The storage unit 120 may store frequency information indicating the frequency of a reward to be granted to the user for each activity content. The granting unit 108 may identify a reward according to the identified activity content by referring to a frequency list. For example, the frequency of the reward may increase in the order of conducting public health activities, referring to reports, changing device settings, and introducing new devices.

[0063] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for providing a reward in response to a user's improvement activity.

[0064] The acquisition unit 102 acquires measurement information from the gas sensor 20 and the environmental sensor 22 via the network 30 (S100). The determination unit 104 determines whether the measurement information satisfies an improvement condition for improving the environment of the space 50 (S102). For example, the determination unit 104 may determine that a first improvement condition is satisfied if the period during which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than a reference value is shorter than the reference period, and may determine that a second improvement condition is satisfied if the period during which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference period. Furthermore, the determination unit 104 may use an index other than the period to determine the improvement condition, such as frequency, abnormality level, or a combination of at least two of the period, frequency, and abnormality level. The determination unit 104 may determine that a third improvement condition is satisfied if the value indicated by the environmental sensor 22 in the space 50 is equal to or greater than a reference value.

[0065] The identification unit 106 identifies improvement activities to be performed to improve the environment of the space 50 based on the measurement information from the gas sensor 20 or the environmental sensor 22 and the activity information indicating improvement activities corresponding to the measurement information (S104). Furthermore, the identification unit 106 is not limited to identifying improvement activities based on the measurement information of the space 50, but also identifies improvement activities to be performed to improve the user's awareness of the environment based on general activity information related to environmental improvement. For example, viewing a report of information indicating reasons for ventilation or cleaning, or watching a video of the report, may be identified as an improvement activity.

[0066] For example, if the period during which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or higher than the reference value has not yet reached the reference period, the identification unit 106 identifies, as the improvement activity, an activity of opening a window to ventilate the space 50 or an activity of activating the ventilation function of the air conditioning equipment 26. If the period during which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or higher than the reference period, the identification unit 106 identifies, as the improvement activity, an activity of replacing the air conditioning equipment 26 with one that has a ventilation function.

[0067] For example, if the frequency at which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value is still less than the reference frequency, the identifying unit 106 identifies, as the improvement activity, an activity of opening a window to ventilate the space 50 or an activity of activating the ventilation function of the air conditioning equipment 26. If the frequency at which the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference frequency, the identifying unit 106 identifies, as the improvement activity, an activity of replacing the air conditioning equipment 26 with one that has a ventilation function, or a change in the installation location of the gas sensor 20.

[0068] For example, if the value indicated by the environmental sensor 22 in the space 50 is equal to or greater than a reference value, the identification unit 106 identifies, as the improvement activity, an activity of activating the air purification function of the air purifier 24 or the air conditioner 26. If the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 or the value indicated by the environmental sensor 22 is equal to or greater than a reference value, the identification unit 106 identifies, as the improvement activity, setting the air purifier 24 and the air conditioner 26 to perform ventilation or air cleaning by coordinating the air purifier 24 and the air conditioner 26.

[0069] If the measurement information satisfies the improvement conditions for improving the environment of the space 50, the output unit 107 outputs a signal indicating the improvement activity to be implemented identified in step S104 to encourage improvement of the environment of the target space to the user terminal 40 associated with the space 50 (S106). The user terminal 40 may, for example, display a message corresponding to the signal on the display unit.

[0070] The communication unit 130 transmits the signal output from the output unit 107 to the user terminal 40 via the network 30. The acquisition unit 102 further acquires measurement information from the gas sensor 20 and the environmental sensor 22 via the network 30 (S108).

[0071] After the output unit 107 outputs a signal, the determination unit 104 determines whether the measurement information from the gas sensor 20 or the environmental sensor 22 acquired by the acquisition unit 102 satisfies a good condition indicating that the environment of the space 50 is good (S110). The determination unit 104 may determine that the good condition is satisfied if the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is less than a reference value. The determination unit 104 may determine that the good condition is satisfied if the value indicated by the environmental sensor 22 in the space 50 is less than a reference amount. The determination unit 104 may determine that the good condition is satisfied if the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is less than a reference value and the value indicated by the environmental sensor 22 in the space 50 is less than a reference amount. The determination unit 104 may determine that the good condition is satisfied if the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is less than a reference value and if the value indicated by the environmental sensor 22 in the space 50 is less than a reference amount. If the carbon dioxide concentration in the space 50 is equal to or greater than the reference value, the determination unit 104 may determine that an improvement activity has been performed if an action to improve the environment, for example, viewing a report of information indicating reasons for ventilation or cleaning, or watching a video of the report, has been performed.

[0072] When the determination unit 104 determines that the measurement information from the gas sensor 20 or the environmental sensor 22 satisfies a good condition indicating that the environment of the space 50 is good, or when the determination unit 104 determines based on operation information from the user terminal 40 that an improvement has been made by the user, the acquisition unit 102 acquires activity information related to the user's activities from the user terminal 40. The assignment unit 108 identifies an improvement activity performed by the user based on the activity information (S112). Based on setting change information for the air purifier 24 or the air conditioner 26, the assignment unit 108 may identify, as an improvement activity, a change in the function settings of the air purifier 24 or the air conditioner 26. Based on part replacement information for the air purifier 24 or the air conditioner 26, the assignment unit 108 may identify, as an improvement activity, replacement of a part in the air purifier 24 or the air conditioner 26 and the replaced part. Based on equipment installation information for the air purifier 24 or the air conditioner 26, the assignment unit 108 may identify, as an improvement activity, a new installation of equipment having a specific function. The assigning unit 108 may identify, as an improvement activity, that a report on information indicating reasons for ventilating or cleaning was viewed or a video of the report was watched, based on the operation information of the user terminal 40. Instead of identifying the improvement activity performed by the user based on the activity information, the assigning unit 108 may determine that the improvement activity identified in step S104 has been performed if the measurement information satisfies a favorable condition. For example, after transmitting a signal to the user terminal 40 to prompt ventilation by opening the window 52, ​​if the measurement information satisfies a favorable condition, the assigning unit 108 may determine that the user has opened the window 52 and ventilated.

[0073] The granting unit 108 grants a reward to the user of the user terminal 40 (S112). The granting unit 108 may identify the number of reward points corresponding to the identified activity based on the number of points information stored in the storage unit 120, and grant the identified number of reward points to the user of the user terminal 40.

[0074] According to this embodiment, improvement activities identified based on measurement information from sensors such as the gas sensor 20 and the environmental sensor 22 are presented to the user, and a reward is given to the user when the user carries out the proposed improvement activity, thereby promoting improvement of the environment of the space 50 in which the user is present.

[0075] 4 illustrates an example of a computer 1200 in which aspects of the present invention may be embodied, in whole or in part. A program installed on the computer 1200 may cause the computer 1200 to perform operations associated with an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention or to function as one or more “parts” of the apparatus. Alternatively, the program may cause the computer 1200 to perform the operations or one or more “parts.” The program may cause the computer 1200 to perform a process or steps of a process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 1212 to cause the computer 1200 to perform specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0076] The computer 1200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 1212 and a RAM 1214, which are interconnected by a host controller 1210. The computer 1200 also includes a communication interface 1222 and an input / output unit, which are connected to the host controller 1210 via an input / output controller 1220. The computer 1200 also includes a ROM 1230. The CPU 1212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 1230 and RAM 1214, thereby controlling each unit.

[0077] The communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. A hard disk drive may store programs and data used by the CPU 1212 in the computer 1200. The ROM 1230 stores a boot program executed by the computer 1200 upon activation and / or programs dependent on the computer's hardware. The programs may be provided via a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a USB memory, or an IC card, or via a network. The programs may be installed in the RAM 1214 or the ROM 1230, which are also examples of computer-readable recording media, and executed by the CPU 1212. The information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 1200 and establishes cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be configured by implementing operations or processing of information in accordance with the use of the computer 1200.

[0078] For example, when communication is performed between computer 1200 and an external device, CPU 1212 may execute a communication program loaded into RAM 1214 and instruct communication interface 1222 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of CPU 1212, communication interface 1222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer area provided in RAM 1214 or a recording medium such as a USB memory, and transmits the read transmission data to a network, or writes reception data received from the network to a reception buffer area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0079] The CPU 1212 may also cause all or a necessary portion of a file or database stored on an external recording medium such as a USB memory to be read into the RAM 1214, and perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may then write the processed data back to the external recording medium.

[0080] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and may undergo information processing. The CPU 1212 may perform various types of processing on data read from the RAM 1214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information search / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the instruction sequences of the programs, and write the results back to the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may also search for information in a file, database, etc. on the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, are stored on the recording medium, the CPU 1212 may search for an entry that matches a condition specified by the attribute value of the first attribute from among the multiple entries, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0081] The above-described programs or software modules may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium on or near the computer 1200. A recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can also be used as a computer-readable storage medium, thereby providing the programs to the computer 1200 via the network.

[0082] A computer-readable medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that are executed by an appropriate device. As a result, the computer-readable medium with instructions stored thereon comprises an article of manufacture, including instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0083] The computer-readable instructions may include either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The source code or object code may include conventional procedural programming languages. The conventional procedural programming languages ​​may be assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, JAVA®, C++, etc., and the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer-readable instructions may be provided to a processor or programmable circuitry of a programmable data processing apparatus locally or over a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, etc. The processor or programmable circuitry may execute the computer-readable instructions to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams.

[0084] Here, the computer may be a computer such as a PC (personal computer), tablet computer, smartphone, workstation, server computer, or general-purpose computer, or may be a computer system in which multiple computers are connected. Such a computer system in which multiple computers are connected is also called a distributed computing system, and is a computer in the broad sense. In a distributed computing system, the multiple computers collectively execute a program by each executing a part of the program and passing data between the computers as needed during program execution.

[0085] Examples of processors include computer processors, central processing units (CPUs), processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc. A computer may have one or more processors. In a multiprocessor system with multiple processors, each processor executes a portion of a program and passes data between processors as needed during program execution, allowing the multiple processors to collectively execute the program. For example, in multitasking, each of the multiple processors may execute a portion of each task in small chunks by switching tasks at time slice intervals. In this case, which portion of a program each processor executes changes dynamically. Alternatively, which portion of a program each of the multiple processors executes may be statically determined by multiprocessor-aware programming.

[0086] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0087] It should be noted that the execution order of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not specifically stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that the processes can be performed in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a subsequent process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, this does not mean that the processes must be performed in this order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 10 Reward Management System 20 Gas Sensor 22 Environmental Sensors 24 Air Purifier 26 Air conditioning equipment 30,32 Network 40 User terminals 50 space 52 Windows 100 Reward Management Device 102 Acquisition Department 104 Judgment section 106 Specific part 107 Output section 108 Granting Department 110 control section 120 Storage section 130 Communications Department 1200 Computer 1210 host controller 1212 CPU 1214 RAM 1220 Input / Output Controller 1222 communication interface 1230 ROM

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires measurement information from at least one sensor that measures a physical quantity related to the environment of the target space; an output unit that outputs a signal prompting improvement of the environment of the target space to a user terminal associated with the target space when the measurement information satisfies an improvement condition for improving the environment of the target space; an awarding unit that awards a reward to the user of the user terminal in accordance with predetermined conditions after the signal is output; Equipped with A reward management device in which, when the measurement information from at least one sensor acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies a good condition indicating that the environment of the target space is good, the awarding unit awards a reward to the user of the user terminal.

2. The acquisition unit further acquires activity information related to user activity from the user terminal, The reward management device according to claim 1 , wherein the awarding unit awards a reward based on the activity information to the user of the user terminal in accordance with the predetermined conditions.

3. An identification unit that identifies an improvement activity to be performed to improve the environment of the target space, The reward management device of claim 1, wherein when the identification unit identifies the improvement activity by the user, the granting unit grants a reward based on the improvement activity to the user of the user terminal in accordance with the predetermined conditions.

4. The system further includes an identification unit that identifies an improvement activity to be performed to improve the environment of the target space based on activity information indicating an improvement activity corresponding to the measurement information from the at least one sensor, and the measurement information; The reward management device according to claim 1 , wherein the output unit outputs the signal indicating the identified improvement activity to the user terminal.

5. The reward management device of claim 4, wherein the identification unit identifies a first activity as the improvement activity if an index whose measurement information satisfies the improvement condition satisfies a specific condition, and identifies a second activity different from the first activity as the improvement activity if the index whose measurement information satisfies the improvement condition does not satisfy the specific condition.

6. The reward management device according to claim 5 , wherein the index is a period, a frequency, a degree of abnormality, or a combination of at least two of the period, the frequency, and the degree of abnormality.

7. the at least one sensor is an air quality sensor or an environmental sensor; The reward management device according to claim 5 , wherein the first activity includes an activity of ventilating the target space.

8. the air quality sensor is a gas sensor; the environmental sensor is at least one of a pollen sensor, a dust sensor, a temperature sensor, and a temperature sensor; The reward management device according to claim 7 , wherein the first activity and the second activity include an activity of ventilating the target space.

9. The reward management device according to claim 5 , wherein the second activity includes an activity of installing, changing settings, or changing the position of a device that is installed in the target space and changes the environment of the target space.

10. the activity information indicates an improvement activity according to a type of physical quantity measured by the at least one sensor; the at least one sensor includes a first sensor that measures a first physical quantity and a second sensor that measures a second physical quantity different from the first physical quantity; The reward management device of claim 4, wherein the identification unit identifies the improvement activity based on activity information indicating the improvement activity corresponding to the first measurement information from the first sensor and the second measurement information from the second sensor, and the first measurement information and the second measurement information.

11. the first sensor and the second sensor are air quality sensors or environmental sensors; the identification unit identifies a first activity as the improvement activity if an index for which at least one of the first measurement information and the second measurement information satisfies the improvement condition satisfies a specific condition, and identifies a second activity different from the first activity as the improvement activity if an index for which at least one of the first measurement information and the second measurement information satisfies the improvement condition does not satisfy the specific condition; The first activity includes an activity of ventilating the target space, installing improvement equipment in the target space, or changing settings of improvement equipment installed in the target space; The reward management device according to claim 10 , wherein the second activity includes an activity of installing an improvement facility in the target space or changing settings of an improvement facility installed in the target space.

12. The reward management device of claim 11 , wherein the improvement equipment is an air purifier.

13. The reward management device of claim 4, wherein the awarding unit awards the user a reward of a degree corresponding to the improvement activity indicated in the signal based on degree information indicating the degree of reward for each content of the improvement activity indicated in the signal.

14. the acquisition unit acquires activity information related to an activity of the user from the user terminal; The reward management device according to claim 1 , wherein the awarding unit identifies an improvement activity performed by the user based on the activity information, and awards the user a number of points according to the identified improvement activity.

15. The reward management device according to claim 1 , wherein the user terminal is installed in the target space and communicates with a device that changes the environment of the target space.

16. The reward management device according to any one of claims 1 to 15; the at least one sensor; A reward management system comprising:

17. an acquisition unit acquiring measurement information from at least one sensor that measures a physical quantity related to the environment of the target space; an output unit outputting a signal to prompt improvement of the environment of the target space to a user terminal associated with the target space when the measurement information satisfies an improvement condition for improving the environment of the target space; an awarding unit awarding a reward to the user of the user terminal in accordance with predetermined conditions after outputting the signal; Equipped with A reward management method in which the granting step includes a step in which the granting unit grants a reward to the user of the user terminal when the measurement information from the at least one sensor acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies a good condition indicating that the environment of the target space is good, as the predetermined condition.

18. When executed by a computer, an acquisition unit that acquires measurement information from at least one sensor that measures a physical quantity related to the environment of the target space; an output unit that outputs a signal prompting improvement of the environment of the target space to a user terminal associated with the target space when the measurement information satisfies an improvement condition for improving the environment of the target space; an awarding unit that awards a reward to the user of the user terminal in accordance with predetermined conditions after the signal is output; causing the computer to function; A program in which, when the measurement information from the at least one sensor acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies a good condition indicating that the environment of the target space is good, the granting unit grants a reward to the user of the user terminal.

Images