Massage system and massage machine

The massage machine system addresses the lack of evaluation in existing systems by allowing users to create, edit, and share massage courses for third-party feedback, enhancing motivation and quality through ranking and rewards.

JP2025185286APending Publication Date: 2025-12-22FAMILY INADA
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024093415
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-06-10
Publication Date
2025-12-22

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing massage machines allow users to upload and distribute massage courses without evaluating them, leading to a lack of feedback and motivation for creating and editing new courses.

Method used

A massage machine system that enables users to create, edit, and transmit massage courses to a server for evaluation by third parties, with features for ranking and awarding benefits, allowing users to receive advice and improve their courses based on feedback.

Benefits of technology

Enhances user motivation to create and edit massage courses by providing evaluations and feedback, enabling continuous improvement and sharing of high-quality massage programs.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a massage machine allowing a user to receive an evaluation from a third person about a massage course edited by the user himself / herself.SOLUTION: A massage machine includes a server, one massage machine capable of communicating with the server, and a first operation device capable of editing a massage course stored in the massage machine or the server. The massage course is configured by combining a plurality of programs. The first operation device edits a predetermined program selected by a user among the plurality of programs and transmits the edited massage course to the server. The server stores the edited massage course that has been transmitted, and a user of another massage machine executes and evaluates the edited massage course received from the server. The evaluation includes advice by the user of the other massage machine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a massage system and a massage machine. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Massage machines have been proposed that include an operating device that allows editing of each massage step of a massage course (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6191854 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The massage machine described in Patent Document 1 above allows edited massage courses to be uploaded to a server and distributed to other users, but there is a problem in that the uploaded massage courses are not evaluated. The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a massage machine that allows a massage course edited by the user to be evaluated by a third party. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention comprises a server, a massage machine capable of communicating with the server, and a first controller capable of editing a massage course stored in the massage machine or the server, wherein the massage course is composed of a combination of a plurality of programs, the first controller edits a predetermined program selected by a user from the plurality of programs, and transmits the edited massage course to the server, the server stores the transmitted edited massage course, and a user of another massage machine is configured to be able to execute and evaluate the edited massage course received from the server, the evaluation including advice from the user of the other massage machine. With this configuration, the massage course edited by the user can be evaluated by a third party.

[0006] The present invention also provides a massage device comprising a server, a massage machine capable of communicating with the server, and a first controller capable of creating a massage course by combining a plurality of programs stored in the massage machine or the server, wherein the first controller transmits the massage course created by the user to the server, the server stores the created massage course that has been transmitted, and users of other massage machines are configured to be able to execute and evaluate the created massage course received from the server, and the evaluation includes advice from the users of the other massage machines. With this configuration, the massage course created by the user can be evaluated by a third party.

[0007] It is also preferable that the created or edited massage course can be re-created or re-edited by the user who created or edited the massage course. With this configuration, the massage course can be adjusted.

[0008] Furthermore, it is preferable that the evaluation be displayed in a ranking format on at least one of the first operating device and the massage machine. This configuration can increase motivation for creating and editing massage courses.

[0009] In addition, it is preferable that the ranking format be displayed in descending order of the evaluation. With this configuration, highly rated massage courses can be easily confirmed.

[0010] It is also preferable that the server awards a special benefit to the user who created or edited the massage course based on the evaluation result. This configuration can increase motivation for creating and editing massage courses.

[0011] It is also preferable that the other massage machine has a second operating device, and the user of the other massage machine operates the second operating device to call up the created or edited massage course sent from the first massage machine from the server and send it to the other massage machine. With this configuration, a massage course transmitted to the server by a third party can be installed in the massage machine that the user uses.

[0012] The present invention also provides a massage device that includes a massage machine capable of communicating with a server and a first controller that can edit a massage course stored in the massage machine or the server, wherein the massage course is composed of a combination of a plurality of programs, the first controller edits a predetermined program selected by a user from the plurality of programs, and transmits the edited massage course to the server, the server stores the transmitted edited massage course, and users of other massage machines are configured to be able to execute and evaluate the edited massage course received from the server, and the evaluation includes advice from the users of the other massage machines. With this configuration, the edited massage course can be evaluated by other massage machine users.

[0013] The present invention also provides a massage device that includes a massage machine capable of communicating with a server, and a first controller that can create a massage course by combining a plurality of programs stored in the massage machine or the server, wherein the massage machine transmits a massage course created by a user to the server, the server stores the created massage course that has been transmitted, and a user of another massage machine can execute and evaluate the created massage course received from the server, and the evaluation includes advice from the user of the other massage machine. With this configuration, the created massage course can be evaluated by other massage machine users. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, a massage course created and edited by the user himself / herself can be evaluated by a third party. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a massage machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram of a massage machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a massage system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen of an operating device of the massage machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the screen of an operating device according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a diagram showing the state of selecting a massage course to edit, (b) is a diagram showing the state of selecting a block to edit the massage course MP selected in (a), and (c) is a diagram showing the state of selecting the content of the massage action to be changed for the block selected in (b). [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the screen of an operating device according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) shows the state in which the content to be displayed is selected, (b) shows the state in which the content is displayed in ranking format, and (c) shows the state in which the content is displayed in ranking format. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the screen of an operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) shows a state in which a user selects whether or not to acquire a special benefit, (b) shows a state in which a special benefit is selected, and (c) shows a state in which a QR code (registered trademark) is displayed on the screen. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the screen of an operating device according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a diagram showing the state of selecting a massage course to advise on, (b) is a diagram showing the state of selecting a block to advise on, and (c) is a diagram showing the state of inputting the content of advice. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a series of steps from transmitting an edited massage course to a server to editing the massage course again.

[0016] [Overall configuration of the massager] The overall configuration of the massage machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a massage machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the massage machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a massage system according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the configuration, arrangement, and number of attached massage units M (2a, 3a, 5a, 6) are merely examples and are not limited to these. They can be modified as appropriate depending on the embodiment.

[0017] 1 and 2, a massage machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a seat 3 on which a user sits, a backrest 4 on which the user leans, which is provided at the rear of the seat 3, a footrest 5 provided at the front of the seat 3, and armrests 2L, 2R attached to the sides of the seat 3. The massage machine 1 is provided with massage sections M (massage mechanism 6, arm massage sections 2a, buttock massage sections 3a, foot massage sections 5a) that massage the user, a control section 8 that controls the functions of the massage machine 1, an operating device 10 for performing various operations on the massage machine 1, and an air supply / exhaust device 9 for supplying and exhausting air to and from the air cells. Each component will be described later.

[0018] [Seat configuration] As shown in Fig. 1, the seat 3 is made up of a rectangular member that is long in the left-right direction. The seat 3 is attached to a frame (not shown) that serves as the base of the massage machine 1. On the upper surface of the seat 3, a pair of buttocks massage parts 3a (massage parts M) are provided on the left and right sides for massaging the buttocks of a user seated on the seat 3. The buttocks massage parts 3a are made up of air cells that expand and contract by supplying and discharging air. It is preferable that the left and right buttocks massage portions 3a are configured so as to be able to expand and contract independently of each other.

[0019] [Backrest configuration] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the backrest 4 supports the upper body of the user. The backrest 4 is composed of a rectangular member that is long in the height direction. A guide rail 7 is provided inside the backrest 4, and a massage mechanism 6 (massage unit M) is provided via the guide rail 7. The front of the backrest 4 is covered with a cover member (not shown), and the massage mechanism 6 moves up and down along the guide rail 7, so that it can massage the back of the torso (e.g., shoulders, waist, etc.) of the user seated on the seat 3 via the cover member (not shown).

[0020] [Footrest configuration] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the footrest 5 is provided with a pair of recesses 5b on the left and right into which the user's legs can be inserted. Foot massage sections 5a (massage sections M) for massaging the user's legs are provided on the inner walls on both the left and right sides of the recesses 5b. The foot massage sections 5a are made up of air cells that expand and contract by supplying and discharging air. More specifically, one foot massage section 5a is provided on each of the left and right inner walls of the right recess 5b, and one foot massage section 5a is provided on each of the left and right inner walls of the left recess 5b. Each foot massage section 5a is preferably configured to be able to expand and contract independently. A sole massage section (not shown) for massaging the soles of the user's feet may also be provided on the bottom surface of each recess 5b.

[0021] [Armrest configuration] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, armrests 2L, 2R are attached in pairs to the left and right sides of the seat 3. On the upper surface of the armrest 2, there is provided a U-shaped arm massage section 2a (massage section M) for massaging the user's arms. The arm massage section 2a is made up of air cells that expand and contract by supplying and discharging air. It is preferable that the left and right arm massage sections 2a are configured so that they can expand and contract independently.

[0022] [Controller configuration] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the massage machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, the massage machine 1 is provided with a control unit 8 consisting of a microcomputer or the like for controlling the driving of the massage mechanism 6, the air intake and exhaust device 9, etc. This control unit 8 is provided below the seat 3, and is connected to an operating device 10 operated by the user, a memory unit 11 in which massage courses are stored, and a communication unit 12 for communicating with a server V, which will be described later. Various massage actions are performed by the user operating the operating device 10.

[0023] [Configuration of the air intake and exhaust system] 2, the air supply / exhaust device 9 is composed of a pump 9a for supplying air to each of the massage sections 2a, 3a, and 5a, which are made up of air cells, and a valve 9b for connecting each of the massage sections 2a, 3a, and 5a to the pump 9a. By turning the valve 9b on and off, air can be supplied to and exhausted from the air cells.

[0024] [Massage system configuration] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a massage system G according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 3, the massage system G is composed of a plurality of massage machines 1, a server V connected to the plurality of massage machines 1 via a communication network N, and a cloud C connected via the communication network N. In this embodiment, one specific massage machine among the plurality of massage machines 1 will be referred to as one massage machine 1A, and the other several massage machines will be referred to as other massage machines 1B, 1C, .... In addition, a user who uses one massage machine 1A will be referred to as user A, and users who use the other massage machines 1B, 1C, ... will be referred to as user B and user C. For convenience, the massage machine 1B will be described as a representative of the multiple other massage machines, and the user of the other massage machine 1B will be described as user B, and descriptions of the other massage machine 1C (user C) and subsequent massage machines will be omitted.

[0025] One massage machine 1A is configured to be able to communicate with the server V via the communication network N. More specifically, one massage machine 1A is able to communicate with the server V via a communication unit 12. Each of the massage machines 1A to 1C, ... has an operating device 10. The operating device 10 functions as a first operating device that can edit the massage course MP stored in the massage machine 1 or the server V. At this time, the operating device of the other massage machine 1B functions as a second operating device. When one massage machine is the massage machine 1B, the other massage machines are the massage machines 1A and 1C, and the controller 10 corresponding to the one massage machine 1B is the first controller, and the controllers 10 corresponding to the other massage machines 1A and 1C are the second controllers. The first controller and the second controller will be described later.

[0026] [Operator configuration] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the screen 10b of the controller 10 of the massage machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the controller 10 (first controller) of one massage machine and the controller 10 (second controller) of another massage machine have the same configuration, so the first controller and the second controller will be collectively described as controller 10.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, various buttons are displayed on the screen 10b of the controller 10, such as an editing section (course editing button) 10a for editing a massage course MP and a button 10c for selecting a massage course. The screen 10b is configured as a touch panel. The user can perform various operations on the massage machine 1, such as editing or executing a massage course, by pressing the buttons displayed on the screen 10b. Although not shown, the controller 10 may also be equipped with a physical button. An example of a physical button is a power button. By configuring the power button as a physical button, it is no longer necessary to always display the power button on the screen 10b, thereby contributing to power saving. The buttons displayed on the screen 10b will be described later.

[0028] The user turns on the power button to start the massage machine 1. Then, the screen of the controller 10 switches to a course selection screen (see FIG. 4). That is, FIG. 4 is an example of a screen 10b that is first displayed after the power button is turned on. As shown in Fig. 4, an editing section (course editing button) 10a for editing a massage course MP is displayed in the lower right corner of a screen 10b displaying the course selection screen. A plurality of massage course buttons 10c for selecting a massage course MP, such as "full body" or "stretch," are displayed in the center of the screen 10b. The user can execute a desired massage course by pressing any massage course button 10c.

[0029] A massage course MP is made up of a combination of multiple programs (blocks B1 to B8). The editing section (course editing button) 10a allows the user to edit a specific program selected by the user from the multiple programs B1 to B8 that make up the massage course MP. When the user presses the editing section (course editing button) 10a, the screen switches to a screen 10b for selecting the massage course to edit (see FIG. 5(a)).

[0030] [Edit Massage Course] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing a screen 10b of the controller 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a diagram showing a state in which a massage course MP to be edited is selected, (b) is a diagram showing a state in which blocks B1 to B8 for editing the massage course MP selected in (a) are selected, and (c) is a diagram showing a state in which the content of the massage action to be changed for the block selected in (b) is selected. When the user presses the editing section (course editing button) 10a, the screen switches to a screen for selecting a massage course MP to be edited (course editing screen).

[0031] As shown in FIG. 5(a), editable massage courses are displayed on screen 10b. Four massage courses MP (full body course, stretch course, relax course, and active course) are displayed side by side on screen 10b. A next button 20a and a back button 20b for switching the display of screen 10b are displayed in the lower right corner of screen 10b. When the back button 20b is pressed once in the state shown in FIG. 5(a), the screen switches to the state of screen 10b before pressing the editing section (course edit button) 10a (the screen for selecting a massage course MP, the state shown in FIG. 4). When the next button 20a is pressed once in the state shown in FIG. 5(a), the screen switches, and other editable massage courses MP that were not displayed until then are displayed.

[0032] When the next button 20a is pressed once while another editable massage course MP is displayed, another editable massage course MP that had not been displayed up until then is displayed again. When the back button 20b is pressed once while another editable massage course MP is displayed, the screen switches to the previous screen (the screen in FIG. 5(a)). When the back button 20b is pressed once more while the screen in FIG. 5(a) is displayed, the screen switches to the initial screen (the screen shown in FIG. 4). That is, the next button 20a and the back button 20b function as buttons for switching the content displayed on the screen 10b.

[0033] An example will be described in which the "whole body course" is selected as the massage course to be edited. When "Full Body" is selected on the screen in Figure 5(a), the screen switches to the course editing screen in Figure 5(b). The user selects the block they wish to edit while looking at the blocks of the displayed full body course. At this time, the selection may be made using a touch panel or a physical button. When the massage course to be edited is selected, the screen switches to one for selecting the block to be edited. The massage course MP is made up of a combination of multiple programs (blocks B1 to B8). The user selects the block to be edited. When the block to be edited is selected, the selected block is displayed in color (the selected block (B4 block: tapping) is shown with a diagonal line).

[0034] In the center of the screen 10b, the blocks that make up the massage course MP are displayed in chronological order from start to finish. A next button 20a, a back button 20b, and a save button 20c are displayed in the lower right corner of the screen 10b. When the next button 20a is pressed with the block to be edited selected, the screen 10b changes. More specifically, it changes to a screen (the screen in FIG. 5(c)) for selecting how to change the contents of the block to be edited. When the back button 20b is pressed with the block to be edited selected, the selected block is cancelled (the selected block is no longer colored), and the screen for selecting the block to be edited is displayed again.

[0035] Since the screen 10b is configured as a touch panel, it may be configured so that a block to be edited can be selected and how to change the content of the block to be edited can be selected without operating a button such as the Next button 20a. For example, by selecting a block to be edited (by pressing it once), the screen may be switched to a screen (the screen in FIG. 5(c)) for selecting how to change the content of the block to be edited.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5(c), the screen for selecting the changes to the block to be edited allows the user to select how to change the selected block (B4 block: tapping) and the resulting action. The resulting action can be a change to the technique itself (e.g., from tapping to kneading), or the block itself can be deleted (delete B4 block). It is also possible to change the same technique with different action (e.g., from tapping 1 (tapping speed 1) to tapping 3 (tapping speed 5)).

[0037] The user can check the operation details of each of the blocks B1 to B8 one by one and edit the operation details of each of the blocks B1 to B8 according to his / her preference. By pressing the save button 20c, the edited massage course is stored in the memory unit 11. The storage destination may not be the memory unit 11 of the massage machine 1, but may be the server V (memory unit 110) or the cloud C. The storage method may be one in which the existing "whole body" course is overwritten, or the existing "whole body" course may not be overwritten and may be stored as "whole body 2."

[0038] The user repeatedly selects blocks to edit until the massage course is optimal for the user. It is also possible to re-edit a course that has already been edited. For example, a user may have prevented a certain area from being massaged due to an injury, but may now massage that area once the injury has healed. In other words, the massage course can be adjusted according to the user's condition at any given time.

[0039] It would also be nice if the massage course could be edited automatically by entering the medical history and symptoms, without the need to manually select blocks. This would allow the massage course to be edited without any cumbersome operations.

[0040] [Ranking format] FIG. 6 shows a screen 10b of an operating device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a diagram showing a state in which content to be displayed is selected, (b) is a diagram showing a state in which content is displayed in ranking format, and (c) is a diagram showing a state in which content is displayed in ranking format. As shown in Fig. 6, the evaluations by users of other massage machines are configured to be displayed in a ranking format on at least one of the controller 10 and the massage machine 1. In this embodiment, a case where the evaluations are displayed on the controller 10 will be described. Displaying the evaluations in a ranking format can increase motivation for creating and editing massage courses. The ranking format may be configured so that the user can sort the massage courses, or so that the massage courses can be sorted in ascending or descending order of rating, or by course. By displaying the massage courses in descending order of rating, the highly rated massage courses can be easily identified.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6(a), a ranking button is selected from the selection buttons 10e displayed on the screen 10b of the controller 10. When the ranking button is pressed, the screen 10b switches to a screen displaying the rankings (see FIGS. 6(b) and 6(c)). It is preferable that by pressing the sort button 20d on the screen 10b shown in FIGS. 6(b) and 6(c), it is possible to sort the items in ascending order of rating, in descending order of rating, in alphabetical order by editor name (creator name), or by course name. Note that the sorting example is merely an example and is not limited to this.

[0042] FIG. 6(b) shows the courses sorted in descending order of the highest ratings, starting with 1st place. More specifically, the ranking, the course name, and the name of the editor who edited the course are displayed in a frame 10f on screen 10b (e.g., 1st place, full body (editor: Yamada Taro)). The displayed editor name may be the real name, or, as shown in FIG. 6(c), initials, nicknames, etc.

[0043] By pressing the confirmation button 10g displayed on the screen 10b, the user can check the content of the course, including what blocks the course is made up of. By checking a course edited by a third party, the user can use it as a reference when editing their own course.

[0044] 6(c) shows the evaluations displayed as star marks. More specifically, white star marks (four star marks in this embodiment) are displayed on screen 10b, and the star marks are displayed in black according to the evaluation (e.g., in the case of the whole body (editor: Y Taro), four star marks are displayed in black). The more blacked-out star marks there are, the higher the evaluation.

[0045] [Benefits Granted] 7A and 7B are diagrams showing a screen 10b of an operating device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) shows a state in which a user selects whether or not to acquire a special benefit, (b) shows a state in which a special benefit is selected, and (c) shows a state in which a QR code 10j (registered trademark) is displayed on the screen 10b. As shown in Fig. 7, the server V is capable of granting a reward to the user who created or edited the massage course MP based on the evaluation results. Note that the conditions for granting the reward are preferably predetermined by the manufacturer of the massage machine 1. Alternatively, the editor or creator who wants the massage course MP they edited or created to be evaluated may themselves be able to determine the predetermined conditions and rewards.

[0046] For example, a method of awarding a reward when "achieving first place in the monthly ranking" is set as a predetermined condition will be described. The server V stores the edited and created massage courses, and at the end of each month, it tally up the evaluation results for each massage course given by users of the massage machine. The tally up results are displayed in the form of "No. 1 in the monthly ranking for January," in descending order of the evaluations from third parties for that month. Note that this display format is an example and is not limited to this. Any method may be used as long as it can be visually confirmed by the user who edited and created the massage course MP.

[0047] More specifically, the message "Congratulations! The massage course you edited has been ranked number one in the monthly rankings" is displayed on screen 10b. At this time, a back button 20b is displayed on the right side of the bottom of screen 10b, and an earn reward button 20e is displayed on the left side. When the user presses back button 20b once, the screen switches to the previous screen (for example, the screen shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 6(a)). When the earn reward button 20e is pressed once, the rewards that can be earned at that time are displayed. The number of displayed benefits is an example and is not limited to this. Only one benefit may be displayed, or no benefit may be displayed.

[0048] When the user presses the get reward button 20e once, the rewards that can be acquired at that time are displayed (see FIG. 7(b)). The rewards that can be acquired are displayed on the screen 10b as reward selection buttons 10i. The user presses the reward selection button 10i that the user wants to acquire from the displayed rewards. For example, when the user presses the reward selection button 10i (apply for a hot spring trip), the screen switches to the application screen and the user enters the necessary information. If the user wins, the user will be notified.

[0049] 7(c), a QR code 10j (registered trademark) may be displayed on the screen 10b. By reading the QR code 10j (registered trademark) displayed on the screen 10b with an electronic communication terminal such as a smartphone owned by the user, the user may be able to obtain a special benefit from the smartphone. This will increase motivation to create and edit the massage course MP.

[0050] [Evaluations (advice) from users of other massagers] FIG. 8 shows a screen 10b of the controller 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a diagram showing the state of selecting a massage course MP to be advised, (b) is a diagram showing the state of selecting blocks B1 to B8 to be advised, and (c) is a diagram showing the state of inputting the content of the advice. Users of the other massage machines 1B are able to check the massage courses that have been edited and created by third parties (user A, user C, etc.) other than the users of the other massage machines 1B and sent to the server V.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 8(a), a user H2 of another massage machine 1B can check the contents of a massage course MP edited and created by a third party (user H1, user H3, etc.) and evaluate (give advice) on the contents of the massage course MP. A button 10K is displayed on the screen 10b for selecting the massage course MP to be advised. The button 10K is a button for selecting the massage course MP to be advised.

[0052] In this embodiment, four massage courses MP are displayed vertically. User H2 selects the massage course MP for which he / she wishes to evaluate (give advice) from among the massage courses MP displayed on screen 10b. Pressing the back button 20b displayed at the bottom right of screen 10b once switches to the previous screen (the screen in FIG. 6(a)), and pressing the next button 20a once switches the massage course MP displayed on screen 10b (moves to the next page). The method for switching the massage course MP displayed on the screen 10b is merely an example and is not limited to this. For example, the screen may be switched by scrolling up and down or left and right.

[0053] As an example, a case will be described in which a user H2 who is a user of another massage machine 1B gives advice on a massage course "Full Body (Editor: Yamada Taro)" edited by a third party, Yamada Taro. First, the user H2 selects "Full Body (Editor: Yamada Taro)" as the massage course to be advised from among the multiple massage courses displayed on the screen 10b (by pressing the corresponding button 10K). Once the massage course to be advised is decided, the screen automatically switches to a screen for selecting the block to be advised (see FIG. 8(b)).

[0054] As shown in Fig. 8(b), the screen for selecting the block to be advised displays [Selected Course] at the top of the screen (in this embodiment, it displays Whole Body (Editor: Yamada Taro)), and displays the massage courses MP in chronological order by block in the center of the screen (in this embodiment, blocks B1 to B8 are displayed). At this time, pressing the back button 20b displayed at the bottom right of the screen 10b switches to the screen for selecting the course to be advised (see Fig. 8(a)).

[0055] When user H2 selects a block for advice from among the multiple blocks displayed on screen 10b, the selected block is displayed in color (in this embodiment, an example will be explained in which "Block B4: Rubbing" is selected. The selected block is indicated by diagonal lines). Once the selection of the block to be advised is finalized, the screen automatically switches to a screen for inputting the advice content (see FIG. 8(c)). On the screen of FIG. 8(c), pressing the back button 20b displayed in the lower right of the screen 10b switches to a screen for selecting the block to be advised (see FIG. 8(b)).

[0056] As shown in FIG. 8(c), on the screen for inputting advice content, the selected block is displayed slightly above the center of the screen 10b ([Selected Block] B4 (Rubbing)), and below that display, near the center of the screen 10b, a frame 101 for inputting advice is displayed. User H2 presses the frame 101 to input advice. One example of an input method is keyboard input. The input method is an example and is not limited thereto. For example, a voice recognition unit (not shown) may be provided and the input may be performed by voice recognition. Alternatively, a communication terminal such as a smartphone may be connected to the other massage machine 1B being used by the user H2, and the input may be performed via the smartphone.

[0057] A case where advice is input using a keyboard will now be described. When user H2 presses a box 101 displayed on screen 10b, a keyboard (not shown) is displayed on screen 10b. User H2 operates the keyboard (not shown) displayed on screen 10b to directly input advice. The keyboard (not shown) displayed on screen 10b is a so-called software keyboard, and may be displayed in a QWERTY layout or in a Japanese syllabary layout in alphabetical order.

[0058] After inputting the advice ("hitting" feels better), user H2 presses the decision button 20f displayed in the lower right of screen 10b. By pressing the decision button 20f, the advice is confirmed. At this time, if the back button 20b displayed in the lower right of screen 10b is pressed, the screen will switch to the previous screen (return to the screen in FIG. 8(b)). Once the advice is confirmed, the advice content is sent to server V. The advice content sent to server V is stored in the memory unit 110 of server V.

[0059] User H1 (in this case, editor: Yamada Taro) can check the advice given by a third party (in this case, user H2), who is a user of another massage machine 1B, regarding the massage course MP (in this case, a full-body course) that user H1 edited and sent to server V, and based on the advice, re-edit the massage course MP and upgrade the content of the massage course MP to make it more pleasant.

[0060] It is also anticipated that malicious users may provide advice for the purpose of mischief or to give negative reviews. To prevent such things, it is possible to set conditions for who can provide advice in advance, or to allow the user who edits and creates the massage course MP to set the conditions for who can provide advice. For example, by setting conditions for providing advice, such as "only users who have provided advice on 10 or more occasions" or "only users whose massage courses incorporating advice have been ranked in the top five," advice given for mischief purposes can be prevented, and a decline in the quality of advice can be prevented (ensuring the quality of advice).

[0061] Furthermore, the evaluation may include evaluation methods other than advice. For example, as shown in FIG. 6(c), stars may be attached according to the evaluation. In the case of FIG. 6(c), evaluation can be made on a five-level scale from "0 stars to 4 stars." 0 stars is the lowest evaluation, and 4 stars is the highest evaluation. Note that the levels are merely examples, and any number of levels of evaluation may be used. By rating with stars, even if H2, a user of another massage machine, cannot think of any specific advice, he or she can rate the massage course MP edited and created by user H1 (for example, 4 stars because it felt good, 1 star because it didn't feel good, etc.).

[0062] Furthermore, instead of stars, the evaluation may be made using a score ranging from 0 to 100 points. By adopting a score-based evaluation method, it is possible to perform a more accurate evaluation. For example, even if a rating is a delicate rating that is difficult to express using the number of stars, such as "3.5 stars," it can be quantified as a score such as 65 or 68 points, making it possible to perform an evaluation that is closer to the perception of user H2.

[0063] The other massage machine 1B also has a second controller (controller 10). A user B of the other massage machine 1B can call up a massage course MP stored in the server V and transmit (introduce) it to the other massage machine 1B by operating the second controller (controller 10). By doing so, the massage course MP transmitted to the server V by a third party (a user other than the user B) can be introduced into another massage machine 1B that the user B uses. That is, the user B of the other massage machine 1B can also experience the massage course edited by a third party (a user other than the user B).

[0064] 9 is a flowchart showing a series of steps from sending an edited massage course MP to the server V to editing the massage course MP again. More specifically, it shows a series of steps from sending an edited massage course MP by a user (user H1) of one massage machine 1A to the server V, to re-editing the massage course MP that the user (user H1) of one massage machine 1A once edited based on the evaluation (advice) by the user (user H2) of another massage machine 1B.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 9, first, a user of one massage machine 1A (user H1) operates the first controller 10 to select a massage course MP that he or she wishes to edit from the massage courses MP stored in the one massage machine 1A. The method for editing a massage course MP has been explained with reference to FIG. 5, and therefore will not be explained here. When editing of the massage course MP (S-1) is completed, the user H1 operates the first controller 10 to transmit the edited massage course MP to the server V. The server V stores the massage course MP transmitted from the one massage machine 1A in the memory unit 110 of the server V (S-2).

[0066] The user (user H2) of the other massage machine 1B operates the second operating device (operating device 10) to call up a massage course MP stored in the server V (S-3). At this time, the called massage course MP may be a massage course MP edited by the user H1, or may be a massage course MP edited by a user H3 of a massage machine 1C other than the first massage machine 1A. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a massage course MP edited by a user H1 of one massage machine 1A is called up.

[0067] The server V transmits the massage course MP called by the other massage machine 1B from the massage course MP stored in the storage unit 110 to the other massage machine 1B (S-4). The massage course MP transmitted from the server V is stored in the storage unit 11 of the other massage machine 1B. In other words, the massage course MP stored in the server V can be downloaded to the other massage machine 1B. In this embodiment, the case where the massage data is stored in the storage unit 11 of the other massage machine 1B has been described, but the massage data does not have to be stored in the storage unit 11. For example, the massage data may be transmitted from the server V in a so-called streaming format. By using a streaming format, the capacity of the storage unit 11 can be reduced.

[0068] Next, the user H2 (third party) of the other massage machine 1B executes the massage course MP stored in the storage unit 11 (transmitted from the server V) (S-5). After the massage course MP is executed, the screen 10b of the second controller 10 (the controller 10 of the other massage machine 1B) switches to a screen for selecting whether or not to evaluate (give advice) on the content of the executed massage course MP (S-6). At this time, if the user selects not to evaluate (give advice), the screen switches again, and the massage course MP ends without evaluation (advice).

[0069] On the screen for selecting whether to evaluate (advise) the content of the executed massage course MP, when evaluation (advice) is selected (S-6), the screen switches to the evaluation (advice) screen, where the content of the executed massage course MP is evaluated (advice) (S-7). The method for giving advice on the massage course MP has been explained with reference to Fig. 8, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0070] When the evaluation (advice) is complete, the user H2 transmits the evaluation (advice) to the server V. The server V stores the evaluation (advice) content transmitted from the other massage machine 1B (user H2) (S-8). By storing the evaluation (advice) content in the server V, the user H1 can access the server V at any time to check the evaluation (advice) content transmitted from the other massage machine 1B (user H2). The user H1 can check the evaluation (advice) content and consider whether to re-edit the massage course MP.

[0071] When re-editing a massage course MP, the user H1 operates the first controller 10 to select the massage course MP that he / she wishes to re-edit from the massage courses MP stored in the first massage machine 1A. The method for editing the massage course MP is the same as S-1 (as explained with reference to FIG. 5), and therefore will not be explained further. When the re-editing of the massage course MP (S-9) is complete, the user H1 operates the first controller 10 to transmit the re-edited massage course MP to the server V. The server V stores the massage course MP transmitted from the first massage machine 1A in the memory unit 110 of the server V (S-10). By repeating steps S-1 to S-10, user H1 can upgrade the content of the massage course MP that he or she edited (re-edited) himself or herself to a better content based on the advice (evaluation) of a third party (user H2).

[0072] In this embodiment, the case where a massage course MP stored in one massage machine 1A is edited (re-edited) has been described, but the steps are basically the same when creating a new massage course MP. When creating a massage course MP, the "editing section (course editing button) 10a" displayed on the screen 10b of the first controller 10 shall be read as the "editing section (course creation button) 10a," and "Please select the block to edit" in Figure 5(b) shall be read as "Please select the block to create." The user H1 can operate the first operating device 10 to create a massage course MP by appropriately combining a plurality of programs B1 to B8.

[0073] When creating a massage course MP, it is preferable to display, for example, a "Create New" button on the screen 10b. When the user H1 presses the "Create New" button, the screen switches to a "Select Blocks to Create" screen (see FIG. 5(b)). At this time, the number of blocks to be selected does not matter. It may be 5 blocks or 20 blocks. The time for each block may also be freely set. For example, the time for block B1 may be 2 minutes or 1 minute. By allowing the time for each block to be freely set, the variety of massage courses MP can be increased. [Industrial Applicability]

[0074] The present invention is applicable to a massage machine that allows a user to have a massage course created and edited by the user evaluated by a third party. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] Massager 1 1st controller 10 Server V

Claims

1. A server; A massage machine capable of communicating with the server; a first operating device capable of editing a massage course stored in the massage machine or the server, The massage course is composed of a combination of multiple programs, The first operating device is editing a predetermined program selected by a user from among the plurality of programs; Transmitting the edited massage course to the server; The server stores the edited massage course that has been transmitted, The user of the other massage machine is configured to be able to execute and evaluate the edited massage course received from the server, A massage system, wherein the evaluation includes advice from users of the other massage machines.

2. A server; A massage machine capable of communicating with the server; a first operating device capable of creating a massage course by combining a plurality of programs stored in the massage machine or the server; The first massage machine transmits the massage course created by the user to the server, The server stores the created massage course that has been sent, The user of the other massage machine is configured to be able to execute and evaluate the created massage course received from the server, A massage system, wherein the evaluation includes advice from users of the other massage machines.

3. The massage system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the created or edited massage course is configured to be re-created or re-edited by the user who created or edited the massage course.

4. The massage system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the evaluation is displayed in a ranking format on at least one of the first operating device and the massage machine.

5. The massage system according to claim 4, wherein the ranking format displays the massages in descending order of the evaluation.

6. 3. The massage system according to claim 1, wherein the server provides a special benefit to the user who created or edited the massage course based on the evaluation result.

7. The other massage machine has a second operating device, The user of the other massage machine operates the second operating device to call up the created or edited massage course transmitted from the one massage machine from the server, 3. The massage system according to claim 1, wherein the information is transmitted to the other massage machine.

8. a massage machine capable of communicating with a server; a first operating device capable of editing the massage course stored in the one massage machine or the server, The massage course is composed of a combination of multiple programs, The first operating device is editing a predetermined program selected by a user from among the plurality of programs; Transmitting the edited massage course to the server; The server stores the edited massage course that has been transmitted, The user of the other massage machine is configured to be able to execute and evaluate the edited massage course received from the server, The massage machine, wherein the evaluation includes advice from users of the other massage machines.

9. a massage machine capable of communicating with a server; a first operating device capable of creating a massage course by combining a plurality of programs stored in the one massage machine or the server; The first massage machine transmits the massage course created by the user to the server, The server stores the created massage course that has been sent, The user of the other massage machine is configured to be able to execute and evaluate the created massage course received from the server, The massage machine, wherein the evaluation includes advice from users of the other massage machines.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Display incandescent lamp

    JP1986091854A