Notification system, notification method, and program

Abstract

To provide a notification system that allows a user to check if an environment for receiving provision of a notification service is prepared before concluding a contract for the notification service.SOLUTION: A notification system 10 comprises: an acquisition unit 64 that acquires use history information of an illumination device 20; a notification unit 66 that determines whether the state of use of the illumination device 20 in a monitoring period determined by the acquired use history information satisfies a predetermined requirement, and when determining that the state of use satisfies the predetermined requirement, performs notification to a user; and a test processing unit 67. The acquisition of the use history information and the determination are performed after a contract for a notification service is concluded. The test processing unit 67 further performs operation of a test mode for the user to check if the use history information of the illumination device 20 can be acquired before the conclusion of the contract for the notification service.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a notification system using a lighting device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various technologies for supporting elderly people have been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses a monitoring device that determines whether an abnormality has occurred in a person being monitored, such as an elderly person, and sends a notification to a monitoring terminal requesting an action to be taken, if necessary. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-167104 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a notification system etc. that allows a user to check whether an environment for receiving a notification service is in place before concluding a contract for the notification service. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A notification system according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires usage history information of a lighting device, a notification unit that determines whether the usage status of the lighting device during a monitoring period, which is determined based on the acquired usage history information, satisfies certain requirements and notifies a user if it is determined that the certain requirements are satisfied, and a test processing unit, wherein the acquisition of the usage history information and the determination are performed after a contract for a notification service is concluded, and the test processing unit operates in a test mode before the contract for the notification service is concluded so that the user can confirm whether the usage history information of the lighting device can be acquired.

[0006] A notification method according to one aspect of the present invention is a notification method executed by a computer, and includes: an acquisition step of acquiring usage history information of a lighting device; and a notification step of determining whether or not the usage status of the lighting device during a monitoring period, which is determined based on the acquired usage history information, satisfies predetermined requirements, and notifying a user if it is determined that the predetermined requirements are satisfied. The acquisition step and the notification step are performed after a contract for a notification service is concluded, and the notification method includes a step of operating in a test mode, before the contract for the notification service is concluded, for the user to confirm whether or not the usage history information of the lighting device can be acquired.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the notification method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the notification system etc. of the present invention, a user can check whether the environment for receiving the notification service is ready before concluding a contract for the notification service. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation for acquiring usage history information. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a notification operation. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the notification screen. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation in the test mode. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a transition operation is performed. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a reception screen for a test operation. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the test notification screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0011] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0012] (Embodiment) [composition] First, the configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment.

[0013] The notification system 10 is a system that notifies family members living away from the residence 80 about the safety of a resident (such as an elderly person) based on the usage of lighting devices 20 by the resident of the residence 80. In other words, the notification system 10 is a monitoring system. The residence 80 is an example of a facility. Examples of facilities other than the residence 80 include nursing homes and accommodation facilities. The residence 80 includes detached houses and apartment buildings.

[0014] 1, the notification system 10 includes a lighting device 20, a wireless router 30, a remote controller 40, an information terminal 50, and a server 60. Note that the notification system 10 may include a plurality of lighting devices 20.

[0015] The lighting device 20 is a so-called ceiling light that is installed on the ceiling of an indoor space to illuminate the indoor space. The lighting device 20 is a ceiling light that is circular in plan view, but may be a ceiling light of other shapes. The lighting device 20 may also be a base light, a down light, a spotlight, or the like. The lighting device 20 includes a first wireless communication unit 21, a second wireless communication unit 22, a light-emitting unit 23, a control unit 24, and a storage unit 25.

[0016] The first wireless communication unit 21 is a communication circuit (communication module) for the lighting device 20 to perform wireless communication with the remote controller 40. The first wireless communication unit 21 is a communication circuit that performs radio wave communication (short-range wireless communication) in accordance with a communication standard such as BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy). When the remote controller 40 performs infrared communication instead of radio wave communication, the first wireless communication unit 21 is an infrared light receiving circuit or the like.

[0017] The second wireless communication unit 22 is a communication circuit (communication module) for connecting the lighting device 20 to the wide area communication network 70 via the wireless router 30. The second wireless communication unit 22 is a communication circuit that performs radio wave communication (short-range wireless communication) in accordance with a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0018] The light-emitting unit 23 emits white light into the indoor space so that the lighting device 20 can illuminate the indoor space. The light-emitting module of the light-emitting unit 23 includes a first light-emitting element that emits light at a first color temperature (e.g., 5000 K) and a second light-emitting element that emits light at a second color temperature (e.g., 2700 K), and the brightness of the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element can be changed independently by the control unit 24. In other words, the light-emitting unit 23 is capable of adjusting the brightness and color.

[0019] Each of the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element is realized by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element, but may also be realized by other light-emitting elements such as a semiconductor laser, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or an inorganic EL.

[0020] The control unit 24 controls the lighting state of the lighting device 20 (the light-emitting state of at least one of the plurality of light-emitting units 23) based on a control signal received by the first wireless communication unit 21 from the remote controller 40. The lighting state refers to the brightness and color temperature at which the lighting device 20 emits light, or whether the lighting device 20 is turned off. The control unit 24 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the control unit 24 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or processor constituting the control unit 24 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 25.

[0021] The storage unit 25 is a storage device that stores computer programs executed by the control unit 24. The storage unit 25 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0022] The wireless router 30 is a wireless communication device used for connecting the lighting devices 20 to the wide area communication network 70. The wireless router 30 performs radio wave communication (short-range wireless communication) with the lighting devices 20 in accordance with a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0023] The remote controller 40 is a dedicated remote controller for the lighting device 20. The remote controller 40 can change the lighting state of the lighting device 20 by accepting a user's operation and transmitting a control signal to the lighting device 20 in accordance with the accepted operation. The remote controller 40 and the lighting device 20 (first wireless communication unit 21) communicate directly (in other words, local communication) without the intervention of a relay device during communication. The remote controller 40 transmits the control signal to the lighting device 20 by radio wave communication, for example, but may also transmit the control signal to the lighting device 20 by infrared communication.

[0024] The information terminal 50 is an information terminal used by users such as family members of the residents of the house 80 to receive notifications regarding the safety of the residents. The information terminal 50 is, for example, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, but may also be a stationary information terminal such as a personal computer. A predetermined application program that enables the user to receive notifications is pre-installed in the information terminal 50.

[0025] The server 60 is a cloud server that acquires usage history information of the lighting device 20 from the lighting device 20 and notifies the information terminal 50 based on the acquired usage history information. Specifically, the server 60 includes a communication unit 61, an information processing unit 62, and a storage unit 63.

[0026] The communication unit 61 is a communication circuit that enables the server 60 to communicate with each of the lighting devices 20 and the information terminal 50 via the wide area communication network 70. The communication unit 61 may be a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication, or a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication.

[0027] The information processing unit 62 processes information related to notifications to the information terminal 50. The information processing unit 62 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The information processing unit 62 includes, as functional components, an acquisition unit 64, a setting unit 65, a notification unit 66, and a test processing unit 67. The functions of the acquisition unit 64, the setting unit 65, the notification unit 66, and the test processing unit 67 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or a processor constituting the information processing unit 62 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 63.

[0028] The storage unit 63 is a storage device that stores information necessary for the above information processing. The information stored in the storage unit 63 includes computer programs executed by the information processing unit 62. The storage unit 63 is realized by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), but may also be realized by a semiconductor memory.

[0029] [Acquisition of usage history information] As described above, the notification system 10 can provide notifications regarding the safety of residents of the residence 80 based on the usage status of the lighting devices 20 by the residents. First, the operation of the server 60 to acquire usage history information indicating the usage status of the lighting devices 20 will be described. Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of acquiring usage history information.

[0030] The resident operates the remote controller 40 to perform various controls such as turning on / off, dimming, or adjusting the color of the lighting device 20. The remote controller 40 accepts the operation from the resident (S11) and transmits a control signal corresponding to the accepted operation to the lighting device 20 (S12).

[0031] The first wireless communication unit 21 of the lighting device 20 receives the control signal. The control unit 24 controls the light-emitting unit 23 based on the received control signal (S13). The control unit 24 also creates usage history information that associates the time when the control was performed (more specifically, the date and time) with the control content (what kind of control was performed), and transmits the created usage history information to the server 60 using the second wireless communication unit 22 (S14).

[0032] The communication unit 61 of the server 60 receives the usage history information. The acquisition unit 64 acquires the received usage history information (S15) and stores it in the storage unit 63 (S16).

[0033] The processes of steps S11 to S16 are performed every time the resident operates the remote controller 40. As a result, usage history information of the lighting device 20 by the resident is accumulated in the storage unit 63 of the server 60. In other words, the usage history information is operation history information.

[0034] It is not essential that the usage history information be transmitted from the lighting device 20 to the server 60 every time the remote controller 40 is operated by the resident. The control unit 24 of the lighting device 20 may accumulate the usage history information in the storage unit 25, and when a predetermined time arrives, transmit all of the usage history information accumulated up to that point to the server 60. The control unit 24 of the lighting device 20 may also transmit the usage history information to the server 60 in response to a request from the server 60.

[0035] [Notification Action] Next, an operation (notification operation) for notifying the resident about their safety based on the usage status of the lighting device 20 thus acquired will be described. Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the notification operation. It is assumed that the lighting device 20 and the information terminal 50 (a predetermined application program) are linked in advance by an initial setting process or the like.

[0036] The user performs a predetermined setting operation on the information terminal 50 that is running a predetermined application program to specify a determination time, which is the time at which the user wishes to receive a notification and at which a determination is made as to whether or not to send the notification. The information terminal 50 accepts the setting operation (S21) and transmits a setting request to the server 60 to set the specified determination time in the server 60 (S22).

[0037] The communication unit 61 of the server 60 receives the setting request. The setting unit 65 sets the determination time based on the received setting request (S23).

[0038] Thereafter, when the set determination time arrives, the notification unit 66 determines whether the usage status of the lighting device 20 during the monitoring period at the determination time satisfies a predetermined requirement (S24). For example, if the lighting device 20 has not been used (the remote controller 40 has not been operated) even once during the most recent 24 hours, the notification unit 66 determines that the usage status of the lighting device 20 during the monitoring period satisfies the predetermined requirement. In other words, the monitoring period is, for example, the most recent 24-hour period ending at the determination time, and the predetermined requirement is that the lighting device 20 has not been used even once during the monitoring period. The usage status of the lighting device 20 during the monitoring period is determined by the usage history information accumulated in the storage unit 63 (usage history information acquired by the acquisition unit 64).

[0039] If the notification unit 66 determines that the usage status of the lighting device 20 during the monitoring period does not satisfy the predetermined requirement (the lighting device 20 has been used in the last 24 hours), the notification unit 66 does not issue a notification. On the other hand, if the notification unit 66 determines that the usage status of the lighting device 20 during the monitoring period satisfies the predetermined requirement (the lighting device 20 has not been used in the last 24 hours), the notification unit 66 issues a notification to the user. Specifically, the notification unit 66 transmits notification information to the information terminal 50 using the communication unit 61 (S25).

[0040] The information terminal 50 receives the notification information and displays a notification screen based on the received notification information (S26). Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the notification screen.

[0041] In this way, the notification system 10 can notify the user that an abnormality may have occurred in the occupant if the lighting device 20 has not been used at least once in the last 24 hours.

[0042] [Test mode operation] The notification operation as described above is performed after the user agrees to a contract to receive the notification service and concludes a contract for the notification service with a business that provides the notification service (for example, a business that manufactures and sells the lighting device 20). Specifically, the notification operation is performed on the condition that information indicating that the contract for the notification service has been concluded and information indicating the association (correspondence) between the lighting device 20 and the information terminal 50 related to the notification service are stored in the storage unit 63 of the server 60.

[0043] This creates a problem in that, before concluding a contract for the notification service, it is not possible to confirm whether usage history information can be transmitted from the lighting device 20 to the server 60 or whether notifications can be received using the information terminal 50.

[0044] Therefore, before the notification service starts (before a contract for the notification service is concluded), the notification system 10 can perform tests to confirm whether or not the usage history information can be transmitted from the lighting device 20 to the server 60, and whether or not notifications can be received using the information terminal 50. By performing such advance tests, the notification system 10 can prevent the occurrence of problems such as the inability to transmit usage history information from the lighting device 20 to the server 60 after the notification service starts.

[0045] The operation of the notification system 10 (server 60) in the test mode will be described below. Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation in the test mode. In the following description, it is assumed that the user goes to the house 80 for the test and is located near the lighting device 20 in a state where he or she can operate the remote controller 40 and the information terminal 50. In this case, the information terminal 50 can be connected to the wide area communication network 70 without going through the wireless router 30, or can be connected to the wide area communication network 70 via the wireless router 30.

[0046] The user performs a predetermined transition operation on the information terminal 50 that is running a predetermined application program in order to instruct the server 60 to transition to the test mode. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the information terminal 50 when the transition operation is performed, and the transition operation is, for example, a tap operation on the object 50a at the bottom of the display screen in Fig. 6.

[0047] The information terminal 50 accepts a transition operation (S31) and transmits a transition request to the test mode to the server 60 (S32).

[0048] The communication unit 61 of the server 60 receives the transition request. The test processing unit 67 is activated based on the received transition request, and the server 60 transitions to the test mode (S33).

[0049] At this time, a test operation acceptance screen for accepting the test operation is displayed on the information terminal 50. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the test operation acceptance screen.

[0050] The user performs the test operation (in the example of FIG. 7, pressing the turn-off button and then the turn-on button) described on the test operation reception screen of FIG. 7 on the remote controller 40. The remote controller 40 receives the test operation (S34) and transmits a control signal corresponding to the received test operation to the lighting device 20 (S35).

[0051] The first wireless communication unit 21 of the lighting device 20 receives the control signal. The control unit 24 controls the light-emitting unit 23 based on the received control signal (S36). The control unit 24 also creates usage history information that associates the time at which the control was performed (more specifically, the date and time) with the content of the control (what kind of control was performed), and transmits the created usage history information to the server 60 using the second wireless communication unit 22 (S37).

[0052] The communication unit 61 of the server 60 receives the usage history information. The test processing unit 67 acquires the received usage history information and stores it in the storage unit 63 (S38). In other words, if the test processing unit 67 is able to acquire the usage history information of the lighting device 20 during operation in the test mode, the test processing unit 67 stores the acquired usage history information in the auxiliary storage device.

[0053] Furthermore, the test processing unit 67 notifies the user of the usage status of the lighting device 20 (what control was performed) indicated by the acquired usage history information. That is, if the test processing unit 67 is able to acquire the usage history information of the lighting device 20 during operation in the test mode, it notifies the user of the usage status of the lighting device 20 indicated by the acquired usage history information. Specifically, the test processing unit 67 transmits test notification information to the information terminal 50 using the communication unit 61 (S39).

[0054] The information terminal 50 receives the test notification information and displays a test notification screen based on the received notification information (S40). Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the test notification screen. If, for some reason, the usage history information is not transmitted from the lighting device 20 to the server 60, the processes from step S37 onwards are not performed and the notification screen of Fig. 8 is not displayed, allowing the user to know that the test has failed.

[0055] The user performs a predetermined cancel operation on the information terminal 50 that is running a predetermined application program to instruct the server 60 to cancel the test mode. The cancel operation is, for example, a tap operation on the object 50b at the bottom of the notification screen in FIG. 8.

[0056] The information terminal 50 accepts the cancellation operation (S41) and transmits a test mode cancellation request to the server 60 (S42).

[0057] The communication unit 61 of the server 60 receives the cancellation request. Based on the received cancellation request, the test processing unit 67 deletes the usage history information stored in the storage unit 63 in step S38 (S43) and stops the operation of the test mode. In other words, the test mode is cancelled (S44).

[0058] In this way, according to the notification system 10, the user can confirm whether or not usage history information can be transmitted from the lighting device 20 to the server 60 and whether or not notifications can be received using the information terminal 50 before signing a contract for the notification service. When the user taps on the object 50b on the notification screen of FIG. 8, a contract application screen for the notification service is displayed on the information terminal 50. In other words, the user can sign a contract for the notification service after confirming whether or not usage history information can be transmitted from the lighting device 20 to the server 60 and whether or not notifications can be received using the information terminal 50.

[0059] In the above example of the operation of the test mode, the usage history information stored in the storage unit 63 is deleted when the test mode is cancelled. However, instead of or in addition to being deleted when the test mode is cancelled, the usage history information may be automatically deleted after a certain period of time (a timeout period) has elapsed.

[0060] Furthermore, it is not essential that the usage history information be stored in the storage unit 63 in step S38; in step S38, the usage history information may be stored in a so-called memory (main storage device), and may not be stored in the storage unit 63 (auxiliary storage device). In other words, if the test processing unit 67 is able to acquire usage history information of the lighting device 20 during operation in the test mode, it is not necessary for the acquired usage history information to be stored in the auxiliary storage device. This allows the notification system 10 to omit storing and deleting usage history information in the auxiliary storage device, thereby making effective use of storage resources.

[0061] [Variations] In the above embodiment, some or all of the processing described as being performed by the server 60 may be performed by the lighting device 20 or by the information terminal 50. For example, if the lighting device 20 can communicate with the information terminal 50 through a router and a wide area communication network, the notification system 10 may not include the server 60. In this case, the processing described as being performed by the server 60 is performed by the information terminal 50. In other words, the information terminal 50 (an information processing unit included in the information terminal 50) includes functional components corresponding to an acquisition unit 64, a setting unit 65, a notification unit 66, and a test processing unit 67.

[0062] Alternatively, the server 60 may acquire usage history information from the lighting device 20, provide the acquired usage history information to the information terminal 50, and the subsequent processes may be executed by the information terminal 50. In this case, the information terminal 50 includes functional components corresponding to a setting unit 65, a notification unit 66, and a test processing unit 67.

[0063] [Effects, etc.] Hereinafter, examples of inventions that can be obtained from the disclosure of this specification will be given, and the effects and the like that can be obtained from the exemplified inventions will be explained.

[0064] Invention 1 is a notification system 10 including an acquisition unit 64 that acquires usage history information of the lighting device 20, a notification unit 66 that determines whether the usage status of the lighting device 20 during a monitoring period, which is determined based on the acquired usage history information, satisfies predetermined requirements and notifies the user when it is determined that the predetermined requirements are satisfied, and a test processing unit 67, wherein the acquisition of the usage history information and the determination are performed after a contract for the notification service is concluded, and the test processing unit 67 operates in a test mode so that the user can confirm whether the usage history information of the lighting device 20 can be acquired before the contract for the notification service is concluded.

[0065] Such operation of the notification system 10 in the test mode allows the user to check whether the environment for receiving the notification service is in place before signing a contract for the notification service.

[0066] Invention 2 is the notification system 10 of Invention 1, in which the test processing unit 67 notifies the user of the usage status of the lighting device 20 indicated by the acquired usage history information when the usage history information of the lighting device 20 is acquired during operation in the test mode.

[0067] Such notifications from the notification system 10 allow the user to check whether the environment for receiving the notification service is ready before signing a contract for the notification service.

[0068] Invention 3 is the notification system 10 of Invention 2, further comprising a communication unit 61 that communicates with the user's information terminal 50, and a test processing unit 67 that performs test mode operation when a transition request to test mode sent by the information terminal 50 is received by the communication unit 61.

[0069] Such a notification system 10 can operate in test mode when a transition request is received from the information terminal 50 of the user.

[0070] Invention 4 is the notification system 10 of Invention 3, in which the test processing unit 67 stores the acquired usage history information in the auxiliary storage device if it is able to acquire usage history information of the lighting device 20 during operation in the test mode.

[0071] Such a notification system 10 can standardize the algorithm between the normal notification mode and the test mode by storing the usage history information acquired during operation in the test mode in an auxiliary storage device, just as it does after a contract for the notification service is concluded (normal notification mode).

[0072] Invention 5 is the notification system 10 of Invention 4, in which the test processing unit 67 deletes the usage history information stored in the auxiliary storage device and stops the operation of the test mode when a request to cancel the test mode sent by the information terminal 50 is received by the communication unit 61.

[0073] Such a notification system 10 can cancel the test mode and automatically delete the usage history information when a cancellation request is received.

[0074] Invention 6 is the notification system 10 of Invention 4, wherein the test processing unit 67 deletes the usage history information stored in the auxiliary storage device after a certain period of time has elapsed since the usage history information was stored in the auxiliary storage device.

[0075] Such a notification system 10 can automatically delete usage history information after a certain period of time has passed.

[0076] Invention 7 is the notification system 10 of Invention 3, in which the test processing unit 67 does not store the acquired usage history information in the auxiliary storage device when it is able to acquire usage history information of the lighting device 20 during operation in the test mode.

[0077] Such a notification system 10 can omit storing and deleting usage history information in an auxiliary storage device, thereby making effective use of storage resources.

[0078] Invention 8 is a notification method executed by a computer, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring usage history information of the lighting device 20; and a notification step of determining whether or not the usage status of the lighting device 20 during a monitoring period, which is determined based on the acquired usage history information, satisfies predetermined requirements, and notifying the user when it is determined that the predetermined requirements are satisfied; the acquisition step and the notification step are performed after a contract for the notification service is concluded, and the notification method comprises a step of operating in a test mode, before the contract for the notification service is concluded, for the user to confirm whether the usage history information of the lighting device 20 can be acquired.

[0079] By operating in the test mode in such a notification method, the user can check whether the environment for receiving the notification service is ready before signing a contract for the notification service.

[0080] Invention 9 is a program for causing a computer to execute the notification method of Invention 8.

[0081] By operating in the test mode of such a program, the user can check whether the environment for receiving the notification service is ready before signing a contract for the notification service.

[0082] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0083] For example, in the above embodiment, the notification system is realized by multiple devices, but it may also be realized as a single device. For example, the notification system may be realized as a single device corresponding to a server. When the notification system is realized by multiple devices, the components of the notification system may be distributed among the multiple devices in any manner.

[0084] Furthermore, the method of communication between the devices in the above-described embodiment is not particularly limited, and a relay device (not shown) may be involved in the communication between the devices.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. For example, in the above embodiments, some or all of the processing described as being performed by a server may be performed by a lighting device or an information terminal. Furthermore, the order of multiple processing operations may be changed, or multiple processing operations may be performed in parallel.

[0086] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for that component, or by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0087] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0088] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0089] For example, the present invention may be realized as the lighting device, information terminal, server, or notification system of the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention may be realized as a method executed by a computer of these devices or systems, as a program (computer program product) for causing a computer to execute the method, or as a non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded. Such a program includes an application program for causing a general-purpose information terminal (computer) to function as the information terminal of the above-described embodiments.

[0090] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10. Notification System 20 Lighting equipment 21 First Radio Communication Division 22 Second Radio Communication Division 23 Light-emitting part 24 Control Unit 25 Memory section 30 Wireless Router 40 Remote Controller 50 Information terminal 60 servers 61 Communications Department 62 Information Processing Department 63 Storage section 64 Acquisition Department 65 Setting section 66 Notification Department 67 Test processing section 70 Wide Area Communication Network 80 Housing

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires usage history information of the lighting device; a notification unit that determines whether or not a usage status of the lighting device during a monitoring period, which is determined based on the acquired usage history information, satisfies a predetermined requirement, and notifies a user when it is determined that the predetermined requirement is satisfied; a test processing unit, The acquisition of the usage history information and the determination are carried out after a contract for the notification service is concluded, The test processing unit performs a test mode operation for the user to confirm whether or not usage history information of the lighting device can be acquired before signing a contract for the notification service. Notification system.

2. When the test processing unit is able to acquire usage history information of the lighting device during operation in the test mode, the test processing unit notifies the user of the usage status of the lighting device indicated by the acquired usage history information. The notification system of claim 1 .

3. Further, a communication unit for communicating with the user's information terminal is provided, The test processing unit performs an operation in the test mode when a transition request to the test mode transmitted by the information terminal is received by the communication unit. The notification system of claim 2 .

4. When the test processing unit is able to acquire usage history information of the lighting device during operation in the test mode, the acquired usage history information is stored in an auxiliary storage device. The notification system of claim 3 .

5. When a request to cancel the test mode transmitted by the information terminal is received by the communication unit, the test processing unit deletes the usage history information stored in the auxiliary storage device and stops the operation of the test mode. The notification system of claim 4.

6. The test processing unit deletes the usage history information stored in the auxiliary storage device after a certain period of time has elapsed since the usage history information was stored in the auxiliary storage device. The notification system of claim 4.

7. When the test processing unit is able to acquire usage history information of the lighting device during operation in the test mode, the test processing unit does not store the acquired usage history information in an auxiliary storage device. The notification system of claim 3 .

8. 1. A computer-implemented notification method comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring usage history information of the lighting device; a notification step of determining whether or not a usage status of the lighting device during a monitoring period, which is determined based on the acquired usage history information, satisfies a predetermined requirement, and notifying a user when it is determined that the predetermined requirement is satisfied; the obtaining step and the notifying step are performed after a contract for the notification service is concluded; The notification method includes a step of performing an operation in a test mode for the user to confirm whether or not usage history information of the lighting device can be acquired before entering into a contract for the notification service. Notification method.

9. A program for causing the computer to execute the notification method according to claim 8.

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