Sleep support device, sleep support system, sleep support method, and storage medium

Abstract

To provide a sleep support device, a sleep support system, a sleep support method, and a program capable of easily achieving an environment for a user to obtain comfortable sleep.SOLUTION: The cloud server 1 includes a time calculation unit 112 that calculates, based on one of a bathing time, a time in bed, and a wake-up time specified by a user and optimal action pattern information indicating a preset action pattern suitable for sleep of the user, other two times, a schedule generation unit 115 that generates action schedule information indicating an action schedule recommended to the user based on the calculated other two times, and a schedule notification unit 113 that generates schedule notification information including the generated action schedule information and hot water supply temperature information indicating a recommended hot water supply temperature of a water heater.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sleep assistance device, a sleep assistance system, a sleep assistance method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] A bathing information system has been proposed that includes a water heater having a gas-fired water heater unit and a controller for controlling the operation of the water heater unit, and a remote control that can communicate with the controller, and that has the function of displaying on the remote control the bathing time, amount of water during bathing, and water temperature so that the bather's deep body temperature becomes a temperature that improves the bather's quality of sleep (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-225276 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is known that not only the bathing time but also the time from starting the bath to going to bed affects whether a user can get a comfortable sleep. For this reason, even if the input time, amount of water used in the bath, etc. are optimized for sleep using the method described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the user will not be able to get a sufficiently comfortable sleep.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned reasons, and aims to provide a sleep assistance device, a sleep assistance system, a sleep assistance method, and a program that can easily create an environment in which users can get a comfortable sleep. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a sleep support device according to the present disclosure includes: a time calculation unit that calculates one of the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time designated by the user and the other two times based on optimal behavior pattern information indicating a behavior pattern suitable for the user's sleep that has been set in advance; a schedule generating unit that generates behavior schedule information indicating a behavior schedule recommended to the user based on the other two calculated times; The system further includes a schedule notification unit that generates schedule notification information including the behavior schedule information and hot water temperature information indicating a recommended hot water temperature of the hot water heater. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a time calculation unit calculates the other two times based on one of the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time specified by the user and the aforementioned optimal behavioral pattern information, a schedule generation unit generates the aforementioned behavioral schedule information based on the other two calculated times, and a schedule notification unit generates schedule notification information including the behavioral schedule information and the aforementioned hot water temperature information. This makes it easier for the user to grasp, for example, the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time and the hot water temperature of the water heater to realize a behavioral pattern that is suitable for their sleep, thereby easily creating an environment in which the user can get a comfortable sleep. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a sleep support system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a sleep assistance system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a sleep support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in an optimal behavior pattern storage unit according to an embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of a sleep assistance system according to an embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment; FIG. 1B is a diagram showing another example of an operation screen image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of a recommended schedule notification image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment; FIG. 1B is a diagram showing another example of a recommended schedule notification image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of a sleep assistance system according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] 1A is a diagram showing an example of an action record notification image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment; FIG. 1B is a diagram showing another example of an action record notification image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen image displayed on a display unit of a terminal device according to an embodiment; [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of a sleep assistance system according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of a sleep assistance system according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of a sleep assistance system according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of a sleep assistance system according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of a sleep assistance system according to an embodiment. [Figure 17] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a sleep assistance process executed by a cloud server according to an embodiment. [Figure 18] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a sleep assistance process executed by a cloud server according to an embodiment. [Figure 19] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a sleep assistance process executed by a cloud server according to an embodiment. [Figure 20]A block diagram showing the functional configuration of a sleep assistance system according to a modified example. [Figure 21] A block diagram showing the functional configuration of a sleep assistance system according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A sleep support device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The sleep support device according to the embodiment includes a time calculation unit that calculates one of a bathing time, a bedtime, and a wake-up time specified by a user based on optimal behavior pattern information indicating a predetermined behavior pattern suitable for the user's sleep, and a schedule generation unit that generates schedule notification information including behavior schedule information indicating a behavior schedule recommended for the user and hot water temperature information indicating a recommended hot water temperature for a water heater based on the other two calculated times.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1 , the sleep support system according to this embodiment is used together with a water heater 2, an air conditioner 3, lighting fixtures 4, an IoT (Internet of Things) device 6, and a smart speaker 7. Here, the air conditioner 3, lighting fixtures 4, IoT device 6, and smart speaker 7 are installed, for example, in a sleeping area of ​​a user in a building H. This sleep support system includes a cloud server 1 and a terminal device 5 carried by the user. The building H is equipped with a router 82 connected to a local network NW2 established within the building H, and a data circuit-terminating device 81 connected to the router 82 and a wide area network NW1. The wide area network NW1 is, for example, the Internet. The local area network NW2 is, for example, a wired local area network (LAN) or a wireless LAN. The data circuit-terminating device 81 is, for example, an optical network unit (ONU), a modem, a gateway, or the like. The terminal device 5 is capable of communicating with the cloud server 1 via the wide area network NW1.

[0011] The water heater 2 includes an operation schedule storage unit (not shown) that stores operation schedule information indicating its own operation schedule, and a controller (not shown) that executes a water heating operation based on the operation schedule indicated by the operation schedule information stored in the operation schedule storage unit. The water heater 2 is capable of communicating with the cloud server 1 via the local network NW2 and the wide area network NW1. When the water heater 2 acquires schedule notification information including operation schedule information indicating the operation schedule of the water heater 2 transmitted from the cloud server 1, the water heater 2 extracts the operation schedule information and hot water supply temperature information included in the acquired schedule notification information and stores the extracted operation schedule information and hot water supply temperature information in the operation schedule storage unit. After storing the operation schedule information in the operation schedule storage unit, the water heater 2 generates and transmits setting completion notification information to the cloud server 1. When the water heater 2 determines that the water heating start time has arrived based on the operation schedule information stored in the operation schedule storage unit, the water heater 2 starts water heating at the hot water supply temperature indicated by the hot water supply temperature information stored in the operation schedule storage unit. Then, when the water heater 2 has finished filling the water with water, it generates bathing record information including water filling end time information indicating the time when the water filling ended, and transmits this information to the cloud server 1.

[0012] The air conditioner 3 conditions the sleeping area of ​​the user. As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner 3 is equipped with a biosensor 31, an infrared sensor 32, and an environmental sensor 33, and is capable of communicating with the cloud server 1 via a local network NW2 and a wide area network NW1. The biosensor 31 has, for example, a Doppler sensor and can detect parameters representing body movements, including body surface movements reflecting the user's heart rate and breathing, as bioparameters. The infrared sensor 32 captures an infrared image of the user and calculates the user's body temperature based on the captured infrared image. When the air conditioner 3 receives user status notification request information transmitted from the cloud server 1, which requests notification of the user's status, the air conditioner 3 responds by detecting the biosensor 31, capturing an infrared image of the user with the infrared sensor 32, and calculating the user's body temperature based on the captured infrared image. The air conditioner 3 then generates user status notification information including biological information indicating the detected biological parameters and the calculated biological parameters indicating the user's body temperature, date and time information indicating the date and time the biological information was generated, and user identification information identifying the user whose biological parameters were detected, and transmits this information to the cloud server 1. The environmental sensor 33 measures environmental parameters of the user's sleeping location, such as the temperature and humidity of the user's sleeping location. Upon receiving environmental parameter notification request information transmitted from the cloud server 1, the air conditioner 3 measures the environmental parameters using the environmental sensor 33 in response, and generates environmental notification information including environmental parameter information indicating the measured environmental parameters, date and time information indicating the date and time the environmental parameters were measured, and user identification information of the user of the air conditioner 3, and transmits this information to the cloud server 1. The air conditioner 3 also has a setting storage unit (not shown) that stores setting information indicating its own operating settings, and operates based on the setting contents indicated by the setting information stored in the setting storage unit. Furthermore, when the air conditioner 3 acquires setting notification information transmitted from the cloud server 1, it extracts setting information contained in the acquired setting notification information and stores the extracted setting information in the setting storage unit. Then, after storing the setting information in the setting storage unit, the air conditioner 3 generates setting completion notification information and transmits it to the cloud server 1.

[0013] Each lighting fixture 4 includes a light source (not shown) with variable illuminance and color temperature, a setting storage unit (not shown) that stores setting information indicating the settings for lighting the user's sleeping area, and a lighting control unit (not shown) that controls the illuminance and color temperature of the light source based on the setting information stored in the setting storage unit. The lighting fixture 4 can communicate with the cloud server 1 via the local network NW2 and the wide area network NW1. When the lighting fixture 4 receives setting notification information from the cloud server 1, including the lighting fixture's setting information, the lighting fixture 4 extracts the setting information from the setting notification information and stores the extracted setting information in the setting storage unit. After storing the setting information in the setting storage unit, the lighting fixture 4 generates and sends a setting completion notification to the cloud server 1.

[0014] An example of the IoT device 6 is an electric curtain. In this case, the IoT device 6 includes a setting storage unit (not shown) that stores setting information indicating whether the curtain should be kept open or closed, and an opening / closing control unit (not shown) that opens or closes the curtain based on the setting information stored in the setting storage unit. The IoT device 6 can communicate with the cloud server 1 via the local network NW2 and the wide area network NW1. When the IoT device 6 receives setting notification information including the setting information of the IoT device 6 transmitted from the cloud server 1, the IoT device 6 extracts the setting information included in the received setting notification information and stores the extracted setting information in the setting storage unit. After storing the setting information in the setting storage unit, the IoT device 6 generates setting completion notification information and sends it to the cloud server 1. Note that the IoT device 6 is not limited to an electric curtain.

[0015] The smart speaker 7 functions as an alarm device that issues an alarm, and includes a setting storage unit (not shown) that stores setting information indicating settings such as the volume, tone, and duration of the alarm when issuing the alarm, and an alarm unit (not shown) that issues the alarm based on the setting information stored in the setting storage unit. The smart speaker 7 can also communicate with the cloud server 1 via the local network NW2 and the wide area network NW1. When the smart speaker 7 receives setting notification information including the setting information of the smart speaker 7 transmitted from the cloud server 1, the smart speaker 7 extracts the setting information included in the received setting notification information and stores the extracted setting information in the setting storage unit. After storing the setting information in the setting storage unit, the smart speaker 7 generates setting completion notification information and sends it to the cloud server 1.

[0016] The terminal device 5 is, for example, a smartphone, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a main memory 502, an auxiliary memory 503, a display 504, an input unit 505, a communication unit 506, and a bus 509 connecting these components together. The main memory 502 has a volatile memory such as a random access memory (RAM) and is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The auxiliary memory 503 is a non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor flash memory and stores programs for the CPU 501 to execute various processes. The display 504 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence (EL) display. The input unit 505 is, for example, a transparent touchpad placed on top of the display 504. The communication unit 506 is connected to the wide area network NW1 and transmits information transferred from the CPU 501 to the terminal device 5 via the wide area network NW1, and transfers information obtained from the cloud server 1 via the wide area network NW1 to the CPU 501.

[0017] 3, CPU 501 functions as a designated time notification unit 511, a schedule acquisition unit 512, a display control unit 513, a setting request unit 514, a completion notification acquisition unit 515, and a collaboration request unit 516. Auxiliary storage unit 503 also has a schedule storage unit 531 that stores activity schedule information indicating an activity schedule recommended to the user for the user to get a comfortable sleep, and hot water temperature information indicating the hot water temperature recommended for the user when filling the bathtub with hot water heater 2.

[0018] When the user performs a time designation operation on input unit 505 to input one of a bathing time, a bedtime, and a wake-up time, and a meal start time, designated time notification unit 511 accepts the time designation operation and generates designated time notification information including designated time information indicating the input time, designated time type information indicating the type of the input time, and user identification information of the user. While the present embodiment describes the case where a meal start time is input, a configuration in which a meal start time is not input in the time designation operation is also possible. Here, the designated time type information indicates whether the input designated time is a bathing time, a bedtime, or a wake-up time. Then, designated time notification unit 511 transmits the generated designated time notification information to cloud server 1. When schedule acquisition unit 512 acquires schedule notification information transmitted from cloud server 1, it extracts activity schedule information and hot water supply temperature information included in the acquired schedule notification information and stores the extracted information in schedule storage unit 531. Upon receiving the setting completion notification information transmitted from the cloud server 1, the completion notification receiving unit 515 extracts the device identification information included in the received setting completion notification information and notifies the display control unit 513 of the device identification information.

[0019] The display control unit 513 forms a recommended schedule notification image that notifies the user of a recommended action schedule and a recommended hot water temperature to be set for the water heater 2, based on the action schedule information and hot water temperature information stored in the schedule storage unit 531, and causes the display unit 504 to display the recommended schedule notification image. Furthermore, when the display control unit 513 is notified of device identification information for the water heater 2, lighting fixture 4, etc. from the completion notification acquisition unit 515 in cases such as when a new operation schedule is set for the water heater 2, when a setting change is made for the lighting fixture 4 based on a lighting schedule described below, or when a setting change is made for the air conditioner 3 based on an air conditioning schedule described below, the display control unit 513 forms a setting completion notification image that notifies the user that various settings for the water heater 2, lighting fixture 4, air conditioner 3, etc. have been completed, based on the notified device identification information, and causes the display unit 504 to display the recommended schedule notification image.

[0020] Furthermore, assume that, while the display control unit 513 is displaying a recommended schedule notification image on the display unit 504, the user performs a schedule approval operation on the input unit 505 to approve acting in accordance with the action schedule indicated in the displayed recommended schedule notification image and setting the hot water supply temperature for the water heater 2 to the temperature indicated in the recommended schedule image. In this case, the setting request unit 514 accepts the schedule approval operation, generates setting request information including the user identification information, and requests setting of an operation schedule for the water heater 2 based on the above-mentioned action schedule and the hot water supply temperature, and transmits the setting request information to the cloud server 1. When the user performs a collaboration request operation on the input unit 505 to request that the lighting fixtures 4, the air conditioner 3, etc. be linked to the action schedule indicated by the action schedule information, the collaboration request unit 516 accepts the collaboration request operation, generates collaboration request information including the user identification information of the user and the device identification information of the lighting fixtures 4 and the air conditioner 3, and transmits the collaboration request information to the cloud server 1.

[0021] Cloud server 1 functions as a sleep support device that helps create an environment in which a user can get a comfortable sleep, and as shown in FIG. 2, includes a CPU 101, a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary memory unit 103, a communication unit 106, a clock unit 107, and a bus 109 that interconnects these units. CPU 101 is, for example, a multi-core processor. Main memory unit 102 is composed of volatile memory and is used as a work area for CPU 101. Auxiliary memory unit 103 is composed of large-capacity non-volatile memory and stores programs for realizing various functions of cloud server 1. Communication unit 106 is connected to wide area network NW1. Clock unit 107 is, for example, a real-time clock that outputs time information.

[0022] 3, the CPU 101 reads out the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes them, thereby functioning as a designated time information acquisition unit 111, a time calculation unit 112, a schedule notification unit 113, a setting request acquisition unit 114, a schedule generation unit 115, a bathing record information acquisition unit 117, a setting completion notification unit 118, a cooperation request information acquisition unit 119, a device control unit 120, an environmental information acquisition unit 121, a setting completion notification acquisition unit 122, a user status acquisition unit 123, and a sleep state determination unit 124. The auxiliary storage unit 103 also includes a designated time storage unit 131, an optimal behavior pattern storage unit 132, a water heater information storage unit 133, a calculated time storage unit 134, an environmental information storage unit 135, a schedule storage unit 136, and a setting storage unit 137. The designated time storage unit 131 stores designated time information indicating one of a bath time, a bedtime, and a wake-up time designated by the user in association with the user identification information.

[0023] The optimal behavior pattern storage unit 132 stores optimal behavior pattern information, which is composed of user behavior information indicating the user's behavior and time interval information indicating the optimal time interval between when the user performs two types of behavior, in association with user identification information, as shown in Fig. 4. The example shown in Fig. 4 indicates that for a user identified by user identification information IDU[0], the optimal time interval from finishing bathing to going to bed is one hour. This optimal behavior pattern information may be determined based on the user's past behavioral history as well as the sleep mechanism.

[0024] 3, the water heater information storage unit 133 stores, in association with the user identification information of the user, hot water temperature information indicating the hot water temperature of the water heater 2 that is optimal for the user when filling the bathtub with water, and unit hot water supply amount information and hot water supply duration information indicating the amount of hot water supplied per unit time and the hot water supply duration required to fill the bathtub at that hot water temperature. The calculated time storage unit 134 stores, in association with the user identification information, calculated time information indicating any two of the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time calculated based on the designated time information stored in the designated time storage unit 131 and the user behavior information and time interval information stored in the optimal behavior pattern storage unit 132.

[0025] The environmental information storage unit 135 stores environmental parameter information indicating the environmental parameters of the user's sleeping place in association with date and time information indicating the date and time when the environmental parameters were measured and the user identification information of the user. The user status storage unit 138 stores biometric information of the user in association with date and time information indicating the date and time when the biometric information was generated and the user identification information of the user.

[0026] The schedule storage unit 136 stores, in association with user identification information, behavioral schedule information indicating a behavioral schedule recommended for a user, which is generated based on the designated time information stored in the designated time storage unit 131 and the calculated time information stored in the calculated time storage unit 134. The behavioral schedule information indicates, for example, a meal start time, an input start time, a bathing end time, a bedtime, and a wake-up time recommended for each user. The schedule storage unit 136 also stores, in association with user identification information, hot water supply temperature information indicating the recommended hot water supply temperature of the hot water heater, and operation schedule information indicating the operation schedule of the hot water heater 2 for filling the bathtub with hot water at that hot water supply temperature. This operation schedule information includes hot water filling start time information, unit hot water supply amount information, and hot water supply duration information indicating the hot water filling start time, the amount of hot water supplied per unit time, and the hot water supply duration information.

[0027] Furthermore, the schedule storage unit 136 stores lighting schedule information indicating a lighting schedule for changing at least one of the illuminance and color temperature of lighting devices 4 over time, and air conditioning schedule information indicating an air conditioning schedule for air-conditioning the user's sleeping area, in association with the user identification information. The lighting schedule information includes, for example, on / off state information indicating the on / off state of lighting devices 4 for each time slot when a day is divided into multiple time slots of a predetermined unit length, set illuminance information indicating the set illuminance for each time slot, and time information indicating a representative time for each time slot. The length of each time slot can be set, for example, from several minutes to several tens of minutes, and the representative time can be set, for example, to the start time of each time slot. For example, the lighting schedule information is set so that the illuminance continuously decreases from a lighting device control start time that is a predetermined first hour before the user's bedtime until the recommended bedtime for the user. Here, the length of the first time slot is set, for example, to one hour. Alternatively, the lighting schedule information is set so that the illuminance changes continuously increasing from the user's wake-up time to the lighting device control end time, which is a preset second hour after the wake-up time. Here, the length of the second hour is set to, for example, 30 minutes. The air conditioning schedule information includes, for example, on / off state information indicating the on / off state of the air conditioner 3 during each of the aforementioned time periods, operating mode information indicating the operating mode of the air conditioner 3 during each of the aforementioned time periods, set temperature information indicating the set temperature during each of the aforementioned time periods, and the aforementioned time information.

[0028] The schedule storage unit 136 also stores, in association with the user identification information, alarm schedule information indicating an alarm activation schedule for the smart speaker 7 and opening / closing schedule information indicating an opening / closing schedule for the electric curtain if the IoT device 6 is an electric curtain. The alarm schedule information includes, for example, alarm activation time information indicating the time when the alarm will start to be activated, alarm duration information indicating the alarm duration for which the alarm will continue to be activated, alarm type information indicating the type of alarm tone, and alarm volume information indicating the alarm volume. The opening / closing schedule information also includes opening time information indicating the time when the electric curtain will be changed from a closed state to an open state, and closing time information indicating the time when the electric curtain will be changed from an open state to a closed state.

[0029] The setting memory unit 137 stores setting information indicating the setting contents of each lighting fixture 4, air conditioner 3, smart speaker 7, and IoT device 6 in association with date and time information indicating the date and time when the setting was made and user identification information.

[0030] When the designated time information acquisition unit 111 acquires designated time notification information transmitted from the terminal device 5, it extracts the designated time information and designated time type information included in the acquired designated time notification information, as well as the user identification information, and stores the extracted information in the designated time storage unit 131 in association with each other. The time calculation unit 112 calculates the other two times based on one of the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time designated by the user and optimal behavior pattern information indicating a behavior pattern suitable for the user's sleep that has been set in advance. Specifically, the time calculation unit 112 calculates the remaining two times, which are different from one of the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time designated by the user, based on the designated time information, the designated time indicated by the designated time type information stored in the designated time storage unit 131, and the optimal behavior pattern information stored in the optimal behavior pattern storage unit 132. For example, if the specified time is a bathing time, i.e., a bathing start time, the time calculation unit 112 calculates the meal start time, bathing end time, bedtime, and wake-up time by referring to the time interval information included in the optimal behavior pattern information. Here, suppose that the optimal behavior pattern information is set, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, and a bathing start time of "21:05" is specified for a user identified by user identification information IDU[0]. In this case, the time calculation unit 112 calculates the bedtime as "22:45," which is "1 hour and 40 minutes" later than the bathing start time, the time interval between the bathing start time and the bedtime indicated by the optimal behavior pattern information, and calculates the wake-up time as "6:00," which is "6 hours and 15 minutes" later than the bedtime, the time interval between the bedtime and the wake-up time indicated by the optimal behavior pattern information. The time calculation unit 112 then stores the calculated time information indicating the calculated various times in the calculated time storage unit 134. In addition, when the time calculation unit 112 is notified of the bath filling end time information included in the aforementioned bathing history information by the bathing history information acquisition unit 117, it recalculates the bathing start time, bedtime, and wake-up time based on the notified bath filling end time information, and stores the calculated time information indicating the various calculated times in the calculated time memory unit 134.

[0031] When the collaboration request information acquisition unit 119 acquires the above-mentioned collaboration request information transmitted from the terminal device 5, it extracts the device identification information and user identification information contained in the acquired collaboration request information, and notifies the schedule generation unit 115 of the extracted device identification information and user identification information.

[0032] The environmental information acquisition unit 121 acquires environmental notification information transmitted from the air conditioner 3 by generating the aforementioned environmental parameter notification request information and transmitting it to the air conditioner 3. Then, the environmental information acquisition unit 121 extracts the aforementioned environmental parameter information, date and time information, and user identification information contained in the acquired environmental notification information, and stores the extracted information in the environmental information storage unit 135 in association with each other.

[0033] When a preset user status confirmation time for checking the user status arrives, or when the user status acquisition unit 123 determines that the wake-up preparation time, which is a preset time before the user's wake-up time, has arrived based on the behavior schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136, the user status acquisition unit 123 generates the above-mentioned user status notification request information and transmits it to the air conditioner 3. In this way, the user status acquisition unit 123 acquires user status notification information transmitted from the air conditioner 3. The user status acquisition unit 123 then extracts the user's biometric information, date and time information, and user identification information included in the acquired user status notification information, and stores the extracted information in the user status storage unit 138 in association with each other.

[0034] When the sleep state determination unit 124 determines that the wake-up preparation time has arrived based on the behavior schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136, it determines whether the user is in a REM sleep state based on the biological information stored in the user status storage unit 138. When the sleep state determination unit 124 determines that the user is in a REM sleep state, it notifies the device control unit 120 of wake-up OK notification information. On the other hand, when the sleep state determination unit 124 determines that the user is not in a REM sleep state, it notifies the device control unit 120 of wake-up NOT OK notification information.

[0035] The schedule generation unit 115 generates behavior schedule information indicating a behavior schedule recommended for the user, with reference to the calculation time information stored in the calculation time storage unit 134. This behavior schedule information includes information indicating times at which the user is recommended to perform various behaviors, such as "start eating" and "start bathing." The schedule generation unit 115 also generates operation schedule information indicating an operation schedule for the water heater 2, with reference to the calculation time information stored in the calculation time storage unit 134 and the hot water supply temperature information, unit hot water supply amount information, and hot water supply duration information stored in the water heater information storage unit 133. The schedule generation unit 115 then stores the generated behavior schedule information, operation schedule information, and hot water supply temperature information stored in the water heater information storage unit 133 in the schedule storage unit 136 in association with user identification information.

[0036] Furthermore, when schedule generation unit 115 is notified of the device identification information and user identification information of lighting device 4 by collaboration request information acquisition unit 119, schedule generation unit 115 generates lighting schedule information for lighting device 4 identified by the notified device identification information, which indicates a lighting schedule for changing at least one of the illuminance and color temperature of lighting device 4 over time, based on the designated time indicated by the designated time information stored in designated time memory unit 131 and at least one of the bedtime and the wake-up time indicated by the calculated time information stored in calculated time memory unit 134. Schedule generation unit 115 then stores the generated lighting schedule information in schedule memory unit 136.

[0037] Furthermore, when the schedule generation unit 115 is notified of the device identification information and user identification information of the air conditioner 3 from the collaboration request information acquisition unit 119, it generates, for the air conditioner 3 identified by the notified device identification information, air conditioning schedule information indicating an air conditioning schedule for air conditioning the user's sleeping place so that the environmental parameters of the user's sleeping place at the user's bedtime become predetermined environmental parameters suitable for the user to fall asleep, based on the designated time information stored in the designated time memory unit 131, the calculated time information stored in the calculated time memory unit 134, and the environmental parameter information stored in the environmental information memory unit 135. Alternatively, the schedule generation unit 115 generates air conditioning schedule information so that the environmental parameters of the user's sleeping place at the user's bedtime become predetermined environmental parameters suitable for the user to fall asleep, based on the designated time information stored in the designated time memory unit 131, the calculated time information stored in the calculated time memory unit 134, and the user status information stored in the user status memory unit 138. Alternatively, the schedule generation unit 115 generates air conditioning schedule information indicating an air conditioning schedule for air-conditioning the sleeping place so that the environmental parameters of the sleeping place at the user's wake-up time become predetermined environmental parameters suitable for waking up, based on the designated time information stored in the designated time memory unit 131, the calculated time information stored in the calculated time memory unit 134, and the environmental parameter information stored in the environmental information memory unit 135. Alternatively, the schedule generation unit 115 generates air conditioning schedule information such that the environmental parameters of the sleeping place at the user's wake-up time become predetermined environmental parameters suitable for waking up, based on the designated time information stored in the designated time memory unit 131, the calculated time information stored in the calculated time memory unit 134, the environmental parameter information stored in the environmental information memory unit 135, and the user status information stored in the user status memory unit 138. Then, the schedule generation unit 115 stores the generated air conditioning schedule information in the schedule memory unit 136.

[0038] Furthermore, when the time arrives to confirm the settings for reviewing the preset settings of the air conditioner 3, the schedule generation unit 115 identifies the setting parameters based on the history of past biological information stored in the user status storage unit 138, and identifies the forced setting update time for forcibly updating the settings of the air conditioner 3 to the identified setting parameters. The schedule generation unit 115 then generates new air conditioning schedule information based on the identified setting parameters and the forced setting update time, and stores the generated air conditioning schedule information in the schedule storage unit 136.

[0039] Furthermore, when the schedule generation unit 115 is notified of the device identification information and user identification information of the smart speaker 7 from the cooperation request information acquisition unit 119, the schedule generation unit 115 generates alarm schedule information indicating an alarm issuance schedule for the smart speaker 7 identified by the notified device identification information, based on the designated time information stored in the designated time memory unit 131 and the calculated time information stored in the calculated time memory unit 134. Then, the schedule generation unit 115 stores the generated alarm schedule information in the schedule memory unit 136. Furthermore, when wake-up impossible notification information is notified from the sleep state determination unit 124, the schedule generation unit 115 regenerates the alarm schedule information and stores it in the schedule memory unit 136. Furthermore, when the schedule generation unit 115 is notified of the device identification information and user identification information of the IoT device 6 from the cooperation request information acquisition unit 119, if the IoT device 6 identified by the notified device identification information is an electric curtain, the schedule generation unit 115 generates opening and closing schedule information indicating an opening and closing schedule for the IoT device 6 identified by the notified device identification information, based on the designated time information stored in the designated time memory unit 131 and the calculated time information stored in the calculated time memory unit 134. Then, the schedule generation unit 115 stores the generated opening and closing schedule information in the schedule memory unit 136.

[0040] The schedule notification unit 113 generates schedule notification information including action schedule information associated with the user identification information of the user who owns the terminal device 5, which is stored in the schedule storage unit 136, and hot water supply temperature information, and transmits the schedule notification information to the terminal device 5. When the setting request acquisition unit 114 acquires the above-mentioned setting request information transmitted from the terminal device 5, it notifies the schedule notification unit 113 of the user identification information included in the acquired setting request information. Then, when the schedule notification unit 113 is notified of the user identification information from the setting request acquisition unit 114, it identifies the operation schedule information associated with the notified user identification information from the operation schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136. Then, the schedule notification unit 113 generates schedule notification information including the identified operation schedule information and transmits the schedule notification information to the water heater 2.

[0041] When the bathing record information acquisition unit 117 acquires the aforementioned bathing record information transmitted from the water heater 2, it extracts the information on the time when the water filling is completed from the acquired bathing record information and notifies the time calculation unit 112.

[0042] The device control unit 120 controls at least one of the illuminance and color temperature of the lighting device 4 based on the lighting schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136. Specifically, the device control unit 120 generates setting notification information including device identification information and setting information indicating at least one of the setting parameters of the illuminance and color temperature of the lighting device 4 based on the lighting schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136, and transmits the setting notification information to the lighting device 4. The device control unit 120 also controls the air conditioner 3 based on the air conditioning schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136. Specifically, the device control unit 120 identifies setting parameters for the air conditioner 3, such as the set temperature and set humidity, based on the air conditioning schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136 and the environmental parameter information stored in the environmental information storage unit 135 or the user status information stored in the user status storage unit 138. The device control unit 120 then generates setting notification information including device identification information and setting information indicating the identified setting parameters, and transmits the setting notification information to the air conditioner 3. Furthermore, if the IoT device 6 is an electric curtain, the device control unit 120 controls the opening and closing operation of the electric curtain or controls the issuance of an alarm by the smart speaker 7, based on the above-mentioned behavior schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136. Specifically, when the device control unit 120 determines that bedtime or wake-up time has arrived based on the behavior schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136, if the IoT device 6 is, for example, an electric curtain, the device control unit 120 generates setting notification information including setting information indicating setting parameters for opening or closing the curtain and device identification information of the IoT device 6 and transmits the setting notification information to the IoT device 6. Furthermore, when the device control unit 120 determines that wake-up time has arrived based on the behavior schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136, and if wake-up notification information has been notified by the sleep state determination unit 124, the device control unit 120 generates setting notification information including setting information indicating setting parameters such as the volume and tone of the alarm to be sounded by the smart speaker 7 and device identification information of the smart speaker 7 and transmits the setting notification information to the smart speaker 7.

[0043] When the setting completion notification acquisition unit 122 acquires setting completion notification information transmitted from the water heater 2, the lighting fixture 4, the air conditioner 3, the IoT device 6, or the smart speaker 7, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting completion notification information and stores it in the setting storage unit 137. When new setting information is stored in the setting storage unit 137, the setting completion notification unit 118 generates setting completion notification information including the setting information and transmits it to the terminal device 5.

[0044] Next, the operation of the sleep support system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 16. First, as shown in FIG. 5, assume that a user performs a time specification operation to input a bath time, bedtime, or wake-up time designated by the user to input unit 505 of terminal device 5. In this time specification operation, with an operation screen image GA1, for example, as shown in FIG. 6(A), displayed on display unit 504 of terminal device 5, the user first touches a portion of input unit 505, which is a touchpad, corresponding to one of three button images BU11, BU12, or BU13 included in operation screen image GA1. In response to this, terminal device 5 displays an operation screen image GA2, for example, as shown in FIG. 6(B), on display unit 504. The user then touches a portion of input unit 505 corresponding to input field image B21 to input a time. Note that operation screen image GA2 includes a message image M21 that notifies the user of the type of time to be input and a message image M22 that indicates the type of time.

[0045] Returning to FIG. 5, when the user performs this time designation operation, the terminal device 5 generates the aforementioned designated time notification information (step S1), and the generated designated time notification information is transmitted from the terminal device 5 to the cloud server 1 (step S2). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the designated time notification information, the cloud server 1 extracts the aforementioned designated time information and designated time type information, and user identification information, included in the acquired designated time notification information, and stores the extracted information in the designated time storage unit 131 in association with each other (step S3). Next, the cloud server 1 calculates two types of times, out of the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time, that are different from any one of the times designated by the user, based on the designated time information, the designated time and the type of designated time indicated by the designated time type information stored in the designated time storage unit 131, and the optimal behavior pattern information stored in the optimal behavior pattern storage unit 132. The cloud server 1 then stores calculated time information indicating the calculated various times in the calculated time storage unit 134 (step S4). Next, cloud server 1 generates behavior schedule information indicating a behavior schedule recommended for the user, with reference to the calculation time information stored in calculation time storage unit 134. Furthermore, cloud server 1 generates operation schedule information indicating an operation schedule for water heater 2, with reference to the calculation time information stored in calculation time storage unit 134 and the hot water supply temperature information, unit hot water supply amount information, and hot water supply duration information stored in water heater information storage unit 133, and stores the generated behavior schedule information, operation schedule information, and hot water supply temperature information stored in water heater information storage unit 133 in association with user identification information in schedule storage unit 136. Then, cloud server 1 generates schedule notification information including the behavior schedule information and hot water supply temperature information stored in schedule storage unit 136 and associated with the user identification information of the user who owns terminal device 5 (step S5). The generated schedule notification information is then transmitted from cloud server 1 to terminal device 5 (step S6).

[0046] On the other hand, when terminal device 5 acquires the schedule notification information, it extracts the action schedule information and the hot water supply temperature information included in the acquired schedule notification information and stores the extracted information in schedule storage unit 531 (step S7). Next, based on the action schedule information and the hot water supply temperature information stored in schedule storage unit 531, terminal device 5 forms a recommended schedule notification image that notifies the user of the action schedule recommended for the user and the hot water supply temperature recommended to be set in water heater 2, and displays the image on display unit 504 (step S8).

[0047] Here, the terminal device 5 forms a recommended schedule notification image GA3, for example, as shown in Fig. 7(A), and displays it on the display unit 504. This recommended schedule notification image GA3 includes a message image M31 notifying the user of a recommended bedtime and a message image M33 notifying the user of a recommended hot water supply temperature. Alternatively, the terminal device 5 forms a recommended schedule notification image GA4, for example, as shown in Fig. 7(B), and displays it on the display unit 504. This recommended schedule notification image GA4 includes a message image M41 notifying the user of a recommended bath start time.

[0048] Returning to FIG. 5, it is assumed that the user subsequently performs a schedule approval operation on the input unit 505 of the terminal device 5 to approve acting in accordance with the action schedule indicated in the recommended schedule notification image and setting the hot water supply temperature for the water heater 2 to the recommended schedule image. In this schedule approval operation, for example, with an operation screen image GA5 as shown in FIG. 8 displayed on the display unit 504 of the terminal device 5, the user touches a portion of the input unit 505 corresponding to a button image BU51 included in the operation screen image GA1. The operation screen image GA5 further includes a message image M51 notifying the user of the recommended bath start time and a button image BU52 selected when the user does not approve setting the hot water supply temperature for the water heater 2 to the recommended schedule image. Returning to FIG. 5, when this schedule approval operation is performed, the terminal device 5 accepts the schedule approval operation and generates the setting request information including the user identification information (step S9). The generated setting request information is then transmitted from the terminal device 5 to the cloud server 1 (step S10). On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the setting request information, it identifies the operation schedule information associated with the notified user identification information from the operation schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136 in response to the setting request information, and generates schedule notification information including the identified operation schedule information (step S11). Thereafter, the generated schedule notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the water heater 2 (step S12). On the other hand, when the water heater 2 acquires the schedule notification information, it extracts the operation schedule information included in the acquired schedule notification information, stores the extracted operation schedule information in the operation schedule storage unit (step S13), and then generates setting completion notification information (step S14). The generated setting completion notification information is transmitted from the water heater 2 to the cloud server 1 (step S15). On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the setting completion notification information, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting completion notification information and stores it in the setting storage unit 137, as shown in FIG. 9.Then, the cloud server 1 generates setting completion notification information including the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 137 (step S16), and the generated setting completion notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 5 (step S17). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the setting completion notification information, the terminal device 5 forms the above-mentioned setting completion notification image based on the device identification information included in the acquired setting completion notification information, and displays it on the display unit 504 (step S18).

[0049] Suppose that the water heater 2 subsequently determines, based on the operation schedule information stored in the operation schedule storage unit, that the time to start filling the water has arrived. In this case, the water heater 2 starts filling the water at the hot water temperature indicated by the hot water temperature information stored in the operation schedule storage unit (step S19). Next, when the water heater 2 finishes filling the water (step S20), it generates bathing record information including the above-mentioned water filling end time information (step S21), and the generated bathing record information is sent from the water heater 2 to the cloud server 1 (step S22). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the bathing record information, the cloud server 1 recalculates the bathing end time, bedtime, and wake-up time based on the bath filling end time information included in the acquired bathing record information, and stores the calculated time information indicating the calculated various times in the calculated time storage unit 134 (step S23). Next, the cloud server 1 references the newly stored calculated time information in the calculated time storage unit 134 and regenerates activity schedule information indicating the activity schedule recommended to the user. Furthermore, cloud server 1 references the calculation time information stored in calculation time storage unit 134 and the hot water supply temperature information, unit hot water supply amount information, and hot water supply duration information stored in water heater information storage unit 133 to re-generate operation schedule information indicating the operation schedule of water heater 2, and stores the generated action schedule information, operation schedule information, and hot water supply temperature information stored in water heater information storage unit 133 in association with the user identification information in schedule storage unit 136. Then, cloud server 1 generates schedule notification information including the action schedule information and hot water supply temperature information stored in schedule storage unit 136 and associated with the user identification information of the user who owns terminal device 5 (step S24). Thereafter, the generated schedule notification information is transmitted from cloud server 1 to terminal device 5 (step S25).

[0050] On the other hand, upon acquiring the schedule notification information, terminal device 5 extracts the activity schedule information and hot water supply temperature information included in the acquired schedule notification information and stores them in schedule storage unit 531 (step S26), and then forms the recommended schedule notification image again based on the activity schedule information and hot water supply temperature information stored in schedule storage unit 531 and displays it on display unit 504 (step S27). Here, terminal device 5 may form, for example, an activity record notification image GA6 as shown in FIG. 10(A) in response to a user's operation on input unit 505 and display it on display unit 504. Here, activity record notification image GA6 includes a message image M62 representing the user's activity, a message image M63 representing the time when the user performed various activities, and a button image BU61 selected to display a graph representing the user's sleeping state. Then, when the user operates the input unit 505 of the terminal device 5 to select a button image BU61 while the behavioral record notification image GA6 is displayed on the display unit 504 of the terminal device 5, the terminal device 5 may form a sleeping status notification image GA7 notifying the user of the sleeping status as shown in Fig. 10(B), for example, and display the sleeping status notification image GA7 on the display unit 504. This sleeping status notification image GA7 includes a graph image GA71 representing the user's sleeping status and a button image BU71 that is selected when the behavioral record notification image GA6 is displayed on the display unit 504.

[0051] Returning to FIG. 9 , assume that the user performs a collaboration request operation to request that lighting device 4 be operated in collaboration with the recommended activity schedule for the user. In this collaboration request operation, for example, while operation screen image GA8 as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on display unit 504 of terminal device 5, the user touches a portion of input unit 505 that corresponds to button image BU81 included in operation screen image GA8. Note that operation screen image GA8 also includes a message image M81 that notifies the user of the recommended bedtime and a button image BU82 that is selected when the lighting device 4 is not to be linked to the recommended activity schedule. Returning to FIG. 9 , when this collaboration request operation is performed, terminal device 5 accepts the collaboration request operation and generates the collaboration request information described above, which includes user identification information and device identification information of lighting device 4 (step S28). The generated collaboration request information is then transmitted from terminal device 5 to cloud server 1 (step S29). 12 , for the lighting device 4 identified by the device identification information included in the collaboration request information, cloud server 1 generates lighting schedule information indicating the lighting schedule for the lighting device 4, based on the designated time information stored in designated time memory unit 131 and the calculated time information stored in calculated time memory unit 134. Then, cloud server 1 stores the generated lighting schedule information in schedule memory unit 136 (step S30).

[0052] Let us assume that the cloud server 1 subsequently determines, by referencing the lighting schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136, that it is time to update the settings of the lighting device 4 (step S31). In this case, the cloud server 1 identifies the updated setting parameters of the lighting device 4 based on the lighting schedule information. The cloud server 1 then generates setting notification information including the setting information indicating the updated setting parameters of the lighting device 4 (step S32), and the generated setting notification information is sent from the cloud server 1 to the lighting device 4 (step S33). Meanwhile, upon receiving the setting notification information, the lighting device 4 extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting notification information and stores the extracted setting information in the setting storage unit (step S34). At this time, the lighting device 4 switches to a lighting state based on the setting information newly stored in the setting storage unit. The lighting device 4 then generates the aforementioned setting completion notification information (step S35), and the generated setting completion notification information is sent from the lighting device 4 to the cloud server 1 (step S36). 9, when cloud server 1 acquires the setting completion notification information, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting completion notification information and stores it in setting storage unit 137. Then, cloud server 1 generates setting completion notification information including the setting information stored in setting storage unit 137 (step S37), and the generated setting completion notification information is transmitted from cloud server 1 to terminal device 5 (step S38). On the other hand, when terminal device 5 acquires the setting completion notification information, it forms the above-mentioned setting completion notification image based on the device identification information included in the acquired setting completion notification information and displays it on display unit 504 (step S39).

[0053] Furthermore, suppose that a user performs a coordination request operation requesting that the air conditioner 3 be operated in coordination with the aforementioned action schedule recommended to the user. In this case, the terminal device 5 accepts the coordination request operation and generates the aforementioned coordination request information including the user identification information and the device identification information of the air conditioner 3 (step S40), and the generated coordination request information is sent from the terminal device 5 to the cloud server 1 (step S41). Meanwhile, the cloud server 1 generates air conditioning schedule information indicating the air conditioning schedule of the aforementioned air conditioner 3, for the air conditioner 3 identified by the device identification information included in the coordination request information, based on the designated time information stored in the designated time memory unit 131 and the calculated time information stored in the calculated time memory unit 134. Then, the cloud server 1 stores the generated air conditioning schedule information in the schedule memory unit 136 (step S42).

[0054] Thereafter, the cloud server 1 refers to the air conditioning schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136 and determines that it is time to update the settings of the air conditioner 3 (step S43). In this case, the cloud server 1 generates the above-mentioned environmental parameter notification request information as shown in FIG. 13 (step S44), and the generated environmental parameter notification request information is sent from the cloud server 1 to the air conditioner 3 (step S45). Meanwhile, upon receiving the environmental parameter notification request information, the air conditioner 3 measures environmental parameters using the environmental sensor 33 in response. The air conditioner 3 then generates environmental notification information including environmental parameter information indicating the measured environmental parameters, date and time information indicating the date and time the environmental parameters were measured, and user identification information of the user of the air conditioner 3 (step S46), and the generated environmental notification information is sent from the air conditioner 3 to the cloud server 1 (step S47). Meanwhile, when the cloud server 1 acquires the environmental notification information, it extracts the aforementioned environmental parameter information, date and time information, and user identification information included in the acquired environmental notification information, associates the extracted information with each other, and stores the information in the environmental information storage unit 135 (step S48). Next, the cloud server 1 identifies the setting parameters of the air conditioner 3 based on the air conditioning schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136 and the environmental parameter information stored in the environmental information storage unit 135. Then, the cloud server 1 generates setting notification information including setting information indicating the identified setting parameters and device identification information (step S49), and the generated setting notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the air conditioner 3 (step S50). Meanwhile, when the air conditioner 3 acquires the setting notification information, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting notification information and stores the extracted setting information in the setting storage unit (step S51). At this time, the air conditioner 3 starts operating with the setting parameters indicated by the setting information newly stored in the setting storage unit. Next, the air conditioner 3 generates the above-mentioned setting completion notification information (step S52), and the generated setting completion notification information is sent from the air conditioner 3 to the cloud server 1 (step S53).Meanwhile, when cloud server 1 acquires the setting completion notification information, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting completion notification information and stores it in setting storage unit 137. Then, cloud server 1 generates setting completion notification information including the setting information stored in setting storage unit 137 (step S54), and the generated setting completion notification information is transmitted from cloud server 1 to terminal device 5 (step S55). Meanwhile, when terminal device 5 acquires the setting completion notification information, it forms the above-mentioned setting completion notification image based on the device identification information included in the acquired setting completion notification information and displays it on display unit 504 (step S56).

[0055] Thereafter, when the preset user status confirmation time arrives to confirm the user's status, the cloud server 1 generates the aforementioned user status notification request information (step S57), and the generated user status notification request information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the air conditioner 3 (step S58). Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 14, upon receiving the user status notification request information, the air conditioner 3 detects biometric parameters using the biometric sensor 31, captures an infrared image of the user using the infrared sensor 32, and calculates the user's body temperature based on the captured infrared image. The air conditioner 3 then generates user status notification information including biometric information indicating the detected biometric parameters and the calculated biometric parameters indicating the user's body temperature, date and time information indicating the date and time the biometric information was generated, and user identification information identifying the user whose biometric parameters were detected (step S59). The generated user status notification information is then transmitted from the air conditioner 3 to the cloud server 1 (step S60). Meanwhile, when the cloud server 1 acquires the user status notification information, it extracts the user's biometric information, date and time information, and user identification information included in the acquired user status notification information, associates the extracted information with each other, and stores the information in the user status storage unit 138 (step S61). Next, the cloud server 1 identifies the setting parameters of the air conditioner 3 based on the air conditioning schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136 and the biometric information stored in the user status storage unit 138. Then, the cloud server 1 generates setting notification information including setting information indicating the identified setting parameters and device identification information (step S62), and the generated setting notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the air conditioner 3 (step S63). Meanwhile, when the air conditioner 3 acquires the setting notification information, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting notification information and stores the extracted setting information in the setting storage unit (step S64). At this time, the air conditioner 3 starts operating with the setting parameters indicated by the setting information newly stored in the setting storage unit. Thereafter, the air conditioner 3 generates the above-mentioned setting completion notification information (step S65), and the generated setting completion notification information is sent from the air conditioner 3 to the cloud server 1 (step S66).On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the setting completion notification information, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting completion notification information and stores it in the setting storage unit 137 (step S67).

[0056] Next, when the time arrives to review the preset settings of the air conditioner 3, the cloud server 1 identifies the setting update time for updating the settings of the air conditioner 3 and the updated setting parameters based on the history of past biological information stored in the user status storage unit 138. The cloud server 1 then generates new air conditioning schedule information based on the identified setting update time and updated setting parameters, and stores the generated air conditioning schedule information in the schedule storage unit 136 (step S68). Next, the cloud server 1 references the air conditioning schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136 and determines that the setting update time for updating the settings of the air conditioner 3 has arrived (step S69). In this case, the cloud server 1 identifies the setting parameters of the air conditioner 3 based on the updated air conditioning schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136. The cloud server 1 then generates setting notification information including setting information indicating the identified setting parameters and device identification information (step S70), and the generated setting notification information is sent from the cloud server 1 to the air conditioner 3 (step S71). Meanwhile, when the air conditioner 3 acquires the setting notification information, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting notification information and stores the extracted setting information in the setting storage unit (step S72). At this time, the air conditioner 3 starts operating with the setting parameters indicated by the setting information newly stored in the setting storage unit. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15, the air conditioner 3 generates the above-mentioned setting completion notification information (step S73), and the generated setting completion notification information is transmitted from the air conditioner 3 to the cloud server 1 (step S74). Meanwhile, when the cloud server 1 acquires the setting completion notification information, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting completion notification information and stores it in the setting storage unit 137 (step S75).

[0057] Next, let us assume that the cloud server 1 determines that the wake-up preparation time has arrived based on the behavior schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136 (step S76). In this case, the cloud server 1 generates the user status notification request information (step S77), and the generated user status notification request information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the air conditioner 3 (step S78). Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 14, upon receiving the user status notification request information, the air conditioner 3 detects biometric parameters using the biometric sensor 31, captures an infrared image of the user using the infrared sensor 32, and calculates the user's body temperature based on the captured infrared image. The air conditioner 3 then generates user status notification information including biometric information indicating the detected biometric parameters and the calculated biometric parameters indicating the user's body temperature, date and time information indicating the date and time the biometric information was generated, and user identification information identifying the user whose biometric parameters were detected (step S79). Subsequently, the generated user status notification information is transmitted from the air conditioner 3 to the cloud server 1 (step S80). On the other hand, when cloud server 1 acquires user status notification information, it extracts the user's biometric information, date and time information, and user identification information included in the acquired user status notification information, associates the extracted information with each other, and stores the information in user status storage unit 138 (step S81). Then, cloud server 1 determines that the user is in a REM sleep state based on the biometric information stored in user status storage unit 138 (step S82). In this case, when cloud server 1 determines that the wake-up time has arrived based on the behavior schedule information stored in schedule storage unit 136 (step S83), it identifies at least one of the setting parameters of illuminance and color temperature of lighting device 4 at the wake-up time based on the lighting schedule information stored in schedule storage unit 136, and generates setting notification information including setting information indicating the identified setting parameters and device identification information of lighting device 4. In addition, the cloud server 1 identifies the setting parameters of the air conditioner 3 at the wake-up time based on the air conditioning schedule information stored in the schedule memory unit 136, and generates setting notification information including setting information indicating the identified setting parameters and device identification information of the air conditioner 3.Furthermore, if the IoT device 6 is an electric curtain, the cloud server 1 identifies the setting parameters for opening the curtain, and generates setting notification information including setting information indicating the identified setting parameters and device identification information of the IoT device 6. The cloud server 1 also identifies setting parameters such as the volume and tone of the alarm to be sounded by the smart speaker 7, and generates setting notification information including setting information indicating the identified setting parameters and device identification information of the smart speaker 7 (step S84).

[0058] Next, the cloud server 1 transmits the generated setting notification information, including the device identification information of the lighting device 4, to the lighting device 4 (step S85). Meanwhile, upon receiving the setting notification information, the lighting device 4 extracts the setting information included in the received setting notification information and stores the extracted setting information in the setting storage unit (step S86). At this time, the lighting device 4 switches to an on state based on the setting information newly stored in the setting storage unit. The lighting device 4 then generates the aforementioned setting completion notification information (step S87), and the generated setting completion notification information is transmitted from the lighting device 4 to the cloud server 1 (step S88). Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 16 , upon receiving the setting completion notification information, the cloud server 1 extracts the setting information included in the received setting completion notification information and stores it in the setting storage unit 137 (step S89). Furthermore, the cloud server 1 transmits the generated setting notification information, including the device identification information of the air conditioner 3, to the air conditioner 3 (step S90). Meanwhile, when the air conditioner 3 acquires the setting notification information, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting notification information and stores the extracted setting information in the setting storage unit (step S91). At this time, the air conditioner 3 starts operating with the setting parameters indicated by the setting information newly stored in the setting storage unit. Thereafter, the air conditioner 3 generates the above-mentioned setting completion notification information (step S92), and the generated setting completion notification information is transmitted from the air conditioner 3 to the cloud server 1 (step S93). Meanwhile, when the cloud server 1 acquires the setting completion notification information, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting completion notification information and stores it in the setting storage unit 137 (step S94).

[0059] Furthermore, setting notification information including the generated device identification information of the smart speaker 7 is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the smart speaker 7 (step S95). Meanwhile, when the smart speaker 7 acquires the setting notification information, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting notification information and stores the extracted setting information in the setting storage unit (step S96). At this time, the smart speaker 7 issues an alarm based on the setting information newly stored in the setting storage unit. Next, the smart speaker 7 generates the above-mentioned setting completion notification information (step S97), and the generated setting completion notification information is transmitted from the smart speaker 7 to the cloud server 1 (step S98). Meanwhile, when the cloud server 1 acquires the setting completion notification information, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting completion notification information and stores it in the setting storage unit 137 (step S99). Furthermore, setting notification information including the generated device identification information of the IoT device 6 is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the IoT device 6 (step S1001). On the other hand, when the IoT device 6 acquires the setting notification information, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting notification information and stores the extracted setting information in the setting storage unit (step S1002). At this time, if the IoT device 6 is, for example, an electric curtain, it opens based on the setting parameters indicated by the setting information newly stored in the setting storage unit. Next, the IoT device 6 generates the above-mentioned setting completion notification information (step S1003), and the generated setting completion notification information is transmitted from the IoT device 6 to the cloud server 1 (step S1004). Note that if the IoT device 6 is a type of device other than an electric curtain, depending on the function of the device, it may only acquire the setting notification information from the cloud server 1 without generating completion notification information. In this case, the processes of steps S1003 and S1004 are not executed. On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the setting completion notification information, it extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting completion notification information and stores it in the setting storage unit 137 (step S1005).

[0060] Next, the sleep support process executed by the cloud server 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19. This sleep support process is initiated, for example, when a program for executing a device control process is started in the cloud server 1. First, the designated time information acquisition unit 111 determines whether or not designated time notification information transmitted from the terminal device 5 has been acquired (step S101). If the designated time information acquisition unit 111 determines that designated time notification information has not been acquired (step S101: No), the process of step S105, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the designated time information acquisition unit 111 determines that designated time notification information has been acquired (step S101: Yes), it extracts the designated time information and designated time type information, as well as the user identification information, included in the acquired designated time notification information, and stores the extracted information in the designated time storage unit 131 in association with each other (step S102).

[0061] Next, the time calculation unit 112 calculates two types of times, which are different from any one of the times specified by the user, among the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time, based on the specified time information, the specified time indicated by the specified time type information stored in the specified time storage unit 131, and the optimal behavior pattern information stored in the optimal behavior pattern storage unit 132. Then, the time calculation unit 112 stores calculated time information indicating the calculated various times in the calculated time storage unit 134 (step S103). Next, the schedule generation unit 115 generates behavior schedule information indicating a behavior schedule recommended for the user, with reference to the calculated time information stored in the calculated time storage unit 134. Furthermore, the schedule generation unit 115 generates operation schedule information indicating an operation schedule for the water heater 2 with reference to the calculated time information stored in the calculated time storage unit 134 and the hot water supply temperature information, unit hot water supply amount information, and hot water supply duration information stored in the water heater information storage unit 133. Furthermore, the schedule generation unit 115 stores the generated action schedule information, operation schedule information, and hot water temperature information stored in the water heater information storage unit 133 in association with the user identification information in the schedule storage unit 136. Then, the schedule notification unit 113 generates schedule notification information including the action schedule information and hot water temperature information stored in the schedule storage unit 136 and associated with the user identification information of the user who owns the terminal device 5, and transmits the information to the terminal device 5 (step S104).

[0062] Thereafter, the setting request acquisition unit 114 determines whether or not setting request information transmitted from the terminal device 5 has been acquired (step S105). If the setting request acquisition unit 114 determines that setting request information has not been acquired (step S105: No), the process of step S109, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the setting request acquisition unit 114 determines that setting request information has been acquired (step S105: Yes), the setting request acquisition unit 114 notifies the schedule notification unit 113 of the user identification information included in the acquired setting request information. Then, upon receiving the user identification information from the setting request acquisition unit 114, the schedule notification unit 113 identifies operation schedule information associated with the notified user identification information from the operation schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136. Then, the schedule notification unit 113 generates schedule notification information including the identified operation schedule information and transmits it to the water heater 2 (step S106). Next, the setting completion notification acquisition unit 122 acquires the setting completion notification information transmitted from the water heater 2, extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting completion notification information, and stores it in the setting storage unit 137 (step S107). Subsequently, the setting completion notification unit 118 generates setting completion notification information including the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 137, and transmits it to the terminal device 5 (step S108).

[0063] Subsequently, bathing record information acquisition unit 117 determines whether or not it has acquired the aforementioned bathing record information transmitted from water heater 2 (step S109). If bathing record information acquisition unit 117 determines that it has acquired bathing record information (step S109: Yes), it extracts the bath filling end time information included in the acquired bathing record information (step S110) and notifies time calculation unit 112 of the extracted bath filling end time information. Then, when time calculation unit 112 is notified of the bath filling end time information included in the aforementioned bathing record information by bathing record information acquisition unit 117, it recalculates the bathing end time, bedtime, and wake-up time based on the notified bath filling end time information, and stores the calculated time information indicating the calculated various times in calculated time memory unit 134 (step S111). Next, the processing from step S104 onwards is executed again.

[0064] On the other hand, it is assumed that the bathing history information acquisition unit 117 determines that it has not acquired bathing history information (step S109: No). In this case, the collaboration request information acquisition unit 119 determines whether it has acquired the above-mentioned collaboration request information transmitted from the terminal device 5 (step S112). Here, if the collaboration request information acquisition unit 119 determines that it has not acquired collaboration request information (step S112: No), the processing of step S114 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the collaboration request information acquisition unit 119 determines that it has acquired collaboration request information (step S112: Yes), it extracts the device identification information and the user identification information included in the acquired collaboration request information, and notifies the schedule generation unit 115 of the extracted device identification information and user identification information. Then, when schedule generation unit 115 is notified of the device identification information and user identification information of lighting fixture 4 from collaboration request information acquisition unit 119, it generates the above-mentioned lighting schedule information for lighting fixture 4 identified by the notified device identification information based on the designated time information stored in designated time memory unit 131 and the calculated time information stored in calculated time memory unit 134. Then, schedule generation unit 115 stores the generated lighting schedule information in schedule memory unit 136. Furthermore, when schedule generation unit 115 is notified of the device identification information and user identification information of air conditioner 3 from collaboration request information acquisition unit 119, it generates the above-mentioned air conditioning schedule information for air conditioner 3 identified by the notified device identification information based on the designated time information stored in designated time memory unit 131 and the calculated time information stored in calculated time memory unit 134. Then, schedule generation unit 115 stores the generated air conditioning schedule information in schedule memory unit 136. Furthermore, when the schedule generation unit 115 is notified of the device identification information and user identification information of the smart speaker 7 from the cooperation request information acquisition unit 119, the schedule generation unit 115 generates the above-mentioned alarm schedule information for the smart speaker 7 identified by the notified device identification information, based on the designated time information stored in the designated time memory unit 131 and the calculated time information stored in the calculated time memory unit 134. Then, the schedule generation unit 115 stores the generated alarm schedule information in the schedule memory unit 136.Furthermore, when the schedule generation unit 115 is notified of the device identification information and user identification information of the IoT device 6 from the cooperation request information acquisition unit 119, the schedule generation unit 115 generates the above-mentioned opening and closing schedule information for the IoT device 6 identified by the notified device identification information, based on the designated time information stored in the designated time storage unit 131 and the calculated time information stored in the calculated time storage unit 134. Then, the schedule generation unit 115 stores the generated opening and closing schedule information in the schedule storage unit 136 (step S113).

[0065] Next, the device control unit 120 determines whether it is time to update the setting information for the lighting fixture 4, the air conditioner 3, the smart speaker 7, or the IoT device 6, based on the lighting schedule information, the air conditioning schedule information, the alarm schedule information, or the opening / closing schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136 (step S114). If the device control unit 120 determines that it is time to update the setting information for the lighting fixture 4, the air conditioner 3, the smart speaker 7, or the IoT device 6 (step S114: No), the device control unit 120 executes the process of step S122, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the device control unit 120 determines that it is time to update the setting information (step S114: Yes), the environmental information acquisition unit 121 determines whether the target of the setting update is the air conditioner 3 (step S115). If the environmental information acquisition unit 121 determines that the target of the setting update is not the air conditioner 3 (step S115: No), the device control unit 120 executes the process of step S119, which will be described later.

[0066] On the other hand, if the environmental information acquisition unit 121 determines that the target of the setting update is the air conditioner 3 (step S115: Yes), it generates the above-mentioned environmental parameter notification request information and transmits it to the air conditioner 3 (step S116), as shown in Fig. 18. As a result, the environmental information acquisition unit 121 acquires the environmental notification information transmitted from the air conditioner 3 (step S117), extracts the above-mentioned environmental parameter information, date and time information, and user identification information contained in the acquired environmental notification information, and stores this extracted information in association with each other in the environmental information storage unit 135 (step S118).

[0067] The device control unit 120 then identifies the setting parameters of the lighting fixtures 4, the air conditioner 3, the smart speaker 7, or the IoT device 6 based on the lighting schedule information, the air conditioning schedule information, the alarm schedule information, or the opening / closing schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136. The device control unit 120 then generates setting notification information including setting information indicating the identified setting parameters and device identification information, and sends this to the lighting fixtures 4, the air conditioner 3, the smart speaker 7, or the IoT device 6 (step S119). Here, the device control unit 120 identifies the setting parameters of the air conditioner 3 based on the air conditioning schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136 and the environmental parameter information stored in the environmental information storage unit 135 or the user status information stored in the user status storage unit 138, and generates setting notification information including setting information indicating the identified setting parameters and device identification information, and sends this to the air conditioner 3. Alternatively, if the IoT device 6 is an electric curtain, the device control unit 120 generates setting notification information including setting information indicating setting parameters for opening or closing the curtain and device identification information of the IoT device 6, based on the action schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136, and transmits the setting notification information to the IoT device 6. Alternatively, the device control unit 120 generates setting notification information including setting information indicating setting parameters of the smart speaker 7 and device identification information of the smart speaker 7, based on the action schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136, and transmits the setting notification information to the smart speaker 7.

[0068] Next, the setting completion notification acquisition unit 122 acquires setting completion notification information transmitted from the water heater 2, the lighting fixture 4, the air conditioner 3, the IoT device 6, or the smart speaker 7 (step S120), extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting completion notification information, and stores it in the setting storage unit 137. Then, the setting completion notification unit 118 generates setting completion notification information including the setting information newly stored in the setting storage unit 137, and transmits it to the terminal device 5 (step S121).

[0069] Next, the user status acquisition unit 123 determines whether the aforementioned user status check time has arrived (step S122). If the user status acquisition unit 123 determines that the user status check time has not yet arrived (step S122: No), the process of step S128, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the user status acquisition unit 123 determines that the user status check time has arrived (step S122: Yes), the user status acquisition unit 123 generates the aforementioned user status notification request information and transmits it to the air conditioner 3 (step S123). As a result, the user status acquisition unit 123 acquires user status notification information transmitted from the air conditioner 3 (step S124). Thereafter, the user status acquisition unit 123 extracts the user's biometric information, date and time information, and user identification information included in the acquired user status notification information, and stores the extracted information in the user status storage unit 138 in association with each other (step S125).

[0070] Next, the device control unit 120 identifies the setting parameters of the air conditioner 3 based on the air conditioning schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136 and the environmental parameter information stored in the environmental information storage unit 135 or the user status information stored in the user status storage unit 138. The device control unit 120 then generates setting notification information including setting information indicating the identified setting parameters and device identification information, and transmits this to the air conditioner 3 (step S126). Next, the setting completion notification acquisition unit 122 acquires the setting completion notification information transmitted from the air conditioner 3, extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting completion notification information, and stores this in the setting storage unit 137 (step S127).

[0071] Thereafter, the schedule generation unit 115 determines whether the aforementioned predetermined time to check the settings has arrived (step S128). Here, if the schedule generation unit 115 determines that the time to check the settings has not yet arrived (step S128: No), the processing of step S130, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the schedule generation unit 115 determines that the time to check the settings has arrived (step S128: Yes), it identifies the setting parameters of the air conditioner 3 based on the history of past biological information stored in the user status storage unit 138, and identifies the forced setting update time for forcibly updating the settings of the air conditioner 3 to the identified setting parameters. Then, the schedule generation unit 115 generates new air conditioning schedule information based on the identified setting parameters and the forced setting update time, and stores the generated air conditioning schedule information in the schedule storage unit 136 (step S129).

[0072] Next, the device control unit 120 determines whether the time for a forced setting update has arrived based on the air conditioning schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136 (step S130). Here, if the device control unit 120 determines that the time for a forced setting update has not yet arrived (step S130: No), the device control unit 120 executes the processing of step S133, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the device control unit 120 determines that the time for a forced setting update has arrived (step S130: Yes), it identifies the setting parameters of the air conditioner 3 based on the air conditioning schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136. Then, the device control unit 120 generates setting notification information including setting information indicating the identified setting parameters and device identification information, and transmits this to the air conditioner 3 (step S131). Next, the setting completion notification acquisition unit 122 acquires the setting completion notification information transmitted from the air conditioner 3, and, as shown in FIG. 19, extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting completion notification information and stores it in the setting storage unit 137 (step S132).

[0073] Thereafter, the user status acquisition unit 123 determines whether the wake-up preparation time has arrived, based on the behavior schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136 (step S133). If the user status acquisition unit 123 determines that the wake-up preparation time has not yet arrived (step S133: No), the process of step S139, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the user status acquisition unit 123 determines that the wake-up preparation time has arrived (step S133: Yes), the user status acquisition unit 123 generates the user status notification request information and transmits it to the air conditioner 3 (step S134). As a result, the user status acquisition unit 123 acquires the user status notification information transmitted from the air conditioner 3 (step S135). Thereafter, the user status acquisition unit 123 extracts the user's biometric information, date and time information, and user identification information included in the acquired user status notification information, and stores the extracted information in the user status storage unit 138 in association with each other (step S136).

[0074] Next, the sleep state determination unit 124 determines whether the user is in a REM sleep state based on the biological information stored in the user status storage unit 138 (step S137). If the sleep state determination unit 124 determines that the user is not in a REM sleep state (step S137: No), it notifies the schedule generation unit 115 of the above-mentioned wake-up impossible notification information. Then, the schedule generation unit 115 regenerates alarm schedule information and stores it in the schedule storage unit 136 (step S138), and then executes the processing of step S139 described below. On the other hand, if the sleep state determination unit 124 determines that the user is in a REM sleep state (step S137: Yes), it notifies the device control unit 120 of the above-mentioned wake-up possible notification information. Then, the device control unit 120 determines whether the wake-up time has arrived based on the behavior schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136 (step S139). If the device control unit 120 determines that the wake-up time has not yet arrived (step S139: No), the process of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, if the device control unit 120 determines that the wake-up time has arrived (step S139: Yes), the device control unit 120 identifies at least one of the setting parameters of the illuminance and color temperature of the lighting device 4 at the wake-up time based on the lighting schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136, and generates setting notification information including setting information indicating the identified setting parameters and device identification information of the lighting device 4. The device control unit 120 also identifies the setting parameters of the air conditioner 3 at the wake-up time based on the air conditioning schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 136, and generates setting notification information including setting information indicating the identified setting parameters and device identification information of the air conditioner 3. Furthermore, if the IoT device 6 is, for example, an electric curtain, the device control unit 120 identifies setting parameters for opening the curtain, and generates setting notification information including setting information indicating the identified setting parameters and device identification information of the IoT device 6. In addition, the device control unit 120 identifies setting parameters such as the volume and tone of the alarm to be issued by the smart speaker 7, and generates setting notification information including setting information indicating the identified setting parameters and device identification information of the smart speaker 7.The device control unit 120 then transmits the generated setting notification information to the lighting device 4, the air conditioner 3, the smart speaker 7, and the IoT device 6 (step S140). Next, the setting completion notification acquirer 122 acquires the setting completion notification information transmitted from each of the lighting device 4, the air conditioner 3, the smart speaker 7, and the IoT device 6, extracts the setting information included in the acquired setting completion notification information, and stores it in the setting storage unit 137 (step S141). Then, the process of step S101 is executed again.

[0075] As described above, in the control system according to this embodiment, the time calculation unit 112 calculates the other two times based on one of the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time specified by the user and the optimal behavioral pattern information described above, and the schedule generation unit 115 generates the behavioral schedule information described above based on the other two calculated times. The schedule notification unit 113 then generates schedule notification information including the behavioral schedule information and the hot water temperature information described above. This makes it easier for the user to grasp the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time, as well as the hot water temperature of the water heater 2, to achieve a behavioral pattern suited to their sleep, thereby easily creating an environment in which the user can sleep comfortably.

[0076] Furthermore, when the schedule generation unit 115 according to this embodiment acquires the setting request information, it generates operation schedule information for the water heater 2 based on the hot water temperature information stored in the water heater information storage unit 133. This allows the water heater 2 to be operated so that the bathtub is completely filled with water at the bathing start time indicated by the user's activity schedule information, for example, making it easier for the user to act in accordance with the recommended activity schedule. This therefore allows the user to sleep comfortably.

[0077] Furthermore, schedule generation unit 115 according to the present embodiment generates lighting schedule information indicating a lighting schedule for varying at least one of the illuminance and color temperature of lighting devices 4 over time based on at least one of bedtime and wake-up time. Here, schedule generation unit 115 generates lighting schedule information indicating a lighting schedule in which the illuminance changes continuously from a lighting device control start time that is a predetermined first hour before bedtime to bedtime, or lighting schedule information indicating a lighting schedule in which the illuminance changes continuously from the wake-up time to a lighting device control end time that is a predetermined second hour after the wake-up time. Schedule generation unit 115 then generates the lighting schedule information based on the user status information stored in user status storage unit 138. This allows at least one of the illuminance and color temperature of lighting devices 4 to be varied to facilitate the user's falling asleep or waking up.

[0078] Furthermore, the schedule generation unit 115 according to this embodiment generates, based on the above-mentioned user status information, air conditioning schedule information indicating an air conditioning schedule for air-conditioning the user's sleeping place at bedtime so that the environmental parameters of the user's sleeping place become predetermined environmental parameters suitable for the user to fall asleep. Furthermore, the schedule generation unit 115 generates, based on the above-mentioned user status information, air conditioning schedule information indicating an air conditioning schedule for air-conditioning the user's sleeping place at wake-up time so that the environmental parameters of the user's sleeping place become predetermined environmental parameters suitable for the user to wake up. In this way, the environmental parameters of the user's sleeping place can be changed to make it easier for the user to fall asleep or wake up.

[0079] Furthermore, the schedule generation unit 115 according to this embodiment generates air conditioning schedule information so that the environmental parameters of the sleeping place at bedtime become environmental parameters that are set in advance and suitable for the user to fall asleep, based on past user status information and setting information of the air conditioner 3. This makes it possible to set the environmental parameters of the user's sleeping place so that the user can easily fall asleep or wake up, taking into account the user's past status and past settings of the air conditioner 3.

[0080] Furthermore, the schedule generation unit 115 according to the present embodiment generates alarm schedule information indicating an alarm issuance schedule based on the sleep state at the wake-up preparation time. This allows the smart speaker 7 to issue an alarm according to an alarm issuance schedule that allows the user to wake up comfortably, thereby providing the user with a comfortable sleep.

[0081] Furthermore, if the IoT device 6 is, for example, an electric curtain, the schedule generation unit 115 according to this embodiment generates opening and closing schedule information for the electric curtain based on at least one of bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time. This allows the IoT device 6 to operate in accordance with the user's activity schedule, allowing the user to smoothly take actions to get a comfortable sleep.

[0082] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, as shown in FIG. 20 , the cloud server 2001 may further include a bath additive type selection unit 2126 that selects the type of bath additive the user should use when bathing based on the user's sleep state history determined by the sleep state determination unit 124. In this sleep support system according to the modified example, the terminal device 2005 includes a recommended bath additive type information request unit 2517 and a bath additive type information acquisition unit 2518. Here, when the user performs a bath additive type information request operation on the input unit 505 to request the cloud server 2001 to send bath additive type information indicating the types of bath additives recommended for the user, the recommended bath additive type information request unit 2517 accepts the bath additive type information request operation, generates bath additive type information request information including the user's user identification information, and sends the bath additive type information request information to the cloud server 2001. After the bath additive type information request information is sent to the cloud server 2001, the bath additive type information acquisition unit 2518 acquires the bath additive type information (described below) sent from the cloud server 2001 and notifies the display control unit 513 of the acquired bath additive type information. At this time, the display control unit 513 forms a bath additive type notification image that notifies the user of the type of bath additive recommended to the user based on the notified bath additive type information, and displays it on the display unit 504.

[0083] The cloud server 2001 also includes a sleep state history storage unit 2139 that stores sleep state information indicating the user's sleep state determined by the sleep state determination unit 124, in association with date and time information indicating the date and time the sleep state was determined and user identification information, and a bath additive type information storage unit 2140. Here, the sleep state information includes, for example, sleep level information that represents the user's sleep state using multiple preset levels. The bath additive type information storage unit 2140 also stores bath additive type information indicating the type of bath additive in association with sleep level information indicating the corresponding user's sleep level.

[0084] When the bath additive type selection unit 2126 receives the bath additive type information request information transmitted from the terminal device 2005, it identifies past sleep state information from the sleep state history storage unit 2139 that corresponds to the user identification information included in the bath additive type information request information. The bath additive type selection unit 2126 then calculates the average sleep level indicated by the user's sleep level information included in the identified sleep state information, and selects bath additive type information associated with the sleep level closest to the calculated average sleep level from the bath additive type information stored in the bath additive type information storage unit 2140. The bath additive type notification unit 2127 then transmits the selected bath additive type information to the terminal device 2005.

[0085] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a service that recommends bath additives to users to help them get a good night's sleep while bathing.

[0086] 21 , for example, the cloud server 3001 may include an alarm setting selection unit 3127 that selects at least one of the volume and tone of an alarm to be sounded by a recommended smart speaker 7 based on the history of the user's sleep state determined by the sleep state determination unit 124 and calculated time information indicating the user's past wake-up times stored in the schedule storage unit 126 or designated times indicating the user's past wake-up times stored in the designated time storage unit 131. Note that in FIG. 21 , the same components as those in the modified example described with reference to FIG. 20 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the sleep assistance system according to this modified example, the terminal device 2005 includes a recommended alarm setting information request unit 3519, an alarm setting information acquisition unit 3520, and a purchase processing unit (not shown). Here, when the user performs an alarm setting information request operation on input unit 505 to request cloud server 2001 to transmit alarm setting information indicating at least one of the alarm volume and tone recommended for the user, recommended alarm setting information request unit 3519 accepts the alarm setting information request operation, generates alarm setting information request information including the user identification information of the user, and transmits it to cloud server 3001. Then, after the alarm setting information request information is transmitted to cloud server 3001, alarm setting information acquisition unit 3520 acquires alarm setting information (described below) transmitted from cloud server 3001 and notifies display control unit 513 of the acquired alarm setting information. At this time, display control unit 513 forms an alarm setting notification image notifying the user of the recommended alarm volume and tone based on the notified alarm setting information, and displays it on display unit 504. Furthermore, when the user performs an operation on input unit 505 to purchase alarm setting information of the volume and tone displayed in the alarm setting notification image, a purchase processing unit executes purchase processing to purchase the alarm setting information from a management server that manages alarm setting information.

[0087] The cloud server 3001 also includes the sleep state history storage unit 2139 and an alarm setting storage unit 3141. The alarm setting storage unit 3141 stores alarm setting information in association with sleep level information indicating the sleep level of the corresponding user.

[0088] When the alarm setting selection unit 3127 receives the alarm setting information request information transmitted from the terminal device 3005, it identifies past sleep state information within a preset period associated with the user identification information included in the alarm setting information request information from the sleep state information stored in the sleep state history storage unit 2139. The alarm setting selection unit 3217 then calculates an average value of the sleep levels indicated by the user's sleep level information included in the identified sleep state information, and selects alarm setting information associated with the sleep level closest to the calculated average value from the alarm setting information stored in the alarm setting storage unit 3141. The alarm setting notification unit 3128 then transmits the selected alarm setting information to the terminal device 3005.

[0089] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a service that recommends alarm settings that are suitable for the user when waking up.

[0090] In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the IoT device 6 is an electric curtain, but this is not limiting, and the device control unit 120 may control other types of IoT devices other than electric curtains. In this case, the schedule generation unit 115 generates control schedule information indicating a control schedule for the IoT device 6 based on at least one of bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time, and the device control unit 120 controls the IoT device 6 based on the control schedule information.

[0091] Furthermore, the various functions of the cloud server 1 and terminal device 5 according to the present disclosure may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. In this case, the software or firmware may be written as a program, and the program may be stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or MO (Magneto-Optical Disc), and the program may be read and installed on a computer to configure a computer capable of realizing each of the above-described functions. In addition, when each function is realized by sharing the work between an operating system (OS) and an application, or by cooperation between the OS and an application, only the parts other than the OS may be stored on the recording medium.

[0092] Furthermore, each program can be superimposed on a carrier wave and distributed over a network. For example, the program can be posted on a bulletin board system (BBS) on the network and distributed over the network. These programs can then be started and run under the control of the OS in the same way as other application programs, thereby enabling the above-mentioned processing to be performed.

[0093] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0094] (Appendix 1) a time calculation unit that calculates one of the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time designated by the user and the other two times based on optimal behavior pattern information indicating a behavior pattern suitable for the user's sleep that has been set in advance; a schedule generating unit that generates behavior schedule information indicating a behavior schedule recommended to the user based on the other two calculated times; a schedule notification unit that generates schedule notification information including the action schedule information and hot water temperature information indicating a recommended hot water temperature of the hot water heater; Sleep support device. (Appendix 2) The system further includes a setting request acquisition unit that acquires setting request information that requests the setting of an operation schedule for the water heater that is suitable for an action based on one of a bathing time, a bedtime, and a wake-up time designated by the user and the other two times notified to the user, When the schedule generation unit acquires the setting request information, the schedule generation unit generates operation schedule information indicating an operation schedule of the water heater based on the hot water temperature information. 2. A sleep assistance device as described in Appendix 1. (Appendix 3) the schedule generation unit generates lighting schedule information indicating a lighting schedule for changing at least one of the illuminance and the color temperature of lighting devices over time, based on at least one of the bedtime and the wake-up time; further comprising an equipment control unit that controls at least one of the illuminance and the color temperature of the lighting device based on the lighting schedule information. 3. A sleep assistance device according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) the lighting schedule information indicates a lighting schedule in which illuminance changes continuously from a lighting device control start time that is a preset first hour before the bedtime until the bedtime; 4. A sleep assistance device as described in Appendix 3. (Appendix 5) the lighting schedule information indicates a lighting schedule in which illuminance continuously changes from the wake-up time to a lighting device control end time that is a preset second hour after the wake-up time; 5. A sleep assistance device according to claim 3 or 4. (Appendix 6) an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating environmental parameters of a sleeping place where a user sleeps; An equipment control unit that controls an air conditioner that conditions the sleeping area, the schedule generation unit generates air conditioning schedule information indicating an air conditioning schedule for air-conditioning the sleeping place so that the environmental parameters of the sleeping place at the bedtime become the predetermined environmental parameters suitable for the user to fall asleep; The equipment control unit controls the air conditioner based on the air conditioning schedule. 6. A sleep assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. (Appendix 7) a user status acquisition unit that acquires user status information including biometric parameters of the user; the schedule generation unit generates the air conditioning schedule information based on the user status information. 7. A sleep assistance device as described in Appendix 6. (Appendix 8) an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating environmental parameters of a sleeping place where a user sleeps; An equipment control unit that controls an air conditioner that conditions the sleeping area, the schedule generation unit generates air conditioning schedule information indicating an air conditioning schedule for air-conditioning the sleeping place so that the environmental parameters of the sleeping place at the wake-up time become the predetermined environmental parameters suitable for waking up of the user; The equipment control unit controls the air conditioner based on the air conditioning schedule. 8. A sleep assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. (Appendix 9) a user status acquisition unit that acquires user status information including biometric parameters of the user; the schedule generation unit generates the air conditioning schedule information based on the user status information. 9. The sleep assistance device of claim 8. (Appendix 10) a user status storage unit that stores the user status information; A setting storage unit that stores setting information set in the air conditioner, the schedule generation unit generates the air conditioning schedule information based on the past user status information and the setting information so that the environmental parameters of the sleeping place at the bedtime become the predetermined environmental parameters suitable for the user to fall asleep. 8. The sleep assistance device of claim 7. (Appendix 11) a user status acquisition unit that acquires user status information including biometric parameters of the user; the schedule generation unit generates the lighting schedule information based on the user status information. 6. A sleep support device according to any one of claims 3 to 5. (Appendix 12) a user status acquisition unit that acquires user status information including biometric parameters of the user; a sleep state determination unit that determines a sleep state of the user based on the user status information at a wake-up preparation time that is a preset time before the wake-up time; a device control unit that controls the alarm device, the schedule generation unit generates alarm schedule information indicating an alarm issuance schedule based on the sleep state at the wake-up preparation time; The device control unit controls the alarm device based on the alarm schedule information. 12. A sleep assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. (Appendix 13) Further comprising a device control unit that controls the IoT device, the schedule generation unit generates control schedule information indicating a control schedule of the IoT device based on at least one of the bathing time, the bedtime, and the wake-up time; The device control unit controls the IoT device based on the control schedule information. 13. A sleep assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 12. (Appendix 14) a user status acquisition unit that acquires user status information including biometric parameters of the user; a sleep state determination unit that determines the sleep state of the user based on the user status information; and a bath additive type selection unit that selects the type of bath additive that the user should use when bathing based on the identified sleep state. 14. A sleep assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 13. (Appendix 15) a terminal device having a display unit; a time calculation unit that calculates one of the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time designated by the user and the other two times based on optimal behavior pattern information indicating a behavior pattern suitable for the user's sleep that has been set in advance; a schedule generating unit that generates behavior schedule information indicating a behavior schedule recommended to the user based on the other two calculated times; a schedule notification unit that generates schedule notification information including the action schedule information and hot water temperature information indicating a recommended hot water temperature of the hot water heater and transmits the schedule notification information to the terminal device; the terminal device forms a recommended schedule notification image that notifies the user of an action schedule suitable for the user to have a comfortable sleep and the hot water supply temperature of the hot water heater based on the action schedule information and the hot water supply temperature information included in the schedule notification information, and displays the recommended schedule notification image on the display unit. Sleep support system. (Appendix 16) a step in which the sleep assistance device calculates the other two times based on one of the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time designated by the user and optimal behavior pattern information indicating a behavior pattern suitable for the user's sleep that has been set in advance; generating, by the sleep assistance device, behavioral schedule information indicating a behavioral schedule recommended for the user based on the other two calculated times; generating schedule notification information including the behavioral schedule information and hot water temperature information indicating a recommended hot water temperature of the hot water heater by the sleep support device; Sleep support methods. (Appendix 17) Computer, a time calculation unit that calculates one of the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time designated by the user and the other two times based on optimal behavior pattern information indicating a behavior pattern suitable for the user's sleep that has been set in advance; a schedule generating unit that generates behavior schedule information indicating a behavior schedule recommended to the user based on the other two calculated times; a schedule notification unit that generates schedule notification information including the behavior schedule information and hot water temperature information indicating a recommended hot water temperature of the hot water heater; A program to function as a [Industrial Applicability]

[0095] The present disclosure is suitable as a control system that provides a user with an optimal environment for sleep. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1,2001,3001 Cloud server, 2 Water heater, 3 Air conditioner, 4 Lighting fixture, 5,2005,3005 Terminal device, 6 Electric curtain, 7 Smart speaker, 31 Biometric sensor, 32 Infrared sensor, 33 Environmental sensor, 81 Data circuit terminating device, 82 Router, 101,501 CPU, 102,502 Main memory unit, 103,503 Auxiliary memory unit, 106,506 Communication unit, 107 Timekeeping unit, 109,509 Bus, 111 Designated time information acquisition unit, 112 Time calculation unit, 113 Schedule notification unit, 115 Schedule generation unit, 117 Bathing record acquisition unit, 118 Setting completion notification unit, 119 Collaboration request information acquisition unit, 120 Device control unit, 121 Environmental information acquisition unit, 122 Setting completion notification acquisition unit, 123 User status acquisition unit, 124 sleep state determination unit, 131 designated time memory unit, 132 optimal behavior pattern memory unit, 133 water heater information memory unit, 134 calculated time memory unit, 135 environmental information memory unit, 136 schedule memory unit, 137 setting memory unit, 138 user status memory unit, 504 display unit, 505 input unit, 511 designated time notification unit, 512 schedule acquisition unit, 513 display control unit, 514 setting request unit, 515 completion notification acquisition unit, 516 collaboration request unit, 531 schedule memory unit, 2125 bath additive type selection unit, 2126 bath additive type notification unit, 2139 sleep state history memory unit, 2140 bath additive type information memory unit, 2517 recommended bath additive type information request unit, 2518 bath additive type acquisition unit, 3127 alarm setting selection unit, 3128 Alarm setting notification unit, 3141 alarm setting storage unit, 3519 recommended alarm setting information request unit, 3520 alarm setting information acquisition unit, B21 input field image, BU11, BU12, BU13, BU51, BU52 button image, GA1, GA2, GA5 operation screen image, GA3, GA4 recommended schedule notification image, GA6, GA7 action result notification image, H building, M21, M22, M31, M33, M41, M51 message image, NW1 wide area network, NW2 local network

Claims

1. a time calculation unit that calculates one of the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time designated by the user based on optimal behavior pattern information indicating a behavior pattern suitable for the user's sleep that has been previously set; and a schedule generating unit that generates behavior schedule information indicating a behavior schedule recommended to the user based on the other two calculated times; a schedule notification unit that generates schedule notification information including the action schedule information and hot water temperature information indicating a recommended hot water temperature of the hot water heater; Sleep support device.

2. The apparatus further includes a setting request acquisition unit that acquires setting request information that requests the setting of an operation schedule for the water heater that is suitable for an action based on one of a bathing time, a bedtime, and a wake-up time designated by the user and the other two times notified to the user, When the schedule generation unit acquires the setting request information, the schedule generation unit generates operation schedule information indicating an operation schedule of the water heater based on the hot water temperature information. The sleep support device according to claim 1 .

3. the schedule generation unit generates lighting schedule information indicating a lighting schedule for changing at least one of the illuminance and the color temperature of lighting devices over time, based on at least one of the bedtime and the wake-up time; further comprising an equipment control unit that controls at least one of the illuminance and the color temperature of the lighting device based on the lighting schedule information. The sleep support device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the lighting schedule information indicates a lighting schedule in which illuminance continuously changes from a lighting device control start time that is a preset first hour before the bedtime until the bedtime; The sleep support device according to claim 3 .

5. the lighting schedule information indicates a lighting schedule in which illuminance continuously changes from the wake-up time to a lighting device control end time that is a preset second time after the wake-up time; The sleep support device according to claim 3 .

6. an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating environmental parameters of a sleeping place where a user sleeps; An equipment control unit that controls an air conditioner that conditions the sleeping area, the schedule generation unit generates air conditioning schedule information indicating an air conditioning schedule for air-conditioning the sleeping place so that the environmental parameters of the sleeping place at the bedtime become the predetermined environmental parameters suitable for the user to fall asleep; The equipment control unit controls the air conditioner based on the air conditioning schedule. The sleep support device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. a user status acquisition unit that acquires user status information including biometric parameters of the user; the schedule generation unit generates the air conditioning schedule information based on the user status information. The sleep support device according to claim 6.

8. an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating environmental parameters of a sleeping place where a user sleeps; An equipment control unit that controls an air conditioner that conditions the sleeping area, the schedule generation unit generates air conditioning schedule information indicating an air conditioning schedule for air-conditioning the sleeping place so that the environmental parameters of the sleeping place at the wake-up time become the predetermined environmental parameters suitable for waking up of the user; The equipment control unit controls the air conditioner based on the air conditioning schedule. The sleep support device according to claim 1 or 2.

9. a user status acquisition unit that acquires user status information including biometric parameters of the user; the schedule generation unit generates the air conditioning schedule information based on the user status information. The sleep aid device according to claim 8.

10. a user status storage unit that stores the user status information; A setting storage unit that stores setting information set in the air conditioner, the schedule generation unit generates the air conditioning schedule information based on the past user status information and the setting information so that the environmental parameters of the sleeping place at the bedtime become the predetermined environmental parameters suitable for the user to fall asleep. The sleep support device according to claim 7.

11. a user status acquisition unit that acquires user status information including biometric parameters of the user; the schedule generation unit generates the lighting schedule information based on the user status information. The sleep support device according to claim 3 .

12. a user status acquisition unit that acquires user status information including biometric parameters of the user; a sleep state determination unit that determines a sleep state of the user based on the user status information at a wake-up preparation time that is a preset time before the wake-up time; a device control unit that controls the alarm device, the schedule generation unit generates alarm schedule information indicating an alarm issuance schedule based on the sleep state at the wake-up preparation time; The device control unit controls the alarm device based on the alarm schedule information. The sleep support device according to claim 1 or 2.

13. Further comprising a device control unit that controls the IoT device; the schedule generation unit generates control schedule information indicating a control schedule of the IoT device based on at least one of the bathing time, the bedtime, and the wake-up time; The device control unit controls the IoT device based on the control schedule information. The sleep support device according to claim 1 or 2.

14. a user status acquisition unit that acquires user status information including biometric parameters of the user; a sleep state determination unit that determines the sleep state of the user based on the user status information; and a bath additive type selection unit that selects the type of bath additive that the user should use when bathing based on the identified sleep state. The sleep support device according to claim 1 or 2.

15. a terminal device having a display unit; a time calculation unit that calculates one of the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time designated by the user based on optimal behavior pattern information indicating a behavior pattern suitable for the user's sleep that has been previously set; and a schedule generating unit that generates behavior schedule information indicating a behavior schedule recommended to the user based on the other two calculated times; a schedule notification unit that generates schedule notification information including the action schedule information and hot water temperature information indicating a recommended hot water temperature of the hot water heater and transmits the schedule notification information to the terminal device; the terminal device forms a recommended schedule notification image that notifies the user of an action schedule suitable for the user to have a comfortable sleep and the hot water supply temperature of the hot water heater based on the action schedule information and the hot water supply temperature information included in the schedule notification information, and displays the recommended schedule notification image on the display unit. Sleep support system.

16. a step in which the sleep assistance device calculates the other two times based on one of the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time designated by the user and optimal behavior pattern information indicating a behavior pattern suitable for the user's sleep that has been set in advance; generating, by the sleep assistance device, activity schedule information indicating an activity schedule recommended for the user based on the other two calculated times; generating schedule notification information including the behavioral schedule information and hot water temperature information indicating a recommended hot water temperature of the hot water heater by the sleep support device; Sleep support methods.

17. Computer, a time calculation unit that calculates one of the bathing time, bedtime, and wake-up time designated by the user and the other two times based on optimal behavior pattern information indicating a behavior pattern suitable for the user's sleep that has been set in advance; a schedule generating unit that generates behavior schedule information indicating a behavior schedule recommended to the user based on the other two calculated times; a schedule notification unit that generates schedule notification information including the behavior schedule information and hot water temperature information indicating a recommended hot water temperature of the hot water heater; A program to function as a

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