Massage system and massage machine

Abstract

To provide a massage system having a new configuration.SOLUTION: The massage course determined based on the input to the communication terminal by the treatment target person is transmitted from the communication terminal to the massage machine, and the massage machine receives the massage course transmitted from the communication terminal, receives information which is input to the massage machine after the massage course is received and is used for determining whether or not the received massage course is executed, determines whether or not the massage course is executed based on the received information, and executes the massage course in a case where it is determined that the massage course is executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a massage machine that includes a seat, a backrest, armrests, a legrest, and a base that serves as the foundation for these components. A massage unit equipped with a pair of left and right kneading balls is attached to the backrest in a manner that allows it to move up and down. The massage unit includes a kneading mechanism that rotates the kneading balls eccentrically, and a hitting mechanism that rocks the kneading balls back and forth. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-250072 Summary of the Invention

[0004] An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a massage system or machine with a novel configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention provides a massage system in which a massage course determined based on input by a user to the communication terminal is transmitted to a massage machine from a communication terminal, the massage machine receives the massage course transmitted from the communication terminal, accepts information to be input to the massage machine after receiving the massage course, which information is used to determine whether or not to execute the received massage course, determines whether or not to execute the massage course based on the received information, and executes the massage course if it is determined that the massage course should be executed.

[0006] This configuration provides a massage system with a novel configuration.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the information is input to the massage machine by an operation of a person to be treated by the massage machine.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the information is image data of the face of a person to be treated by the massage machine.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the information is fingerprint data of a person to be treated by the massage machine.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the information is voice data of a person to be treated who is about to receive treatment from the massage machine.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication terminal receives an operation from the person to be treated and determines a massage course based on the received operation.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication terminal is authenticated by the massage machine.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the massage machine and the communication terminal store recipient identification data for identifying the recipient.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the data for identifying the treatment recipient is image data or fingerprint data of the treatment recipient's face.

[0015] One embodiment of the present invention provides a massage machine in which a massage course determined based on input by a user to the external device is transmitted to the massage machine from an external device, the massage machine receives the massage course transmitted from the external device, accepts information to be input into the massage machine after receiving the massage course, which information is used to determine whether or not to execute the received massage course, determines whether or not to execute the massage course based on the received information, and executes the massage course if it is determined that the massage course should be executed.

[0016] This configuration provides a massage machine with a novel configuration.

[0017] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the massage system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the appearance of the massage machine, the biological information measuring device, and the communication terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing the configuration of the massage unit. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the massage machine. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is an air circuit diagram showing the air circuit from the air pump to each air bag. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the biological information measuring device and the communication terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a remote control home screen, FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a pairing standby screen, and FIG. 6C is a schematic diagram showing an example of a pairing completion screen. [Figure 7]FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a login screen of a communication terminal, FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a connected device list screen, FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram showing an example of a connecting screen, and FIG. 7D is a schematic diagram showing an example of a connection completion screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an application home screen, and FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a human body map screen. [Figure 9] Figure 9A is a schematic diagram showing the trajectory of finger movement when a user touches and moves their finger mainly on the left forearm on the human body map screen, Figure 9B is a schematic diagram showing that a first color is applied as the finger touches and moves as shown in Figure 9A, and Figure 9C is a schematic diagram showing that when the first color is applied as shown in Figure 9B and the finger is moved away from the human body map screen, the first color is erased and a second color is applied to the entire left and right forearms. [Figure 10] FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a concentration display screen, and FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a course presentation screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a transfer-in-progress screen, and FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a transfer-completed screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the confirmation screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 13A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a course presentation screen, and FIG. 13B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a transfer-in-progress screen. [Figure 14] FIG. 14A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a transfer completion screen, and FIG. 14B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the comprehensive evaluation value table. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the course selection table. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a comment table. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a course determination process performed by the course determination unit. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a course presentation and transmission process performed by the control unit of the communication terminal. [Figure 20] FIG. 20A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a course presentation screen, and FIG. 20B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a transfer-in-progress screen. [Figure 21] FIG. 21A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a transfer completion screen, and FIG. 21B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] [Description of the embodiment of the present invention] One embodiment of the present invention provides a massage machine including a control unit and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the control unit, wherein the communication terminal is configured to determine a massage course based on user operation and to transmit course identification information for identifying the determined massage course to the control unit, and the massage machine is provided with an input device that allows the user to input an execution command for executing the massage course identified by the course identification information when the control unit receives the course identification information transmitted from the communication terminal, and the control unit executes the massage course identified by the course identification information when the execution command is input by the input device.

[0020] In this configuration, even if specific information about a massage course determined by the communication terminal is transmitted to the massage machine, execution of that massage course can be prohibited unless an execution command is input by the input device of the massage machine.

[0021] One embodiment of the present invention provides a massage system including a massage machine equipped with a control unit capable of communicating with a communication terminal, wherein the communication terminal is configured to determine a massage course based on user operation and to transmit course identification information for identifying the determined massage course to the control unit, and when the control unit receives the course identification information transmitted from the communication terminal, and an execution command for executing the massage course identified by the course identification information is input by an input device that allows the user to input the execution command, the control unit executes the massage course identified by the course identification information.

[0022] In this configuration, even if specific information about a massage course determined by the communication terminal is transmitted to the massage machine, execution of that massage course can be prohibited unless an execution command is input by the input device of the massage machine.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the input device is an operation display device provided in the massage machine.

[0024] In this configuration, the user can input an execution command using the operation display device to cause the massage machine to execute the massage course specified by the course specification information received from the communication terminal.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the control unit receives the course identification information transmitted from the communication terminal, it displays an execution button on the operation display device for executing the massage course identified by the course identification information.

[0026] In this configuration, the user can operate the execution button to cause the massage machine to execute the massage course specified by the course specification information received from the communication terminal.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the input device is a voice input device.

[0028] In this configuration, the user can input an execution command by voice using the voice input device, thereby causing the massage machine to execute the massage course specified by the course specification information received from the communication terminal.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the massage machine is a chair-type massage machine, the input device includes a camera for capturing an image of a user seated in the chair-type massage machine, and when the control unit receives the course identification information transmitted from the communication terminal, the control unit, when receiving the course identification information transmitted from the communication terminal, uses the camera to capture an image of a specific part of the user seated in the chair-type massage machine as the user to be imaged, and determines based on the captured image whether the user to be imaged matches the user using the communication terminal that transmitted the course identification information, and determines that the execution command has been input when the two match.

[0030] The image may be a still image or a video image.

[0031] In this configuration, when it is determined that the face of the user seated in the chair-type massage machine is that of the owner of the communication terminal that sent the course specification information received from the communication terminal, the chair-type massage machine can be made to execute the massage course specified by the course specification information received from the communication terminal.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication terminal is an attached terminal device attached to the massage machine or a mobile terminal device independent of the massage machine.

[0033] One embodiment of the present invention provides a program for controlling a massage machine having a control unit capable of communicating with a communication terminal, the program causing a computer to execute the following steps: a transmission step of transmitting course identification information from the communication terminal to the control unit for identifying a massage course determined by the communication terminal; a display step of displaying the massage course identified by the course identification information on a display unit when the control unit receives the course identification information; an input step of having a user input an execution command for executing the massage course; and an execution step of executing the massage course identified by the course identification information when the execution command is input.

[0034] In this configuration, even if specific information about a massage course determined by the communication terminal is transmitted to the control unit of the massage machine, execution of that massage course can be prohibited unless an execution command is input by the user.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the input step allows the user to input the execution command using an operation display device provided in the massage machine.

[0036] In this configuration, the user can input an execution command using the operation display device to cause the massage machine to execute the massage course specified by the course specification information received from the communication terminal.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the input step includes a step of displaying an execution button on the operation display device when the control unit receives course identification information to execute the massage course identified by the course identification information.

[0038] In this configuration, the user can operate the execution button to cause the massage machine to execute the massage course specified by the course specification information received from the communication terminal.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, the input step involves having the user input the execution command using a voice input device.

[0040] In this configuration, the user can input an execution command by voice using the voice input device, thereby causing the massage machine to execute the massage course specified by the course specification information received from the communication terminal.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the massage machine is a chair-type massage machine, and in the input step, when the control unit receives the course identification information transmitted from the communication terminal, the control unit takes an image of a specific part of the user seated in the chair-type massage machine as the user to be imaged using a camera, and determines based on the captured image whether the user to be imaged matches the user using the communication terminal that transmitted the course identification information, and when the two match, it determines that the execution command has been input.

[0042] In this configuration, when it is determined that the face of the user seated in the chair-type massage machine is that of the owner of the communication terminal that sent the course specification information received from the communication terminal, the chair-type massage machine can be made to execute the massage course specified by the course specification information received from the communication terminal.

[0043] Detailed Description of the Embodiments of the Invention Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] [1] Overall configuration of massage system 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a massage system 1. As shown in FIG.

[0045] The massage system 1 includes a chair-type massage machine (hereinafter simply referred to as "massage machine 2"), a communication terminal 3, and a server 4. In this embodiment, the communication terminal 3 is a smartphone. The communication terminal 3 is a communication terminal owned by a user who uses the massage machine 2. The massage machine 2 and the communication terminal 3 can communicate with each other wirelessly, for example, via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or WiFi communication, or via wired communication. The communication terminal 3 and the server 4 can communicate with each other via a communication network 5. The communication terminal 3 may be a computer such as a tablet computer. In addition, a remote control 25 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later and which is provided in the massage machine 2, may have the functions of the communication terminal 3. In that case, the remote control 25 becomes the communication terminal 3.

[0046] In this way, the communication terminal 3 may be an attached terminal device attached to the massage machine 2, or may be a mobile terminal device independent of the massage machine 1.

[0047] The massage system 1 further includes a biological information measuring device 6 capable of wireless communication with the communication terminal 3. The biological information measuring device 6 is a portable biological information measuring device worn on a part of the user's body. In this embodiment, the biological information measuring device 6 is a wristwatch type device worn on the user's wrist. In this embodiment, the biological information measuring device 6 measures sleep time, heart rate, and number of steps as biological information.

[0048] An application (hereinafter referred to as "massage app") for determining a massage course and the like is installed in the communication terminal 3. When the communication terminal 3 determines a massage course based on a user operation, it transmits course specification information (hereinafter referred to as "course ID") for specifying the determined massage course to the massage machine 2. When the massage machine 2 receives the course ID from the communication terminal 3, it prompts the user seated on the massage machine 2 to input an execution command for executing the massage course. When the execution command is input, the massage machine 2 executes the massage course specified by the course ID.

[0049] The communication terminal 3 stores the information including the course ID transmitted to the massage machine 2 in a memory as massage history data. Then, at a predetermined timing, it transmits the information to the server 4. The server 4 saves the massage history received from the communication terminal 3 for each user of the communication terminal 3.

[0050] [2] Appearance of Massager 2 FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the appearance of the massage machine 2, the biological information measuring device 6, and the communication terminal 3. As shown in FIG.

[0051] The massage machine 2 includes a seat portion 11, a backrest portion 12, armrest portions 13, a leg rest portion (ottoman) 14, and a base serving as a base for these.

[0052] In the following description, the terms "front-back direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" refer to the front-back direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction, respectively, as seen from the user when the user is seated on the massage machine 2 in a normal posture.

[0053] The base is located below the seat 11, but is not visible in FIG. 2 because it is hidden by the seat 11, backrest 12, armrests 13 and leg rest 14.

[0054] The seat 11 is disposed on a base. The backrest 12 is disposed at the rear of the seat 11. The armrests 13 are disposed on both the left and right sides of the seat 11. The leg rest 14 is disposed at the front of the seat 11. The backrest 12 is supported by a backrest rotation actuator 21 (see FIG. 4A) so that it can tilt relative to the seat 11. The leg rest 14 can be rotated by a leg rest rotation actuator 22 (see FIG. 4A) around a support shaft extending in the left-right direction provided near the top of the seat. This allows the leg rest 14 to rotate between the vertical position shown in FIG. 2 and a horizontal position rotated approximately 90 degrees from the vertical position.

[0055] A massage unit 23 is built into the backrest 12. The massage unit 23 is used to perform various massages (mechanical massages) using a pair of left and right massage applicators (kneading balls) 51. The backrest 12 is provided with a pair of left and right guide rails 28, 29 (see FIG. 3) that extend in the vertical direction and have a U-shaped cross section, and the massage unit 23 can move in the vertical direction along the guide rails 28, 29. The detailed configuration of the massage unit 23 will be described later.

[0056] The armrest 13 is provided with an arm unit 16 having a forearm accommodation recess 17 for accommodating the user's forearm. The leg rest 14 has a leg accommodation recess 18 and a foot accommodation recess 19 for accommodating the user's left and right legs and feet, respectively.

[0057] Airbags are provided in the backrest 12, seat 11, armrests 13 and leg rest 14 of the massage machine 2. Each airbag inflates and deflates by supplying and discharging air, thereby providing an air massage to the user.

[0058] A right upper arm airbag 31a for massaging the right upper arm and a left upper arm airbag 31b for massaging the left upper arm are provided on both sides of the center height of the backrest 12. These airbags 31a and 31b constitute an upper arm airbag 31 for massaging the upper arms.

[0059] In addition, a right lumbar airbag 36a for massaging the lower back and a left lumbar airbag 36b for massaging the left lower back are provided on both sides of the lower back of the backrest 12. These airbags 36a, 36b constitute a lumbar airbag 36 for massaging the lower back.

[0060] A pair of left and right thigh side airbags 32a, 32b for massaging the sides of the thighs, a pair of left and right upper back thigh airbags 32c, 32d for massaging the upper back of the thighs, and a lower back thigh airbag 32e for massaging the lower back of the thighs are provided in the seat portion 11. These airbags 32a to 32e constitute thigh airbag 32 for massaging the thighs.

[0061] Forearm airbags 33a and 33b for massaging the forearms and hand airbags 33c and 33d for massaging the hands are provided on both sides of the pair of left and right forearm accommodating recesses 17. These airbags 33a to 33d constitute forearm airbag 33 for massaging the forearms and hands.

[0062] Side calf airbags 34a, 34b for massaging the sides of the calves are provided on both side surfaces of the pair of left and right leg accommodating recesses 18. Sole calf airbags 34c, 34d for massaging the backs of the calves are provided on the bottom surfaces of the pair of left and right leg accommodating recesses 18. These airbags 34a to 34d constitute calf airbags 34 for massaging the calves.

[0063] Foot upper airbags 35a, 35b for pressing downward on the upper sides of the feet are provided on both sides of the pair of left and right foot accommodating recesses 19. Sole airbags 35c, 35d for pressing upward on the soles of the feet are provided on the bottom surfaces of the pair of left and right foot accommodating recesses 19. These airbags 35a to 35d constitute sole airbags 35 for massaging the soles of the feet.

[0064] A remote control stand 24 is attached to the arm unit 16. A remote controller (hereinafter referred to as "remote control 25") for the user to operate the massage machine 2 is detachably attached to the remote control stand 24. As shown in FIG. 4A, an operation display unit 26 and a plurality of operation keys are provided on the operation surface of the remote control 25. The operation display unit 26 is, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display. The remote control 25 is provided with a communication unit (not shown) for wireless communication or wired communication with the communication terminal 3. The remote control 25 is an example of the "input device" and "operation display device" of the present invention. The communication terminal 3 is provided with an operation display unit 104.

[0065] [3] Configuration of massage unit 23 FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the massage unit 23. As shown in FIG.

[0066] The massage unit 23 is mounted so as to be movable up and down relative to the guide rails 28, 29. The massage unit 23 includes a rectangular main frame 41. The main frame 41 is composed of a pair of left and right side walls, and a top wall and a bottom wall that connect the upper ends and lower ends of the side walls, respectively. A guide shaft 42 and an elevation drive shaft 43, both of which extend in the left-right direction, are rotatably mounted on the main frame 41.

[0067] The guide shaft 42 is disposed on the upper part of the main frame 41, and the lifting drive shaft 43 is disposed on the lower part of the main frame 41. Both end portions of the guide shaft 42 and the lifting drive shaft 43 protrude outward from both side walls of the main frame 41. Guide rollers 44 that are guided by the guide rails 28, 29 are attached to both end portions of the guide shaft 42. Pinion gears 45 that mesh with racks (not shown) provided on the guide rails 28, 29 are attached to both end portions of the lifting drive shaft 43.

[0068] An elevation motor 46 for rotating the elevation drive shaft 43 is attached to the main frame 41. The elevation motor 46 is connected to the elevation drive shaft 43 via a gear mechanism 47. When the elevation motor 46 is rotated, the massage unit 23 is raised and lowered along the guide rails 28 and 29.

[0069] The massage unit 23 is provided with a lifting position sensor 48 for detecting the amount of rotation of the lifting drive shaft 43, thereby detecting the lifting position (vertical position) of the massage unit 23. The lifting position sensor 48 is made of a rotary encoder for detecting the amount of rotation of the lifting drive shaft 43.

[0070] A swinging frame 49 is attached to the middle of the lifting drive shaft 43 so as to be swingable in the front-to-rear direction. A pair of left and right treatment elements 51 and a treatment element drive unit 50 including a drive mechanism for the treatment elements 51 are attached to the swinging frame 49. The main frame 41 is provided with a treatment element drive unit advance / retract mechanism for moving the swinging frame (treatment element drive unit) forward and backward.

[0071] The treatment element drive unit advance / retract mechanism will now be described. An advance / retract shaft 52, which is disposed below the guide shaft 42 and extends in the left-right direction, is rotatably attached to the main frame 41. An advance / retract motor 53 for rotating the advance / retract shaft 52 is attached to one side of the main frame 41. The advance / retract motor 53 is connected to the advance / retract shaft 52 via a gear mechanism 54. A pair of left and right pinion gears 55 are attached to the intermediate portion of the advance / retract shaft 52. An arc-shaped rack 56 that meshes with the pair of left and right pinion gears 55 is provided on the upper portion of the swing frame 49. When the advance / retract shaft 52 is rotated by the advance / retract motor 53, the pinion gear 55 rotates, and the arc-shaped rack 56 moves. This causes the swing frame 49 to swing around the lift drive shaft 43. This causes the treatment element drive unit 50 (treatment element 51) to advance / retract in the front-rear direction.

[0072] The massage unit 23 is provided with a front-rear position sensor 57 for detecting the amount of rotation of the advancing / retracting shaft 52, thereby detecting the front-rear position of the treatment element drive unit 50. The front-rear position sensor 57 is made of an encoder for detecting the amount of rotation of the advancing / retracting shaft 52.

[0073] The treatment element drive unit 50 includes a kneading mechanism that performs a kneading action by eccentrically rotating the treatment elements 51, and a hitting mechanism that performs a hitting action by swinging the treatment elements 51 back and forth. The kneading mechanism includes a kneading motor 58 as an actuator (drive source). The hitting mechanism includes a hitting motor 59 as an actuator (drive source).

[0074] [4] Electrical configuration of massager 2 Fig. 4A is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the massage machine 2. Fig. 4B is an air circuit diagram showing the air circuit from the air pump to each air bag.

[0075] 4A, a control unit 60 for controlling the massage machine 2 is built in the massage machine 2. The control unit 60 includes a microcomputer, and is equipped with a CPU, memory (RAM, ROM, non-volatile memory) 61, etc. The memory 61 stores various data in addition to the CPU program.

[0076] The control unit 60 is connected to the remote control 25, a drive circuit 71 for the backrest rotation actuator 21, and a drive circuit 72 for the leg support rotation actuator 22. The control unit 60 is also connected to a drive circuit 73 for the lifting motor 46, a drive circuit 74 for the forward / backward movement motor 53, a drive circuit 75 for the kneading motor 58, and a drive circuit 76 for the tapping motor 59, all of which are included in the massage unit 23. The control unit 60 is also connected to the lifting position sensor 48 and the front / rear position sensor 57, all of which are included in the massage unit 23.

[0077] The control unit 60 is further connected to a drive circuit 77 for the air pump 81 and a drive circuit 78 for the plurality of solenoid valves 82a to 82u. Air is supplied to each of the solenoid valves 82a to 82u from the air pump 81. Hereinafter, the solenoid valves 82a to 82u may be collectively referred to as solenoid valves 82.

[0078] 4B, solenoid valve 82a is connected to right upper arm airbag 31a, and solenoid valve 82b is connected to left upper arm airbag 31b. Solenoid valve 82c is connected to right lateral thigh airbag 32a, and solenoid valve 82d is connected to left lateral thigh airbag 32b. Solenoid valve 82e is connected to right upper back thigh airbag 32c, and solenoid valve 82f is connected to left upper back thigh airbag 32d. Solenoid valve 82g is connected to lower back thigh airbag 32e.

[0079] The right forearm airbag 33a is connected to solenoid valve 82h, and the left forearm airbag 33b is connected to solenoid valve 82i. The right hand airbag 33c is connected to solenoid valve 82j, and the left hand airbag 33d is connected to solenoid valve 82k. The right hip airbag 36a is connected to solenoid valve 82t, and the left hip airbag 36b is connected to solenoid valve 82u.

[0080] The right lateral calf airbag 34a is connected to solenoid valve 82l, and the left lateral calf airbag 34b is connected to solenoid valve 82m. The right sole of the calf airbag 34c is connected to solenoid valve 82n, and the left sole of the calf airbag 34d is connected to solenoid valve 82o. The right front airbag 35a is connected to solenoid valve 82p, and the left front airbag 35b is connected to solenoid valve 82q. The right sole of the foot airbag 35c is connected to solenoid valve 82r, and the left sole of the foot airbag 35d is connected to solenoid valve 82s.

[0081] In this embodiment, an individual solenoid valve is provided for each of the paired airbags arranged on the left and right sides, but a single solenoid valve may be provided in common for the two paired airbags.

[0082] When the solenoid valve 82 of a certain airbag is energized, air is supplied from the air pump 81 to the airbag via the solenoid valve 82, thereby inflating the airbag. When the solenoid valve 82 of the airbag is de-energized, the air inside the airbag is exhausted to the outside via the solenoid valve, thereby deflating the airbag.

[0083] The control unit 60 controls the drive circuits 71 and 72 of the actuators 21 and 22 based on the operation of the remote control 25, the operation of the communication terminal 3, etc. The control unit 60 also controls the drive circuits 73 to 76 of the motors 46, 53, 58, and 59, the drive circuit 77 of the air pump 81, and the drive circuit 78 of the solenoid valve 82 based on the operation of the remote control 25, the operation of the communication terminal 3, etc. This allows the massage machine 2 to perform various types of massage.

[0084] The operation modes of the massage machine 2 include an application mode in which the massage machine 2 is controlled mainly by operating the communication terminal 3, and a remote control mode in which the massage machine 2 is controlled by operating the remote control 25 without using the communication terminal 3. The operation mode of the massage machine 2 can be switched by operating the remote control 25 or the communication terminal 3.

[0085] The massage modes include manual mode, automatic mode, body map mode, healthcare mode, history mode, etc. The manual mode and automatic mode are massage modes that can be executed in the remote control mode. The body map mode, healthcare mode, and history mode are massage modes that can be executed in the application mode.

[0086] The manual mode is a mode in which a massage is performed according to the type of massage selected by the user.

[0087] The automatic mode is a mode in which the user is prompted to select a desired massage course from a plurality of massage courses prepared in advance, and the selected massage course is executed.

[0088] The human body map mode is a mode in which the user inputs the stiff area and the degree of stiffness, a massage course suitable for the input stiff area and the degree of stiffness is determined, and the determined massage course is executed based on the user's operation, etc.

[0089] The healthcare mode is a mode in which a massage course suited to biometric information such as the user's number of steps, sleep time, and pulse rate (heart rate) is determined, and the determined massage course is executed based on user operations, etc.

[0090] The history mode is a mode in which the user is prompted to select a desired massage course from massage courses that have been carried out in the past, and the selected massage course is carried out based on user operation or the like.

[0091] [5] Electrical configuration of communication terminal 3 FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the biological information measuring device 6 and the communication terminal 3. As shown in FIG.

[0092] The biological information measuring device 6 includes a control unit 200. The control unit 200 includes a microcomputer, and includes a CPU, memory (RAM, ROM, non-volatile memory) 201, etc. The memory 201 stores various data in addition to CPU programs.

[0093] The control unit 200 is connected to a communication unit 211, an acceleration sensor 212, an angular velocity sensor 213, a pulse sensor 214, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor 215, a clock unit 216, an operation unit 217, a display unit 218, and the like.

[0094] The communication unit 211 is a communication interface for the control unit 200 to communicate with the communication terminal 3 wirelessly.

[0095] The acceleration sensor 212 detects acceleration in each of three mutually orthogonal axial directions, and outputs acceleration data according to the magnitude and direction of the detected three-axial acceleration.

[0096] The angular velocity sensor 213 detects angular velocities in three mutually orthogonal axial directions, and outputs angular velocity data according to the magnitude and direction of the measured three-axis angular velocities.

[0097] The pulse sensor 214 generates a signal indicating the user's pulse (heart rate). The pulse sensor 214 has, for example, a light-emitting element that irradiates subcutaneous blood vessels with measurement light having an appropriate wavelength, and a light-receiving element that detects changes in the intensity of light generated in the blood vessels in response to the measurement light. The pulse rate (heart rate) per minute can be measured by processing the light intensity change waveform (pulse wave) using a known method such as frequency analysis.

[0098] The GPS sensor 215 generates positioning data (latitude, longitude, altitude, etc.) indicating the position of the biological information measuring device 6.

[0099] The timekeeping unit 216 is configured, for example, by a real time clock (RTC) IC or the like, and generates time data such as year, month, day, hour, minute, and second. The operation unit 217 is configured, for example, by buttons, keys, a microphone, a touch panel, etc. The display unit 218 is configured, for example, by an LCD, an organic EL display, a touch panel display, etc.

[0100] The control unit 200 includes, as function processing units, a step count calculation unit 202, a sleep time calculation unit 203, a heart rate calculation unit 204, and the like.

[0101] Step count calculation unit 202 counts the number of steps of the user based on, for example, the output of acceleration sensor 212, the output of angular velocity sensor 213, and the user's biological information written in advance in memory 201. The number of steps may be counted using at least one of acceleration sensor 212 and GPS sensor 215. Note that step count calculation unit 202 calculates the number of steps per predetermined time period (per minute in this embodiment), and stores the number of steps in memory 201 in association with the time.

[0102] The sleeping time calculation unit 203 calculates the sleeping time of the user based on, for example, the output of the acceleration sensor 212, the output of the angular velocity sensor 213, and the output of the pulse sensor 214. The sleeping time calculation unit 203 calculates the sleeping time for each predetermined time period (every minute in this embodiment), and stores the sleeping time in the memory 201 in association with the time of day.

[0103] The heart rate calculation unit 204 calculates the user's heart rate per predetermined time (heart rate per minute in this embodiment) based on, for example, the output of the timing unit 216 and the output of the pulse sensor 214, and stores the heart rate in memory 201 in association with the time.

[0104] The communication terminal 3 includes a control unit 90. The control unit 90 includes a microcomputer, a CPU, a memory (RAM, ROM, non-volatile memory) 91, etc. The memory 91 stores various data in addition to CPU programs. The control unit 90 is connected to a first communication unit 101, a second communication unit 102, a third communication unit 103, an operation display unit 104, etc.

[0105] The first communication unit 101 is a communication interface through which the control unit 90 communicates with the control unit 200 of the bio-information measuring device 6. The second communication unit 102 is a communication interface through which the control unit 90 communicates with the remote control 25 (control unit 90 of the massage machine 2). The third communication unit 103 is a communication interface through which the control unit 90 communicates with the server 4 or other communication terminals via the communication network 5. The operation display unit 104 is, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display.

[0106] The memory 91 (non-volatile memory) of the communication terminal 3 stores a massage application for realizing a human body map mode, a healthcare mode, and a history mode, and for transmitting history data to the server 4.

[0107] [6] Start Massager 2 The user activates the massage machine 2 by turning on the power switch of the remote control 25. As a result, a home screen as shown in FIG. 6A (hereinafter referred to as the "remote control home screen") is displayed on the operation display unit 26 of the remote control 25. The remote control home screen displays a course selection button 111 for selecting various massage courses, a manual button 112 for manually selecting the type of massage, a setting button 113 for making various settings, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) button 114, etc. A Bluetooth (registered trademark) mark is displayed on the Bluetooth (registered trademark) button 114. When the massage machine 2 is not connected to the communication terminal 3, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) mark is displayed in white.

[0108] When the user taps the Bluetooth (registered trademark) button 114, the massage machine 2 enters a state of waiting for connection with the communication terminal 3 (pairing standby mode). At this time, a pairing standby screen as shown in FIG. 6B is displayed on the operation display unit 26. The pairing standby screen displays the words "Pairing Mode", an arc-arrow pairing mark, a cancel button, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) button, and the like. During pairing standby, the arc-arrow pairing mark rotates.

[0109] Then, when the massage machine 2 and the communication terminal 3 are connected to each other, a pairing completion screen as shown in Fig. 6C is displayed on the operation display unit 26. On the pairing completion screen, the circular arrow pair mark on the pairing standby screen changes to a check mark.

[0110] When a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) has elapsed since the connection completion screen (pairing completion screen) was displayed, the remote control home screen (see FIG. 6A) is displayed on the operation display unit 26. However, in this case, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) mark on the Bluetooth (registered trademark) button 114 is displayed in blue.

[0111] [7] Launching the massage app The user starts the massage app by tapping an icon (not shown) of the massage app displayed on the operation display unit 104 of the communication terminal 3. This causes a login screen as shown in Fig. 7A to be displayed on the operation display unit 104. The login screen displays a login ID input section 121, a password input section 122, a login button 123, etc.

[0112] If the user has already registered, when the user taps the login button 123 after inputting the login ID and password, a connected device list screen as shown in Fig. 7B is displayed on the operation display unit 104. The connected device list screen displays model selection buttons 124 and 125 that indicate the models of massage machines that are in pairing standby mode. The user taps the model selection button that corresponds to the model of the massage machine that the user wishes to use.

[0113] When a predetermined model selection button, for example, the model selection button 124 (model number XY-0001) is tapped, the control unit 90 of the communication terminal 3 performs processing to connect the communication terminal 3 to the massage machine 2 of the model corresponding to the model selection button (hereinafter referred to as the "selected model"). As shown in FIG. 7C , the operation display unit 104 displays a connection screen including a message "Connecting to XY-0001". If the massage machine 2 to be used is in a standby state, the communication terminal 3 will then be connected to the massage machine 2.

[0114] When the communication terminal 3 is connected to the massage machine 2, a connection completion screen as shown in Fig. 7D is displayed on the operation display unit 104. If the selected model is XY-0001, a message "Connection to XY-0001 completed" is displayed on the connection completion screen. Then, a home screen of the massage app (hereinafter referred to as "app home screen") is displayed on the operation display unit 104.

[0115] [8] App home screen FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an application home screen.

[0116] The application home screen 130 displays a connection status field 131 indicating the connection status with the massage machine 2, a human body map mode button 132, a healthcare mode button 133, a plurality of history buttons 134, and the like.

[0117] The connection status column 131 displays the string "Connected" if the communication terminal 3 is connected to the massage machine 2, and displays the string "Not connected" if the communication terminal 3 is not connected to the massage machine 2.

[0118] The human body map mode button 132 is a button for setting the massage mode to the human body map mode. The human body map mode button 132 displays a character string such as "human body map."

[0119] The healthcare mode button 133 is a button for setting the massage mode to the healthcare mode. In this embodiment, the healthcare mode button 133 displays the user's biological information such as the number of steps, sleep time, or heart rate, and a message recommending a massage course suitable for that biological information. In the example of FIG. 8A, the number of steps the user took that day and a message recommending a massage course corresponding to that number of steps are displayed.

[0120] The history button 134 is a button for setting the massage mode to the history mode. The history button 134 displays the names of massage courses and the dates and times of massages that have been previously performed on the user.

[0121] [9] Human Body Map Mode When the human body map mode button 132 is tapped on the application home screen 130, the control unit 90 of the communication terminal 3 displays a human body map screen 140 as shown in FIG. 8B on the operation display unit 104. The human body map screen 140 includes a title area E1, a human body map display area E2, a message area E3, and a button area E4. The title area E1 is a horizontally long rectangular area at the top end of the operation display unit 104, and the button area E4 is a horizontally long rectangular area at the bottom end of the operation display unit 104. The message area E3 is a horizontally long rectangular area above the button area E4. The human body map display area E2 is a vertically long rectangular area between the title area E1 and the message area E3.

[0122] The title area E1 displays the character string "Human Body Map." The human body map display area E2 displays a human body map 141. The message area E3 displays a message saying "Apply to the areas you want to massage." The button area E4 displays an OK button 142 and a reset button 143. The human body map display area E2 only needs to include the human body map 141, and its size and shape can be set arbitrarily.

[0123] The human body map 141 is made up of an illustration of a back view of the human body. In the illustration of the back view of the human body, regions representing the ranges of each of a plurality of pre-set body parts are clearly depicted. In this embodiment, the plurality of body parts are "neck and shoulders," "back," "waist," "buttocks," "upper arms," ​​"forearms," ​​"thighs," "calves," and "soles of feet." In FIG. 8B, dashed lines indicate part of the left-right center line of the back view of the human body. Such dashed lines may or may not be displayed in the human body map 141.

[0124] The user touches and moves a part of their body on a part (stiff part) of the human body map screen (more precisely, the human body map display area E2) where they feel a high level of fatigue (stiffness). In this embodiment, the part of the body is a finger. When a finger touches the human body map display area E2, a color is applied to the finger contact area (body contact area) on the human body map display area E2 and to an area that is line-symmetrical to the finger contact area with respect to the left-right center line of the human body map 141. The color applied to the finger contact area and its line-symmetrical area in this manner is referred to as a first color. Note that the "finger contact area" may be the exact area where the finger is touching, or may be an area including the area where the finger is touching and its vicinity. As a result, the finger movement trajectory (including the line-symmetrical area) on the human body map display area E2 is painted in the first color. The first color is, for example, gray. Note that the first color may be a color other than gray.

[0125] If the area of ​​the first color applied within the attention area, which is the area by region painted with the first color, reaches a predetermined percentage or more of the attention area by the time the finger is released from the human body map display area E2 (human body map screen), when the finger is released from the human body map display area E2, the first color is erased and a color representing the location and level of stiffness is applied to the entire attention area. The predetermined percentage is set to, for example, 60%. The color thus applied to the entire area by region (the color representing the location and level of stiffness) is referred to as the second color. In this embodiment, multiple types of second colors with different densities depending on the level of stiffness are prepared as the second color. In this embodiment, a higher density of the second color indicates a higher level of stiffness. Note that a lower density of the second color may also indicate a higher level of stiffness.

[0126] In this embodiment, the second color is, for example, a bluish color. Note that the second color may be a color other than a bluish color. Note that the first color applied to the human body map by the contact movement of the finger is erased when the finger is removed from the operation display unit 104, regardless of the applied area of ​​the first color.

[0127] 9A, 9B and 9C, the process of applying a second color to, for example, the forearm will be described.

[0128] The user touches the human body map display area E2 with a finger and moves the finger primarily, for example, on the left forearm. The curve S in FIG. 9A represents the trajectory of the finger movement in this case. When the finger is touched and moved as shown in FIG. 9A, a first color of arbitrary width is applied along the trajectory of the finger movement, as shown in FIG. 9B, and also along a line symmetrical to the trajectory of the finger movement with respect to the left-right center line of the human body map 141. In FIG. 9B, the area applied with the first color is assumed to be 60% or more of the area of ​​the forearm. After this, when the finger is released from the human body map display area E2, the first color is erased and the second color is applied to the entire left and right forearms, as shown in FIG. 9C.

[0129] Suppose that the user removes the finger from the body part area painted with the second color and then touches and moves the finger back into the body part area. Then, after the newly painted area of ​​the first color reaches 60% or more of the body part area, the finger is removed from the human body map display area E2, and the color density of the second color in the entire body part area is darkened by one level. In other words, in this embodiment, the stiff area and the degree of stiffness are determined based on the area where the user's finger touches and moves the finger on the human body map 141 and its area.

[0130] The color density, which indicates the degree of adhesion, is expressed in four levels, for example, 0, 1, 2, and 3, in order from lowest to highest density. Level 0 indicates a state in which the second color is not applied. In this embodiment, the colors with color densities 0 to 3 are set as follows: Level 0 is white. Level 1 is light blue (low density second color). Level 2 is blue (medium density second color). Level 3 is navy blue (high density second color).

[0131] The reset button 143 is a button for resetting the color density of all part regions to zero.

[0132] In this way, when the user has finished painting each stiff area with the second color at a density according to the degree of stiffness, the user taps OK button 142. When OK button 142 is tapped, communication terminal 3 displays density display screen 150 on operation display unit 104, as shown in FIG.

[0133] The density display screen 150 digitally displays the color density for each part name. Specifically, four levels of color density are displayed based on the number of black circles lined up horizontally. A value of 0 indicates color density 0, a value of 1 indicates color density 1, a value of 2 indicates color density 2, and a value of 3 indicates color density 3. The density display screen 150 also displays an analysis button 151 and a back button 152. Note that if the OK button 142 on the human body map screen 140 (see FIG. 8B) is tapped when the second color has not been applied to any of the part-specific regions on the human body map screen, the tap operation may be disabled.

[0134] When the analysis button 151 is tapped on the concentration display screen 150, the control unit 90 of the communication terminal 3 determines a massage course suitable for the stiff area and the degree of stiffness input on the human body map screen. For example, the control unit 90 determines a massage course suitable for the stiff area input on the human body map screen using a table that stores the course IDs of massage courses suitable for the stiff area (when one stiff area is selected) or a combination of stiff areas (when multiple stiff areas are selected). The control unit 90 also determines the massage intensity for the selected stiff area depending on the degree of stiffness for that area.

[0135] Then, the control unit 90 displays a course presentation screen 160A as shown in Fig. 10B on the operation display unit 104. The course presentation screen 160A displays the character string "Human Body Map," indicating that the current massage mode is the human body map mode. Furthermore, the course presentation screen 160A displays the name of the massage course determined by the control unit 90, the massage time and its contents, as well as a massage start button 161.

[0136] When the user taps the massage start button 161, the control unit 90 transmits (transfers) the course ID of the massage course displayed on the course presentation screen 160A and the massage intensity for each part to the massage machine 2. Then, the control unit 90 displays a transfer screen 170A on the operation display unit 104 as shown in FIG. 11A. The transfer screen 170A is made up of a background area other than the center and a message area in the center. The background area is formed, for example, by overlaying a translucent gray color on the area excluding the center of the course presentation screen 160A. The message area displays the words "Transferring" and an illustration indicating that data is being transferred.

[0137] When the transfer of the course ID and the massage intensity for each body part to the massage machine 2 is completed, the control unit 90 displays a transfer completion screen 180A on the operation display unit 104 as shown in FIG. 11B. The transfer completion screen 180A consists of a background area other than the center and a message area in the center. The background area is the same as the background area of ​​the transferring screen 170A. The message area displays the words "Transfer Complete", an illustration indicating that the transfer is complete, and a message saying "Please check the remote control of your massage chair."

[0138] When the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 receives the course ID and the massage intensity for each body part from the communication terminal 3, it transmits a command indicating that the course ID and the massage intensity for each body part have been received to the communication terminal 3 that is the transmission source. As a result, the control unit 90 of the communication terminal 3 recognizes that the transfer of the course ID and the massage intensity for each body part has been completed, and the control unit 90 displays the transfer completion screen 180A as described above. Furthermore, when the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 receives the course ID from the communication terminal 3, it displays a confirmation screen (execution command input screen) 190A on the operation display unit 26 of the remote control 25, as shown in FIG.

[0139] The confirmation screen 190A includes a title area E1, a course name display area E2, a message area E3, a button area E4, etc. The title area E1 displays the word "APPLICATION" indicating that the operation mode of the massage machine 2 is the application mode. The course name display area E2 displays the name of the massage course corresponding to the course ID transmitted from the communication terminal 3. The message area E3 displays a confirmation message such as "A course has been selected. Do you want to start the massage?" The button area E4 displays a NO button 191 and a YES button 192.

[0140] If the user seated on the massage machine 2 wants the massage machine 2 to execute the massage course displayed on the confirmation screen 190A, the user presses the YES button 192, and if the user does not want the massage machine 2 to execute the massage course, the user presses the NO button 191.

[0141] When the YES button 192 is pressed, the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 executes the massage course massage displayed on the confirmation screen 190A using the course ID and massage intensity for each part received from the communication terminal 3. On the other hand, when the NO button 191 is pressed, the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 returns the display screen of the operation display unit 26 of the remote controller 25 to the remote controller home screen without executing the massage course displayed on the confirmation screen 190A.

[0142]

[10] Healthcare Mode 8A, in this embodiment, the health care mode button 133 displays the user's biological information such as the number of steps, sleep time, or heart rate, and a message recommending a massage course appropriate for that biological information. In the example of user 8A, the number of steps the user took that day and a message recommending a massage course according to that number of steps are displayed.

[0143] When the healthcare mode button 133 is tapped, the control unit 90 of the communication terminal 3 displays a course presentation screen 160B, which presents massage courses corresponding to the user's biological information, on the operation display unit 104, as shown in Fig. 13A. The course presentation screen 160B displays the character string "healthcare," indicating that the current massage mode is the healthcare mode. Furthermore, the course presentation screen 160B displays the name of the massage course corresponding to the user's biological information, the massage time and its contents, as well as a massage start button 161.

[0144] When the user taps the massage start button 161, the control unit 90 transmits (transfers) the course ID of the massage course displayed on the course presentation screen 160B to the massage machine 2. Then, the control unit 90 displays a transfer screen 170B as shown in FIG. 13B on the operation display unit 104. The transfer screen 170B is made up of, for example, a background area other than the center and a message area in the center. The background area is formed by overlaying a translucent gray color on the area of ​​the course presentation screen 160B excluding the center. The message area displays the words "Transferring" and an illustration indicating that transfer is in progress.

[0145] When the transfer of the course ID to the massage machine 2 is completed, the control unit 90 displays a transfer completion screen 180B on the operation display unit 104 as shown in FIG. 14A. The transfer completion screen 180B consists of a background area other than the center and a message area in the center. The background area is the same as the background area of ​​the transferring screen 170B. The message area displays the words "Transfer Complete", an illustration indicating that the transfer is complete, and a message saying "Please check the remote control of your massage chair."

[0146] When the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 receives the course ID from the communication terminal 3, it transmits a command indicating that the course ID has been received to the communication terminal 3 that sent the command. As a result, the control unit 60 of the communication terminal 3 recognizes that the transfer of the course ID has been completed, and the control unit 60 displays the transfer completion screen 180B as described above. Furthermore, when the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 receives the course ID from the communication terminal 3, it displays a confirmation screen 190B on the operation display unit 26 of the remote control 25, as shown in FIG. 14B.

[0147] The confirmation screen 190B is similar to the confirmation screen 190A (see FIG. 12) described above, except that the massage course determined by the control unit 90 in the healthcare mode is displayed in the course name display area E2.

[0148] When the YES button 192 is pressed on the confirmation screen 190B, the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 executes the massage course displayed on the confirmation screen 190B. On the other hand, when the NO button 191 is pressed, the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 returns the display screen of the operation display unit 26 of the remote controller 25 to the remote controller home screen without executing the massage course displayed on the confirmation screen 190B.

[0149] Hereinafter, a method in which the control unit 90 determines a massage course in the healthcare mode will be described.

[0150] A comprehensive evaluation value table 91A, a course selection table 91B, a comment table 91C, etc. are stored in the memory (non-volatile memory) 91 (see FIG. 5) of the communication terminal 3. The contents of these tables will be described later.

[0151] In this embodiment, the biological information includes sleep time, heart rate (beats per minute), and number of steps. Also, in this embodiment, the time periods of one day are divided into a first time period, a second time period, and a third time period.

[0152] In this embodiment, the first time period is a morning time period, for example, from 4:00 to 9:00. The second time period is a daytime time period, for example, from 9:00 to 18:00. The third time period is an evening time period, for example, from 18:00 to 4:00.

[0153] In the first time slot, the control unit 90 determines the massage course based on the sleeping hours, because the sleeping hours are considered to have a large effect on the user's fatigue level in the first time slot, which is the morning time slot.

[0154] In the second time slot, the control unit 90 determines the massage course based on the heart rate. In the second time slot, which is the daytime, the user's fatigue level is thought to be significantly affected by stress, and the degree of stress is thought to be reflected in the heart rate.

[0155] In the third time slot, the control unit 90 determines the massage course based on the number of steps taken, because it is believed that the user's level of fatigue in the third time slot, which is an evening time slot, is closely related to the number of steps taken during the day.

[0156] The control unit 90 determines an absolute evaluation value A and a relative evaluation value B, which are indicators of the degree of fatigue, based on the biological information.

[0157] The method for determining the absolute evaluation value A will now be described.

[0158] In the case where the biological information is the sleeping time, the control unit 90 determines the absolute evaluation value A based on the following formula (1), where X1 is the sleeping time. L (low L ), A M (Normal) and A H It is expressed in three levels: (high), (low).

[0159] if X1>7 then A=A L if 5≦X1≦7 then A=A M if 0≦X1<5 then A=A H …(1)

[0160] In the case where the biological information is the heart rate, assuming that the heart rate is X2, the control unit 90 determines the absolute evaluation value A based on the following equation (2).

[0161] if 0≦X2<70 then A=A L if 70≦X2≦100 then A=A M if X2>100 then A=A H …(2)

[0162] In the case where the biometric information is the number of steps, assuming that the number of steps is X3, the control unit 90 determines the absolute evaluation value A based on the following equation (3).

[0163] if 0≦X3<5000 then A=A L if 5000≦X3≦10000 then A=A M if X3>10000 then A=A H …(3)

[0164] The method for determining the relative evaluation value B will now be described.

[0165] When the biological information is the sleeping time, the sleeping time is X1, and the daily cumulative average value of the sleeping time is Y1. The control unit 90 determines the relative evaluation value B based on the following formula (4). The relative evaluation value B is calculated as follows: L (low L ), B M (Normal) and B H It is expressed in three levels: (high), (low).

[0166] if X1>1.2 Y1 then B=B L if 0.8·Y1≦X1≦1.2·Y1 then B=B M if X1<0.8 Y1 then B=BH …(4)

[0167] When the biological information is the heart rate, the control unit 90 determines the relative evaluation value B based on the following equation (5), where X2 is the heart rate and Y2 is the cumulative average value of the heart rate.

[0168] if X2<0.8 Y2 then B=B L if 0.8·Y2≦X2≦1.2·Y2 then B=B M if X2>1.2 Y2 then B=B H …(5)

[0169] When the biological information is the number of steps, the number of steps is set to X3 and the cumulative average value of the number of steps is set to Y3, the control unit 90 determines the relative evaluation value B based on the following equation (6).

[0170] if X3<0.8 Y3 then B=B L if 0.8·Y3≦X3≦1.2·Y3 then B=B M if X3>1.2 Y3 then B=B H …(6)

[0171] Once the absolute evaluation value A and relative evaluation value B of the biometric information according to the time period are calculated, the control unit 90 calculates the overall evaluation value C based on the absolute evaluation value A, the relative evaluation value B, and the overall evaluation value table 91A.

[0172] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the contents of the overall evaluation value table 91A.

[0173] The overall evaluation value table 91A includes an absolute evaluation value A (A L ,A M ,A H ) and relative evaluation value B(B L ,B M ,B H) and a comprehensive evaluation value C is stored. The comprehensive evaluation value C is expressed in five levels, C1 to C5. C1 is the lowest level of fatigue, followed by C2, C3, C4, and C5 in increasing order.

[0174] In the example in Figure 15, A L and B L C1 is set for the combination of A L and B M Combination with and A M and B L C2 is set for the combination of A L and B H Combination with A M and B M Combination with and A H and B L C3 is set for the combination of A M and B H Combination with and A H and B M C4 is set for the combination of A H and B H C5 is set for the combination of

[0175] When the overall evaluation value C is calculated, the control unit 90 determines a massage course etc. according to the overall evaluation value C based on the overall evaluation value C and the course selection table 91B. In this way, a massage course according to the user's fatigue level is selected.

[0176] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the contents of the course selection table 91B.

[0177] The course selection table 91B stores the course ID, name, massage time and content of the massage course suitable for each overall evaluation value C (C1 to C5).

[0178] In the example of Fig. 15, a soft course is stored for C1, a relaxation course is stored for C2, a refresh course is stored for C3, a fatigue recovery course is stored for C4, and an extreme fatigue recovery course is stored for C5.

[0179] The control unit 90 also calculates the biological information according to the current time and the relative evaluation value B (B L ,B M ,B H ) and the comment table 91C, a comment (hereinafter referred to as a "healthcare comment") to be displayed on the healthcare mode button 133 (see FIG. 8A) is generated.

[0180] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the contents of the comment table 91C.

[0181] The comment table 91C contains the biological information and the relative evaluation value B (B L ,B M ,B H 17, a comment to be displayed on the healthcare mode button 133 is stored. The name of the massage course most recently determined by the control unit 90 is inserted in the [Course name] field in the comment in FIG.

[0182] Information about the massage course determined by the control unit 90 is stored in a predetermined area (hereinafter referred to as the "healthcare course storage area") in the memory 91. When information about the massage course determined this time is stored in the healthcare course storage area, if information about a massage course determined previously is already stored in that storage area, the existing information is overwritten with the new information, thereby erasing the existing information.

[0183] Furthermore, the healthcare comment generated by the control unit 90 is stored in a predetermined area (hereinafter referred to as the "healthcare comment storage area") in the memory 91. When the healthcare comment generated this time is stored in the healthcare course storage area, if a healthcare comment generated earlier is already stored in the storage area, the existing comment is overwritten with the new comment, thereby erasing the existing comment.

[0184] The control unit 90 displays the above-described application home screen 130 (see FIG. 8A) and the course presentation screen 160B (see FIG. 13A) on the operation display unit 104. When displaying the application home screen 130, the control unit 90 displays the healthcare comments stored in the healthcare comment storage area of ​​the memory 91 on the healthcare mode button 133. Furthermore, when the application home screen 130 is displayed, the control unit 90 updates the healthcare comments displayed on the healthcare mode button 133 as appropriate.

[0185] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the course determination process performed by the control unit 90.

[0186] The process of FIG. 18 is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals from when the massage application is started until when it is ended.

[0187] The control unit 90 acquires biological information (time series data) of the sleeping time, heart rate, and step count from the biological information measuring device 6 and stores it in the memory 91 (step S1). At this time, the control unit 90 may acquire only the data that has not been acquired so far from the time series data of the sleeping time, heart rate, and step count stored in the biological information measuring device 6.

[0188] Next, it is determined whether the current time belongs to the first time zone, the second time zone, or the third time zone (step S2).

[0189] If it is determined in step S2 that the current time belongs to the first time slot (4:00 to 9:00), the control unit 90 calculates the total sleeping time from 9:00 AM on the previous day to the current time as sleeping time X1 (step S3).

[0190] Next, the control unit 90 calculates the absolute evaluation value A (A L ,A M ,A H ) is determined (step S4).

[0191] Next, the control unit 90 calculates the average value of the sleeping hours for a predetermined number of days in the past as the cumulative average value Y1 (step S5). The predetermined number of days in the past is set to, for example, 30 days. In this case, the control unit 90 may calculate the average value of the sleeping hours for a 24-hour period from 9:00 to 9:00 the next day in the past predetermined number of days as the cumulative average value Y1. Then, the control unit 90 calculates the relative evaluation value B (B L ,B M ,B H ) is determined (step S6).

[0192] Next, the control unit 90 calculates the overall evaluation value C (C1 to C5) based on the absolute evaluation value A, the relative evaluation value B, and the overall evaluation value table 91A (see FIG. 15) (step S15).

[0193] Next, the control unit 90 determines a massage course according to the overall evaluation value C based on the overall evaluation value C and the course selection table 91B (see FIG. 16), and stores information about the determined massage course in the health care course storage area in the memory 91 (step S16). The information about the massage course includes the course ID, name, massage time, and content of the massage course.

[0194] Furthermore, the control unit 90 generates a healthcare comment based on the relative evaluation value B, the biological information corresponding to the current time, and the comment table 91C (see FIG. 17), and stores the comment in the healthcare comment storage area in the memory 91 (step S17). Then, the course determination process for the current calculation cycle ends.

[0195] If it is determined in step S2 that the current time belongs to the second time zone (9:00 to 18:00), the control unit 90 calculates the heart rate for one minute from one minute before the current time to the current time as the heart rate X2 (step S7).

[0196] Next, the control unit 90 calculates the absolute evaluation value A (A L ,A M ,A H ) is determined (step S8).

[0197] Next, the control unit 90 calculates the average value of the heart rate per minute for a predetermined number of days in the past as the cumulative average value Y2 (step S9). The predetermined number of days in the past is set to, for example, 30 days. In this case, the control unit 90 may calculate the average value of the heart rate per minute from 0 minutes to 1 minute of every hour for the predetermined number of days in the past as the cumulative average value Y2. Then, the control unit 90 calculates the relative evaluation value B (B L ,B M ,B H ) (step S10). Then, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S15.

[0198] If it is determined in step S2 that the current time belongs to the third time slot (6:00 PM to 4:00 AM), the control unit 90 calculates the total number of steps from 4:00 AM on the previous day to the current time as the number of steps X3 (step S11).

[0199] Next, the control unit 90 calculates the absolute evaluation value A (A L ,A M ,A H ) is determined (step S12).

[0200] Next, the control unit 90 calculates the average value of the number of steps per day for the past predetermined number of days as the cumulative average value Y3 (step S13). The past predetermined number of days is set to, for example, 30 days. In this case, the control unit 90 may calculate the average value of the number of steps for the past predetermined number of days for 24 hours from 4:00 to 4:00 the next day as the cumulative average value Y3. Then, the control unit 90 calculates the relative evaluation value B (B L ,B M ,B H ) (step S14). Then, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S15.

[0201] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the course presentation and transmission process performed by the control unit 90.

[0202] The control unit 90 determines whether or not it is time to display the application home screen 130 (see FIG. 8A) on the operation display unit 104 (step S21). If it is not time to display the application home screen 130 on the operation display unit 104 (step S21: NO), the control unit 90 returns to step S21.

[0203] In step S21, if it is determined that it is time to display the application home screen 130 (step S21: YES), the control unit 90 causes the operation display unit 104 to display the application home screen 130 (step S22). At this time, the control unit 90 causes the healthcare comment stored in the healthcare comment storage area of ​​the memory 91 to be displayed on the healthcare mode button 133 in the application home screen 130. Then, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S23.

[0204] In step S23, the control unit 90 determines whether or not the healthcare mode button 133 has been tapped on the application home screen 130. If the healthcare mode button 133 has not been tapped (step S23: NO), the control unit 90 determines whether or not a button other than the healthcare mode button 133 (the human body map mode button 132 or the history button 134) has been tapped on the application home screen 130 (step S24).

[0205] If no other button has been tapped (step S24: NO), the control unit 90 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the process shifted from step S22 or step S26 (described later) to step S23 (step S25).

[0206] Specifically, until the predetermined time has elapsed since the application home screen 130 was displayed in step S22, the control unit 90 determines whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed since the application home screen 130 was displayed in step S22. Then, after the predetermined time has elapsed since the application home screen 130 was displayed in step S22, each time the healthcare command on the healthcare mode button 133 is updated in step S26 (described later), the control unit 90 determines whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed since the healthcare command was updated. The predetermined time is set to, for example, one minute.

[0207] If it is determined in step S25 that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S25: NO), the control unit 90 returns to step S23. If it is determined in step S25 that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S25: YES), the control unit 90 updates the healthcare comment on the healthcare mode button 133 (step S26). As a result, when the application home screen is displayed, the healthcare comment on the healthcare mode button 133 is updated every predetermined time (every minute in this embodiment).

[0208] Specifically, the control unit 90 displays the healthcare comment stored in the healthcare comment storage area of ​​the memory 91 on the healthcare mode button 133, in place of the healthcare comment already displayed on the healthcare mode button 133. However, if the healthcare comment stored in the healthcare comment storage area has not changed since the last time it was read, the content of the healthcare comment on the healthcare mode button 133 will not change even if the update process of step S26 is performed. After this, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S23.

[0209] In step S23, if it is determined that the healthcare mode button 133 has been tapped (step S23: YES), the control unit 90 generates a course presentation screen (see Figure 13B) based on the contents stored in the healthcare course storage area of ​​the memory 91 and displays it on the operation display unit 104 (step S27).

[0210] When the massage start button 161 is tapped while the course presentation screen is displayed on the operation display unit 104 (step S28: YES), the control unit 90 transmits the course ID stored in the healthcare course storage area of ​​the memory 91 to the massage machine 2 and displays a transfer in progress screen 170B (see FIG. 13B) on the operation display unit 104 (step S29). Then, when the transfer of the course ID to the massage machine 2 is completed (step S30: YES), a transfer completion screen 180B (see FIG. 14A) is displayed on the operation display unit 104 (step S31). Then, the control unit 90 returns to step S21.

[0211] In step S24, if it is determined that a button 132, 134 other than the healthcare mode button 133 has been tapped on the app home screen 130 (step S24: YES), the control unit 90 returns to step S21, but the control unit 90 executes processing according to the tapped button as shown by the dashed line (step S32).

[0212] 19, if a negative determination is made in step S24 (step S24: NO), the process may proceed to step S23, in which case the process of step S25 is omitted.

[0213]

[11] History mode 8A, the names of massage courses and massage dates and times that have been previously performed on the user are displayed on the plurality of history buttons 134. When any of the history buttons 134 is tapped, a course presentation screen 160C presenting the massage course corresponding to the history button 134 is displayed on the operation display unit 104, as shown in FIG.

[0214] The course presentation screen 160C displays the character string "History" indicating that the current massage mode is the history mode. Furthermore, the course presentation screen 160C displays the name of the massage course corresponding to the operated history button 134, the massage time and its contents, and also displays the massage start button 161.

[0215] When the user taps the massage start button 161, the control unit 90 of the communication terminal 3 transmits (transfers) the course ID of the massage course displayed on the course presentation screen 160C to the massage machine 2. Then, the control unit 90 displays a transfer screen 170B as shown in FIG. 20B on the operation display unit 104. The transfer screen 170B is made up of a background area other than the center and a message area in the center. The background area is formed, for example, by overlaying a translucent gray color on the area excluding the center of the course presentation screen 160C. The message area displays the words "Transferring" and an illustration indicating that transfer is in progress.

[0216] When the transfer of the course ID to the massage machine 2 is completed, the control unit 90 displays a transfer completion screen 180C on the operation display unit 104 as shown in FIG. 21A. The transfer completion screen 180C consists of a background area other than the center and a message area in the center. The background area is the same as the background area of ​​the transferring screen 170C. The message area displays the words "Transfer Complete," an illustration indicating that the transfer is complete, and a message that reads "Please check the remote control for your massage chair."

[0217] When the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 receives the course ID from the communication terminal 3, it transmits a command indicating that the course ID has been received to the communication terminal 3 that sent the command. As a result, the control unit 90 of the communication terminal 3 recognizes that the transfer of the course ID has been completed, and the control unit 90 displays the transfer completion screen 180C as described above. Furthermore, when the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 receives the course ID from the communication terminal 3, it displays a confirmation screen 190C on the operation display unit 26 of the remote control 25, as shown in FIG. 21B.

[0218] The confirmation screen 190C is similar to the confirmation screen 190C (see FIG. 12) described above, except that the massage course corresponding to the tapped history button 134 is displayed in the course name display area E2.

[0219] When the YES button 192 is pressed on the confirmation screen 190C, the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 executes the massage course displayed on the confirmation screen 190C. On the other hand, when the NO button 191 is pressed, the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 returns the display screen of the operation display unit 26 of the remote controller 25 to the remote controller home screen without executing the massage course displayed on the confirmation screen 190C.

[0220]

[12] Effects of the embodiment In the above-described embodiment, when a massage course is determined by the communication terminal 3, the course ID of the massage course determined by the communication terminal 3 is transmitted to the massage machine 2. Then, when the transfer of the course ID to the massage machine 2 is completed, confirmation screens 190A to 190C are displayed on the remote control 25 of the massage machine 2. Then, when the user using the massage machine 2 presses the YES button 192 on the confirmation screen 190A to 190C, the massage course determined by the communication terminal 3 is executed.

[0221] That is, in this embodiment, the massage course is executed only when the massage start button 161 is tapped on the course presentation screen 160A to 160C displayed on the communication terminal 3 and then the YES button 192 is pressed on the confirmation screen 190A to 190C displayed on the remote controller 25. In other words, the massage course determined by the communication terminal 3 is not executed simply by tapping the massage start button 161 on the course presentation screen 160A to 160C displayed on the communication terminal 3.

[0222] In other words, even if the course ID of the massage course determined by the communication terminal 3 is transmitted to the massage machine 2, execution of the massage course is prohibited unless the YES button 192 is pressed on the confirmation screen 190A to 190C of the remote controller 25 of the massage machine 2. This makes it possible to prevent the massage course from being executed based on, for example, an erroneous operation of the communication terminal 3.

[0223] Furthermore, for example, when there are multiple users using one massage machine 2, even if a second user different from the first user using the massage machine 2 taps the massage start button 161 on his / her own communication terminal, the massage course determined by the communication terminal 3 based on the second user's operation is not executed. This makes it possible to prevent the massage machine from being controlled by the communication terminal operation of the second user different from the first user using the massage machine.

[0224]

[13] Variation In the above-described embodiment, when the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 receives the course ID from the communication terminal 3, the control unit 60 displays the confirmation screens 190A to 190C including the NO button 191 and the YES button 192 on the remote controller 25. However, if an operation display device is attached to the main body of the massage machine 2, the confirmation screens 190A to 190C may be displayed on the operation display device. In this case, the operation display device is an example of the "operation display device" in the present invention.

[0225] Furthermore, the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 may determine whether or not to execute the massage course determined by the communication terminal 3 in the following manner. That is, for example, as shown by the dashed line 301 in Fig. 4A, a microphone 301 as a voice input device is provided on the remote control 25, and a voice recognition device (not shown) that performs voice recognition processing on the voice input to the microphone 301 is provided on the massage machine 2. When the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 receives a course ID from the communication terminal 3, it causes the user using the massage machine 2 to input via the microphone 301 into the voice recognition device whether or not to execute the massage course, and determines whether or not to execute the massage course by having the voice recognition device recognize the input voice.

[0226] Furthermore, the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 may determine whether or not to execute the massage course determined by the communication terminal 3 as follows. That is, for example, as shown by the chain line 302 in Fig. 4A, a camera 302 for capturing an image of the face of a user seated on the massage machine 2 is provided in the remote control 25. Furthermore, for each communication terminal 3 of a user who uses the massage machine 2, face authentication data for performing face authentication on the user who is the owner of the communication terminal 3 is stored in advance in the memory 61.

[0227] When the control unit 60 receives the course ID from the communication terminal 3, it captures an image of the user seated on the massage machine 2 with the camera 302 and determines whether the face of the user seated on the massage machine 2 matches the face of the user who owns the communication terminal 3 that transmitted the course ID. Then, only when it is determined that the two match, the control unit 60 executes the massage course corresponding to the received course ID. Note that a fingerprint authentication device may be used instead of the face authentication device.

[0228] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, sole-side airbags 35c and 35d for pressing the soles upward are provided on the bottom surfaces of the pair of left and right foot accommodating recesses 19 (see FIG. 2). However, instead of the sole-side airbags 35c and 35d, sole rollers that are driven to rotate to massage the soles may be provided.

[0229] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the communication terminal 3 is a smartphone, but the communication terminal 3 may be a computer such as a tablet computer.

[0230] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the massage machine 2 is a chair-type massage machine, but the massage machine 2 may be a massage machine other than a chair-type massage machine.

[0231] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, these are merely examples used to clarify the technical content of the present invention, and the present invention should not be construed as being limited to these examples, and the scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

[0232] This application corresponds to Patent Application No. 2020-142922 filed with the Japan Patent Office on August 26, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0233] The following inventions can be extracted from this specification:

[0234] 1. Massage machine and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the massage machine; the communication terminal is configured to determine a massage course based on a user's operation, and to transmit course specification information for specifying the determined massage course to the massage machine; The massage machine is provided with an input device that, when it receives the course identification information transmitted from the communication terminal, allows the user to input an execution command to execute the massage course identified by the course identification information, and when the execution command is input by the input device, causes the massage course identified by the course identification information to be executed.

[0235] In this configuration, even if specific information about a massage course determined by the communication terminal is transmitted to the massage machine, execution of that massage course can be prohibited unless an execution command is input by the input device of the massage machine.

[0236] 2. The massage system according to "1.", wherein the input device is an operation display device provided on the massage machine.

[0237] 3. The massage system described in "2.", wherein when the massage machine receives the course specification information transmitted from the communication terminal, it displays an execution button on the operation display device for executing the massage course specified by the course specification information.

[0238] 4. The massage system described in "1.", wherein the input device is a voice input device.

[0239] 5. The massage machine is a chair-type massage machine, The massage system described in "1.", in which when the execution command is input by the input device, the input device takes an image of a specific part of the user seated on the massage machine as the user to be imaged using a camera, and based on the image, determines whether the user to be imaged matches the user using the communication terminal that sent the course specification information, and determines that the execution command has been input when the two match. [Explanation of symbols]

[0240] 1 Massage System 2. Chair massage machine 3. Communication terminals 4 Server 5. Communication Network 6. Biological information measuring equipment 23 Massage Unit 25 Remote Control 31~36 Airbag 51 Massage Ball 60 Control Unit 61 memory 90 Control Unit 91 memory 101 First Communications Department 102 Second Communications Department 103 Third Communications Department 104 Operation display section 130 App Home Screen 160A, 160B, 160C course presentation screen 161 Massage start button 170A, 170B, 170C Transfer screen 180A,180B,180C Transfer completion screen 190A, 190B, 190C confirmation screen 191 NO button 192 YES button

Claims

1. a communication terminal that transmits to the massage machine a massage course determined based on an input by the user to the communication terminal; The massage machine is receiving the massage course transmitted from the communication terminal; receiving information to be input to the massage machine after receiving the massage course, the information being used to determine whether or not to execute the received massage course; determining whether or not to execute the massage course based on the received information; When it is determined that the massage course should be executed, the massage system executes the massage course.

2. The massage system according to claim 1 , wherein the information is input to the massage machine by an operation of a person to be treated by the massage machine.

3. The massage system according to claim 1 , wherein the information is image data of a face of a person to be treated by the massage machine.

4. 2. The massage system according to claim 1, wherein the information is fingerprint data of a person to be treated by the massage machine.

5. The massage system according to claim 1 , wherein the information is voice data of a person to be treated who is to receive treatment from the massage machine.

6. The massage system according to claim 1 , wherein the communication terminal receives an operation from the user and determines a massage course based on the received operation.

7. The massage system according to claim 1 , wherein the communication terminal is authenticated by the massage machine.

8. The massage system according to claim 1 , wherein the massage machine and the communication terminal store user identification data for identifying the user.

9. The massage system according to claim 8, wherein the data for identifying the massage recipient is image data of the face of the massage recipient or fingerprint data.

10. The external device transmits to the massage machine a massage course determined based on an input from the user to the external device, The massage machine is receiving the massage course transmitted from the external device; receiving information to be input to the massage machine after receiving the massage course, the information being used to determine whether or not to execute the received massage course; determining whether or not to execute the massage course based on the received information; When it is determined that the massage course should be executed, the massage machine executes the massage course.

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