Display control system, management apparatus, and display control method

Abstract

To provide a display control system capable of appropriately watching over an object person while considering privacy of the object person.SOLUTION: The display control system 2 includes a device 4, a management device 8, and an terminal 10. The device 4 includes the transmitting section 24 that transmits, to the management device 8, operation history information indicating an operation history of the device 4. The management device 8 includes the receiver 34 configured to receive the operation history information from the device 4, and the display processing unit 42 configured to determine, based on the operation history information received by the receiver 34, whether or not the state of the subject 16 is abnormal, and (i) if it is determined that the state of the subject 16 is not abnormal, notify the terminal 10 to that effect, and (ii) if it is determined that the state of the subject 16 is abnormal, notify the terminal 10 to that effect and operation state information indicating a state of operation of the device 4 by the subject 16. The terminal 10 includes a display unit 48 that displays the content of the report from the management device 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display control system, a management device, and a display control method. [Background technology]

[0002] A system for monitoring a target person who uses a home appliance by collecting data from the home appliance is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this system, predetermined information is displayed on a terminal device of a monitor who is monitoring the target person based on the data collected from the home appliance. The terminal device displays, as the predetermined information, information about the home appliance used by the target person, information about the operation history of the home appliance by the target person, and so on. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2012 / 098602 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional system described above, predetermined information is displayed on the terminal device not only when the subject's condition is abnormal but also when the subject's condition is normal. Therefore, there is a risk that the watcher will learn more information about the subject's privacy than necessary, such as which home appliances the subject operated, when, and how often, which could infringe on the subject's privacy.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a display control system, a management device, and a display control method that can appropriately monitor a subject while taking into consideration the subject's privacy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A display control system according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an appliance operated by a person being monitored, a management device communicatively connected to the appliance via a network, and a terminal device operated by a watcher monitoring the person and communicatively connected to the management device via the network, wherein the appliance has a transmitting unit that transmits operation history information indicating the operation history of the appliance to the management device, the management device has a receiving unit that receives the operation history information from the appliance, and a display processing unit that determines whether the person's condition is abnormal based on the operation history information received by the receiving unit, and (i) if it determines that the person's condition is not abnormal, notifies the terminal device of this fact, and (ii) if it determines that the person's condition is abnormal, notifies the terminal device of this fact and operation status information indicating the operation status of the appliance by the person, and the terminal device has a display unit that displays the notification content from the management device.

[0007] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), or may be realized as any combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to a display control system and the like according to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to appropriately monitor a subject while taking into consideration the subject's privacy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overview of a display control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a display control system according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of operations of an analysis unit of the management device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of operations of a display processing unit of the management device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the content of a notification sent to a terminal device in a case where a target person owns a washing machine. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of notification content sent to a terminal device when a target person owns a lighting fixture. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of display of notification content on a terminal device according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of display of notification content on a terminal device according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of display of notification content on a terminal device according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of operations of a display processing unit of the management device according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of notification content sent to a terminal device when a target person owns a washing machine and an air conditioner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Technology 1) 1. A display control system comprising: an appliance operated by a person being monitored; a management device communicatively connected to the appliance via a network; and a terminal device operated by a watcher monitoring the person and communicatively connected to the management device via the network, wherein the appliance has a transmitting unit that transmits operation history information indicating the operation history of the appliance to the management device, the management device has a receiving unit that receives the operation history information from the appliance, and a display processing unit that determines whether the person's condition is abnormal based on the operation history information received by the receiving unit, and (i) if it is determined that the person's condition is not abnormal, notifies the terminal device of that fact, and (ii) if it is determined that the person's condition is abnormal, notifies the terminal device of that fact and operation status information indicating the operation status of the appliance by the person, and the terminal device has a display unit that displays the content of the notification from the management device.

[0011] According to Technology 1, if the display processing unit determines that the subject's condition is not abnormal, it notifies the terminal device of that fact, and if it determines that the subject's condition is abnormal, it notifies the terminal device of that fact and operation status information. As a result, if the subject's condition is determined to be normal, only minimal information is notified to the terminal device, which prevents the watcher from learning more information about the subject's privacy than necessary. As a result, the subject can be watched appropriately while taking the subject's privacy into consideration.

[0012] (Technology 2) The display control system described in Technology 1, wherein when determining that the subject's condition is abnormal, the display processing unit determines a first abnormality level and a second abnormality level higher than the first abnormality level as abnormality levels indicating the degree of abnormality of the subject's condition, and (i) if it determines that the condition is the first abnormality level, notifies the terminal device of that fact and first operation status information indicating an overview of the operation status of the device by the subject, and (ii) if it determines that the condition is the second abnormality level, notifies the terminal device of that fact and second operation status information indicating details of the operation status of the device by the subject.

[0013] According to Technology 2, when the condition of a subject is determined to be abnormal, the level of detail of the operation status information notified to the terminal device is changed depending on the level of the abnormality. As a result, when the urgency is high, more detailed operation status information is notified to the terminal device, thereby more appropriately protecting the subject's privacy.

[0014] (Technology 3) The display control system described in Technology 2, wherein the first operation status information includes, as an overview of the operation status of the device, information indicating the type of the device and a period during which the device has not been operated, and the second operation status information includes, as details of the operation status of the device, information indicating the type of the device, an installation location of the device, and a date and time when the device was last operated.

[0015] According to Technique 3, when the situation is more urgent, more detailed operation status information is notified to the terminal device, allowing the watcher to appropriately determine whether the subject is in an abnormal state.

[0016] (Technology 4) The display processing unit (i) determines the abnormality level to be the first abnormality level when the operation history information indicates that the device has not been operated on a day or time period when the subject normally does not operate the device and for a predetermined period of time or longer, and (ii) determines the abnormality level to be the second abnormality level when the operation history information indicates that the device has not been operated on a day or time period when the subject normally operates the device.

[0017] According to the fourth technique, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the condition of the subject.

[0018] (Technology 5) The management device further has an acquisition unit that acquires current location information indicating the current location of the subject, and if the display processing unit determines that the subject's condition is abnormal, it notifies the terminal device of this, the operation status information, and the current location information. A display control system described in any one of techniques 1 to 4.

[0019] According to Technique 5, the watcher can more appropriately determine whether the subject is in an abnormal state by taking into account the current location information.

[0020] (Technology 6) The management device further has an acquisition unit that acquires action schedule information indicating the action schedule of the subject, and if the display processing unit determines that the subject's condition is abnormal, it notifies the terminal device of this, the operation status information, and the action schedule information. A display control system described in any one of techniques 1 to 4.

[0021] According to Technique 6, the watcher can more appropriately determine whether the subject is in an abnormal state by taking into account the behavioral plan information.

[0022] (Technology 7) The management device further has an acquisition unit that acquires usage status information indicating the usage status of a web service or application by the subject, and if the display processing unit determines that the subject's condition is abnormal, it notifies the terminal device of this, the operation status information, and the usage status information. A display control system described in any one of techniques 1 to 4.

[0023] According to Technique 7, the watcher can more appropriately determine whether the subject is in an abnormal state by taking into account the usage status information.

[0024] (Technology 8) A management device that is communicatively connected via a network to each of an appliance operated by a person being monitored and a terminal device operated by a monitor who monitors the person being monitored, and that includes: a receiving unit that receives operation history information transmitted from the appliance indicating the operation history of the appliance; and a display processing unit that determines whether the condition of the person being monitored is abnormal based on the operation history information received by the receiving unit, and (i) if it determines that the condition of the person being monitored is not abnormal, notifies the terminal device of that fact, and (ii) if it determines that the condition of the person being monitored is abnormal, notifies the terminal device of that fact and operation status information indicating the operation status of the appliance by the person being monitored.

[0025] According to Technology 8, if the display processing unit determines that the subject's condition is not abnormal, it notifies the terminal device of that fact, and if it determines that the subject's condition is abnormal, it notifies the terminal device of that fact and operation status information. As a result, if the subject's condition is determined to be normal, only minimal information is notified to the terminal device, which prevents the watcher from learning more information about the subject's privacy than necessary. As a result, the subject can be watched appropriately while taking the subject's privacy into consideration.

[0026] (Technology 9) (c) the management device determines whether the condition of the subject is abnormal based on the operation history information received in (b); (d) (i) if it is determined in (c) that the condition of the subject is not abnormal, notifying the terminal device of that fact, and (ii) if it is determined in (c) that the condition of the subject is abnormal, notifying the terminal device of that fact and operation status information indicating the operation status of the device by the subject; and (e) the terminal device displays the notification content from the management device.

[0027] According to Technology 9, if it is determined that the subject's condition is not abnormal, the terminal device is notified of this fact, and if it is determined that the subject's condition is abnormal, the terminal device is notified of this fact and operation status information. As a result, if it is determined that the subject's condition is not abnormal, only minimal information is notified to the terminal device, which prevents the watcher from learning more information about the subject's privacy than necessary. As a result, the subject can be watched over appropriately while taking into consideration the subject's privacy.

[0028] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium.

[0029] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0030] The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concepts are described as optional components.

[0031] (Embodiment) [1. Display control system overview] First, an overview of a display control system 2 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overview of a display control system 2 according to an embodiment.

[0032] 1, the display control system 2 includes a device 4, a device 6, a management device 8, and a terminal device 10. The device 4, the device 6, the management device 8, and the terminal device 10 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network 12 such as the Internet.

[0033] The display control system 2 is applied to, for example, a system for supporting a watcher 14 to watch over a target person 16. The target person 16 is, for example, an elderly person living alone. The watcher 14 is, for example, a family member of the target person 16 who lives apart from the target person 16, or a caregiver or other person.

[0034] The device 4 is a home appliance, such as a washing machine, operated by the subject person 16. The device 4 is installed in the home of the subject person 16 and transmits operation history information indicating the operation history of the device 4 to the management device 8.

[0035] The device 6 is a home appliance operated by the subject person 16, and is, for example, a lighting fixture such as a ceiling light. The device 6 is installed in the home of the subject person 16, and transmits operation history information indicating the operation history of the device 6 to the management device 8.

[0036] The management device 8 is, for example, a cloud server. The management device 8 determines whether the subject 16 is abnormal or not based on the operation history information transmitted from each of the devices 4 and 6, and notifies the terminal device 10 of the determination result.

[0037] The terminal device 10 is a terminal device operated by the watcher 14, and is, for example, a smartphone. The terminal device 10 displays the notification content from the management device 8. The watcher 14 can understand in real time whether the condition of the subject 16 is abnormal by looking at the notification content displayed on the terminal device 10. Note that, in this embodiment, a case will be described in which the terminal device 10 is a smartphone, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the terminal device 10 may be, for example, a tablet terminal or a personal computer.

[0038] [2. Functional configuration of the display control system] Next, the functional configuration of the display control system 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the display control system 2 according to the embodiment.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the device 4 includes an operation unit 18, a sensor 20, a control unit 22, and a transmission unit 24.

[0040] The operation unit 18 is a user interface, such as a touch panel, for accepting operations from the subject person 16. The operation unit 18 accepts various operations from the subject person 16, such as turning the power on and off, starting a washing operation, and setting a scheduled operation time. As a result, the control unit 22 controls the appliance 4 based on an operation signal indicating the operation from the subject person 16 accepted by the operation unit 18.

[0041] The sensor 20 is a sensor for detecting whether the lid of the washing tub is open or closed, for example. The sensor 20 outputs the detection result to the control unit 22, and the control unit 22 controls the device 4 appropriately.

[0042] The control unit 22 controls the appliance 4 based on the operation signal from the operation unit 18 and the detection signal (detection result) from the sensor 20, and accumulates operation history information indicating the operation history of the appliance 4. The control unit 22 then transmits the operation history information to the management device 8 via the transmission unit 24 sequentially or at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every 5 minutes). The operation history of the appliance 4 is information indicating, for example, switching the power on and off, whether the power is kept on, whether the power is kept off, the start of a washing operation, the setting of a scheduled operation time, and the opening and closing of the washing tub lid. That is, the operation history information includes, as the operation history of the appliance 4, the operation log of the appliance 4 and the detection log of the sensor 20.

[0043] The transmitting unit 24 transmits the operation history information accumulated by the control unit 22 to the management device 8 when the device 4 is operated, at predetermined intervals, or when a request to transmit information is received from the management device 8.

[0044] The device 6 includes an operation unit 26 , a sensor 28 , a control unit 30 , and a transmission unit 32 .

[0045] The operation unit 26 is a user interface, such as a remote controller, for accepting operations from the subject 16. The operation unit 26 accepts various operations, such as switching the light on and off and adjusting the brightness, as operations from the subject 16. As a result, the control unit 30 controls the device 6 based on an operation signal indicating the operation of the subject 16 accepted by the operation unit 26.

[0046] The sensor 28 is, for example, a human presence sensor for detecting the presence of a person near the device 6. The sensor 28 outputs the detection result to the control unit 30, and the control unit 30 controls the device 6 appropriately.

[0047] The control unit 30 controls the device 6 based on the operation signal from the operation unit 26 and the detection signal (detection result) from the sensor 28, and accumulates operation history information indicating the operation history of the device 6. The control unit 30 then transmits the operation history information to the management device 8 via the transmission unit 32 sequentially or at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 5 minutes). The operation history of the device 6 is information indicating, for example, switching on / off the device, whether the device is kept on, whether the device is kept off, brightness adjustment, and whether a person is present near the device 6. That is, the operation history information includes, as the operation history of the device 6, the operation log of the device 6 and the detection log of the sensor 28.

[0048] The transmitting unit 32 transmits the operation history information accumulated by the control unit 30 to the management device 8 when the device 6 is operated, at predetermined intervals, or when a request to transmit information is received from the management device 8.

[0049] The management device 8 includes a receiving unit 34 , a management unit 36 ​​, a storage unit 38 , an analysis unit 40 , a display processing unit 42 , and a transmission unit 44 .

[0050] The receiving unit 34 receives the operation history information transmitted from each of the device 4 and the device 6.

[0051] The management unit 36 ​​manages device information that links information about the devices 4 and 6 with information about the owners (subjects 16) of the devices 4 and 6. The information about the devices 4 and 6 is, for example, information indicating the type, model name, and installation location of each of the devices 4 and 6. The information about the owner is, for example, information indicating the name of the subject 16 or an ID number for identifying the subject 16. The device information is registered in advance in the management unit 36 ​​based on, for example, information set by the subject 16.

[0052] The storage unit 38 accumulates the operation history information received by the receiving unit 34 .

[0053] The analysis unit 40 analyzes each operation status of the device 4 and the device 6 by the subject person 16 based on the operation history information accumulated in the storage unit 38. The analysis unit 40 outputs the analysis result to the display processing unit 42. The specific operation of the analysis unit 40 will be described later.

[0054] The display processing unit 42 determines whether the state of the subject 16 is abnormal based on the analysis result of the analysis unit 40 (i.e., based on the operation history information). Furthermore, if the display processing unit 42 determines that the state of the subject 16 is not abnormal, it notifies the terminal device 10 of that fact (i.e., that the state of the subject 16 is not abnormal) via the transmission unit 44. On the other hand, if the display processing unit 42 determines that the state of the subject 16 is abnormal, it notifies the terminal device 10 of that fact (i.e., that the state of the subject 16 is abnormal) and operation status information indicating each operation status of the device 4 or device 6 by the subject 16 via the transmission unit 44. The specific operation of the display processing unit 42 will be described later.

[0055] The transmitting unit 44 transmits the notification content from the display processing unit 42 to the terminal device 10.

[0056] The terminal device 10 includes a receiving unit 46 and a display unit 48 .

[0057] The receiving unit 46 receives the notification content from the management device 8.

[0058] The display unit 48 is, for example, a touch panel display, and displays the notification content received by the receiving unit 46. If the management device 8 determines that the condition of the subject 16 is not abnormal, the display unit 48 displays notification content indicating that (i.e., that the condition of the subject 16 is not abnormal). On the other hand, if the management device 8 determines that the condition of the subject 16 is abnormal, the display unit 48 displays notification content indicating that (i.e., that the condition of the subject 16 is abnormal) and operation status information. An example of the display of the notification content on the display unit 48 will be described later.

[0059] [3. Operation of the display control system] [3-1. Operation of the analysis unit of the management device] Next, the operation of the analysis unit 40 of the management device 8 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the analysis unit 40 of the management device 8 according to the embodiment.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 3, first, the analysis unit 40 acquires device information from the management unit 36 ​​(S101).

[0061] Next, the analysis unit 40 acquires the operation history information stored in the storage unit 38 (S102).

[0062] Next, the analysis unit 40 analyzes the operation status of each of the devices 4 and 6 by the subject person 16 based on the acquired device information and operation history information (S103). Specifically, the analysis unit 40 compiles and analyzes, as the operation status of each of the devices 4 and 6 by the subject person 16, for example, (a) usage distribution by time period in the past month, (b) usage frequency in the past month, (c) usage frequency by day of the week and time period in the past month, (d) usage frequency by day of the week in the past month, and (d) usage frequency by month in the past year.

[0063] [3-2. Operation of the display processing unit] Next, the operation of the display processing unit 42 of the management device 8 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 11. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the display processing unit 42 of the management device 8 according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the content of a notification sent to the terminal device 10 when the target person 16 owns a washing machine. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the content of a notification sent to the terminal device 10 when the target person 16 owns a lighting fixture. Figs. 7 to 9 are diagrams showing an example of the display of the content of a notification on the terminal device 10 according to the embodiment. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the display processing unit 42 of the management device 8 according to the embodiment. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the content of a notification sent to the terminal device 10 when the target person 16 uses a washing machine and an air conditioner.

[0064] The following describes a case where the subject person 16 owns at least the appliance 4 (washing machine). As shown in Fig. 4, first, the display processing unit 42 acquires the latest operation history information from the storage unit 38 (S201). At this time, the display processing unit 42 also acquires the appliance information from the management unit 36, although this is not shown in Fig. 4.

[0065] Next, the display processing unit 42 determines whether the state of the device 4 has changed based on the acquired latest operation history information (S202). Here, "the state of the device 4 has changed" means, for example, that the power of the device 4 has been switched from off to on.

[0066] If the state of the device 4 has changed (YES in S202), the display processing unit 42 determines whether the device 4 has been operated by the subject person 16 based on the latest acquired operation history information (S203). That is, the display processing unit 42 determines whether the latest acquired operation history information is an operation log indicating whether the subject person 16 has operated the device 4.

[0067] On the other hand, in step S202, if the state of the device 4 has not changed (NO in S202), the process proceeds to step S208, which will be described later.

[0068] For example, if the subject 16 switches the power from off to on by operating the operation unit 18, the display processing unit 42 determines that the subject 16 himself / herself operated the device 4 (YES in S203). In this case, the display processing unit 42 determines the state of the device 4 to be "in use" (S204). Next, the display processing unit 42 determines the state of the subject 16 to be "normal" (S205), and notifies the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 44 that the state of the subject 16 is "normal" (S206).

[0069] For example, as shown in Fig. 5, consider a case where the subject 16 uses the appliance 4 (washing machine) irregularly but about once a day. In this case, if the appliance 4 is operated around 6:00 PM on a certain day, it is estimated that the subject 16 is likely still alive. Therefore, in this case, the display processing unit 42 determines that the condition of the subject 16 is "normal" and notifies the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 44 that the condition of the subject 16 is "normal."

[0070] 7, when the terminal device 10 is notified only that there is no abnormality, a message 50 indicating the status of the subject person 16, for example, "There is no abnormality," is displayed on the display unit 48 of the terminal device 10 as the content of the notification from the management device 8. In addition to the message 50, the display unit 48 of the terminal device 10 also displays the name of the subject person 16 and the date and time of the notification.

[0071] 4, in step S203, for example, if the power of device 4 is switched from off to on due to a scheduled operation setting, display processing unit 42 determines that device 4 is not operated by subject person 16 (NO in S203). In this case, display processing unit 42 determines whether the operation history information indicates that subject person 16 is operating (S207). Note that "operation history information that indicates that subject person 16 is operating" refers to operation history information that is presumed to involve an operation by subject person 16, such as opening and closing the lid of the washing machine tub of device 4.

[0072] If the action history information indicates that the subject person 16 is in action (YES in S207), the process proceeds to step S204 described above.

[0073] On the other hand, if the operation history information does not indicate that the subject person 16 is operating (NO in S207), the display processing unit 42 determines whether the date and time when the operation history information was acquired is a day or time period when the subject person 16 does not usually operate the device 4 (S208).

[0074] If the date and time when the operation history information was acquired is a day or time period when the subject person 16 does not usually operate the device 4 (YES in S208), the display processing unit 42 determines whether a predetermined period of time or more has passed since the device 4 was not operated, based on the analysis result of the analysis unit 40 (S209). At this time, the display processing unit 42 determines whether a predetermined period of time (e.g., 24 hours) has passed since the device 4 was not operated, based on, for example, whether the operation history information is outside the range of the usage distribution by time period for the most recent month analyzed by the analysis unit 40.

[0075] If the predetermined period of time has not passed since the device 4 was not operated (NO in S209), the process proceeds to step S204 described above.

[0076] On the other hand, if a predetermined period of time has passed since device 4 was not operated (YES in S209), the display processing unit 42 determines, based on the device information, whether or not there are other devices (i.e., devices other than device 4) being used by the subject 16 (S210).

[0077] If there is another device (such as device 6) being used by the subject person 16 (YES in S210), the display processing unit 42 determines that the state of device 4 is "unused" (S211). Then, the process proceeds to step S301 of the flowchart in FIG. 10, which will be described later.

[0078] On the other hand, if there is no other device being used by the subject 16 (NO in S210), the display processing unit 42 determines that the state of the subject 16 is a "state requiring confirmation" (S212). Here, the "state requiring confirmation" is a state indicating that the state of the subject 16 is abnormal, and corresponds to the first abnormal level of two abnormality levels indicating the degree of abnormality of the state of the subject 16, namely, a first abnormality level and a second abnormality level higher than the first abnormality level. In other words, if the operation history information indicates that the subject 16 does not operate the device 4 on a day or in a time period when the subject 16 normally does not operate the device 4 and that the device 4 has not been operated for a predetermined period or longer, the display processing unit 42 determines that the state is at the first abnormality level.

[0079] Next, the display processing unit 42 notifies the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 44 that the state of the target person 16 is "state requiring confirmation" and first operation status information indicating an outline of the operation status of the device 4 by the target person 16 (S213). Here, the first operation status information includes, as an outline of the operation status of the device 4, information indicating, for example, (a) the type of the device 4 and (b) a period during which the device 4 has not been operated.

[0080] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, consider a case where target person 16 uses appliance 4 (washing machine) irregularly but about once a day. In this case, if appliance 4 is operated around 6:00 PM one day and then not operated for 24 hours or more, it is estimated that there is a possibility that something is wrong with the condition of target person 16. Therefore, in this case, display processing unit 42 determines that target person 16's condition is a "state requiring confirmation." Furthermore, display processing unit 42 notifies terminal device 10 via communication unit 44 that target person 16's condition is a "state requiring confirmation" and the first operation status information that "the washing machine has not been operated for one day or more."

[0081] When the terminal device 10 is notified of the "state requiring confirmation," as shown in FIG. 8, the display unit 48 of the terminal device 10 displays the notification content from the management device 8, for example, a message 52 indicating the state of the subject 16, "Please check," and a message 54 indicating the first operation status information, "The washing machine has not been operated for more than one day."

[0082] 5, in a situation where the appliance 4 has not been operated for 48 hours or more since it was operated at around 6:00 PM on a certain day, it is estimated that there is a possibility that something unusual has happened to the condition of the target person 16. Therefore, in this case, the display processing unit 42 determines that the condition of the target person 16 is a "state requiring confirmation." Furthermore, the display processing unit 42 notifies the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 44 that the condition of the target person 16 is a "state requiring confirmation" and the first operation status information that "the washing machine has not been operated for two days or more."

[0083] Returning to step S208 of FIG. 4, a case where the subject 16 owns the device 6 (lighting fixture) will be described below. In step S208, if the date and time when the operation history information was acquired is a day or time period when the subject 16 usually operates the device 6 (NO in S208), the display processing unit 42 determines the state of the subject 16 to be a "state requiring caution" (S214). Here, the "state requiring caution" is a state indicating that the state of the subject 16 is abnormal, and corresponds to the second abnormal level of the first abnormal level and the second abnormal level described above. In other words, if the operation history information indicates that the device 6 has not been operated on a day or time period when the subject 16 usually operates the device 6, the display processing unit 42 determines that the state is at the second abnormal level.

[0084] Next, the display processing unit 42 notifies the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 44 that the state of the target person 16 is "state requiring attention" and second operation status information indicating details of the operation status of the device 6 by the target person 16 (S215). Here, the second operation status information is operation status information that includes more detailed information than the first operation status information, and includes, as details of the operation status of the device 6, for example, (a) the type of the device 6, (b) the installation location of the device 6, and (c) the date and time when the device 6 was last operated.

[0085] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, consider a case where the subject 16 normally turns on the device 6 (lighting fixture) between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM and between 6:00 PM and midnight almost every day. In this case, if the device 6 is switched from off to on at 6:00 PM on a certain day and remains on even after midnight on the same day, it is estimated that there is a high possibility that something unusual is happening with the subject 16. Therefore, in this case, the display processing unit 42 determines that the state of the subject 16 is a "state requiring attention." Furthermore, the display processing unit 42 notifies the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 44 that the state of the subject 16 is a "state requiring attention" and second operation status information that "the lighting fixture in the living room has not been operated since around 6:00 PM yesterday."

[0086] When the terminal device 10 is notified of the "state requiring attention," as shown in FIG. 9, the display unit 48 of the terminal device 10 displays, as notification content from the management device 8, a message 56 indicating the state of the subject 16, for example, "A state requiring attention," and a message 58 indicating second operation status information, for example, "The lighting fixture in the living room has not been operated since around 6 p.m. yesterday."

[0087] After step S211 in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the process proceeds to step S301 in the flowchart of FIG. 10, where the display processing unit 42 acquires the analysis result of the analysis unit 40 regarding the operation status of other devices by the subject person 16 (S301).

[0088] Next, the display processing unit 42 checks whether the state of the subject person 16 has been determined to be a "state requiring caution" in one or more other devices (S302).

[0089] If the state of the target person 16 is determined to be a "state requiring attention" in one or more other devices (YES in S302), the display processing unit 42 determines the state of the target person 16 to be a "state requiring attention" (S303).

[0090] Next, the display processing unit 42 notifies the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 44 that the subject person 16 is in a "state requiring attention" and second operation status information showing details of the operation status of other devices by the subject person 16 (S304).

[0091] Returning to step S302, if the state of the subject 16 has not been determined to be a "state requiring attention" on one or more other devices (NO in S302), the display processing unit 42 checks whether the state of the subject 16 has been determined to be a "state requiring confirmation" on one or more other devices (S305).

[0092] If the state of the target person 16 is determined to be a "state requiring confirmation" in one or more other devices (YES in S305), the display processing unit 42 determines the state of the target person 16 to be a "state requiring confirmation" (S306).

[0093] Next, the display processing unit 42 notifies the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 44 that the status of the subject 16 is "state requiring confirmation" and the first operation status information indicating details of the operation status of other devices by the subject 16 (S307).

[0094] Returning to step S305, if the status of the subject 16 has not been determined to be "state requiring confirmation" for one or more other devices (NO in S305), the display processing unit 42 checks whether there is one or more other devices that have been determined to be "in use" (S308).

[0095] If there is one or more other devices that are determined to be in a "use state" (YES in S308), the display processing unit 42 determines that the status of the subject 16 is "normal" (S309), and notifies the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 44 that the status of the subject 16 is "normal" (S310).

[0096] On the other hand, if there is no other device determined to be in the "used state" (NO in S308), the process proceeds to step S306 described above.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 11, consider a case where the subject 16 owns a washing machine and an air conditioner, uses the washing machine irregularly but about once a day, and has not used the air conditioner for about two months during the off-season. In this case, it is highly unlikely that the air conditioner has not been operated due to a change in the condition of the subject 16. Therefore, when determining the condition of the subject 16, the display processing unit 42 takes into account the operation history information from the washing machine but not the operation history information from the air conditioner. The display processing unit 42 may notify the terminal device 10 that the condition of the subject 16 is "state requiring confirmation," as well as second operation status information such as "the washing machine has not been operated for one day or more (two days or more)" and "the air conditioner has not been operated recently."

[0098] [4. Effects] In this embodiment, as described above, when the display processing unit 42 of the management device 8 determines that the condition of the subject 16 is not abnormal, it notifies only that fact to the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 44. On the other hand, when the display processing unit 42 determines that the condition of the subject 16 is abnormal, it notifies the terminal device 10 of that fact and operation status information via the communication unit 44.

[0099] As a result, if it is determined that the condition of the subject 16 is not abnormal, only the minimum amount of information is notified to the terminal device 10, which prevents the watcher 14 from learning more information about the subject 16's privacy than necessary, such as which device the subject 16 operated, when, and how often. As a result, the subject 16 can be watched over appropriately while taking into consideration the subject's privacy.

[0100] [5. Variation 1] The management device 8 may further include an acquisition unit that acquires current location information indicating the current location of the subject 16. The acquisition unit can acquire the current location information from, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System) information of a mobile terminal owned by the subject 16, location information obtained by Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or the like.

[0101] In this case, when the display processing unit 42 determines that the condition of the target person 16 is abnormal, it notifies the terminal device 10 of that fact, operation status information, and current location information via the communication unit 44. As a result, the terminal device 10 displays the fact that the condition of the target person 16 is abnormal, the operation status information, and the current location information notified by the management device 8. The current location information is displayed, for example, as an icon on an electronic map.

[0102] This allows the watcher 14 to ascertain the current location of the subject 16 by looking at the current location information displayed on the terminal device 10. For example, if the subject 16 has been out for a long time, the watcher 14 can determine that there is little possibility that something is wrong with the subject 16's condition.

[0103] [6. Variation 2] The management device 8 may further include an acquisition unit that acquires activity schedule information indicating an activity schedule of the subject person 16. The acquisition unit can acquire the activity schedule information from, for example, a schedule application or the like.

[0104] In this case, when the display processing unit 42 determines that the condition of the subject 16 is abnormal, it notifies the terminal device 10 of that fact, the operation status information, and the planned action information via the communication unit 44. As a result, the terminal device 10 displays the fact that the condition of the subject 16 is abnormal, the operation status information, and the planned action information notified by the management device 8. The planned action information is displayed as text such as, for example, "Planned to go out today" or "Planned to go to the hospital today."

[0105] This allows the watcher 14 to understand the planned activities of the subject 16 by looking at the planned activity information displayed on the terminal device 10. For example, if the subject 16 is planning to go out on the day, the watcher 14 can determine that there is little possibility that the subject 16 is experiencing any abnormalities in his / her condition.

[0106] [7. Variation 3] The management device 8 may further include an acquisition unit that acquires usage status information indicating the usage status of a web service or application by the subject 16. The acquisition unit can acquire the usage status information from, for example, a login history to a web service or application for online shopping.

[0107] In this case, if the display processing unit 42 determines that the condition of the target person 16 is abnormal, it notifies the terminal device 10 of that fact, the operation status information, and the usage status information via the communication unit 44. As a result, the terminal device 10 displays the fact that the condition of the target person 16 is abnormal, the operation status information, and the usage status information notified by the management device 8. The usage status information is displayed, for example, as the date and time of login to the web service or application.

[0108] This allows the watcher 14 to understand the usage status of the web service or application by the subject 16 by looking at the usage status information displayed on the terminal device 10. For example, if the subject 16 is currently logged in to the web service or application, the watcher 14 can determine that there is little possibility that something unusual is happening to the subject 16's status.

[0109] (Other variations) While the display control system according to one or more aspects has been described based on the above-mentioned embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. As long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure, various modifications conceivable by a person skilled in the art to the above-mentioned embodiment or configurations constructed by combining components of different embodiments may also be included within the scope of one or more aspects.

[0110] In the above embodiment, the devices 4 and 6 are respectively a washing machine and a lighting fixture, but are not limited to this and may be various home appliances such as a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a rice cooker, an electric kettle, a television receiver, an audio device, a vacuum cleaner, an electric fan, or an air conditioner.

[0111] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0112] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the display control system according to the above-described embodiments may be realized by a processor such as a CPU executing a program.

[0113] The present disclosure may be the method described in Technology 9 above. It may also be a computer program for implementing these methods on a computer, or a digital signal comprising the computer program. The present disclosure may also be the computer program or the digital signal recorded on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium, such as a flexible disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, MO, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), semiconductor memory, etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0114] A display control system according to the present disclosure is applicable to, for example, a monitoring system for monitoring a target person. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 2. Display Control System 4,6 Equipment 8 Management device 10 Terminal Equipment 12 Network 14 Watcher 16. Target Audience 18,26 Operation section 20,28 Sensor 22,30 Control section 24, 32, 44 Transmitter 34,46 Receiver 36 Management Department 38 Memory section 40 Analysis Department 42 Display processing section 48 Display section 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 Messages

Claims

1. A device operated by a person to be monitored; a management device communicably connected to the device via a network; a terminal device operated by a watcher watching over the subject and communicably connected to the management device via the network; the device has a transmission unit that transmits operation history information indicating an operation history of the device to the management device; The management device a receiving unit that receives the operation history information from the device; a display processing unit that determines whether the subject's condition is abnormal based on the operation history information received by the receiving unit, (i) notifies the terminal device of the fact that the subject's condition is not abnormal if it is determined that the subject's condition is not abnormal, and (ii) notifies the terminal device of the fact that the subject's condition is abnormal and of operation status information indicating the operation status of the device by the subject, The terminal device has a display unit that displays the notification content from the management device. Display control system.

2. The display processing unit When determining that the condition of the subject is abnormal, a first abnormal level and a second abnormal level higher than the first abnormal level are determined as abnormality levels indicating the degree of abnormality of the condition of the subject; (i) if it is determined that the abnormality level is the first level, notify the terminal device of that fact and first operation status information indicating an overview of the operation status of the device by the subject; and (ii) if it is determined that the abnormality level is the second level, notify the terminal device of that fact and second operation status information indicating details of the operation status of the device by the subject. The display control system according to claim 1 .

3. the first operation status information includes, as an overview of the operation status of the device, information indicating a type of the device and a period during which the device has not been operated; The second operation status information includes, as details of the operation status of the device, information indicating the type of the device, the installation location of the device, and the date and time when the device was last operated. The display control system according to claim 2 .

4. The display processing unit (i) determines the abnormality level to be the first abnormality level when the operation history information indicates that the device has not been operated on a day or in a time period when the subject normally does not operate the device and for a predetermined period of time or longer, and (ii) determines the abnormality level to be the second abnormality level when the operation history information indicates that the device has not been operated on a day or in a time period when the subject normally operates the device. The display control system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The management device further includes an acquisition unit that acquires current location information indicating a current location of the target person, When the display processing unit determines that the condition of the subject is abnormal, it notifies the terminal device of that fact, the operation status information, and the current location information. The display control system according to claim 1 .

6. The management device further includes an acquisition unit that acquires behavior schedule information indicating a behavior schedule of the subject, When the display processing unit determines that the condition of the subject is abnormal, it notifies the terminal device of that fact, the operation status information, and the action schedule information. The display control system according to claim 1 .

7. The management device further includes an acquisition unit that acquires usage status information indicating a usage status of a web service or an application by the subject person, When the display processing unit determines that the condition of the subject is abnormal, it notifies the terminal device of that fact, the operation status information, and the use status information. The display control system according to claim 1 .

8. A management device that is communicably connected via a network to a device operated by a person being watched over and a terminal device operated by a watcher who watches over the person being watched over, a receiving unit that receives operation history information indicating an operation history of the device, the operation history information being transmitted from the device; and a display processing unit that determines whether the state of the subject is abnormal based on the operation history information received by the receiving unit, (i) notifies the terminal device of the fact that the state of the subject is not abnormal if it is determined that the state of the subject is not abnormal, and (ii) notifies the terminal device of the fact that the state of the subject is abnormal and operation status information indicating the operation status of the device by the subject if it is determined that the state of the subject is abnormal. Management device.

9. A display control method in a display control system including: a device operated by a person being watched over; a management device communicatively connected to the device via a network; and a terminal device operated by a watcher watching the person being watched over and communicatively connected to the management device via the network, (a) transmitting, by the device, operation history information indicating an operation history of the device to the management device; (b) the management device receiving the operation history information from the device; (c) the management device determining whether the condition of the subject is abnormal based on the operation history information received in (b); (d) (i) if it is determined in (c) that the condition of the subject is not abnormal, notifying the terminal device of that fact, and (ii) if it is determined in (c) that the condition of the subject is abnormal, notifying the terminal device of that fact and operation status information indicating the operation status of the device by the subject; (e) the terminal device displays the notification content from the management device. Display control method.

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