Bathroom system, program, and control device

Abstract

To provide a bathroom system capable of providing information on bathing according to an effect suitable for a user.SOLUTION: A bathroom system (1) includes a storage part (210) for storing a plurality of pieces of effect information related to an effect that a user wants to obtain by taking a bath in a bathroom (10) and body information related to the body of the user, an acquisition part (220), a determination part (230), and an output part (240). The acquisition unit acquires at least one of the plurality of pieces of effect information and the physical information. The determination unit determines bathing information on bathing according to the effect information and the physical information acquired by the acquisition unit. The output unit outputs the bathing information determined by the determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bathroom system, a program, and a control device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a control device and a program for controlling the operation of a bathroom, as well as a bathroom system including a bathroom and a control device, are known.

[0003] In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses a bathtub device (bathroom system) that stores hot water in the bathtub body, detects or estimates the body temperature of the bather (user), and provides the bather with a warming or cooling sensation based on the detected or estimated body temperature. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-107101 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The bathroom system described in Patent Document 1 required the user to consider the amount of water to fill the bathtub, the temperature, the duration of bathing, etc., and then set the bathroom control device according to a plan they had in mind. Therefore, the bathroom system described in Patent Document 1 had the problem that it was difficult to provide the user with a bathing experience that was suitable for their body when the user had little knowledge about bathing or did not have the time or space to think about bathing.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of these problems, and its purpose is to provide a bathroom system, program, and control device that can provide information about bathing that is tailored to the effects that are appropriate for the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the bathroom system of the present invention comprises a memory unit that stores multiple pieces of effect information regarding the effects a user desires to obtain by bathing in the bathroom, as well as physical information regarding the user's body; an acquisition unit that acquires at least one piece of effect information from the multiple pieces of effect information and the physical information; a determination unit that determines bathing information regarding bathing based on the effect information and the physical information acquired by the acquisition unit; and an output unit that outputs the bathing information determined by the determination unit.

[0008] The determination unit also substitutes the effect information and the physical information into a predetermined calculation formula or calculation model, and determines the calculation result of the calculation formula or the calculation model as the bathing information.

[0009] In addition, the acquisition unit acquires the physical information before or during and after the user takes a bath, and the determination unit updates the calculation formula or the calculation model based on the physical information acquired before or during the user takes a bath and the physical information acquired after the user takes a bath.

[0010] In addition, the acquisition unit acquires information regarding the control of the bathroom state or operation, and the determination unit determines the bathing information based on the information regarding the control of the bathroom state or operation acquired by the acquisition unit, the effect information, and the physical information.

[0011] In addition, the acquisition unit acquires environmental information regarding the environment in which the bathroom is located, and the determination unit determines the bathing information based on the environmental information, the effect information, and the physical information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0012] In addition, the bathroom system of the present invention further includes a detection unit that detects the physical information, and the acquisition unit acquires the physical information from input by the user and the detection results of the detection unit before or during the user's bathing.

[0013] The bathing information is information relating to control of the operation of the bathroom, and the device further includes an operation control unit that controls the operation of the bathroom in accordance with the bathing information output by the output unit.

[0014] The output unit also suggests the bathing information to the user.

[0015] In addition, the program of the present invention causes a computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires effect information regarding the effects that a user desires to obtain by bathing in the bathroom and physical information regarding the user's body, a decision unit that determines bathing information regarding bathing based on the effect information and physical information acquired by the acquisition unit, and an output unit that outputs the bathing information determined by the decision unit.

[0016] The control device of the present invention also includes an acquisition unit that acquires effect information regarding the effects that the user wants to obtain by bathing in the bathroom and physical information regarding the user's body, a decision unit that determines bathing information regarding bathing based on the effect information and physical information acquired by the acquisition unit, and an output unit that outputs the bathing information determined by the decision unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, the bathroom system, program and control device can provide information about bathing that is tailored to the user's desired effects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a bathroom system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the bathroom shown in FIG. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the bathtub shown in FIG. 2A. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a control device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen for bathing effects in the display content shown in FIG. [Figure 6A] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first example of a bathing information suggestion screen in the display content according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of a bathing information suggestion screen in the display content according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third example of a bathing information suggestion screen in the display content according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a bathing condition table stored in the control device shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the bathroom system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] A diagram showing another example of the overall configuration of the bathroom system related to the first embodiment. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first example of a bathing information suggestion screen in the display content according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first example of a bathing information suggestion screen in the display content according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first example of a bathing information suggestion screen in the display content according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the bathroom system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first example of a bathing schedule stored by a control device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of a bathing schedule stored by the control device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a condition under which a control device according to a third embodiment changes control in accordance with physical information of a user. [Figure 14A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third example of a bathing schedule stored by a control device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 14B]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fourth example of a bathing schedule stored by the control device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the bathroom system according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "first embodiment," "second embodiment," or "third embodiment") will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same components and steps in each drawing will be designated by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0020] ---First embodiment--- First, the first embodiment will be described.

[0021] <Overall structure> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a bathroom system 1A according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, bathroom system 1A is configured to include, for example, a bathroom 10, a control device 20, and multiple terminal devices 30. Bathroom 10, control device 20, and terminal devices 30 are communicatively connected via a communications network NT such as an intranet, the Internet, or a telephone line. Note that while FIG. 1 shows multiple terminal devices 30 connected to bathroom system 1A via communications network NT, it may also be connected to a single terminal device 30.

[0022] Bathroom 10 is a unit that includes, for example, bathtub 12, shower, water supply mechanism, drainage mechanism, and control devices for controlling each device. Bathroom 10 receives control commands transmitted from control device 20 via communications network NT and operates each device according to the received control commands. Bathroom 10 also transmits the status of each device in bathroom 10 to control device 20 via communications network NT. The status of each device includes, for example, the temperature and amount of hot water stored in bathtub 12, the temperature of hot water supplied from the shower, and the operating status of the water supply mechanism and drainage mechanism. Note that bathroom 10 may operate each device in response to user input via an input / output device provided separately from terminal devices 30A-30C.

[0023] The control device 20 is, for example, a server device, and provides the results of content execution obtained by executing a program, or the program itself, to users of each terminal device 30A-30C via the communications network NT. The control device 20 also transmits control commands related to operational control of bathroom 10 to bathroom 10 via the communications network NT. The control device 20 also acquires information related to the operational status of bathroom 10 from bathroom 10 via the communications network NT, and acquires information such as the results of program execution and user input operations on terminal devices 30A-30C from terminal devices 30A-30C. The control device 20 is connected to bathroom 10 and terminal devices 30A-30C so that they can communicate with each other.

[0024] Terminal device 30 is an interface device such as a smartphone, a smartwatch, or an input device for controlling the operation of bathroom 10 or setting the control content. Terminal device 30 accepts input from a user and transmits information including the content of the accepted input to control device 20 via communication network NT. Terminal device 30 also communicates the information transmitted from control device 20 via communication network NT to the user by displaying it on a screen, outputting audio, vibrating, or the like.

[0025] <Bathroom configuration> Next, bathroom 10 will be described with reference to Figures 2A and 2B. Figure 2A is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of bathroom 10 shown in Figure 1. Figure 2B is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of bathtub 12 shown in Figure 2A. As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, bathroom 10 is composed of, for example, bathtub 12, sensors 14a to 14c, signal processing device 16, remote control 16a, outlet 17, water discharge device 18, and water intake section 19. Water intake section 19 is composed of bathtub water discharge outlet 19a and water intake 19b.

[0026] Bathtub 12 is shaped like a roughly rectangular box in a plan view and is configured to store hot and cold water inside. The inner wall surface that forms one of the short sides of bathtub 12 is formed as backrest surface 12a, an inner wall surface that is formed so that the user can lean against it while bathing. Note that while bathtub 12 has a roughly rectangular body shape, this is not limited to this and any shape is possible. Bathtub 12 is provided with drain outlet 17 on the bottom that can be opened and closed with a plug, and when drain outlet 17 is open, the hot and cold water stored in bathtub 12 is discharged to the outside of bathtub 12.

[0027] Water discharge device 18 is provided above backrest surface 12a of bathtub 12 and is configured to discharge hot water toward the inside of bathtub 12. Water discharge device 18 has a flat, wide water outlet 18a extending along the upper edge of backrest surface 12a and is configured to discharge hot water toward the shoulders of a user leaning against backrest surface 12a. Water discharge device 18 is also configured to discharge a portion of the hot water drawn in from water intake port 19b through water outlet 18a. As a result, the hot water in bathtub 12 circulates, being sucked in through water intake port 19b and discharged through water outlet 18a to flow into bathtub 12. Furthermore, a portion of the hot water drawn in from water intake port 19b is also discharged from bathtub water outlet 19a provided on backrest surface 12a of bathtub 12.

[0028] Sensors 14a-14c are sensors that detect the physical condition of the user while bathing. Sensors 14a-14c detect the user's electrocardiogram signal, for example, via hot and cold water stored in bathtub 12, based on the potential difference between sensors 14a and 14b. Sensor 14a is, for example, a negative electrode and is located on backrest surface 12a of bathtub 12. Sensor 14b is, for example, a positive electrode and is located on backrest surface 12a of bathtub 12. Sensor 14c is, for example, an electrode that acquires a reference potential for the potentials detected by sensors 14a and 14b and is located on backrest surface 12a.

[0029] In the first embodiment, the bathtub 12 is provided with sensors 14a to 14c that detect the user's electrocardiogram signal, but this is not limited to this, and further detection devices for measuring the user's body temperature, pulse, heart rate, blood flow velocity, etc. may be provided.

[0030] Signal processing device 16 controls the operation of each part of bathroom 10 in accordance with control commands transmitted from control device 20 via communications network NT. Signal processing device 16 is also configured to communicate with remote control 16a and controls the operation of each part of bathroom 10 in accordance with control commands transmitted from remote control 16a. Remote control 16a is an input / output device for operating each part of bathroom 10, and is configured to allow the user to operate, for example, the user's electrocardiogram detection function in bathtub 12 and water discharge device 18. Signal processing device 16 fills bathtub 12 with water at a temperature and volume in accordance with the control commands transmitted from control device 20, and plays music or sounds a timer via remote control 16a in response to the control commands. Bathroom 10 also discharges or stops the discharge of water from water outlet 18a and bathtub water outlet 19a at a temperature and flow rate in accordance with the control commands, in accordance with a sequence in accordance with the control commands transmitted from control device 20.

[0031] <Hardware configuration> The configuration of bathroom 10 has been described above. Next, control device 20 will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of control device 20 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 3, control device 20 is configured to include, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, memory 22, storage device 23, communication device 24, and input / output device 25.

[0032] The CPU 21 functions as various functional components by executing predetermined programs stored in the memory 22 or the storage device 23. Details of these functional components will be described later.

[0033] The storage device 23 is configured by a hard disk, etc. The storage device 23 stores various programs and information required for the CPU 21 to execute processing, as well as information on the processing results.

[0034] Communication device 24 is configured with a communication interface for communicating with external devices, etc. Communication device 24 transmits and receives various information between bathroom 10 and terminal device 30, for example.

[0035] The input / output device 25 is composed of a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a display, etc. The input / output device 25 accepts inputs by the operator of the control device 20 to operate the control device 20, and displays information provided by the control device 20 to the operator.

[0036] The control device 20 can be realized using an information processing device such as a dedicated or general-purpose server computer. The control device 20 may be configured from a single information processing device or from multiple information processing devices distributed over a communication network NT. Fig. 3 shows only a portion of the main hardware configuration of the control device 20, and the control device 20 may also have other configurations that are generally included in a server.

[0037] <Functional configuration> The hardware configuration of the control device 20 has been described above. Next, the functional configuration of the control device 20 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device 20 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 20 is configured to include, as its functional configuration, for example, a storage unit 210, an acquisition unit 220, a determination unit 230, an output unit 240, and an operation control unit 250. Functional means other than the storage unit 210 are realized by the control device 20 executing programs stored in the storage device 23 or the like.

[0038] The storage unit 210 is a functional component that stores display content 211 and various information to be displayed to the user via the terminal device 30. Specifically, the storage unit 210 stores the display content 211, effect information 212, a bathing condition table 213, and user information 214.

[0039] The display content 211 is content that is controlled and displayed on the screen of the terminal device 30 by the output unit 240. Here, the display content 211 will be described with reference to Figs. 5, 6A, and 6B. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen for bathing effects in the display content 211 shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 5, the display content 211 includes a button 2111 for the user to select the bathing effect that the user wants to obtain by bathing on the selection screen, a button 2112 for confirming the selection of button 2111, and various texts. The bathing effects are, for example, "improved sleep," "improved sensitivity to cold," "beautiful skin," "promoted sweating," "relaxation," and "relief from fatigue."

[0040] "Sleep improvement" refers to effects such as being able to sleep better, falling asleep more easily, waking up refreshed, and recovering physical strength through sleep. "Improving sensitivity to cold" refers to effects such as maintaining a warm, cozy state in the body for longer periods and preventing the extremities of the body from getting cold. "Beautiful skin effect" refers to the effect of improving dry skin. "Sweat promotion" refers to the effect of detoxifying through sweating. "Relaxation" refers to the effect of resting the brain and recovering physical strength. "Recovery from fatigue" refers to the effect of increasing the body's ability to recover from fatigue.

[0041] Button 2111 is an object that can be switched by a user operation such as clicking between a selected state in which the bathing effect associated with button 2111 is selected and a non-selected state in which the bathing effect is not selected. Button 2112 is an object that can be pressed by a user operation such as clicking, and when pressed, the bathing effect associated with the selected button 2111 is considered to have been selected, and the selection content is transmitted to control device 20.

[0042] FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a first example of a bathing information proposal screen in the display content 211 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6A, the proposal screen in the display content 211 includes, for example, an area 2113 displaying bathing conditions, buttons 2114 and 2115, and various texts. After a bathing effect is selected by the user on the selection screen in FIG. 6A, the proposal screen in the display content 211 controls the display of bathing information corresponding to the selected bathing effect on the terminal device 30. The bathing information indicates predetermined bathing conditions, such as the temperature and amount of water stored in the bathtub 12, the recommended bathing time, whether or not to use bath additives, conditions for using a shoulder bath or shower, and whether or not to play music. Area 2113 is an area for controlling the display of bathing information corresponding to the bathing effect selected at the top.

[0043] In FIG. 6A , "beautiful skin" is selected as the bathing effect. Also, in FIG. 6A , area 2113 displays information indicating that the bath temperature is lukewarm at 39°C, the bathing time is short at 10 minutes, bath additives should be used if the user has dry skin, and no bath additives should be used if the user has oily skin, and no other settings are specified. Buttons 2114 and 2115 are objects that can be pressed by a user operation, such as clicking. When button 2114 is pressed, the proposal is considered to be rejected, and a notification of the rejection is transmitted to the control device 20. The selection screen for display content 211 shown in FIG. 5 is again displayed on the terminal device 30. When button 2115 is pressed, the proposal for operation control according to the bathing information is considered to be accepted, and a notification of the acceptance is transmitted to the control device 20. In this example, when button 2115 is pressed in Figure 6A, control device 20 controls the operation of bathroom 10 in accordance with the bathing information, but this is not limited to this and it is also possible to simply suggest bathing information to the user.

[0044] 6B is a diagram showing a second example of a bathing information suggestion screen in the display content 211 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 6B, "relaxation" has been selected as the bathing effect. In addition, in FIG. 6B, area 2113 displays information that indicates the water temperature is lukewarm at 39°C, the bathing time is long at 20 minutes, hot and cold stimuli are alternately discharged from the shoulder bath, and music is played.

[0045] Returning to Figure 4, effect information 212 is information about the effect the user wants to obtain by bathing in bathroom 10. Effect information 212 indicates, for example, the user's selection results for information about the effect the user wants to obtain from bathing. Effect information 212 includes multiple bathing effects, including the above-mentioned "improved sleep," "improved sensitivity to cold," "beautiful skin," "promoted sweating," "relaxation," and "relief from fatigue," as well as information about whether the bathing effect has been selected.

[0046] The bathing condition table 213 shows the correspondence between bathing effects and bathing conditions, which indicate the operational control of the bathroom 10 and the actions the user takes while bathing. The bathing condition table 213 will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the bathing condition table 213 stored in the control device 20 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the bathing condition table 213 associates bathing information for each of six bathing effects with each bathing condition. In this example, the bathing information includes "water temperature," "water volume," "bathing time," "bath additives," "shoulder bath / shower," and "other." "Water temperature" indicates the temperature of the water stored in the bathtub 12. "Water volume" indicates the amount of water stored in the bathtub 12 or the height of the water surface. "Bathing time" indicates the recommended time for the user to soak in the water stored in the bathtub 12. "Bath additives" indicates information regarding whether or not to use bath additives. "Shoulder bath / shower" indicates information about the sequence of discharging hot and cold water from the water discharge device 18. "Other" indicates general content other than the above, including, for example, whether or not to provide a foot bath, recommendations for hydration, recommendations for playing music, air flow control from the blower, air conditioning control in the changing room, lighting brightness control, and mist sauna operation control.

[0047] 4, the user information 214 indicates various pieces of information about the user. The user information 214 includes, for example, the user's name, address, telephone number, ID for using the display content 211, password, nickname, etc. The user information 214 also includes physical information such as the user's date of birth, age, sex, height, weight, build, body fat percentage, BMI (Body Mass Index), and the presence or absence of illness. The user information 214 also includes physical information such as body temperature (skin temperature and core body temperature), heart rate, pulse rate, electrocardiogram waveform, blood flow velocity, brain activity level, and respiratory rate.

[0048] The acquisition unit 220 acquires various types of information from the user via the terminal device 30, an input device provided in the bathroom 10, or the like. Specifically, the acquisition unit 220 acquires at least one piece of effect information 212 from the terminal device 30, the storage unit 210, or the like. Furthermore, when the acquisition unit 220 suggests bathing conditions to the user, it acquires the user's response to the suggestions. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 220 acquires user information 214 from the user via the terminal device 30. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 220 may acquire information about the user's physical condition via the sensors 14a to 14c in the bathroom 10 or the terminal device 30C, or the like. Examples of information about the user's physical condition include an electrocardiogram signal, body temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. The user's acquisition unit 220 stores the acquired various types of information in the storage unit 210.

[0049] The determination unit 230 determines bathing information related to bathing in accordance with at least one effect information 212 acquired by the acquisition unit 220. Specifically, the determination unit 230 first selects a bathing condition from a plurality of predetermined bathing conditions in accordance with the effect information 212 acquired by the acquisition unit 220. Next, the determination unit 230 refers to the effect information 212 and the bathing condition table 213 to determine bathing information included in the bathing condition associated with the bathing effect indicated by the effect information 212. Note that, when there are multiple bathing effects indicated by the effect information 212, the determination unit 230 selects the bathing condition associated with each bathing effect.

[0050] The output unit 240 outputs the bathing information determined by the determination unit 230. Specifically, the output unit 240 outputs the bathing information included in the bathing conditions selected by the determination unit 230 to the terminal device 30, for example, and conveys the information to the user by displaying the information on the screen as text or outputting audio. The output unit 240 also outputs the display content 211 by controlling its display on the terminal device 30. Note that the output process performed by the output unit 240 is not limited to presenting the information in a form that the user can see, and may also include processing for creating data in a form that the user cannot see. Specifically, the output unit 240 outputs the bathing information determined by the determination unit 230 as data that can be stored in the storage unit 210, and stores the information in the storage unit 210. Furthermore, the output unit 240 suggests the bathing information stored in the storage unit 210 to the user. Furthermore, the output unit 240 outputs, for example, information relating to the control of operation of the bathroom 10, among the bathing information included in the bathing conditions selected by the determination unit 230, to the operation control unit 250. The information relating to the control of operation is, for example, the items of the bathing information that can be controlled in the bathroom 10 (in this example, the water temperature and amount, shoulder bath, bathing time alarm timer, etc.). Note that when outputting the bathing information, the output unit 240 may be configured to be able to execute either output to the operation control unit 250 or output to the terminal device 30, or may be configured to be able to execute both.

[0051] The operation control unit 250 controls the operation of the bathroom 10 according to the bathing information output by the output unit 240. Specifically, the operation control unit 250 controls the operation of the bathroom 10 by generating control commands for controlling the operation of the bathroom 10 from the bathing information or by converting the bathing information into control commands and transmitting the control commands to the signal processing device 16 of the bathroom 10.

[0052] <Process flow> The functional configuration of control device 20 has been described above. Next, the flow of a series of processes in bathroom system 1A will be described in detail. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processes carried out by bathroom system 1A according to the first embodiment.

[0053] (Step SP10) The terminal device 30 acquires effect information 212 from the user. Specifically, the terminal device 30 controls the display of the bathing effect selection screen shown in FIG. 6, which is included in the display content 211. The terminal device 30 accepts the user's input of a bathing effect selection and transmits effect information 212 indicating the bathing effect selected by the user to the control device 20. The terminal device 30 accepts the user's selection of a bathing effect, for example, several hours to several tens of minutes before the user enters the bathroom 10, when the user enters the bathroom 10, or when the user enters the changing room in front of the bathroom 10. The terminal device 30 also acquires physical information from the user. When acquiring effect information 212 when the user enters the bathroom 10, the terminal device 30 may acquire the user's physical information using sensors 14a-14c of the bathtub 12 or other detection means (not shown) such as a camera or sensor installed in the bathroom. The process then proceeds to step SP12.

[0054] (Step SP12) The terminal device 30 transmits the acquired effect information 212 to the control device 20 via the communication network NT. Then, the process proceeds to step SP14.

[0055] (Step SP14) The control device 20 acquires the effect information 212 from the terminal device 30 via the communication network NT using the acquisition unit 220. The control device 20 stores the acquired effect information 212 in the storage unit 210 using the acquisition unit 220. Then, the process proceeds to step SP16.

[0056] (Step SP16) The control device 20, through the determination unit 230, refers to the effect information 212 and the bathing condition table 213 stored in the storage unit 210 and selects bathing conditions based on the bathing effect selected by the user as indicated by the effect information 212. Specifically, the control device 20, through the determination unit 230, refers to the bathing condition table 213 in the storage unit 210 and selects, from among the multiple bathing conditions, the bathing condition associated with the bathing effect. For example, referring to FIG. 5, if the bathing effect indicated by the effect information 212 is "promoting sweating," the determination unit 230 selects as the bathing conditions the set of bathing information in the column to the right of "promoting sweating" in the bathing condition table 213 (water temperature: 41°C, bathing time: 20 minutes, hydration recommended). Furthermore, if the effect information 212 indicates multiple bathing effects, the determination unit 230 selects all of the bathing conditions associated with each of the bathing effects. Then, the process proceeds to step SP18.

[0057] (Step SP18) Control device 20 transmits the bathing information included in the bathing conditions selected by determination unit 230 to operation control unit 250 via output unit 240. Control device 20 also determines, via operation control unit 250, the content of the operation control of bathroom 10 from the bathing information transmitted by output unit 240. Specifically, when determination unit 230 selects only one bathing condition, operation control unit 250 determines the content of the operation control of bathroom 10 so that the bathroom operates in accordance with the bathing information associated with that bathing condition.

[0058] In contrast, when multiple bathing conditions are selected by the determination unit 230, the operation control unit 250 determines the operation control content of the bathroom 10 so that, for example, the bathroom 10 operates according to common bathing information among the bathing information associated with the multiple bathing conditions. Also, when multiple bathing conditions are selected by the determination unit 230, the operation control unit 250 determines the operation control content of the bathroom 10 so that, for example, the bathroom 10 operates by excluding operations according to conflicting bathing information among the bathing information associated with the multiple bathing conditions. An example of control by the operation control unit 250 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6C.

[0059] FIG. 6C is a diagram showing a third example of a bathing information suggestion screen in display content 211 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 6C, "improved sleep" and "relaxation" are selected as bathing effects. Also, in FIG. 6C, area 2113 displays information indicating a lukewarm water temperature of 39°C, with no other settings. As shown in bathing condition table 213 in FIG. 5, the only common bathing information between the bathing information associated with the "improved sleep" bathing effect and the bathing information associated with the "relaxation" bathing effect is "water temperature." Therefore, in FIG. 6C, operation control unit 250 selects "water temperature" as the bathing information and determines to control the operation of bathroom 10 so that the water temperature is 39°C. Note that in this example, operation control unit 250 determines the operation control content of bathroom 10 so that only the common bathing information among the bathing information associated with multiple bathing conditions is activated, but this is not limited to this. For example, the operation control unit 250 may exclude operations according to conflicting bathing information from among the bathing information associated with multiple bathing conditions, and then control the operation of bathroom 10 according to the remaining bathing information. For example, if "improved sleep" and "relaxation" are selected as bathing effects, operation control unit 250 may determine control to set the water temperature to 39°C, the bathing time to 20 minutes, use a low-temperature shower after exiting the bath, alternate hot and cold water for shoulder baths, and play music. Furthermore, operation control unit 250 does not control items of bathing information whose operation cannot be controlled by the bathroom 10's mechanisms. Returning to FIG. 8, the process proceeds to step SP20.

[0060] (Step SP20) Control device 20 transmits the operational control details for bathroom 10 determined by operation control unit 250 to terminal device 30 via communications network NT via output unit 240, and proposes bathing information to the user. Then, processing proceeds to step SP22.

[0061] (Step SP22) The terminal device 30 proposes the bathing information transmitted from the control device 20 to the user. Specifically, the terminal device 30 proposes the bathing information to the user by controlling the display of a proposal screen in the display content 211 as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C on the screen. The terminal device 30 accepts an operation input from the user indicating an answer of acceptance or rejection to the proposal of the bathing information. Then, the process proceeds to step SP24.

[0062] (Step SP24) The terminal device 30 transmits the user's response to the bathing information suggestion via the communication network NT to the control device 20. Then, the process proceeds to step SP26.

[0063] (Step SP26) The control device 20 determines whether the content of the user's response to the bathing information proposal transmitted from the terminal device 30 indicates acceptance. If the determination indicates a positive judgment, the process proceeds to step SP28. On the other hand, if the determination indicates a negative judgment, the process returns to step SP10, or the series of processes shown in FIG. 8 ends.

[0064] (Step SP28) Control device 20 causes operation control unit 250 to transmit the operation control content determined by operation control unit 250 in the processing of step SP20 as a control command via communications network NT to bathroom 10. Then, the processing proceeds to processing of step SP30.

[0065] (Step SP30) Bathroom 10 receives the control command sent from control device 20, and uses signal processing device 16 to control the operation of each component of bathroom 10 in accordance with the control command. Then, the series of processing flows shown in Figure 8 ends.

[0066] <Effects> As described above, in the first embodiment, bathroom system 1A includes memory unit 210 that stores multiple pieces of effect information 212 related to the effects that the user wants to obtain by bathing in bathroom 10, acquisition unit 220, determination unit 230, and output unit 240. Acquisition unit 220 acquires at least one piece of effect information 212 from the multiple pieces of effect information 212. Determination unit 230 determines bathing information related to bathing in accordance with effect information 212 acquired by acquisition unit 220. Output unit 240 outputs the bathing information determined by determination unit 230. Thus, bathroom system 1A can provide the user with bathing information related to bathing that is suited to the bathing effects that are suitable for the user.

[0067] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the bathing information is information relating to the control of the operation of bathroom 10. Furthermore, control device 20 further includes an operation control unit 250 that controls the operation of bathroom 10 in accordance with the bathing information output by output unit 240. Therefore, bathroom system 1A controls the operation of bathroom 10 in accordance with the bathing information, and can therefore provide the user with a bath that is in line with the bathing effects that are suitable for the user.

[0068] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, acquisition unit 220 acquires multiple pieces of effect information 212. Furthermore, determination unit 230 determines multiple bathing conditions, each containing multiple pieces of bathing information, according to the multiple pieces of effect information 212. Furthermore, operation control unit 250 controls the operation of bathroom 10 so as to perform operation control in accordance with at least one piece of bathing information included in the multiple bathing conditions. Therefore, even when bathroom system 1A acquires multiple bathing effects from the user, it can provide the user with a bath that is in line with the bathing effects that are appropriate for the user.

[0069] In the first embodiment, the operation control unit 250 controls the operation of the bathroom 10 to perform common operation control among the operation controls indicated by the bathing information included in the multiple bathing conditions. Therefore, when multiple bathing effects are obtained from the user, the bathroom system 1A can provide the user with a bathing experience that achieves multiple effects.

[0070] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the operation control unit 250 controls the operation of the bathroom 10 so as to exclude conflicting operation controls from among the operation controls indicated by the bathing information included in the multiple bathing conditions. Therefore, when multiple bathing effects are acquired from the user, the bathroom system 1A can prevent the effects achieved by the operation controls from canceling each other out, thereby providing the user with a bathing experience that achieves multiple effects with greater precision.

[0071] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the output unit 240 suggests bathing information to the user. Therefore, the bathroom system 1A can suggest bathing information to the user in accordance with bathing effects that are suitable for the user.

[0072] In the first embodiment, the bathing information is information related to controlling the operation of bathroom 10. Acquisition unit 220 acquires a response to the suggestion from the user. Control device 20 also includes an operation control unit 250 that controls the operation of bathroom 10 in accordance with the accepted bathing information when the response acquired by acquisition unit 220 indicates acceptance of the suggestion. Therefore, bathroom system 1A can provide the user with a bathing experience that is suited to the user's bathing effects, taking into account the user's wishes.

[0073] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the acquisition unit 220 is capable of communicating with the terminal device 30 operated by the user, and acquires effect information 212 from the user via the terminal device 30. The bathing information is information related to controlling the operation of the bathroom 10. The output unit 240 is also capable of communicating with the bathroom 10, and transmits bathing information including control commands for the operation of the bathroom 10 to the bathroom 10. Therefore, the bathroom system 1A can provide bathing information related to bathing that is in line with the bathing effects that are appropriate for the user, even if the terminal device 30 and the bathroom 10 are located at separate locations, or even if the bathroom 10 and the terminal device 30 do not have the functional configurations of the control device 20.

[0074] --- Second embodiment --- Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, bathroom system 1A determines bathing information based on the user's physical information in addition to effect information 212. The functional configuration of control device 20 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Note that operation control unit 250 is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore its description will be omitted.

[0075] <Functional configuration> In the second embodiment, acquisition unit 220 acquires at least one piece of effect information 212 and physical information from terminal device 30, storage unit 210, or the like. Specifically, acquisition unit 220 acquires physical information from terminal devices 30A-30C, for example, before the user takes a bath. Acquisition unit 220 also acquires physical information from sensors 14a-14c in bathroom 10 and terminal device 30A, for example, while the user is taking a bath. Acquisition unit 220 stores the acquired physical information in storage unit 210. Bathroom system 1A also includes a detection unit for acquiring the user's physical information. The detection unit is, for example, sensors 14a-14c provided in bathroom 10. The detection unit is, for example, sensors provided in terminal devices 30B and 30C for detecting biological information.

[0076] The acquisition unit 220 also acquires information relating to the state of the bathroom 10 and operational control from the memory unit 210, the bathroom 10, etc. Information relating to the state of the bathroom 10 and operational control is stored, for example, in the memory unit 210 or the terminal device 30. Information relating to the state of the bathroom 10 includes, for example, the temperature and volume of hot water stored in the bathtub 12. Information relating to the operational control of the bathroom 10 includes, for example, the set values ​​for the temperature and volume of hot water stored in the bathtub 12, and the set values ​​for the flow rate of hot water discharged from the bathtub outlet 19a, the outlet 18a, etc.

[0077] Acquisition unit 220 also acquires environmental information from terminal device 30, storage unit 210, etc. Environmental information includes, for example, location-related information, such as the latitude and longitude, address, and country of the location where bathroom 10 is located; meteorological information, such as the temperature, humidity, and weather at the location; and time-related information, such as the current time, date, and season at the location. Environmental information is stored, for example, in storage unit 210 or terminal device 30.

[0078] The determination unit 230 determines bathing information related to bathing according to the effect information 212 and physical information acquired by the acquisition unit 220. Specifically, as in the first embodiment, the determination unit 230 first selects a bathing condition from a plurality of predetermined bathing conditions according to the effect information 212 acquired by the acquisition unit 220. Next, the determination unit 230 refers to the effect information 212 and the bathing condition table 213, and extracts bathing information included in the bathing condition associated with the bathing effect indicated by the effect information 212. Furthermore, the determination unit 230 performs processing to change or maintain the extracted bathing information according to the physical information acquired by the acquisition unit 220, and determines the processed information as the bathing information.

[0079] Here, a specific example of the process by which the determination unit 230 changes or maintains the bathing information in accordance with the physical information will be described. The determination unit 230 determines whether the values ​​of items included in the user's physical information, such as body temperature (skin temperature and core body temperature), heart rate, pulse rate, electrocardiogram waveform (amplitude and frequency), blood flow velocity, and brain activity level, are within a range from an upper limit to a lower limit set for each item. When the numerical value of each item of physical information exceeds the corresponding upper limit, the user's physical state is indicated as being active. On the other hand, when the numerical value of each item of physical information is below the corresponding lower limit, the user's physical state is indicated as being at rest. Furthermore, when the numerical value of each item of physical information is within the corresponding upper and lower limit, the user's physical state is indicated as being neither active nor at rest, but normal. Note that when the numerical value of each item of physical information exceeds the corresponding upper limit, the user's physical state may be indicated as being at rest, and when the numerical value is below the corresponding lower limit, the user's physical state may be indicated as being active. Furthermore, for each item of physical information, only either an upper limit or a lower limit may be set.

[0080] The determination unit 230 determines that the user's physical condition is normal when, among all the items of physical information, the majority of items indicate that the physical condition is normal. Furthermore, the determination unit 230 determines that the user's physical condition is active when, among all the items of physical information, the majority of items indicate that the physical condition is active. Furthermore, the determination unit 230 determines that the user's physical condition is at rest when, among all the items of physical information, the majority of items indicate that the physical condition is at rest. Subsequently, if the user's physical condition is normal, the determination unit 230 performs a process to maintain the bathing information. Furthermore, if the user's physical condition is active or at rest, the determination unit 230 performs a process to change the bathing information.

[0081] If the decision unit 230 determines that the user's physical state is active, it changes the bathing information so that the user's physical state will be brought to normal or to rest through bathing. Specifically, if the decision unit 230 determines that the user's physical state is active, it performs change processing on the bathing information, such as lowering the water temperature, shortening the bathing time, and adding a cold stimulus by the water discharger 18 after bathing. In contrast, if the decision unit 230 determines that the user's physical state is resting, it changes the bathing information so that the user's physical state will be brought to normal or to rest through bathing. Specifically, if the decision unit 230 determines that the user's physical state is resting, it performs change processing on the bathing information, such as raising the water temperature, lengthening the bathing time, adding a low-temperature shower after exiting the bath, and adding a warm stimulus by the water discharger 18 during bathing.

[0082] Here, we will explain how to determine or update specific bathing information for each bathing effect. As in the first embodiment, there are six types of bathing effects: "improvement of sleep," "improvement of sensitivity to cold," "beautiful skin," "promotion of sweating," "relaxation," and "relief from fatigue." First, we will explain the case where the acquisition unit 220 acquires physical information before the user takes a bath.

[0083] If the decision unit 230 determines that the bathing effect is "sleep improvement" and that the user's physical condition before bathing is active, it shortens the bathing time and changes the bathing information so that the bathing starts two hours before the scheduled bedtime. If the decision unit 230 determines that the bathing effect is "sleep improvement" and that the user's physical condition before bathing is restful, it lengthens the bathing time and changes the bathing information so that the bathing starts two and a half hours before the scheduled bedtime. Furthermore, if the decision unit 230 cannot output the bathing effect one and a half hours before the scheduled bedtime, it changes the bathing information so that the user takes a low-temperature shower.

[0084] If the determination unit 230 determines that the bathing effect is "improvement of sensitivity to cold" and that the user's physical condition before bathing is active, it determines bathing information to lower the water temperature and shorten the bathing time. If the determination unit 230 cannot lower the water temperature, it changes the bathing information so that the whole body baths for 5 minutes and only the legs bathe for an additional 15 minutes. If the determination unit 230 determines that the bathing effect is "improvement of sensitivity to cold" and that the user's physical condition before bathing is quiet, it changes the bathing information so that the bathing time is longer.

[0085] When the determination unit 230 determines that the bathing effect is "beautiful skin" and that the user's physical condition before bathing is active, it changes the bathing information to lower the water temperature. When the determination unit 230 determines that the bathing effect is "beautiful skin" and that the user's physical condition before bathing is quiet, it changes the bathing information to slightly raise the water temperature.

[0086] If the determination unit 230 determines that the bathing effect is "sweating promotion" and that the user's physical condition before bathing is active, it changes the bathing information to lower the water temperature and shorten the bathing time. If the determination unit 230 determines that the bathing effect is "sweating promotion" and that the user's physical condition before bathing is quiet, it changes the bathing information to raise the water temperature and lengthen the bathing time. If the determination unit 230 cannot raise the water temperature, it changes the bathing information to further lengthen the bathing time.

[0087] In the second embodiment, when the bathing effect is "relaxation" or "relief from fatigue," the determination unit 230 determines bathing information regardless of the user's physical information before bathing.

[0088] Next, a case where the timing when the acquisition unit 220 acquires physical information is while the user is taking a bath will be described.

[0089] When the determination unit 230 determines that the bathing effect is "sleep improvement" and that the user's physical state during bathing is active, it calculates the remaining time until the user's planned bedtime based on the user's planned bedtime and the current time or the bathing duration (number of minutes elapsed since the start of bathing). When the remaining time until the planned bedtime is equal to or greater than a predetermined time, the determination unit 230 changes the bathing information so that a cold stimulus is applied to the user bathing from the water outlet 18a, bathtub water outlet 19a, etc. In contrast, when the remaining time until the planned bedtime is less than a predetermined time, the determination unit 230 changes the bathing information so that a cold stimulus is applied to the user bathing from the water outlet 18a, bathtub water outlet 19a, etc. while notifying the user to exit the bath. Furthermore, when the determination unit 230 determines that the bathing effect is "sleep improvement" and that the user's physical state during bathing is restful, it calculates the remaining time until the user bathes based on the user's planned bedtime and the current time or the bathing duration (number of minutes elapsed since the start of bathing). If the remaining time until the scheduled bedtime is equal to or greater than the predetermined time, the determination unit 230 leaves the bathing information unchanged. On the other hand, if the remaining time until the scheduled bedtime is less than the predetermined time, the determination unit 230 changes the bathing information so that a thermal stimulus is given to the bathing user from the water outlet 18a, the bathtub water outlet 19a, etc., while a bathing exit notification is issued.

[0090] If the determination unit 230 determines that the bathing effect is "improvement of sensitivity to cold" and that the user's physical condition during bathing is active, it changes the bathing information to provide a cold stimulus to the user during bathing from the water outlet 18a, bathtub water outlet 19a, etc. Furthermore, if the determination unit 230 detects via sensors 14a-14c in the bathroom 10 that the user has left the bathtub 12, it changes the bathing information to prevent or stop providing a cold stimulus. It determines the bathing information to lower the water temperature and shorten the bathing time. Furthermore, if the determination unit 230 determines that the bathing effect is "improvement of sensitivity to cold" and that the user's physical condition during bathing is quiet, it changes the bathing information to provide a warm stimulus to the user during bathing from the water outlet 18a, bathtub water outlet 19a, etc., and to display the bathing time.

[0091] When the determination unit 230 determines that the bathing effect is "beautiful skin" and that the user's physical condition during bathing is active, it changes the bathing information to provide a cold stimulus to the user during bathing from the water outlet 18a, the bathtub water outlet 19a, etc., and to display the bathing time. When the determination unit 230 determines that the bathing effect is "beautiful skin" and that the user's physical condition during bathing is quiet, it changes the bathing information to display the bathing time.

[0092] If the determination unit 230 determines that the bathing effect is "sweating promotion" and that the user's physical condition during bathing is active, it changes the bathing information to display the bathing time. Also, if the determination unit 230 determines that the bathing effect is "sweating promotion" and that the user's physical condition during bathing is quiet, it changes the bathing information to provide a thermal stimulus to the bathing user from the water outlet 18a, bathtub water outlet 19a, etc., and display the bathing time.

[0093] In the second embodiment, when the bathing effect is "relaxation" or "relief from fatigue," the determination unit 230 determines the bathing information regardless of the user's physical information during bathing. Note that when the bathing effect is "relaxation" or "relief from fatigue," the determination unit 230 may change the bathing information depending on the physical information before or during bathing.

[0094] In the second embodiment, the determination unit 230 determines the bathing information by determining whether the physical information acquired by the acquisition unit 220 satisfies a predetermined condition, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the determination unit 230 may substitute the effect information 212 and the physical information into a predetermined calculation formula or calculation model, and determine the calculation result of the calculation formula or calculation model as the bathing information. The calculation formula is, for example, a function such as a monomial or polynomial. The calculation model is, for example, a learning model used in AI (artificial intelligence). Furthermore, when the determination unit 230 determines the bathing information using a calculation formula or calculation model, the determination unit 230 may update the calculation formula or calculation model based on the physical information acquired before or during the user's bath and the physical information acquired after the user's bath.

[0095] Furthermore, the determination unit 230 may determine bathing information based on information related to the state or operation control of the bathroom 10 in addition to the physical information. For example, if the temperature or volume of water already stored in the bathtub 12 is higher or greater than the temperature or volume indicated by the bathing information determined based on the bathing effect and physical information, the determination unit 230 may shorten the bathing time or add a cold stimulus by the water discharger 18 after bathing. For example, if the temperature or volume of water already stored in the bathtub 12 is lower or less than the temperature or volume indicated by the bathing information determined based on the bathing effect and physical information, the determination unit 230 may lengthen the bathing time or add a warm stimulus by the water discharger 18 after bathing.

[0096] The determination unit 230 may also determine the bathing information based on environmental information in addition to physical information. For example, the determination unit 230 refers to the temperature of the location where the bathroom 10 is located in the environmental information, and if the temperature is higher than a predetermined upper limit, changes the bathing information to promote the user's physical state to be more restful. Furthermore, for example, if the temperature indicated by the environmental information is lower than a predetermined lower limit, the determination unit 230 changes the bathing information to promote the user's physical state to be more active.

[0097] The determination unit 230 may also determine the climate zone of the location where the bathroom 10 is located from the information about the location indicated by the environmental information, and determine the bathing information according to the climate zone. For example, if the location where the bathroom 10 is located is tropical, the determination unit 230 may estimate that the temperature of the location is high and change the bathing information in a direction that promotes the user's physical state to be more restful. For example, if the location where the bathroom 10 is located is cold, the determination unit 230 may estimate that the temperature of the location is low and change the bathing information in a direction that promotes the user's physical state to be more active. For example, if the location where the bathroom 10 is located is a dry zone, the determination unit 230 may estimate that the humidity of the location is low and increase the frequency of recommending the use of bath additives or lower the standard.

[0098] The determination unit 230 may also determine the bathing information according to information related to the time indicated by the environmental information. For example, if it is late at night in winter where the bathroom 10 is located, the determination unit 230 estimates that the temperature in that location is low and changes the bathing information in a direction that promotes the user's physical state to be more active. For example, if it is midday in summer where the bathroom 10 is located, the determination unit 230 estimates that the temperature in that location is high and changes the bathing information in a direction that promotes the user's physical state to be more restful.

[0099] When the direction of the change in the bathing information is consistent, such as when the physical information indicates rest and the environmental information indicates that the temperature is higher than the upper limit, the decision unit 230 changes the bathing information by adding the change amount of the value based on the physical information to the change amount of the value based on the environmental information. Also, when the direction of the change in the bathing information is contradictory, such as when the physical information indicates rest and the environmental information indicates that the temperature is higher than the upper limit, the decision unit 230 changes the bathing information by the difference between the change amount of the value based on the physical information and the change amount of the value based on the environmental information. The decision unit 230 may change the bathing information by multiplying the change amount by an increase or decrease rate, rather than by adding or subtracting the change amount.

[0100] The output unit 240 outputs the bathing information determined by the determination unit 230. Specifically, the output unit 240 outputs information related to control of the operation of the bathroom 10, from among the bathing information included in the bathing conditions selected by the determination unit 230, to the operation control unit 250, as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the output unit 240 outputs the bathing information by controlling the display content 211 to be displayed on the terminal device 30 before or during the user's bathing. Here, a proposal screen for the display content 211 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10C. FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a first example of a proposal screen for bathing information in the display content 211 according to the second embodiment.

[0101] In Fig. 10A, the user's physical information is acquired before the user takes a bath. Furthermore, the display of the proposal screen of the display content 211 in Fig. 10A is controlled on the terminal device 30 before the user takes a bath. As shown in Fig. 10A, the proposal screen of the display content 211 includes, for example, an area 2116 that displays advice about bathing to the user, buttons 2117 and 2118, and various texts. The proposal screen shown in Fig. 10A is controlled to display the bathing information on the terminal device 30 after the bathing information is determined or updated by the determination unit 230.

[0102] In FIG. 10A , the terminal device 30 is controlled to display that "improve sleep" has been selected as the bathing effect and that the user's body temperature before bathing was 36.7°C. Also in FIG. 10A , area 2116 displays bathing advice, such as avoiding long baths due to high body temperature and limiting bathing to 10 minutes or less, and aiming to exit the bath within 1 hour and 30 minutes of going to bed and heading to the bathroom 10 2 hours and 30 minutes before going to bed. Buttons 2117 and 2118 are objects that can be pressed by a user operation, such as clicking. Pressing button 2117 displays the screen immediately before the proposal screen of the display content 211 shown in FIG. 10A. Pressing button 2118 indicates acceptance of the advice indicated by the bathing information, and the control device 20 is notified of the acceptance, or a screen corresponding to the top page of the display content 211 is simply displayed.

[0103] FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a second example of a bathing information suggestion screen in the display content 211 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 10B, the user's physical information is acquired while the user is bathing. The suggestion screen of the display content 211 in FIG. 10B is displayed and controlled on the terminal device 30 while the user is bathing. In FIG. 10B, the terminal device 30 is controlled to display that "improved sleep" has been selected as the bathing effect and that the user's current body temperature while bathing is 37.2°C. In FIG. 10B, the terminal device 30 is also controlled to display, in the area 2116, bathing advice, including the following: Continue bathing because the body temperature is low; Exit the bath 15 minutes later based on the rate of increase in body temperature; and Take a low-temperature shower after exiting the bath depending on the scheduled time of exiting the bath.

[0104] FIG. 10C is a diagram showing a third example of a bathing information suggestion screen in the display content 211 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 10C, the user's physical information and environmental information about the bathroom 10 are acquired before the user takes a bath. The suggestion screen of the display content 211 in FIG. 10C is displayed and controlled on the terminal device 30 before the user takes a bath. In FIG. 10C, the terminal device 30 displays and controls the following information in area 2116: "Improved sleep" is selected as the bathing effect; the user's current body temperature before taking a bath is 36.5°C; the current air temperature is 5.3°C; and the current bath temperature is 37.0°C. In FIG. 10C, the terminal device 30 displays and controls the following bathing advice: "Take a longer bath because the air temperature is low," "The body temperature is normal," and "Because the current water temperature is low, take the air temperature into account and take a bath for 20 minutes or more."

[0105] <Process flow> The functional configuration of the control device 20 in the second embodiment has been described above. Next, the processing flow of the bathroom system 1A will be described in detail. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by the bathroom system 1A in the second embodiment. Note that Figure 11 describes the case where bathing information is determined and output when the user is taking a bath. Note that when bathing information is determined before the user takes a bath, the processing flow up to step SP18 in Figure 8 is the same as in the first embodiment, and then the bathing information is simply updated according to the physical information, so a description of this will be omitted.

[0106] (Step SP50) Terminal device 30 acquires physical information from the user. Specifically, terminal device 30 acquires the user's physical information using sensors 14a-14c in bathtub 12 and other detection means (not shown) such as cameras or sensors installed in the bathroom. It is assumed that the bathing effect is selected by the user before bathing and stored as effect information 212 in the storage means of control device 20, and that the bathing conditions selected based on effect information 212 are also stored in storage unit 210. Then, the process proceeds to step SP52.

[0107] (Step SP52) Terminal device 30 acquires environmental information about the location where bathroom 10 is located. Specifically, terminal device 30 measures the temperature, humidity, air pressure, and other factors inside bathroom 10 using measuring instruments such as a thermometer, hygrometer, and barometer installed in bathtub 12, and acquires the measurement results as environmental information. Terminal device 30 also acquires information about the location where bathroom 10 is located, such as the address, country, and time, which are pre-stored in terminal device 30, as environmental information. Then, processing proceeds to step SP54.

[0108] (Step SP54) The terminal device 30 transmits the acquired physical information and environmental information to the control device 20 via the communication network NT. Then, the process proceeds to step SP56.

[0109] (Step SP56) The control device 20 acquires the physical information and environmental information acquired by the terminal device 30 via the communication network NT using the acquisition unit 220. The control device 20 stores the acquired physical information and environmental information in the storage unit 210 using the acquisition unit 220. Then, the process proceeds to step SP58.

[0110] (Step SP58) The control device 20, through the determination unit 230, refers to the storage unit 210 and acquires the bathing effect selected by the user and the current bathing information. The control device 20 then updates the acquired bathing information based on the effect information 212, current physical information, and environmental information stored in the storage unit 210. The control device 20, through the determination unit 230, refers to the physical information and determines whether the user's physical condition is active, resting, or normal. The control device 20 then updates the bathing information based on the determination result, the bathing effect selected by the user, and the environmental information. The process then proceeds to step SP60.

[0111] (Step SP60) The control device 20 transmits the bathing information updated by the determination unit 230 to the terminal device 30 via the communication network NT using the output unit 240, and presents the bathing information to the user. Then, the process proceeds to the process of step SP62 and the process of step SP64.

[0112] (Step SP62) The terminal device 30 presents the bathing information transmitted from the control device 20 to the user. Specifically, the terminal device 30 presents the bathing information to the user by controlling the display of a proposal screen in the display content 211 as shown in Figs. 10A to 10C on the screen.

[0113] (Step SP64) Control device 20 uses operation control unit 250 to update the operation control content of bathroom 10 in accordance with the bathing information updated by decision unit 230. Next, control device 20 transmits the operation control content updated by operation control unit 250 as a control command to bathroom 10 via communications network NT. Processing then proceeds to steps SP66 and SP68.

[0114] (Step SP66) Bathroom 10 receives control commands transmitted from control device 20, and uses signal processing device 16 to control the operation of each component of bathroom 10 in accordance with the control commands.

[0115] (Step SP68) Control device 20 determines, via acquisition unit 220, whether the user has finished bathing. Specifically, control device 20 determines, via acquisition unit 220, whether the user has finished bathing based on detection by sensors 14a-14c in bathroom 10, detection by a hot water volume sensor (not shown) provided in bathroom 10, input by the user to terminal device 30, etc. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step SP70. On the other hand, if the determination is positive, the series of processes shown in FIG. 11 ends.

[0116] (Step SP70) The control device 20 determines, via the operation control section 250, whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the acquisition section 220 last acquired physical information or environmental information. If the determination is positive, the process returns to step SP50. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the process returns to step SP68.

[0117] <Effects> As described above, in the second embodiment, bathroom system 1A includes memory unit 210, acquisition unit 220, determination unit 230, and output unit 240, which store multiple pieces of effect information 212 related to the effects the user wants to obtain from bathing in bathroom 10 and physical information related to the user's body. Acquisition unit 220 acquires at least one piece of effect information 212 from the multiple pieces of effect information 212 and the physical information. Determination unit 230 determines bathing information related to bathing based on effect information 212 and the physical information acquired by acquisition unit 220. Output unit 240 outputs the bathing information determined by determination unit 230. Thus, bathroom system 1A can provide information about bathing that is tailored to the effects appropriate for the user.

[0118] In the second embodiment, the determination unit 230 substitutes the effect information 212 and the physical information into a predetermined calculation formula or calculation model, and determines the calculation result of the calculation formula or calculation model as the bathing information. Therefore, the bathroom system 1A can determine the bathing information using the calculation formula or calculation model even if the bathing information is not previously associated with the effect information 212 and the physical information, and can provide the user with information about bathing that matches the effects appropriate for the user.

[0119] In the second embodiment, the acquisition unit 220 acquires physical information about the user before or during bathing and after bathing. The determination unit 230 updates the calculation formula or calculation model based on the physical information acquired before or during bathing and the physical information acquired after bathing. Therefore, the bathroom system 1A updates the calculation formula or calculation model according to the user's physical information before and after bathing, and the more the user bathes, the more accurately it can provide information about bathing that is tailored to the user's desired effects.

[0120] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the acquisition unit 220 acquires information relating to the control of the state or operation of the bathroom 10. Furthermore, the determination unit 230 determines bathing information based on the information relating to the control of the state or operation of the bathroom 10, effect information, and physical information acquired by the acquisition unit 220. Therefore, the bathroom system 1A controls the operation of the bathroom 10 according to the bathing information, and can therefore provide the user with a bathing experience that is in line with the bathing effects that are appropriate for the user.

[0121] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the acquisition unit 220 acquires environmental information related to the environment in which the bathroom 10 is located. Furthermore, the determination unit 230 determines the bathing information based on the environmental information, effect information, and physical information acquired by the acquisition unit 220. Therefore, the bathroom system 1A takes into account the environment in which the bathroom 10 is located, and can therefore provide the user with a bathing experience that is in line with the environment of the bathroom 10 and the bathing effects that are suitable for the user.

[0122] In the second embodiment, bathroom system 1A further includes a detector that detects physical information. Acquisition unit 220 acquires physical information from input by the user and the detection results of the detector before or during the user's bathing. Therefore, bathroom system 1A detects the user's physical information in a timely manner, enabling it to provide the user with a bathing experience that is tailored to the user's bathing needs.

[0123] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the bathing information is information relating to the control of the operation of bathroom 10. Bathroom system 1A also includes an operation control unit 250 that controls the operation of bathroom 10 in accordance with the bathing information output by output unit 240. Therefore, bathroom system 1A controls the operation of bathroom 10 in accordance with the bathing information, and can therefore provide the user with a bath that is in line with the bathing effects that are suitable for the user.

[0124] In the second embodiment, the output unit 240 suggests bathing information to the user. Therefore, the bathroom system 1A can suggest bathing information to the user in accordance with bathing effects that are suitable for the user.

[0125] ---Third embodiment--- Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, bathroom system 1A determines a bathing plan for the user's future multiple bathing sessions based on effect information 212. The functional configuration of control device 20 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Note that output unit 240 and operation control unit 250 are the same as those in the first or second embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0126] <Functional configuration> In the third embodiment, the acquisition unit 220 acquires at least one piece of effect information 212 from the terminal device 30, the storage unit 210, or the like. The acquisition unit 220 also acquires physical information and body information of the user from the terminal device 30, the storage unit 210, or the like. Specifically, the acquisition unit 220 acquires physical information from the user information 214 in the storage unit 210, for example, before the user takes a bath. The acquisition unit 220 also acquires body information from the user information 214 in the terminal device 30, the storage unit 210, or the like, for example, before or after taking a bath. The acquisition unit 220 also acquires body information from the sensors 14a to 14c in the bathroom 10, the terminal device 30A, or the like, during bathing, for example. The acquisition unit 220 stores the acquired physical information and body information in the storage unit 210. The acquisition unit 220 also acquires environmental information from the terminal device 30, the storage unit 210, or the like. After the bathing, the acquisition unit 220 acquires an evaluation of the bathing from the user via the terminal device 30 or the like.

[0127] Physical information is information about the user's body that is predetermined as information that is unlikely to change with each bathing session, and as described above, includes, for example, the user's date of birth, age, sex, height, weight, build, body fat percentage, BMI, presence or absence of illness, etc. In contrast, physical information is information about the user's body that is predetermined as information that may change with each bathing session, and as described above, includes, for example, body temperature (skin temperature and core body temperature), heart rate and pulse rate, electrocardiogram waveform, blood flow velocity, brain activity level, respiratory rate, etc.

[0128] The determination unit 230 determines a bathing schedule based on the effect information 212 acquired by the acquisition unit 220. The bathing schedule is information about the user's future bathing trips, for example, information indicating bathing information for each day during a specified period. The bathing schedule is stored in the storage unit 210 for each bathing effect. Here, the bathing schedule will be explained with reference to FIG. 12A. FIG. 12A is a diagram showing a first example of a bathing schedule stored by the control device 20 according to the third embodiment. The bathing schedule in FIG. 12A is assumed to indicate a plan in which the bathing effect indicated by the effect information 212 is "promoting sweating." As shown in FIG. 12A, the bathing schedule includes a number of days indicating which day in the specified period corresponds to the bathing schedule, and bathing information associated with the number of days. In FIG. 12A, the bathing information includes information regarding "water temperature," "bathing time," and "thermal stimulation." The "thermal stimulation" is information indicating whether or not warm water will be discharged from the water discharger 18, the water intake 19, etc.

[0129] In FIG. 12A, for example, the bathing plan is associated with bathing information for the first day, "Day 1," in which the "water temperature" is 38°C, the "bathing time" is 13 minutes, and there is no "thermal stimulation." Also in FIG. 12A, for example, the bathing plan is associated with bathing information for the fourth day, in which the "water temperature" is 40°C, the "bathing time" is 13 minutes, and there is no "thermal stimulation." Also in FIG. 12A, for example, the bathing plan is associated with bathing information for the seventh day, the final day, in which the "water temperature" is 41°C, the "bathing time" is 15 minutes, and there is a "thermal stimulation." As shown in FIG. 12A, the bathing plan is designed so that when the bathing effect is "promoting sweating," the water temperature gradually increases and the bathing time gradually increases.

[0130] Returning to FIG. 4, the determination unit 230 may determine a bathing plan based on environmental information in addition to the effect information 212 acquired by the acquisition unit 220. Specifically, the determination unit 230 determines a bathing plan so that bathing information such as "water temperature," "bathing time," and "thermal stimulation" vary depending on time-related information, such as the current time, date, and season, of the location where the bathroom 10 is located, as indicated by the environmental information. Here, another example of a bathing plan will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B. FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a second example of a bathing plan stored by the control device 20 according to the third embodiment. The bathing plan in FIG. 12A is a bathing plan for a case where the time-related information included in the environmental information indicates that the bathroom 10 is located in Japan and the date indicates "summer," such as August. The bathing plan in FIG. 12B is a bathing plan for a case where the time-related information included in the environmental information indicates that the bathroom 10 is located in Japan and the date indicates "winter," such as December.

[0131] In FIG. 12B, for example, the bathing plan is associated with bathing information for the first day, "Day 1," in which the "water temperature" is 39°C, the "bathing time" is 15 minutes, and "thermal stimulation" is not provided. Also, in FIG. 12B, for example, the bathing plan is associated with bathing information for the fourth day, in which the "water temperature" is 41°C, the "bathing time" is 15 minutes, and "thermal stimulation" is provided. Also, in FIG. 12B, for example, the bathing plan is associated with bathing information for the seventh day, the final day, in which the "water temperature" is 42°C, the "bathing time" is 18 minutes, and "thermal stimulation" is provided. As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the bathing plan is set so that the water temperature is higher, the day thermal stimulation begins is later, and the bathing time is longer when the information relating to the time indicated by the environmental information indicates "winter" than when the information indicates "summer."

[0132] Returning to FIG. 4 , the determination unit 230 determines a bathing plan based on the physical information in addition to the effect information 212 acquired by the acquisition unit 220. The determination of the bathing plan based on the physical information by the determination unit 230 will be described with reference to FIG. 13 . FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of conditions under which the control device 20 according to the third embodiment changes control based on the user's physical information. As shown in FIG. 13 , the determination unit 230 determines the operation mode to be the first mode or the second mode based on the user's physical information. As shown in FIG. 13 , the determination unit 230 determines the operation mode to be the first mode if the user is male, has a high height / BMI, a high (or high) weight / physique / body fat percentage, or is 18 years or older but younger than 40 years old. Furthermore, the determination unit 230 determines the operation mode to be the second mode if the user is female, has a low height / BMI, a low (or low) weight / physique / body fat percentage, or is younger than 18 years old or 40 years or older. When the conditions indicated by the physical information apply to both the first mode and the second mode, the determining unit 230 determines the operation mode to be the condition that applies to the greatest number of items.

[0133] The determination unit 230 determines a bathing plan according to the determined operation mode. Here, the determination of a bathing plan according to the operation mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B. FIG. 14A is a diagram showing a third example of a bathing plan stored by the control device 20 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14B is a diagram showing a fourth example of a bathing plan stored by the control device 20 according to the third embodiment. The bathing plan in FIG. 14A is a bathing plan used when the bathing effect indicated by the effect information 212 is "sweating promotion" and the determination unit 230 operates in the first mode. The bathing plan in FIG. 14B is a bathing plan used when the bathing effect indicated by the effect information 212 is "sweating promotion" and the determination unit 230 operates in the second mode.

[0134] In Fig. 14A, for example, the bathing plan is associated with bathing information for the first day, "Day 1," in which the "bath temperature" is 39°C, the "bath duration" is 15 minutes, and there is no "thermal stimulation." Also, in Fig. 14A, for example, the bathing plan is associated with bathing information for the last day, "Day 7," in which the "bath temperature" is 42°C, the "bath duration" is 18 minutes, and there is a "thermal stimulation."

[0135] In contrast, in Fig. 14B, the bathing plan is associated with bathing information such that, for example, "Day 1," the first day, a "water temperature" of 38°C, a "bathing time" of 13 minutes, and no "thermal stimulation." Also, in Fig. 14B, the bathing plan is associated with bathing information such that, for example, "Day 7," the final day, a "water temperature" of 41°C, a "bathing time" of 15 minutes, and the presence of a "thermal stimulation." As shown in Figs. 14 and 14B, when operating in the first mode, the determination unit 230 determines a bathing plan so that the water temperature is higher and the bathing time is longer than when operating in the second mode.

[0136] 4, the determination unit 230 may also determine the bathing plan based on the physical information in addition to the effect information 212 acquired by the acquisition unit 220. When determining the bathing plan, the determination unit 230 determines the bathing information for that day based on the physical information in the same manner as described in the second embodiment, and also performs processing to change or maintain the bathing plan for the following day and thereafter in the same manner.

[0137] Furthermore, the determination unit 230 may update the bathing plan after each day's bathing in accordance with the user's evaluation of the bathing session acquired by the acquisition unit 220. For example, if the evaluation acquired from the user indicates that the bathing was too hot or painful, the determination unit 230 updates the bathing plan so that the water temperature in the bathing information for the following day and thereafter is lowered by a predetermined value or percentage. For example, if the evaluation acquired from the user indicates that the bathing was not satisfying, the determination unit 230 updates the bathing plan so that the water temperature in the bathing information for the following day and thereafter is increased by a predetermined value or percentage, or the bathing time is extended. Note that the determination unit 230 may change the bathing plan by switching the operating mode in accordance with the bathing evaluation acquired from the user.

[0138] <Process flow> The functional configuration of the control device 20 in the third embodiment has been described above. Next, the processing flow of the bathroom system 1A will be described in detail. Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by the bathroom system 1A in the third embodiment. Note that Figure 15 describes the case where a bathing plan is determined and output when the user is taking a bath. Note that when a bathing plan is determined before the user takes a bath, effect information 212 is obtained using the same processing flow as in the first embodiment up to the processing of step SP12 in Figure 8, and then the processing continues to step SP100, so the description thereof will be omitted.

[0139] (Step SP100) Terminal device 30 acquires physical information from the user. Specifically, terminal device 30 acquires the user's physical information using sensors 14a-14c in bathtub 12 and other detection means (not shown) such as cameras or sensors installed in the bathroom. It is assumed that the bathing effect is selected by the user before bathing and stored as effect information 212 in the storage means of control device 20, and that the bathing conditions selected based on effect information 212 are also stored in storage unit 210. Then, the process proceeds to step SP102.

[0140] (Step SP102) The terminal device 30 acquires physical information about the user. Specifically, the terminal device 30 accepts operation input related to the physical information from the user and acquires the physical information from the input content. Note that the terminal device 30 may acquire the physical information of the user by referring to the physical information of the user that is pre-stored in the terminal device 30. Then, the process proceeds to the process of step SP104.

[0141] (Step SP104) Terminal device 30 acquires environmental information related to the location where bathroom 10 is located. Specifically, terminal device 30 measures the temperature, humidity, air pressure, etc. in bathroom 10 using measuring instruments such as a thermometer, hygrometer, and barometer installed in bathtub 12, and acquires the measurement results as environmental information. Terminal device 30 also acquires information pre-stored in terminal device 30, such as the address, country, and time of the location where bathroom 10 is located, as environmental information. Then, the process proceeds to step SP106.

[0142] (Step SP106) The terminal device 30 transmits the acquired physical information, physical body information, and environmental information to the control device 20 via the communication network NT. Then, the process proceeds to step SP108.

[0143] (Step SP108) The control device 20 acquires physical information, physical body information, and environmental information from the terminal device 30 via the communication network NT using the acquisition unit 220. The control device 20 stores the acquired physical information, physical body information, and environmental information in the storage unit 210 using the acquisition unit 220. Note that in this example, the control device 20 acquires the physical information from the terminal device 30, but this is not limited thereto, and the control device 20 may acquire the physical information by referring to physical information of the user that is pre-stored in the storage unit 210. Then, the processing proceeds to step SP110.

[0144] (Step SP110) The control device 20, via the determination unit 230, references the storage unit 210 and acquires effect information 212 related to the bathing effect selected by the user. The control device 20 then creates a bathing plan based on the acquired effect information 212, current physical information, physical information, and environmental information. If the determination unit 230 has already created a bathing plan based on the effect information 212, the control device 20 updates the bathing plan based on the acquired effect information 212, current physical information, physical information, and environmental information. Specifically, the control device 20 creates, updates, and determines a bathing plan by changing or maintaining the values ​​of the bathing plan template, which is predetermined for each bathing effect, in accordance with the physical information, physical information, and environmental information. When the determination unit 230 changes or maintains the values ​​of the bathing plan in accordance with the physical information, the control device 20 determines an operation mode in accordance with the values ​​indicated by the physical information. The control device 20 changes or maintains the values ​​of the bathing plan in accordance with the determined operation mode in accordance with the determination unit 230. Then, the process proceeds to step SP112.

[0145] (Step SP112) The control device 20 transmits the bathing plan determined by the determination unit 230 to the terminal device 30 via the communication network NT via the output unit 240, and presents the bathing plan to the user. Then, the process proceeds to the process of step SP113 and the process of step SP114.

[0146] (Step SP113) The terminal device 30 presents the bathing plan transmitted from the control device 20 to the user. Specifically, the terminal device 30 presents the bathing plan to the user by controlling the display of information indicated by the bathing plan on the screen as display content 211.

[0147] (Step SP114) Control device 20, using operation control unit 250, determines or updates the operation control content of bathroom 10 in accordance with the bathing plan updated by determination unit 230. Next, control device 20 transmits the operation control content determined or updated by operation control unit 250 as a control command to bathroom 10 via communications network NT. Then, processing proceeds to steps SP116 and SP118.

[0148] (Step SP116) Bathroom 10 receives control commands transmitted from control device 20, and uses signal processing device 16 to control the operation of each component of bathroom 10 in accordance with the control commands.

[0149] (Step SP118) Control device 20 determines, via acquisition unit 220, whether the user has finished bathing. Specifically, control device 20 determines, via acquisition unit 220, whether the user has finished bathing based on detection by sensors 14a-14c in bathroom 10, detection by a hot water volume sensor (not shown) provided in bathroom 10, or input by the user to terminal device 30. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step SP120. On the other hand, if the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step SP122.

[0150] (Step SP120) The control device 20 determines, via the operation control section 250, whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the acquisition section 220 last acquired physical information, physical body information, or environmental information. If the determination indicates a positive determination, the process returns to the process of step SP100. On the other hand, if the determination indicates a negative determination, the process returns to the process of step SP118.

[0151] (Step SP122) The control device 20 transmits a bathing evaluation request indicating the user's satisfaction level and evaluation of the current bathing to the terminal device 30 via the communication network NT using the output unit 240. Then, the process proceeds to step SP124.

[0152] (Step SP124) The terminal device 30 receives an operation input from the user and acquires a bathing evaluation of the current bathing session, and then the process proceeds to step SP126.

[0153] (Step SP126) The terminal device 30 transmits the user's bathing evaluation of the current bathing session to the control device 20 via the communication network NT. Then, the process proceeds to step SP128.

[0154] (Step SP128) The control device 20 acquires the user's bathing evaluation of the current bathing session via the communication network NT using the acquisition unit 220. Next, the control device 20 updates the bathing schedule in accordance with the bathing evaluation using the determination unit 230. Then, the series of processing steps shown in FIG. 15 ends.

[0155] <Effects> As described above, in the third embodiment, bathroom system 1A includes memory unit 210 that stores multiple pieces of effect information 212 related to the effects the user wants to obtain from bathing in bathroom 10, acquisition unit 220, determination unit 230, and output unit 240. Acquisition unit 220 acquires at least one piece of effect information 212 from the multiple pieces of effect information 212. Determination unit 230 determines a bathing plan for the user's future multiple bathing sessions based on effect information 212 acquired by acquisition unit 220. Output unit 240 outputs the bathing plan determined by determination unit 230. Thus, bathroom system 1A can provide the user with a bathing plan for future multiple bathing sessions that is in line with the effects appropriate for the user.

[0156] Furthermore, storage unit 210 stores physical information that is predetermined as information about the user's body that is unlikely to change from bath to bath. Acquisition unit 220 acquires the physical information. Decision unit 230 determines a bathing plan based on effect information 212 and the physical information acquired by acquisition unit 220. Therefore, bathroom system 1A reflects the user's physical condition in the bathing plan, and can provide a bathing plan for multiple future baths that is more in line with the effects that are most suitable for the user.

[0157] Acquisition unit 220 also acquires information about the user during or after bathing. Decision unit 230 also updates the bathing plan according to the information acquired by acquisition unit 220. Therefore, bathroom system 1A can provide a bathing plan for multiple future baths that is more suited to the user's desired effects.

[0158] The information also includes a bathing evaluation indicating the user's evaluation of the bathing. Therefore, the bathroom system 1A can provide the user with a bathing plan for multiple future bathing sessions that is tailored to the desired effect.

[0159] The information also includes the user's physical information during and after bathing. The physical information is predetermined information about the user's body that may change with each bath. Therefore, bathroom system 1A determines a bathing plan based on the user's physical information, and can provide a bathing plan for multiple future baths that is tailored to the user's desired effects.

[0160] Acquisition unit 220 also acquires environmental information related to the environment in which bathroom 10 is located. Decision unit 230 also determines a bathing plan based on the environmental information and effect information 212 acquired by acquisition unit 220. Therefore, bathroom system 1A determines a bathing plan taking into account the environment in which bathroom 10 is located, and can therefore provide the user with a bathing plan for multiple future baths that is suitable for the environment of bathroom 10 and the user.

[0161] Bathroom system 1A also includes operation control unit 250, which controls the operation of bathroom 10 in accordance with the bathing plan output by output unit 240. Therefore, bathroom system 1A controls the operation of bathroom 10 in accordance with the bathing information, and can therefore provide the user with a bath that is in line with the bathing effects that are appropriate for the user.

[0162] Furthermore, output section 240 proposes a bathing plan to the user. Therefore, bathroom system 1A can propose to the user a bathing plan for multiple future baths, in line with bathing effects that suit the user.

[0163] <Modification> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In other words, variations of the above-described embodiments, which are appropriately modified by a person skilled in the art, are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments and the modifications described below can be combined to the extent technically possible, and such combinations are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention.

[0164] For example, in the first embodiment, the control device 20 has the determination unit 230 select bathing information according to the effect information 212, but this is not limited to this. The control device 20 may calculate bathing information by, for example, substituting information such as the bathing effect indicated by the effect information 212 into AI, a predetermined algorithm, or a predetermined calculation formula. Furthermore, the control device 20 uses the acquisition unit 220 to acquire the effect information 212 indicating the bathing effect selected by the user from the terminal device 30, but this is not limited to this. The effect information 212 indicating the bathing effect may also be acquired from the terminal device 30 by text input or voice input.

[0165] According to this configuration, bathroom system 1A calculates bathing information from bathing effects regardless of predetermined bathing effects or bathing conditions, and can therefore output bathing information related to bathing that makes it easier for the user to achieve the bathing effect desired.

[0166] For example, in the first embodiment, the control device 20 outputs bathing information via the output unit 240 regardless of the state of the bathroom 10, such as the amount and temperature of hot water stored in the bathtub 12, or the timing at which the user selects a bathing effect, but this is not limited to this. For example, the control device 20 may output different bathing information via the output unit 240 depending on whether the temperature and amount of hot water stored in the bathtub 12 of the bathroom 10 satisfy predetermined conditions.

[0167] The predetermined condition is, for example, whether the temperature of the water stored in the bathtub 12 is higher than the temperature indicated by the predetermined bathing information. If the temperature of the water stored in the bathtub 12 is higher than the temperature indicated by the predetermined bathing information, the control device 20 shortens the bathing time indicated by the bathing information and outputs bathing information indicating the change to the user via the terminal device 30. Another predetermined condition is, for example, whether the amount of water stored in the bathtub 12 is greater than the amount indicated by the predetermined bathing information. If the amount of water stored in the bathtub 12 is greater than the amount indicated by the predetermined bathing information, the control device 20 changes the bathing information to drain the water from the bathtub 12 and transmits the bathing information to the operation control unit 250.

[0168] According to this configuration, the bathroom system 1A outputs different bathing information by the output unit 240 depending on the condition of the bathroom 10, and can therefore provide the user with bathing information that takes into account the condition of the bathroom 10 and is in line with the bathing effects that are suitable for the user.

[0169] For example, in the first embodiment, when there are multiple bathing effects indicated by the effect information 212, the determination unit 230 selects a bathing condition associated with each bathing effect, but this is not limited to this. The determination unit 230 may select a predetermined number of bathing conditions, for example, according to the priority associated with each bathing effect. The predetermined number is, for example, a number smaller than the number of bathing effects selectable by the user, and in this example, is a number such as 1, 3, or 5. The priority is a value indicating the priority order for the bathing effect, and for example, a smaller value indicates a higher priority.

[0170] The acquisition unit 220 acquires the priority from the storage unit 210 by acquiring a predetermined value from the storage unit 210 or from the terminal device 30 a value entered by the user on the selection screen of the display content 211. When the user enters the priority on the selection screen of the display content 211, for example, the order in which the user selected the bathing effects is stored, and the acquisition unit 220 acquires the order in which the user selected the bathing effects as the priority in addition to the bathing effects selected by the user. The acquisition unit 220 may, for example, determine the priority for each bathing effect in ascending order starting from 1 in the order in which the user selected the bathing effects, or may determine the priority in descending order starting from the number of selected bathing effects in the order in which the user selected the bathing effects. Furthermore, when the user enters the priority, for example, an object such as a text box that simply accepts the input of the priority may be provided in the display content 211, and the acquisition unit 220 may acquire the input for the object as the priority. Note that the priority does not need to be determined for all bathing effects selected by the user; for example, it may be determined only for the bathing effect that the user most prioritizes.

[0171] With this configuration, determination unit 230 determines a priority for each piece of effect information 212 and selects one bathing condition according to the priority. Therefore, even if the user selects multiple bathing effects, bathroom system 1A selects bathing conditions according to the priority associated with the bathing effects, and can therefore provide the user with bathing information related to bathing that is more accurate and in line with the selected bathing effects.

[0172] Acquisition unit 220 also acquires priorities from the user. Furthermore, determination unit 230 selects one bathing condition according to the priorities acquired by acquisition unit 220. Therefore, bathroom system 1A acquires priorities for bathing effects from the user, and can provide the user with bathing information related to bathing that more closely matches the user's wishes.

[0173] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the control device 20 controls the display of the display content 211 so that the user can freely select multiple bathing effects on the proposal screen for the display content 211, but this is not limited to this. When the user selects multiple bathing effects for the display content 211, the control device 20 may control the display of the display content 211 on the terminal device 30 using the output unit 240 so that other bathing effects cannot be selected, depending on the bathing effects already selected. For example, the control device 20 may shade the button 2111 of an unselectable bathing effect to make it unselectable, change the color, make the button 2111 unresponsive to clicks or other operations, or display text, an image, or the like to indicate that the button 2111 is unselectable. Note that when the user cancels the selection of a bathing effect or selects an additional bathing effect, the control device 20 updates and controls the display of the display content 211 using the output unit 240, depending on the selected state.

[0174] Furthermore, the control device 20 selects, as an unselectable bathing effect, a bathing effect associated with a bathing condition that includes an operation control that is contradictory to the operation control of the bathroom 10 included in the bathing condition associated with the bathing effect already selected by the user, using the determination unit 230. The control device 20 controls the display of the display content 211 on the terminal device 30, using the output unit 240, so that the bathing effect selected as an unselectable bathing effect by the determination unit 230 cannot be selected.

[0175] According to this configuration, the control device 20 controls the display of the display content 211 so that when the user selects a bathing effect on the terminal device 30, the user cannot select a bathing effect that causes an opposing action to be performed by the operation control of the bathroom 10. Therefore, the bathroom system 1A makes it easier for the user to select bathing effects that have a synergistic or mutually beneficial effect, and can provide the user with more accurate bathing information.

[0176] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the bathroom system 1A uses the determination unit 230 to determine whether the user's body is active, resting, or normal based on the user's physical information. However, this is not limited to this. The determination unit 230 may also determine which state the user's body corresponds to based on indicators other than active, stable, and normal. For example, the determination unit 230 may determine whether the user's body is in an awake state (i.e., awake and not intoxicated by alcohol or the like) or in a sleep / intoxication state (i.e., asleep, dozing, or drunk). If the determination unit 230 determines the user is in an awake state, it maintains the bathing information. On the other hand, if the determination unit 230 determines the user is in a sleep / intoxication state, it changes the bathing information to notify the user to exit the bath immediately or after a predetermined time has elapsed. With this configuration, the bathroom system 1A can notify a sleeping, dozing, or intoxicated user, thereby providing the user with bathing information while preventing the user from overheating.

[0177] Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments, the control device 20 acquires effect information 212 related to bathing effects from the terminal device 30 in response to a user's operational input to the display content 211, but this is not limited to this. The control device 20 may determine the bathing effect based on the user's physical information, or physical body information, or physical and physical information, in addition to the effect information 212 acquired by the acquisition unit 220. When determining the bathing effect, the acquisition unit 220 refers to, for example, a table in the storage unit 210 that indicates the correspondence between each item of physical information and physical information and the bathing effect, and determines the bathing effect based on the referred table.

[0178] Therefore, the bathroom system 1A determines the bathing effect based on physical or body information obtained from the user, thereby reducing the user's effort in selecting the bathing effect and providing the user with bathing information regarding bathing that matches the user's wishes.

[0179] In the third embodiment, the control device 20 determines a bathing plan based on the user's physical information, physical information, environmental information, etc., but this is not limiting. The control device 20 may also determine a bathing plan based on bathing plans for other users different from the user. Specifically, the control device 20 uses the determination unit 230 to extract other users with similar or identical attributes, based on any of the information indicated by the user's physical information, physical information, and environmental information. Similar or identical attributes mean, for example, that the user and the other users are the same gender, that the user and the other users have body temperatures between 36.5°C and 36.6°C, or that the bathrooms 10 in which the user and the other users bathe are located within a distance of 10 km. The control device 20 determines the user's bathing plan by changing or maintaining the bathing information included in the base bathing plan based on the user's physical information, physical information, environmental information, etc. Therefore, bathroom system 1A determines a bathing plan based on the bathing plans of other users who have similar or identical attributes to the user, and can therefore provide a bathing plan that is more suitable for the user.

[0180] Furthermore, when initially creating a bathing plan for a user, control device 20 may create the bathing plan based on the bathing plans of other users, and when updating the user's bathing plan, determine the user's bathing plan without using the bathing plans of other users. In other words, when there is little information about the user, bathroom system 1A uses the bathing plans of other users, but when there is more information about the user, it determines the bathing plan without using the bathing plans of other users. Therefore, bathroom system 1A can provide a bathing plan that is more suitable for the user.

[0181] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, bathroom system 1A had control device 20 and terminal device 30 provided as separate entities, and control device 20 was connected to bathroom 10 and terminal devices 30A-30C via communications network NT, but this is not limited to this. Bathroom system 1A may have control device 20 formed integrally with terminal device 30A, or control device 20 formed integrally with terminal device 30A but also configured to be able to communicate with another terminal device 30D. Referring to Figure 9, we will now describe bathroom system 1B in which control device 20 and terminal device 30A are formed integrally.

[0182] Figure 9 is a diagram showing another example of the overall configuration of bathroom system 1B according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 9, bathroom system 1B includes, for example, control device 20 integrally formed with terminal device 30A, bathroom 10, and terminal device 30D provided within bathroom 10.

[0183] The control device 20 is installed on the premises where the bathroom 10 is located or indoors, and is configured to be able to communicate with the bathroom 10 via a wired or wireless connection. The control device 20 also has, for example, a terminal device 30A as a user interface device for the bathroom system 1B. In this example, the control device 20 is configured to be able to communicate with the bathroom 10 and the terminal device 30D, but it may also be installed adjacent to the bathroom 10, so that it is formed integrally with the various devices in the bathroom 10 and the terminal device 30D.

[0184] Terminal device 30A is provided in control device 20 and accepts operational input from the user and outputs various information to the user. Terminal device 30D is provided in bathroom 10 and is configured to be able to communicate with control device 20 via a wired or wireless connection. Terminal device 30D accepts operational input from the user from inside bathroom 10 and outputs various information to the user.

[0185] According to this configuration, even if the control device 20 is not a server device on the communication network NT but is formed integrally with the terminal device 30, the bathroom system 1B can provide bathing information related to bathing that is in line with the bathing effects that are suitable for the user. [Explanation of symbols]

[0186] 1A...bathroom system, 10...bathroom, 20...control device (computer), 220...acquisition unit, 230...determination unit, 240...output unit

Claims

1. a storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of effect information relating to effects that a user desires to obtain by bathing in the bathroom, as well as physical information relating to the user's body; an acquisition unit that acquires at least one piece of effect information among the plurality of pieces of effect information and the physical information; a determination unit that determines bathing information related to bathing in accordance with the effect information and the physical information acquired by the acquisition unit; an output unit that outputs the bathing information determined by the determination unit; A bathroom system comprising:

2. the determining unit substitutes the effect information and the physical information into a predetermined calculation formula or calculation model, and determines a calculation result of the calculation formula or the calculation model as the bathing information. The bathroom system according to claim 1.

3. the acquisition unit acquires the physical information of the user before, during, and after bathing; The determination unit updates the calculation formula or the calculation model based on the physical information acquired before or during the user's bathing and the physical information acquired after the user's bathing. The bathroom system according to claim 2.

4. The acquisition unit acquires information regarding control of a state or operation of the bathroom, The determination unit determines the bathing information based on the information regarding the bathroom state or operation control acquired by the acquisition unit, the effect information, and the physical information. The bathroom system according to claim 1.

5. the acquisition unit acquires environmental information regarding an environment in which the bathroom is located; the determining unit determines the bathing information according to the environmental information, the effect information, and the physical information acquired by the acquiring unit. The bathroom system according to claim 1.

6. a detector for detecting the physical information, the acquisition unit acquires the physical information from an input by the user and a detection result by the detection unit before or during the user's bathing. The bathroom system according to claim 1.

7. The bathing information is information for controlling the operation of the bathroom, A bathroom system as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an operation control unit that controls the operation of the bathroom in accordance with the bathing information output by the output unit.

8. The bathroom system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the output unit proposes the bathing information to the user.

9. Computer, an acquisition unit that acquires effect information regarding the effect that a user wants to obtain by bathing in the bathroom and physical information regarding the user's body; a determination unit that determines bathing information related to bathing in accordance with the effect information and the physical information acquired by the acquisition unit; an output unit that outputs the bathing information determined by the determination unit; A program that functions as a

10. an acquisition unit that acquires effect information regarding the effect that a user wants to obtain by bathing in the bathroom and physical information regarding the user's body; a determination unit that determines bathing information related to bathing in accordance with the effect information and the physical information acquired by the acquisition unit; an output unit that outputs the bathing information determined by the determination unit; A control device comprising:

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