Information processing method, information processing device, and program

Abstract

The control method is a control method in an information processing device, which acquires operation information relating to a group of operations to be performed sequentially on multiple devices installed in a facility, calculates the operation cost required to execute the group of operations indicated by the operation information, and if the operation cost is greater than a predetermined value, generates proposal information that proposes to perform the control of the multiple devices by the group of operations indicated by the operation information all at once, and outputs the proposal information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a technology for proposing batch control of devices.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes calculating a display priority that takes into account the distance between home appliances and a home appliance control device or the priority depending on each operation command acquired from the home appliances. Thereby, it is described that an interface efficiently arranged so that the operation of home appliances can be performed more comfortably is provided to the user.

[0003] Patent Document 2 proposes providing advice on power saving to the user and providing a power management advice device and a power management method that do not bother the user when actually controlling devices based on the advice. Specifically, it is described that advice on power saving generated by an advice generation unit is output by an advice output unit, and based on the advice, a batch control execution unit controls a plurality of devices in a batch.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses an interface for controlling a plurality of devices individually. However, as the demand for IoT devices is increasing, if a plurality of devices can be controlled in a batch, a more comfortable life can be led. Patent Document 2 discloses a device that proposes to control a plurality of devices in a batch based on advice on power saving. However, in Patent Document 2, controlling a plurality of devices in a batch for purposes other than power saving is not considered.

[0005] When the user needs to operate the control of a plurality of devices with switches specific to each device, the user may feel bothered to individually operate the switches specific to each device. Therefore, when proposing batch control of a plurality of devices to the user, it is required to remove the bother that the user feels with respect to the operation of the plurality of devices.

Prior Art Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5081093 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5750182 [Overview of the Initiative]

[0007] This disclosure is made to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to present a control method, control device, and program that can propose the simultaneous control of multiple devices, eliminating user inconvenience.

[0008] A control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control method in an information processing device, which acquires operation information relating to a group of operations to be performed sequentially on a plurality of devices installed in a facility, calculates the operation cost required to execute the group of operations indicated by the operation information, generates proposal information that proposes to perform the control of the plurality of devices by the group of operations indicated by the operation information all at once if the operation cost is greater than a predetermined value, and outputs the proposal information. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This block diagram shows an example of the configuration of the batch control proposal system in the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This block diagram shows an example of the configuration of the management server in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This block diagram shows an example of the configuration of an operating terminal in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the data structure of operation information. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the data structure of operation group information. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the processing of the batch control proposal system in the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 7]This flowchart shows an example of the processing of the batch control proposal system in the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 8A] This figure shows an example of how proposed information is displayed. [Figure 8B] This figure shows other examples of how the proposed information can be displayed. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows an example of processing performed by the processor of the management server in the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] This flowchart shows an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] This flowchart shows an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] This flowchart shows an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] This flowchart shows an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 6 of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] This flowchart shows an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 7 of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] This flowchart shows an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 8 of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] This figure shows an example of the data structure of a fatigue level table. [Figure 19] This flowchart shows an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 9 of this disclosure. [Figure 20] This flowchart shows an example of the cost calculation process in Embodiment 10 of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] (Knowledge underlying the present disclosure) In recent years, research on smart homes that utilize technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) to realize a safer and more comfortable life for residents has been underway. Also, the number of devices that can be remotely operated via a network has been increasing. A user can operate a remotely operable device using a controller and a switch specific to the device.

[0011] Patent Document 1 discloses an invention that provides a user interface that enables efficient operation when a user remotely and centrally operates devices in a control device such as a remote control device via a network. In Patent Document 1, the user interface that enables efficient operation is generated by determining display priorities based on the physical distance between the home appliance control device and each home appliance or the number of executions of the home appliance operation commands of each home appliance.

[0012] However, in Patent Document 1, the home appliance operation commands of each home appliance are displayed on the display unit of the home appliance control device as independent operation buttons. Therefore, so-called batch control, in which a plurality of home appliances are simultaneously controlled by pressing a single operation button, cannot be performed. Accordingly, there is a problem that it is troublesome for the user to have to press the respective operation buttons of a plurality of home appliances in order to simultaneously control the plurality of home appliances.

[0013] Patent Document 2 discloses an interface that prompts a user to perform batch control of a plurality of electric lights and air conditioners installed in a house when it is determined that it is desirable to save power based on power consumption.

[0014] However, the proposed centralized control method disclosed in Patent Document 2 is not a suitable solution for the user's lifestyle. This is because there are situations where users want to centrally control multiple devices for purposes other than energy saving. Specifically, when users need to control multiple devices using the switches on each device, they may find it cumbersome to operate the switches on each device individually, depending on the location of the switches and the time it takes to execute the control. In such cases, users may want to centrally control multiple devices.

[0015] Therefore, the inventors have diligently studied technologies that can propose the simultaneous control of multiple devices to eliminate the inconvenience users feel when operating the devices, and have arrived at the embodiments of this disclosure described below.

[0016] A control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control method in an information processing device, which acquires operation information relating to a group of operations to be performed sequentially on a plurality of devices installed in a facility, calculates the operation cost required to execute the group of operations indicated by the operation information, generates proposal information that proposes to perform the control of the plurality of devices by the group of operations indicated by the operation information all at once if the operation cost is greater than a predetermined value, and outputs the proposal information.

[0017] This configuration allows for the simultaneous control of multiple devices using a series of sequentially executed operations, even when the operational cost required for executing such an operation group exceeds a predetermined value. This enables the simultaneous control of multiple devices, eliminating the inconvenience users experience when executing such operations.

[0018] In the control method described above, when acquiring operation information, information relating to a group of operations performed consecutively on the multiple devices at a frequency higher than a predetermined frequency within a predetermined period may be acquired as the operation information.

[0019] This configuration allows for the simultaneous control of multiple devices by a group of operations that are executed consecutively at a frequency higher than a predetermined value within a predetermined period, when the operational cost required to execute the group of operations is greater than a predetermined value. This makes it possible to propose simultaneous control of multiple devices, eliminating the inconvenience that users feel when frequently executing a group of operations.

[0020] In the control method described above, the predetermined value may be the operation cost required to execute the group of operations indicated by the proposal information, which was calculated when the proposal information for performing the control collectively was output in the past and was accepted.

[0021] According to this configuration, the control of multiple devices by a series of sequentially executed operations can be proposed when the operational cost required to execute the operations is greater than the operational cost calculated when the proposal information was output for a previously accepted proposal to perform control in a single operation.

[0022] Therefore, if a user performs a set of operations with a higher operational cost than the operational cost required to perform the set of operations indicated in the proposal information where a proposal for batch control was previously accepted, the system can offer the user a proposal for batch control. This increases the likelihood that the user will accept the proposal.

[0023] In the control method described above, the predetermined value may be any value determined by the user of the facility.

[0024] This configuration allows for the simultaneous control of multiple devices using a series of sequentially executed operations, when the operational cost required for executing such operations exceeds a value determined by the facility's user.

[0025] Therefore, by setting a predetermined operational cost for performing a group of operations that the user of the facility previously found cumbersome, they can receive a suggestion to centrally control the control of multiple devices using that group of operations when they perform an operation that they anticipate finding cumbersome.

[0026] In the control method described above, the operation cost may be the time required to execute the group of operations indicated by the operation information.

[0027] According to this configuration, the operator of the operation group indicated by the proposed information can compare whether the time required to execute the operation group individually can be reduced by controlling the control of multiple devices by the operation group in a unified manner.

[0028] In the control method described above, the operation cost may be the number of devices operated by the operation group indicated by the operation information.

[0029] According to this configuration, the operator of the operation group indicated by the proposed information can compare whether the effort required to individually execute the operation group while changing the target device can be reduced by collectively controlling the control of multiple devices by the operation group.

[0030] In the control method described above, the equipment installed in the facility is operated using a switch provided on the equipment or an operation screen provided on an operation terminal installed in the facility, and the operation cost may be the number of times the operator touches the switch or the operation screen between the start and end of the operation group indicated by the operation information.

[0031] According to this configuration, the operator of the operation group indicated by the proposed information can compare whether the effort required to execute the operation group while touching the switches or operation screens of the devices can be reduced by controlling the control of multiple devices by the operation group in a unified manner.

[0032] In the control method described above, the operation cost may be the number of operations included in the operation group indicated by the operation information that are unnecessary according to the specifications of the equipment operated by the operation group.

[0033] According to this configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not to propose controlling the control of multiple devices by a group of operations, based on the number of operations that are unnecessary according to the specifications included in a group of operations that are performed sequentially on multiple devices installed in the facility.

[0034] In the control method described above, the operation cost may be the distance traveled by the operator of the operation group indicated by the operation information from the start of the operation to the end of the operation.

[0035] According to this configuration, the operator of the operation group indicated in the proposed information can compare whether the travel distance from the start to the end of the operation of the operation group can be reduced by collectively controlling the control of multiple devices by the operation group.

[0036] In the control method described above, the sum of the distances between the positions where each of the multiple operations included in the operation group indicated by the operation information is performed may be calculated as the travel distance.

[0037] According to this configuration, the operator of the operation group indicated by the proposed information can compare whether the travel distance required to execute the operation group can be reduced by centrally controlling the control of multiple devices by the operation group.

[0038] In the control method described above, the distance of the operator's movement from the start to the end of the operation of the operation group indicated by the operation information may be calculated as the travel distance.

[0039] According to this configuration, the operator of the operation group indicated by the proposed information can calculate a more accurate distance traveled by the operator from the start to the end of each operation group, taking into account the positions the operator was in while moving between the locations where each operation was performed, as well as the positions the operator was in while performing tasks other than operating the equipment. Therefore, the operator can more accurately compare whether the distance traveled to execute the operation group can be reduced by controlling the control of multiple devices by the operation group in a unified manner.

[0040] In the control method described above, the operator's movement path may be obtained based on information indicating the operator's location acquired by sensors installed within the facility.

[0041] This configuration allows for accurate tracking of the operator's movements based on information indicating the operator's location, obtained from sensors installed within the facility.

[0042] In the control method described above, the travel distance may be calculated as the sum of the distances between the location where the operator stays the longest within the facility and the location where each of the multiple operations included in the operation group indicated by the operation information is performed.

[0043] This configuration allows for the calculation of operational costs appropriate to the daily activities of the operator of the operational group indicated by the proposed information. Therefore, the operator can appropriately compare whether the travel distance required to perform the operational group can be reduced by controlling multiple devices simultaneously using the operational group.

[0044] In the control method described above, the location where the operator spends the longest time within the facility may be obtained based on information indicating the operator's location acquired by sensors installed within the facility.

[0045] According to this configuration, based on information indicating the operator's location acquired by sensors installed within the facility, the location where the operator spends the longest time within the facility can be accurately determined.

[0046] In the control method described above, the operation cost may be the degree of fatigue that the operator of the operation group indicated by the operation information experiences when performing the operation group.

[0047] According to this configuration, the operator of the operation group indicated in the proposed information can compare whether the physical burden on the operator can be reduced when performing the operation group by centrally controlling the control of multiple devices by the operation group.

[0048] In the control method described above, the fatigue level may be set to a larger value the greater the average difference between the height from the floor at the position where each of the multiple operations included in the operation group indicated by the operation information is performed and the height of the operator.

[0049] In this configuration, the greater the average difference between the height from the floor at the location where each of the multiple operations included in the operation group indicated by the operation information was performed, and the height of the operator of that operation group, the greater the fatigue level set to be calculated as the operation cost.

[0050] Therefore, the operator of the operation group indicated in the proposed information can appropriately compare whether or not they can reduce the physical strain on themselves in proportion to the difference between the height from the floor at the location where each operation included in the operation group is performed and their own height, by controlling the control of multiple devices by the operation group in a unified manner.

[0051] In the control method described above, the equipment installed in the facility is operated using a switch provided on the equipment or an operation screen provided on an operation terminal installed in the facility, and the operation cost may be the sum of the travel time required to move between the multiple switches used in the operation group indicated by the operation information and the time required to control the equipment by each operation included in the operation group.

[0052] According to this configuration, the operator of the operation group indicated by the proposed information can compare whether the time required to complete the control of multiple devices while moving to perform all operations included in the operation group can be shortened by controlling the control of multiple devices by the operation group in a unified manner.

[0053] In the control method described above, when calculating the operation cost, if there is at least one calculation method used in the past to calculate the operation cost that was used when outputting one or more pieces of proposal information in which the proposal was accepted with a probability of being above a predetermined threshold, the operation cost may be calculated using the calculation method that maximizes the probability among the one or more calculation methods. If there is no such at least one calculation method, the operation cost may be calculated using a calculation method different from the one or more calculation methods.

[0054] This configuration allows for the calculation of operational costs using a method that maximizes the probability of accepting the proposal.

[0055] An information processing device according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes: an acquisition unit that acquires operation information relating to a group of operations to be performed sequentially on a plurality of devices installed in a facility; a calculation unit that calculates the operation cost required to execute the group of operations indicated by the operation information; a generation unit that generates proposal information that proposes to control the plurality of devices collectively using the group of operations indicated by the operation information if the operation cost is greater than a predetermined value; and an output unit that outputs the proposal information.

[0056] This configuration provides the same effects and benefits as the control method described above.

[0057] A program according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a program for operating a computer, the computer being operated by: an acquisition unit that acquires operation information relating to a group of operations to be performed sequentially on a plurality of devices installed in a facility; a calculation unit that calculates the operation cost required to execute the group of operations indicated by the operation information; a generation unit that, if the operation cost is greater than a predetermined value, generates proposal information that proposes to control the plurality of devices collectively using the group of operations indicated by the operation information; and an output unit that outputs the proposal information.

[0058] This configuration provides the same effects and benefits as the control method described above.

[0059] This disclosure can also be implemented as a system operated by such a program. Furthermore, it goes without saying that such a computer program can be distributed via computer-readable, non-temporary recording media such as CD-ROMs or via communication networks such as the Internet.

[0060] The embodiments described below are all specific examples of this disclosure. The numerical values, shapes, components, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, those not described in the independent claim representing the highest-level concept will be described as optional components. In addition, the contents of each embodiment can be combined.

[0061] (Embodiment 1) The following describes embodiments for implementing the control method, information processing device, and program according to the present invention, with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0062] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a centralized control proposal system in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The centralized control proposal system includes a management server 1 (an example of an information processing device), an operating terminal 2, and equipment 3. The management server 1, operating terminal 2, and equipment 3 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network 9. The network 9 consists of a wide-area communication network, including, for example, the Internet communication network and a mobile phone communication network.

[0063] Facility 4 is equipped with multiple devices 3 and operating terminals 2. The unified control proposal system has the function of proposing unified control of the multiple devices 3 installed in Facility 4. Facility 4 may be equipped with multiple devices 3 of the same model, such as shutters installed on each of the multiple windows of Facility 4. Alternatively, Facility 4 may be equipped with multiple devices 3 of different models, such as shutters and lighting fixtures.

[0064] Facility 4 is, for example, a residence. The residence may be an apartment building or a detached house. Facility 4 may also be an office. If Facility 4 is a residence, the resident operates Equipment 3 and Operation Terminal 2. If Facility 4 is an office, the user of the office operates Equipment 3 and Operation Terminal 2. Hereafter, the resident of the residence and the user of the office will be referred to as a user.

[0065] Management Server 1 is a server that performs information processing to propose the simultaneous control of multiple devices 3 to the user. Management Server 1 stores the information necessary for the proposal and performs various information processing necessary for the proposal. Management Server 1 is composed of, for example, a server device including a computer or a cloud server including one or more computers.

[0066] The user can control multiple devices 3 collectively and individually via the control terminal 2. Collective control of multiple devices 3 means controlling multiple devices 3 simultaneously with a single operation of the control terminal 2. Individual control of multiple devices 3 means controlling each of the multiple devices 3 individually through operations of the control terminal 2.

[0067] The operating terminal 2 receives operations performed by the user on the device 3 and transmits an execution instruction to the device 3 to control the device 3 corresponding to the received operation. The operating terminal 2 can be, for example, a stationary information terminal or a wall-mounted information terminal. The operating terminal 2 may also be a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet owned by the user.

[0068] Device 3 includes, for example, electrical equipment with communication functions such as IoT devices. Device 3 does not include refrigerators and other devices that are always powered on, but includes electrical equipment whose power is turned on and off by the user. For example, Device 3 includes personal computers, televisions, shutters, lighting, and air conditioners.

[0069] Device 3 is controlled by the user through operation of the control terminal 2 or switches specific to device 3. Switches specific to device 3 include, for example, push-button switches installed on the walls of facility 4, such as switches for turning lights on and off. Switches specific to device 3 also include a remote controller dedicated to device 3. Hereinafter, switches specific to device 3 will be abbreviated as switches for device 3.

[0070] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management server 1 in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The management server 1 includes a communication circuit 11, a processor 12 (an example of a computer), and memory 13.

[0071] The communication circuit 11 is a communication interface circuit compatible with communication methods using a network 9 such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and connects the management server 1 to the network 9. The communication circuit 11 outputs various information received from multiple devices 3 and operation terminals 2 via the network 9 to the processor 12. Under the control of the processor 12, the communication circuit 11 transmits various information via the network 9 to external devices connected to the network 9.

[0072] The processor 12 consists of an integrated circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). By executing a control program stored in the memory 13, the processor 12 functions as an acquisition unit 121, an operation trend extraction unit 122, a calculation unit 123, a selection unit 124, a generation unit 125, and an output unit 126.

[0073] The acquisition unit 121 acquires information received by the communication circuit 11 from the operation terminal 2 and the device 3 via the network 9. The acquisition unit 121 also acquires information stored in the memory 13.

[0074] The information received from the operating terminal 2 includes, for example, information regarding operations performed by the user on device 3 using the operating terminal 2 (hereinafter referred to as operation information). The information received from the operating terminal 2 also includes information indicating whether the user accepted the batch control of multiple devices 3 proposed by the management server 1 (hereinafter referred to as acceptance information). The information received from device 3 includes, for example, operation information regarding operations performed by the user using switches specific to device 3. Details of the operation information and acceptance information will be described later. When the acquisition unit 121 acquires operation information, it stores the operation information in the operation information storage unit 131, which will be described later.

[0075] The operation trend extraction unit 122 extracts a group of operations that are performed consecutively on multiple devices 3 installed within the facility 4 as a group of operations for which it should decide whether or not to propose a unified control solution. Here, a group of operations performed consecutively refers to multiple operations performed within a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes).

[0076] Specifically, the operation trend extraction unit 122 refers to the operation information stored in the operation information storage unit 131 (described later) and extracts groups of operations that are performed consecutively on multiple devices 3 at a frequency higher than a predetermined frequency within a predetermined period as groups of operations for which a decision should be made on whether or not to propose batch control.

[0077] For example, suppose the predetermined period is set to one month, and the predetermined frequency is set to once a week. Also, suppose that for one month, every day at sunset, the operation to close all the shutters installed in facility 4 is performed within a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes). This can be determined by referring to the operation information stored in the operation information storage unit 131.

[0078] In this case, the operation trend extraction unit 122 determines whether or not to propose a batch control of closing all shutters, which has been performed more frequently than a predetermined frequency for one month. The operation trend extraction unit 122 then extracts all shutter closing operations performed within a predetermined time period as a group of operations for which it should decide whether or not to propose a batch control. The predetermined period and frequency may be set as appropriate by the user operating the management server 1.

[0079] Furthermore, the operation trend extraction unit 122 may extract a group of operations that have been performed on multiple devices 3 at least once in the past within a predetermined time period as a group of operations for which it should decide whether or not to propose batch control.

[0080] The calculation unit 123 calculates the operation cost required to execute the group of operations extracted by the operation trend extraction unit 122. The operation cost is, for example, the time elapsed from the time the first operation included in the group of operations extracted by the operation trend extraction unit 122 is performed to the time the last operation included in that group is performed. However, the method of calculating the operation cost is not limited to this. Details of the method of calculating the operation cost will be described later.

[0081] The selection unit 124 compares the operation cost calculated by the calculation unit 123 with a predetermined value, and based on the result of the comparison, determines whether or not to propose a unified control of multiple devices 3 using the operation group extracted by the operation trend extraction unit 122.

[0082] Specifically, the selection unit 124 determines that if the operation cost calculated by the calculation unit 123 is greater than a predetermined value, it proposes a unified control of multiple devices 3 using the operation trend extraction unit 122. The predetermined value is determined, for example, based on the content of proposals previously accepted by users.

[0083] If the selection unit 124 determines that it should propose batch control, the generation unit 125 generates proposal information that proposes to perform batch control of multiple devices 3 using the operation groups extracted by the operation tendency extraction unit 122.

[0084] Specifically, the proposed information includes identification information for the device 3 on which each operation included in the operation trend extraction unit 122 performed, and information indicating the control content of device 3 by each operation. The proposed information also includes information regarding the frequency of execution of the operation group extracted by the operation trend extraction unit 122, such as how many times that operation group was performed within a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as frequency information).

[0085] The output unit 126 outputs the suggestion information generated by the generation unit 125. Specifically, the output unit 126 transmits the suggestion information to the operation terminal 2 using the communication circuit 11.

[0086] The memory 13 consists of storage devices such as a hard disk drive and a solid-state drive. The memory 13 includes an operation information storage unit 131, an operation group information storage unit 132, and a layout information storage unit 133.

[0087] The operation information storage unit 131 stores the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 121. When a user operates the equipment 3 installed in facility 4, operation information related to that operation is stored in the operation information storage unit 131 as new data. Details of the operation information will be described later.

[0088] The operation group information storage unit 132 stores information about operation groups previously extracted by the operation trend extraction unit 122 (hereinafter referred to as operation group information). When the operation trend extraction unit 122 extracts an operation group for which it should decide whether or not to propose batch control, the operation group information relating to that operation group is stored in the operation group information storage unit 132 as new data. Details of the proposed operation information will be described later.

[0089] The floor plan information storage unit 133 stores floor plan information showing the layout of the facility 4. The floor plan information includes information showing the arrangement of sections and rooms within the facility 4, identification information of the equipment 3 and operating terminal 2 located in those sections and rooms, the location of the equipment 3 and operating terminal 2, and the location of the switches on the equipment 3. The location is represented, for example, by latitude, longitude, and altitude.

[0090] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the operating terminal 2 in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The operating terminal 2 includes a communication circuit 21, a display 23, a memory 24, an operating unit 25, and a processor 22.

[0091] The communication circuit 21 is a communication interface circuit that supports a communication method using a network 9 such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and connects the operating terminal 2 to the network 9.

[0092] The display 23 is composed of display devices such as liquid crystal displays and organic EL displays. Under the control of the processor 22, the display 23 displays the operation screens of multiple devices 3 installed in the facility 4. The operation screens include soft keys for switching to other operation screens and soft keys associated with the control of the devices 3.

[0093] Memory 24 consists of non-volatile, rewritable storage devices such as flash memory.

[0094] The control unit 25 consists of a touch panel device, a mouse, and a keyboard. The control unit 25 accepts input from soft keys displayed on the display 23.

[0095] The processor 22, for example, is composed of a CPU and is responsible for the overall control of the operation terminal 2. For example, when the operation unit 25 receives an operation of a soft key associated with the control of device 3, the processor 22 determines that the user has performed an operation on device 3 and sends an execution instruction for the control of device 3 associated with the soft key to device 3 using the communication circuit 21. As a result, device 3, upon receiving the execution instruction, performs the control of device 3 indicated by the execution instruction. The processor 22 also sends operation information regarding the operation performed on device 3 by the user to the management server 1 using the communication circuit 21.

[0096] When the communication circuit 21 receives proposal information from the management server 1, the processor 22 displays the proposal information on the display 23. This allows the user to consider whether or not to accept the simultaneous control of multiple devices 3 using the set of operations indicated by the proposal information by viewing the proposal information displayed on the display 23.

[0097] Next, the data structure of the operation information will be described. Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure of the operation information. Operation information is generated when a user operates device 3 at device 3 or operation terminal 2, and is transmitted to management server 1. When the acquisition unit 121 acquires the operation information received from device 3 or operation terminal 2, it stores the operation information in the operation information storage unit 131. The operation information includes the operation date, operation time, device ID, operation position, switch flag, operation terminal flag, and control content.

[0098] The operation date and time are the date and time when the operation on device 3 was performed. For example, the date and time when the user finished operating on device 3 using a switch or operation terminal 2 are set as the operation date and time. The device ID is the identification information of device 3. For example, the product name of device 3, the model number of device 3, or a name that the user has given to device 3 is set as the device ID.

[0099] The operating position indicates the location where the user operated device 3. For example, the operating position is set as a three-dimensional numerical value representing the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the location where the user operated device 3. However, it is not limited to this; the operating position may also be set as a two-dimensional numerical value representing the latitude and longitude of the location where the user operated device 3.

[0100] When a user operates device 3 using the switch on device 3, a three-dimensional or two-dimensional numerical value indicating the position of the switch on device 3 is set as the operating position. On the other hand, when a user operates device 3 using the operating terminal 2, a three-dimensional or two-dimensional numerical value indicating the position of the operating terminal 2 is set as the operating position.

[0101] Furthermore, when the acquisition unit 121 acquires operation information received from the device 3, it may refer to the floor plan information storage unit 133 to acquire the location of the switch on the device 3 corresponding to the device ID of the operation information, and set the acquired location as the operation location of the operation information.

[0102] The switch flag indicates whether the user performed an operation on device 3 using the switch on device 3. If the user performed an operation on device 3 using the switch on device 3, the symbol "*" is set as the switch flag.

[0103] The operation terminal flag indicates whether or not the user performed an operation on device 3 using operation terminal 2. If the user performed an operation on device 3 using operation terminal 2, the symbol "*" is set as the operation terminal flag. Note that multiple operation terminals 2, consisting of stationary information terminals, wall-mounted information terminals, or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets owned by the user, are installed within facility 4. In this case, a symbol or number that identifies the operation terminal 2 used by the user to perform the operation on device 3 may be set as the operation terminal flag.

[0104] The control details indicate the content of the control performed on device 3 by the operation performed on device 3. Note that the data structure of the operation information is not limited to the data structure shown in Figure 4, and other information may be included in the operation information.

[0105] Next, the data structure of the operation group information stored in the operation group information storage unit 132 will be described. Figure 5 shows an example of the data structure of the operation group information. The operation group information includes extraction date and time, management number, proposal flag, acceptance flag, operation cost, calculation method, equipment ID, and control details.

[0106] The extraction date and time is the date and time when the operation trend extraction unit 122 extracted a group of operations for which it should decide whether or not to propose batch control.

[0107] The management number is a number that identifies the operation group extracted by the operation trend extraction unit 122. In other words, different operation groups are assigned different management numbers. In the example in Figure 5, the operation group extracted at extraction date and time "D1" and the operation group extracted at extraction date and time "D3", which is later than extraction date and time "D1", both represent operations to perform control content "CCC" on equipment 3 identified by equipment ID "AAA" and operations to perform control content "DDD" on equipment 3 identified by equipment ID "BBB". For this reason, these two operation groups have the same management number "EEE".

[0108] The proposal flag is a flag that indicates the determination result of the selection unit 124 of the processor 12. Suppose the selection unit 124 determines that it proposes simultaneous control of multiple devices 3 using the operation group extracted by the operation tendency extraction unit 122. In this case, the symbol "*" is stored in the proposal flag of the operation group information related to that operation group.

[0109] The acceptance flag indicates whether the user has accepted the proposed batch control when a batch control of multiple devices 3 is proposed using a group of operations extracted by the operation tendency extraction unit 122.

[0110] In other words, the operation tendency extraction unit 122 proposes a unified control of multiple devices 3 using the extracted operation group, and the user accepts the proposed unified control. In this case, the symbol "*" is stored in the proposal flag of the operation group information for that operation group, and the symbol "*" is stored in the acceptance flag of the operation group information.

[0111] On the other hand, suppose the operation trend extraction unit 122 proposes a batch control of multiple devices 3 using a group of operations, but the user does not accept the proposed batch control. In this case, the symbol "*" is stored in the proposal flag of the operation group information for that operation group, but the acceptance flag of the operation group information is left blank.

[0112] For example, Figure 5 shows that a batch control of multiple devices 3 using the operation group extracted at extraction date and time "D1" was proposed, but the user did not accept the proposed batch control. Also, Figure 5 shows that when a batch control of multiple devices 3 using the same operation group extracted at extraction date and time "D1" was proposed at extraction date and time "D3", which is later than extraction date and time "D1", the user accepted the proposed batch control.

[0113] Furthermore, suppose the selection unit 124 determines that it will not propose a unified control of multiple devices 3 using the operation group extracted by the operation tendency extraction unit 122. In this case, since the unified control is not proposed, the operation group information acceptance flag for that operation group will be blank.

[0114] The operation cost is the cost required to execute the group of operations extracted by the operation trend extraction unit 122. The operation cost is calculated by the calculation unit 123.

[0115] The calculation method is information that identifies the method used by the calculation unit 123 to calculate the operation cost. Specifically, the calculation method stores information that identifies the operation cost calculation method shown in Embodiment 1 and Embodiments 2 to 9 described later. For example, Figure 5 shows an example where the operation cost "P2" was calculated using the operation cost calculation method shown in Embodiment 2, and therefore "2" is stored in the calculation method.

[0116] The device ID is identification information for device 3 controlled by the operation group extracted by the operation trend extraction unit 122. The device ID stores, for example, the product name of device 3, the model number of device 3, or a name that the user has given to device 3.

[0117] The control content indicates the control performed on device 3 based on the operation trend extraction unit 122. The control content stores information such as whether to turn the power of device 3 on or off.

[0118] Next, the processing performed in the batch control proposal system will be described. Figures 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing an example of the processing in the batch control proposal system in the embodiment of this disclosure. First, the process of storing operation information transmitted by the device 3 and the operation terminal 2 in the management server 1 will be explained using Figure 6. The processing shown in Figure 6 is executed each time the device 3 is operated by a user. The following describes each step shown in Figure 6.

[0119] (Step S101) When a user performs an operation on device 3 using the switch on device 3, device 3 transmits operation information related to that operation to the management server 1. Also, when a user performs an operation on device 3 using the operation terminal 2, the operation terminal 2 transmits operation information related to that operation to the management server 1.

[0120] (Step S201) In the management server 1, the communication circuit 11 receives the operation information transmitted in step S101.

[0121] (Step S202) The acquisition unit 121 acquires the operation information received in step S201 and stores the acquired operation information in the operation information storage unit 131 of the memory 13.

[0122] Next, when the management server 1 proposes batch control of multiple devices 3, the processes performed in the batch control proposal system will be explained using Figure 7. The processes shown in Figure 7 are performed periodically, for example, once a month. The frequency of the processes shown in Figure 7 may be set by the user at any frequency. The following describes each step shown in Figure 7.

[0123] (Step S203) In the management server 1, the operation trend extraction unit 122 extracts a group of operations for which it should decide whether or not to propose batch control.

[0124] (Step S204) The calculation unit 123 calculates the operation cost required to execute the group of operations extracted in step S203.

[0125] (Step S205) The selection unit 124 determines that if the operation cost calculated in step S204 is greater than a predetermined value, it proposes to propose batch control of the control of multiple devices 3 using the operation group extracted in step S203.

[0126] (Step S206) The generation unit 125 generates proposal information that proposes to control multiple devices 3 collectively using the operation group extracted in step S203.

[0127] (Step S207) The output unit 126 transmits the proposal information generated in step S206 to the operation terminal 2 using the communication circuit 11.

[0128] (Step S301) At the operating terminal 2, the communication circuit 21 receives the proposal information transmitted in step S207.

[0129] (Step S302) The processor 22 displays the proposal information received in step S301 on the display 23. Figure 8A shows an example of the display of proposal information. For example, as shown in Figure 8A, the processor 22 displays an operation screen 80 containing the proposal information on the display 23. The operation screen 80 includes a first display field 81, a second display field 82, an accept button 83, and a reject button 84.

[0130] The first display field 81 displays frequency information included in the proposed information. The second display field 82 displays the device ID of the device 3 on which each operation included in the operation group extracted by the operation trend extraction unit 122, and information indicating the control content of device 3 by each operation, which are included in the proposed information. The accept button 83 is a soft key for performing an operation to accept the proposal shown in the proposed information. The reject button 84 is a soft key for performing an operation to reject the proposal shown in the proposed information.

[0131] (Step S303) The user selects whether to accept or reject the proposal shown in the proposal information by pressing the accept button 83 or reject button 84 using the operation unit 25. The processor 22 receives the acceptance information showing the user's selection.

[0132] Specifically, if the user presses the accept button 83, the processor 22 receives acceptance information indicating that it accepts the proposal shown in the proposal information. On the other hand, if the user presses the reject button 84, the processor 22 receives acceptance information indicating that it does not accept the proposal shown in the proposal information.

[0133] (Step S304) The operating terminal 2 transmits the recruitment information received in step S303 to the management server 1 using the communication circuit 21.

[0134] (Step S208) When the management server 1 receives the recruitment information transmitted in step S304 via the communication circuit 11, the acquisition unit 121 acquires the recruitment information received by the communication circuit 11.

[0135] (Step S209) In the management server 1, the acquisition unit 121 stores the operation group information related to the operation group extracted in step S203 in the operation information storage unit 131, based on the determination result in step S205 and the adoption information acquired in step S208.

[0136] Specifically, in step S209, if the acquisition unit 121 determines in step S205 that it will propose a batch control of multiple devices 3 using the operation group extracted in step S203, it stores the symbol "*" in the operation group information proposal flag.

[0137] If the acquisition unit 121 acquires acceptance information in step S208 indicating that it accepts the proposal indicated by the proposal information, it stores the symbol "*" in the acceptance flag of the operation group information. On the other hand, if the acquisition unit 121 acquires acceptance information in step S208 indicating that it does not accept the proposal indicated by the proposal information, it does not store the symbol "*" in the acceptance flag of the operation group information. As a result, the acceptance flag of the operation group information becomes blank.

[0138] Next, the processing performed by the processor 12 in the management server 1 will be described. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the processor 12 of the management server 1 in the embodiment of this disclosure. The following describes each step shown in Figure 9.

[0139] (Step S401) The acquisition unit 121 acquires the operation information received by the communication circuit 11 and stores the acquired operation information in the operation information storage unit 131. This process corresponds to step S202 above.

[0140] (Step S402) The operation trend extraction unit 122 extracts groups of operations for which it should be determined whether or not to propose batch control. This process corresponds to step S203 above. If multiple groups of operations are extracted in step S402, the processing from step S403 onwards is performed for each of the multiple groups of operations.

[0141] (Step S403) The calculation unit 123 calculates the operation cost required to execute the group of operations extracted in step S402. This process corresponds to step S204 above.

[0142] (Step S404) The selection unit 124 determines whether the operation cost calculated in step S403 is greater than a predetermined value. This process corresponds to step S205 above.

[0143] If it is determined in step S404 that the operation cost is greater than a predetermined value (YES in step S404), the processing from step S405 onwards is performed.

[0144] (Step S405) The generation unit 125 generates proposal information that proposes to control multiple devices 3 collectively using the operation group extracted in step S402. This process corresponds to step S206 above.

[0145] (Step S406) The output unit 126 transmits the proposal information generated in step S405 to the operation terminal 2 using the communication circuit 11. This process corresponds to step S207 described above.

[0146] (Step S407) When the communication circuit 11 receives the recruitment information transmitted from the operation terminal 2, the acquisition unit 121 acquires the recruitment information received by the communication circuit 11. This process corresponds to step S208 above.

[0147] If the operation cost is determined to be less than or equal to a predetermined value in step S404 (NO in step S404), then step S408 is performed after step S407.

[0148] (Step S408) Based on the determination result in step S404 and the adoption information acquired in step S407, the acquisition unit 121 stores the operation group information related to the operation group extracted in step S402 in the operation information storage unit 131. This process corresponds to step S209 above.

[0149] Next, the calculation process for operation costs by the calculation unit 123 in step S404 (hereinafter referred to as the operation cost calculation process) will be described. The calculation unit 123 calculates the time required to execute the group of operations extracted in step S402 as the operation cost. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. The steps shown in Figure 10 will be described below.

[0150] (Step S501) The calculation unit 123 obtains the operation time for each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402. The operation time for each device 3 can be obtained by referring to the operation information (Figure 4) stored in the operation information storage unit 131.

[0151] (Step S502) The calculation unit 123 calculates the operation cost as the difference between the operation time of the first operation performed and the operation time of the last operation performed in the group of operations extracted in step S402, from the operation times of each operation obtained in step S501. This makes it possible to calculate the time required to execute the group of operations extracted in step S402.

[0152] Furthermore, in step S502, the operation times stored in the operation information storage unit 131 are referenced, and the difference between the operation time of the first operation and the operation time of the last operation is calculated as the operation cost. For this reason, for example, if the user performed the operations extracted in step S402 using the switches of each device 3, the time spent moving between the switches of each device 3 can also be included in the operation cost.

[0153] The operation cost calculated in step S502 is used in step S404 for comparison with a predetermined value. In this embodiment, the predetermined value is, for example, the time required to execute the operation group indicated by the proposal information, which is calculated as the operation cost required to execute the operation group indicated by the proposal information when generating proposal information that shows proposals previously accepted by the user.

[0154] However, the predetermined value is not limited to this and may be any value determined by the user. Alternatively, the predetermined value may be the time required to issue a control start command to the multiple devices 3 in a single operation in order to start controlling the multiple devices 3 using the operation group extracted in step S402. Specifically, this time is the time required to switch the display 23 of the operation terminal 2 from a state in which a predetermined home screen is displayed to a state in which an operation screen including soft keys for issuing a control start command to the multiple devices 3 in a single operation is displayed.

[0155] As described above, in Embodiment 1, the operational cost required to execute the extracted group of operations, which is used to determine whether or not to propose batch control, is calculated to include the time required to move between the switches of each device 3. Therefore, according to Embodiment 1, it is possible to compare whether or not the time required to individually execute the extracted group of operations while moving between the switches of each device 3 can be reduced by batch control of the control of multiple devices 3 using the extracted group of operations.

[0156] (Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In Embodiment 2, the configuration of the management server 1, the configuration of the operation terminal 2, the data structure of the operation information, and the data structure of the operation group information are the same as in Embodiment 1. Therefore, the description of the configuration which is the same as in Embodiment 1 will be omitted below.

[0157] In Embodiment 2, the calculation unit 123 calculates the number of devices 3 operated by the operation group extracted in step S402 as the operation cost. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. The steps shown in Figure 11 will be described below.

[0158] (Step S701) The calculation unit 123 obtains the number of devices 3 operated by the operation group extracted in step S402. The number of devices 3 can be obtained by referring to the operation information (Figure 4) stored in the operation information storage unit 131.

[0159] Furthermore, if the calculation unit 123 includes multiple identical devices 3 among the devices 3 operated by the operation group extracted in step S402, it may acquire the number of such multiple identical devices 3 as 1. In other words, the calculation unit 123 may acquire the number of devices 3 operated by the operation group extracted in step S402 in such a way that there are no duplicate identical devices 3.

[0160] Furthermore, if the group of operations extracted in step S402 includes multiple identical devices 3, it is assumed that these multiple identical devices 3 include devices 3 operated using a switch and devices 3 operated using an operation terminal 2. In this case, the calculation unit 123 may obtain the number of such multiple identical devices 3 as 2. In other words, the calculation unit 123 may obtain the number of devices 3 operated by the group of operations extracted in step S402 in such a way that the same devices 3 do not overlap, and that the devices used to operate the devices 3 do not overlap.

[0161] (Step S702) The calculation unit 123 calculates the number of devices 3 obtained in step S701 as the operating cost.

[0162] The operation cost calculated in step S702 is used in step S404 for comparison with a predetermined value. In this embodiment, the predetermined value is, for example, the number of devices 3 operated by the operation group, which is calculated as the operation cost required to execute the operation group indicated by the proposal information when generating proposal information that shows proposals previously accepted by the user. However, the predetermined value is not limited to this and may be any value determined by the user.

[0163] As described above, in Embodiment 2, the number of devices 3 operated by the extracted group of operations, which is used to determine whether or not to propose batch control, is calculated as the operation cost. Therefore, according to Embodiment 2, by batch controlling the operation of multiple devices 3 using the extracted group of operations, it is possible to compare whether or not the effort required to individually execute the group of operations while changing the target device 3 can be reduced.

[0164] (Embodiment 3) Embodiment 3 of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In Embodiment 3, the configuration of the management server 1, the configuration of the operation terminal 2, the data structure of the operation information, and the data structure of the operation group information are the same as in Embodiment 1. Therefore, the description of the configuration which is the same as in Embodiment 1 will be omitted below.

[0165] In Embodiment 3, the calculation unit 123 calculates the number of times the operator touches the operation screen provided on the operation terminal 2 from the start to the end of the operation of the operation group extracted in step S402 as the operation cost. Specifically, the operation of the operation screen provided on the operation terminal 2 is performed using soft keys displayed on the operation screen. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 3 of this disclosure. The steps shown in Figure 12 will be described below.

[0166] (Step S801) The calculation unit 123 obtains the number of taps required for each operation performed using the operation terminal 2 included in the operation group extracted in step S402. The number of taps is the number of times the operator touches the soft key displayed on the operation screen shown on the display 23 of the operation terminal 2 to operate the soft key. In other words, the number of taps is the number of times the operator touches the soft key displayed on the operation screen.

[0167] Specifically, the number of taps required to control device 3 by operating the operation terminal 2 is stored in the operation information storage unit 131 in association with the identification information of device 3 and the operation. In step S801, the calculation unit 123 obtains from the operation information storage unit 131 the number of taps associated with the identification information of each operation performed using the operation terminal 2 and the device 3 controlled by each operation, which are included in the operation group extracted in step S402. The calculation unit 123 obtains the number of taps obtained from the operation information storage unit 131 as the number of taps required for each operation performed using the operation terminal 2, which are included in the operation group extracted in step S402.

[0168] However, the method for obtaining the number of taps in step S801 is not limited to this. For example, when an operation is performed on the operation terminal 2, the processor 22 may count the number of times the soft keys are operated by the operation unit 25 and include this count in the operation information sent to the management server 1. Then, in step S801, the calculation unit 123 may refer to the operation information stored in the operation information storage unit 131 and obtain the number of taps required for each operation performed using the operation terminal 2 included in the group of operations extracted in step S402.

[0169] (Step S802) The calculation unit 123 calculates the sum of the number of taps required for each operation performed using the operation terminal 2 included in the operation group extracted in step S402, which was obtained in step S801, as the operation cost.

[0170] Furthermore, the calculation unit 123 may calculate the operation cost not by counting the number of times the operator touched the switch on the device 3 and operated it, but rather by counting the number of times the operator touched the operation screen on the operation terminal 2 during the period from the start to the end of the operation of the operation group extracted in step S402.

[0171] In this case, in step S801, the calculation unit 123 obtains the number of taps as the number of times the operator touched the switch of the device 3 in each operation performed using the switch of the device 3 included in the group of operations extracted in step S402.

[0172] Specifically, the number of taps required to control device 3 by operating the switch on device 3 is stored in the operation information storage unit 131 in association with the identification information of device 3 and the operation. In step S801, the calculation unit 123 obtains from the operation information storage unit 131 the number of taps associated with each operation performed using the switch on device 3 included in the operation group extracted in step S402 and the identification information of device 3 controlled by each operation. The calculation unit 123 obtains the number of taps obtained from the operation information storage unit 131 as the number of taps required for each operation performed using the switch on device 3 included in the operation group extracted in step S402.

[0173] However, this is not limited to this. For example, when a switch on device 3 is operated, device 3 may count the number of times the switch is operated and include this count in the operation information sent to the management server 1. Then, in step S801, the calculation unit 123 may refer to the operation information stored in the operation information storage unit 131 and obtain the number of taps required for each operation performed using the switch of device 3 included in the group of operations extracted in step S402.

[0174] In this case, in step S802, the calculation unit 123 should calculate the sum of the number of taps required for each operation performed using the switches of the device 3 included in the operation group extracted in step S402, which was obtained in step S801, as the operation cost.

[0175] The operation cost calculated in step S802 is used in step S404 for comparison with a predetermined value. In this embodiment, the predetermined value is defined as the sum of the number of taps required for each operation included in the operation group, calculated as the operation cost required to execute the operation group indicated by the proposal information when generating proposal information that shows proposals previously accepted by the user. However, the predetermined value is not limited to this and may be any value determined by the user. Alternatively, the predetermined value may be the number of taps required for a predetermined operation using the operation terminal 2 to control multiple devices 3 collectively using the operation group extracted in step S402.

[0176] As described above, in Embodiment 3, the sum of the number of taps required for each operation included in the operation group extracted as the operation group for which a decision should be made as to whether or not to propose batch control is calculated as the operation cost. Therefore, according to Embodiment 3, by batch controlling the control of multiple devices 3 using the extracted operation group, it is possible to compare whether or not the effort required to execute the operation group while switching between switches or multiple soft keys of the devices 3 can be reduced.

[0177] (Embodiment 4) Embodiment 4 of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In Embodiment 4, the configuration of the management server 1, the configuration of the operation terminal 2, the data structure of the operation information, and the data structure of the operation group information are the same as in Embodiment 1. Therefore, the description of the configuration which is the same as in Embodiment 1 will be omitted below.

[0178] In Embodiment 4, the calculation unit 123 calculates the number of operations included in the operation group extracted in step S402 that are unnecessary according to the specifications of the equipment 3 operated by the operation group, as the operation cost. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 4 of this disclosure. The steps shown in Figure 13 will be described below.

[0179] (Step S901) The calculation unit 123 obtains the specified operation step corresponding to each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402.

[0180] The specified operation steps corresponding to each operation are the minimum necessary operations for the switches on the device 3 or the soft keys on the operation terminal 2, which are required to perform the same control as the control of the device 3 by each operation, and are defined in the specifications of the device 3. The specifications of each device 3 installed in facility 4 are stored in the operation information storage unit 131 in association with the identification information of each device 3. Therefore, in step S901, the calculation unit 123 refers to the specifications of the multiple devices 3 that are to be controlled by the operation group extracted in step S402, which are stored in the operation information storage unit 131, and obtains the specified operation steps corresponding to each operation included in the operation group.

[0181] Specifically, let's assume that the operations included in the group of operations extracted in step S402 are operations on the switches of device 3. In this case, the calculation unit 123 acquires the minimum necessary group of switches on device 3 that are required to perform the same control as the control of device 3 by said operation, as specified operation steps. On the other hand, let's assume that the operations included in the group of operations extracted in step S402 are operations on the operation terminal 2. In this case, the calculation unit 123 acquires the minimum necessary group of soft key operations on the operation terminal 2 that are required to perform the same control as the control of device 3 by said operation, as specified operation steps.

[0182] (Step S902) The calculation unit 123 obtains the operation steps (hereinafter referred to as user operation steps) performed by the user for each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402. User operation steps refer to the operation groups of switches on the device 3 and the operation groups of soft keys on the operation terminal 2 performed by the user for each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402.

[0183] Specifically, when an operation on device 3 is performed using a soft key on the operation terminal 2, the processor 22 includes the identification information of the soft key in the operation information and sends it to the management server 1. Similarly, when device 3 is operated using a switch on device 3, device 3 includes the identification information of the switch in the operation information and sends it to the management server 1. Therefore, in step S902, the calculation unit 123 can obtain the user operation step by referring to the operation information stored in the operation information storage unit 131.

[0184] (Step S903) The calculation unit 123 compares the number of operation steps according to the specifications obtained in step S901 with the number of user operation steps obtained in step S902.

[0185] Specifically, in step S903, the calculation unit 123 calculates the sum of the number of specified operation steps corresponding to each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402, which was obtained in step S901, as the number of specified operation steps obtained in step S901. Similarly, the calculation unit 123 calculates the sum of the number of user operation steps performed for each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402, which was obtained in step S902, as the number of user operation steps obtained in step S902.

[0186] If the number of specified operation steps is less than the number of user operation steps (YES in step S903), the calculation unit 123 performs step S904. If the number of specified operation steps is greater than or equal to the number of user operation steps (NO in step S903), the calculation unit 123 terminates the operation cost calculation process. In this case, the process proceeds to step S404 in Figure 9. In this case, since the operation cost calculation process has ended without calculating the operation cost, step S404 determines that the operation cost is less than or equal to a predetermined value (NO in step S404). Therefore, the suggestion information proposing to control the operation group extracted in step S402 in a batch is not sent to the user, and the process shown in Figure 9 terminates.

[0187] (Step S904) The calculation unit 123 compares the specified operation steps obtained in step S901 with the user operation steps obtained in step S902 to determine whether or not there are any unnecessary operation steps in the user operation steps obtained in step S902.

[0188] Unnecessary operation steps include, for example, operating the switches and soft keys of device 3 to cancel the operation of the switches and soft keys of device 3 that was performed immediately before. Specific examples of unnecessary operation steps include, for example, operating the "back" button on a TV remote control, or operating the "close" and "back" soft keys to return the operation screen 80 displayed on display 23 to the previously displayed operation screen 80.

[0189] In contrast, operational steps that are not unnecessary include operations on the switches and soft keys of device 3 that are considered to be performed with a purpose, such as sequentially pressing multiple channel buttons on the TV remote control to find a program to watch.

[0190] Information regarding unnecessary operation steps for each device 3 is stored in memory 13. Therefore, in step S904, the calculation unit 123 refers to the information regarding unnecessary operation steps for each device 3 stored in memory 13 and determines whether or not there are unnecessary operation steps among the user operation steps obtained in step S902.

[0191] In step S904, if the calculation unit 123 determines that there are unnecessary operation steps (YES in step S904), it performs step S905. In step S904, if the calculation unit 123 determines that there are no unnecessary operation steps (NO in step S904), it terminates the operation cost calculation process. In this case, the process proceeds to step S404 in Figure 9. In this case, since the operation cost calculation process has ended without calculating the operation cost, in step S404 it is determined that the operation cost is less than or equal to a predetermined value (NO in step S404). Therefore, the suggestion information proposing to control the operation group extracted in step S402 all at once is not sent to the user, and the process shown in Figure 9 ends.

[0192] (Step S905) The calculation unit 123 calculates the number of unnecessary operation steps identified in step S904 as the operation cost.

[0193] The operation cost calculated in step S905 is used in step S404 for comparison with a predetermined value. In this embodiment, the predetermined value is, for example, set to an arbitrary value by the user.

[0194] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S404 that the operation cost is greater than a predetermined value, in step S405 the generation unit 125 may include the operation cost calculated in step S905 in the proposed information to be generated. Then, in the subsequent step S302, the processor 22 of the operation terminal 2 may display the proposed information received in step S301 on the display 23 as shown in Figure 8B.

[0195] Figure 8B shows another example of how the proposed information can be displayed. Specifically, the processor 22 may display in the first display field 81, instead of the frequency information included in the proposed information, information indicating the number of times an unnecessary operation, as indicated by the operation cost included in the proposed information, has been performed.

[0196] As described above, in Embodiment 4, the number of operation steps that are unnecessary according to the specifications and included in the operation group extracted as the operation group for which a decision should be made on whether or not to propose batch control is calculated as the operation cost. Therefore, according to Embodiment 4, it is possible to find operations that are unnecessary according to the specifications and included in the operation group extracted as the operation group for which a decision should be made on whether or not to propose batch control. Then, according to the number of operations found, it is possible to decide whether or not to propose batch control of multiple devices 3 by the operation group in question.

[0197] (Embodiment 5) Embodiment 5 of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In Embodiment 5, the configuration of the management server 1, the configuration of the operation terminal 2, the data structure of the operation information, and the data structure of the operation group information are the same as in Embodiment 1. Therefore, the description of the configuration which is the same as in Embodiment 1 will be omitted below.

[0198] The calculation unit 123 may calculate the user's travel distance from the start to the end of the operation of the operation group extracted in step S402 as the operation cost. Specifically, in Embodiment 5, the calculation unit 123 calculates the operation cost as the sum of the distances between the locations where each of the multiple operations included in the operation group extracted in step S402 is performed. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 5 of this disclosure. The steps shown in Figure 14 will be described below.

[0199] (Step S1001) The calculation unit 123 obtains the position where each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402 was performed. The position where each operation was performed is the position of the switch on the device 3 or the position of the operation terminal 2 used by the user to perform each operation. Specifically, in step S1001, the calculation unit 123 obtains the position where each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402 was performed by referring to the operation position of the operation information stored in the operation information storage unit 131.

[0200] (Step S1002) The calculation unit 123 calculates the distance between the locations where each operation obtained in step S1001 was performed. Specifically, in step S1002, the calculation unit 123 refers to the operation time of the operation information stored in the operation information storage unit 131 and calculates the straight-line distance between the location where each operation was performed and the location where the next operation was performed, in the order in which the user performed the operations.

[0201] (Step S1003) The calculation unit 123 calculates the sum of the distances calculated in step S1002 as the operation cost.

[0202] The operation cost calculated in step S1003 is used in step S404 for comparison with a predetermined value. In this embodiment, the predetermined value is defined as, for example, the sum of the distances between the locations where each operation included in the operation group was performed, calculated as the operation cost required to execute the operation group indicated by the proposal information when generating proposal information that shows proposals previously accepted by the user. However, the predetermined value is not limited to this and may be any value determined by the user.

[0203] As described above, in Embodiment 5, the sum of the distances between the locations where each operation included in the extracted group of operations, for which a decision should be made on whether or not to propose batch control, is performed, is calculated as the operation cost. Therefore, according to Embodiment 5, it is possible to compare whether or not the user's travel distance required to execute the extracted group of operations can be reduced by batch controlling the control of multiple devices 3.

[0204] (Embodiment 6) Embodiment 6 of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In Embodiment 6, the configuration of the management server 1, the configuration of the operation terminal 2, the data structure of the operation information, and the data structure of the operation group information are the same as in Embodiment 1. Therefore, the description of the configuration which is the same as in Embodiment 1 will be omitted below.

[0205] The calculation unit 123 may calculate the user's travel distance from the start to the end of the operation of the operation group extracted in step S402 as the operation cost. Specifically, in Embodiment 6, the calculation unit 123 calculates the user's movement distance from the start to the end of the operation of the operation group extracted in step S402 as the operation cost. Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 6 of this disclosure. The steps shown in Figure 15 will be described below.

[0206] (Step S1101) The calculation unit 123 obtains the position where each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402 was performed, in the same manner as in step S1001 of Embodiment 5.

[0207] (Step S1102) The calculation unit 123 acquires sensor information from the start to the end of the operation of the operation group extracted in step S402. Sensor information refers to information about the actions of users present within facility 4.

[0208] Specifically, the sensor information includes the date and time the sensor information was acquired and the user's location within facility 4. The sensor information is acquired by sensors such as cameras and motion sensors installed in facility 4 that have the function of communicating with the management server 1 via the network 9. The sensor information is periodically transmitted to the management server 1 by the sensors. The acquisition unit 121 acquires the sensor information received from the sensor by the communication circuit 11 and stores the acquired sensor information in the memory 13. Then, in step S1102, the calculation unit 123 acquires the sensor information from the memory 13 for the period from the start to the end of the operation of the operation group extracted in step S402.

[0209] (Step S1103) The calculation unit 123 obtains a user movement mapping from the start to the end of the operations of the operations extracted in step S402, based on the positions where each operation included in the operations group extracted in step S402 was performed, which was obtained in step S1101, and the sensor information obtained in step S1102. The user movement mapping is information that arranges the user's location in chronological order.

[0210] Specifically, in step S1103, the calculation unit 123 refers to the operation information stored in the operation information storage unit 131 and obtains the position where each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402 was performed. Furthermore, the calculation unit 123 obtains the user's location until the time when the next operation is performed, in chronological order from the sensor information obtained in step S1102.

[0211] (Step S1104) The calculation unit 123 generates the user's movement path from the start to the end of the operation of the operation group extracted in step S402 by sequentially connecting each position arranged in time series in the movement path mapping acquired in step S1103 with straight lines. The calculation unit 123 calculates the distance of the generated movement path as the operation cost.

[0212] The operation cost calculated in step S1104 is used in step S404 for comparison with a predetermined value. In this embodiment, the predetermined value is, for example, the distance of the user's movement from the start to the end of an operation, calculated as the operation cost required to execute an operation group indicated by a proposal information when generating proposal information that shows proposals previously accepted by the user.

[0213] Furthermore, the specified value is not limited to this; it may be any value determined by the user.

[0214] As described above, in Embodiment 6, the distance of the user's movement from the start to the end of the operation of the operation group extracted as an operation group for which a decision should be made as to whether or not to propose batch control is calculated as the operation cost.

[0215] In Embodiment 5, the sum of the distances between the locations where each operation included in the operation group was performed was calculated as the operation cost. However, in this embodiment, the user's location while moving between the locations where each operation was performed, including the location where the user was performing tasks such as folding a futon, can also be taken into consideration, allowing for a more accurate acquisition of the user's travel distance from the start to the end of each operation in the operation group. This travel distance can then be calculated as the operation cost.

[0216] Therefore, according to Embodiment 6, by controlling the multiple devices 3 using the extracted operation groups in a unified manner, it is possible to more accurately compare whether or not the user's travel distance required to execute the operation groups can be reduced.

[0217] (Embodiment 7) Embodiment 7 of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In Embodiment 7, the configuration of the management server 1, the configuration of the operation terminal 2, the data structure of the operation information, and the data structure of the operation group information are the same as in Embodiment 1. Therefore, the description of the configuration which is the same as in Embodiment 1 will be omitted below.

[0218] The calculation unit 123 may calculate the user's travel distance from the start to the end of the operation of the operation group extracted in step S402 as the operation cost. Specifically, in Embodiment 7, the calculation unit 123 calculates the operation cost as the sum of the distances between the place where the user stays the longest within the facility 4 and the location where each of the multiple operations included in the operation group extracted in step S402 is performed. Figure 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 7 of this disclosure. The steps shown in Figure 16 will be described below.

[0219] (Step S1201) The calculation unit 123 obtains the position where each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402 was performed, in the same manner as in step S1001 of Embodiment 5.

[0220] (Step S1202) The calculation unit 123 acquires sensor information in the same manner as in step S1102 of Embodiment 6.

[0221] (Step S1203) The calculation unit 123 extracts the area in facility 4 where the user stays the longest. Specifically, the calculation unit 123 refers to the floor plan information stored in the floor plan information storage unit 133 and divides the partitions and rooms in facility 4 into a plurality of areas having a predetermined area. Of the plurality of areas, the calculation unit 123 extracts the area that contains the most user locations indicated by the sensor information acquired in step S1202 as the area in facility 4 where the user stays the longest. As a result, for example, the area including the location of the sofa in the living room is extracted as the area in facility 4 where the user stays the longest.

[0222] In step S1203, instead of the calculation unit 123 extracting the area where the user spends the longest time within the facility 4 based on the floor plan information and sensor information as described above, the calculation unit 123 may have the user input information indicating that area.

[0223] Specifically, the calculation unit 123 may send information to the operating terminal 2 instructing the user to input information indicating the area where the user has stayed the longest using the operating unit 25 of the operating terminal 2. In response, when the user inputs information indicating the area using the operating unit 25 of the operating terminal 2, the processor 22 of the operating terminal 2 may send information indicating the area to the management server 1 using the communication circuit 21. The calculation unit 123 may then extract the area from the information indicating the area received by the communication circuit 11 from the operating terminal 2.

[0224] (Step S1204) The calculation unit 123 calculates the distance between the location where each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402, which was obtained in step S1201, was performed, and the area extracted in step S1203. Specifically, the calculation unit 123 calculates the distance between the location where each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402, which was obtained in step S1201, was performed, and the center position of the area extracted in step S1203.

[0225] Furthermore, the calculation unit 123 may, in step S1204, calculate the distance between the center position of the area extracted in step S1203 and the position where the first operation among the group of operations extracted in step S402 was performed. In addition, the calculation unit 123 may, in step S1204, further calculate the distance between the positions where each operation acquired in step S1201 was performed, in the same manner as in step S1002 of Embodiment 5.

[0226] In other words, in this case, the distance from the area extracted in step S1203 is calculated only for the location where the first operation among the operation group extracted in step S402 was performed. The first operation among the operation group extracted in step S402 can be determined by referring to the operation information stored in the operation group information storage unit 132.

[0227] (Step S1205) The calculation unit 123 calculates the sum of the distances calculated in step S1204 as the operation cost.

[0228] The operation cost calculated in step S1205 is used in step S404 for comparison with a predetermined value. In this embodiment, the predetermined value is defined as the sum of the distances between the location where the user stays the longest within Facility 4 and the location where each operation included in the operation group is performed, calculated as the operation cost required to execute the operation group indicated by the proposal information when generating proposal information that shows proposals previously accepted by the user.

[0229] However, the predetermined value is not limited to this and may be any value determined by the user. Alternatively, the predetermined value may be the distance between a stationary or wall-mounted operation terminal 2, on which a predetermined operation is performed to control multiple devices 3 collectively using the operation group extracted in step S402, and the center position of the area where the user spends the longest time, as extracted in step S1203.

[0230] As described above, in Embodiment 7, the sum of the distances the user travels from the area where the user spends the longest time within Facility 4 to the location where each operation included in the group of operations extracted as a group of operations for which a decision should be made on whether or not to propose centralized control is performed is calculated as the operation cost. Therefore, according to Embodiment 7, it is possible to calculate an operation cost that is more appropriate to the user's actions in daily life.

[0231] Therefore, according to Embodiment 7, by controlling the multiple devices 3 using the extracted operation groups in a single operation, it is possible to appropriately compare whether or not the user's travel distance required to execute the operation groups can be reduced.

[0232] (Embodiment 8) Embodiment 8 of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In Embodiment 8, the configuration of the management server 1, the configuration of the operation terminal 2, the data structure of the operation information, and the data structure of the operation group information are the same as in Embodiment 1. Therefore, the description of the configuration which is the same as in Embodiment 1 will be omitted below.

[0233] In Embodiment 8, the calculation unit 123 calculates the fatigue level, which indicates the burden on the user's body when performing the group of operations extracted in step S402, as the operation cost. Figure 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 8 of this disclosure. The steps shown in Figure 17 will be described below.

[0234] (Step S1301) The calculation unit 123 obtains the position where each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402 was performed, in the same manner as in step S1001 of Embodiment 5.

[0235] (Step S1302) The calculation unit 123 acquires user information. Specifically, the user information includes information indicating the user's physical characteristics. The physical characteristics include the user's height.

[0236] In Embodiment 8, facility 4 is equipped with a camera that has the function of communicating with management server 1 via network 9. The camera periodically transmits image data showing images taken inside facility 4 to management server 1. The acquisition unit 121 stores the image data received from the camera by the communication circuit 11 in memory 13, associating it with the current date and time. The calculation unit 123 refers to the operation information stored in the operation information storage unit 131 and acquires image data from memory 13 corresponding to the date and time when the group of operations extracted in step S402 was performed. The calculation unit 123 acquires user information by performing known image recognition processing on the acquired image data.

[0237] However, the method by which the calculation unit 123 acquires user information is not limited to this. For example, in steps after step S402, when a group of operations for which a proposal for batch control should be made has been extracted, the user may be instructed to input user information using the operation unit 25 of the operation terminal 2, and the operation terminal 2 may transmit the user information to the management server 1. In this case, the acquisition unit 121 stores the user information received from the operation terminal 2 by the communication circuit 11 in the memory 13. In step S1302, the calculation unit 123 acquires the user information from the memory 13.

[0238] (Step S1303) Based on the user information obtained in step S1302, the calculation unit 123 obtains the average value of the difference between the height from the floor at the location where each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402, obtained in step S1301, was performed, and the user's height.

[0239] Specifically, in step S1303, the calculation unit 123 refers to the floor plan information stored in the floor plan information storage unit 133 and calculates the height from the floor surface of the location where each operation was performed from the numerical values ​​indicating the altitude of the location where each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402 was performed. The calculation unit 123 obtains the average value of the difference between the calculated height from the floor surface of the location where each operation was performed and the user's height indicated in the user information.

[0240] (Step S1304) The calculation unit 123 obtains the fatigue level corresponding to the average difference between the height from the floor at the position where each operation was performed and the user's height, which was obtained in step S1303, and calculates the obtained fatigue level as the operation cost. The fatigue level indicates the degree of load placed on the user when the user operates the device 3.

[0241] Figure 18 shows an example of the data structure of the fatigue level table. Specifically, as shown in Figure 18, memory 13 stores a fatigue level table that associates the difference between the height from the floor at the location where the device 3 is operated and the user's height with the fatigue level. The larger the difference between the height from the floor at the location where the device 3 is operated and the user's height, the greater the physical burden on the user when operating the device 3. For this reason, in the fatigue level table, the fatigue level is set to be larger as the difference increases.

[0242] In step S1304, the calculation unit 123 obtains the fatigue level associated with the average value of the difference obtained in step S1303 from the fatigue level table stored in memory 13, and calculates this fatigue level as the operation cost. For example, if the average value of the difference is less than α, the calculation unit 123 obtains a fatigue level of "1" from the fatigue level table shown in Figure 18, and calculates this fatigue level of "1" as the operation cost.

[0243] The operation cost calculated in step S1304 is used in step S404 for comparison with a predetermined value. In this embodiment, the predetermined value is defined, for example, as the fatigue level calculated as the operation cost required to execute the group of operations indicated by the proposal information when generating proposal information that shows proposals previously accepted by the user.

[0244] Furthermore, the predetermined value is not limited to this and may be any value determined by the user. Alternatively, the predetermined value may be a fatigue level corresponding to the difference between the height from the floor of the operation terminal 2 where a predetermined operation is performed to control multiple devices 3 collectively using the operation group extracted in step S402, and the user's height.

[0245] As described above, in Embodiment 8, the fatigue level, which indicates the physical burden on the user when performing the extracted set of operations for which a decision should be made as to whether or not to propose batch control, is calculated as the operation cost. Therefore, according to Embodiment 8, it is possible to compare whether or not the physical burden on the user when performing the extracted set of operations can be reduced by batch controlling the control of multiple devices 3.

[0246] (Embodiment 9) Embodiment 9 of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In Embodiment 7, the configuration of the management server 1, the configuration of the operation terminal 2, the data structure of the operation information, and the data structure of the operation group information are the same as in Embodiment 1. Therefore, the description of the configuration which is the same as in Embodiment 1 will be omitted below.

[0247] In Embodiment 9, the calculation unit 123 calculates the operation cost as the sum of the travel time required to move between the multiple switches used in the operation group extracted in step S402 and the time required to control the device 3 by each operation included in the operation group. Figure 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 9 of this disclosure. The steps shown in Figure 19 will be described below.

[0248] (Step S1401) The calculation unit 123 determines whether the number of switches on the device 3 used in the operation group extracted in step S402 is two or more. Specifically, the calculation unit 123 determines that the number of switches on the device 3 used in the operation group is two or more if, among the operation information corresponding to the operation group extracted in step S402 stored in the operation information storage unit 131, there are two or more operation information entries where the switch flag is the symbol "*" and the operation position is different.

[0249] Furthermore, if, among the operation information corresponding to the operation group extracted in step S402, there are multiple pieces of operation information where the switch flag is the symbol "*" and the operation position is the same, the calculation unit 123 counts the number of switches on the device 3 used for the operation indicated by those multiple pieces of operation information as 1.

[0250] Furthermore, if, among the operation information corresponding to the operation group extracted in step S402, there are multiple pieces of operation information where the operation terminal flag is the symbol "*" and the operation position is the same, the calculation unit 123 counts the number of switches on the device 3 as 1, since the number of operation terminals 2 used for the operations indicated by the multiple pieces of operation information is 1.

[0251] If the calculation unit 123 determines in step S1401 that the number of switches on device 3 is 2 or more (YES in step S1401), it executes step S1402. If the calculation unit 123 determines in step S1401 that the number of switches on device 3 is not 2 or more (NO in step S1401), it executes step S1403.

[0252] (Step S1402) The calculation unit 123 calculates the travel time required to move between each switch used in the operation group extracted in step S402. Specifically, the calculation unit 123 refers to the operation time of the operation information stored in the operation information storage unit 131. The calculation unit 123 then calculates the travel time required to move between each switch by taking the elapsed time from the operation time of the operation using the switch of the device 3 included in the operation group extracted in step S402 to the operation time of the next operation performed using a switch different from the said switch.

[0253] Furthermore, the calculation unit 123 may also refer to the operation position of the operation information stored in the operation information storage unit 131. The calculation unit 123 may then calculate the distance from the position where an operation was performed using a switch of the device 3 included in the operation group extracted in step S402 to the position where an operation was performed using a switch different from the said switch. The calculation unit 123 may then calculate the travel time required to move between each switch by dividing the distance by a predetermined travel speed.

[0254] (Step S1403) The calculation unit 123 obtains the time required for controlling the device 3 by each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402. Specifically, the memory 13 stores in advance the operation on the device 3 and the time required for controlling the device 3 performed by that operation, in association with each other. The time required for controlling the device 3 is defined as the sum of the time required from the start to the end of the control and the waiting time that should be waited before starting the control. This waiting time may be defined by the laws of each country. Note that the time required for controlling the device 3 may be defined with a waiting time of 0. In step S1403, the calculation unit 123 obtains from the memory 13 the time required for controlling the device 3 associated with each operation included in the operation group extracted in step S402.

[0255] (Step S1404) The calculation unit 123 determines whether or not it has obtained the required time for controlling the device 3 for each operation included in the group of operations extracted in step S402.

[0256] In step S1404, the calculation unit 123 determines that it has obtained the required time for all operations (YES in step S1404), then executes step S1405. Otherwise (NO in step S1404), it executes step S1403.

[0257] (Step S1405) The calculation unit 123 calculates the sum of the travel time required to move between each switch, obtained in step S1402, and the time required to control the device 3 by each operation, obtained in step S1403, as the operation cost.

[0258] The operation cost calculated in step S1405 is used in step S404 for comparison with a predetermined value. In this embodiment, the predetermined value is defined as the value calculated as the operation cost required to execute the group of operations indicated by the proposal information when generating proposal information that shows proposals previously accepted by the user. In other words, it is defined as the sum of the travel time required to move between the multiple switches used in the group of operations indicated by the proposal information and the required time for controlling the device 3 by each operation included in the group of operations.

[0259] However, the predetermined value is not limited to this and may be any value determined by the user. Alternatively, the predetermined value may be the sum of the time required for each of the control operations of the multiple devices 3 extracted in step S402. Alternatively, the predetermined value may be the time required to issue a control start command to the multiple devices 3 in a single operation in order to start the control operations of the multiple devices 3 extracted in step S402. Specifically, this time is the time required to switch the display 23 of the operation terminal 2 from a state in which a predetermined home screen is displayed to a state in which an operation screen including soft keys for issuing a control start command to the multiple devices 3 in a single operation is displayed.

[0260] As described above, in Embodiment 9, the operation cost is calculated as the sum of the travel time required to move between multiple switches used in the group of operations extracted as an operation group for which a decision should be made on whether or not to propose batch control, and the time required to control the device 3 by each operation included in the operation group. Therefore, according to Embodiment 9, by batch controlling the control of multiple devices 3 using the extracted group of operations, it is possible to compare whether or not the time required to complete the control of the multiple devices 3 while moving to execute all the operations included in the operation group can be shortened.

[0261] (Embodiment 10) Embodiment 10 of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In Embodiment 10, the calculation unit 123 determines whether there is at least one calculation method used in the past to calculate the operation cost that was used when outputting one or more proposal information in which the proposal was accepted with a probability of a predetermined threshold or higher. If at least one calculation method exists, the calculation unit 123 calculates the operation cost using the calculation method that maximizes the probability among the one or more calculation methods. On the other hand, if at least one calculation method does not exist, the calculation unit 123 calculates the operation cost using a calculation method different from the one or more calculation methods.

[0262] Figure 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation cost calculation process in Embodiment 10 of this disclosure. The steps shown in Figure 20 will be described below. Note that in the following description, explanations of configurations identical to those in Embodiments 1 to 9 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0263] (Step S1501) The calculation unit 123 obtains operation group information from the operation group information storage unit 132, which concerns the operation group that was extracted in the previous step S402 and for which it should be decided whether or not to propose batch control. Specifically, the calculation unit 123 obtains all operation group information stored in the operation group information storage unit 132. However, the calculation unit 123 may also obtain only operation group information from the operation group information storage unit 132 whose extraction date and time fall within a predetermined past period (for example, the most recent year).

[0264] (Step S1502) The calculation unit 123 calculates the adoption probability corresponding to one or more previously adopted methods for calculating operation costs, based on the operation group information acquired in step S1501. The adoption probability corresponding to the method for calculating operation costs indicates the probability that the proposal indicated by the proposal information generated when the operation cost calculated by that method is greater than a predetermined value was accepted by the user.

[0265] Specifically, in this embodiment, in step S408, the acquisition unit 121 stores the operation cost of the operation group information in association with identification information of the method for calculating the operation cost (for example, "Embodiment 2"). In step S1502, the calculation unit 123 acquires the operation group information from the operation group information acquired in step S1501 whose proposal flag is the symbol "*" as proposed operation group information indicating operation groups for which a batch control proposal has been made.

[0266] The calculation unit 123 classifies the acquired proposed operation group information according to the operation cost calculation method associated with the operation cost. The calculation unit 123 calculates the adoption probability for each calculation method by dividing the number of proposed operation group information for which the acceptance flag is "*" by the total number of proposed operation group information for which each calculation method is associated.

[0267] (Step S1503) The calculation unit 123 determines whether all of the adoption probabilities corresponding to each of the one or more calculation methods that have been adopted in the past, which were calculated in step S1502, are lower than a predetermined threshold.

[0268] In step S1503, the calculation unit 123 determines that all of the adoption probabilities corresponding to each of the one or more calculation methods previously adopted, calculated in step S1502, are lower than a predetermined threshold (YES in step S1503), and executes step S1504. On the other hand, in step S1503, the calculation unit 123 determines that at least one of the adoption probabilities corresponding to each of the one or more calculation methods previously adopted, calculated in step S1502, is above a predetermined threshold (NO in step S1503), and executes step S1505.

[0269] (Step S1504) The calculation unit 123 randomly selects a calculation method from among the calculation methods for operation costs shown in Embodiments 1 to 9 that is not included in one or more calculation methods previously used as indicated by the operation group information acquired in Step S1501, and calculates the operation cost using the selected calculation method.

[0270] (Step S1505) The calculation unit 123 calculates the operation cost using the calculation method that corresponds to the highest adoption probability among the one or more calculation methods previously adopted indicated by the operation group information acquired in step S1501, and calculated in step S1502.

[0271] As described above, in Embodiment 10, if the probability of adoption for all of the previously adopted methods for calculating operation costs is lower than a predetermined threshold, the operation cost is calculated using a calculation method that has not been used in the past. On the other hand, if there is a calculation method among the previously adopted methods for calculating operation costs whose adoption probability is above a predetermined threshold, the operation cost is calculated using the calculation method with the highest adoption probability among the previously adopted methods for calculating operation costs. Therefore, according to Embodiment 10, the operation cost can be calculated using a calculation method that is most likely to result in the user accepting the proposal.

[0272] This disclosure may be modified in the following ways.

[0273] (1) In step S405 (FIG. 9), the generation unit 125 may be configured not to generate proposal information when the operation group extracted in step S402 is the same as the operation group indicated by the proposal information generated in the past. In this case, the processing after step S406 may not be performed. According to the configuration of this modification example (1), it is possible to avoid transmitting the proposal information regarding the same operation group to the user a plurality of times.

[0274] (2) In step S406 (FIG. 9), the output unit 126 may refer to the operation information storage unit 131 and generate the proposal information at the timing when the operation information regarding the operation group indicated by the proposal information generated in step S405 (FIG. 9) is stored.

[0275] According to the configuration of this modification example (2), it is possible to propose to batch-control a plurality of devices 3 by the operation group immediately after the user executes the operation group indicated by the proposal information. Thereby, it is possible to make the user more surely understand the content of the proposal indicated by the proposal information.

[0276] (3) When a plurality of operation groups are extracted in step S402 (FIG. 9), steps S403 (FIG. 9) and step S404 (FIG. 9) may be performed for each of the plurality of operation groups. Then, in step S404 (FIG. 9), for one or more operation groups determined that the operation cost is greater than a predetermined value, proposal information may be generated respectively, and in step S406, the generated proposal information may be collectively transmitted to the operation terminal 2.

[0277] Still, assume that in step S404 (FIG. 9), the number of operation groups determined to have an operation cost greater than a predetermined value is greater than a predetermined number. In this case, in step S405 (FIG. 9), the generation unit 125 may select only a predetermined number of operation groups in descending order of operation cost from among the operation groups that are more than the predetermined number, and generate only the proposal information regarding the selected operation groups. In this case, it is possible to propose to the user only the batch control of the plurality of devices 3 by a predetermined number of operation groups having a large operation cost. Thereby, the possibility that the user accepts the proposal indicated by the proposal information can be improved.

[0278] (4) When the acquisition unit 121 acquires the operation information received from the device 3 or the operation terminal 2, similar to step S1102 (FIG. 15) of Embodiment 6, the acquisition unit 121 may acquire the sensor information corresponding to the operation date and operation time included in the operation information from the memory 13. Then, based on the sensor information, the acquisition unit 121 may acquire the position where the user exists at the operation date and operation time as the position where the user performed the operation of the device 3. Then, the acquisition unit 121 may set the acquired position as the operation position of the operation information received from the device 3 or the operation terminal 2, and store the operation information in the operation information storage unit 131.

[0279] (5) Similar to Embodiment 9, the predetermined value used in step S404 (FIG. 9) of Embodiment 1 may be the total time required for each of the controls of the plurality of devices 3 by the operation groups extracted in step S402.

Industrial Applicability

[0280] The present disclosure can be used to propose batch control of a plurality of devices to eliminate the annoyance that a user feels when continuously and individually operating the plurality of devices in a facility where the plurality of devices are installed.

Claims

1. An information processing method in an information processing device, We obtain operational information regarding a set of operations performed on multiple devices installed within the facility. Depending on the cost required to execute the operation group indicated by the operation information, the control of the multiple devices included in the operation group is configured to be performed collectively via an operation terminal. Information processing methods.

2. The aforementioned group of operations is a set of operations performed on the aforementioned set of devices within a predetermined period of time. The information processing method according to claim 1.

3. In acquiring the aforementioned operation information, Information regarding the group of operations performed on the multiple devices at a frequency higher than a predetermined frequency within a predetermined period is acquired as operation information. The information processing method according to claim 2.

4. Furthermore, depending on the cost, the system outputs proposal information suggesting that the control of the multiple devices included in the operation group be performed collectively via an operation terminal. In response to user operations on the proposed information, the control of the multiple devices included in the operation group is configured to be performed collectively via an operation terminal. The information processing method according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned cost is the time required to execute the aforementioned group of operations. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The aforementioned cost is the number of devices operated by the aforementioned group of operators. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The equipment installed in the aforementioned facility is operated via switches on the equipment or via an operation screen on the operation terminal. The aforementioned cost is the number of times the operator touches the switch or the operation screen between the start and end of the operation of the operation group. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. The aforementioned cost is the number of operations included in the operation group that are unnecessary according to the specifications of the equipment operated by the operation group. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. The aforementioned cost is the distance traveled by the operators of the operation group from the start to the end of the operation. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. The sum of the distances between the locations where each of the operations included in the operation group is performed is calculated as the travel distance. The information processing method according to claim 9.

11. The distance of the operator's movement from the start to the end of the operation of the aforementioned group of operations is calculated as the travel distance. The information processing method according to claim 9.

12. Based on information indicating the operator's location obtained by sensors installed within the facility, the operator's movement path is acquired. The information processing method according to claim 11.

13. The sum of the distances between the location where the operator spends the longest time within the facility and the location where each of the operations included in the operation group is performed is calculated as the travel distance. The information processing method according to claim 9.

14. Based on information indicating the operator's location obtained by sensors installed within the facility, the location where the operator spends the longest time within the facility is obtained. The information processing method according to claim 13.

15. The aforementioned cost is the degree of fatigue that indicates the physical burden on the operator of the operation group when performing the operation group. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

16. The fatigue level is set to a higher value the greater the average difference between the height from the floor at the location where each of the operations included in the operation group was performed and the operator's height. The information processing method according to claim 15.

17. The equipment installed in the aforementioned facility is operated using switches on the equipment or soft keys displayed on the operation screen of the operation terminal. The aforementioned cost is the sum of the travel time required for movement between the multiple switches used in the operation group and the time required for controlling the equipment by each operation included in the operation group. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

18. An information processing device including a processor, The aforementioned processor, To obtain operational information regarding a set of operations performed on multiple devices installed within the facility, Depending on the cost required to execute the operation group indicated by the operation information, the control of the multiple devices included in the operation group is configured to be performed collectively via an operation terminal. An information processing device that performs the following actions.

19. On the computer, To obtain operational information regarding a set of operations performed on multiple devices installed within the facility, Depending on the cost required to execute the operation group indicated by the operation information, the control of the multiple devices included in the operation group is configured to be performed collectively via an operation terminal. A program that executes the command.

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