Programs, consumer electronics systems, servers, and functional proposal methods

Abstract

We will propose features for home appliances that are highly convenient for users. [Solution] The program of the embodiment is a program that causes a computer, which is a server that manages multiple home appliances of the same type, to function as a control unit that acquires information on the use of multiple home appliances and stores it in a memory unit as usage history information, classifies the multiple home appliances into multiple groups based on usage trends using the usage history information to create group information, creates function suggestion information for one of the home appliances that is the target of the function suggestion based on the usage history information and the group information, and sends an instruction signal to the target home appliance to instruct it to output the function suggestion information.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , ,

[0007] , ,

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a program, a home appliance system, a server, and a function proposal method.

Background Art

[0002] Home appliances (such as ovens, refrigerators, air conditioners, etc.) often have various functions. However, it is considered that there are not many users who select and use functions after being familiar with all functions.

[0003] Therefore, conventionally, function proposals for users have been implemented for home appliances. For example, there are those that implement function proposals with predetermined contents when the home appliance is first used or when a predetermined period has elapsed since the start of use of the home appliance. There are also home appliances that notify users of functions with high usage frequencies among other users among unused functions to encourage use.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008] Furthermore, the control unit, based on the usage history information and the group information, creates function suggestion information for the target home appliance that has been used at a predetermined frequency or more in the group to which the target home appliance belongs, but has not been used by the target home appliance.

[0009] Furthermore, the control unit creates the function suggestion information for the target home appliance based on the usage history information and the group information, for functions that are used at a predetermined frequency or higher in the group to which the target home appliance does not belong.

[0010] Furthermore, the control unit identifies the timing for implementing function suggestions based on the analysis results of the start and end times of use of multiple home appliances, and executes the function suggestion process at that timing.

[0011] Furthermore, even at the aforementioned timing, the control unit will not execute the function proposal process if the user's response history to past function proposals satisfies the predetermined function proposal suspension conditions.

[0012] The aforementioned instruction signal is a signal for displaying a function suggestion related to the target home appliance.

[0013] The aforementioned instruction signal is a signal for displaying the operation buttons for the function suggestions related to the target home appliance.

[0014] Furthermore, the home appliance system of the embodiment is a home appliance system comprising a server that manages multiple home appliances of the same type, and a target home appliance which is one of the home appliances to which a function proposal is to be made, wherein the server acquires information on the use of the multiple home appliances and stores it in a storage unit as usage history information, classifies the multiple home appliances into multiple groups based on usage trends using the usage history information to create group information, creates function proposal information for the target home appliance based on the usage history information and the group information, and sends an instruction signal to the target home appliance to instruct it to output the function proposal information.

[0015] Furthermore, the server of the embodiment is a server that manages multiple home appliances of the same type, and includes a control unit that acquires information regarding the use of multiple home appliances and stores it in a storage unit as usage history information, classifies the multiple home appliances into multiple groups based on usage trends using the usage history information to create group information, and for a target home appliance which is one of the home appliances for which a function proposal is to be made, creates function proposal information based on the usage history information and the group information, and sends an instruction signal to the target home appliance to instruct it to output the function proposal information.

[0016] Furthermore, the function proposal method of the embodiment is a function proposal method by a server that manages multiple home appliances of the same type, wherein the control unit of the server acquires information on the use of the multiple home appliances and stores it in the storage unit as usage history information, uses the usage history information to classify the multiple home appliances into multiple groups based on usage trends to create group information, and for a target home appliance which is one of the home appliances for which a function proposal is to be made, it creates function proposal information based on the usage history information and the group information, and executes a function proposal process that sends an instruction signal to the target home appliance to instruct it to output the function proposal information.

[0017] According to the above program, home appliance system, server, and function proposal method, it is possible to implement a highly convenient function proposal for the user with respect to home appliances.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the home appliance system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first example of usage history information. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second example of usage history information. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the screen of the terminal device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing during data accumulation by the home appliance system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing when implementing a function proposal to the user by the home appliance system according to the embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the program, home appliance system, server, and function proposal method of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the components of the embodiment and the description of the components may be described in a plurality of expressions. The components and their descriptions are examples and are not limited by the expressions in this specification. The components may be specified by different names from those in this specification. Also, the components may be described by expressions different from those in this specification. Also, hereinafter, the use of home appliances in a general household is assumed.

[0020] First, the background of this embodiment will be explained again. With the spread of IoT (Internet of Things) home appliances, various data are accumulated in the server that manages the home appliances. Examples of the accumulated data include the operation history when the user operates the home appliance and the sensor values when the home appliance is in operation (such as the temperature detection value in the case of an oven range).

[0021] The accumulated data is used, for example, in predictions such as what kind of failures are likely to occur in home appliances in the future and in investigations such as how the appliances were used immediately before a repair request was made.

[0022] Also, for example, the data can be aggregated and analyzed to find out what functions are being used, and this can be used as a hint for product development. Therefore, it can be seen that accumulating data is beneficial for home appliance manufacturers and manufacturers of consumables such as detergents.

[0023] On the other hand, from the user's perspective, it is difficult to understand how the accumulated data benefits them. For example, it has been realized that the user can operate home appliances using a smartphone app or receive notifications on the user's smartphone about events that occur in home appliances (such as the end of washing or the occurrence of various errors). However, the benefits of data accumulation for users have not been fully promoted. For this reason, there are still quite a few users who do not connect their home appliances to the network.

[0024] Therefore, a home appliance system that allows users to enjoy convenience by accumulating data in the server will be proposed below. As a result, since users will connect their home appliances to the network, it will be a system that benefits both the users and the parties that use the data.

[0025] Furthermore, as mentioned above, it is unlikely that many users are fully familiar with all the functions of their home appliances and choose which functions to use. In other words, because home appliances have a wide range of functions, few users utilize all of them. High-end models, in particular, tend to have many functions, and the number of convenient functions that go unused increases.

[0026] Therefore, in this embodiment, we consider suggesting features that would improve convenience to the user at an appropriate time. Since the features that users do not use vary, the suggested features need to be tailored to each user. Furthermore, it is not sufficient to suggest features for all unused features. There are features that home appliance developers included with the assumption that they would be useful, but which have not been needed by users. Therefore, it is necessary to suggest features that users need. Although the method for suggesting features will be described later, by connecting to a network, home appliances will behave as if they were customized for individual users, improving user convenience.

[0027] Figure 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the home appliance system S of the embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the home appliance system S comprises home appliances 10 (10A to 10F), a terminal device 100, a server 200, a modem M, and a wireless router R.

[0028] The home appliance 10 and the terminal device 100 are each connected to the server 200 in a communicative manner via, for example, a wireless router R, a modem M, or a communication network NW (for example, the Internet). Alternatively, the home appliance 10 and the terminal device 100 may be configured to be connected to each other wirelessly via a communication adapter (not shown). Alternatively, the home appliance 10 and the terminal device 100 may be configured to be connected to each other via wired communication via a communication cable, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.

[0029] For example, the living room is equipped with a refrigerator (10A), a microwave oven (10B), and an air conditioner (10C). The bathroom is equipped with a washing machine (10D). The bedroom is equipped with an air conditioner (10E). The study is equipped with an air conditioner (10F).

[0030] The terminal device 100 is a means of operating home appliances 10 registered with an app (application software). The terminal device 100 is composed of, for example, a smartphone or a tablet.

[0031] Here, Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device 100 of the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the terminal device 100 has a processing unit 301, a display unit 302, an operation unit 303, a communication unit 304, and a storage unit 305. The display unit 302, the operation unit 303, the communication unit 304, and the storage unit 305 are connected to the processing unit 301.

[0032] The processing unit 301 is implemented by a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. The CPU performs various controls and calculations on the terminal device 100 by, for example, executing a program stored in ROM.

[0033] The display unit 302 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal panel.

[0034] The operation unit 303 consists of a touch panel switch formed on the display screen of the display unit 302, mechanical switches provided around the display unit 302, and the like.

[0035] The communication unit 304 is an element that implements communication functions for communicating with external devices. The communication unit 304 performs communication with the server 200.

[0036] The storage unit 305 is composed of an SSD (Solid State Drive) or the like. The storage unit 305 stores various kinds of information and data.

[0037] The processing unit 301 has a functional configuration that includes an acquisition unit 311 and a control unit 312.

[0038] The acquisition unit 311 acquires various types of information. For example, the acquisition unit 311 acquires information about the home appliance 10 from the home appliance 10 via the server 200.

[0039] The control unit 312 performs various controls. For example, the control unit 312 causes the display unit 302 to display various information.

[0040] Returning to Figure 1, the server 200 is comprised of a well-known computer system and manages multiple identical home appliances 10 (for example, multiple identical home appliances 10 used by multiple different users). Here, Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 200 in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the server 200 includes a control unit 201, a communication unit 202, a storage unit 203, and a timing unit 204.

[0041] The communication unit 202 is an element that realizes communication functions for communicating with external devices. The communication unit 202 performs communication with the home appliance 10 and the terminal device 100.

[0042] The storage unit 203 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like. The storage unit 203 stores various kinds of information and data. For example, the storage unit 203 stores various kinds of information such as information for accessing home appliances 10 and terminal devices 100 (e.g., IP (Internet Protocol) addresses), and various computer programs including application software.

[0043] The timekeeping unit 204 measures the time (date and time).

[0044] The control unit 201 is implemented using a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The CPU performs various controls and calculations on the server 200 by, for example, executing a program stored in the ROM.

[0045] In the following explanation, we will mainly use the case of a microwave oven 10B as an example of home appliance 10.

[0046] The control unit 201 acquires information regarding the use of multiple oven ranges (i.e., this user's oven range 10B and other users' oven ranges) and stores it in the storage unit 203 as usage history information.

[0047] For example, each of the multiple microwave ovens (hereinafter simply referred to as "microwave oven") sends operation results to the server 200 in response to user operations (including operations via remote control or app). In addition, some microwave ovens periodically send device status and sensor values ​​to the server 200. Furthermore, when the microwave oven finishes heating or an error occurs, various parameters related to heating settings (including internal parameters not disclosed to the user) are sent to the server 200. Not limited to these, any arbitrary data (such as temperature data) that may be useful but whose purpose has not yet been determined may also be sent to the server 200. Also, when a smartphone app is operated, the microwave oven is controlled via the server 200, so the server 200 may record the operation information.

[0048] In this way, the amount of data (usage history information) accumulated on server 200 becomes enormous. Here, Figure 4 shows the first example of usage history information. In Figure 4, from left to right, the model name (model name of the microwave oven), serial number, timestamp, and data are shown.

[0049] Returning to Figure 2, the control unit 201 uses the usage history information to classify multiple oven ranges into multiple groups based on their usage trends and creates group information.

[0050] Furthermore, the control unit 201 creates function suggestion information for the oven range 10B that is the target of the function suggestion, based on the usage history information and group information, and sends an instruction signal to the oven range 10B to instruct it to output the function suggestion information. The instruction signal is, for example, a signal to display the function suggestion for the target oven range 10B. The instruction signal is also a signal to display the operation buttons for the function suggestion for the target oven range 10B.

[0051] Furthermore, the control unit 201 uses usage history information and a predetermined machine learning model or principal component analysis method to classify multiple oven ranges into multiple groups through clustering based on usage trends. When classified using a machine learning model, it is assumed that each group has some commonalities or characteristics, such as similar tendencies in the functions used, similar tendencies in the recipes used, or similar tendencies in the number of times the door is opened and closed.

[0052] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 201, based on usage history information and group information for the microwave oven 10B, creates function suggestion information for functions that are used at a predetermined frequency or more within the group to which the microwave oven 10B belongs, but which are not used by the microwave oven 10B.

[0053] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 201 creates function suggestion information for the oven range 10B based on usage history information and group information, for functions that are used more than a predetermined frequency in groups to which the oven range 10B does not belong.

[0054] Furthermore, the control unit 201 identifies the timing for implementing function suggestions based on the analysis results of the start and end times of use of multiple oven ranges, and executes the function suggestion process at that timing.

[0055] Furthermore, even at the aforementioned timing, the control unit 201 will not execute the function proposal process if the user's response history to past function proposals satisfies the predetermined function proposal suspension conditions.

[0056] The details of this technology will be explained below. For the sake of brevity, when describing the operation of the control unit 201 of the server 200, the operating entity may be referred to as "server 200." Similarly, when describing the operation of the processing unit 301 (acquisition unit 311, control unit 312) of the terminal device 100, the operating entity may be referred to as "terminal device 100."

[0057] First, let's illustrate how to aggregate the data. For a particular model of oven range for a given year, we aggregate the heating settings of all users stored on server 200 on a monthly basis and extract the top 10 settings in descending order of frequency. Manual settings such as "300°C / 60 minutes" are excluded, and only automatic cooking settings (such as hamburgers) are aggregated. The aggregation results are shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 is a diagram showing a second example of usage history information. In Figure 5, from left to right, the year and month, and the top 1, 2, 3, ... aggregation results are shown.

[0058] This way, you can find out which automated cooking features are most frequently used each month (e.g., side dishes (fried food), etc. in January, baked sweet potatoes, etc. in February). Then, for example, at the beginning of a month in the following year, you can suggest features that users who have not used any of the top 10 most used features for that month have the opportunity to try.

[0059] An example of a function suggestion display screen is shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example screen of terminal device 100. In the example screen in Figure 6, the content of the function suggestion, "Why not try making hamburgers in the oven?", is displayed in area R1. Below that, selection buttons (operation buttons related to the function suggestion) for "View recipe," "Settings," and "No" are displayed. In addition to these selection buttons, a button for sending the function to the oven 10B may also be displayed.

[0060] Furthermore, the location where such suggested functions are displayed is not limited to the terminal device 100; it may also be on the screen of the microwave oven itself, or on the screen of the remote control.

[0061] However, this method seems to have a drawback: feature suggestions may not be made until about a year after the product's release. However, in the case of home appliances, new models are released almost every year, but feature changes are infrequent, so information obtained from the previous year's model can often be used directly. Therefore, if the system has been operational for several years, even new users (users of the new model) can utilize this feature.

[0062] Furthermore, if feature suggestions are made through a smartphone app, it's possible to suggest features to users of models where the feature didn't exist at the time of purchase. Since new users don't have usage history from the same period a year ago, it's necessary to devise a method for determining their usage history. Possible approaches for new users include suggesting the top-ranked item of the month without considering their usage history, or suggesting features only to users who haven't used automatic cooking in the past month.

[0063] Furthermore, some users might find it bothersome if feature suggestions are made every month. Therefore, if a user repeatedly selects "No" when asked "Would you like to try this feature?", the feature suggestions may be stopped or suspended for a certain period. In this case, "repeatedly selecting 'No' several times" would be the condition for suspending feature suggestions as described above.

[0064] Furthermore, if a user who frequently uses a feature that consistently ranks high each month stops using that feature for a period of time, it may be permissible to stop suggesting that feature to that user. In this case, "a user who frequently uses a feature that consistently ranks high each month stops using that feature for a period of time" becomes the condition for suspending feature suggestions as described above.

[0065] Figure 7 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow during data storage by the home appliance system S of the embodiment. In step S1, the user uses the terminal device 100 to change the settings of the home appliance 10.

[0066] Next, in step S2, the terminal device 100 transmits the identification information and settings of the target home appliance 10 to the server 200.

[0067] Next, in step S3, the server 200 saves the configuration to database 4. Database 4 may be located in the storage unit 203 of the server 200, or in the storage unit of a device other than the server 200.

[0068] Next, in step S4, the server 200 sends the setting value to the home appliance 10.

[0069] Next, in conditional processing A1, if the state of the home appliance 10 changes, the processes in steps S5 and S6 are performed.

[0070] In step S5, the home appliance 10 sends status information of the home appliance 10 to the server 200.

[0071] Next, in step S6, the server 200 saves the status information of the home appliance 10 to the database 4.

[0072] Furthermore, after conditional processing A1, the loop processing L1 performs steps S7 and S8 at regular intervals.

[0073] In step S7, the home appliance 10 sends a sensor value (for example, a temperature detection value in the case of a microwave oven) to the server 200.

[0074] Next, in step S8, the server 200 saves the status information of the home appliance 10 to the database 4.

[0075] Furthermore, if an event (such as completion of operation or an error) occurs in the home appliance 10, in step S9, the home appliance 10 sends the event that occurred and the necessary information to the server 200.

[0076] Next, in step S10, the server 200 stores the received information in the database 4.

[0077] Next, in step S11, the server 200 notifies the terminal device 100 of the event.

[0078] In this way, information regarding the use of the home appliance 10 can be stored in the database 4.

[0079] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow when the home appliance system S of the embodiment provides a function suggestion to the user.

[0080] In conditional processing A11, steps S11 to S14 are performed when a predetermined condition, such as every month, is met.

[0081] In steps S11 and S12, the server 200 retrieves data from the database 4 for a specified range (e.g., January 2023) for a particular model of the home appliance 10.

[0082] Next, in step S13, the server 200 aggregates the data.

[0083] Next, in step S14, the server 200 saves the aggregated results to the database 4.

[0084] The following is the function proposal process. In conditional processing A12, server 200 executes loop processing L11 when the condition that it is the 1st of each month is met.

[0085] Furthermore, in loop processing L11, server 200 performs loop processing L12 for each user.

[0086] Furthermore, in loop processing L12, the server 200 performs the processing in steps S15 to S18 and loop processing L13 for each home appliance 10 owned by the user.

[0087] In steps S15 and S16, the server 200 retrieves from database 4 a list of functions used by the user on the target device (target home appliance 10) in the same month of the previous year.

[0088] Next, in steps S17 and S18, the server 200 retrieves the aggregated results for the target model (the target home appliance 10, or the previous model of home appliance) from the database 4 for the same month of the previous year.

[0089] Next, in loop processing L13, the server 200 performs the processing in step S19 and conditional processing A13 for each of the top 10 functions of the aggregated results.

[0090] In step S19, the server 200 determines whether the target function is included in the functions used by the user. If yes, it skips conditional processing A13; otherwise, it proceeds to conditional processing A13.

[0091] In conditional processing A13, the server 200 notifies the terminal device 100 of the function proposal.

[0092] Thus, according to the home appliance system S of this embodiment, by using usage history information of multiple home appliances 10 and group information created by classifying the multiple home appliances 10 into multiple groups based on their usage trends, it is possible to propose functions that are highly convenient for the user for the target home appliance 10. Specifically, this is as follows.

[0093] For multiple home appliances 10, for example, a predetermined machine learning model or principal component analysis method is used to classify them into multiple groups through clustering based on usage trends.

[0094] For example, based on usage history information and group information, the system suggests functions that are used more than a predetermined frequency within the group to which the target home appliance 10 belongs, but which the target home appliance 10 has not yet used. As a result, the user is presented with suggestions for functions that are frequently used within their own group, which has similar usage trends, but which they have not yet used, making it highly likely that using those functions will be beneficial.

[0095] Furthermore, for example, based on usage history information and group information for the target home appliance 10, the system suggests functions that are used more than a certain frequency in groups to which the target home appliance 10 does not belong. As a result, the user is suggested functions that are frequently used in other groups, making it less likely that they are using those functions. Therefore, the function suggestions are likely to be effective.

[0096] Furthermore, users are likely to find frequent feature suggestions annoying. However, in this embodiment, the timing for implementing feature suggestions is determined by analyzing the start and end dates of use of multiple home appliances 10, and the feature suggestions are made at that time. This allows for feature suggestions to be made at a better time for the user. In other words, feature suggestions can be made at a time when the user would be happy to receive them. For example, suggesting a feature at the beginning of a month or at the end of the previous month, based on information aggregated on a monthly basis, would further improve user convenience.

[0097] Furthermore, even at the timing mentioned above, if the user's response history to past feature suggestions meets the predetermined conditions for suspending feature suggestions, the feature suggestion process will not be executed. This allows for a reduction in unnecessary feature suggestions that are tailored to the user's actual situation. For example, if a user repeatedly selects "No" to a feature suggestion such as "Why not try making hamburgers in your microwave oven?", feature suggestions can be stopped or withheld for a certain period of time.

[0098] Furthermore, displaying the content of the feature proposal and the corresponding operation buttons alongside the feature proposal itself will further improve user convenience.

[0099] (modified version) The above embodiments mainly used the case of a microwave oven as an example, but are not limited to this. Similar methods can be used to propose functions for other home appliances, as described below.

[0100] (Air conditioner) For example, we can offer functional suggestions regarding each mode of the air conditioner (such as AI (Artificial Intelligence) comfort, clothes drying and dehumidification, cooling, and heating) and additional functions (such as high-temperature monitoring and draft-free air conditioning).

[0101] (washing machine) For example, we can suggest features such as washing courses (standard, UV (ultraviolet) sterilization, dust mite care, pollen, etc.) and additional functions (automatic cleaning mode, mold protection, drum cleaning, etc.).

[0102] (refrigerator) For example, it can suggest functions such as power saving settings (automatic eco, very eco, away mode, etc.), monitoring (notify if the door is not opened or closed, notify if the door is opened or closed, temperature-based monitoring, etc.), and chiller room (normal, ice crystal, deli, defrost mode, etc.).

[0103] (Rice cooker) For example, we can suggest features such as rice cooking courses and monitoring functions.

[0104] (others) Furthermore, there are various methods besides monthly rankings. For example, you can aggregate data for a single feature over a certain period (e.g., weekly). This allows you to see when features with seasonal fluctuations are used, and you can then suggest features when those periods are approaching.

[0105] Furthermore, the relationship between functions and regions may be considered. More specifically, the regions in which users utilize home appliances could be identified from survey data, and functions could be suggested at the time when a particular function is used in that region. For example, the timing at which the cooling function of an air conditioner is started to be used will likely differ between Kyushu and Tohoku. Alternatively, functions could be suggested based on factors such as the air conditioner's mode and the values ​​from the outside temperature sensor, without specifying a region.

[0106] Furthermore, regarding the grouping of home appliances, in addition to the methods described above, it is also possible to vectorize the data and group users with similar usage patterns of home appliances using cosine similarity.

[0107] Furthermore, the data aggregation, content, and timing of feature suggestions may be varied depending on the gender and age of the home appliance user.

[0108] Furthermore, the programs executed by the terminal device 100, server 200, and home appliance 10 of this embodiment can be provided as installable or executable files recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM (Read Only Memory), flexible disk (FD), CD-R (Recordable), or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). Alternatively, these programs may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0109] While embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications are permitted without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

[0110] For example, the means of suggesting a function are not limited to displays; they could also be sound, or a combination of displays and sound. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0111] 10...Home appliances, 100...Terminal devices, 200...Server, 201...Control unit, 202...Communication unit, 203...Storage unit, 204...Timekeeping unit, 301...Processing unit, 302...Display unit, 303...Operation unit, 304...Communication unit, 305...Storage unit, 311...Acquisition unit, 312...Control unit, M...Modem, NW...Communication network, R...Wireless router, S...Home appliance system

Claims

1. A computer that acts as a server for managing multiple home appliances of the same type, Information regarding the use of multiple home appliances is acquired and stored in the memory unit as usage history information. Using the aforementioned usage history information, the multiple home appliances are classified into multiple groups based on their usage trends to create group information. A program to function as a control unit that performs a function proposal process for a target home appliance, which is one of the home appliances targeted for function proposals, by creating function proposal information based on the usage history information and the group information, and sending an instruction signal to the target home appliance to instruct it to output the function proposal information.

2. The control unit, The program according to claim 1, which, with respect to the target home appliance, creates function suggestion information for functions that are used at a predetermined frequency or more in the group to which the target home appliance belongs, but which are not used by the target home appliance, based on the usage history information and the group information.

3. The control unit, The program according to claim 1, which, with respect to the target home appliance, generates function suggestion information for functions that are used at a predetermined frequency or more in the group to which the target home appliance does not belong, based on the usage history information and the group information.

4. The control unit, The program according to claim 1, which identifies the timing for implementing a function suggestion based on the results of an analysis of the start and end times of use of multiple home appliances, and executes the function suggestion process at the said timing.

5. The control unit, The program according to claim 4, which, even at the aforementioned timing, does not execute the function proposal process if the user's response history to past function proposals satisfies predetermined function proposal suspension conditions.

6. The program according to claim 1, wherein the instruction signal is a signal for displaying a function suggestion related to the target home appliance.

7. The program according to claim 6, wherein the instruction signal is a signal for displaying operation buttons for a function suggestion related to the target home appliance.

8. A home appliance system comprising a server that manages multiple home appliances of the same type, and a target home appliance which is one of the home appliances for which a function is proposed, The aforementioned server, Information regarding the use of multiple home appliances is acquired and stored in the memory unit as usage history information. Using the aforementioned usage history information, the multiple home appliances are classified into multiple groups based on their usage trends to create group information. A home appliance system comprising a control unit that performs a function suggestion process for the target home appliance, which creates function suggestion information based on the usage history information and the group information, and sends an instruction signal to the target home appliance to instruct it to output the function suggestion information.

9. A server that manages multiple home appliances of the same type, Information regarding the use of multiple home appliances is acquired and stored in the memory unit as usage history information. Using the aforementioned usage history information, the multiple home appliances are classified into multiple groups based on their usage trends to create group information. A server comprising a control unit that performs a function proposal process for a target home appliance, which is one of the home appliances targeted for function proposals, by creating function proposal information based on the usage history information and the group information, and sending an instruction signal to the target home appliance to instruct it to output the function proposal information.

10. A method for proposing functions using a server that manages multiple home appliances of the same type, The control unit of the server, Information regarding the use of multiple home appliances is acquired and stored in the memory unit as usage history information. Using the aforementioned usage history information, the multiple home appliances are classified into multiple groups based on their usage trends to create group information. A function proposal method comprising: creating function proposal information for one of the home appliances targeted for function proposals, based on the usage history information and the group information, and executing a function proposal process that sends an instruction signal to the target home appliance instructing it to output the function proposal information.

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