Management device and usage information management method

Abstract

To provide a management apparatus for collecting use information useful for development of applications, and a use information management method.SOLUTION: A management apparatus 21 is used in a control system 9 for controlling a mounted apparatus 2 in a use item 1 of a user by using an application 16 downloaded to a device 8. The management apparatus 21 is provided with an acquisition unit 22 for acquiring use information D1 that serves as an index for a satisfaction level of use of the application 16, which has a download history. The management apparatus 21 is provided with an accumulation unit 23 for accumulating the use information D1 acquired by the acquisition unit 22. The use information D1 pertains, for example, to a use time D1a of the application 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management device and a usage information management method for managing the collection of application usage information. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, vehicles are equipped with various in-vehicle devices such as a heater control device and an audio device (see Patent Document 1, etc.). These in-vehicle devices often have a structure in which the operating state is changed by operating switches or a touch panel provided at the driver's seat, for example. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-117562 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Meanwhile, it is being considered to use a terminal such as a highly functional mobile phone owned by a user as an operation interface for these in-vehicle devices. In this case, for example, it is conceivable to use the terminal as an operation interface for the in-vehicle device by downloading a dedicated application to the terminal and starting and executing the application. For application creators, it is necessary to develop applications that provide high user satisfaction in order to have many applications downloaded. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The management device that solves the above problem is configured to be used in a control system that controls an apparatus equipped with a user's usage object by an application downloaded to the device, and is equipped with an acquisition unit that acquires usage information that is an indicator of usage satisfaction of the application that has a download history, and a storage unit that stores the usage information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0006] The usage information management method that solves the above problem is a method used in a control system that controls an apparatus equipped with a user's usage object by an application downloaded to the device, and has a management device that manages the usage information acquire usage information that is an indicator of usage satisfaction of the application that has a download history, and store the acquired usage information. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to collect usage information that is useful for application development. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a screen diagram showing an example of a GUI. [Diagram 3] 11 is a screen diagram showing another example of the GUI. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an operation performed when a new application is requested from the management device. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of the process of downloading a new application to a device. [Figure 6] A diagram showing the procedure for obtaining and storing usage information from a terminal. [Figure 7] Overview of how usage information is provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the user's object 1 includes an on-board device 2 provided thereon. The user's object 1 is, for example, a vehicle 3. When the user's object 1 is, for example, a vehicle 3, the on-board device 2 is an on-board device 2a. In this case, the on-board device 2 includes a heater control device 4 that conditions the air inside the vehicle, an audio device 5 that is on-board audio equipment, and a car navigation device (not shown) that provides guidance on driving to a destination. The on-board device 2 may be operable, for example, by a switch or a touch panel provided inside the vehicle.

[0010] The user object 1 is equipped with a control system 9 that enables the mounted apparatus 2 to be operated by a device 8 carried by the user. The device 8 is preferably, for example, a mobile terminal 8a carried by the user. In this example, the device 8 is preferably, for example, a multi-function terminal having multiple functions. The multi-function terminal is, for example, a highly functional mobile phone. The control system 9 controls the mounted apparatus 2 based on remote operation of the device 8.

[0011] The device 8 includes a device control unit 10 that controls the operation of the device 8, a memory 11 to which data can be written, a network communication unit 12 that executes network communication, a wireless module 13 that executes short-range wireless communication, an operation unit 14 used when operating the device 8, and a display unit 15 that displays various screens. The device control unit 10 controls the operation of the device 8 based on the operation of the operation unit 14, communication with the outside, etc. The network communication is, for example, Long Term Evolution (LTE), 4G, 5G, etc. The display unit 15 is preferably, for example, a touch panel.

[0012] An application 16 that is executed when the mounted device 2 is operated is registered in the memory 11 of the device 8. The application 16 is a type of application for operating the device 8 as a graphical user interface (GUI). A graphical user interface is an interface that graphically displays display elements such as icons, buttons, and pull-down menus on the display unit 15 of the device 8, and operates the mounted device 2 by operating these display elements. It is preferable that an application 16 is provided for each mounted device 2.

[0013] The user object 1 includes a communication module 17 that wirelessly communicates with the device 8. The communication module 17 is connected to the mounted apparatus 2 via a communication line 18. The communication between the device 8 and the communication module 17 is preferably short-range wireless communication, for example. As the short-range wireless communication, various types of communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and UWB (Ultra Wide Band) can be used. The device 8 remotely controls the mounted apparatus 2 through short-range wireless communication.

[0014] 2 shows an example of a graphical user interface of the heater control device 4 displayed on the device 8. In this example, the display unit 15 displays a display operation body 19 (first display operation body 19a) operated when selecting an airflow mode, a display operation body 19 (second display operation body 19b) operated when selecting an airflow volume, and a display operation body 19 (third display operation body 19c) operated when selecting an airflow temperature. Here, the first display operation body 19a is displayed large in the center of the screen, and smaller second display operation body 19b and third display operation body 19c are displayed vertically below it.

[0015] 3 shows another example of the graphical user interface of the heater control device 4 displayed on the device 8. In this example, the first display / operation body 19a, the second display / operation body 19b, and the third display / operation body 19c are displayed at approximately the same size. The first display / operation body 19a is displayed on the upper part of the screen, and the second display / operation body 19b and the third display / operation body 19c are displayed side by side on the lower part of the screen.

[0016] 1, in the control system 9, the use of the application 16 is managed by a management device 21 capable of network communication with the device 8. The management device 21 is preferably, for example, a server that manages a computer network.

[0017] The management device 21 includes an acquisition unit 22 that acquires usage information D1 that is an index of the degree of satisfaction with use of an application 16 that has a download history. The acquisition unit 22 acquires the usage information D1 from the device 8 through network communication. When an application 16 is replaced, the acquisition unit 22 acquires the usage information D1 of the application 16 that has been used up until that point. The usage information D1 is, for example, information that can be used to create a graphical user interface for the application 16. The usage information D1 is, for example, information relating to the usage time D1a of the application 16. The usage time D1a is the time from when the application 16 is downloaded to when it is replaced.

[0018] The management device 21 includes a storage unit 23 that stores the usage information D1 acquired by the acquisition unit 22. The storage unit 23 is preferably, for example, a memory provided in a server. Every time the acquisition unit 22 acquires the usage information D1, the storage unit 23 writes it into the memory and holds it.

[0019] The management device 21 includes a providing unit 24 that provides to others the evaluation results of the application 16 evaluated based on the accumulated usage information D1. The providing unit 24 evaluates the exchanged application 16 based on the usage information D1 accumulated by the accumulation unit 23, and provides to others the evaluation results. For example, when the providing unit 24 receives a request for information on the evaluation results from a third party, it provides the evaluation results of the application 16 to the third party.

[0020] Next, the operation of the management device 21 (usage information management method) of this embodiment will be described. 4, when a user wishes to change the graphical user interface of the device 8, the user executes an exchange operation of the application 16 on the device 8. The exchange operation of the application 16 is performed, for example, by launching the application 16 currently being used and displaying an exchange screen 27 of the application 16 on the display unit 15. Then, the desired application 16 is selected from the group of applications displayed on the exchange screen 27. The device 8 transmits a download request for the application 16 selected by the user to the management device 21 via the network.

[0021] 5, when the management device 21 receives a download request for a new application 16 from the device 8, the management device 21 transmits data of the application 16 to the device 8 over the network. When the device 8 receives the new application 16, the device 8 writes it into the memory 11. This completes the exchange of the application 16 of the device 8.

[0022] Next, a procedure for collecting and storing the usage information D1 when the application 16 is replaced will be described. 6, in step 101, the device 8 determines whether or not the application 16 written in the memory 11 has been replaced. If the application 16 has been replaced, the process proceeds to step 102. On the other hand, if the application 16 has not been replaced, the process waits in step 101.

[0023] In step 102, when the application 16 is replaced, the device 8 transmits usage information D1 related to the application 16 before the replacement to the management device 21 by network communication. The usage information D1 may be transmitted to the management device 21 after the replacement of the application 16 is completed, or may be transmitted to the management device 21 during the registration process of the new application 16.

[0024] In step 103, the management apparatus 21 acquires the usage information D1 transmitted from the device 8. Specifically, the acquisition unit 22 acquires the usage information D1 transmitted from the device 8.

[0025] In step 104, the management device 21 accumulates the usage information D1 acquired by the acquisition unit 22. Specifically, the accumulation unit 23 accumulates the usage information D1 acquired by the acquisition unit 22. The accumulation unit 23 writes and accumulates the usage information D1 in, for example, a memory provided in the server. The management device 21 executes the above acquisition and accumulation every time the application 16 acquires the usage information from each registered device 8.

[0026] 7, when the management device 21 receives a request from a third party to provide the evaluation results of the application 16, the management device 21 provides the evaluation results of the application 16 to the third party. The provision of the usage information D1 is executed by the providing unit 24. The evaluation results of the application 16 include, for example, evaluation results of each application 16, or an index showing what kind of application 16 has high satisfaction. The providing unit 24 outputs the evaluation results of the application 16 to the third party's terminal, for example, by wireless communication such as network communication.

[0027] The third party who receives the evaluation results creates a new graphical user interface based on the evaluation results. Specifically, the trends of the applications 16 with high evaluation results are identified, and the new application 16 is created based on the trends. In this way, the creator of the application 16 creates the new application 16 based on the evaluation results of the application 16, making it possible to create a graphical user interface that meets the needs of the customer and the market.

[0028] According to the management device 21 (usage information management method) of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The management device 21 is used in a control system 9 that controls an installed device 2 of a user object 1 by an application 16 downloaded to a device 8. The management device 21 includes an acquisition unit 22 that acquires usage information D1 that is an index of the degree of satisfaction with use of the application 16 that has a download history. The management device 21 includes a storage unit 23 that stores the usage information D1 acquired by the acquisition unit 22.

[0029] According to this configuration, when the device 8 is used as an operation interface for the mounted device 2, the application 16 is downloaded to the device 8. The user can operate the mounted device 2 through the device 8 by starting the application 16 on the device 8. In addition, the management device 21 acquires and accumulates usage information D1 that is an index of the degree of satisfaction with the use of the application 16 that has a download history. Thus, the usage information D1 that is useful for the development of the application 16 can be collected.

[0030] (2) When the application 16 is replaced, the acquisition unit 22 acquires usage information D1 of the application 16 that has been used up until that point. According to this configuration, when a user replaces an application 16, it is highly likely that the user is dissatisfied with the application 16. Therefore, collecting usage information D1 at the timing of replacing the application 16 contributes to collecting a user's usage satisfaction level that is closer to his or her true feelings.

[0031] (3) The providing unit 24 of the management device 21 evaluates the exchanged application 16 based on the usage information D1 accumulated by the accumulation unit 23, and provides the evaluation result to others. According to this configuration, the evaluation result of the application 16 analyzed from the collected usage information D1 can be provided to others as necessary, which can lead to the creation of a new, highly convenient application 16.

[0032] (4) The usage information D1 is information that can be used to create a graphical user interface of the application 16. With this configuration, it is possible to perform evaluation marketing of the graphical user interface of the application 16 provided to the market based on the collected usage information D1. This contributes to the creation of a graphical user interface with high satisfaction.

[0033] (5) The usage information D1 is information related to the usage time D1a of the application 16. According to this configuration, the degree of satisfaction with the use of the application 16 can be determined by the simple method of checking the usage time D1a.

[0034] (6) The usage time D1a is the time from when the application 16 is downloaded to when it is replaced. According to this configuration, if the download is used for a long time without being replaced, it can be said that the user satisfaction is high. In this way, it is possible to collect a user satisfaction that accurately reflects the user's intentions.

[0035] (7) The device 8 is a mobile terminal 8a carried by a user. With this configuration, the on-board device 2 can be remotely operated using the mobile terminal 8a, which contributes to improving the convenience of operating the on-board device 2.

[0036] (8) The user's object 1 is a vehicle 3. The on-board device 2 is an on-board device 2a mounted on the vehicle 3. With this configuration, user evaluations of an application 16 for operating the on-board device can be accumulated and used for marketing.

[0037] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs. When the application 16 is replaced and then re-downloaded, the usage time D1a before and after the replacement may be added together.

[0038] The timing of acquiring the usage information D1 is not limited to when the application 16 is replaced. For example, the usage information D1 may be acquired periodically, or may be acquired when the device 8 executes a transmission operation for the usage information D1.

[0039] The user may be prompted to input details relating to the satisfaction level of the usage information D1, and the input information may also be provided to the management device 21. The usage information D1 is not limited to the usage time D1a of the application 16, but may be any information that reflects the user's satisfaction level.

[0040] The server that provides the application 16 may be separate from the server that acquires and stores the usage information D1. The acquisition unit 22 is not limited to being provided only in the server, and may be constructed in cooperation with elements other than the server.

[0041] The acquiring unit 22, the storing unit 23, and the providing unit 24 may each be provided in a different medium. The device 8 may be any terminal equipped with a computer. The on-board device 2 may be changed to a device other than the heater control device 4 or the audio device 5.

[0042] The user object 1 is not limited to the vehicle 3, and may be changed to other devices or equipment. Similarly, the mounted device 2 is not limited to the vehicle-mounted device 2a, and may be changed to other devices or equipment according to the type of the user object 1.

[0043] Each of the acquisition unit 22, the storage unit 23, and the provision unit 24 may be configured by [1] one or more processors that operate according to a computer program (software), or [2] a combination of such a processor and one or more dedicated hardware circuits such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that executes at least some of the various processes. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM, and the memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute the processes. The memory (computer-readable medium) includes any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer. Alternatively, instead of a computer including the above processor, a processing circuit configured by one or more dedicated hardware circuits that execute all of the various processes may be used.

[0044] The acquiring unit 22, the storing unit 23, and the providing unit 24 may each be configured from an independent processor, or may be constructed from a processor that shares some of its functions. In this way, the acquiring unit 22, the storing unit 23, and the providing unit 24 are not limited to being independent functional blocks, and may each be configured from one functional block, or may be configured from a functional block that shares some of its functions.

[0045] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiment, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment or structure. The present disclosure also includes various modifications and modifications within the scope of equivalents. In addition, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element, are also within the scope and concept of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1...user item, 2...mounted device, 2a...vehicle-mounted device, 3...vehicle, 8...device, 8a...mobile terminal, 9...control system, 16...application, 21...management device, 22...acquisition unit, 23...storage unit, 24...provision unit, D1...usage information, D1a...usage time.

Claims

1. A management device used in a control system that controls a device equipped with a user's usage object by an application downloaded to the device, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires usage information serving as an index of a degree of satisfaction with the application having a download history; a storage unit that stores the usage information acquired by the acquisition unit; a providing unit that evaluates the exchanged application based on the usage information stored by the storage unit and provides a result of the evaluation to another person; The acquisition unit is a management device that acquires, when the application is replaced, the usage information of the application that was being used up until that point, and also acquires input information related to the satisfaction level of the usage information based on user input.

2. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the usage information is information that can be used to create a graphical user interface for the application.

3. The usage information is information related to the usage time of the application. The management device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The management device according to claim 3 , wherein the usage time is a time from when the application is downloaded to when it is replaced.

5. The device is a mobile terminal carried by a user. The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The user object is a vehicle, The on-board device is an on-board device mounted in the vehicle. The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A usage information management method for use in a control system that controls a device equipped with a user usage object by an application downloaded to the device, comprising: acquiring usage information that is an index of a level of satisfaction with the application having a download history; accumulating the acquired usage information; and evaluating the exchanged application based on the accumulated usage information and providing the evaluation result to another person; A usage information management method that causes a management device that manages the usage information to acquire the usage information of the application that was being used up until that point when the application is replaced, and to acquire input information relating to the satisfaction level of the usage information based on user input.

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