User terminal

Abstract

A user terminal 10 of one embodiment of the present invention is operated by a user. The user terminal 10 is provided with: a usage amount acquisition unit 12 for acquiring information indicating the amount of usage of the user terminal 10 by the user in a prescribed period of time; and, a control unit 13 for lowering the operability of the user terminal 10 when the amount of usage exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a user terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanism for setting a usage time limit for each application installed in a user terminal (information terminal device) and displaying a warning message on the screen before the usage time of the application reaches the usage time limit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-57845 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Recently, the occurrence of physical or mental health disorders due to long-term (overuse) use of user terminals has become a problem. Specifically, in recent years, the number of people suffering from VDT (Visual Display Terminals) syndrome, which causes eye fatigue and stiff shoulders due to long-term use of user terminals, has been increasing. For this reason, a mechanism that can effectively suppress long-term use of user terminals is required.

[0005] According to the mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1, a warning message is displayed to prompt the user to stop using the application. However, if a warning message is only notified (i.e., if the application is configured to be able to continue using the application even after the usage time limit has been exceeded), the effect of suppressing long-term use of the user terminal is insufficient, since the user can ignore the warning message and continue using the application. On the other hand, if the usage limit is set to be strict and the application is forcibly terminated when the usage time of the application reaches the usage time limit, the application will be forcibly terminated even if there is a special circumstance that forces the user to use the application beyond the usage time limit, which may cause a significant disruption to the user's work.

[0006] Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a user terminal that can effectively prevent the user terminal from being used for long periods of time without causing significant disruption to the user's work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A user terminal according to one aspect of the present invention is a user terminal operated by a user, and includes a usage acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the amount of usage of the user terminal by the user over a specified period of time, and a control unit that reduces the operability of the user terminal when the usage amount exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0008] In a user terminal according to one aspect of the present invention, when the usage amount of the user terminal exceeds a threshold, the operability of the user terminal is controlled to be reduced. In this way, by deliberately reducing the usability of the user terminal as a penalty for the usage amount exceeding the threshold, the user can be encouraged to stop using the user terminal. On the other hand, even after the usage amount exceeds the threshold, the operability of the user terminal is reduced, but the use of the user terminal itself is not forcibly prohibited. Therefore, if there are special circumstances that force the user to use the user terminal even after the usage amount exceeds the threshold, the user can continue to use the user terminal. As described above, according to the user terminal, it is possible to effectively suppress long-term use of the user terminal without causing significant disruption to the user's work. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a user terminal that can effectively prevent the user terminal from being used for long periods of time without causing significant disruption to the user's work. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a first example of operation control. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second example of operation control. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a user terminal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a user terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal 10 according to an embodiment. The user terminal 10 is a terminal device used (operated) by a user. In this embodiment, the user terminal 10 includes at least a display (output device 1006) for displaying a screen.

[0013] Examples of the user terminal 10 include mobile terminals such as mobile phones, smartphones, and tablets. However, the user terminal 10 is not limited to the above examples. For example, the user terminal 10 may be a portable PC such as a laptop PC, or a stationary PC such as a desktop PC. In addition, the user terminal 10 may be a wearable terminal that is attached to a part of the user's body, such as a head-mounted display or a smart watch.

[0014] The user terminal 10 has a function for suppressing long-term use (overuse) of the user terminal 10 by the user. More specifically, the user terminal 10 is configured to reduce the operability of the user terminal 10 when the amount of use of the user terminal 10 in a predetermined period exceeds a predetermined threshold. In the present embodiment, as an example, the predetermined period is one day (24 hours from 0:00 to 24:00). However, the predetermined period is not limited to the above. For example, when it is desired to suppress continuous use of the user terminal 10 by the user, the predetermined period may be defined as "a period during which the user continues to use the user terminal 10 continuously."

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the user terminal 10 includes a storage unit 11, a usage amount acquisition unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0016] The storage unit 11 accumulates a usage history (operation history) of the user terminal 10 by the user. For example, the storage unit 11 may store information indicating the usage time during which the user used the user terminal 10 in a predetermined period. Examples of the usage time of the user terminal 10 include a period during which the screen display of the user terminal 10 was ON, a period during which some user operation was continuously input to the user terminal 10 without an interval of a certain period or more, a period during which a predetermined application was used, and the like. The storage unit 11 may also store information indicating the number of times the user used the user terminal 10 in a predetermined period. Examples of the number of times the user terminal 10 was used include the number of times a predetermined operation (e.g., posting a message on an SNS) was performed, the number of times an application was started, and the like.

[0017] The usage amount acquiring unit 12 acquires information indicating the usage amount of the user terminal 10 by the user in a predetermined period. The usage amount of the user terminal 10 is, for example, the usage time and the number of times of use of the user terminal 10 described above. For example, the usage amount acquiring unit 12 acquires information (information indicating the usage time or information indicating the number of times of use) stored in the storage unit 11 by accessing the storage unit 11. For example, the usage amount acquiring unit 12 may acquire the usage time of the user terminal 10 in a predetermined period stored in the storage unit 11 as the usage amount of the user terminal 10 in the predetermined period. In addition, the usage amount acquiring unit 12 may acquire the number of times of use of the user terminal 10 in a predetermined period stored in the storage unit 11 as the usage amount of the user terminal 10 in the predetermined period. Alternatively, the usage amount acquiring unit 12 may acquire (calculate) an index value based on both the usage time and the number of times of use of the user terminal 10 in the predetermined period as the usage amount of the user terminal 10 in the predetermined period.

[0018] However, the usage amount of the user terminal 10 is not limited to the above. For example, a weight may be set for each application running on the user terminal 10. The usage amount acquiring unit 12 may calculate the usage amount of each application in the predetermined period by multiplying the usage amount of each application by the user in the predetermined period (for example, usage time or number of uses) by the weight of each application. Then, the usage amount acquiring unit 12 may acquire (calculate) the sum of the usage amounts of each application in the predetermined period as the usage amount of the user terminal 10 in the predetermined period.

[0019] When the usage amount acquired by the usage amount acquisition unit 12 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control unit 13 reduces the operability of the user terminal 10. Hereinafter, a first example and a second example of operation control for reducing the operability of the user terminal 10 will be described.

[0020] (First example of operation control) The control unit 13 reduces the operability of the user terminal 10 by lowering a first scrolling operability relating to at least one of the scroll width and scroll speed when a user operation is performed to scroll the screen of the user terminal 10 after the usage amount exceeds a threshold, below a second scrolling operability relating to at least one of the scroll width and scroll speed when a user operation is performed to scroll the screen of the user terminal 10 before the usage amount exceeds the threshold.

[0021] When the user terminal 10 is a terminal equipped with a touch panel display such as a smartphone, a user operation for scrolling the screen is, for example, an operation of sliding a finger touching the screen. When the user terminal 10 is a terminal not equipped with a touch panel display such as a desktop PC, a user operation for scrolling the screen is, for example, an operation for scrolling the screen by a pointing device such as a mouse, a trackpad, or a trackball, an operation for scrolling the screen by pressing a direction key (up and down keys) on a keyboard, etc.

[0022] A specific control example will be described below, taking as an example a case where the user terminal 10 is a terminal equipped with a touch panel display. As an example, attention will be paid to an operation of scrolling the screen up and down on a top screen on which icons of a plurality of contents (applications) are arranged in a lattice pattern. For example, it is assumed that the scroll width (second scroll operability) before the usage amount exceeds a threshold (normal time) is set so that "when a finger is scrolled (slid) 3 cm upward or downward on the screen, the screen scrolls 10 lines upward or downward". In this case, the control unit 13 may change the scroll width (first scroll operability) after the usage amount exceeds the threshold so that, for example, "when a finger is scrolled (slid) 3 cm upward or downward on the screen, the screen scrolls 5 lines upward or downward". In this example, the scroll width after the usage amount exceeds the threshold is controlled to be half of the scroll width before the usage amount exceeds the threshold.

[0023] Alternatively, the control unit 13 may change the scroll speed instead of the scroll width. For example, the scroll speed (second scroll operability) before the usage amount exceeds the threshold (normal time) is set so that "when a finger is scrolled (slid) 3 cm upward or downward on the screen, the screen scrolls 10 lines upward or downward at the same speed as the speed of the finger slide operation." In this case, the control unit 13 may change the scroll speed (first scroll operability) after the usage amount exceeds the threshold so that, for example, "when a finger is scrolled (slid) 3 cm upward or downward on the screen, the screen scrolls 10 lines upward or downward at half the speed of the finger slide operation." In this example, the scroll speed after the usage amount exceeds the threshold is controlled to be half the scroll speed before the usage amount exceeds the threshold.

[0024] Alternatively, the control unit 13 may change both the scroll width and the scroll speed. For example, the control unit 13 may halve both the scroll width and the scroll speed when the usage amount exceeds a threshold.

[0025] As described above, when the usage amount exceeds the threshold, the scrolling operability (at least one of the scroll width and the scroll speed) is reduced, thereby reducing the operability of the user terminal 10 and hindering smooth use of the user terminal 10. As a result, after the usage amount exceeds the threshold, the user can be effectively prompted to stop using the user terminal 10, and long-term use of the user terminal 10 can be effectively suppressed.

[0026] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the control unit 13 may increase the degree of reduction of the first scroll operability relative to the second scroll operability as the degree of exceedance of the usage amount relative to the threshold d increases. For example, as shown in the first pattern of FIG. 2, the control unit 13 may gradually decrease the scroll width linearly as the degree of exceedance of the usage amount relative to the threshold d (i.e., "usage amount-threshold d") increases. Alternatively, as shown in the second pattern of FIG. 2, the control unit 13 may gradually decrease the scroll width nonlinearly as the degree of exceedance of the usage amount relative to the threshold d increases. Also, when the scroll width after the usage amount exceeds the threshold is represented as W1, the scroll width before the usage amount exceeds the threshold (i.e., the set value) is represented as W2, and the degree of exceedance of the usage amount relative to the threshold d is represented as X, the control unit 13 may set W1 based on the following formula (1). Formula (1): W1=W2 / (X+1)

[0027] As described above, by increasing the extent to which the usage exceeds the threshold d, the degree of deterioration in scrolling operability is increased, so that a user who continues to use the user terminal 10 even after the usage exceeds the threshold can be effectively prompted to discontinue use of the user terminal 10.

[0028] (Second example of operation control) The control unit 13 reduces the operability of the user terminal 10 by making a first period until a specified process is executed when a user operation is performed to instruct the execution of the specified process after the usage amount exceeds a threshold longer than a second period until the specified process is executed when a user operation is performed to instruct the execution of the specified process before the usage amount exceeds a threshold.

[0029] Examples of the predetermined process include a process of starting up content corresponding to an icon displayed on the screen after an operation of selecting (tapping) the icon of the content is performed, a process of reflecting characters inputted by a user on the screen when the user inputs characters, a process of displaying information on another web page on the screen when a link to the other web page is clicked while browsing a web page with a web browser, etc. That is, in the second example of operation control, the control unit 13 reduces the response speed from when a user operation is performed until a predetermined process corresponding to the user operation is performed (reflected) to a response speed before the usage amount exceeded a threshold value.

[0030] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 13 may change the time taken for the content icon displayed on the screen of the user terminal 10 to be tapped and the start of the content to be completed before and after the usage amount exceeds the threshold. In the example of FIG. 3, before the usage amount exceeds the threshold, the start of the content is completed at time t2 when a period T (second period) has elapsed from time t1 when the content icon is tapped. On the other hand, after the usage amount exceeds the threshold, the control unit 13 intentionally delays the time taken from when the content is selected to when the start of the content is completed by a period ΔT. As a result, after the usage amount exceeds the threshold, the start of the content is completed at time t3 when a period T+ΔT (first period) has elapsed from time t1 when the content icon is tapped.

[0031] As described above, when the usage amount exceeds the threshold, the response speed (response) of a predetermined process (content startup process in the above example) is reduced, thereby reducing the operability of the user terminal 10 and hindering smooth use of the user terminal 10. As a result, after the usage amount exceeds the threshold, the user can be effectively prompted to stop using the user terminal 10, and long-term use of the user terminal 10 can be effectively suppressed.

[0032] Furthermore, the control unit 13 may increase the extent to which the first period ("T+ΔT" in the example of FIG. 3) is longer relative to the second period ("T" in the example of FIG. 3) as the degree to which the usage amount exceeds the threshold (i.e., "usage amount-threshold") increases. For example, the control unit 13 may gradually increase ΔT, which is the penalty period when the usage amount exceeds the threshold, as the degree to which the usage amount exceeds the threshold increases. For example, the control unit 13 may determine ΔT based on the following formula (2). In the following formula (2), "X" represents the degree to which the usage amount exceeds the threshold, and "a" and "k" represent any positive numbers. Equation (2): ΔT=aX+k

[0033] As described above, by increasing the extent to which the usage exceeds the threshold, the degree of degradation in the response performance of a specified process is increased, so that a user who continues to use the user terminal 10 after the usage exceeds the threshold can be effectively prompted to discontinue use of the user terminal 10.

[0034] Next, an example of the operation of the user terminal 10 (including the information processing method according to the embodiment) will be described with reference to FIG.

[0035] In step S1, the usage amount acquiring unit 12, for example, accesses the storage unit 11 to acquire information indicating the usage amount of the user terminal 10 by the user during a predetermined period (for example, usage time, number of times of use, etc.).

[0036] In step S2, the control unit 13 determines whether or not a user operation of the control target (for example, a scroll operation, an operation of selecting a content icon and starting the content, etc.) has been performed. If a user operation of the control target has been performed (step S2: YES), the control unit 13 proceeds to the process of step S3. On the other hand, if a user operation of the control target has not been performed (step S2: NO), the process of step S3 is not performed until a user operation of the control target is performed.

[0037] In step S3, the control unit 13 determines whether the usage amount exceeds the threshold. If the usage amount exceeds the threshold (step S3: YES), the control unit 13 executes the process of step S4. On the other hand, if the usage amount does not exceed the threshold (step S3: NO), the control unit 13 executes the process of step S5.

[0038] In step S4, the control unit 13 executes the controlled operation with lower operability than normal. For example, when a scroll operation for scrolling the screen is executed as the controlled operation, the control unit 13 may execute the first example of the operation control described above. That is, the control unit 13 may lower the scroll operability (at least one of the scroll width and the scroll speed) to a value lower than that before the usage amount exceeds the threshold. Also, when an operation for selecting a content icon and activating the content is executed as the controlled operation, the control unit 13 may execute the second example of the operation control described above. That is, the control unit 13 may make the activation time from when the content icon is selected to when the activation of the content is completed longer than that before the usage amount exceeds the threshold.

[0039] In step S5, the control unit 13 executes the controlled operation with normal operability. That is, the control unit 13 executes the controlled operation without executing control that intentionally reduces the operability, as in step S4.

[0040] In the user terminal 10 described above, when the usage amount of the user terminal 10 exceeds a threshold, the operability of the user terminal 10 is controlled to be reduced. In this way, the usability of the user terminal 10 is deliberately reduced as a penalty for the usage amount exceeding the threshold, so that the user can be prompted to stop using the user terminal 10. On the other hand, even after the usage amount exceeds the threshold, the operability of the user terminal 10 is reduced, but the use of the user terminal 10 itself is not forcibly prohibited. Therefore, if there are special circumstances that force the user to use the user terminal 10 even after the usage amount exceeds the threshold, the user can continue to use the user terminal 10. As described above, according to the user terminal 10, it is possible to effectively suppress long-term use of the user terminal 10 without causing significant disruption to the user's work.

[0041] The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. The method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized by using one device that is physically or logically combined, or may be realized by using two or more devices that are physically or logically separated and directly or indirectly connected (for example, by wire, wirelessly, etc.). The functional blocks may be realized by combining the one device or the multiple devices with software.

[0042] Functions include, but are not limited to, judging, determining, assessing, calculating, processing, deriving, investigating, searching, verifying, receiving, sending, outputting, accessing, resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, anticipating, expecting, regarding, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assigning.

[0043] For example, the user terminal 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs the information processing method of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the user terminal 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The user terminal 10 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, and the like.

[0044] In the following description, the term "apparatus" may be replaced with a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the user terminal 10 may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in FIG. 5, or may be configured to exclude some of the devices.

[0045] Each function in the user terminal 10 is realized by loading a specific software (program) onto hardware such as a processor 1001 and a memory 1002, causing the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communications via a communication device 1004, and control at least one of the reading and writing of data in the memory 1002 and the storage 1003.

[0046] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system, and may be configured with a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, and the like.

[0047] Moreover, the processor 1001 reads out a program (program code), a software module, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002, and executes various processes according to the read out programs. As the program, a program that causes a computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above-mentioned embodiment is used. For example, each functional unit (e.g., the control unit 13, etc.) of the user terminal 10 may be realized by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and operated in the processor 1001, and other functional blocks may be realized in a similar manner. Although the above-mentioned various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The program may be transmitted from a network via a telecommunication line.

[0048] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be configured by at least one of, for example, a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), etc. The memory 1002 may be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store a program (program code), software modules, etc. that are executable to implement an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of at least one of, for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, and the like. Storage 1003 may be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other suitable medium including at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0050] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for performing communication between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module.

[0051] The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that accepts input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that performs output to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).

[0052] In addition, each device such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002 is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0053] The user terminal 10 may also be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc., and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0054] Although the present embodiment has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to the embodiment described in this specification. The present embodiment can be implemented as a modified or altered form without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the description of the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present embodiment.

[0055] The order of the steps, sequences, flow charts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be changed unless inconsistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0056] The input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or may be managed using a management table. The input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. The output information may be deleted. The input information may be transmitted to another device.

[0057] The determination may be based on a value represented by a single bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0058] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched according to execution. In addition, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is the case") is not limited to being done explicitly, but may be done implicitly (e.g., not notifying the specific information).

[0059] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0060] Additionally, software, instructions, information, etc. may be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired and / or wireless technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave, etc.), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0061] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0062] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information.

[0063] The names used for the above-mentioned parameters are not limiting in any way. Furthermore, the formulas etc. using these parameters may differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure. The various information elements may be identified by any suitable names, and the various names assigned to these various information elements are not limiting in any way.

[0064] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0065] Any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must precede the second element in some way.

[0066] When the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Further, when used in this disclosure, the term "or" is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0067] In this disclosure, where articles have been added due to translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0068] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different." [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 10: user terminal, 11: memory unit, 12: usage amount acquisition unit, 13: control unit.

Claims

1. A user terminal operated by a user, a usage amount acquiring unit that acquires information indicating a usage amount of the user terminal by the user during a predetermined period; a control unit that reduces operability of the user terminal when the usage amount exceeds a predetermined threshold; Equipped with The control unit reduces the operability of the user terminal by reducing a first scrolling operability relating to at least one of a scroll width and a scroll speed when a user operation is performed to scroll the screen of the user terminal after the usage amount exceeds the threshold, below a second scrolling operability relating to at least one of a scroll width and a scroll speed when a user operation is performed to scroll the screen before the usage amount exceeds the threshold.

2. the control unit increases a degree of reduction in the first scroll operability relative to the second scroll operability as the degree of excess of the usage amount relative to the threshold value increases.

2. A user terminal according to claim 1.

3. A user terminal operated by a user, a usage amount acquiring unit that acquires information indicating a usage amount of the user terminal by the user during a predetermined period; a control unit that reduces operability of the user terminal when the usage amount exceeds a predetermined threshold; Equipped with The control unit reduces the operability of the user terminal by making a first period until a specified processing is executed when a user operation instructing the execution of the specified processing is performed after the usage amount exceeds the threshold longer than a second period until the specified processing is executed when a user operation instructing the execution of the specified processing is performed before the usage amount exceeds the threshold.

4. The control unit increases a degree to which the first period is lengthened relative to the second period as the degree to which the usage amount exceeds the threshold value increases. A user terminal according to claim 3.

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