Massage machines and massage systems

Abstract

To provide a massage system for facilitating selection of a massage course.SOLUTION: A massage machine includes a control section and a communication terminal communicable with the control section. The communication terminal transmits course history information related to a history of massage courses determined by the communication terminal and performed by the massage machine to the control section. The control section generates one or more kinds of rankings related to the massage courses with the use of the course history information to be transmitted from the communication terminal. The communication terminal acquires the rankings from the control section so as to allow a display section to display the rankings.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention is a massage machine and Massage System Mu Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a massage machine that includes a seat, a backrest, armrests, a legrest, and a base that serves as the foundation for these components. A massage unit equipped with a pair of left and right kneading balls is attached to the backrest in a manner that allows it to move up and down. The massage unit includes a kneading mechanism that rotates the kneading balls eccentrically, and a hitting mechanism that rocks the kneading balls back and forth. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-250072 Summary of the Invention

[0004] Massage machines usually have multiple massage courses available from which the user can select the desired course, but it is not easy for the user to select one of the multiple massage courses without any clues. An object of the present invention is to provide a massage machine that allows easy selection of massage courses. and Massage System M The purpose is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention provides a massage machine that includes a control unit and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the control unit, wherein the communication terminal transmits course history information regarding the history of massage courses determined by the communication terminal and performed by the massage machine to the control unit, the control unit uses the course history information sent from the communication terminal to create one or more types of rankings regarding the massage courses, and the communication terminal obtains the rankings from the control unit and displays them on a display unit.

[0006] In this configuration, the user can select a massage course by referring to the ranking, which makes it easier to select a massage course. One embodiment of the present invention provides a massage system including a massage machine equipped with a control unit capable of communicating with a communication terminal, wherein course history information relating to the history of massage courses determined by the communication terminal and performed by the massage machine is transmitted from the communication terminal, the communication terminal receives one or more types of rankings relating to massage courses created using the course history information transmitted from the communication terminal, and the communication terminal displays the received rankings on a display unit.

[0007] In this configuration, the user can select a massage course by referring to the ranking, which makes it easier to select a massage course. One embodiment of the present invention is a program for controlling a massage machine having a control unit capable of communicating with a communication terminal, the program including: a transmitting step of transmitting, from the communication terminal, course history information relating to a history of massage courses determined by the communication terminal and executed by the massage machine; and a receiving step of receiving, by the communication terminal, one or more rankings relating to massage courses created using the course history information. and a display step of displaying the ranking on a display unit of the communication terminal.

[0008] In this configuration, the user can select a massage course by referring to the ranking, which makes it easier to select a massage course. The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the massage system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the appearance of the massage machine and the communication terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing the configuration of the massage unit. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the massage machine. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is an air circuit diagram showing the air circuit from the air pump to each air bag. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the communication terminal and the server. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the contents of a history table provided in the server. [Figure 7] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a remote control home screen, FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a pairing standby screen, and FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram showing an example of a pairing completion screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a login screen, FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a connected device list screen, FIG. 8C is a schematic diagram showing an example of a connecting screen, and FIG. 8D is a schematic diagram showing an example of a connection completion screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an application home screen, and FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a popularity ranking mode screen. [Figure 10]FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram showing another example of the popularity ranking mode screen, and FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of the popularity ranking mode screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of the popularity ranking mode screen, and FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of the popularity ranking mode screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of the popularity ranking mode screen, and FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of the popularity ranking mode screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 13A is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of the popularity ranking mode screen, and FIG. 13B is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of the popularity ranking mode screen. [Figure 14] FIG. 14A is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of the popularity ranking mode screen, and FIG. 14B is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of the popularity ranking mode screen. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of the popularity ranking mode screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 16A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a course presentation screen, and FIG. 16B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a transfer-in-progress screen. [Figure 17] FIG. 17A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a transfer completion screen, and FIG. 17B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Description of the embodiment of the present invention] One embodiment of the present invention provides a massage machine that includes a control unit and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the control unit, wherein the communication terminal transmits course history information regarding the history of massage courses determined by the communication terminal and performed by the massage machine to the control unit, the control unit uses the course history information sent from the communication terminal to create one or more types of rankings regarding the massage courses, and the communication terminal obtains the rankings from the control unit and displays them on a display unit.

[0011] In this configuration, the user can select a massage course by referring to the ranking, which makes it easier to select a massage course. In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication terminal is an accessory terminal device attached to the massage machine. One embodiment of the present invention provides a massage system including a massage machine equipped with a control unit capable of communicating with a communication terminal, wherein course history information relating to the history of massage courses determined by the communication terminal and performed by the massage machine is transmitted from the communication terminal, the communication terminal receives one or more types of rankings relating to massage courses created using the course history information transmitted from the communication terminal, and the communication terminal displays the received rankings on a display unit.

[0012] In this configuration, the user can select a massage course by referring to the ranking, which makes it easier to select a massage course. In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication terminal is an attached terminal device attached to the massage machine or a mobile terminal device independent of the massage machine. In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication terminal allows the user to select a desired massage course from among a plurality of massage courses included in the ranking displayed on the display unit, and transmits course identification information to the massage machine to identify the selected massage course.

[0013] In this configuration, the user can select the desired massage course from among multiple massage courses included in the ranking displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal, and the selected massage course can be performed by the massage machine. In one embodiment of the present invention, the massage machine or massage system is provided with an input device that allows the user to input an execution command to execute the massage course identified by the course identification information when it receives the course identification information transmitted from the communication terminal, and when the execution command is input by the input device, causes the massage course identified by the course identification information to be executed.

[0014] In this configuration, only when the user inputs an execution command via the input device, the massage machine can be caused to execute the massage course specified by the course specification information received from the communication terminal. In one embodiment of the present invention, the course history information includes course-specific information of a massage course determined by the communication terminal and performed by the massage machine.

[0015] In this configuration, it is possible to identify the massage course that was determined by the communication terminal and executed by the corresponding massage machine based on the course history information. In one embodiment of the present invention, the rankings include at least one of a gender ranking, a body type ranking, an age group ranking, a country ranking, a region ranking, and a global ranking.

[0016] In this configuration, at least one of the rankings by gender, by physique, by age group, by country, by region, and by world rankings can be displayed on the display unit. In one embodiment of the present invention, the massage system includes a plurality of massage machines, and the mobile terminal device transmits course-specific information for a massage course selected by a user who owns the mobile terminal device to the corresponding massage machine. In this configuration, a massage course selected by a user who owns a mobile terminal device can be executed by a corresponding massage machine.

[0017] One embodiment of the present invention provides a program for controlling a massage machine having a control unit capable of communicating with a communication terminal, the program causing a computer to execute the following steps: a sending step for sending from the communication terminal course history information relating to the history of massage courses determined by the communication terminal and executed by the massage machine; a receiving step for the communication terminal to receive one or more types of rankings relating to massage courses created using the course history information; and a display step for displaying the rankings on a display unit of the communication terminal.

[0018] In this configuration, the user can select a massage course by referring to the ranking, which makes it easier to select a massage course. In one embodiment of the present invention, in the transmitting step, the course history information is transmitted from the communication terminal to a server, and in the receiving step, the communication terminal receives the ranking created by the server based on the massage course history information.

[0019] In this configuration, the ranking created by the server can be displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal. Detailed Description of the Embodiments of the Invention Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [1] Overall configuration of massage system 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a massage system 1. As shown in FIG.

[0020] The massage system 1 includes a plurality of chair-type massage machines (hereinafter simply referred to as "massage machines 2"), a communication terminal 3 provided for each of the massage machines 2 and owned by a user who uses the massage machine, and a server 4. In this embodiment, the communication terminal 3 is a smartphone. The massage machines 2 and the communication terminal 3 can communicate with each other wirelessly or via wired communication, for example, via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or WiFi communication. The communication terminal 3 and the server 4 can communicate with each other via a communication network 5.

[0021] The communication terminal 3 may be a computer such as a tablet computer. The massage machine 2 may also be a massage machine 2 equipped with a communication terminal 3 consisting of such a computer. A remote control 25 (see FIG. 2 ), which will be described later, equipped in the massage machine 2 may have the functions of the communication terminal 3. In this case, the remote control 25 serves as the communication terminal 3.

[0022] In this way, the communication terminal 3 may be an attached terminal device attached to the massage machine 2, or may be a mobile terminal device independent of the massage machine 1. An application (hereinafter referred to as a "massage app") for determining a massage course and the like is installed in the communication terminal 3. When a massage course is determined based on a user operation, the communication terminal 3 transmits course specification information (hereinafter referred to as a "course ID") for identifying the determined massage course to the corresponding massage machine 2.

[0023] When the massage machine 2 receives the course ID from the communication terminal 3, it prompts the user seated on the massage machine 2 to input an execution command to execute the massage course. When the execution command is input, the massage machine 2 executes the massage course specified by the course ID and notifies the corresponding communication terminal 3 that the execution command has been input. When the communication terminal 3 is notified that an execution command has been input, the communication terminal 3 creates course history information including the course ID etc. transmitted to the massage machine 2, stores the course history information in the memory 91 (see FIG. 5 ), and transmits the course history information to the server 4. The course history information is information relating to the history of massage courses determined by the communication terminal 3 and executed by the corresponding massage machine 2.

[0024] When the server 4 receives the course history information transmitted from the communication terminal 3, it creates history information for creating rankings including the course history information and stores the history information in the memory unit 214 (see FIG. 5). The server 4 creates one or more types of popularity rankings (usage frequency rankings) related to massage courses based on the history information for creating rankings in the memory unit 214. In this embodiment, the server 4 creates multiple types of popularity rankings. The server 4 transmits the created multiple types of popularity rankings to the communication terminal 3 at a predetermined timing.

[0025] When the communication terminal 3 receives multiple types of popularity rankings from the server 4, it stores them in the memory 91. The communication terminal 3 displays the popularity rankings stored in the memory 91 on the operation display unit 103 (see FIG. 5 ) as needed. The operation display unit 103 is an example of the "display unit" of the present invention. The communication terminal 3 also allows the user of the communication terminal 3 to select a desired massage course from multiple massage courses included in the popularity rankings displayed on the operation display unit 103, and transmits the course ID of the selected massage course to the corresponding massage machine 2.

[0026] When the massage machine 2 receives the course ID from the communication terminal 3, it prompts the user seated on the massage machine 2 to input an execution command to execute the massage course. When the execution command is input, the massage machine 2 executes the massage course corresponding to the received course ID. [2] Appearance of Massager 2 FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the appearance of the massage machine 2 and the communication terminal 3. As shown in FIG.

[0027] The massage machine 2 includes a seat portion 11, a backrest portion 12, armrest portions 13, a leg rest portion (ottoman) 14, and a base serving as a base for these. In the following description, the terms "front-back direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" refer to the front-back direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction, respectively, as seen from the user when the user is seated on the massage machine 2 in a normal posture.

[0028] The base is located below the seat 11, but is not visible in FIG. 2 because it is hidden by the seat 11, backrest 12, armrests 13 and leg rest 14. The seat 11 is disposed on a base. The backrest 12 is disposed at the rear of the seat 11. The armrests 13 are disposed on both the left and right sides of the seat 11. The leg rest 14 is disposed at the front of the seat 11. The backrest 12 is supported by a backrest rotation actuator 21 (see FIG. 4A) so that it can tilt relative to the seat 11. The leg rest 14 can be rotated by a leg rest rotation actuator 22 (see FIG. 4A) around a support shaft extending in the left-right direction provided near the top of the seat. This allows the leg rest 14 to rotate between the vertical position shown in FIG. 2 and a horizontal position rotated approximately 90 degrees from the vertical position.

[0029] A massage unit 23 is built into the backrest 12. The massage unit 23 is used to perform various massages (mechanical massages) using a pair of left and right massage applicators (kneading balls) 51. The backrest 12 is provided with a pair of left and right guide rails 28, 29 (see FIG. 3) that extend in the vertical direction and have a U-shaped cross section, and the massage unit 23 can move in the vertical direction along the guide rails 28, 29. The detailed configuration of the massage unit 23 will be described later.

[0030] The armrest 13 is provided with an arm unit 16 having a forearm accommodation recess 17 for accommodating the user's forearm. The leg rest 14 has a leg accommodation recess 18 and a foot accommodation recess 19 for accommodating the user's left and right legs and feet, respectively. Airbags are provided in the backrest 12, seat 11, armrests 13 and leg rest 14 of the massage machine 2. Each airbag inflates and deflates by supplying and discharging air, thereby providing an air massage to the user.

[0031] A right upper arm airbag 31a for massaging the right upper arm and a left upper arm airbag 31b for massaging the left upper arm are provided on both sides of the center height of the backrest 12. These airbags 31a and 31b constitute an upper arm airbag 31 for massaging the upper arms. In addition, a right lumbar airbag 36a for massaging the lower back and a left lumbar airbag 36b for massaging the left lower back are provided on both sides of the lower back of the backrest 12. These airbags 36a, 36b constitute a lumbar airbag 36 for massaging the lower back.

[0032] A pair of left and right thigh side airbags 32a, 32b for massaging the sides of the thighs, a pair of left and right upper back thigh airbags 32c, 32d for massaging the upper back of the thighs, and a lower back thigh airbag 32e for massaging the lower back of the thighs are provided in the seat portion 11. These airbags 32a to 32e constitute thigh airbag 32 for massaging the thighs.

[0033] Forearm airbags 33a and 33b for massaging the forearms and hand airbags 33c and 33d for massaging the hands are provided on both sides of the pair of left and right forearm accommodating recesses 17. These airbags 33a to 33d constitute forearm airbag 33 for massaging the forearms and hands. Side calf airbags 34a, 34b for massaging the sides of the calves are provided on both side surfaces of the pair of left and right leg accommodating recesses 18. Sole calf airbags 34c, 34d for massaging the backs of the calves are provided on the bottom surfaces of the pair of left and right leg accommodating recesses 18. These airbags 34a to 34d constitute calf airbags 34 for massaging the calves.

[0034] Foot upper airbags 35a, 35b for pressing downward on the upper sides of the feet are provided on both sides of the pair of left and right foot accommodating recesses 19. Sole airbags 35c, 35d for pressing upward on the soles of the feet are provided on the bottom surfaces of the pair of left and right foot accommodating recesses 19. These airbags 35a to 35d constitute sole airbags 35 for massaging the soles of the feet.

[0035] A remote control stand 24 is attached to the arm unit 16. A remote controller (hereinafter referred to as "remote control 25") for the user to operate the massage machine 2 is detachably attached to the remote control stand 24. As shown in FIG. 4A, an operation display unit 26 and a plurality of operation keys are provided on the operation surface of the remote control 25. The operation display unit 26 is formed, for example, of a touch panel type liquid crystal display. The remote control 25 is provided with a communication unit (not shown) for wireless communication or wired communication with the communication terminal 3. The remote control 25 is an example of an "input device" in the present invention. The communication terminal 3 is provided with an operation display unit 103. [3] Configuration of massage unit 23 FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the massage unit 23. As shown in FIG.

[0036] The massage unit 23 is mounted so as to be movable up and down relative to the guide rails 28, 29. The massage unit 23 includes a rectangular main frame 41. The main frame 41 is composed of a pair of left and right side walls, and a top wall and a bottom wall that connect the upper ends and lower ends of the side walls, respectively. A guide shaft 42 and an elevation drive shaft 43, both of which extend in the left-right direction, are rotatably mounted on the main frame 41.

[0037] The guide shaft 42 is disposed on the upper part of the main frame 41, and the lifting drive shaft 43 is disposed on the lower part of the main frame 41. Both end portions of the guide shaft 42 and the lifting drive shaft 43 protrude outward from both side walls of the main frame 41. Guide rollers 44 that are guided by the guide rails 28, 29 are attached to both end portions of the guide shaft 42. Pinion gears 45 that mesh with racks (not shown) provided on the guide rails 28, 29 are attached to both end portions of the lifting drive shaft 43.

[0038] An elevation motor 46 for rotating the elevation drive shaft 43 is attached to the main frame 41. The elevation motor 46 is connected to the elevation drive shaft 43 via a gear mechanism 47. When the elevation motor 46 is rotated, the massage unit 23 is raised and lowered along the guide rails 28 and 29. The massage unit 23 is provided with a lifting position sensor 48 for detecting the amount of rotation of the lifting drive shaft 43, thereby detecting the lifting position (vertical position) of the massage unit 23. The lifting position sensor 48 is made of a rotary encoder for detecting the amount of rotation of the lifting drive shaft 43.

[0039] A swinging frame 49 is attached to the middle of the lifting drive shaft 43 so as to be swingable in the front-to-rear direction. A pair of left and right treatment elements 51 and a treatment element drive unit 50 including a drive mechanism for the treatment elements 51 are attached to the swinging frame 49. The main frame 41 is provided with a treatment element drive unit advance / retract mechanism for moving the swinging frame (treatment element drive unit) forward and backward.

[0040] The treatment element drive unit advance / retract mechanism will now be described. An advance / retract shaft 52, which is disposed below the guide shaft 42 and extends in the left-right direction, is rotatably attached to the main frame 41. An advance / retract motor 53 for rotating the advance / retract shaft 52 is attached to one side of the main frame 41. The advance / retract motor 53 is connected to the advance / retract shaft 52 via a gear mechanism 54. A pair of left and right pinion gears 55 are attached to the intermediate portion of the advance / retract shaft 52. An arc-shaped rack 56 that meshes with the pair of left and right pinion gears 55 is provided on the upper portion of the swing frame 49. When the advance / retract shaft 52 is rotated by the advance / retract motor 53, the pinion gear 55 rotates, and the arc-shaped rack 56 moves. This causes the swing frame 49 to swing around the lift drive shaft 43. This causes the treatment element drive unit 50 (treatment element 51) to advance / retract in the front-rear direction.

[0041] The massage unit 23 is provided with a front-rear position sensor 57 for detecting the amount of rotation of the advancing / retracting shaft 52, thereby detecting the front-rear position of the treatment element drive unit 50. The front-rear position sensor 57 is made of an encoder for detecting the amount of rotation of the advancing / retracting shaft 52. The treatment element drive unit 50 includes a kneading mechanism that performs a kneading action by eccentrically rotating the treatment elements 51, and a hitting mechanism that performs a hitting action by swinging the treatment elements 51 back and forth. The kneading mechanism includes a kneading motor 58 as an actuator (drive source). The hitting mechanism includes a hitting motor 59 as an actuator (drive source). [4] Electrical configuration of massager 2 Fig. 4A is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the massage machine 2. Fig. 4B is an air circuit diagram showing the air circuit from the air pump to each air bag.

[0042] 4A, a control unit 60 for controlling the massage machine 2 is built in the massage machine 2. The control unit 60 includes a microcomputer, and is equipped with a CPU, memory (RAM, ROM, non-volatile memory) 61, etc. The memory 61 stores various data in addition to the CPU program. The control unit 60 is connected to the remote control 25, a drive circuit 71 for the backrest rotation actuator 21, and a drive circuit 72 for the leg support rotation actuator 22. The control unit 60 is also connected to a drive circuit 73 for the lifting motor 46, a drive circuit 74 for the forward / backward movement motor 53, a drive circuit 75 for the kneading motor 58, and a drive circuit 76 for the tapping motor 59, all of which are included in the massage unit 23. The control unit 60 is also connected to the lifting position sensor 48 and the front / rear position sensor 57, all of which are included in the massage unit 23.

[0043] The control unit 60 is further connected to a drive circuit 77 for the air pump 81 and a drive circuit 78 for the plurality of solenoid valves 82a to 82u. Air is supplied to each of the solenoid valves 82a to 82u from the air pump 81. Hereinafter, the solenoid valves 82a to 82u may be collectively referred to as solenoid valves 82. 4B, solenoid valve 82a is connected to right upper arm airbag 31a, and solenoid valve 82b is connected to left upper arm airbag 31b. Solenoid valve 82c is connected to right lateral thigh airbag 32a, and solenoid valve 82d is connected to left lateral thigh airbag 32b. Solenoid valve 82e is connected to right upper back thigh airbag 32c, and solenoid valve 82f is connected to left upper back thigh airbag 32d. Solenoid valve 82g is connected to lower back thigh airbag 32e.

[0044] The right forearm airbag 33a is connected to solenoid valve 82h, and the left forearm airbag 33b is connected to solenoid valve 82i. The right hand airbag 33c is connected to solenoid valve 82j, and the left hand airbag 33d is connected to solenoid valve 82k. The right hip airbag 36a is connected to solenoid valve 82t, and the left hip airbag 36b is connected to solenoid valve 82u.

[0045] The right lateral calf airbag 34a is connected to solenoid valve 82l, and the left lateral calf airbag 34b is connected to solenoid valve 82m. The right sole of the calf airbag 34c is connected to solenoid valve 82n, and the left sole of the calf airbag 34d is connected to solenoid valve 82o. The right front airbag 35a is connected to solenoid valve 82p, and the left front airbag 35b is connected to solenoid valve 82q. The right sole of the foot airbag 35c is connected to solenoid valve 82r, and the left sole of the foot airbag 35d is connected to solenoid valve 82s.

[0046] In this embodiment, an individual solenoid valve is provided for each of the paired airbags arranged on the left and right sides, but a single solenoid valve may be provided in common for the two paired airbags. When the solenoid valve 82 of a certain airbag is energized, air is supplied from the air pump 81 to the airbag via the solenoid valve 82, thereby inflating the airbag. When the solenoid valve 82 of the airbag is de-energized, the air inside the airbag is exhausted to the outside via the solenoid valve, thereby deflating the airbag.

[0047] The control unit 60 controls the drive circuits 71 and 72 of the actuators 21 and 22 based on the operation of the remote control 25, the operation of the communication terminal 3, etc. The control unit 60 also controls the drive circuits 73 to 76 of the motors 46, 53, 58, and 59, the drive circuit 77 of the air pump 81, and the drive circuit 78 of the solenoid valve 82 based on the operation of the remote control 25, the operation of the communication terminal 3, etc. This allows the massage machine 2 to perform various types of massage.

[0048] The operation modes of the massage machine 2 include an application mode in which the massage machine 2 is controlled mainly by operating the communication terminal 3, and a remote control mode in which the massage machine 2 is controlled by operating the remote control 25 without using the communication terminal 3. The operation mode of the massage machine 2 can be switched by operating the remote control 25 or the communication terminal 3.

[0049] The massage modes include manual mode, automatic mode, body map mode, healthcare mode, history mode, and popularity ranking mode. The manual mode and automatic mode are massage modes that can be executed in the remote control mode. The body map mode, healthcare mode, history mode, and popularity ranking mode are massage modes that can be executed in the application mode.

[0050] The manual mode is a mode in which a massage is performed according to the type of massage selected by the user. The automatic mode is a mode in which the user is prompted to select a desired massage course from a plurality of massage courses prepared in advance, and the selected massage course is executed. The human body map mode is a mode in which the user is prompted to input the stiff area and the degree of stiffness, a massage course suited to the input stiff area and the degree of stiffness is determined, and the determined massage course is executed based on user operation, etc.

[0051] The healthcare mode is a mode in which a massage course suited to biometric information such as the user's number of steps, sleep time, and pulse rate (heart rate) is determined, and the determined massage course is executed based on user operations, etc. The history mode is a mode in which the user is prompted to select a desired massage course from massage courses that have been carried out in the past, and the selected massage course is carried out based on user operation or the like.

[0052] The popularity ranking mode is a mode in which a popularity ranking created by the server 4 is presented to the user, the user is allowed to select a desired massage course from multiple massage courses included in the popularity ranking, and the selected massage course is executed based on user operation, etc. [5] Electrical configuration of communication terminal 3 and server 4 FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the communication terminal 3 and the server 4. As shown in FIG. [5.1] Electrical configuration of communication terminal 3 The communication terminal 3 includes a control unit 90. The control unit 90 includes a microcomputer, a CPU, a memory (RAM, ROM, non-volatile memory) 91, etc. The memory 91 stores various data in addition to CPU programs. The control unit 90 is connected to a first communication unit 101, a second communication unit 102, an operation display unit 103, etc.

[0053] The first communication unit 101 is a communication interface for the control unit 90 to communicate with the remote control 25 (control unit 90 of the massage machine 2). The second communication unit 102 is a communication interface for the control unit 90 to communicate with the server 4 and other communication terminals via the communication network 5. The operation display unit 103 is, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display. The memory 91 (non-volatile memory) of the communication terminal 3 stores a massage app for realizing a body map mode, a healthcare mode, a history mode, and a popularity ranking mode, and for transmitting course history information to the server 4.

[0054] The course history information includes, for example, "course start date and time," "user ID," "user's date of birth," "user's height," "user's weight," "user's nationality," "massage mode," "course ID," "course name," "massage machine model ID," "massage machine model name," etc. "Course start date and time" is the date and time when the massage course started, specifically the date and time when the communication terminal 3 was notified that an execution command had been input to the massage machine 2. "Massage machine model ID" and "massage machine model name" are the model ID and model name of the massage machine 2 that executed the massage course. "Massage mode" is the massage mode when the massage course was determined, and in this embodiment is one of the human body map mode, healthcare mode, history mode, and popularity ranking mode. [5.2] Electrical configuration and operation of Server 4 The server 4 is, for example, a personal computer, and includes a control unit 200, a communication unit 211, a display unit 212, an operation unit 213, and a storage unit 214. The control unit 200 includes a CPU and a memory. The communication unit 211 is a communication interface for communicating with the communication terminal 3. The display unit 212 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The operation unit 213 includes a mouse, a keyboard, etc.

[0055] The storage unit 214 is composed of a hard disk, non-volatile memory, etc. The storage unit 214 stores a basic table 214A, a history table 214B, and multiple types of popularity ranking tables (hereinafter referred to as "ranking tables"), etc. The multiple types of ranking tables include a gender ranking table 214C, a physique ranking table 214D, an age ranking table 214E, a country ranking table 214F, a region ranking table 214G, and a worldwide ranking table 214H.

[0056] Basic table 214A stores basic information such as a communication terminal ID that identifies each communication terminal 3, a user ID of the user who owns the communication terminal, and an email address of the user who owns the communication terminal. The communication terminal ID is, for example, the telephone number of communication terminal 3. The basic information such as the user ID and email address is registered in basic table 214A when a user registers with server 4 using communication terminal 3.

[0057] History table 214B stores history information for creating rankings, including course history information sent from communication terminal 3 to server 4. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, history table 214B stores, for each history information number (serial number) of the received course history information, information included in the course history information, such as "course start date and time," "user ID," "user's date of birth," "user's height," "user's weight," "user's nationality," "massage mode," "course ID," "course name," "massage machine model ID," and "massage machine model name." Furthermore, history table 214B stores "user's physique information," which is determined based on "user's height" and "user's weight" included in the received course history information.

[0058] There are three types of "user's physique information": "slim type", "normal type", and "obese type". These three types of physique are determined, for example, as follows: weight [kg] / height [m] 2 If BMI (Body Mass Index) is used, a person is determined to be "thin" if their BMI is 16.99 or less, "normal" if their BMI is greater than 16.99 and less than 29.99, and "obese" if their BMI is greater than 29.99.

[0059] The gender ranking table 214C stores the course IDs of a predetermined number (for example, 10) of massage courses in descending order of frequency of use for each gender. The physique-based ranking table 214D stores the course IDs of a predetermined number (for example, 10) of massage courses for each physique, in descending order of frequency of use. The age-based ranking table 214E stores the course IDs of a predetermined number (for example, 10) of massage courses in descending order of frequency of use for each age group.

[0060] The country ranking table 214F stores the course IDs of a predetermined number (for example, 10) of massage courses for each country (each nationality) in descending order of frequency of use. The region-based ranking table 214G stores the course IDs of a predetermined number (for example, 10) of massage courses in descending order of frequency of use for each region of each country.

[0061] The global ranking table 214H stores the course IDs of a predetermined number (for example, 10) of massage courses in descending order of frequency of use worldwide. When the control unit 200 receives the course history information transmitted from the communication terminal 3, it creates history information for creating rankings that includes the received course history information and stores it in the history table 214B.

[0062] Furthermore, at a predetermined time (for example, 3:00 AM Japan time), control unit 200 creates popularity rankings by gender, by physique, by age group, by country, by region, and by worldwide popularity rankings based on the history information for creating rankings stored in history table 214B, and stores them in corresponding ranking tables 214C-214H. As a result, the contents of ranking tables 214C-214H are updated daily.

[0063] Furthermore, the control unit 200 transmits the contents of the ranking tables 214C to 214H to the communication terminal 3 based on access from the communication terminal 3. [6] Start Massager 2 The user activates the massage machine 2 by turning on the power switch of the remote control 25. As a result, a home screen as shown in FIG. 7A (hereinafter referred to as the "remote control home screen") is displayed on the operation display unit 26 of the remote control 25. The remote control home screen displays a course selection button 111 for selecting various massage courses, a manual button 112 for manually selecting the type of massage, a setting button 113 for making various settings, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) button 114, etc. A Bluetooth (registered trademark) mark is displayed on the Bluetooth (registered trademark) button 114. When the massage machine 2 is not connected to the communication terminal 3, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) mark is displayed in white.

[0064] When the user taps the Bluetooth (registered trademark) button 114, the massage machine 2 enters a state of waiting for connection with the communication terminal 3 (pairing standby mode). At this time, a pairing standby screen as shown in FIG. 7B is displayed on the operation display unit 26. The pairing standby screen displays the words "Pairing Mode", an arc-arrow pairing mark, a cancel button, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) button, and the like. During pairing standby, the arc-arrow pairing mark rotates.

[0065] Then, when the massage machine 2 and the communication terminal 3 are connected, a pairing completion screen as shown in Fig. 7C is displayed on the operation display unit 26. On the pairing completion screen, the circular arrow pair mark on the pairing standby screen changes to a tick mark. The tick mark resembles the letter "R". When a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) has elapsed since the connection completion screen (pairing completion screen) was displayed, the remote control home screen (see FIG. 7A) is displayed on the operation display unit 26. In this case, however, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) mark on the Bluetooth (registered trademark) button 114 is displayed in blue. [7] Launching the massage app The user starts the massage app by tapping an icon (not shown) of the massage app displayed on the operation display unit 103 of the communication terminal 3. This causes a login screen as shown in Fig. 8A to be displayed on the operation display unit 103. The login screen displays a login ID input section 121, a password input section 122, a login button 123, etc.

[0066] If the user has already registered, when the user taps the login button 123 after inputting the login ID and password, a connected device list screen as shown in Fig. 8B is displayed on the operation display unit 103. The connected device list screen displays model selection buttons 124 and 125 that indicate the models of massage machines that are in pairing standby mode. The user taps the model selection button that corresponds to the model of the massage machine that the user wants to use.

[0067] When a predetermined model selection button, for example, the model selection button 124 (model number XY-0001) is tapped, the control unit 90 of the communication terminal 3 performs processing to connect the communication terminal 3 to the massage machine 2 of the model corresponding to the model selection button (hereinafter referred to as the "selected model"). As shown in FIG. 8C , the operation display unit 103 displays a connection screen including a message "Connecting to XY-0001". If the massage machine 2 to be used is in a standby state, the communication terminal 3 will then be connected to the massage machine 2.

[0068] When the communication terminal 3 is connected to the massage machine 2, a connection completion screen as shown in Fig. 8D is displayed on the operation display unit 103. If the selected model is XY-0001, a message "Connection to XY-0001 completed" is displayed on the connection completion screen. Then, a home screen of the massage app (hereinafter referred to as "app home screen") is displayed on the operation display unit 103. [8] App home screen FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an application home screen.

[0069] The application home screen 130 has a title area F1, a connection status display area F2, a body map mode button display area F3, a healthcare mode button display area F4, a history / ranking mode button display area F5, a course selection button display area F6, and a home button display area F7. These areas F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, and F7 are arranged in this order from the top of the application home screen 130.

[0070] The title area F1 displays a hamburger button 131 consisting of three lines, etc. The hamburger button 131 is a button for displaying a predetermined menu screen (not shown). The connection status display area F2 is an area for displaying the connection status with the massage machine 2. In the connection status display area F2, when the communication terminal 3 is connected to the massage machine 2, the character string "Connecting" is displayed, and when the communication terminal 3 is not connected to the massage machine 2, the character string "Not connected" is displayed.

[0071] The human body map mode button display area F3 displays a human body map mode button 132. The human body map mode button 132 is a button for setting the massage mode to the human body map mode. The human body map mode button 132 displays a character string such as "human body map." When the human body map mode button 132 is tapped, a human body map screen (not shown) for allowing the user to input the stiff area and the degree of stiffness is displayed on the operation display unit 103. The user inputs the stiff area and the degree of stiffness on the human body map screen.

[0072] When the stiff area and the degree of stiffness are input on the human body map screen, a course presentation screen (not shown) presenting massage courses suitable for the input stiff area and degree of stiffness is displayed on the operation display unit 103. Then, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the course presentation screen, the course ID of the presented massage course is transmitted to the massage machine 2. A healthcare mode button 133 is displayed in the healthcare mode button display area F4. The healthcare mode button 133 is a button for setting the massage mode to the healthcare mode. The healthcare mode button 133 displays, for example, biometric information such as the user's number of steps, sleep time, and heart rate, as well as a message recommending a massage course suitable for that biometric information. In this example, the user's heart rate and a message recommending a massage course suitable for that heart rate are displayed. The user's biometric information such as the user's number of steps, sleep time, and heart rate is measured, for example, by a portable biometric information measuring device (not shown) attached to a part of the user's body. The biometric information measured by the biometric information measuring device is then provided to the communication terminal 3, for example, by wireless communication.

[0073] When the healthcare mode button 133 is tapped, a course presentation screen (not shown) presenting massage courses suited to the user's steps, sleep time, pulse rate, etc. is displayed on the operation display unit 103. When the user performs a predetermined operation on the course presentation screen, the course ID of the presented massage course is transmitted to the massage machine 2. In the history / ranking mode button display area F5, a history mode button 134 and a popularity ranking mode button 135 are arranged side by side. The word "history" is displayed on the history mode button 134, and the word "popular ranking" is displayed on the popularity ranking mode button 135. Either the history mode button 134 or the popularity ranking mode button 135 is in a selected state, and the other is in a non-selected state. A bar of a predetermined color (e.g., blue) is displayed below the selected button. On the application home screen 130, the history mode button 134 is in a selected state, and the popularity ranking mode button 135 is in a non-selected state.

[0074] The course selection button display area F6 displays a course selection button or the like corresponding to the currently selected mode button out of the history mode button 134 and the popularity ranking mode button 135. On the application home screen 130, the history mode button 134 is in a selected state. Therefore, the course selection button display area F6 displays course selection buttons 136 corresponding to a predetermined number of massage courses, in order of most recent execution time, among the massage courses that were previously determined by the communication terminal 3 and executed by the massage machine 2. In this example, the course selection button 136 corresponding to the most recently executed massage course and the course selection button 136 corresponding to the next most recently executed massage course are displayed in the course selection button display area F6.

[0075] The name of the massage course and the massage start date and time are displayed on each course selection button 136. When a course selection button 136 is tapped, a course presentation screen (not shown) presenting the massage course corresponding to the course selection button 136 is displayed on the operation display unit 103. When the user performs a predetermined operation on the course presentation screen, the course ID of the presented massage course is transmitted to the massage machine 2.

[0076] The home button display area F7 displays a home button 137. The home button 137 is a button for returning the display screen to the application home screen 130 when the display screen is a screen other than the application home screen 130. [9] Popularity Ranking Mode Below, we will explain the popularity ranking mode in detail.

[0077] 5, a user table 91A, a course table 91B, a history table 91C, and multiple types of popularity ranking tables (hereinafter referred to as "ranking tables") are provided in the memory 91 of the communication terminal 3. Similar to the ranking tables provided in the server 4, the multiple types of ranking tables include a gender ranking table 91D, a physique ranking table 91E, an age ranking table 91F, a country ranking table 91G, a region ranking table 91H, and a worldwide ranking table 91I.

[0078] The user table 91A stores user information about the user who owns the communication terminal 3. The user information includes a "user ID," "user's date of birth," "user's height," "user's weight," "user's nationality," and the like. The course table 91B stores the name of the massage course, massage time, explanation of the course content, etc. for each course ID of the massage course.

[0079] In the history table 91C, course history information created by the communication terminal 3 is stored. The ranking tables 91D to 91I store the corresponding popularity ranking data acquired from the server 4. When a massage course is determined in the human body map mode, healthcare mode, history mode, or popularity ranking mode, the control unit 90 of the communication terminal 3 transmits the course ID of the massage course to the corresponding massage machine 2. When the massage machine 2 receives the course ID from the communication terminal 3, it prompts the user seated on the massage machine 2 to input an execution command to execute the massage course. Details of how to input the execution command will be described later. When the execution command is input, the massage machine 2 executes the massage course specified by the course ID and notifies the corresponding communication terminal 3 that the execution command has been input.

[0080] When the communication terminal 3 is notified that an execution command has been input, the communication terminal 3 creates course history information including "course start date and time," "user ID," "user's date of birth," "user's height," "user's weight," "user's nationality," "massage mode," "course ID," "course name," "massage machine model ID," "massage machine model name," etc. Then, the communication terminal 3 stores the created course history information in the history table 91C and transmits it to the server 4.

[0081] Each time the application home screen 130 (see FIG. 9A) is displayed, the control unit 90 accesses the website provided by the server 4 and acquires various popularity ranking data from the server 4. The control unit 90 then stores the acquired popularity ranking data in the corresponding ranking tables 91D-91I. This updates the contents of the ranking tables 91D-91I.

[0082] When the popularity ranking mode button 135 is tapped on the application home screen 130, the control unit 90 displays a popularity ranking mode screen 140 as shown in FIG. 9B on the operation display unit 103. On the popularity ranking mode screen 140, the history mode button 134 is deselected and the popularity ranking mode button 135 is selected. As a result, a bar of a predetermined color (blue in this example) is displayed below the popularity ranking mode button 135.

[0083] Furthermore, on the popularity ranking mode screen 140, first scroll buttons 141A and 141B and second scroll buttons 142A and 142B are displayed above the course selection button display area F6. The first scroll buttons 141A, 141B and the second scroll buttons 142A, 142B are buttons for selecting the type of popularity ranking to be displayed in the course selection button display area F6. The first scroll buttons 141A, 141B are buttons for allowing the user to select a major category of the popularity ranking, and consist of a left scroll button 141A and a right scroll button 141B spaced apart on the left and right. A character string representing the major category of the popularity ranking is displayed in the area between the left scroll button 141A and the right scroll button 141B. In this embodiment, the major categories of the popularity ranking include "gender," "physique," "age," "country," "region," and "worldwide."

[0084] The second scroll buttons 142A, 142B are buttons for allowing the user to select a minor category belonging to the major category of the popularity ranking selected by the first scroll buttons 141A, 141B, and consist of a left scroll button 142A and a right scroll button 142B spaced apart on the left and right. A character string representing the minor category of the popularity ranking is displayed in the area between the left scroll button 142A and the right scroll button 142B.

[0085] The subcategories for "Gender" include "Male (Male)" and "Female (Female)." The subcategories for "Body Type" include "Slim," "Normal," and "Obese." The subcategories for "Age" include "50s," "60s," and "70s." The subcategories for "Country" include "Japan," "China," and "United States." The subcategories for "Region" include "Osaka," "Tokyo," and "Hokkaido" if the target country is Japan. There are no subcategories for "Worldwide." Hereinafter, the type of popularity ranking selected by both first scroll buttons 141A, 141B and second scroll buttons 142A, 142B or by only first scroll buttons 141A, 141B will be referred to as the "currently selected ranking type."

[0086] Furthermore, on the popularity ranking mode screen 140, the popularity ranking according to the currently selected ranking type is displayed in the area below the second scroll buttons 142A and 142B in the course selection button display area F6. 9B shows an example of a popularity ranking mode screen 140 when the currently selected ranking type is "male" by gender. In the course selection button display area F6, seven course selection buttons 143-149 corresponding to the top seven massage courses are displayed in order of frequency of use by men. The seven course selection buttons 143-149 display the names of the massage courses that correspond to them.

[0087] The user can change the type of popularity ranking displayed in the course selection button display area F6 by operating the first scroll buttons 141A, 141B and the second scroll buttons 142A, 142B. Fig. 10A shows an example of a popularity ranking mode screen 140 when the currently selected ranking type is "female" by gender, and Fig. 10B shows an example of a popularity ranking mode screen 140 when the currently selected ranking type is "thin" by physique. Fig. 11A shows an example of a popularity ranking mode screen 140 when the currently selected ranking type is "standard" by physique, and Fig. 11B shows an example of a popularity ranking mode screen 140 when the currently selected ranking type is "obese" by physique.

[0088] 12A shows an example of a popularity ranking mode screen 140 when the currently selected ranking type is by age group in the 50s, and Fig. 12B shows an example of a popularity ranking mode screen 140 when the currently selected ranking type is by age group in the 60s. Also, Fig. 13A shows an example of a popularity ranking mode screen 140 when the currently selected ranking type is by country, Japan, and Fig. 13B shows an example of a popularity ranking mode screen 140 when the currently selected ranking type is by country, China.

[0089] 14A shows an example of a popularity ranking mode screen 140 when the currently selected ranking type is Osaka by region, and FIG. 14B shows an example of a popularity ranking mode screen 140 when the currently selected ranking type is Tokyo by region. FIG. 15 shows an example of a popularity ranking mode screen 140 when the currently selected ranking type is worldwide. Since there are no subcategories in the worldwide ranking, second scroll buttons 142A and 142B for selecting a minor category are not displayed in FIG. 15.

[0090] 10A to 15, for ease of explanation, the course selection button display area F6 displays seven course selection buttons 143 to 149 with the same content as the seven course selection buttons 143 to 149 displayed in the course selection button display area F6 of Fig. 9B, but in reality, seven course selection buttons 143 to 149 with content corresponding to the type of popularity ranking are displayed. Note that the number of course selection buttons displayed in the course selection button display area F6 when the popularity ranking mode button 135 is in a selected state may be more or less than seven.

[0091] When the user taps one of the course selection buttons 143 to 149 displayed in the course selection button display area F6, the control unit 90 displays on the operation display unit 103 a course presentation screen 150 presenting the massage course corresponding to the tapped course selection button, as shown in FIG. 16A. The character string "Popularity Ranking," which indicates that the current massage mode is the popularity ranking mode, is displayed on the course presentation screen 150. Furthermore, the course presentation screen 150 displays the name of the massage course corresponding to the tapped course selection button 143 to 149, the massage time, and an explanation indicating the content thereof, as well as a massage start button 151.

[0092] When the user taps the massage start button 151, the control unit 90 transmits (transfers) the course ID of the massage course displayed on the course presentation screen 150 to the massage machine 2. Then, the control unit 90 displays a transfer screen 160 on the operation display unit 103 as shown in FIG. 16B. The transfer screen 160 is made up of a background area other than the center and a message area in the center. The background area is formed, for example, by overlaying a translucent gray color on the area of the course presentation screen 150 excluding the center. The message area displays the words "Transferring" and an illustration indicating that transfer is in progress.

[0093] When the transfer of the course ID to the massage machine 2 is completed, the control unit 90 displays a transfer completion screen 170 on the operation display unit 103 as shown in FIG. 17A. The transfer completion screen 170 consists of a background area other than the center and a message area in the center. The background area is the same as the background area of the transferring screen 160. The message area displays the words "Transfer Complete", an illustration indicating that the transfer is complete, and a message saying "Please check the remote control of your massage chair."

[0094] When the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 receives the course ID from the communication terminal 3, it transmits a command indicating that the course ID has been received to the communication terminal 3 that sent the command. As a result, the control unit 90 of the communication terminal 3 recognizes that the transfer of the course ID has been completed, and as described above, the control unit 90 displays the transfer completion screen 170. Furthermore, when the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 receives the course ID from the communication terminal 3, it displays a confirmation screen 180 on the operation display unit 26 of the remote control 25, as shown in FIG. 17B.

[0095] The confirmation screen 180 includes a title area E1, a course name display area E2, a message area E3, a button area E4, etc. The title area E1 displays the word "APPLICATION" indicating that the operation mode of the massage machine 2 is the application mode. The course name display area E2 displays the name of the massage course corresponding to the course ID transmitted from the communication terminal 3. The message area E3 displays a confirmation message such as "A course has been selected. Do you want to start the massage?" The button area E4 displays a NO button 181 and a YES button 182.

[0096] If the user seated on the massage machine 2 wants the massage machine 2 to execute the massage course displayed on the confirmation screen 180, the user presses the YES button 182, and if the user does not want the massage machine 2 to execute the massage course, the user presses the NO button 181. When the YES button 182 is pressed on the confirmation screen 180, an execution command is input to the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2. When the execution command is input to the control unit 60, the control unit 60 notifies the communication terminal 3 that the execution command has been input, and executes the massage course displayed on the confirmation screen 180. On the other hand, when the NO button 181 is pressed, the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 returns the display screen of the operation display unit 26 of the remote control 25 to the remote control home screen without executing the massage course displayed on the confirmation screen 180.

[10] Effects of the embodiment In the above-described embodiment, a popularity ranking mode is provided as a massage mode, and various popularity rankings can be displayed on the operation display unit 103 of the communication terminal 3. This allows the user to recognize various popularity rankings including not only the user's own massage course usage history but also the massage course usage history of others. This allows the user to select a massage course by referring to the popularity rankings, making it easier to select a massage course.

[11] Variation In the above-described embodiment, the user's physique information is determined by the server 4, but it may also be determined by the communications terminal 3. Specifically, when creating course history information, the communications terminal 3 determines the user's physique information based on the user's height and weight. The communications terminal 3 then creates course history information by adding the user's physique information to the content of the above-described course history information, and transmits the created course history information to the server 4. In this case, the server 4 simply stores the received course history information in the history table 214B.

[0097] In the above-described embodiment, the basic table 214A of the server 4 (see FIG. 5) stores a "user ID," but does not store a "user's date of birth," "user's height," "user's weight," or "user's nationality." However, the basic table 214A may store a "user ID," "user's date of birth," "user's height," "user's weight," and "user's nationality." In this case, the course history information does not need to include the "user's date of birth," "user's height," "user's weight," or "user's nationality." In this case, when the server 4 receives the course history information, it determines the "user's date of birth," "user's height," "user's weight," "user's nationality," and "user's physique" based on the user ID included in the course history information and the basic table 214A, and stores them in the history table 214A.

[0098] In the above-described embodiment, when the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 receives the course ID from the communication terminal 3, the control unit 60 displays a confirmation screen 180 including a NO button 181 and a YES button 182 on the remote control 25. However, if an operation display unit is attached to the main body of the massage machine 2, the confirmation screen 180 may be displayed on the operation display unit. In this case, the operation display unit is an example of the "input device" in the present invention.

[0099] Furthermore, the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 may determine whether or not to execute the massage course determined by the communication terminal 3 as follows. That is, for example, as shown by the dashed line 301 in FIG. 4A, a microphone 301 as a voice input device is provided on the remote control 25, and a voice recognition device (not shown) that performs voice recognition processing on the voice input to the microphone 301 is provided on the massage machine 2. When the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 receives a course ID from the communication terminal 3, it has the user of the massage machine 2 input voice via the microphone 301 whether or not to execute the massage course into the voice recognition device, and determines whether or not to execute the massage course by having the voice recognition device recognize the input voice. In this case, the microphone 301 is an example of the "input device" in the present invention.

[0100] Furthermore, the control unit 60 of the massage machine 2 may determine whether or not to execute the massage course determined by the communication terminal 3 as follows. That is, for example, as shown by the chain line 302 in Fig. 4A, a camera 302 for capturing an image of the face of a user seated on the massage machine 2 is provided in the remote control 25. Furthermore, for each communication terminal 3 of a user who uses the massage machine 2, face authentication data for performing face authentication on the user who is the owner of the communication terminal 3 is stored in advance in the memory 61.

[0101] When the control unit 60 receives the course ID from the communication terminal 3, it captures an image of the user seated on the massage machine 2 with the camera 302 and determines whether the face of the user seated on the massage machine 2 matches the face of the user who owns the communication terminal 3 that transmitted the course ID. Only when it is determined that the two match, the control unit 60 executes the massage course corresponding to the received course ID. In this case, the camera 302 is an example of an "input device" in the present invention. Note that a fingerprint device may be used instead of the camera 302, and a fingerprint authentication device may be used instead of the face authentication device.

[0102] In the above-described embodiment, after the course ID transmitted from the communication terminal 3 is received by the massage machine 2, an execution command is input to the massage machine 2, thereby executing a massage corresponding to the received course ID. However, when the massage machine 2 receives the course ID transmitted from the communication terminal 3, it may also execute a massage course corresponding to the received course ID.

[0103] In the above-described embodiment, popularity rankings are created by gender, physique, age, country, region, and world ranking, but any one or any combination of these may be created.Furthermore, popularity rankings other than these may also be created.

[0104] Furthermore, the massage machine 1 may be installed in a facility used by an unspecified number of people. In this case, the communication terminal 3 may be a communication terminal that can be used by an unspecified number of people. In this case, the ranking (popularity ranking) may be created and displayed as follows. That is, the communication terminal 3 transmits course history information relating to the history of massage courses determined by the communication terminal 3 and executed by the massage machine 1 to the control unit 60 of the massage machine 1. The control unit 60 creates one or more rankings relating to the massage courses using the course history information transmitted from the communication terminal 3. The communication terminal 3 acquires the rankings from the control unit 60 and displays them on the operation display unit (display unit) 103.

[0105] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, sole-side airbags 35c and 35d for pressing the soles upward are provided on the bottom surfaces of the pair of left and right foot accommodating recesses 19 (see FIG. 2). However, instead of the sole-side airbags 35c and 35d, sole rollers that are driven to rotate to massage the soles may be provided. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the communication terminal 3 is a smartphone, but the communication terminal 3 may be a computer such as a tablet computer.

[0106] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the massage machine 2 is a chair-type massage machine, but the massage machine 2 may be a massage machine other than a chair-type massage machine. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, these are merely examples used to clarify the technical content of the present invention, and the present invention should not be construed as being limited to these examples, and the scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

[0107] This application corresponds to Patent Application No. 2020-154125 filed with the Japan Patent Office on September 14, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The following inventions can be extracted from this specification: 1. Multiple massage machines and a communication terminal provided for each massage machine, owned by a user who uses the massage machine, and capable of communicating with the massage machine; a server capable of communicating with the communication terminal; the communication terminal transmits to the server course history information relating to a history of massage courses determined by the communication terminal and performed by the corresponding massage machine; The server uses the course history information sent from the communication terminal to create one or more rankings for massage courses, The communication terminal acquires the ranking from the server and displays it on a display unit.

[0108] In this configuration, the user can select a massage course by referring to the ranking, which makes it easier to select a massage course. 2. The massage system described in "1.", in which the communication terminal allows the user who owns the communication terminal to select a desired massage course from multiple massage courses included in the ranking displayed on the display unit, and transmits course identification information to the corresponding massage machine to identify the selected massage course.

[0109] 3. The massage system described in "2.", wherein the massage machine is provided with an input device that allows the user to input an execution command to execute the massage course specified by the course specification information when the massage machine receives the course specification information sent from the communication terminal, and executes the massage course specified by the course specification information when the execution command is input by the input device.

[0110] 4. The massage system described in "3.", wherein the course history information includes course-specific information of a massage course determined by the communication terminal and performed by a corresponding massage machine. 5. A massage system described in any one of "1." to "4.", wherein the rankings include at least one of rankings by gender, rankings by body type, rankings by age group, rankings by country, rankings by region, and global rankings. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 1 Massage System 2. Chair massage machine 3. Communication terminals 4 Server 5. Communication Network 23 Massage Unit 25 Remote Control 31~36 Airbag 51 Massage Ball 60 Control Unit 61 memory 90 Control Unit 91 memory 91A User Table 91B Course Table 91C History Table 91D~91I Ranking Table 101 First Communications Department 102 Second Communications Department 103 Operation display section 130 App Home Screen 140 Popularity Ranking Mode Screen 150 Course presentation screen 151 Massage start button 160 Transferring screen 170 Transfer completion screen 180 Confirmation Screen 181 NO button 182 YES button 200 control section 211 Communications Department 212 Display section 213 Operation section 214 Storage section 214A Basic Table 214B History Table 214C~214H Ranking Table

Claims

1. A massage machine, A control unit; a communication terminal capable of communicating with the control unit and having a display unit; an input device for allowing the user to input an execution command for executing a massage course; The communication terminal stores history information of massage courses executed by the massage machine in a memory, displays a ranking of massage courses created using the history information on the display unit, allows a user to select a desired massage course from a plurality of massage courses included in the ranking displayed on the display unit, and transmits course specification information for specifying the massage course selected by the user to the control unit. The control unit executes a massage course specified by the course specification information when the execution command is input by the input device after receiving the course specification information transmitted from the communication terminal.

2. The massage machine according to claim 1 , wherein the history information includes course-specific information of massage courses determined by the communication terminal and performed by the massage machine.

3. The massage machine according to claim 1 , wherein the communication terminal is an accessory terminal device attached to the massage machine.

4. a communication terminal having a display unit; a massage machine having a control unit capable of communicating with the communication terminal, the massage machine includes an input device for allowing the user to input an execution command for executing a massage course; The communication terminal stores history information of massage courses executed by the massage machine in a memory, displays a ranking of massage courses created using the history information on the display unit, allows a user to select a desired massage course from a plurality of massage courses included in the ranking displayed on the display unit, and transmits course specification information for specifying the massage course selected by the user to the control unit of the massage machine. The control unit executes a massage course specified by the course specification information when the execution command is input by the input device after receiving the course specification information transmitted from the communication terminal.

5. The massage system according to claim 4 , wherein the history information includes course-specific information of massage courses determined by the communication terminal and performed by the massage machine.

6. the communication terminal is capable of communicating with a server; The massage system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the server accumulates the history information transmitted to the server from a plurality of the communication terminals, and creates the ranking based on the accumulated history information.

7. 5. The massage system according to claim 4, wherein the communication terminal is an attached terminal device attached to the massage machine or a mobile terminal device independent of the massage machine.

8. The massage system includes a plurality of the massage machines, 8. The massage system according to claim 7, wherein the communication terminal transmits course specification information of a massage course selected by a user who owns the communication terminal to a corresponding massage machine.

Images