Household chore sharing systems and programs

Abstract

This system provides a household chore decision-making system that can reduce the disparity in sleep duration and feelings of unfairness among residents who perform household chores. [Solution] The household chore sharing system includes user terminals owned by the wife and husband, and a management server. Household chores are divided into chores that the wife must perform, chores that the husband must perform, and chores that either the wife or husband may perform. The chores that either the wife or husband may perform are allocated to the wife and husband in such a way that the difference between the wife's completion time and the husband's completion time is minimized (S62-S67). The wife's completion time is calculated from the wife's expected return time and the sum of the time required to perform the chores allocated to the wife (S66). The husband's completion time is calculated from the husband's expected return time and the sum of the time required to perform the chores allocated to the husband (S66). Performer designation information indicating who performs the chores, the wife's and husband's expected return times, and the amount of chores indicating the time required for each chore are registered in the database.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a housework sharing system and a program for proposing the sharing of housework.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a housework sharing system for determining the sharing of housework within a family. This housework sharing system detects the stress of each household member in the previous month using a camera and sensors, and determines the housework sharing for this month based on the detected stress.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

[0008] Housework includes, for example, cleaning, laundry, cooking, meals, bathing, putting children to bed, attending community activities, receiving guests, and administrative work. The information on who performs a task includes a first designation, such as putting children to bed, which is performed by the first resident (wife); a second designation, such as receiving guests, which is performed by the second resident (husband); and a third designation, such as cleaning and laundry, which is performed by either the wife or the husband. In the first housework allocation process, the management device allocates the first designated tasks to the first resident and the second designated tasks to the second resident. In the second housework allocation process, the management device allocates the third designated tasks to either the first resident or the second resident in such a way that the difference between their estimated completion times is minimized. As a result, the first and second resident finish their housework at approximately the same time. Consequently, the difference between the first resident's sleep time and the second resident's sleep time is reduced, and feelings of unfairness are also reduced.

[0009] (2) In the household chore sharing system described in (1) above, the household chore information may include at least one of the start time of the household chore and the end time of the household chore, and may also include time limit information associated with the household chore identification information. The first household chore allocation process and the second household chore allocation process are processes that determine the first household chore sharing information and the second household chore sharing information by further associating the execution time of the household chore with the household chore identification information, based on the time limit information and the amount of household chore.

[0010] For example, the start time for the wife, the first resident, to put the children to bed is registered in the management system as 9 PM. When assigning household chores to the first and second residents, the management system also associates the execution time of the assigned chore with the chore identification information. In other words, the management system not only assigns chores but also determines the execution time of the assigned chore, i.e., the time schedule. By including the time schedule in the household chore distribution information notified to the residents, the convenience for the first and second residents is improved.

[0011] (3) In the household chore sharing system described in (1) or (2) above, the household chore identification information stored in the memory during the registration process may be a household chore that is repeated periodically. The user terminal performs a first reception process to receive input of sudden household chore information relating to sudden household chores that are not repeated periodically, and a second transmission process to transmit the sudden household chore information to the management device. The sudden household chore information includes the executor designation information and the amount of household chore. The first household chore allocation process and the second household chore allocation process determine the first household chore sharing information and the second household chore sharing information based on the sudden household chore information.

[0012] The household chores registered in the registration process are those that are performed periodically, such as daily or every other day, including cooking and laundry. Unexpected household chores are those that are not performed periodically, such as guests, meetings, or administrative work. If there is no information on unexpected household chores, the management device determines the first and second household chore assignments based on the registered household chore information. If the management device receives information on unexpected household chores, it determines the first and second household chore assignments based on the registered household chore information and the unexpected household chore information. Therefore, the household chore assignment system according to the present invention can reduce the difference between the sleep time of the first resident and the sleep time of the second resident, even if unexpected guests, meetings, or writing tasks occur.

[0013] (4) In the household chore sharing system described in any of (1) to (3) above, the user terminal may perform a second reception process for receiving late return information indicating a late return time, and a third transmission process for transmitting the late return information to the management device. The first household chore allocation process and the second household chore allocation process are processes for determining the first household chore sharing information and the second household chore sharing information based on the late return time.

[0014] If a resident's return time is delayed due to overtime work or transportation delays, they input delayed return information, indicating the expected return time after the delay, into a user terminal. The user terminal transmits the input delayed return information to the management device. The management device then determines the first and second household chore division information based on the delayed return time. Therefore, the household chore division system according to the present invention can reduce the difference between the sleep time of the first resident and the sleep time of the second resident, even if a resident returns home later than planned.

[0015] (5) In the household chore sharing system described in any of (1) to (4) above, the management device may further perform a first storage process in which it stores in the memory the difference between the first scheduled time to complete household chores and the second scheduled time to complete household chores as sleep inequality points, in association with the first identification information or the second identification information. The second household chore allocation process is a process that determines the second household chore sharing information based on the sleep inequality points.

[0016] Even after adjusting the division of household chores, there may still be slight differences between the estimated completion times of chores for the first resident and the second resident. The management system determines the division of chores based on sleep inequality points. Therefore, the division of chores between the first and second residents can be determined more appropriately.

[0017] (6) In the household chore sharing system described in any of (1) to (5) above, the management device may further perform a second storage process in which it stores in the memory the difference between the total amount of household chores of the first resident and the total amount of household chores of the second resident over a predetermined period, as household chore inequality points, in association with the first identification information or the second identification information. The second household chore allocation process is a process that determines the second household chore sharing information based on the household chore inequality points.

[0018] If the division of household chores is determined in a way that reduces the difference in sleep duration between the first and second residents, a difference may arise in the total amount of household chores performed by the first resident and the second resident. The management system then determines the division of household chores between the first and second residents based on the household chore inequality points. As a result, the difference in sleep duration between the first and second residents is reduced, as is the difference in the total amount of household chores performed by the first and second residents.

[0019] (7) In the household chore sharing system described in any of (1) to (6) above, the household chore information may include postponement information associated with the household chore identification information, which indicates whether or not the date on which the household chore is performed can be postponed. The memory stores a threshold time. The management device further performs a determination process to determine whether the later of the first scheduled time for completion of the household chore and the second scheduled time for completion of the household chore is later than the threshold time, and a non-execution decision process to decide not to perform the household chore associated with the postponement information if the later time is later than the threshold time.

[0020] For example, tasks such as laundry or bedroom cleaning may be postponed until the next day. If residents return home late or unexpected guests arrive, even after adjusting the distribution of household chores, the scheduled completion time for chores may fall below the threshold time. In such cases, the management system excludes chores associated with postponement information from the chores to be performed today when determining the distribution of chores. As a result, a significant reduction in residents' sleep time is prevented.

[0021] (8) The program according to the present invention is implemented in a management device having a computer, a memory, and a communication interface. The memory stores the first identification information, which is the identification information of the first resident, in association with the first scheduled return time, and stores the second identification information, which is the identification information of the second resident, in association with the second scheduled return time. The program executes a registration process for storing, in the memory, household chore information in which household chore identification information for individually identifying household chores, executor designation information for designating an executor of the household chore, and a household chore amount indicating the time required for executing the household chore are associated. The executor designation information includes a first designation indicating that the first resident must perform it, a second designation indicating that the second resident must perform it, and a third designation indicating that either the first resident or the second resident may perform it. The program determines first household chore sharing information by associating the household chore identification information associated with the first designation with the first identification information and associating the household chore identification information associated with the second designation with the second identification information, and a second household chore sharing process for determining second household chore sharing information by associating a plurality of the household chore identification information associated with the third designation with the first identification information or the second identification information, and a transmission process for transmitting the household chore sharing information including the first household chore sharing information and the second household chore sharing information to the user terminal through the communication interface. The second household chore allocation process is such that the difference between the first scheduled household chore end time calculated from the first total household chore amount, which is the total of the household chore amounts indicated by the household chore identification information associated with the first identification information, and the first scheduled return time, and the second scheduled household chore end time calculated from the second total household chore amount, which is the total of the household chore amounts indicated by the household chore identification information associated with the second identification information, and the second scheduled return time is minimized. It is a process of associating the household chore identification information associated with the third designation with the first identification information or the second identification information. 2 The second household chore allocation process is such that the difference between the first scheduled household chore end time calculated from the first total household chore amount, which is the total of the household chore amounts indicated by the household chore identification information associated with the first identification information, and the first scheduled return time, and the second scheduled household chore end time calculated from the second total household chore amount, which is the total of the household chore amounts indicated by the household chore identification information associated with the second identification information, and the second scheduled return time is minimized. It is a process of associating the household chore identification information associated with the third designation with the first identification information or the second identification information.

[0022] The present invention can also be regarded as a program implemented in a management device.

Effects of the Invention

[0023] The household chore sharing system according to the present invention can reduce the difference in sleep time and the sense of unfairness among residents who perform household chores.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram and a functional block diagram of a household chore sharing system 10 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2(A) is a diagram showing a user management database, and FIG. 2(B) is a diagram showing a household chore management database. [Figure 3] FIG. 3(A) is a diagram showing a schedule information management database, and FIG. 3(B) is a diagram showing a performance management database. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a registration process. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of determining household chore sharing and notifying residents. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a household chore sharing determination process. <​​​​​​​​​​​​Figure 11(A) shows the first household chore assignment notification screen displayed on the wife's user terminal 20, and Figure 11(B) shows the second household chore assignment notification screen displayed on the wife's user terminal 20. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the method for determining the division of household chores in a modified example. (A) and (B) show the wife's time schedule during the decision-making process, (C) shows the husband's time schedule during the decision-making process, (D) shows the husband's time schedule after it has been decided, and (E) shows the wife's time schedule after it has been decided. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. It goes without saying that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the invention. In addition, the execution order of each process (each step) shown in the flowcharts of Figures 4 to 6 may be changed as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention, some may be omitted, other processes may be added, or other equivalent processes may be substituted.

[0026] [Overview of Household Chore Sharing System 10] Figure 1 shows the household chore sharing system 10 described in this embodiment. The household chore sharing system 10 provides residents with a service that determines and notifies them of the division of household chores. The residents are, for example, a working wife and husband. The wife and husband download an application program 27 to their user terminal 20 and receive the service through the application program 27.

[0027] A service provider that provides services to residents using the household chore sharing system 10 is, for example, a business that built the house. The service provider provides services using the household chore sharing system 10 as one of the various services that it provides to the homeowner and their family. These various services include, for example, services related to home maintenance and services that support comfortable living in the home. The household chore sharing system 10 is operated in conjunction with other systems, for example. For example, the household chore sharing system 10 provides data used by other systems. Alternatively, the household chore sharing system 10 acquires data necessary for operation from other systems. In other words, the household chore sharing system 10 also functions as a data collection system for other systems.

[0028] However, the household chore sharing system 10 may be operated as a standalone system, or it may be operated by a business other than the business that built the house.

[0029] [Configuration of the household chore sharing system 10] As shown in Figure 1, the household chore sharing system 10 includes multiple user terminals 20 and a management server 30.

[0030] [User terminal 20] User terminal 20 is a communication terminal owned by a resident who is a user, and is capable of connecting to the internet 11. User terminal 20 may be, for example, a smartphone (registered trademark), a tablet (registered trademark), or a personal computer.

[0031] The user terminal 20 comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 21, terminal memory 22, a communication interface 23, and a touch panel 24. The CPU 21 is connected to the terminal memory 22, the communication interface 23, and the touch panel 24 by a communication bus (not shown).

[0032] The terminal memory 22 is composed of, for example, ROM, RAM, and EEPROM, and other memory elements. The terminal memory 22 may be composed of any type of memory element.

[0033] The terminal memory 22 stores the operating system OS 26 and application programs 27 (hereinafter also referred to as "app 27"). App 27, together with the management program 35 described later, executes the processes (flows) shown in Figures 4 to 6.

[0034] The terminal memory 22 further stores the user ID and communication address. The user ID is identification information used by the management server 30 to individually identify residents. The communication address is the communication address of the management server 30. The user ID and communication address are downloaded, for example, along with the application 27 and stored in the terminal memory 22.

[0035] The communication interface 23 is an interface that connects to the Internet 11 via an access point using short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi. Alternatively, the communication interface 23 is an interface that connects to the Internet 11 via a mobile communication network. The communication interface 23 is an example of a second communication interface.

[0036] The touch panel 24 has a display and a transparent, film-like touch sensor superimposed on the display. The touch panel 24 is an example of a display and input interface. The user terminal 20 may also have a microphone that accepts voice input as an input interface. Alternatively, the user terminal 20 may have a display and input interface instead of the touch panel 24. The input interface may be, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and a microphone.

[0037] [Management Server 30] The management server 30 is a server that publishes communication addresses. The management server 30 may be a server owned by the service provider, or it may be a rental server that the service provider has the right to use. The management server 30 may be a single server, or it may be a cloud server composed of multiple servers, including a storage server. The management server 30 is an example of a management device.

[0038] The management server 30 comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 31, memory 32, and a communication interface 33. The CPU 31 is connected to the memory 32 and the communication interface 33 by a communication bus (not shown). The CPU 31 is an example of a computer, and is a so-called controller.

[0039] The communication interface 33 is connected to, for example, a gateway device (not shown) connected to the Internet 11. In other words, the management server 30 is connected to the Internet 11 via the gateway device. The communication interface 33 is an example of a first communication interface and other communication interfaces.

[0040] Memory 32 can be, for example, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, hard disk drive, solid state drive, or USB memory. Memory 32 may also have other storage elements. Furthermore, a portion of memory 32 may be a storage server.

[0041] Memory 32 stores the operating system OS 34, the management program 35, the management database, various flags, and various thresholds. The management program 35, together with the application 27, executes the processes shown in Figures 4 to 6. The management program 35 is an example of a program.

[0042] The management database includes the user management database shown in Figure 2(A) and the household management database shown in Figure 2(B). The management database also includes the schedule information management database shown in Figure 3(A) and the actual performance management database shown in Figure 3(B). The management database contains data representing tables and control programs that perform tasks such as registering data into and reading data from the tables. The management program 35 instructs the control program to read and register data via the OS 34. The control program may be part of the management program 35.

[0043] [User Management Database] The user management database shown in Figure 2(A) is a database that manages information about residents.

[0044] The user management database has multiple columns and records (rows). The columns are named "User ID," "Name," "Gender," "Age," "Identification Flag," "Expected Return Time," "Expected Bedtime," "Expected Wake-up Time," "Sleep Duration," "Household Chores Setting," "Household Chores Inequality Points," and "Sleep Inequality Points." The user management database may also have columns with names other than those shown in Figure 2(A).

[0045] A column named "User ID" has a sub-column named "Family ID" and another sub-column named "Individual ID". A Family ID, which identifies each family individually, is registered in the sub-column named "Family ID".

[0046] Individual IDs that identify each resident belonging to a single family are registered in a sub-column named "Individual ID". Individual ID "01" represents the wife, who is the first resident. Individual ID "02" represents the husband, who is the second resident. Individual ID "03" represents other residents, such as children. Although not shown in Figure 2(A), other individual IDs representing cohabiting parents, etc., may also be registered in the user management database. The wife's user ID is an example of first identification information. The husband's user ID is an example of second identification information.

[0047] The user ID is generated by the management server 30 when the application 27 is downloaded to the user terminal 20. When the management server 30 receives a download request for the application 27, it creates a new record in the user management database and generates a new user ID. The management server 30 registers the newly generated user ID in the newly generated record. The management server 30 also sends the application program 27 containing the newly generated user ID to the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 stores the application 27 containing the received user ID in the terminal memory 22.

[0048] The resident's name, age, and gender are registered in columns labeled "Name," "Age," and "Gender." When a resident downloads the app 27 to the user terminal 20, they enter their name, gender, and age into the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 sends the entered name, gender, and age to the management server 30 along with the download request. The management server 30 registers the received name, gender, and age in the user management database. Note that residents who do not perform household chores, such as infants and children, do not need to be registered in the user management database.

[0049] An identification flag, which is either the numerical value "1" or "0", is registered in a column named "Identification Flag". An identification flag of "1" indicates that the resident is capable of doing housework. An identification flag of "0" indicates that the resident is not capable of doing housework. In the example shown in Figure 2(A), the wife, Hanako Yamada, and the husband, Taro Yamada, are assigned the identification flag of "1". In addition, the infant, Kazumi Yamada, is assigned the identification flag of "0".

[0050] The expected weekday return time, bedtime, wake-up time, sleep duration, and household chore settings for each resident are registered in columns labeled "Expected Return Time," "Expected Bedtime," "Expected Wake-up Time," "Sleep Duration," and "Household Chores." In other words, the expected weekday return time, bedtime, wake-up time, sleep duration, and household chore settings are managed for each resident. Note that the expected return time, bedtime, wake-up time, sleep duration, and household chore settings are registered for the wife and husband, who are the residents capable of performing household chores.

[0051] The wife's User ID and associated estimated return time are examples of the first estimated return time. The husband's User ID and associated estimated return time are examples of the second estimated return time.

[0052] The household chore setting is represented by a number such as "1" indicating a preference to perform the same chore every day, "2" indicating a preference not to perform the same chore consecutively, or "0" indicating no preference.

[0053] The planned time of return home, planned time of going to bed, planned time of waking up, sleep duration, and household chore settings are registered in the user management database during the registration process shown in Figure 4.

[0054] As shown in Figure 2(A), household chore inequality points and sleep inequality points are registered in columns labeled "Household Chore Equality Points" and "Sleep Equality Points," respectively.

[0055] The household chore inequality points are an index that shows the inequality of household chores between a wife and a husband. In the example shown in Figure 2(A), the wife, Hanako Yamada, has been assigned a household chore inequality point of "2". One unit of household chore inequality points is equivalent to 15 minutes. In other words, at this point, Hanako Yamada is doing 2 units, or 30 minutes, more household chores than her husband, Taro Yamada. Household chore inequality points are assigned to only one party, either the wife or the husband. The party assigned household chore inequality points is treated more favorably than the other party in the division of household chores. The inequality points are updated daily in step S49 in Figure 5. More details will be provided later.

[0056] The sleep inequality points shown in Figure 2(A) are an index indicating the inequality in sleep time between a wife and a husband. In the example shown in Figure 2(A), the husband, Taro Yamada, is assigned a sleep inequality point of "2". One unit of sleep inequality points is equivalent to 15 minutes. In other words, at this point, Taro Yamada sleeps 2 units, or 30 minutes, less than his wife, Hanako Yamada. Sleep inequality points are assigned to only one person, either the wife or the husband. The person assigned sleep inequality points is treated more favorably than the other in the division of household chores. Sleep inequality points are updated daily in step S47, shown in Figure 5. More details will be provided later.

[0057] [Household Management Database] The household chore management database shown in Figure 2(B) is a database that manages information about household chores performed by residents. Household chores include not only preparing meals, cleaning, and laundry, but also all tasks that residents perform in and around their homes, such as eating, getting dressed, bathing, receiving guests, administrative work including paperwork, and attending community meetings. The information registered in the household chore management database is just one example of household chore information.

[0058] The household chore management database has multiple columns and records (rows). The columns are named "Family ID," "Chore ID," "Chore Name," "Executor Designation Information," "Category 1," "Category 2," and "Amount of Chores." The household chore management database may also have columns with names other than those shown in Figure 2(B).

[0059] In the household chore management database, multiple chores are registered for each family ID. In other words, multiple chores are registered for each family member.

[0060] The household chore ID is registered in a column named "Household Chore ID". Similarly, the household chore name is registered in a column named "Household Chore Name". The household chore ID is identification information that individually identifies the household chore indicated by the household chore name. In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the household chore "Laundry" is assigned the household chore ID "A01". The household chore ID is an example of household chore identification information.

[0061] The household chores registered in the household chore management database are those that are performed periodically and repeatedly. Periodically means daily, once a week, or every other day, etc. In the household chore management database shown in Figure 2(B), household chores that are performed daily are registered.

[0062] The executor designation information, which is a numerical value such as "1", "2", "3", or "4", is registered in a column named "Executor Designation Information".

[0063] The "1" assignee information indicates the household chore performed by the wife. In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the "1" assignee information is associated with the household chores of "preparing dinner," "putting the child to bed," "getting dressed," and "bathing." In the Yamada household, the household chores of "preparing dinner" and "putting the child to bed" are assigned to the wife. The "1" assignee information is an example of the first assignment.

[0064] The "2" assignee information indicates the household chore to be performed by the husband. In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the "2" assignee information is registered for the household chores of "cleaning up after dinner," "getting dressed," and "bathing." In the Yamada household, the "cleaning up after dinner" chore is designated as a chore to be performed by the husband. The "2" assignee information is an example of a second assignment.

[0065] Furthermore, the household chore of "changing clothes" and the household chore of "bathing" are associated with the performer designation information in "1" and "2," respectively, as household chores that the wife and husband perform separately.

[0066] The "3" assignee information indicates household chores that can be performed by either the wife or the husband. In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the "3" assignee information is registered for the following chores: "laundry," "folding laundry," "cleaning the living room," "cleaning the bedroom," "cleaning the toilet," and "cleaning the bathroom." In the Yamada household, the following chores can be performed by either the wife or the husband. The "3" assignee information is an example of a third assignment.

[0067] The "4" assignee information indicates a household chore that both the wife and husband perform simultaneously. In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the assignee information "4" is registered for "dinner." In the Yamada household, "dinner" is something that the whole family does together. If the wife and husband have dinner separately, then "dinner" associated with the assignee information "1" and "dinner" associated with the assignee information "2" will be registered in the household chore management database.

[0068] A column named "Category 1" has sub-columns named "Category 1 Flag," "Start Time," and "End Time." The information registered in the column named "Category 1" is an example of time-restricted information.

[0069] The first classification flag, which is a numerical value of "1" or "0", is registered in a sub-column named "First Classification Flag". A first classification flag of "1" indicates that the chore has a fixed start or end time. In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the chore of "putting the baby to sleep" has a first classification flag of "1", a start time of "21:00", and an end time of "21:30". The chore of "putting the baby to sleep" is a chore that has a time specification and is performed between 21:00 and 21:30.

[0070] Conditions that allow for the calculation of a start time or end time are registered in subcolumns named "Start Time" or "Scheduled End Time". In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the condition "Immediately after returning home" is registered as the start time for the chore "Getting dressed". The management server 30 uses the scheduled return time registered in the user management database, or the delayed return time registered in the schedule information management database described later, as the start time for the chore "Getting dressed". Also in the example shown in Figure 2(B), the condition "Immediately before dinner" is registered as the end time for the chore "Preparing dinner". The management server 30 uses the dinner start time registered in the user management database as the end time for the chore "Preparing dinner". The management server 30 also calculates the start time for "Preparing dinner" based on this end time and the amount of chore registered in the chore management database. The time registered in the column named "Start Time" is an example of a chore start time, and the information registered in the column named "Scheduled End Time" is an example of a chore end time. The times registered in the column named "Start Time" and the times registered in the column named "End Time" are examples of household chore execution times.

[0071] A secondary classification flag, which is a numerical value of "0" or "1", is registered in a column named "Secondary Classification". A secondary classification flag of "1" indicates that the chore can be postponed until the next day. A secondary classification flag of "0" indicates that the chore cannot be postponed until the next day, meaning it must be done today. The secondary classification flag is an example of information indicating that a chore can be postponed.

[0072] In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the chores of "laundry" and "bedroom cleaning" are associated with the "1" second category flag, indicating that they are chores that can be postponed until the next day.

[0073] The amount of time required for household chores is registered in a column named "Amount of Household Chores." The amount of household chores is a standardized value with 15 minutes as one unit. In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the amount of household chores registered for the chore of "laundry" is "2." In other words, the chore of "laundry" is registered in the household chore management database as a chore that takes 30 minutes to perform.

[0074] In addition to the household chores shown in Figure 2(B), other household chores such as "ironing," "dressing children," and "care" may also be registered in the household chore management database. "Care" chores refer to beauty-related tasks such as "skin care" and "hair care."

[0075] [Schedule Information Management Database] The schedule information management database shown in Figure 3(A) is a database in which the wife's and husband's late return home and unexpected household chores are registered. Unexpected household chores, unlike the chores registered in Figure 2(B), refer to chores that do not repeat periodically. Examples of unexpected household chores include visitors, attending community meetings, and administrative tasks including filling out application forms.

[0076] For example, if it is decided several days in advance that a spouse will be late returning home due to a farewell party or other reason, the later-than-usual expected return time of the spouse will be registered in the schedule information management database. Alternatively, if a spouse is late returning home due to overtime work or transportation delays, the delayed expected return time will be registered in the schedule information management database.

[0077] Furthermore, if a guest is scheduled to visit the wife or husband in five days, information regarding the unexpected household chore of attending to the guest will be registered in the schedule information management database.

[0078] The schedule information management database has multiple columns and records (rows). The columns are labeled with names such as "Family ID," "Late Return Home," and "Unexpected Housework."

[0079] The column named "Delayed Return Home" has subcolumns named "Date" and "Return Home Time". The date indicating the expected delay is registered in the subcolumn named "Date". A return home time later than the expected return home time registered in the user management database is registered in the subcolumn named "Expected Return Home Time". The information registered in the column named "Delayed Return Home" is an example of delayed return home information. The time registered in the subcolumn named "Return Home Time" is an example of a delayed return home time.

[0080] A column named "Sudden Housework" has sub-columns named "Date," "Perpetrator Information," "Amount of Housework," and "Category 1." The information registered in a column named "Sudden Housework" is an example of sudden housework information.

[0081] The date on which unexpected household chores are performed is registered in a sub-column named "Date". For example, if guests are scheduled to visit, the date on which the guests will visit the house will be registered in a sub-column named "Date".

[0082] The information designating the resident who will perform an unexpected household chore is registered in a sub-column named "Designated Performer Information." For example, if a visitor is coming for the husband and the husband will be the one to answer the door, the designated performer information "2," indicating that the chore will be performed by the husband, will be registered in the scheduled information management database.

[0083] The amount of time required to perform unexpected household chores is registered in a sub-column named "Amount of Household Chores". In the example shown in Figure 3(A), a household chore amount of "6", representing 1 hour and 30 minutes, is registered in the scheduled information management database.

[0084] A subcolumn named "Category 1" has subcolumns named "Category 1 Flag," "Start Time," and "End Time." The Category 1 Flag, which is a numerical value of "1" or "0," is registered in the subcolumn named "Category 1 Flag." A Category 1 Flag of "1" indicates that the chore has a fixed start and end time. A Category 1 Flag of "0" indicates that the chore does not have a fixed start or end time. For example, in the case of a visitor with a fixed date and time, a Category 1 Flag of "1," the start time, and the end time are registered in the schedule information management database.

[0085] [Performance Management Database] The performance management database shown in Figure 3(B) is a database that manages household chores divided among the wife and husband, along with the expected completion time of those chores, in association with the date.

[0086] The performance management database has multiple columns and rows. The columns are named "Family ID," "Date," "Individual ID01," and "Individual ID02." Individual ID01 represents the wife, and Individual ID02 represents the husband.

[0087] Consecutive dates are registered in a column named "Date".

[0088] The column named "Individual ID01" has subcolumns named "Assigned Chores ID" and "Chore Completion Time". The field in the subcolumn named "Assigned Chores ID" registers the chore IDs of the chores that the wife is responsible for. In the example shown in Figure 3(B), on January 21, 2025, the wife is responsible for "preparing dinner" (as indicated by chore ID "B01"), "putting the child to bed" (as indicated by chore ID "D01"), "getting the child dressed" (as indicated by chore ID "E01"), "dinner" (as indicated by chore ID "E03"), "bathing" (as indicated by chore ID "E04"), and "cleaning the living room" (as indicated by chore ID "C01").

[0089] The time when the wife is expected to finish her chores is registered in a sub-column named "Time to finish chores". For example, in the example shown in Figure 9(A), the wife's time to finish chores is 10:30 PM, when the last chore, "cleaning the bedroom," is completed.

[0090] As shown in Figure 3(B), the column named "Individual ID02" has subcolumns named "Assigned Chores ID" and "Time of Completion of Chores". The field in the subcolumn named "Assigned Chores ID" registers the chore IDs of the chores that the husband has been responsible for. In the example shown in Figure 3(B), on January 21, 2025, the husband has been responsible for "getting dressed" (as indicated by chore ID "E02"), "cleaning the bathroom" (as indicated by chore ID "C04"), "folding laundry" (as indicated by chore ID "A02"), "cleaning up after dinner" (as indicated by chore ID "B02"), "making dinner" (as indicated by chore ID "E03"), and "laundry" (as indicated by chore ID "A01").

[0091] The husband's planned time for finishing household chores is registered in a sub-column named "Time to finish household chores." For example, in the example shown in Figure 9(B), the husband's time to finish household chores is 10:45 PM, when he finishes the last chore, "care."

[0092] The management server 30 calculates the daily household chore inequality points from the wife's assigned chore ID and the amount of chore assigned to her, and the husband's assigned chore ID and the amount of chore assigned to him, as registered in the performance management database. For example, the difference between the total amount of chore assigned to the wife (sum of all chores she is responsible for) and the total amount of chore assigned to the husband (sum of all chores he is responsible for) is calculated as the daily household chore inequality points.

[0093] The management server 30 uses the calculated daily household chore inequality points to update the household chore inequality points registered in the user management database. For example, if the wife had done 2 points, or 30 minutes, more household chores up until the previous day, and the husband did 1 point, or 15 minutes, in today's household chore division, the wife will be given a total of 1 point in household chore inequality points and the database will be updated. In other words, the household chore inequality points registered in the user management database are the accumulated points up to the present.

[0094] The management server 30 calculates the daily sleep inequality points from the wife's scheduled completion time for housework and the husband's scheduled completion time for housework, as registered in the performance management database. For example, if the difference between the wife's scheduled completion time for housework and the husband's scheduled completion time is 30 minutes, then "2", which is a normalized value of 30 minutes, is calculated as the daily sleep inequality points.

[0095] The management server 30 updates the sleep inequality points registered in the user management database using the calculated sleep inequality points. For example, if the husband had 2 points up until the previous day, meaning he finished his housework 30 minutes later than his wife, and today, in terms of housework distribution, the husband has 1 point, meaning he finished his housework 15 minutes earlier than his wife, then a total of 1 sleep inequality point will be assigned to the husband and updated. In other words, the sleep inequality points registered in the user management database are the accumulated points up to the present.

[0096] [Operation (processing) of the household chore sharing system 10] The user terminal 20 and the management server 30 execute the registration process shown in Figure 4 and the processes shown in Figures 5 and 6. The registration process shown in Figure 4 is the process of registering information about residents, information about household chores, and information about schedules in the user management database, the household chore management database, and the schedule information management database. The processes shown in Figures 5 and 6 are the processes of determining the division of household chores and notifying the residents.

[0097] Furthermore, the processes executed by the user terminal 20 are processes executed by the CPU 21 of the user terminal 20, and are processes that the application 27 causes the CPU 21 to execute. Also, the processes executed by the management server 30 are processes executed by the CPU 31, and are processes that the management program 35 causes the CPU 31 to execute. In addition, in the flowcharts shown in Figures 4 to 6, the database is abbreviated as "DB".

[0098] The user terminal 20, held by the wife or husband, receives a command to launch the application 27 via the touch panel 24. Based on the reception of the launch command, the user terminal 20 launches the application 27 (S11). The user terminal 20 receives a screen selection command from the wife or husband (S12) and displays the first registration screen specified by the wife or husband on the touch panel 24 (S13).

[0099] The first registration screen shown in Figure 7(A) is a screen that accepts input of the expected time of returning home on weekdays, the expected time of going to bed, the expected time of waking up, and household chore settings.

[0100] The first registration screen has the text "Expected return time on weekdays" and a pull-down menu 41. The pull-down menu 41 displays multiple options, each showing a time, based on the selection made. The wife or husband selects an option that shows their expected return time on weekdays. In other words, the wife or husband inputs their expected return time on weekdays into the user terminal 20 by selecting one of the options.

[0101] The first registration screen has the text "Scheduled bedtime on weekdays" and a pull-down menu 42. The pull-down menu 42 displays multiple options, each with a time indicated, based on the selection made. The wife or husband selects an option that indicates their scheduled bedtime on weekdays. In other words, the wife or husband inputs their scheduled bedtime on weekdays into the user terminal 20 by selecting one of the options.

[0102] The first registration screen has the text "Scheduled wake-up time on weekdays" and a pull-down menu 43. Based on the selection, the pull-down menu 43 displays multiple options with times indicated. The wife or husband enters their scheduled weekday wake-up time into the user terminal 20 by selecting one of the options.

[0103] The first registration screen has the text "Are the household chores always the same?" and a pull-down menu 44. Based on the selection, the pull-down menu 44 displays three options: "Always the same chores," "Different chores from the previous day," and "Either." If the wife or husband wishes to always share the same household chores, they select the option with the text "Always the same chores." If the wife or husband wishes to share different chores from the previous day, they select the option with the text "Different chores from the previous day." If the wife or husband has no preference, they select the option with the text "Either." Selecting an option from the pull-down menu 44 is the input of the household chore setting. The "Always the same chores" option is household chore setting "1," the "Different chores from the previous day" option is household chore setting "2," and the "Either" option is household chore setting "0."

[0104] The first registration screen further includes a "Register" icon 45.

[0105] As shown in Figure 4, the user terminal 20 accepts input from the wife or husband regarding "expected time of returning home on weekdays," "expected time of going to bed on weekdays," "expected time of waking up on weekdays," and "household chore settings," as well as the selection of the "Register" icon 45 (S14).

[0106] If the husband's chore setting is "always the same chore" and the wife's chore setting is "different chore from the previous day," it is difficult to reconcile the husband's and wife's requests, so an error message may be displayed on the first registration screen of the person who entered their information later. In the example shown in Figure 2(A), the wife has registered a chore setting of "1" indicating "always the same chore," and the husband has registered a chore setting of "0" indicating "either."

[0107] Based on the user terminal 20's acceptance of the wife's or husband's selection of the "Register" icon 45, the second registration screen is displayed on the touch panel 24 (S15). The screen data for the first and second registration screens is pre-owned by the application 27. Alternatively, the management server 30 may send this screen data to the user terminal 20 in response to a request from the application 27 via the internet 11.

[0108] The second registration screen shown in Figure 7(B) is a screen for receiving input of household information, which is information related to household chores. The registration of household information through the second registration screen may be done by either the wife or the husband, or by both. If there is a discrepancy between the household information entered by the wife and the household information entered by the husband, an error will be notified to the wife's user terminal 20 or the husband's user terminal 20.

[0109] The second registration screen has the text, "Please select the household chore, assigned person, time slot, and possibility of postponement." The second registration screen also has a set of multiple pull-down menus, 46, 47, 48, and 49.

[0110] The pull-down menu 46 is associated with the word "housework." Based on the selection, the pull-down menu 46 displays multiple options with names of household chores, such as "laundry," "preparing dinner," "dinner," and "cleaning up after dinner." The wife or husband selects the household chore they wish to register from the displayed list of chore names.

[0111] The pull-down menu 47 corresponds to the word "responsible person". Based on the selection, the pull-down menu 47 displays four options: "wife", "husband", "either", or "both". For example, if the wife is doing the chore herself, she selects the option labeled "wife", and if the chore is done by the husband, she selects the option labeled "husband". If the chore can be done by either the wife or the husband, the wife selects "either". If the chore can be done by both the wife and the husband simultaneously, such as "dinner", the wife selects the option labeled "both". Similarly, if the husband is doing the chore himself, he selects the option labeled "husband", and if the chore can be done by the wife, he selects the option labeled "wife". If the chore can be done by either the husband or the wife, the husband selects "either". If the chore can be done by both the husband and the wife simultaneously, the husband selects the option labeled "both".

[0112] More specifically, the wife or husband selects the option labeled "Prepare Dinner" in the pull-down menu 46 and the option labeled "Wife" in the pull-down menu 47. The wife or husband also selects the option labeled "Clean Up After Dinner" in the pull-down menu 46 and the option labeled "Husband" in the pull-down menu 47. Furthermore, the wife or husband selects the option labeled "Laundry" in the pull-down menu 46 and the option labeled "Either" in the pull-down menu 47. Finally, the wife or husband selects the option labeled "Dinner" in the pull-down menu 46 and the option labeled "Both" in the pull-down menu 47.

[0113] The second registration screen may also have a pull-down menu associated with the word "alternating shifts." Based on the selection, this pull-down menu displays options such as "daily rotation," "weekly rotation," "two-week rotation," and "monthly rotation." For example, if the wife or husband wants to alternate the chores of "preparing dinner" and "cleaning up after dinner" every two weeks, they would select the option that displays "two-week rotation."

[0114] The pull-down menu 48 is associated with the text "Specify Time". Based on the selection, the pull-down menu 48 displays multiple options indicating time slots. The second registration screen may have text boxes that accept input for the start and end times of the time slot instead of the pull-down menu 48.

[0115] For example, the wife or husband would select an option indicating the time slot of 19:45-20:30 for the chore of "dinner." Similarly, for example, the wife or husband would select an option indicating the time slot of 21:00-21:30 for the chore of "putting the child to bed."

[0116] The pull-down menu 49 is associated with the word "Postpone". The pull-down menu 48 displays two options based on the selection, one with the words "Postponeable" and the other with the words "Not Postponeable". For example, the wife or husband selects the option with the words "Postponeable" for household chores such as "Laundry" and "Bedroom Cleaning". For example, the wife or husband selects the option with the words "Not Postponeable" for household chores such as "Dinner" and "Dinner Preparation". The information indicating "Postponeable" and "Not Postponeable" is referred to as postponement designation information.

[0117] The second registration screen has an "Add" icon 50 and a "Register" icon 51. If the wife or husband has many household chores to register and the number of items in the pull-down menus 46, 47, 48, and 49 is insufficient, he selects the "Add" icon 50. Based on the selection of the "Add" icon 50, the app 27 adds the pull-down menus 46, 47, 48, and 49 to the second registration screen. Once the wife or husband has finished entering all the household chores, he selects the "Register" icon 51.

[0118] The household chore name, responsible person, time slot, and postponement information entered through selections in pull-down menus 46, 47, 48, and 49 constitute household chore information.

[0119] As shown in Figure 4, the user terminal 20 accepts input of household chore information from the wife or husband and the selection of the "Register" icon 50 (S16). The user terminal 20 sends an HTTP request containing the user ID, registration information, and the first registration request to the management server 30 via the communication interface 23 and the internet 11 (S17). The registration information includes the expected time of returning home, the expected time of going to bed, the expected time of waking up, and household chore information. Various requests, including the first registration request, are, for example, commands.

[0120] The management server 30 receives an HTTP request containing a user ID, registration information, and a first registration request through the communication interface 33 (S17). Based on the received first registration request, the management server 30 registers the registration information in the user management database and the household management database (S18). Specifically, the management server 30 identifies the record with the same user ID as the received user ID in the user management database and the household management database. The management server 30 registers the received registration information in each field of the identified record. The process in step S18 is an example of the registration process.

[0121] The management server 30 sends an HTTP response, including a registration completion notification, to the user terminal 20 via the communication interface 33 and the internet 11 as a response to the HTTP request received in step S17 (S19), and terminates processing (end). The registration completion notification includes screen data showing the registration completion notification screen. Various types of screen data, including this screen data, are, for example, HTML data including JavaScript.

[0122] The user terminal 20 receives a registration completion notification sent by the management server 30 via the communication interface 23 (S19). The user terminal 20 displays a registration completion notification screen (not shown) on the touch panel 24 (S20) and terminates the process.

[0123] If the wife or husband is expected to be late returning home, or if there are unexpected household chores such as visitors, or if there are delays in overtime work or public transportation, they launch the app 27 (S11) and then select a screen on the schedule registration screen (S21). Based on the husband's or wife's screen selection (S21), the user terminal 20 displays the schedule registration screen on the touch panel 24 (S22).

[0124] The schedule registration screen shown in Figure 8 is for registering delayed return times when your expected return time is delayed due to overtime work, farewell parties, etc. The schedule registration screen is also used to register unexpected household chores, such as visitors arriving.

[0125] As shown in Figure 8, the schedule registration screen has a pull-down menu 52 associated with the words "Delayed Return Home" and "Date," and a pull-down menu 53 associated with the word "Return Home Time." Based on the selection, the pull-down menu 52 displays multiple options, each representing a date from today's date onward. The wife or husband selects the date on which they are expected to be late returning home from the pull-down menu 52. In cases of overtime work or transportation delays, the wife or husband selects today's date.

[0126] The pull-down menu 53 displays multiple options, each with a time indicated, based on the selection made. The wife or husband enters the delayed return time, which is the expected time of their expected return home, by selecting one of the options in the pull-down menu 53.

[0127] The schedule registration screen has a pull-down menu 53 associated with the words "Unexpected Housework" and "Date," a pull-down menu 54 associated with the words "Start Time," and a pull-down menu 55 associated with the words "End Time." Based on the selection, pull-down menu 53 displays multiple options with dates from today's date onward. The wife or husband selects the date on which the unexpected housework is expected to occur, such as the date a guest is visiting, using pull-down menu 53. Pull-down menus 54 and 55 also display multiple options with times based on the selection. The wife or husband enters the start time (when the unexpected housework begins) and the end time (when the unexpected housework ends) by selecting one of the options in pull-down menus 54 and 55. If the start and end times of the unexpected housework are undecided, time input using pull-down menus 54 and 55 is not required.

[0128] The schedule registration screen further includes a "Register" icon (not shown). The "Register" icon appears on the schedule registration screen when the wife or husband scrolls through it.

[0129] As shown in Figure 4, the user terminal 20 accepts the input of schedule information, which is information regarding a late return home or the occurrence of an unexpected household chore by the wife or husband, and the selection of the "Register" icon (S23). The user terminal 20 sends an HTTP request including the user ID, schedule information, and second registration request to the management server 30 via the communication interface 23 and the internet 11 (S24). The processing in step S23 is an example of the first reception process and the second reception process. The processing in step S24 is an example of the second transmission process and the third transmission process.

[0130] The management server 30 receives an HTTP request containing a user ID, schedule information, and a second registration request through the communication interface 33 (S24). Based on the received second registration request, the management server 30 registers the schedule information in the user management database and the household management database (S25). Specifically, the management server 30 identifies the record with the same user ID as the received user ID in the schedule information management database. The management server 30 registers the received schedule information in each field of the identified record.

[0131] The management server 30 sends an HTTP response, including a registration completion notification, to the user terminal 20 via the communication interface 33 and the internet 11 as a response to the HTTP request received in step S24 (S26). The registration completion notification includes screen data showing the registration completion notification screen.

[0132] The user terminal 20 receives a registration completion notification sent by the management server 30 via the communication interface 23 (S26). The user terminal 20 displays a registration completion notification screen (not shown) on the touch panel 24 (S27).

[0133] Next, we will describe the process by which the management server 30 determines the division of household chores and notifies the wife and husband of the determined division of household chores through the user terminal 20.

[0134] The division of household chores is decided at a predetermined time each day. As shown in Figure 5, the management server 30 determines whether the predetermined time, which is pre-stored in memory 32, has arrived (S31). The management server 30 waits until the predetermined time arrives (S31: No). When the management server 30 determines that the predetermined time has arrived (S31: Yes), it executes the household chore division determination process to determine the division of household chores (S32).

[0135] Figure 6 is a flowchart detailing the process for determining household chore assignments. The management server 30 reads the schedule information from the schedule information management database (S51). The management server 30 determines whether there is any schedule information registered for today's date in the read schedule information (S52). If the management server 30 determines that there is a schedule (S52: Yes), it sets the unexpected flag to "1" (S53). The initial value of the unexpected flag is "0". An unexpected flag of "1" indicates that there is a delay in returning home or an unexpected chore, resulting in less time available to perform chores than usual. An unexpected flag of "0" indicates that there is no delay in returning home or an unexpected chore. The planned bedtime is registered as a time when all planned chores will be completed between the time of returning home and the planned bedtime, assuming there is no delay in returning home or an unexpected chore.

[0136] The management server 30 obtains the expected return times of the wife and husband based on whether it has determined there are no scheduled events (S52: No) or whether the sudden event flag has been set to "1" (S53). Specifically, the management server 30 obtains the expected return times registered in the user management database based on whether it has determined there will be no delays in returning home, and obtains the delayed return times registered in the schedule information management database based on whether it has determined there will be delays in returning home (S54).

[0137] The management server 30 acquires household chore information (S55). Specifically, it reads and acquires household chore information registered in the household chore management database and sudden household chore information registered in the scheduled information management database. The management server 30 also reads the household chore setting values ​​from the user management database (S56). The management server 30 also reads the household chore division for the previous day registered in the actual management database (S57). The household chore division for the previous day consists of the chores performed by the wife and the chores performed by the husband on the previous day.

[0138] The management server 30 associates the household chore ID of the household chore indicated by the acquired household chore information, which is associated with the executor designation information in "1", with the wife's user ID (S58). In other words, it assigns household chores that are registered as being performed only by the wife to the wife. In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the household chores "getting dressed," "preparing dinner," and "putting the child to bed" are assigned to the wife. Assigning household chores means associating the household chore ID with the user ID of the resident who will perform the household chore indicated by the household chore ID.

[0139] As shown in Figure 6, the management server 30 associates the household chore ID of the household chore indicated by the acquired household chore information, which is associated with the executor designation information in "2", with the husband's user ID (S59). In other words, it assigns household chores that are registered as being performed only by the husband to the husband. In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the household chores "getting dressed" and "cleaning up after dinner" are assigned to the husband.

[0140] The information that associates the designated household chores, which are the household chores associated with the executor designation information in "1" and "2", with the user IDs of the wife and husband who are the executors, is an example of the first household chore allocation information. The processing in steps S58 and S59 is an example of the first household chore allocation processing.

[0141] As shown in Figure 6, the management server 30 associates the household chore ID of the household chore indicated by the acquired household chore information, which is associated with the executor designation information in "4", with the wife's user ID and the husband's user ID (S60). In other words, household chores that are registered as being performed by both the wife and husband are assigned to the wife and husband. In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the household chores of "dinner" and "bath" are assigned to the wife and husband.

[0142] As shown in Figure 6, the management server 30 calculates the wife's provisional estimated completion time for household chores (S61). Specifically, the management server 30 calculates the provisional total amount of household chores, which is the sum of the amount of chores assigned to the wife in steps S58 and S60. Based on the wife's estimated return time and the provisional total amount of household chores, the management server 30 calculates the wife's provisional estimated completion time for household chores. The provisional estimated completion time for household chores is a hypothetical estimated completion time for household chores assuming the wife performs the chores "getting dressed," "preparing dinner," and "putting the child to bed," which are associated with the performer designation information in "1" and "4," without any free time, starting from the estimated return time. In other words, the wife's provisional estimated completion time for household chores calculated in step S61 is calculated from the return time and the provisional total amount of household chores, without considering the execution time of the chores set for "getting dressed" and "putting the child to bed." The timing for performing household chores is determined in step S73, after all household chores have been assigned to the wife and husband (S67).

[0143] The management server 30, in the same manner as the wife, calculates a provisional total amount of housework, which is the sum of the amounts of housework assigned to the husband in steps S59 and S60 (S61). Based on the husband's expected return time and the provisional total amount of housework, the management server 30 calculates the husband's provisional expected completion time for housework.

[0144] The management server 30 calculates a provisional difference, which is the difference between the wife's provisional estimated completion time for housework and the husband's provisional estimated completion time for housework, by associating it with the individual ID of the wife or husband whose provisional completion time for housework is earlier (S61). The provisional difference indicates how much earlier the wife or husband would finish their housework if they performed the housework without any free time from the time they returned home, without considering the time it takes to actually perform the housework.

[0145] The management server 30 selects the chore with the largest workload from among the multiple chores associated with the executor designation information in "3" (S62). In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the chore with the largest workload among "laundry," "folding laundry," "cleaning the living room," "cleaning the bedroom," "cleaning the toilet," and "cleaning the bathroom" is laundry. If the workloads are the same, one chore is selected based on arbitrary or predetermined selection order. In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the workloads of "laundry," "folding laundry," and "cleaning the toilet" are "2," so for example, "folding laundry" is selected as an arbitrary choice.

[0146] As shown in Figure 6, the management server 30 determines whether the selected household chore will be performed by the wife or husband based on the provisional difference calculated in step S61, the household chore settings obtained in step S56, and the household chore assignments for the previous day obtained in step S57 (S63). Specifically, if the provisional difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined time, the management server 30 determines whether the selected household chore will be performed by the wife or husband, whoever has the earlier provisional completion time for the household chore. If the provisional difference is less than a threshold time, the management server 30 determines whether the selected household chore will be performed by the wife or husband based on the household chore settings. The predetermined time is, for example, 30 minutes. In other words, if the provisional difference is less than 30 minutes, the person who will perform the selected household chore is determined based on the household chore settings, and if the provisional difference is 30 minutes or more, the selected household chore is assigned to the wife or husband, whoever has the earlier provisional completion time for the household chore. By determining who performs the household chores in this way, large provisional differences are suppressed, and the selected chores are assigned based on the chore settings, i.e., the requests of the wife and husband. If both the wife and husband's chore settings are "0" and there are no particular requests, the person who performs the selected chore ID will be determined to be the one between the wife and husband whose provisional estimated completion time for the chore is earlier. Specifically, the assignment of chores is carried out by associating the chore ID of the selected chore with the user ID or individual ID of the person determined to perform the chore.

[0147] The management server 30 determines whether there is one household chore among the multiple household chores associated with the executor designation information in "3" that has not yet been assigned (S64). If the management server 30 determines that there are two or more household chores that have not yet been assigned (S64: No), it repeats the processes from steps S61 to S63. In other words, the multiple household chores associated with the executor designation information in "3" are assigned to the wife or husband until only one remains. The last household chore among the multiple household chores associated with the executor designation information in "3" that has not yet been assigned is determined based on the provisional difference, household chore inequality points, and sleep inequality points.

[0148] To explain in more detail, the management server 30 reads the sleep inequality points and housework inequality points from the user management database (S65). The management server 30 calculates the provisional difference, which is the difference between the wife's provisional estimated completion time for housework and the husband's provisional estimated completion time for housework at the current time (S66).

[0149] The management server 30 determines whether the wife or husband will perform the final household chore based on the sleep inequality points, the household chore inequality points, and the provisional difference (S67). Specifically, if the provisional difference is greater than or equal to a threshold time, the management server 30 determines the wife or husband who has completed the provisional household chore earlier to be the one to perform the final chore. If the provisional difference is less than a threshold time and the sleep inequality points are greater than or equal to a threshold point, the management server 30 determines the wife or husband who has accumulated more sleep time up to the previous day to be the one to perform the final household chore. If the provisional difference is less than a threshold time and the sleep inequality points are less than a threshold point, the management server 30 determines the wife or husband who has accumulated less household chore up to the previous day, as indicated by the household chore inequality points, to be the one to perform the final household chore. The threshold time is, for example, 30 minutes. The threshold points are, for example, 2 points, which represent 30 minutes. In other words, the person who performs the final chore is determined so that the final provisional difference between the wife's final provisional completion time and the husband's final provisional completion time does not exceed 30 minutes. If the final difference does not exceed 30 minutes regardless of whether the wife or husband performs the chore, the person who performs the final chore is determined so as to minimize the sleep inequality points. If the sleep inequality points up to the previous day are less than the threshold point, the person who performs the final chore is determined so as to minimize the chore inequality points. In short, the priority of the conditions for determining the final chore is, in order: provisional completion time of the chore, sleep inequality points, and chore inequality points.

[0150] As described above, multiple household chores, associated with the performer designation information in "3," are assigned to the wife and husband, thus reducing the difference between the wife's final tentative completion time and the husband's final tentative completion time. For example, if there are multiple household chores of one unit each, it is possible to keep the difference between the wife's final tentative completion time and the husband's final tentative completion time to within one unit.

[0151] The final tentative estimated completion time for the wife's housework is an example of the first estimated completion time for housework. The final tentative estimated completion time for the husband's housework is an example of the second estimated completion time for housework. In step S67, the "total amount of housework assigned to the wife" used to calculate the final estimated completion time for the wife's housework is an example of the first total amount of housework. In step S67, the "total amount of housework assigned to the husband" used to calculate the final estimated completion time for the husband's housework is an example of the second total amount of housework.

[0152] The user IDs and household chore IDs of the wife and husband associated in steps S61 to S67 are an example of second household chore division information. The processing from steps S61 to S67 is an example of second household chore allocation processing.

[0153] Based on the fact that all household chores were assigned to the wife and husband in steps S58 to S67, the management server 30 calculates the final provisional estimated time for the wife to finish her household chores and the final provisional estimated time for the husband to finish his household chores (S68).

[0154] Next, the management server 30 determines whether the value of the sudden flag is "1" (S69). In other words, step S69 determines whether there is a delay in returning home or a sudden household chore. If the management server 30 determines that the value of the sudden flag is "1" and that there is a delay in returning home or a sudden household chore (S69: Yes), it determines whether the wife's scheduled time to finish her last household chores exceeds the wife's scheduled bedtime registered in the user database, or whether the husband's scheduled time to finish his last household chores exceeds the husband's scheduled bedtime registered in the user database (S70). The wife's and husband's scheduled bedtimes are examples of threshold times. The processing in step S70 is an example of a decision process.

[0155] If the management server 30 determines that the wife's final tentative estimated completion time for household chores exceeds the wife's planned bedtime, or that the husband's final tentative estimated completion time for household chores exceeds the husband's planned bedtime (S70: Yes), it determines whether there are any household chores associated with the second classification flag of "1" (S71). In other words, step S71 determines whether there are any household chores that can be postponed to the next day. In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the household chores "laundry" and "bedroom cleaning" are registered in the household chore management database as household chores that can be postponed to the next day.

[0156] If the management server 30 determines that there are household chores that can be postponed to the next day (S71: Yes), it removes one of the multiple household chores that can be postponed to the next day from the chores to be performed today (S72). The management server 30 also resets the household chore assignments determined in steps S58 to S68 (S72). The management server 30 then re-executes the processes from step S58 onwards for the multiple household chores that were reduced by one in step S72, and re-determines the household chore assignments. The process in step S72 is an example of a process for deciding not to perform an action.

[0157] The management server 30 determines the time schedule for household chores (S73) if the value of the sudden flag is "0" (S69: No), or if it determines that the wife's and husband's final scheduled completion time for household chores does not exceed the scheduled bedtime (S70: No), or if it determines that there are no household chores that can be postponed (S71: No).

[0158] Figure 9(A) shows the wife's time schedule assuming neither the wife nor the husband is late returning home or has any unexpected household chores. Figure 9(B) shows the husband's time schedule assuming neither the wife nor the husband is late returning home or has any unexpected household chores. In Figure 9, "Bathing (Child)" indicates bathing with the child. For example, the bathing of the wife or husband who starts bathing earlier is designated as "Bathing (Child)".

[0159] Refer to Figure 9(A) for a detailed explanation of how the time schedule is determined. The management server 30 selects a chore from among the multiple chores assigned to the wife that corresponds to the first category flag, "1". The management server 30 places the selected chore within the period indicated by the start and end times registered in the chore management database. In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the chores "getting dressed," "preparing dinner," "dinner," and "putting the child to bed" are placed within the period indicated by the registered start and end times. Next, the management server 30 tentatively determines the time schedule for all patterns in which the remaining chores are placed within the period in which no chores have yet been assigned.

[0160] Furthermore, the management server 30 selects a chore from among the multiple chores assigned to the husband that corresponds to the first classification flag, "1". The management server 30 places the selected chore within the period indicated by the start and end times registered in the chore management database. In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the chores "getting dressed" and "cleaning up after dinner" are placed within the period indicated by the registered start and end times. Next, the management server 30 tentatively determines the time schedule for all patterns in which the remaining multiple chores are placed within the period in which no chores have yet been placed. The time schedule shown in Figure 9(A) is one of all patterns, and the time schedule shown in Figure 9(C) is another one.

[0161] The management server 30 selects the time schedule pattern from all the tentatively determined patterns for the wife and husband that results in the earliest estimated completion time for the wife and husband's housework and matches the settings registered in the housework management database as the final time schedule for the wife and husband. For example, the wife's time schedule pattern shown in Figure 9(A) and the husband's time schedule pattern shown in Figure 9(C) partially overlap in the time slots for the wife's and husband's bathing. On the other hand, the wife's time schedule pattern shown in Figure 9(A) and the husband's time schedule pattern shown in Figure 9(B) result in the earliest estimated completion time for the wife and husband's housework and match the settings registered in the housework management database. The management server 30 decides on the wife's time schedule pattern shown in Figure 9(A) and the husband's time schedule pattern shown in Figure 9(B) as the final time schedule for the wife and husband.

[0162] The management server 30 places the period from the scheduled end time of household chores to the scheduled bedtime as "family time" in the time schedule. In other words, "family time" is not set if the period is indefinite and the scheduled end time of household chores is after the scheduled bedtime. "Family time" may also be referred to as "individual free time."

[0163] Figure 10(A) shows the time schedule for the wife's division of household chores when the husband is late returning home. Figure 10(B) shows the time schedule for the husband's division of household chores when the husband is late returning home. In the examples shown in Figures 10(A) and (B), the wife's "dinner" chores and the husband's "dinner" chores are set separately. Although not shown in the flowchart, the management server 30, for example, based on the value of the sudden flag being "1", divides the "dinner" chores that the wife and husband perform simultaneously into "dinner" chores associated with the executor designation information of "1" representing the wife, and "dinner" chores associated with the executor designation information of "2" representing the husband. The management server 30 then assigns the "dinner" chores to the wife and husband, respectively.

[0164] Furthermore, in the examples shown in Figures 10(A) and (B), the chore of "bedroom cleaning," which is associated with a Category 2 flag of "1" indicating that it can be postponed, has been postponed and excluded from the chores to be done today. As a result, the delay in the wife's and husband's planned bedtime has been reduced.

[0165] Figure 10(C) shows the wife's chore schedule when the husband has unexpected visitors or administrative tasks. Figure 10(D) shows the husband's chore schedule when the husband has unexpected visitors or administrative tasks. In the examples shown in Figures 10(C) and (D), the chore of "laundry" is postponed and excluded from the chores to be done today. As a result, the delay in the wife's and husband's planned bedtime is reduced.

[0166] In the time schedule determined in step S73, the final estimated completion time for the wife's housework is an example of the first estimated completion time for housework. In the same time schedule, the final estimated completion time for the husband's housework is an example of the second estimated completion time for housework.

[0167] As shown in Figure 6, the management server 30 stores the household chore division information, which indicates the division of household chores determined in steps S58 to S67, and the time schedule determined in step S73 in memory 32 (S74), and returns to the process shown in Figure 5 (return). The household chore division information consists of multiple household chore IDs associated with the wife's user ID and multiple household chore IDs associated with the husband's user ID. The time schedule for household chore division consists of the start and end times of the household chores associated with each household chore ID in the household chore division information, and is the information showing the time schedule as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0168] As shown in Figure 5, the user terminal 20 sends an HTTP request containing the user ID and a request for household chore division information to the management server 30 via the communication interface 23 and the internet 11 (S33). The user terminal 20 sends the HTTP request, for example, based on a predetermined time stored in the terminal memory 22, or based on an input operation by the wife or husband.

[0169] After the execution of the household chore division determination process in step S32, the management server 30 receives an HTTP request including the user ID and a request for household chore division information, and reads the household chore division information and the time schedule for household chore division from memory 32 (S34). Based on the household chore division information read, the management server 30 generates the first household chore division notification screen data, the second household chore division notification screen data, the first time schedule screen data, and the second time schedule screen data (S35). The first household chore division notification screen data is screen data showing the first household chore division notification screen showing the wife's household chore division. The first time schedule notification screen data is screen data showing the time schedule for the wife's household chore division. The second household chore division notification screen data is screen data showing the second household chore division notification screen showing the husband's household chore division. The second schedule notification screen data is screen data showing the time schedule for the husband's household chore division.

[0170] In response to the HTTP request received in step S33, the management server 30 sends an HTTP response to the user terminal 20, which includes the first household chore assignment notification screen data, the second household chore assignment notification screen data, the first time schedule screen data, and the second time schedule screen data (S36). The first household chore assignment notification screen data, the second household chore assignment notification screen data, the first time schedule screen data, and the second time schedule screen data are examples of household chore assignment information. The processing in step S36 is an example of the first transmission process and the transmission process.

[0171] The wife's user terminal 20 displays the first chore sharing notification screen, indicated by the first chore sharing notification screen data included in the received HTTP response, on the touch panel 24 (S37). The husband's user terminal 20 displays the second chore sharing notification screen, indicated by the second chore sharing notification screen data included in the received HTTP response, on the touch panel 24 (S37).

[0172] Figure 11(A) shows the first chore assignment notification screen displayed on the wife's user terminal 20. Figure 11(B) shows the second chore assignment notification screen displayed on the wife's user terminal 20. As shown in Figure 11(A), the first chore assignment notification screen has text indicating the wife's name and text indicating the chores "preparing dinner" and "putting the child to bed," which are associated with the text "assigned chores." The text "preparing dinner" is further associated with the text "from 18:45" indicating the start time, and the text "putting the child to bed" is further associated with the text "from 21:00" indicating the start time. The first chore assignment notification screen indicates that the chores the wife is responsible for are "preparing dinner," which starts at 18:45, and "putting the child to bed," which starts at 21:00.

[0173] Furthermore, the first chore assignment notification screen displays the words "Bathing (children)", "Cleaning the living room", and "Cleaning the bedroom" associated with the words "Assigned chores". The first chore assignment notification screen indicates that the chores assigned to the wife are "Bathing with children", "Cleaning the living room", and "Cleaning the bedroom". Note that the chores displayed associated with the words "Assigned chores" are the chores associated with the performer designation information in "3". Chores that are performed by both the wife and husband, such as "Dinner" and "Care", are not displayed on the first chore assignment notification screen. However, chores that are performed by both the wife and husband may also be displayed on the first chore assignment notification screen.

[0174] The first household chore assignment notification screen has a "Confirm Partner" icon 61, a "Time Schedule" icon 62, and an "OK" icon 63. If the wife wants to check her husband's household chore assignments, she selects the "Confirm Partner" icon 61. If the wife wants to check her own time schedule, she selects the "Time Schedule" icon 62. After the wife has finished checking, she selects the "OK" icon.

[0175] As shown in Figure 5, based on the wife's user terminal 20 receiving the selection of the "Confirm Other Person" icon 61 (S38), it displays a second household chore division notification screen showing the husband's share of household chores on the touch panel 24 (S39).

[0176] As shown in Figure 11(B), the second chore assignment notification screen has text indicating the husband's name and text indicating the chore of "cleaning up after dinner" which is associated with the text "designated chore". The first chore assignment notification screen indicates that the husband's chore assignment is "cleaning up after dinner".

[0177] Furthermore, the second chore assignment notification screen displays the words "Bathroom Cleaning," "Laundry Folding," and "Laundry" associated with the words "Assigned Chores." The second chore assignment notification screen indicates that the husband is responsible for the following chores: "Bathroom Cleaning," "Laundry Folding," and "Laundry." Note that the chores displayed associated with the words "Assigned Chores" are the chores associated with the assigned performer information in "3."

[0178] The second chore assignment notification screen has a "time schedule" icon 64 and a "back" icon 65. If the wife wants to check her husband's time schedule, she selects the "time schedule" icon 65. If the wife wants to return to the first chore assignment notification screen, she selects the "back" icon 65.

[0179] As shown in Figure 5, the wife's user terminal 20 displays the first time schedule notification screen on the touch panel 24 based on the selection of the "time schedule" icon 62 on the first household chore assignment notification screen (S40) (S41). The first time schedule notification screen includes the wife's time schedule as shown in Figures 9(A), 10(A), and 10(C).

[0180] As shown in Figure 5, the wife's user terminal 20, based on the selection of the "Time Schedule" icon 64 on the second household chore division notification screen (S42), displays the second time schedule notification screen on the touch panel 24 (S43). The second time schedule notification screen includes the husband's time schedule as shown in Figures 9(B), 10(B), and 10(D).

[0181] As shown in Figure 5, the wife's user terminal 20 terminates the process (end) based on the selection of the "OK" icon 63 on the first household chore division notification screen (S44).

[0182] The husband's user terminal 20 also executes the processes from steps S36 to S44, just like the wife's user terminal 20.

[0183] The processes in steps S37 and S39 are an example of a display process.

[0184] The management server 30 registers the household chore distribution information for the day, associating it with the day's date, into the performance management database (S45). The management server 30 also calculates the sleep inequality points for the day and temporarily stores them in memory 32 (S46). The management server 30 updates the sleep inequality points registered in the user management database using the sleep inequality points for the day (S47). Steps S46 and S47 are an example of the first storage process.

[0185] Furthermore, the management server 30 calculates the household chore inequality points for today and temporarily stores them in memory 32 (S48). The management server 30 updates the household chore inequality points registered in the user management database using the household chore inequality points for today (S49) and terminates the process (end). Thus, the household chore inequality points for today are the difference between the total amount of household chores, which is the sum of the amount of household chores done by the wife in a day, and the total amount of household chores, which is the sum of the amount of household chores done by the husband in a day. This "one day" is an example of a predetermined period. However, the predetermined period for calculating the total amount of household chores may be two days, three days, etc. The processing in steps S48 and S49 is an example of the second storage process.

[0186] [Effects of the Embodiment] The performer designation information includes a first designation "1" which must be performed by the wife, the first resident; a second designation "2" which must be performed by the husband, the second resident; and a third designation "3" which can be performed by either the wife or the husband. The management server 30 assigns the first designated chore to the wife (S58) and the second designated chore to the husband (S59). The management server 30 also assigns the third designated chore to either the wife or the husband in such a way that the difference between the wife's scheduled completion time and the husband's scheduled completion time is small (S61 to S67). Therefore, in this embodiment, the difference between the scheduled completion time of the chore assigned to the wife and the scheduled completion time of the chore assigned to the husband can be reduced compared to the case where the chore is assigned to the husband and wife in such a way that the amount of chore is the same. By reducing this difference, the sense of unfairness between the wife and husband regarding sleep time is reduced.

[0187] In step S73, the management server 30 associates the start and end times of the household chores assigned to the wife and husband with household chore IDs. In other words, the management server 30 not only assigns household chores to the wife and husband, but also determines the time schedule for the assigned chores. The determined time schedule is notified to the wife and husband. As a result, the convenience for the wife and husband is improved.

[0188] Household chores that are performed periodically, such as "preparing dinner" and "bathing," are registered in the household chore management database. In addition, unexpected household chores that are not performed periodically are registered in the schedule information management database. If no unexpected household chores occur, the management server 30 determines the division of household chores based on the household chore information registered in the household chore management database. If an unexpected household chore occurs, the management server 30 determines the division of household chores based on the household chore information registered in the household chore management database and the unexpected household chore information registered in the schedule information management database. Therefore, the household chore division system 10 can reduce the difference between the wife's sleep time and the husband's sleep time, even if unexpected guests, meetings, or administrative work occur.

[0189] If the wife and husband are late returning home due to overtime work, transportation delays, etc., they send delayed return information to the management server 30 via the user terminal 20, indicating the expected return time after the delay. The management server 30 then determines the division of household chores for the wife and husband based on the delayed return time. Therefore, the household chore division system 10 can determine the division of household chores in a way that reduces the difference between the wife's sleep time and the husband's sleep time, even if the wife and husband return home later than planned.

[0190] Even after adjusting the division of household chores, there may still be a slight difference between the wife's and husband's estimated completion times. The management server 30 determines the division of household chores in a way that reduces the accumulation of this difference (S67). As a result, the sense of unfairness felt by both the wife and husband is further reduced.

[0191] If household chores are divided in a way that reduces the difference between the wife's sleep time and the husband's sleep time, a difference may arise between the wife's total amount of household chores and the husband's total amount of household chores. The management server 30 determines the division of household chores in a way that reduces this difference (S67). As a result, the sense of unfairness felt by both the wife and husband is further reduced.

[0192] If a spouse is late returning home or unexpected guests arrive, even after adjusting the division of household chores between the spouses, the final scheduled time for completing household chores may be later than the scheduled bedtime. In such cases, the management server 30 excludes the chore associated with the second classification flag "1" from the chores to be performed today when determining the division of household chores (S72). As a result, a significant reduction in the spouse's sleep time is prevented.

[0193] [Example 1] In the embodiment, a chore division determination process (S32) was described in which multiple household chores are assigned to the wife and husband, and then a time schedule for the household chores is determined. In this modified example, a chore division determination process is described in which the assignment of household chores to the wife and husband and the time schedule are determined simultaneously. In other words, this modified example is a modification of the chore division determination process (S32).

[0194] The following example illustrates how household chores are assigned to the wife and husband, and how a time schedule is determined, using the case where the husband has unexpected household chores, such as "visitors" and "office work," with specified time slots. Because the husband has unexpected household chores, the "dinner" chore is divided into "dinner" associated with the designated performer information "1" (representing the wife) and "dinner" associated with the designated performer information "2" (representing the husband).

[0195] The management server 30 determines the time slots for the wife and husband to perform household chores such as "getting dressed," based on their expected return times.

[0196] Next, the management server 30 places the household chores "putting the child to bed" and "getting the child dressed," which are household chores associated with the executor designation information of "1" or "4" and for which a time period has been specified or determined, into the wife's time schedule during that time period.

[0197] Next, the management server 30 places the chore of "preparing dinner," which is a chore associated with the executor designation information of "1" or "4" and has a specified time period, into the wife's time schedule along with the chore of "dinner," according to the specified "before dinner" condition. Figure 12(A) shows the wife's time schedule with the chores of "putting the child to bed," "getting dressed," "preparing dinner," and "dinner" placed in it.

[0198] Although not shown in Figure 2(B), the household chore management database has a condition that "at least one of the wife's bath and the husband's bath must be performed before the 'putting to bed' chore." Based on this condition, the management server 30 places the "bathroom cleaning" chore, which is associated with the executor designation information of "1" and "4" and has a specified time period, along with the "bathing (child)" chore, on the wife's time schedule.

[0199] Next, the management server 30 places the "care" chore, which is a household chore associated with the executor designation information of "1" and "4" and for which no time-of-day conditions are specified, into the wife's time schedule. Figure 12(B) shows the wife's time schedule with the "bathing (child)", "bathroom cleaning", and "care" chores further placed in it.

[0200] On the other hand, the management server 30 places the household chores associated with the executor designation information in "2" and "4," which have a specified or determined time period, such as "getting dressed," "receiving guests," and "office work," into the husband's time schedule during that time period. Figure 12(C) shows the husband's time schedule with the household chores "getting dressed," "receiving guests," and "office work" placed in it.

[0201] Next, the management server 30 places the household chore "cleaning up after dinner," which is associated with the executor designation information of "2" or "4" and has a specified time period, into the husband's time schedule along with the household chore "dinner," according to the specified "before dinner" condition.

[0202] Furthermore, the management server 30 places the household chores "bathing" and "care," which are associated with the executor designation information in "2" or "4" and for which no time-of-day conditions are specified, into the husband's time schedule. Figure 12(D) shows the husband's time schedule to which the household chores "dinner," "cleaning up after dinner," "bathing," and "care" are further placed.

[0203] The process in which the management server 30 places the household chores associated with the executor designation information in "1" onto the wife's time schedule, and the household chores associated with the executor designation information in "2" onto the husband's time schedule, is an example of the first household chore allocation process.

[0204] As shown in Figure 12(B), the wife's current scheduled completion time for housework is 10:15 PM. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 12(D), the husband's current scheduled completion time for housework is 11:15 PM. The management server 30 places the housework that is associated with the executor designation information "3" and is associated with the second classification flag "0" (non-extendable) into the wife's and husband's time schedules, so as to minimize the difference between the wife's and husband's scheduled completion times. In the example shown in Figure 12(E), the housework tasks "folding laundry" and "cleaning the living room" are placed into the wife's time schedule.

[0205] Finally, the management server 30 determines whether to assign the extendable "laundry" and "bedroom cleaning" chores to the wife and husband, respectively, based on the executor designation information in "3" and the second classification flag in "1". The management server 30 places the "laundry" and "bedroom cleaning" chores on the wife's or husband's time schedule so that the scheduled completion time of the chores does not exceed the scheduled bedtime. As shown in Figure 12(E), the "bedroom cleaning" chore is placed on the wife's time schedule. On the other hand, as shown in Figures 12(D) and (E), the "laundry" chore is not placed on either the wife's or husband's time schedule because its scheduled completion time exceeds the scheduled bedtime.

[0206] The management server 30 determines the time schedule shown in Figure 12(D) as the husband's final time schedule. The management server 30 determines the time schedule shown in Figure 12(E) as the wife's final time schedule.

[0207] The process by which the management server 30 assigns household chores, associated with the executor designation information in "3," to the wife's and husband's time schedules is an example of the second household chore assignment process.

[0208] [Effects of Modification 1] Even when household chores are assigned to the wife and husband and their division of labor is determined using the method described in this modified example, the difference between the wife's and husband's expected completion times for household chores can be reduced compared to when the amount of household chores assigned to the wife and husband is equal. As a result, the sense of unfairness between the wife and husband regarding sleep time is reduced.

[0209] Furthermore, the management server 30 may have an AI with learning capabilities perform the processing in this modified example.

[0210] [Other variations] In the embodiment, an example was described in which the management device is a management server 30. However, the management device may be a personal computer installed in the home. In other words, the household chore sharing system 10 may be a standalone system installed in the home.

[0211] In the embodiment, an example was described in which multiple household chores associated with the executor designation information in "3" are assigned to the wife or husband in such a way that the provisional difference is small (S61 to S67). However, instead of processing steps S61 to S67, the management server 30 may provisionally determine household chore distribution information for all patterns in which multiple household chores associated with the executor designation information in "3" are assigned to the wife and husband. The management server 30 calculates the final estimated completion times for the wife and husband for each pattern. The management server 30 determines the pattern with the smallest difference between the final estimated completion times for the wife and the husband as the household chore distribution information.

[0212] Alternatively, the management server 30 may use AI instead of performing the processes from steps S61 to S67. The management server 30 provides the AI ​​with household chore information and the rules "distribute multiple household chores between the wife and husband" and "minimize the difference between the wife's final estimated completion time for household chores and the husband's final estimated completion time for household chores" via the internet 11. The AI ​​distributes the multiple household chores between the wife and husband according to the rules, generates household chore distribution information, and returns it to the management server 30.

[0213] In the embodiment, an example was described in which household chores are divided among two residents, a wife and a husband. However, the number of residents whose household chores are divided may be three or more. For example, the performer designation information "5" indicating that a third resident must perform the chore is added to the household chore management database. The performer designation information "3" indicates a chore that can be performed by any of the wife, husband, or third resident. In step S66, the management server 30 further calculates the provisional completion time of the third resident's chores. The management server 30 also calculates a first provisional difference, which is the difference between the wife's provisional completion time and the husband's provisional completion time; a second provisional difference, which is the difference between the wife's provisional completion time and the third resident's provisional completion time; and a third provisional difference, which is the difference between the husband's provisional completion time and the third resident's provisional completion time. The management server 30 assigns each household chore, associated with the first classification flag "3", to the wife, husband, and third resident in order to minimize the first provisional difference, second provisional difference, and third provisional difference. Similarly, if a fourth or fifth resident is added, the management server 30 assigns each household chore, associated with the first classification flag "3", to each resident.

[0214] In the embodiment, an example was described in which the time required for housework was standardized as the amount of housework, with 15 minutes as one unit. However, the time required for housework may also be standardized by other time units, such as 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or 30 minutes.

[0215] In the embodiment, a household chore sharing system 10 was described that determines the division of household chores to be performed from the time of returning home until going to bed. However, the household chore sharing system 10 may also determine the division of household chores to be performed from the time of waking up until going out, in addition to the household chores to be performed from the time of returning home until going to bed. Examples of household chores to be performed from the time of waking up until going out include the chore of "preparing breakfast," the chore of "eating breakfast," the chore of "taking care of children," and the chore of "making lunch." For example, in order for the wife to perform the chores of "making lunch" and "taking care of children," the wife's planned wake-up time is registered in the user management database as an earlier time than the husband's planned wake-up time. In that case, even if the wife's bedtime and the husband's bedtime are the same, the wife's sleep time will be shorter than the husband's sleep time. The household chore division system 10 determines the division of household chores so that, for example, if the wife's planned wake-up time is earlier than the husband's planned wake-up time, the planned completion time of the household chores the wife is responsible for after returning home is earlier than the planned completion time of the household chores the husband is responsible for after returning home.

[0216] In the embodiments described, an example was described in which both the wife and husband are notified of their respective household chore divisions and the time schedule for those divisions. However, the wife and husband may be notified only of their respective household chore divisions. In that case, the wife and husband will perform their notified chores as appropriate at their own discretion.

[0217] In the embodiment, an example was described in which sleep inequality points and housework inequality points are considered to determine the division of household chores (S67). However, the division of household chores may also be determined based solely on the provisional difference calculated in step S66.

[0218] In this embodiment, the chore of "laundry" is excluded from the chores to be performed today if the wife's or husband's final planned completion time for chores exceeds the planned bedtime (S70: Yes). However, the chore of "laundry" may be excluded from the chores to be performed today based on the fact that the weight of the laundry is below a threshold weight. In that case, a weight sensor that detects the weight of the laundry is installed in the laundry basket or washing machine.

[0219] In the embodiment, an example was described in which a delayed return time is registered in the schedule information management database. However, if there is a plan to return home earlier than the scheduled return time, the earlier return time may be registered in the schedule information management database.

[0220] The management server 30 may receive a command to stop household chore sharing through the user terminal 20. If the wife or husband is ill or otherwise in need of assistance, they will send such a command to the management server 30 through the user terminal 20. Based on receiving the command to stop, the management server 30 will stop determining the household chore sharing for the day, updating sleep inequality points, and updating household chore inequality points.

[0221] In the embodiment described, an example was described in which household chore division information is notified only to the user terminals 20 of the wife and husband who share and perform household chores. However, household chore division information may also be notified to the user terminals 20 of other residents who do not share household chores, such as children.

[0222] If the wife and husband are late returning home or an unexpected household chore occurs, the management server 30 may display the first household chore assignment notification screen or the second household chore assignment notification screen with text indicating the expected time of late return home or the occurrence of the unexpected household chore.

[0223] In the embodiment, an example was described in which the first resident who shares household chores is the wife and the second resident is the husband. However, the first resident who shares household chores may be the older sister and the second resident may be the younger sister. In other words, the household chore sharing system 10 may determine the division of household chores for sisters who live together and work together.

[0224] [Note 1] It comprises a management device having memory and a first communication interface, and a user terminal having a display, an input interface, and a second communication interface. The above memory stores the first identification information of the first resident, associating it with the first scheduled time of return home, and the second identification information of the second resident, associating it with the second scheduled time of return home. The above-mentioned management device is Through the user terminal mentioned above, a registration process is executed to accept and store in the memory the registration of household information, which associates household identification information that identifies each household task, performer designation information that specifies the person who performs the household task, and the amount of household task indicating the time required to perform the household task. The above information specifying the executor is: The first designation indicates that the above-mentioned first resident must perform the following actions: The second designation, which indicates that the above-mentioned second resident must perform, This includes a third designation which may be made by either the first resident or the second resident mentioned above, The above-mentioned management device is A first household chore allocation process that associates the household chore identification information associated with the first designation with the first identification information, and associates the household chore identification information associated with the second designation with the second identification information to determine the first household chore allocation information, A second household chore allocation process that determines second household chore allocation information by associating multiple household chore identification information associated with the third designation above with the first identification information or the second identification information, The above-mentioned first household chore division information and the above-mentioned 2 The system performs a first transmission process which transmits household chore distribution information, including household chore distribution information, to the user terminal via the first communication interface described above. The user terminal described above performs a display process to display the household chore distribution information received through the second communication interface on the display. The above second household chore allocation process is, A household chore sharing system that associates the household chore identification information associated with the third designation with the first or second identification information such that the difference between the first estimated time to finish the first household chore, calculated from the first total amount of household chores, which is the sum of the amounts of household chores indicated by the household chore identification information associated with the first identification information, and the first estimated time to return home, and the second estimated time to finish the second household chore, calculated from the second total amount of household chores, which is the sum of the amounts of household chores indicated by the household chore identification information associated with the second identification information, and the second estimated time to return home, is minimized.

[0225] [Note 2] The above household chore information includes at least one of the start time and end time of the household chore, and time limit information associated with the above household chore identification information. The above-mentioned first household chore allocation process and the above-mentioned second household chore allocation process are, The household chore sharing system described in Appendix 1, which determines the first household chore sharing information and the second household chore sharing information by further associating the time of execution of the household chore with the household chore identification information, based on the above time limit information and the above amount of household chore.

[0226] [Note 3] In the above registration process, the household chore identification information stored in the above memory is a household chore that is repeated periodically. The above user terminal is, The first reception process accepts input of information about sudden household chores, which are household chores that do not occur periodically, and The second transmission process is performed to transmit the above sudden household incident information to the above management device, The above information on unexpected household chores includes the above information on the person who will perform the chore and the above amount of chore. The above-mentioned first household chore allocation process and the above-mentioned second household chore allocation process are, The household chore sharing system described in Appendix 1 is a process for determining the first household chore sharing information and the second household chore sharing information based on the above-mentioned sudden household chore information.

[0227] [Note 4] The above user terminal is, The second reception process accepts input of delayed return information indicating the delayed return time, The third transmission process is performed to transmit the above-mentioned delayed return home information to the above-mentioned management device, The above-mentioned first household chore allocation process and the above-mentioned second household chore allocation process are, The household chore sharing system described in Appendix 1 is a process that determines the first household chore sharing information and the second household chore sharing information based on the above-mentioned delayed return time.

[0228] [Note 5] The above-mentioned management device is Further, a first memory process is performed to store the difference between the first scheduled completion time for household chores and the second scheduled completion time for household chores as a sleep inequality point, in association with the first identification information or the second identification information, in the memory. The above second household chore allocation process is, The household chore division system described in Appendix 1 is a process for determining the second household chore division information based on the above sleep inequality points.

[0229] [Note 6] The above-mentioned management device is A second memory process is further executed, which stores the difference between the total amount of household chores performed by the first resident and the total amount of household chores performed by the second resident during a predetermined period as a household chore inequality point, in association with the first identification information or the second identification information, in the memory. The above second household chore allocation process is, The household chore division system described in Appendix 1 is a process that determines the second household chore division information based on the above household chore inequality points.

[0230] [Note 7] The above household chore information is postponement information associated with the above household chore identification information, and includes postponement information indicating whether or not the date of execution of the household chore can be postponed. The above memory stores the threshold time. The above-mentioned management device is A determination process to determine whether the later of the above-mentioned first scheduled time for completion of household chores and the above-mentioned second scheduled time for completion of household chores is later than the above-mentioned threshold time, The household chore sharing system described in Appendix 1 further performs a non-execution decision process, which determines not to perform the household chore associated with the postponement information, if the later of the above-mentioned times is later than the above-mentioned threshold time.

[0231] [Note 8] A program implemented in a management device having a computer, memory, and communication interface, The above memory stores the first identification information of the first resident, associating it with the first scheduled time of return home, and the second identification information of the second resident, associating it with the second scheduled time of return home. The above program, A registration process is executed to store in the above memory household information that associates household identification information to identify each household task, performer designation information to specify the person who will perform the household task, and the amount of household task indicating the time required to perform the household task. The above information specifying the executor is: The first designation indicates that the above-mentioned first resident must perform the following actions: The second designation, which indicates that the above-mentioned second resident must perform, This includes a third designation which may be made by either the first resident or the second resident mentioned above, A first household chore allocation process that associates the household chore identification information associated with the first designation with the first identification information, and associates the household chore identification information associated with the second designation with the second identification information to determine the first household chore allocation information, A second household chore allocation process that determines second household chore allocation information by associating multiple household chore identification information associated with the third designation above with the first identification information or the second identification information, The above-mentioned first household chore division information and the above-mentioned 2 The process involves sending household chore distribution information, including household chore distribution information, to the user terminal via the above communication interface, and then executing the following: The above second household chore allocation process is, A program that associates the household task identification information associated with the third designation with the first or second identification information such that the difference between the first estimated time to finish the first household tasks, calculated from the first total amount of household tasks and the first estimated time to return home, which are the sum of the amounts of household tasks indicated by the household task identification information associated with the first identification information, and the second estimated time to finish the second household tasks, which are calculated from the second total amount of household tasks and the second estimated time to return home, which are the sum of the amounts of household tasks indicated by the household task identification information associated with the second identification information, is minimized. [Explanation of symbols]

[0232] 10. Household chore sharing system 11. Internet 20. User terminals 21..CPU 22. Terminal Memory 23. Communication Interface 24... Touch panel 27. Application Programs 30. Management Server 31..CPU 32...memory 33. Communication Interface 35. Management Program

Claims

1. It comprises a management device having memory and a first communication interface, and a user terminal having a display, an input interface, and a second communication interface. The above memory stores the first identification information of the first resident, associating it with the first scheduled time of return home, and the second identification information of the second resident, associating it with the second scheduled time of return home. The above-mentioned management device is Through the user terminal mentioned above, a registration process is executed to accept and store in the memory the registration of household information, which associates household identification information that identifies each household task, performer designation information that specifies the person who performs the household task, and the amount of household task indicating the time required to perform the household task. The above information specifying the executor is: The first designation indicates that the above-mentioned first resident must perform the following actions: The second designation, which indicates that the above-mentioned second resident must perform, This includes a third designation which may be made by either the first resident or the second resident mentioned above, The above-mentioned management device is A first household chore allocation process that determines the first household chore allocation information by associating the household chore identification information associated with the first designation with the first identification information, and associating the household chore identification information associated with the second designation with the second identification information, A second household chore allocation process that determines second household chore allocation information by associating multiple household chore identification information associated with the third designation above with the first identification information or the second identification information, The system performs a first transmission process which transmits the household chore information, including the first household chore information and the second household chore information, to the user terminal via the first communication interface. The user terminal described above performs a display process to display the household chore distribution information received through the second communication interface on the display. The above second household chore allocation process is, A household chore sharing system that associates the household chore identification information associated with the third designation with the first or second identification information such that the difference between the first estimated time to finish the first household chores, calculated from the first total amount of household chores, which is the sum of the amounts of household chores indicated by the household chore identification information associated with the first identification information, and the first estimated time to return home, and the second estimated time to finish the second household chores, calculated from the second total amount of household chores, which is the sum of the amounts of household chores indicated by the household chore identification information associated with the second identification information, and the second estimated time to return home, is minimized.

2. The above household chore information includes at least one of the start time and end time of the household chore, and time limit information associated with the above household chore identification information. The first household chore allocation process and the second household chore allocation process described above are: The household chore sharing system according to claim 1, further comprising the process of determining the first household chore sharing information and the second household chore sharing information by further associating the time of execution of the household chore with the household chore identification information, based on the above time limit information and the above amount of household chore.

3. In the above registration process, the household chore identification information stored in the above memory is a household chore that is repeated periodically. The above user terminal is, The first reception process accepts input of information about sudden household chores, which are household chores that do not occur periodically, and The second transmission process is performed to transmit the above-mentioned sudden household incident information to the above-mentioned management device, The above information on unexpected household chores includes the above information on the person who will perform the chore and the above amount of chore. The first household chore allocation process and the second household chore allocation process described above are: The household chore sharing system according to claim 1, which further determines the first household chore sharing information and the second household chore sharing information based on the above-mentioned sudden household chore information.

4. The above user terminal is, The second reception process accepts input of delayed return information indicating the delayed return time, The third transmission process is performed to transmit the above-mentioned delayed return home information to the above-mentioned management device, The first household chore allocation process and the second household chore allocation process described above are: The household chore sharing system according to claim 1, further comprising the process of determining the first household chore sharing information and the second household chore sharing information based on the above-mentioned delayed return time.

5. The above-mentioned management device is Further, a first memory process is performed to store the difference between the first scheduled completion time for household chores and the second scheduled completion time for household chores as a sleep inequality point, in association with the first identification information or the second identification information, in the memory. The above second household chore allocation process is, The household chore sharing system according to claim 1, which is a process for determining the second household chore sharing information based on the above sleep inequality points.

6. The above-mentioned management device is A second storage process is further executed, which stores the difference between the total amount of household chores performed by the first resident and the total amount of household chores performed by the second resident during a predetermined period as a household chore inequality point, in association with the first identification information or the second identification information, in the memory. The above second household chore allocation process is, The household chore sharing system according to claim 1, which is a process for determining the second household chore sharing information based on the above household chore inequality points.

7. The above household chore information is postponement information associated with the above household chore identification information, and includes postponement information indicating whether or not the date of execution of the household chore can be postponed. The above memory stores the threshold time. The above-mentioned management device is A determination process to determine whether the later of the above-mentioned first scheduled time for completion of household chores and the above-mentioned second scheduled time for completion of household chores is later than the above-mentioned threshold time, The household chore sharing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a non-execution decision process that decides not to perform the household chore associated with the postponeable information if the later of the above-mentioned times is later than the above-mentioned threshold time.

8. A program implemented in a management device having a computer, memory, and communication interface, The above memory stores the first identification information of the first resident, associating it with the first scheduled time of return home, and the second identification information of the second resident, associating it with the second scheduled time of return home. The above program, A registration process is executed to store in the above memory household information that associates household identification information to identify each household task, performer designation information to specify the person who will perform the household task, and the amount of household task indicating the time required to perform the household task. The above information specifying the executor is: The first designation indicates that the above-mentioned first resident must perform the following actions: The second designation, which indicates that the above-mentioned second resident must perform, This includes a third designation which may be made by either the first resident or the second resident mentioned above, A first household chore allocation process that determines the first household chore allocation information by associating the household chore identification information associated with the first designation with the first identification information, and associating the household chore identification information associated with the second designation with the second identification information, A second household chore allocation process that determines second household chore allocation information by associating multiple household chore identification information associated with the third designation above with the first identification information or the second identification information, The system performs a transmission process that sends the household chore information, including the first household chore information and the second household chore information, to the user terminal via the communication interface. The above second household chore allocation process is, A program that associates the household task identification information associated with the third designation with the first or second identification information such that the difference between the first estimated time to finish the first household tasks, calculated from the first total amount of household tasks and the first estimated time to return home, which are the sum of the amounts of household tasks indicated by the household task identification information associated with the first identification information, and the second estimated time to finish the second household tasks, which are calculated from the second total amount of household tasks and the second estimated time to return home, which are the sum of the amounts of household tasks indicated by the household task identification information associated with the second identification information, is minimized.

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