Display control system, display control method, and program

Abstract

A display control system (2) comprises: a proficiency level determination unit (88) that determines a proficiency level indicating the degree of mastery a user (12) has with respect to an older-model user interface (14) which has been operated by the user (12); an adaptability level determination unit (90) that determines an adaptability level indicating the degree of familiarity of the user (12) with respect to a new-model user interface (18) which has not yet been operated by the user (12); and a display UI decision unit (94) that, on the basis of the proficiency level and the adaptation level, sets the display mode of the user interface to be operated by the user (12) to a display mode in which the display mode of the older-model user interface (14) and the display mode of the new-model user interface (18) are fused.

Description

Display control system, display control method, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display control system, a display control method, and a program.

[0002] Generally, users replace their appliances, such as washing machines and refrigerators, with newer models every few years. At this time, the layout, etc., of the user interface displayed on the old model appliance may differ significantly from that of the new model appliance. In this case, since users are accustomed to operating the user interface displayed on the old model appliance, they find it difficult to adapt to operating the user interface displayed on the new model appliance, and may find the new model appliance difficult to use.

[0003] To address this issue, for example, a system has been proposed as disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this system, when a user changes from a second information terminal to a first information terminal, the user interface displayed on the first information terminal is changed based on the user's level of familiarity with the second information terminal.

[0004] JP 2018-45281 A

[0005] However, in the conventional system described above, even if a user is proficient in using the user interface displayed on the second information terminal, the user may not immediately become accustomed to the user interface displayed on the first information terminal, and the user may find the first information terminal difficult to use.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a display control system, a display control method, and a program that can appropriately determine the display mode of a user interface to be operated for each user.

[0007] A display control system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a display control system for controlling the display of a user interface operated by a user, and includes: a proficiency determination unit that determines a level of proficiency indicating the user's level of mastery of a first user interface that the user has operated; an adaptability determination unit that determines a level of adaptation indicating the user's level of ease of familiarity with a second user interface that the user has not operated; and a display determination unit that determines, based on the proficiency and the adaptability, a display mode of the user interface to be operated by the user that is a combination of the display mode of the first user interface and the display mode of the second user interface.

[0008] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized by a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), or may be realized by any combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0009] According to a display control system and the like according to an aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to appropriately determine the display mode of a user interface to be operated for each user.

[0010] 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an overview of a display control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an old model user interface. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a new model user interface. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a display control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of a display control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the content of step S103 in the flowchart of FIG. 5. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing in detail the content of step S104 in the flowchart of FIG. 5. FIG. 14 is a table summarizing the content of the flowchart of FIG. 7. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing in detail the content of step S105 in the flowchart of FIG. 5. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of a user interface of an operation target determined by a display UI determination unit.

[0011] (Technology 1) A display control system for controlling the display of a user interface operated by a user, comprising: a proficiency determination unit that determines a level of proficiency indicating the user's level of mastery of a first user interface that the user has operated; an adaptability determination unit that determines a level of adaptation indicating the user's level of ease of familiarity with a second user interface that the user has not operated; and a display determination unit that determines, based on the proficiency and the adaptability, a display mode of the user interface to be operated by the user that is a combination of the display mode of the first user interface and the display mode of the second user interface.

[0012] According to Technology 1, the display determination unit determines the display mode of the user interface to be an operation target, which is a combination of the display mode of the first user interface and the display mode of the second user interface, based on the user's proficiency and adaptability. This makes it possible to appropriately change the ratio at which the display mode of the first user interface and the display mode of the second user interface are combined, for example, depending on the user's proficiency and adaptability. As a result, the display mode of the user interface to be operated can be appropriately determined for each user, allowing the user to smoothly become accustomed to the user interface to be operated.

[0013] (Technology 2) The display control system according to Technology 1, wherein the first user interface is a user interface displayed on a first device, and the second user interface is a user interface displayed on a second device different from the first device, and the display determination unit, when the user changes the device to be used from the first device to the second device, determines a display mode of the user interface to be operated on the second device to be a display mode that combines the display mode of the first user interface and the display mode of the second user interface based on the proficiency level and the adaptability level.

[0014] According to Technology 2, when a user changes the device to be used from a first device to a second device, the display mode of the user interface to be operated on the second device can be appropriately determined for each user.

[0015] (Technology 3) The display control system described in Technology 2, wherein the display determination unit changes the display mode of the user interface of the operation target displayed on the second device from a display mode that combines the display mode of the first user interface and the display mode of the second user interface, so as to gradually approach the display mode of the second user interface, depending on a period of use or a number of times the second device has been used by the user.

[0016] According to the third technique, the user can gradually become accustomed to the display mode of the second user interface while using the second device.

[0017] (Technology 4) The display control system according to Technology 2 or 3, wherein the proficiency determination unit and the adaptation determination unit determine the proficiency and the adaptation, respectively, based on an operation history of the first device.

[0018] According to Technique 4, the proficiency determination unit and the adaptation determination unit can easily determine the proficiency and the adaptation, respectively, by using the operation history of the first device.

[0019] (Technology 5) The display control system according to Technology 4, wherein the proficiency level determination unit determines the proficiency level based on the number of uses of one or more functions used by the user from among a plurality of functions of the first device.

[0020] According to the fifth technique, the proficiency determination unit can determine the proficiency easily and accurately.

[0021] (Technology 6) The display control system according to Technology 4 or 5, wherein the adaptability determination unit determines the adaptability based on at least one of (i) the number of types of functions used by the user among the plurality of functions of the first device, (ii) the number of times each of one or more functions used by the user among the plurality of functions of the first device has been used, and (iii) the usage rate of a function that has been used least frequently by the user among the plurality of functions of the first device.

[0022] According to the sixth technique, the adaptation level determination unit can easily and accurately determine the adaptation level.

[0023] (Technology 7) The display control system according to any one of Techniques 4 to 6, wherein the adaptation level determination unit determines the adaptation level by further taking into account information related to attributes of the user.

[0024] According to the seventh technique, the adaptation level determination unit can determine the adaptation level with higher accuracy.

[0025] (Technology 8) The display control system according to any one of Techniques 4 to 6, wherein the adaptability determination unit further determines the adaptability by taking into account how easily the user gets used to the first user interface when the user changes the device to be used from a third device different from each of the first device and the second device to the first device.

[0026] According to Technique 8, the adaptation level determination unit can determine the adaptation level with higher accuracy.

[0027] (Technology 9) A display control method for controlling the display of a user interface operated by a user, the display control method including the steps of: determining a level of proficiency indicating the user's level of mastery of a first user interface that the user has operated; determining an adaptation level indicating the user's level of familiarity with a second user interface that the user has not operated; and determining, based on the proficiency level and the adaptation level, a display mode of the user interface to be operated by the user that is a combination of the display mode of the first user interface and the display mode of the second user interface.

[0028] According to Technology 9, the display mode of the user interface to be operated is determined to be a display mode that combines the display modes of the first user interface and the second user interface based on the user's proficiency and adaptability. This makes it possible to appropriately change the ratio at which the display modes of the first user interface and the second user interface are combined, for example, depending on the user's proficiency and adaptability. As a result, the display mode of the user interface to be operated can be appropriately determined for each user, allowing the user to smoothly become accustomed to the user interface to be operated.

[0029] (Technology 10) A program that causes a computer to execute the display control method according to Technology 9.

[0030] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium.

[0031] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0032] The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concepts are described as optional components.

[0033] (Embodiments) [1. Overview of Display Control System] First, an overview of a display control system 2 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overview of a display control system 2 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of an old model user interface 14. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a new model user interface 18.

[0034] 1, the display control system 2 includes an old device 4 (an example of a first device), a new device 6 (an example of a second device), and a server device 8. The old device 4, the new device 6, and the server device 8 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network 10 such as the Internet.

[0035] The old appliance 4 is an old model appliance that has been used by the user 12, and in this embodiment, is an old model washing machine. The old appliance 4 is provided with a UI display unit 16 for displaying an old model user interface 14 (an example of a first user interface), which is a user interface (UI) operated by the user 12. The UI display unit 16 is configured, for example, by a touch panel. The specific configuration of the old model user interface 14 will be described later.

[0036] The new appliance 6 is a new model appliance that has not been used by the user 12, and in this embodiment, is a new model washing machine. That is, the user 12 has changed the appliance to be used from the old appliance 4 to the new appliance 6 (model change) and is about to start using the new appliance 6. The new appliance 6 is provided with a UI display unit 20 for displaying a new model user interface 18 (an example of a second user interface), which is a user interface operated by the user 12. The UI display unit 20 is configured, for example, by a touch panel. The specific configuration of the new model user interface 18 will be described later.

[0037] The server device 8 acquires driving data indicating the operation history of the old device 4 from the old device 4 via the network 10 over the period during which the user 12 uses the old device 4. The server device 8 then determines the user 12's proficiency and adaptation (described below) based on the acquired driving data, and determines the display mode of the user interface to be displayed on the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6 based on the determined proficiency and adaptation. As a result, when the user 12 starts using the new device 6, the user interface in the display mode determined by the server device 8 is displayed on the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6. A specific method by which the server device 8 determines the display mode of the user interface will be described below.

[0038] In this specification, the term "display mode" refers to the layout of a user interface, and more specifically, the arrangement and size of software buttons and the like displayed on the user interface.

[0039] The old model user interface 14 is a user interface that has been operated by the user 12 and is displayed, for example, in a display mode as shown in Fig. 2. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the old model user interface 14 has a power supply unit 22 for turning the power of the old device 4 on or off, an operation unit 24 for starting or pausing the operation of the old device 4, and a function unit 26 for realizing various functions of the old device 4.

[0040] The power supply unit 22 includes a power-on button 28 for turning on the power of the old device 4 and a power-off button 30 for turning off the power of the old device 4 .

[0041] The operation section 24 includes an operation button 32 for starting or pausing the operation of the old device 4 .

[0042] The functional section 26 includes a course button 34 for selecting a washing course, a course display section 36 for displaying the washing course selected by the course button 34, a reservation button 38 for reserving washing, and a counter display section 40 for displaying the remaining time for washing, etc.

[0043] The course display section 36 displays five washing courses, for example, "Automatic," "My Wash," "Quick Wash," "Blanket," and "Delicates." For example, each time the user 12 touches the course button 34 with his / her finger, the displays of "Automatic," "My Wash," "Quick Wash," "Blanket," and "Delicates" are highlighted (for example, flashing or inverted) in that order, and the highlighted washing course is selected.

[0044] The new model user interface 18 is a user interface that has not been operated by the user 12 at the time the user 12 changes the model from the old device 4 to the new device 6, and is displayed in a display mode such as that shown in Fig. 3. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the new model user interface 18 has a power supply unit 42 for turning the power supply of the new device 6 on or off, an operation unit 44 for starting or pausing the operation of the new device 6, and a function unit 46 for realizing various functions of the new device 6.

[0045] The power supply unit 42 includes a power button 48 for turning on or off the power supply of the new device 6. Every time the user 12 touches the power supply button 48 with his / her finger, the power supply of the new device 6 is switched from on to off.

[0046] The operation section 44 includes an operation button 50 for starting or pausing the operation of the new device 6 .

[0047] The functional section 46 includes an automatic course button 52 for selecting the "automatic" washing course, a my washing course button 54 for selecting the "my laundry" washing course, a speed course button 56 for selecting the "speed" washing course, a blanket course button 58 for selecting the "blanket" washing course, and a house cleaning course button 60 for selecting the "house cleaning" washing course.

[0048] The functional section 46 further includes a download button 62 for downloading various data from the server device 8, a maintenance button 64 for maintaining the washing tub etc., and a steam button 66 for using steam to care for the clothes in the washing tub.

[0049] The function unit 46 further includes a history button 68 for displaying a history of recently used washing courses, a course button 70 for displaying washing courses, and a notice button 72 for displaying various notices. When the user 12 touches the course button 70 with his / her finger, the course button 70 is highlighted, and the automatic course button 52, the my washing course button 54, the speed course button 56, the blanket course button 58, and the house cleaning course button 60 are displayed.

[0050] 2 and 3 , the display mode of the old model user interface 14 is different from the display mode of the new model user interface 18. Specifically, the layout of the power supply unit 22, the operation unit 24, and the function unit 26 in the old model user interface 14 is different from the layout of the power supply unit 42, the operation unit 44, and the function unit 46 in the new model user interface 18.

[0051] The power-on button 28 and the power-off button 30 of the old model user interface 14 correspond to the power button 48 of the new model user interface 18 .

[0052] Furthermore, the operation button 32 of the old model user interface 14 corresponds to the operation button 50 of the new model user interface 18 .

[0053] Furthermore, the course button 34 and the course display section 36 of the old model user interface 14 correspond to the course button 70, the automatic course button 52, the my wash course button 54, the speed course button 56, the blanket course button 58, and the house cleaning course button 60 of the new model user interface 18. Here, the name of the washing course "quick wash" in the old model user interface 14 has been changed to the washing course "speed" in the new model user interface 18. Furthermore, the name of the washing course "delicates" in the old model user interface 14 has been changed to the washing course "house cleaning" in the new model user interface 18.

[0054] Furthermore, the download button 62 , maintenance button 64 , steam button 66 , history button 68 and notification button 72 of the new model user interface 18 are new function buttons that are not present in the old model user interface 14 .

[0055] 2. Functional Configuration of Display Control System Next, the functional configuration of the display control system 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the display control system 2 according to the embodiment.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 4, the old device 4 includes, as its functional components, an operating data transmission unit 74 and a UI display unit 16 .

[0057] The operation data transmission unit 74 transmits operation data indicating the operation history of the old appliance 4 over the period during which the user 12 uses the old appliance 4 to the server device 8 via the network 10 (see FIG. 1 ). The operation data is information that links, for example, ID information for identifying the user 12 (or the old appliance 4), operation information indicating the operation content of the old appliance 4 (for example, that it operated on the "automatic" washing course), and date and time information indicating the operation date and time of the old appliance 4.

[0058] The UI display unit 16 displays the old model user interface 14 described above.

[0059] The new device 6 includes, as its functional components, an operating data transmission unit 76 and a UI display unit 20 .

[0060] The operation data transmission unit 76 transmits operation data indicating the operation history of the new appliance 6 over the period during which the user 12 uses the new appliance 6 to the server device 8 via the network 10. The operation data is information that links, for example, ID information for identifying the user 12 (or the new appliance 6), operation information indicating the operation content of the new appliance 6 (for example, that it operated on the "My Laundry" washing course), and date and time information indicating the operation date and time of the new appliance 6.

[0061] The UI display unit 20 displays the user interface to be operated by the user 12 (i.e., the user interface that is actually operated by the user 12) in a display format determined by a display UI determination unit 94 (described later) of the server device 8.

[0062] The server device 8 has, as its functional configuration, an old equipment operation data DB (database) 78, a new equipment operation data DB 80, a used function type determination unit 82, a usage count counting unit 84, a used function imbalance determination unit 86, a proficiency determination unit 88, an adaptability determination unit 90, a UI data DB 92, and a display UI determination unit 94 (an example of a display determination unit).

[0063] The old device operating data DB 78 is a database for storing operating data transmitted from the old device 4. The old device operating data DB 78 accumulates the operating data transmitted from the old device 4 over the period during which the user 12 uses the old device 4.

[0064] The new device operating data DB 80 is a database for storing operating data transmitted from the new device 6. The new device operating data DB 80 accumulates the operating data transmitted from the new device 6 over the period during which the user 12 uses the new device 6.

[0065] The function type used determination unit 82 determines the number of types of functions used by the user 12 from among the multiple functions of the old device 4 based on the operation data of the old device 4 accumulated in the old device operation data DB 78. For example, if the user 12 has used three washing courses on the old device 4, namely, "automatic," "quick wash," and "delicates," the function type used determination unit 82 determines that the number of types of functions used by the user 12 is "3."

[0066] The usage count tallying unit 84 determines the number of times each of one or more functions used by the user 12 out of the multiple functions of the old device 4 has been used, based on the operation data of the old device 4 accumulated in the old device operation data DB 78. For example, if the user 12 has used the three washing courses of "automatic," "quick wash," and "delicates" 50 times, 30 times, and 5 times, respectively, on the old device 4, the usage count tallying unit 84 determines the number of times each of the functions of "automatic," "quick wash," and "delicates" has been used as "50 times," "30 times," and "5 times," respectively.

[0067] The function usage imbalance determination unit 86 determines the usage rate of the function that is least frequently used by the user 12 among the functions of the old device 4, based on the operation data of the old device 4 accumulated in the old device operation data DB 78. For example, if the user 12 has used the four washing courses of "Automatic," "My Wash," "Quick Wash," and "Blanket" 70 times, 15 times, 10 times, and 5 times, respectively, on the old device 4, the function usage imbalance determination unit 86 determines the usage rate of the least frequently used function, "Blanket," to be "0.05 (= 5 times the "Blanket" function has been used / 100 times in total operation of the old device 4)."

[0068] The proficiency determination unit 88 determines the proficiency of the user 12 based on the counting result of the number of uses counting unit 84. Specifically, the proficiency determination unit 88 determines the proficiency of the user 12 based on a comparison between the number of uses of one or more functions used by the user 12 out of the multiple functions of the old device 4 and a first threshold value (e.g., 10 times). In this specification, "proficiency" is an index indicating the degree to which the user 12 is proficient in using the old-model user interface 14, and is expressed in two levels, for example, "high" and "low."

[0069] The adaptation level determination unit 90 determines the adaptation level of the user 12 based on the determination result of the used function type determination unit 82, the counting result of the use count counting unit 84, and the determination result of the used function imbalance determination unit 86. Specifically, the adaptation level determination unit 90 determines the adaptation level of the user 12 based on (i) a comparison of the number of types of functions used by the user 12 among the multiple functions of the old device 4 with a second threshold (e.g., three), (ii) a comparison of the number of times each of one or more functions used by the user 12 among the multiple functions of the old device 4 with a third threshold (e.g., 10 times), and (iii) a comparison of the usage rate of the function least frequently used by the user 12 among the multiple functions of the old device 4 with a fourth threshold (e.g., 0.3). In this specification, "adaptability" is an index indicating the degree to which the user 12 is accustomed to the new-model user interface 18, and is expressed in two levels, for example, "high" and "low."

[0070] The UI data DB 92 is a database that stores image data representing the old model user interface 14 and image data representing the new model user interface 18 .

[0071] When the user 12 changes the device to be used from the old device 4 to the new device 6, the display UI determination unit 94 determines the display mode of the user interface to be operated, which will be displayed on the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6, based on the proficiency determined by the proficiency determination unit 88 and the adaptation determined by the adaptation determination unit 90. Specifically, the display UI determination unit 94 determines, based on the proficiency and adaptation, the display mode of the user interface to be operated, which will be displayed on the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6, to be a display mode (hereinafter also referred to as the "third display mode") that combines the display mode of the old model user interface 14 (hereinafter also referred to as the "first display mode") with the display mode of the new model user interface 18 (hereinafter also referred to as the "second display mode"). At this time, the display UI determination unit 94 determines the ratio of the combination of the display mode of the old model user interface 14 and the display mode of the new model user interface 18, based on the proficiency and adaptation, by referring to the UI data DB 92.

[0072] Furthermore, the display UI determination unit 94 changes the display mode of the user interface of the operation target displayed on the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6 based on the operation data of the new device 6 accumulated in the new device operation data DB 80. Specifically, after determining that the display mode of the user interface of the operation target displayed on the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6 is the third display mode, the display UI determination unit 94 changes the display mode of the user interface of the operation target displayed on the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6 so that it gradually approaches the second display mode from the third display mode depending on the period of use or the number of times the new device 6 has been used by the user 12.

[0073] 4 , the display control system 2 may include a terminal device 96 in addition to the above-described old device 4, new device 6, and server device 8. The terminal device 96 is a terminal device operated by the user 12, and is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer. The terminal device 96 is communicably connected to the server device 8 via the network 10. The terminal device 96 can also communicate with the new device 6 via, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark). The terminal device 96 includes a display unit 98 and a native language transmission unit 100.

[0074] The display unit 98 is configured, for example, with a touch panel, and displays the user interface of the operation target in a display mode determined by the display UI determination unit 94 of the server device 8. That is, the display mode of the user interface of the operation target displayed on the display unit 98 is the same as the display mode of the user interface of the operation target displayed on the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6. After establishing a connection between the terminal device 96 and the new device 6, the user 12 can remotely control the new device 6 by operating the user interface of the operation target displayed on the display unit 98. Note that the size and layout of the operation buttons on the user interface of the operation target displayed on the display unit 98 may be adjusted as appropriate depending on the screen size of the display unit 98, etc.

[0075] The native language transmitting unit 100 transmits native language data indicating the native language of the user 12 to the server device 8 via the network 10 .

[0076] As shown in FIG. 4, the server device 8 may further include a user attribute data DB 102, a model change data DB 104, and a translation unit 106 in addition to the above-described components.

[0077] The user attribute data DB 102 is a database that stores information related to the attributes of the user 12. The attributes of the user 12 are the characteristics or properties of the user 12, such as the age, gender, and hobbies and interests (whether the user likes new things) of the user 12. In this case, the adaptation level determination unit 90 may determine the adaptation level by referring to the user attribute data DB 102 and taking into account the information related to the attributes of the user 12.

[0078] More specifically, the user attribute data DB 102 stores information about the attributes of the user 12 that is separately input by the user 12 and that is acquired from an external server, a terminal device, or the like (not shown). For example, if the user attribute data DB 102 stores information that the user 12 likes new things, the adaptation level determination unit 90 may set at least one of the second threshold, the third threshold, and the fourth threshold to a low value so that the adaptation level is more likely to be determined to be relatively high. Also, for example, if the user attribute data DB 102 stores information that the user 12 is elderly, the adaptation level determination unit 90 may set at least one of the second threshold, the third threshold, and the fourth threshold to a high value so that the adaptation level is more likely to be determined to be relatively low.

[0079] The model change data DB 104 is a database that stores data related to past model changes by the user 12. In this case, the adaptation level determination unit 90 may determine the adaptation level by referring to the model change data DB 104, taking into account the ease with which the user 12 becomes accustomed to the old model user interface 14 when the user 12 changes the device he or she is using from a device (an example of a third device) that is even older than the old device 4 to the old device 4. Here, the ease with which the user 12 becomes accustomed to the old model user interface 14 is an index that indicates, for example, how short a period of time it takes for the user 12 to use a new function added to the old model user interface 14 a predetermined number of times.

[0080] The translation unit 106 translates the language of the user interface to be operated, displayed on the display unit 98 of the terminal device 96 , into the native language of the user 12 based on the native language data transmitted from the terminal device 96 .

[0081] 3. Operation of the Display Control System Next, the operation of the display control system 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the display control system 2 according to the embodiment.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 5, first, the old device operating data DB 78 of the server device 8 accumulates the operating data of the old device 4 transmitted from the old device 4 over the period during which the user 12 uses the old device 4 (S101).

[0083] Next, the user 12 changes the model of the device to be used from the old device 4 to the new device 6 (S102).

[0084] Thereafter, the function type used determination unit 82 of the server device 8 determines the number of types of functions used by the user 12 among the multiple functions of the old device 4, based on the operation data of the old device 4 accumulated in the old device operation data DB 78. Furthermore, the use count tallying unit 84 of the server device 8 determines the number of uses of each of one or more functions used by the user 12 among the multiple functions of the old device 4, based on the operation data of the old device 4 accumulated in the old device operation data DB 78. Furthermore, the function used imbalance determination unit 86 of the server device 8 determines the usage rate of the function that is least frequently used by the user 12 among the multiple functions of the old device 4, based on the operation data of the old device 4 accumulated in the old device operation data DB 78.

[0085] Next, the skill level determination unit 88 of the server device 8 determines the skill level of the user 12 based on the counting result of the use counting unit 84 (S103). A specific method for determining the skill level by the skill level determination unit 88 will be described later.

[0086] Next, the adaptation level determination unit 90 of the server device 8 determines the adaptation level of the user 12 based on the determination result of the used function type determination unit 82, the counting result of the use counting unit 84, and the determination result of the used function imbalance determination unit 86 (S104). A specific method for determining the adaptation level by the adaptation level determination unit 90 will be described later.

[0087] Next, the display UI determination unit 94 of the server device 8 determines the display mode of the user interface to be operated, which is to be displayed on the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6, based on the proficiency level determined in step S103 and the adaptation level determined in step S104 (S105). A specific method for determining the display mode of the user interface to be operated, by the display UI determination unit 94, will be described later.

[0088] Next, the new appliance driving data DB 80 of the server device 8 accumulates the driving data transmitted from the new appliance 6 over the period during which the user 12 uses the new appliance 6 (S106).

[0089] Next, the display UI determination unit 94 determines, based on the operation data of the new device 6 stored in the new device operation data DB 80, whether the period of use of the new device 6 by the user 12 (i.e., the period of use from the time when the display UI determination unit 94 determined the display mode of the user interface to be operated) has reached a fifth threshold value (e.g., one month) or whether the number of times the new device 6 has been used by the user 12 (i.e., the number of times the new device 6 has been used from the time when the display UI determination unit 94 determined the display mode of the user interface to be operated) has reached a sixth threshold value (e.g., 30 times) (S107). If the period of use of the new device 6 by the user 12 is less than one month or the number of times the new device 6 has been used by the user 12 is less than 30 times (NO in S107), the process returns to step S106 described above.

[0090] On the other hand, if the user 12 has been using the new device 6 for one month or has used the new device 6 30 times (YES in S107), the display UI determination unit 94 changes the display mode of the user interface of the operation target displayed on the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6 (S108). Specifically, the display UI determination unit 94 gradually changes the display mode of the user interface of the operation target displayed on the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6 from the third display mode (a display mode that combines the display mode of the old model user interface 14 and the display mode of the new model user interface 18) to the second display mode (the display mode of the new model user interface 18) depending on the period of use or the number of times the user 12 has used the new device 6.

[0091] As a result, if the display mode of the user interface to be operated, displayed on the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6, has not been completely changed to the second display mode (NO in S109), the process returns to step S106 described above. Then, the process proceeds to step S107, where, similarly to the above, the display UI determination unit 94 determines, based on the operation data of the new device 6 accumulated in the new device operation data DB 80, whether the period of use of the new device 6 by the user 12 (i.e., the period of use from the time the display UI determination unit 94 changed the display mode of the user interface to be operated) has reached a fifth threshold, or whether the number of times the new device 6 has been used by the user 12 (i.e., the number of times it has been used from the time the display UI determination unit 94 changed the display mode of the user interface to be operated) has reached a sixth threshold.

[0092] On the other hand, if the display mode of the user interface to be operated displayed on the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6 has been completely changed to the second display mode (YES in S109), the process of the flowchart in FIG. 5 ends.

[0093] Here, with reference to Fig. 6, the content of step S103 in the flowchart of Fig. 5, i.e., the method of determining the proficiency level by the proficiency level determination unit 88, will be specifically described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart specifically showing the content of step S103 in the flowchart of Fig. 5.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 6, the proficiency level determination unit 88 compares the number of times each of one or more functions used by the user 12 among the multiple functions of the old device 4 with a first threshold value (e.g., 10 times) (S201).

[0095] If the number of times each of one or more functions has been used by the user 12 is 10 or more (YES in S201), the skill level determination unit 88 determines that the skill level of the user 12 is "high" (S202).

[0096] On the other hand, if the number of times each of the one or more functions has been used by the user 12 is less than 10 times (NO in S201), the proficiency level determination unit 88 determines that the proficiency level of the user 12 is "low" (S203).

[0097] Next, the content of step S104 in the flowchart of Fig. 5, i.e., the method of determining the adaptation level by the adaptation level determination unit 90, will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a flowchart specifically showing the content of step S104 in the flowchart of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a table summarizing the content of the flowchart of Fig. 7.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 7, first, the adaptation level determination unit 90 compares the number of types of functions used by the user 12 among the multiple functions of the old device 4 with a second threshold value (for example, three) (S301).

[0099] If the user 12 does not use three or more functions (NO in S301), the adaptation level determination unit 90 determines that the adaptation level of the user 12 is "low" (S302).

[0100] On the other hand, if the user 12 is using three or more functions (YES in S301), the process proceeds to step S303. Next, the adaptation level determination unit 90 compares the number of times each of one or more functions used by the user 12 among the multiple functions of the old device 4 with a third threshold (e.g., 10 times) (S303). For example, the adaptation level determination unit 90 compares the number of times each of the top three functions used most frequently by the user 12 among the multiple functions of the old device 4 with the third threshold.

[0101] If the number of times each of one or more functions by the user 12 is ten or more (YES in S303), the adaptation level determination unit 90 determines that the adaptation level of the user 12 is "high" (S305). This means that the more times the user 12 uses more functions of the old device 4, the more "high" the adaptation level of the user 12 is determined to be.

[0102] On the other hand, if the number of times each of the one or more functions has been used by the user 12 is less than 10 times (NO in S303), the process proceeds to step S304. Next, the adaptation level determination unit 90 compares the usage rate of the function that has been used least frequently by the user 12 among the functions of the old device 4 with a fourth threshold value (e.g., 0.3) (S304).

[0103] If the usage rate of the function least frequently used by the user 12 is less than 0.3 (NO in S304), the adaptation level determination unit 90 determines that the adaptation level of the user 12 is "low" (S302).

[0104] On the other hand, if the usage rate of the function least frequently used by the user 12 is 0.3 or more (YES in S304), the adaptation level determination unit 90 determines that the adaptation level of the user 12 is "high" (S305). This means that the more functions of the old device 4 that the user 12 uses evenly, the more the adaptation level of the user 12 is determined to be "high."

[0105] The contents of the flowchart of FIG. 7 described above, that is, the method of determining the degree of adaptation by the adaptation degree determining unit 90, can be summarized as shown in the table of FIG.

[0106] Next, the content of step S105 in the flowchart of Fig. 5, i.e., the method of determining the display mode of the user interface to be operated by the display UI determination unit 94, will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. Fig. 9 is a flowchart specifically showing the content of step S105 in the flowchart of Fig. 5. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of the user interface to be operated determined by the display UI determination unit 94.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 9, the display UI determination unit 94 checks the combination of the proficiency determined by the proficiency determination unit 88 and the adaptation level determined by the adaptation level determination unit 90 (S401).

[0108] If the proficiency and adaptation levels are both "low" ("(low, low)" in S401), the display UI determination unit 94 determines the display mode of the user interface of the operation target to be displayed on the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6 to be a display mode closer to the old model user interface 14, for example, as shown in Fig. 10(a) (S402). Here, the display mode closer to the old model user interface 14 is a display mode (third display mode) in which the display mode of the old model user interface 14 and the display mode of the new model user interface 18 are combined in a ratio of, for example, 70:30.

[0109] As a result, the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6 displays the user interface 108a to be operated in a display style that is closer to the old model user interface 14, as shown in Fig. 10(a), for example. A user 12 with low proficiency and low adaptability can operate the user interface to be operated without feeling uncomfortable if it is displayed in a display style that is closer to the old model user interface 14. The display style of the user interface 108a shown in Fig. 10(a) is the same as the display style of the old model user interface 14, except for the following points.

[0110] 10A, the user interface 108a displays "New Speed" and "New House Cleaning" alongside the displays of "Quick Wash" and "Density" in the course display section 36a. This allows the user 12 to recognize that the wash courses "Quick Wash" and "Density" in the old model user interface 14 have been renamed to "Speed" and "House Cleaning," respectively, in the new model user interface 18.

[0111] 10A, in addition to the display mode of the old model user interface 14, a new function button 110 is displayed. The new function button 110 is a button for displaying new functions (a download button, a maintenance button, and a steam button) added in the new model user interface 18. Although not shown, when the user 12 touches the new function button 110 with his / her finger, for example, the display transitions from the new function button 110 to a download button, a maintenance button, and a steam button. This allows the user 12 to recognize that new functions not available in the old model user interface 14 have been added to the new model user interface 18.

[0112] 9 , if the proficiency level is "low" and the adaptation level is "high," or if the proficiency level is "high" and the adaptation level is "low" ("(low, high) or (high, low)" in S401), the display UI determination unit 94 determines the display mode of the user interface of the operation target to be displayed on the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6 to be, for example, an intermediate display mode between the old model user interface and the new model user interface as shown in (b) of Fig. 10 (S403). Here, the intermediate display mode between the old model user interface 14 and the new model user interface 18 is a display mode (third display mode) in which the display mode of the old model user interface 14 and the display mode of the new model user interface 18 are combined in a ratio of, for example, 50:50.

[0113] As a result, the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6 displays the user interface 108b to be operated in a display mode intermediate between the old model user interface 14 and the new model user interface 18, as shown in Fig. 10(b), for example. A user 12 with low proficiency or low adaptability can operate the user interface to be operated without feeling uncomfortable if it is displayed in a display mode intermediate between the old model user interface 14 and the new model user interface 18. The display mode of the user interface 108b shown in Fig. 10(b) is the same as the display mode of the old model user interface 14, except for the following points.

[0114] In the user interface 108b shown in FIG. 10B, the course display section 36b displays five washing courses, for example, "Auto," "My Wash," "Speed," "Blanket," and "House Cleaning." Here, the "Speed" and "House Cleaning" courses are displayed alongside the "Old Quick Wash" and "Old Delicates" courses, respectively, in the course display section 36b. This allows the user 12 to recognize that the names of the washing courses "Speed" and "House Cleaning" in the new model user interface 18 have been changed from the "Quick Wash" and "Delicates" courses in the old model user interface 14, respectively.

[0115] 10B, a download button 62b, a maintenance button 64b, and a steam button 66b are displayed in addition to the display mode of the old model user interface 14. The download button 62b, the maintenance button 64b, and the steam button 66b correspond to the download button 62, the maintenance button 64, and the steam button 66, respectively, of the new model user interface 18 shown in FIG. 3. This allows the user 12 to recognize that new functions not available in the old model user interface 14 have been added to the new model user interface 18.

[0116] 9, if the proficiency level and the adaptation level are both "high" ("(high, high)" in S401), the display UI determination unit 94 determines the display mode of the user interface of the operation target to be displayed on the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6 to be a display mode (third display mode) closer to the new model user interface 18, for example, as shown in (c) of Fig. 10 (S404). Here, the display mode closer to the new model user interface 18 is a display mode in which the display mode of the old model user interface 14 and the display mode of the new model user interface 18 are combined in a ratio of, for example, 30:70.

[0117] As a result, the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6 displays the user interface 108c to be operated in a display mode that is closer to the new model user interface 18, as shown in Fig. 10(c), for example. A user 12 with high proficiency and adaptability can quickly become accustomed to operating the user interface to be operated, even if it is displayed in a display mode that is closer to the new model user interface 18. The display mode of the user interface 108c shown in Fig. 10(c) is the same as the display mode of the new model user interface 18, except for the following points.

[0118] 10(c), the speed course button 56c and the house cleaning course button 60c are displayed with the indications "(old quick wash)" and "(old delicates)," respectively. This allows the user 12 to recognize that the names of the washing courses "speed" and "house cleaning" in the new model user interface 18 have been changed from the washing courses "quick wash" and "delicates," respectively, in the old model user interface 14.

[0119] Here, consider a case where the display UI determination unit 94 determines the display mode of the user interface to be closer to the old model user interface 14 shown in Fig. 10(a). In this case, when the period of use of the new device 6 by the user 12 (i.e., the period of use from the time when the display UI determination unit 94 determined the display mode of the user interface to be operated) reaches one month, or when the number of times the new device 6 has been used by the user 12 (i.e., the number of times it has been used from the time when the display UI determination unit 94 determined the display mode of the user interface to be operated) reaches 30, the display UI determination unit 94 changes the display mode of the user interface to be operated from the display mode closer to the old model user interface 14 shown in Fig. 10(a) to a display mode intermediate between the old model user interface 14 and the new model user interface 18 shown in Fig. 10(b).

[0120] Thereafter, when the period of use of the new device 6 by the user 12 (i.e., the period of use from the time the display UI determination unit 94 changed the display mode of the user interface to be operated) reaches another 1 month, or when the number of times the new device 6 has been used by the user 12 (i.e., the number of times it has been used from the time the display UI determination unit 94 changed the display mode of the user interface to be operated) reaches another 30 times, the display UI determination unit 94 changes the display mode of the user interface to be operated from a display mode intermediate between the old model user interface 14 and the new model user interface 18 shown in (b) of Figure 10 to a display mode closer to the new model user interface 18 shown in (c) of Figure 10.

[0121] Thereafter, when the period of use of the new device 6 by the user 12 (i.e., the period of use since the display UI determination unit 94 last changed the display mode of the user interface to be operated) reaches another 1 month, or when the number of times the new device 6 has been used by the user 12 (i.e., the number of times it has been used since the display UI determination unit 94 last changed the display mode of the user interface to be operated) reaches another 30 times, the display UI determination unit 94 changes the display mode of the user interface to be operated from a display mode closer to the new model user interface 18 shown in (c) of FIG. 10 to the display mode of the new model user interface 18 shown in FIG. 3.

[0122] In this way, the display UI determination unit 94 determines the display mode of the user interface to be displayed on the new device 6 as the third display mode, and then changes the display mode of the user interface to be displayed on the new device 6 so that it gradually approaches the second display mode from the third display mode depending on the period of use or number of times the new device 6 has been used by the user 12.

[0123] [4. Effects] In the present embodiment, the display UI determination unit 94 determines the display mode of the user interface to be operated as a display mode that combines the display mode of the old model user interface 14 and the display mode of the new model user interface 18, based on the proficiency and adaptation of the user 12. This makes it possible to appropriately change the ratio at which the display mode of the old model user interface 14 and the display mode of the new model user interface 18 are combined, for example, according to the proficiency and adaptation of the user 12. As a result, it is possible to appropriately determine the display mode of the user interface to be operated for each user 12, and the user 12 can smoothly become accustomed to the user interface to be operated.

[0124] (Other Modifications) While the display control system according to one or more aspects has been described above based on the above embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. As long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure, various modifications conceivable by a person skilled in the art to the above embodiment or configurations constructed by combining components of different embodiments may also be included within the scope of one or more aspects.

[0125] In the above embodiment, the old device 4 and the new device 6 are each a washing machine, but this is not limited to this and may be, for example, various home appliances such as a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a rice cooker, or a smartphone, or industrial equipment such as a machine tool.

[0126] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a case where the user 12 changes the model from the old device 4 to the new device 6 is described, but this is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a case where the model of the device, such as a smartphone, is not changed, and only the user interface installed on the device is changed (upgraded) from the old model user interface to the new model user interface.

[0127] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the display UI determination unit 94 determines the display mode of the user interface of the operation target to be displayed on the UI display unit 20 of the new device 6 to be the third display mode based on the proficiency and adaptation level, but this is not limited thereto and the display mode may be determined to be the first display mode or the second display mode. For example, the display UI determination unit 94 may (a) determine the display mode of the user interface of the operation target to be the first display mode when the proficiency and adaptation level are both "low," (b) determine the display mode of the user interface of the operation target to be the third display mode when the proficiency level is "low" and the adaptation level is "high," or (c) determine the display mode of the user interface of the operation target to be the second display mode when the proficiency and adaptation level are both "high."

[0128] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the adaptability determination unit 90 determined the adaptability of the user 12 based on (i) the number of types of functions used by the user 12 out of the multiple functions of the old device 4, (ii) the number of times each of one or more functions used by the user 12 out of the multiple functions of the old device 4 was used, and (iii) the usage rate of the function used least frequently by the user 12 out of the multiple functions of the old device 4. However, this is not limited to this, and the adaptability of the user 12 may be determined based on at least one of the above three parameters.

[0129] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0130] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the display control system according to the above-described embodiment may be realized by a processor such as a CPU executing a program.

[0131] The present disclosure may be the method described in Technology 9 above. It may also be a computer program for implementing these methods on a computer, or a digital signal comprising the computer program. The present disclosure may also be the computer program or the digital signal recorded on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium, such as a flexible disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, MO, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), semiconductor memory, etc.

[0132] The present disclosure is applicable to, for example, a display control system for controlling the display of a user interface in a device.

[0133] 2 Display control system 4 Old device 6 New device 8 Server device 10 Network 12 User 14 Old model user interface 16 UI display section 18 New model user interface 20 UI display section 22, 42 Power section 24, 44 Operation section 26, 46 Function section 28 Power on button 30 Power off button 32, 50 Operation button 34 Course buttons 36, 36a, 36b Course display section 38 Reservation button 40 Counter display section 48 Power button 52 Automatic course button 54 My washing course button 56, 56c Speed ​​course button 58 Blanket course button 60, 60c House cleaning course button 62, 62b Download button 64, 64b Care button 66, 66b Steam button 68 History button 70 Course button 72 Notification button 74, 76 Operating data transmission unit 78 Old equipment operating data DB 80 New equipment operating data DB 82 Used function type determination unit 84 Usage count counting unit 86 Used function imbalance determination unit 88 Familiarity determination unit 90 Adaptation determination unit 92 UI data DB 94 Display UI determination unit 96 Terminal device 98 Display unit 100 Native language transmission unit 102 User attribute data DB 104 Model change data DB 106 Translation unit 108a, 108b, 108c User interface 110 New function button

Claims

1. A display control system for controlling the display of a user interface operated by a user, comprising: a proficiency determination unit that determines a level of proficiency indicating the user's level of mastery of a first user interface that the user has operated; an adaptability determination unit that determines a level of adaptation indicating the user's level of familiarity with a second user interface that the user has not operated; and a display determination unit that determines, based on the proficiency and adaptability, a display mode of the user interface to be operated by the user that is a combination of the display mode of the first user interface and the display mode of the second user interface.

2. The display control system of claim 1, wherein the first user interface is a user interface displayed on a first device, the second user interface is a user interface displayed on a second device different from the first device, and the display determination unit, when the user changes the device to be used from the first device to the second device, determines the display mode of the user interface to be operated on the second device to be a display mode that combines the display mode of the first user interface and the display mode of the second user interface based on the proficiency level and the adaptability level.

3. The display control system of claim 2, wherein the display determination unit changes the display mode of the user interface of the operation target displayed on the second device from a display mode that combines the display mode of the first user interface and the display mode of the second user interface to a display mode that gradually approaches the display mode of the second user interface, depending on the period of use or number of times the second device has been used by the user.

4. The display control system according to claim 2, wherein the proficiency determination unit and the adaptation determination unit respectively determine the proficiency and the adaptation based on the operation history of the first device.

5. The display control system according to claim 4, wherein the proficiency level determination unit determines the proficiency level based on the number of times each of one or more functions used by the user out of the plurality of functions of the first device is used.

6. The display control system of claim 4, wherein the adaptability determination unit determines the adaptability based on at least one of (i) the number of types of functions used by the user out of the plurality of functions of the first device, (ii) the number of times each of one or more functions used by the user out of the plurality of functions of the first device has been used, and (iii) the usage rate of the function least frequently used by the user out of the plurality of functions of the first device.

7. The display control system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the adaptability determining unit determines the adaptability by further taking into account information relating to the attributes of the user.

8. The display control system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the adaptability determination unit further determines the adaptability by taking into account the ease with which the user becomes accustomed to the first user interface when the user changes the device to be used from a third device different from each of the first device and the second device to the first device.

9. A display control method for controlling the display of a user interface operated by a user, comprising: a step of determining a level of proficiency indicating the user's level of mastery of a first user interface that the user has operated; a step of determining an adaptation level indicating the user's level of familiarity with a second user interface that the user has not operated; and a step of determining, based on the proficiency level and the adaptation level, a display mode of the user interface to be operated by the user that is a combination of the display mode of the first user interface and the display mode of the second user interface.

10. A program that causes a computer to execute the display control method according to claim 9.

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