U.S. patent application number 17/825150 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-08 for information notification method, information notification system, and server device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America. Invention is credited to Kazunori ISOGAI, Motoji OHMORI, Michiko SASAGAWA, Hideo UMETANI, Yuji UNAGAMI.
Application Number | 20220286375 17/825150 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006362258 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220286375 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SASAGAWA; Michiko ; et
al. |
September 8, 2022 |
INFORMATION NOTIFICATION METHOD, INFORMATION NOTIFICATION SYSTEM,
AND SERVER DEVICE
Abstract
An information notification method for providing information
from a server device to a plurality of devices connected to a
network, including: reading notification information stored in
association with information indicating a particular action of a
user; acquiring operation histories of the plurality of devices;
estimating, based on operation histories of one or more devices
owned by the user among the plurality of devices, a no-operation
period during which the user is unlikely to operate the one or more
devices; determining, based on current operation state of the one
or more devices, whether the particular action has been performed
outside the no-operation period; and transmitting, when outcome of
the determining is affirmative, the notification information
associated with the particular action to a destination device among
the one or more devices owned by the user. The destination device
provides the user with the notification information.
Inventors: |
SASAGAWA; Michiko; (Osaka,
JP) ; OHMORI; Motoji; (Osaka, JP) ; UNAGAMI;
Yuji; (Osaka, JP) ; UMETANI; Hideo; (Osaka,
JP) ; ISOGAI; Kazunori; (Osaka, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America |
Torrance |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006362258 |
Appl. No.: |
17/825150 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16562712 |
Sep 6, 2019 |
11374841 |
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17825150 |
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14382558 |
Sep 3, 2014 |
10454800 |
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PCT/JP2013/005661 |
Sep 25, 2013 |
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16562712 |
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61720751 |
Oct 31, 2012 |
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61707279 |
Sep 28, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 41/0816 20130101;
H04L 43/10 20130101; G06Q 30/0255 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 43/10 20060101
H04L043/10; G06Q 30/02 20060101 G06Q030/02; H04L 41/0816 20060101
H04L041/0816 |
Claims
1. An information notification method for providing information
from a server device to a plurality of devices connected to a
network, the method comprising: the server device reading a user
information table in which information including a user ID is
associated with information including a device ID for a device
owned by the user; reading a notification information table in
which at least device type information and notification information
are associated with each other; determining if a current time is
within a defined period; when the current time is within the
defined period, determining whether a defined device owned by the
user has been operated by referring to history information in which
an operation history of operation of the defined device owned by
the user is recorded; and upon determining that the defined device
has been operated, transmitting the notification information
associated with device type information of the defined device in
the notification information table.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the defined device is a device
related to cooking, and the notification information is information
on cooking or ingredients.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the server device further reads a
notification condition information table in which a notification
condition for transmitting the notification information and a
device type as a destination for transmission of the notification
information are associated with each other, reads a device
information table in which device type and notification method are
associated with each other, upon determining that the defined
device has been operated, determines the device type and the
notification method for the transmitting of the notification
information, based on the information in the notification condition
information table and the device information table, and executes
the transmitting of the notification information to the device type
determined, using the notification method determined.
4. A server device that provides information to a plurality of
devices connected to a network, the server device: reading a user
information table in which information including a user ID is
associated with information including a device ID for a device
owned by the user; reading a notification information table in
which at least device type information and notification information
are associated with each other; determining if a current time is
within a defined period; when the current time is within the
defined period, determining whether a defined device owned by the
user has been operated by referring to history information in which
an operation history of operation of the defined device owned by
the user is recorded; and upon determining that the defined device
has been operated, transmitting the notification information
associated with device type information of the defined device in
the notification information table.
Description
[0001] This application claims benefit to the provisional U.S.
application No. 61/707,279 filed on Sep. 28, 2012 and No.
61/720,751 filed on Oct. 31, 2012.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to technology of providing
devices connected to a network with information from an external
server, and in particular to technology of determining the timing
of providing the information and determining the destination
devices to which the information is to be provided.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] In recent years, networked home appliances (hereinafter
simply referred to as "appliances") have become common, which have
the function of communicating with an external server via a
communication network such as the Internet or a mobile telephone
network. This function is used by, for example, an advertisement
distribution system that transmits information such as an
advertisement from an external server to such appliances (e.g.
Patent Literature 1). An advertisement distribution server in the
advertisement distribution system distributes an advertisement to a
plurality of appliances simultaneously, according to conditions
determined by an advertiser in advance, such as the starting time
and the period of distribution, and the destinations of the
advertisement.
[0004] In this advertisement distribution system, however, it is
not considered whether the users of the appliances at the
destinations of the advertisement are in the vicinity of their
respective appliances at the time of actual distribution of the
advertisement. If the users are not in the vicinity of the
appliances at the time of distribution of the advertisement and
cannot recognize the advertisement, it can hardly be said that the
advertisement distribution is effective. In view of this problem,
Patent Literature 2 discloses technology of delivering an
advertisement to an appliance at the time the user operates the
appliance, aiming to achieve more effective distribution of
advertisements.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0005] [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Application
Publication No. 2004-240915 [0006] [Patent Literature 2] Japanese
Patent Application Publication No. 2009-258975
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0007] Here, the timing of operating an appliance depends on the
user, and it is therefore not always possible for the advertiser to
distribute an advertisement to the user within a particular period
as desired by the advertiser. For this reason, when distributing,
for example, an advertisement of special offers available for a
limited time, the advertiser needs to predict the behaviors of the
users to determine the timing of distributing the advertisement.
However, due to diversity in lifestyle of users in recent years, it
is difficult to take the lifestyle of every individual user into
consideration to determine the conditions for advertisement
distribution such as the timing of distribution. Furthermore,
appliances that can be provided with an advertisement are limited
to those having been actually operated, and if any appliances that
have been operated are not equipped to present an advertisement
provided by the advertiser to the users, the advertiser cannot
effectively communicate the information to the users.
[0008] The present invention is made in view of such problems, and
aims to provide an information notification method that allows for
effective notification of information such as advertisements to
users by determining the timing of distribution in a preferable
manner.
Solution to Problem
[0009] To solve the above-described problem, one aspect of the
present invention provides an information notification method for
providing information from a server device to a plurality of
devices connected to a network, comprising: a reading step of
reading notification information that is stored in association with
information indicating a particular action of a user; an acquiring
step of acquiring operation histories of the plurality of devices;
an estimating step of estimating, based on operation histories of
one or more devices owned by the user among the plurality of
devices, a no-operation period during which the user is unlikely to
operate the one or more devices; a determining step of determining,
based on current operation state of the one or more devices,
whether the particular action has been performed outside the
no-operation period; and a transmitting step of, when outcome of
the determining step is affirmative, transmitting the notification
information associated with the particular action to a destination
device among the one or more devices owned by the user, wherein the
destination device, receiving the notification information,
provides the user with the notification information.
Effects of Invention
[0010] With the information notification method pertaining to the
present invention, information to be transmitted is set with
respect to each of several particular actions, and the information
is transmitted timely by determining whether any of the particular
actions have been performed by the user, based on the operation
histories of the devices. Therefore, the information notification
method can effectively provide the user with information such as
advertisements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration
of an information notification system 1 pertaining to Embodiment
1.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating primary
components of a server device 10.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
a service information table 1000.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
setting information 900 set by an information provider.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
an event condition information table 2000.
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
a notification information table 1100.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
a notification condition information table 1500.
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
an appliance information table 1300.
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
a user information table 1200.
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
an operation history information table 1400.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram illustrating primary
components of an appliance1002.
[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates an example user interface (UI) used by
an information provider when setting conditions for providing
information.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for a notification process performed
by a server device 10.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for a notification process based on
execution of a function.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a flowchart for a notification process based on
operation histories.
[0026] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for a notification process based on a
context search.
[0027] FIG. 17 is a flowchart for a notification process based on
specified timing.
[0028] FIG. 18 is a flowchart for a notification process based on
user operation histories.
[0029] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating periods during which an
appliance relating to notification conditions was operating and
periods during which the appliance was not operating.
[0030] FIG. 20 is a flowchart for selection of notification-target
appliances.
[0031] FIG. 21 is a flowchart for registration of a substitute
notification-target appliance.
[0032] FIG. 22 is a flowchart for providing notification
information to a monitoring-target appliance.
[0033] FIG. 23 is a functional block diagram illustrating primary
components of an appliance1003.
[0034] FIG. 24 is an example of a feedback from a user.
[0035] FIG. 25 is a functional block diagram illustrating primary
components of a server device 11.
[0036] FIG. 26 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
a notification information table 1101.
[0037] FIG. 27 is a flowchart for a notification process based on
favorites setting.
[0038] FIG. 28 is a flowchart for a reminding process A.
[0039] FIG. 29 is a flowchart for a reminding process B.
[0040] FIG. 30 is a modified example of a feedback from a user.
[0041] FIG. 31 is a functional block diagram illustrating primary
components of an appliance1004.
[0042] FIG. 32 is a functional block diagram illustrating primary
components of an appliance1005.
[0043] FIG. 33 is a functional block diagram illustrating primary
components of a server device 12.
[0044] FIG. 34 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
a notification information table 1102.
[0045] FIG. 35 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a service
allowing for purchase of consumable goods.
[0046] FIG. 36 is flowchart for operations performed by the server
device 12 at shortage of consumable goods.
[0047] FIG. 37 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a modified
example of a service allowing for purchase of consumable goods.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
1. Embodiment 1
<1.1 Overview>
[0048] The following explains an information notification system 1
as an embodiment utilizing an information notification method
pertaining to the present invention, with reference to the
drawings.
[0049] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example structure
of the information notification system 1 pertaining to the present
embodiment.
[0050] The information notification system 1 includes a server
device 10, an information provider server 30, appliances A through
F and GW 1001, which are connected to a network 20.
[0051] Each appliance is directly or indirectly connected to the
network 20. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the appliances A
through C are installed within a house 500, and are connected to
the network 20 via the GW 1001. The appliances D and E are
installed within a house 600, and are each connected to the network
20 directly. The appliances F and G are installed within a house
700. The appliance G is connected to the appliance F, and thus the
appliance G is connected to the network 20 via the appliance F. In
this way, the appliances may be connected to the network in any
manners.
[0052] An information provider, such as an advertiser, enters
setting information according to a particular format into the
server device 10 by using the information provider server 30. The
details of the format are described below. In the setting
information, items to be distributed are associated with particular
actions of a user, which are represented in an abstract manner,
such as "Awakening", "Going out of home", "Cooking", and "Going to
bed".
[0053] Each of the appliances A through G sequentially transmits
information showing operations of the appliance to the server
device 10, and the server device 10 records operation histories of
the appliance for each user based on the received information
showing operations of the appliance.
[0054] The server device 10, when determining that a particular
action is performed by a user, transmits information to the
appliance owned by the user. The determination as to whether the
particular action is performed is made based on the operation
histories that have been sequentially recorded. Specifically, the
server device 10 refers to the operation histories, and estimates
the period during which the user is likely to perform the
particular action according to the operation histories in the past.
When the user operation is performed within the estimated period
with respect to the appliance pertaining to the particular action,
the server device 10 transmits corresponding information to, among
the appliances owned by the user, the appliance that satisfies
conditions.
[0055] As described above, the information notification system 1
pertaining to the present embodiment is capable of timely
selecting, from among the appliances owned by a user, an appliance
that is suitable for being provided with notification information
at the time point, and of transmitting the notification information
to the selected appliance, without being provided by the
information provider with the timing of the notification or
detailed conditions about the appliance to which the notification
information is to be transmitted.
<1.2 Configuration>
<1.2.1 Server Device 10>
[0056] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating primary
components of the server device 10.
[0057] The server device 10 includes a control unit 101, a storage
unit 102, an acquisition unit 103, a target user determination unit
104, a setting unit 105, a determination unit 106, a selection unit
107, a communication unit 108, a service database (DB) 121, a
notification information DB 122, an appliance information DB 123, a
user information DB 124, and operation history DB 125. In the
following, the service DB 121, the notification information DB 122,
the appliance information DB 123, the user information DB 124 and
the operation history DB 125 may be collectively referred to as
"DB" for simplification of explanation.
[0058] The following explains the components of the server device
10 one by one.
(Control Unit 101, Storage Unit 102)
[0059] The control unit 101 includes a central processing unit
(CPU) for example, and the CPU executes programs stored in the
storage unit 102, thereby causing the server device 10 to perform
the following five functions.
[0060] Appliance operation history acquiring function: The function
of controlling the acquisition unit 103 to acquire operation
information that shows operations of the appliances A through G,
and writing the operation histories in the form of an operation
history information table 1400 into the operation history DB
125.
[0061] User determination function: The function of controlling the
target user determination unit 104 to determine the user who owns
the appliance to be provided with the information shown in
Notification contents 1170 set by the information provider using
the information provider server 30.
[0062] Transmission condition setting function: The function of
controlling the setting unit 105 to set the timing of providing the
information shown in Notification contents 1170 and the conditions
of the target appliances by using the operation history information
table 1400 stored in the operation history DB 125 and the
notification information table 1100 stored in the notification
information DB 122.
[0063] Transmission determination function: The function of
controlling the determination unit 106 to determine whether to
transmit information shown in Notification contents 1170 to the
appliance owned by the user determined by the target user
determination unit 104, based on the operation history information
table 1400 stored in the operation history DB 125.
[0064] Appliance selection function: The function of controlling
the selection unit 107, when the determination unit 106 determines
to transmit the information specified in Notification contents
1170, to select, from among the appliances owned by the user
determined by the target user determination unit 104, the appliance
to which the information specified in Notification contents 1170 is
to be transmitted, based on the conditions set by the setting unit
105.
[0065] The storage unit 102 includes, for example, a random access
memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM) and a flash memory, and
stores therein programs that determine the operations of the
control unit 101 and data that has been retrieved from the DB and
is to be used by the control unit 101.
(Acquisition Unit 103)
[0066] The acquisition unit 103 is under the control of the control
unit 101, and has the function of receiving setting information 900
from the information provider server 30 via the communication unit
108, and writing the received setting information in the form of
the notification information table 1100 into the notification
information DB 122. The details of the setting information 900 will
be described later.
[0067] The acquisition unit 103 also has the function of receiving
information showing operations of the appliances A through G via
the communication unit 108, and sequentially writing the
information thus received in the form of the operation history
information table 1400 into the operation history DB. The details
of the operation history information table 1400 will be described
later.
(Target User Determination Unit 104)
[0068] The target user determination unit 104 is under the control
of the control unit 101, and has the function of determining the
target user to which the information specified in Notification
contents 1170 is to be transmitted, based on the notification
information table 1100 in the notification information DB 122 and a
user information table 1200 in the user information DB 124. The
details of the user information table 1200 will be described
later.
[0069] Based on the history information of the appliances owned by
the user determined by the target user determination unit 104, the
determination unit 106, which will be described later, determines
the timing of transmitting the information specified in
Notification contents 1170, and the selection unit 107, which will
be described later, selects the appliance to be provided with the
notification.
(Setting Unit 105)
[0070] The setting unit 105 is under the control of the control
unit 101, and has the function of setting the conditions used for
determining whether the particular action of the user has been
performed or not, by using the operation history information table
1400, which will be described later, and the notification
information table 1100. Note that the particular action of the user
is the action indicated by Notification timing 2001 contained in an
event condition information table 2000, which will be described
alter.
(Determination Unit 106)
[0071] The determination unit 106 is under the control of the
control unit 101, and has the function of monitoring the operation
information of the appliance sequentially acquired by the
acquisition unit 103, to determine whether the operation satisfying
the conditions determined by the setting unit 105 is performed or
not, and transmitting the information specified in Notification
contents 1170 to the appliance selected by the selection unit 107
when determining affirmatively.
(Selection Unit 107)
[0072] The selection unit 107 is under the control of the control
unit 101, and has the function of, when the determination unit 106
determines affirmatively, selecting the appliance to which the
notification information specified in Notification contents 1170 is
to be transmitted, by using the operation history information table
1400 stored in the operation history DB 125, according to the
conditions set by the setting unit 105.
[0073] Note that the respective functions of the acquisition unit
103, the target user determination unit 104, the setting unit 105,
the determination unit 106 and the selection 107 described above
are realized by the CPU executing programs stored in the storage
unit 102.
(Communication Unit 108)
[0074] The communication unit 108 is, for example, a communication
interface for connecting to the network 20. The communication unit
108 is under the control of the control unit 101, and has the
function of receiving setting information from the information
provider server 30 and information related to operations of the
appliances A through G from the respective appliances. The
communication unit 108 also has the function of transmitting
information stored in the notification information DB to the
appliances A through G.
(Service DB 121)
[0075] The service DB 121 is a database storing a service
information table 1000.
[0076] FIG. 3 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
the service information table 1000.
[0077] As shown in the figure, the service information table 1000
contains Service ID 1010, Service name 1020 and Reference DB 1030
associated with each other.
[0078] Service ID 1010 shows an ID for identifying a service to be
provided.
[0079] Service name 1020 shows the type of the service to be
provided.
[0080] Reference DB 1030 specifies the DB in which the information
used for the corresponding service is stored.
[0081] For example, the service identified by Service ID 1010
indicating "50001" is an advertisement distribution service, and
the DBs to be referred to in this case are the DBs for the
advertisement distribution service. Note that the DBs for the
advertisement distribution service include the operation history DB
125, the user information DB 124, the appliance information DB 123
and the notification information DB 122 for the advertisement
distribution service.
(Notification Information DB 122)
[0082] The notification information DB 122 contains the
notification information table 1100 for realizing centralized
management of the setting information 900 received from the
information provider server 30 of each information provider, and a
notification condition information table 1500 showing a condition
for notification at each timing of notification.
[0083] FIG. 4 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
the setting information 900 set by the information provider using
the information provider server 30.
[0084] As shown in the figure, the setting information 900 contains
Name 910, Notification target 920 and Notification conditions 930
associated with each other.
[0085] Name 910 is an item specifying the name identifying the
information provider. In the example shown in FIG. 4, Name 910
shows "AAA cooking class" as the name identifying the information
provider.
[0086] Notification target 920 is an item setting the conditions
for selecting the notification-target user or the appliance owned
by the user. Notification target 920 contains Area 921, Appliance
type 922, Usage period 923 and Usage rate 924 as items.
[0087] Area 921 is an item specifying the location or the range
where the users and the notification-target appliances exist. In
the example shown in FIG. 4, the users living in ABC city and the
appliances existing in ABC city are the notification-target
appliances.
[0088] Appliance type 922 is an item specifying the type of the
notification-target appliances. In the example shown in FIG. 4, an
automatic bread baker is specified as the type of the
notification-target appliances.
[0089] Usage period 923 is an item specifying conditions related to
the usage period of the appliance specified in Appliance type 922.
In the example shown in FIG. 4, appliances that have been used for
no longer than one year are specified as the notification-target
appliances.
[0090] Usage rate 924 is an item specifying the conditions related
to the usage rate within a fixed period of the appliance specified
by Appliance type 922. In the example shown in FIG. 4, appliances
with a usage rate smaller than 10% are specified as the
notification-target appliances. The usage rate indicates the rate
(percentage) of the number of times the appliance has been actually
used, relative to a predetermined number of times. For example, if
the usage rate when an appliance has been used twenty times during
10 days is 100%, the usage rate when the appliance has been used
once during 10 days is 5%. The usage rate of each appliance is
obtained by referring to the operation history information table
1400.
[0091] The notification conditions 930 is an item specifying
conditions related to the timing of notification to the appliance
and the contents of the notification. The item Notification
conditions 930 contains, for example, Notification timing 931 and
Notification contents 932.
[0092] Notification timing 931 is an item specifying the
notification timing indicated by the event condition information
table 2000 shown in FIG. 5. The notification information specified
in Notification contents 932 is transmitted to the appliance
selected by the selection unit 107 when the operation of the
appliance based on the operation history information table 1400
satisfies the notification timing specified in this item. In the
example shown in FIG. 4, the notification information specified in
Notification contents 932 is transmitted when the notification
timing satisfies the conditions "Awakening", "Cooking" and
"[keyword]=(Poketan)".
[0093] Notification contents 932 is an item specifying the
notification information to be transmitted to the appliances. In
the example shown in FIG. 4, it is specified in Notification
contents 932 that the information to be notified is the page
located at http://example.com.
[0094] FIG. 5 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
the event condition information table 2000.
[0095] The event condition information table 2000 contains
Notification timing 2001. Notification timing 2001 is an item
specifying the event name identifying the trigger of the
notification. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the event names
identifying the trigger of the notification include, for example,
"Awakening" 2002, "Cooking", "Doing laundry", "Going out of home",
"Coming home", "Bathing", "[Keyword]=(Character string of
keyword)", [Specified timing] 2003, and "[Appliance]=(Appliance
type) 2004. Among these, "Awakening", "Cooking", "Doing laundry",
"Going out of home", "Coming home" and "Bathing" are examples of
the event names specifying a particular action of the user. The
value indicated by each item is specified in Notification timing
931 of the setting information 900. For example, when the
information provider wishes to set the setting information 900 so
as to notify the user when the user wakes up, the information
provider specifies "Awakening" in Notification timing 931.
[0096] [Specified timing] 2003 is specified when the information
provider wishes to input a transmission instruction directly to the
server device 10 instead of setting the timing of the notification
in advance. When Notification timing 931 is filled with "[Specified
timing]", the notification information specified in Notification
contents 1170 is transmitted to the appliance according to a
transmission instruction input by the information provider into the
server device 10. "[Appliance]=(Appliance type) 2004" is specified
when the notification is to be made at the time the appliance
specified by the appliance type is operated.
[0097] FIG. 6 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
the notification information table 1100 stored in the notification
information DB 122.
[0098] The notification information table 1100 is used for
realizing centralized management of the setting information 900 set
by each information provider. The notification information table
1100 contains Name 1110, Area 1120, Appliance type 1130, Usage
period 1140, Usage rate 1150, Notification timing 1160, and
Notification contents 1170, which respectively correspond to Name
910, Area 921, Appliance type 922, Usage period 923, Usage rate
924, Notification timing 931 and Notification contents 932 in the
setting information 900.
[0099] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the setting information set
by AAA cooking class and setting information set by BBB supermarket
are managed in a centralized manner. Area 1120 of BBB supermarket
shows that the notification area is a radius of about 1000 m around
the point at latitude of 36.62567 degrees north and longitude of
135.63238 degrees east. The value "0" shown in Appliance type 1130,
Usage period 1140 and Usage rate 1150 shows that no condition is
set in these items. "Light" shown in Notification contents 1170
indicates that the notification is performed by using, for example,
blinking of an indicator such as an LED of the appliance. In
addition, when "Sound" is specified, the notification is performed
by using a sound such as a voice.
[0100] FIG. 7 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
the notification condition information table 1500 which shows, for
example, conditions for notification for each timing of
notification.
[0101] The notification condition information table 1500 contains
Notification timing 1510, Event type 1520, Notification condition
1530 and Target appliance 1540 associated with each other.
[0102] Notification timing 1510 is an item specifying one of the
particular actions specified in Notification timing 2001.
[0103] Event type 1520 is an item specifying the event type that
triggers the detection of the particular action specified in
Notification timing 1510. Examples of the event type include
"Execution of function", "Operation histories", "Context search"
and "Specified timing". The details of these event types will be
described later.
[0104] Notification condition 1530 is an item specifying the
condition related to operations of the appliance. Referring to the
operation history information table 1400, the determination unit
106 determines whether the operation of the appliance satisfying
the notification condition specified in this item has been
performed or not. In the example shown in FIG. 7, when Notification
timing 1510 is "Awakening" and Event type 1520 is "Execution of
function", Notification condition 1530 is "Appliance having an
alarm function executes the function". In this case, every time the
acquisition unit 103 acquires the operation information from the
appliance and adds the information to the operation history
information table 1400, the determination unit 106 determines
whether or not the operation information thus added indicates that
an appliance having an alarm function has executed the function by
referring to the operation history information table 1400.
[0105] Target appliance 1540 is an item specifying a condition for
selecting the target appliance to which the notification
information specified in Notification contents 1170 is to be
transmitted. For example, when Target appliance 1540 specifies
"Appliance in operation", the appliances that are operating at the
time the determination unit 106 determines that the notification
condition is satisfied are the target appliances to which the
notification information is to be transmitted.
[0106] As described above, when specifying the condition about the
timing of notification, the information provider only needs to
specify information indicating the particular actions, and does not
need to specify the details of the appliances, the details of the
operations, or when the operations are performed by the
appliances.
[0107] The server device 10 refers to the notification condition
information table 1500, and determines the conditions related to
the appliances, used for determining whether the action specified
in Notification timing 2001 has been performed. Whether the
operation satisfying the condition has been performed or not is
determined by referring to the operation history information table
1400.
(Appliance Information DB 123)
[0108] The appliance information DB 123 is a DB storing an
appliance information table 1300 for managing information of
various types of appliances having the function of connecting to
the network.
[0109] FIG. 8 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
the appliance information table 1300.
[0110] The appliance information table 1300 contains Appliance ID
1310, Appliance type 1320, Category 1330, Notification method 1340
and Context 1350 associated with each other.
[0111] Appliance ID 1310 is an item specifying a unique ID given to
the appliance.
[0112] Appliance type 1320 is an item specifying the type of the
appliance. In the example shown in FIG. 8, examples of the type of
appliance include "TV", "Refrigerator", "Automatic bread baker",
"Lighting device" and "Smartphone". Appliance type 1320 is used for
determination as to whether it matches the value specified in
"(Appliance type)" in "[Appliance]=(Appliance type)" 2004 shown in
FIG. 5.
[0113] Category 1330 is an item specifying the category of the
appliance indicated by Appliance ID 1310. The category is used for
grouping the appliances according to their purposes. For example,
appliances for cooking are categorized in "Cooking", appliances
related to AV are categorized in "AV" and appliances related to
lighting are categorized in "Lighting". Category 1330 is used for
determining whether the condition specified in Target appliance
1540 in the notification condition information table 1500 is
satisfied or not, for example.
[0114] Notification method 1340 is an item specifying the method
that is supported by the appliance identified by Appliance ID 1310
and can be used by the appliance when providing the user with the
notification. Notification method 1340 contains items Browser 1341,
Text 1342, Light 1343 and Sound 1344.
[0115] When "Ver. 1", "Ver. 2" or the like is specified in Browser
1341, it means that the appliance has a browser function, which is
the function of displaying the notification information written in
hypertext markup language (html). The difference between "Ver. 1"
and "Ver. 2" corresponds to the difference in display format. For
example, "Ver. 1" represents a browser that can display texts and
images but cannot display movies, and "Ver. 2" represents a browser
that can display movies.
[0116] When "OK" is specified in Text 1342, it means that the
appliance can display the notification information represented as a
text, and when "NG" is specified in Text 1342, it means that the
appliance cannot display the notification information represented
as a text.
[0117] When "OK" is specified in Light 1343, it means that the
appliance supports notification by using light, and when "NG" is
specified in Light 1343, it means that the appliance does not
support notification by using light. Notification by using light
is, for example, turning on or blinking an indicator such as an LED
of the appliance and thereby drawing attention of the user.
[0118] When "OK" is specified in Sound 1343, it means that the
appliance supports notification by using sound such as reproduction
of a sound file, and when "NG" is specified in Sound 1343, it means
that the appliance does not support notification by using
sound.
[0119] Context 1350 is an item specifying whether the appliance
supports "Context search" shown in Event type 1520 of the
notification condition information table 1500. When "OK" is
specified in Context 1350, it means that the appliance supports the
context search, and when "NG" is specified in Context 1350, it
means that the appliance does not support the context search.
(User Information DB 124)
[0120] The user information DB 124 stores the user information
table 1200 in which users and appliances owned by the users are
associated with each other.
[0121] FIG. 9 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
the user information table 1200.
[0122] The user information table 1200 contains User ID 1210, User
name 1220, Postal code 1230, Address 1240, Appliance ID 1250,
Registration date 1260 and History ID 1270 associated with each
other.
[0123] User ID 1210 is an item storing a user ID of each user.
[0124] User name 1220, Postal code 1230 and Address 1240 are
respectively items specifying the name, the postal code and the
address of the user.
[0125] Postal code 1230 and Address 1240 are used for determination
as to whether the user' location is within the area specified in
Area 1120 of the notification information table 1100.
[0126] Appliance ID 1250 is an item specifying the IDs of the
appliances owned by each user indicated by User ID 1210.
[0127] Registration date 1260 is an item specifying the year, month
and day of the registration of the appliance indicated by Appliance
ID 1250. Registration date 1260 is used for determination as to
whether the condition specified in Usage period 1140 of the
notification information table 1100 is satisfied or not, for
example.
[0128] History ID 1270 is an item storing the ID of the operation
history information table 1400, which is recorded for each user.
That is, when referring to the operation history information of the
user identified by User ID 1210, the operation history information
that has the ID indicated by History ID 1270 is to be referred to
from among a plurality of sets of operation history information
stored in the operation history DB respectively corresponding to
the users.
(Operation History DB 125)
[0129] The operation history DB stores the operation history
information table 1400 recorded for each user. The operation
history information table 1400 shows the operation information of
the appliances sequentially acquired by the acquisition unit
103.
[0130] FIG. 10 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
the operation history information table 1400.
[0131] The operation history information table 1400 contains
Appliance ID 1410, Date 1420, Time 1430, Type 1440, and Operation
detail 1450.
[0132] Appliance ID 1410 is an item storing the ID of the appliance
that was operated.
[0133] Date 1420 and Time 1430 are items storing the date
represented in year-month-day format and time when the appliance
indicated by Appliance ID 1410 was operated.
[0134] Type 1440 is an item specifying the type of operation
performed by the appliance. Examples of the type are "Operation"
and "Notification". "Operation" indicates that the operation is
performed in response to an instruction from the user, and
"Notification" indicates that the operation is performed for
notifying the user with certain information without an instruction
from the user.
[0135] Operation detail 1450 is an item specifying the details of
the operation of the appliance.
[0136] The acquisition unit 103 acquires operation information from
an appliance when the appliance is operated or the appliance
performs a function, and the operation information thus acquired is
sequentially added to the operation history information table 1400
for each user.
<1.2.2 Appliance 1002>
[0137] The following explains appliances connected to the
network.
[0138] Each of the appliances A through G shown in FIG. 1 is a home
electrical appliance or a piece of equipment having the function of
connecting to a network such as the Internet. Specifically,
examples of these appliances include air conditioners,
refrigerators, microwave ovens, automatic bread bakers, toasters,
remote controls for water heaters, laundry machines, clothes
dryers, dish washing/drying machines, vacuum cleaners, gas stoves,
IH appliances, rice cookers, electric toilet seats with hot water
spray feature for washing, electronic locks, intercoms, lighting
devices, air purifiers, humidifiers, security sensors (motion
detectors, crime prevention sensors), home servers, washstands,
electrical toothbrush, hair dryers, beauty appliances, health
appliances such as robotic massage chairs, physical activity
monitors and body composition analyzers, personal computers, tablet
terminals, information devices such as smartphones, mobile phones,
facsimile machines, game machines, TVs, recorders, audio devices,
and remote controls thereof.
[0139] The following explains an appliance 1002 as a representative
of the appliances A through G, instead of explaining each of the
appliances separately.
[0140] The appliance 1002 is connected to a gateway (GW) 1001 which
will be described later, and communicates with the external server
device 10 via the GW 1001. Note that the appliance 1002 may connect
directly to the network 20 and communicate with the external server
device 10 without connecting the GW 1001.
[0141] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram illustrating primary
components of the appliance 1002.
[0142] The appliance 1002 includes a control unit 1011, a storage
unit 1012, an event detection unit 1013, a notification unit 1014,
a communication unit 1015, an appliance control unit 1016 and a
main component 1017.
(Control Unit 1011, Storage Unit 1012)
[0143] The control unit 1011 includes a CPU for example, and the
CPU executes programs stored in the storage unit 1012, thereby
causing the appliance 1002 to perform the following three
functions.
[0144] Event detection function: The function of controlling the
event detection unit 1013 to detect the instruction input by the
user to the appliance, or detect the function performed by the
appliance.
[0145] Communication control function: The function of controlling
the communication unit 1015 to transmit the operation information
input by the event detection unit 1013 to the server device 10 or
receive the notification information from the server device 10.
[0146] Notification function: The function of controlling the
notification unit 1014 to deliver the notification information
received from the server device 10.
[0147] The storage unit 1012 includes, for example, a RAM, a ROM
and a flash memory, and stores therein programs that determine the
operations of the control unit 1011.
(Event Detection Unit 1013)
[0148] The event detection unit 1013 is under the control of the
control unit 1011, and has the function of detecting operational
instructions input by the user to the main component 1017 of the
appliance, and detecting execution of the functions of the main
component 1017. The event detection unit 1013 also has the function
of outputting operation information relating to detected
instructions or operations to the control unit 1011.
[0149] The functions of the event detection unit 1013 are realized
by the CPU of the server device 10 executing the programs stored in
the storage unit 1012.
(Notification Unit 1014)
[0150] The notification unit 1014 includes an output device for
providing the user with notification information. The notification
unit 1014 has the function of notifying the user of the
notification information by outputting the notification information
received from the server device 10 to the output device. Examples
of the output device include, display devices such as monitor
displays, speakers, indicators using light-emitting devices such as
LEDs. The notification unit 1014 of the appliance has one or more
of these output devices, depending on the type of the appliance.
For example, when the appliance is a TV, the appliance has a
display, a speaker and an indicator. When the appliance is an
automatic bread baker, the appliance has a speaker and an
indicator, but does not have a display. The method to be specified
in Notification method 1340 of the appliance information table 1300
depends on the type of the output device included in the
notification unit.
[0151] The functions of the notification unit 1014 are realized by
the CPU of the server device 10 executing the programs stored in
the storage unit 1012.
(Communication Unit 1015)
[0152] The communication unit 1015 includes a large scale
integration (LSI) for communications, and is under the control of
the control unit 1011. The LSI for communications has the function
of exchanging data with an external server by using the Internet
according to, for example, the TCP/IP protocols or the http
protocols. The communication unit 1015 has the function of
transmitting the operation information of the appliance, acquired
from the appliance control unit 1016 by the event detection unit
1013, to the server device 10. The communication unit 1015 also has
the function of receiving the notification information from the
server device 10 and outputting the notification information thus
received to the control unit 1011.
[0153] The functions of the communication unit 1015 are realized by
the CPU of the server device 10 executing the programs stored in
the storage unit 1012.
(Appliance Control Unit 1016, Main Component 1017)
[0154] The appliance control unit 1016 has the function of
controlling the main component 1017 to achieve the functions
thereof. The appliance control unit 1016 also has the function of
outputting, to the event detection unit 1013, the operation
information at the time of the control for achieving the functions
of the appliance as well as the operation information received from
the appliance.
[0155] The functions of the appliance control unit 1016 are
realized by the CPU of the server device 10 executing the programs
stored in the storage unit 1012.
[0156] The primary element of the main component 1017 is the main
hardware 1018.
[0157] The main hardware 1018 is connected to and controlled by the
appliance control unit 1016. Under the control of the appliance
control unit 1016, the main hardware 1018 enables the appliance
1002 as an electronic device to achieve the functions of the
electronic device. For example, when the appliance 1002 is an air
conditioner, the main hardware 1018 is composed of a compressor, a
heat exchanger, a fan, and so on, which achieves the functions of
the air conditioner.
(GW1001)
[0158] The GW 1001 is, for example, a router device, and has the
function of transmitting, to the server device 10, information of
operations of the appliance located within the house and connected
to the GW 1001 via the network 20. The GW 1001 also has the
function of receiving the notification information from the server
device 10 and outputting the notification information to the
appliance located within the house.
<1.3 Operations>
[0159] First, the following explains a procedure by which the
information provider using the information provider server 30
registers the setting information 900, which is related to the
information to be provided, into the notification information table
1100 in the notification information DB 122 in the server device
10.
[0160] FIG. 12 illustrates an example user interface (UI) used by
the information provider when setting the setting information 900
to the server device 10 by using the information provider server
30.
[0161] The information provider registers the setting information
900 by operation from an information registration menu 200 shown in
the drawing. The setting information 900 is registered into the
notification information DB 122 provided for each of the services
shown in the service information table 1000.
[0162] The service name selection field 201 shows the names of the
services specified in the service information table 1000. The
information provider selects one from among the services. The
drawing shows an example case the advertisement distribution
service is selected. Subsequently, the information provider selects
a setting information file defining the settings to be applied to
the selected service. Specifically, the information provider inputs
the file name of the data file containing the setting information
900 into the field 202 for specifying the setting information file
and presses the upload button 203. In response to this operation,
the setting information 900 specified by the file name is
transmitted to the server device 10, and is written into the
notification information table 1100 in the notification information
DB 122. When the information provider clicks on the "here" link
204, the format of the setting information 900 shown in FIG. 4
appears.
[0163] The following explains the operations of the information
notification system 1 on the assumption that the notification
information table 1100 in the server device 10 stores the setting
information 900 transmitted by each of a plurality of information
provider according to the above-described procedure.
[0164] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for a notification process performed
by the server device 10.
[0165] First, the setting unit 105 of the server device 10 refers
to the notification information table 1100 stored in the
notification information DB 122, and retrieves information from
Notification timing 1160 with respect to each of the information
provider identified by Name 1110 (Step S10).
[0166] Next, the setting unit 105 refers to the notification
condition information table 1500, and retrieves information
specified in Notification Condition 1530 with respect to each of
the notification timings specified in Notification timing 1160, and
determines the information as the notification condition (Step
S11).
[0167] Subsequently, the target user determination unit 104 reads
out the information specified in Area 1120 through Usage rate 1150,
and specifies a user satisfying the conditions specified in Area
1120 through Usage rate 1150 (Step S12). Specifically, the target
user determination unit 104 refers to the user information table
1200 of the user information DB 124, and when any condition is
specified in Area 1120 for example, determines whether the user is
located within the area satisfying the condition specified in Area
1120 according to the Postal code 1230 and Address 1240 in the user
information table 1200. When any condition is specified in
Appliance type 1130, the target user determination unit 104 refers
to the Appliance ID 1250, and determines whether any appliance
satisfying the condition is registered. When any condition is
specified in Usage period 1140, the target user determination unit
104 refers to Registration date 1260, and determines whether the
condition specified in Usage period 1140 is satisfied by comparing
the registration date with the current date. When any condition is
specified in Usage rate 1150, the target user determination unit
104 refers to the operation history information table 1400 in the
operation history DB 125, obtains the usage rate of the
corresponding appliance, and determines whether the usage rate thus
obtained satisfies the condition specified in Usage rate 1150. The
target user determination unit 104 determines the user satisfying
all the conditions to be the user to be provided with the
notification.
[0168] Subsequently, the determination unit 106 determines whether
the above-described steps have been performed as to every
registered user (Step S13).
[0169] When the above-described steps have been completed as to
every registered user (Step S13: YES), the notification process is
terminated.
[0170] When the above-described steps have not been completed as to
every registered user (Step S13: NO), the notification process
continues.
[0171] The determination unit 106 refers to Event type 1520 of the
notification condition information table 1500 according to the
notification condition that has been set by the setting unit 105,
and specifies the event type (Step S14). The determination unit 106
performs different kinds of notification depending on the event
type.
[0172] When the event type is "Execution of function" (Step S14:
Event type=Execution of function), the determination unit 106
performs a notification process based on the execution of a
function (Step S15).
[0173] When the event type is "Operation histories" (Step S14:
Event type=Operation histories), the determination unit 106
performs a notification process based on operation histories (Step
S16).
[0174] When the event type is "Context search" (Step S14: Event
type=Context search), the determination unit 106 performs a
notification process based on a context search (Step S17).
[0175] When the event type is "Specified timing" (Step S14: Event
type=Specified timing), the determination unit 106 performs a
notification process based on a specified timing (Step S18).
[0176] The following explains the notification process based on
execution of a function, the notification process based on
operation histories, the notification process based on a context
search and the notification process based on a specified timing,
one by one.
(Notification Process Based on Execution of Function)
[0177] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for a notification process based on
execution of a function.
[0178] The notification process based on the execution of a
function is performed when the event type specified in Event type
1520 of the notification condition information table 1500 is
"Execution of function".
[0179] The determination unit 106 specifies a function relating to
the notification condition specified in Notification condition 1530
of the notification condition information table 1500 (Step S20).
Note that notification conditions targeted at this stage are only
those associated with the event type "Execution of function".
Subsequently, the determination unit 106 refers to the operation
history information table 1400 in the operation history DB 125, and
determines whether any usage history is recorded with respect to
the function relating to the notification condition (Step S21).
[0180] When determining that the operation history information
table 1400 contains any usage history with respect to the function
relating to the notification condition (Step S21: YES), the
determination unit 106 monitors operation information of the
appliance acquired by the acquisition unit 103, and every time new
information is added to the operation history information,
determines whether the function relating to the notification
condition has been used (Step S22).
[0181] When the function relating to the notification condition is
used (Step S22: YES), the selection unit 107 performs selection of
the notification-target appliances to be provided with the
notification information specified in Notification contents 1170
(Step S23). The process of selecting the notification-target
appliance will be described later.
[0182] In the case of NO in Step S22, Step S22 will be repeated
until the function relating to the notification condition is
used.
[0183] On completion of Step S23, the control unit 101 transmits
the notification information specified in Notification contents
1170 to the appliances selected in Step S23 via the communication
unit 108 (Step S24). Each appliance having received the
notification information from the server device 10 provides the
users with the notification information via the notification unit
1014.
[0184] Meanwhile, in the case of NO in Step S21, the notification
process is terminated, and the steps from Step S13 in FIG. 13 are
performed again.
(Notification Process Based on Operation Histories)
[0185] FIG. 15 is a flowchart for the notification process based on
operation histories.
[0186] The determination unit 106 specifies an appliance relating
to the notification condition specified in the Notification
Condition 1530 of the notification condition information table 1500
(Step S31). Note that the notification conditions targeted at this
stage are only those associated with the event type "Operation
histories". The determination unit 106 also determines the
notification condition according to Notification Condition 1530
(Step S32).
[0187] Next, the setting unit 105 retrieves information specified
in Notification Condition 1530, and determines the information as
the notification condition (Step S32).
[0188] The determination unit 106 determines whether the
notification condition thus determined relates to a no-operation
period (Step S33). Specifically, when the information specified in
Notification Condition 1530 contains a character string
"No-operation period", the determination unit 106 determines that
the notification condition relates to a no-operation period.
[0189] In the case of YES in Step S33, a notification process based
on histories relating to user operations will be performed (Step
S38). The notification process based on histories relating to user
operations will be described later.
[0190] Meanwhile, in the case of NO in Step S33, the determination
unit 106 refers to the operation history information table 1400,
specifies a period during which the appliance relating to the
notification condition was operating, and predicts the regular
operation period of the appliance (Step S34). Specifically, the
determination unit 106 specifies a predetermined number of days
(e.g. 1 week) from the operation histories of the appliance stored
in the operation history information table 1400, and, for each day,
specifies periods during which the appliance operated at least a
predetermined number of times (e.g. once) per a predetermined time
(e.g. 1 hour). The determination unit 106 determines the specified
periods as the operation periods of the appliance.
[0191] Subsequently, the determination unit 106 monitors the
operation information of the appliance acquired by the acquisition
unit 103, and every time new information is added to the operation
history information table 1400, determines whether the function
relating to the notification condition has been executed (Step
S35). When the appliance relating to the notification condition has
not been operated (Step S35: NO), the determination unit 106
continues the monitoring, and repeats Step S35.
[0192] Meanwhile, when the appliance relating to the notification
condition has been operated (Step S35: YES), the determination unit
106 determines whether the time at which the appliance was operated
is within the predicted operation period of the appliance (Step
S36). In the case of NO in Step S36, the steps from Step S35 are
performed again.
[0193] Meanwhile, in the case of YES in Step S36, the selection
unit 107 performs selection of the notification-target appliances
(Step S36).
[0194] On completion of Step S36, the control unit 101 transmits
the notification information specified in Notification contents
1170 to the appliances selected in Step S36 via the communication
unit 108 (Step S37). Each appliance having received the
notification information from the server device 10 provides the
users with the notification information via the notification unit
1014.
(Notification Process Based on Context Search)
[0195] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for the notification process based on
a context search.
[0196] The setting unit 105 specifies an appliance having context
information (Step S41). Specifically, the setting unit 105
specifies appliances of the user based on Appliance ID 1250 in the
user information table 1200. Subsequently, from among the
appliances thus specified, the setting unit 105 further specifies
an appliance for which "OK" is specified in Context 1350 in the
appliance information table 1300, and determines it to be an
appliance having context information.
[0197] Subsequently, the setting unit 105 retrieves a character
string of a keyword from "[Keyword]=(Character string of keyword)"
specified in Notification timing 1160 of the notification
information table 1100, and determines the character string as the
keyword to be searched for (Step S42). In the example shown in FIG.
6, "Poketan" is retrieved from Notification timing corresponding to
"AAA cooking class", and determines it as the keyword to be
searched for. Note that Poketan is the name of a TV character.
[0198] Subsequently, the determination unit 106 refers to the
operation history information table 1400, and determines whether
the operation histories of the specified appliances contain any
operation history relating to the keyword (Step S43). For example,
suppose the case where the keyword is "Poketan" and a TV having an
appliance identifier "TV0001" has been specified. If this is the
case, when the operation histories of the TV contain an operation
history showing that the user watched a TV program related to
Poketan, the determination unit 106 determines that there is an
operation history related to the keyword.
[0199] In the case of YES in Step S43, the selection unit 107
performs selection of the notification-target appliances (Step
S44).
[0200] On completion of Step S44, the control unit 101 refers to
the notification information table 1100, retrieves the notification
information specified in Notification contents 1170 corresponding
to the notification condition, and determines the notification
information thus retrieved as the notification information to be
transmitted to the specified target appliances (Step S45).
[0201] Subsequently, the control unit 101 determines the time to
transmit the notification information (Step S46). For example, when
the operation history relating to the keyword is viewing of a TV
program, the control unit 101 determines the ending time of the TV
program as the time to transmit the notification information.
[0202] The determination unit 106 determines whether the
above-described steps have been performed as to every specified
appliance (Step S47). If the above-described steps have not been
performed as to every specified appliance (Step S47: NO), the steps
from Step S42 are performed again.
[0203] Meanwhile, when the above-described steps have been
performed as to every specified appliance (Step S48: YES), the
control unit 101 determines whether the time to transmit the
notification information, the time being set by the determination
unit 106, has been reached (Step S48). When determining that the
time to transmit the notification information has not been reached
(Step S48: NO), the control unit 101 waits until the time.
Meanwhile, when determining that the time to transmit has been
reached (Step S48: YES), the control unit 101 transmits the
notification information specified in Step S45 to the appliances
selected in Step S44 via the communication unit 108 (Step S49).
Each appliance having received the notification information from
the server device 10 provides the users with the notification
information via the notification unit 1014.
(Notification Process Based on Specified Timing)
[0204] FIG. 17 is a flowchart for notification process based on
specified timing.
[0205] The information provider accesses the server device 10 and
specifies the timing of providing information.
[0206] The information provider inputs an instruction specifying
the timing to the server device 10 by, for example, calling a web
application programming interface (WEB API) of the server device
10, which allows for accessing the server device 10 and is
displayed by the control unit 101 of the server device 10 executing
programs of WEB API stored in the storage unit 102, and inputting
the instruction from the WEB API.
[0207] The instruction from the information provider includes at
least time information indicating the time to provide the
notification information.
[0208] The control unit 101 receives the instruction that is input
according to the above-described manner (Step S51).
[0209] The setting unit 105 sets the notification time specified by
the instruction received by the control unit 101 (Step S52).
[0210] Subsequently, the determination unit 106 refers to the
operation history information table 1400 and determines whether any
of the appliances were used within a predetermined period in a day
including the specified notification time (e.g. from one hour
before the notification time to one hour after the notification
time), and the selection unit 107 selects the appliances used
within the period as determined by the determination unit 106, and
determines them as the appliances to which the notification
information is to be transmitted (Step S53).
[0211] Subsequently, the control unit 101 determines whether the
time, determined by the determination unit 106, to transmit the
notification information has been reached (Step S54). When
determining that the time to transmit the notification information
has not been reached (Step S54: NO), the control unit 101 waits
until the time. Meanwhile, when determining that the time to
transmit has been reached (Step S54: YES), the control unit 101
transmits the notification information to the appliances selected
in Step S53 via the communication unit 108 (Step S55). Each
appliance having received the notification information from the
server device 10 provides the users with the notification
information via the notification unit 1014.
(Notification Process Based on User Operation Histories)
[0212] This process (Step S38 in FIG. 15) is performed when it is
determined in Step S33 in FIG. 15 that the notification condition
relates to the no-operation period.
[0213] FIG. 18 is a flowchart for notification process based on
user operation histories.
[0214] The determination unit 106 refers to the operation history
information table 1400, and retrieves information of histories of
user operations performed on the appliance relating to the
notification condition (Step S60). Specifically, the determination
unit 106 retrieves operation histories for which "Operation" is
specified in Type 1440 in the operation history information table
1400. The determination unit 106 classifies the operation histories
according to date, and estimates the non-operation period according
to the times at which the appliance was operated (Step S61).
[0215] Specifically, the determination unit 106 determines the
no-operation period in the following manner, for example.
[0216] First, the determination unit 106 classifies the operation
histories within a predetermined period (e.g. one week) according
to date. Then, the determination unit 106 specifies, for each day,
periods during which the appliance relating to the notification
conditions was operating and periods during which the appliance was
not operating.
[0217] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the periods during which
the appliance relating to notification conditions was operating and
the periods during which the appliance was not operating. The
horizontal axis shows time from 0:00 to 24:00 and the vertical axis
shows separate days. The shaded portions in the figure represent
the periods during which the appliance was not being operated, and
the unshaded portions represent the periods during which the
appliance was being operated. For example, on the (i+1).sup.th day,
the appliance was not being operated from 0:00 to 5:00, 8:10 to
18:00 and 21:50 to 24:00. In this way, the detection unit 106 first
specifies the periods during which the appliance was not being
operated with respect to each day, and then specifies the common
periods during which the appliance was not being operated in any of
the days. Since it is expected that the user's action pattern is
different between weekdays and holidays, the present embodiment
predicts the no-operation periods by using the operation histories
on weekdays. Suppose that the i.sup.th day is Monday and the
(i+4).sup.th day is Friday. In the example shown in FIG. 19, on
each of the i.sup.th to (i+4).sup.th days, the appliance was
commonly not being operated during the period from 22:00 to 5:00
and the period from 9:10 to 18:00.
[0218] The determination unit 106 determines that the period from
22:00 to 5:00 as a no-operation period 1501 and the period from
9:10 to 18:00 as a no-operation period 1502.
[0219] Subsequently, the determination unit 106 monitors the
operation information of the appliance acquired by the acquisition
unit 103, and every time new information is added to the operation
history information table 1400, determines whether a predetermined
period continuing until the current time (e.g. one hour), for which
no user operation relating to the notification condition was
performed on the appliance, is within the no-operation period (Step
S62). In the case of NO in Step S62, the determination unit 106
continues the monitoring, and repeats Step S62.
[0220] In the case of YES in Step S62, the determination unit 106
determines which among "Awakening", "Going out of home" and "Coming
home" the condition of the notification timing determined by the
setting unit 105 is (Step S63).
[0221] When the notification timing is "Awakening", the
determination unit 106 refers to the operation history information
table 1400 and determines whether no user operation has been
performed for a predetermined period within the no-operation
period, and whether the last operation performed before the
predetermined period is turning off the light in the bedroom (Step
S64). In the case of NO in Step S64, the steps from Step S62 are
performed again.
[0222] Meanwhile, in the case of YES in Step S64, the determination
unit 106 monitors operation information of the appliance acquired
by the acquisition unit 103, and every time new information is
added to the operation history information table 1400, determines
whether the appliance owned by the user has been operated (Step
S65). In the case of NO in Step S65, the determination unit 106
continues the monitoring, and repeats Step S65.
[0223] In the case of YES in Step S65, the selection unit 107
performs selection of the notification-target appliances (Step
S69).
[0224] Subsequently, upon completion of Step S69, the control unit
101 transmits the notification information to the appliances
selected in Step S69, via the communication unit 108 (Step
S70).
[0225] When the notification timing is "Going out of home", the
determination unit 106 refers to the operation history information
table 1400, and determines whether the last operation before the
beginning of the period determined as the no-operation period is an
operation of powering off all the appliances except for appliances
that need to be in the turned-on state all the day (S66).
[0226] In the case of NO in Step S66, Step S62 is performed again.
Meanwhile, in the case of YES in Step S66, Step S69 and Step S70
are performed in the same manner as with when the notification
timing is "Awakening".
[0227] When the notification timing is "Coming home", the
determination unit 106 refers to the operation history information
table 1400 and determines whether all the appliances except for
appliances that need to be in the turned-on state all the day have
been in the turned-off state from the beginning of the period
determined as the no-operation period until now (Step S67). In the
case of NO in Step S67, Step S62 is performed again. Meanwhile, in
the case of YES in Step S62, the determination unit 106 monitors
operation information of the appliance acquired by the acquisition
unit 103, and every time new information is added to the operation
history information table 1400, determines whether any appliances
within the house have been operated (Step S68). When no appliance
have been operated (Step S68: NO), the determination unit 106
continues the monitoring, and repeats Step S68.
[0228] Meanwhile, when any appliances within the house have been
operated (Step S68: YES), Step S69 and Step S70 are performed in
the same manner as with when the notification timing is
"Awakening", and "Going out of home".
(Selection of Notification-Target Appliances)
[0229] Selection of notification-target appliances is performed in
Step S23 in FIG. 14, Step S36 in FIG. 15, Step S44 in FIG. 16 and
Step S69 in FIG. 18.
[0230] FIG. 20 is a flowchart for selection of notification-target
appliances.
[0231] The selection unit 107 specifies, as a candidate for the
destinations of the notification information, an appliance that
satisfies the condition specified in Target appliance 1540 of the
notification condition information table 1500 from Appliance ID
1250 of the user information table 1200 (Step S81). The selection
unit 107 acquires the notification information set by the setting
unit 105 (Step S82).
[0232] Subsequently, the selection unit 107 refers to Notification
method 1340 of the appliance information table 1300, and specifies
the notification method to be used for providing the notification
information (Step S83). For example, suppose the case where a TV
having an appliance identifier "TV0001" has been specified. If this
is the case, the selection unit 107 refers to Notification method
1340 of the appliance information table 1300 and specifies the
notification method "Browser", "Text", "Light" or "Sound".
[0233] Subsequently, the selection unit 107 determines whether the
appliance can perform notification of the acquired notification
information by using the specified notification method (Step S84).
For example, when "http://example.com" is specified in the acquired
notification information, the selection unit 107 determines that
the appliance can perform the notification if "Browser" is
specified as the notification method. When "Light" is specified in
the notification information, the selection unit 107 determines
that the appliance can perform the notification if "Light" is
specified as the notification method.
[0234] In the case of NO in Step S84, the selection unit 107
converts the notification information to be in the form that can be
provided by the notification method supported by the appliance
(Step S85). For example, when "http://example.com" is specified as
the notification information and the appliance does not support
notification by a browser but supports notification by light, the
selection unit 107 converts the notification information to be in
the form that can be provided by light. When the appliance supports
notification by "Text", the selection unit 107 retrieves
notification texts from the contents of "http://example.com", and
specifies the texts as the notification information. When the
appliance supports notification by "Sound", the selection unit 107
retrieves notification texts from the contents of
"http://example.com", and converts the texts into sound, and
specifies the sound as the notification information.
[0235] Subsequently, the selection unit 107 performs registration
of a substitute notification-target appliance that can provide the
original notification information in place of the candidate for the
destination of the notification information that has been converted
(Step S86).
The details of the substitute notification-target appliance will be
described later.
[0236] In the case of YES in Step S84 or on completion of Step S86,
the selection unit 107 refers to the operation history information
table 1400 and determines whether the candidate for the destination
of the notification information is currently in operation (Step
S87). When the candidate appliance for the destination of the
notification information is in operation (Step S87: YES), the
appliance is determined as the notification-target information
(Step S89). When the appliance is not in operation (Step S87: NO),
a monitoring-target flag indicating that the appliance is to be
monitored with respect to the next operation is set (Step S88), and
the appliance is then determined as the notification-target
appliance (Step S89).
[0237] Subsequently, the selection unit 107 determines whether the
above-described steps have been performed as to every appliance
specified in Step S81 (Step S90). When Steps S82 through S89 have
been performed as to every specified appliance (Step S90: YES), the
processing for selection is terminated, and otherwise (Step S90:
NO), the steps from Step S82 are performed as to the remaining
appliances.
(Registration of Substitute Notification-Target Appliance)
[0238] This registration process is performed in case an appliance
selected as the notification-target appliance is not provided with
a notification method that is appropriate for notifying the user
with the original information. In the registration process, an
appliance that can perform the notification of the original
information is selected from among appliances that are owned by the
same user as the notification-target appliances and that have not
been specified as the notification-target appliances, and is
registered as a substitute notification-target appliance. The
original notification information is transmitted to the substitute
notification-target appliance. This process is performed in Step
S86 in FIG. 20.
[0239] FIG. 21 is a flowchart for registration of a substitute
notification-target appliance.
[0240] First, the selection unit 107 refers to the user information
table 1200, and specifies an appliance that is not a
notification-target appliance from among the appliances owned by
the user of the notification-target appliances (Step S101).
[0241] Subsequently, the selection unit 107 refers to the appliance
information table 1300, and determines whether the specified
appliance is provided with a notification method suitable for
notification of the original notification information (Step
S102).
[0242] When the specified appliance is provided with a notification
method suitable for notification of the original notification
information (Step S102: YES), the selection unit 107 sets a
substitute notification-target appliance flag to the specified
appliance (Step S103) in order to identify the specified appliance
as the substitute notification-target appliance, and determines the
appliance as the notification-target appliance (Step S104), and
proceeds to Step S105.
[0243] Meanwhile, when the specified appliance is not provided with
a notification method suitable for notification of the original
notification information (Step S102: NO), the selection unit 107
skips Steps S103 and S104, and proceeds to Step S105.
[0244] The selection unit 107 determines whether the
above-described steps have been performed as to every appliance
specified in Step S101 (Step S105).
[0245] The selection unit 107 determines whether the
above-described steps have been performed as to every appliance
specified in Step S101 (Step S105). When Steps S102 through S104
have been performed as to every specified appliance (Step S105:
YES), the processing for registration is terminated, and otherwise
(Step S105: NO) the steps from Step S102 are performed as to the
remaining appliances.
(Notification to Appliance with Monitoring-Target Flag)
[0246] Subsequently, the following explains a notification process
by which the notification information is transmitted to the
appliance to which the monitoring-target flag has been set in Step
S88 in FIG. 20.
[0247] The appliance with the monitoring-target flag is an
appliance to which the server device 10 could not transmit the
notification information because it was not in operation when the
server device 10 made an attempt to transmit the notification
information.
[0248] This process is performed for transmitting the notification
information to such an appliance at an appropriate timing.
[0249] FIG. 22 is a flowchart for providing notification
information to a monitoring-target appliance.
[0250] The determination unit 106 determines whether the appliance
selected as a notification-target appliance by the selection unit
107 is an appliance with the monitoring-target flag (Step S111).
When the appliance is not with the monitoring-target flag (Step
S111: NO), this process is terminated.
[0251] Meanwhile, when the appliance is with the monitoring-target
flag (Step S111: YES), the determination unit 106 refers to the
operation history information table 1400, and retrieves operation
histories of the appliance with the monitoring-target flag (Step
S112).
[0252] Subsequently, the determination unit 106 determines whether
a predetermined period has elapsed since the monitoring-target flag
was set to the appliance (Step S113). When the predetermined period
has elapsed (Step S113:
[0253] YES), the control unit 101 resets the monitoring-target
flag, and excludes this appliance from the monitoring target
appliances (Step S116). This is because the notification
information might lose its value after elapse of time. For example,
suppose the case of an advertisement of special offers available
for a limited time. Such information does not need to be provided
to the user after the elapse of a predetermined period. Considering
this, the predetermined period is set to the period until the
notification information loses its value.
[0254] Meanwhile, when the predetermined period has not elapsed
(Step S113: NO), the determination unit 106 monitors the operation
information of the appliance acquired by the acquisition unit 103,
and every time new information is added to the operation history
information, determines whether the appliance with the
monitoring-target flag has been operated (Step S114).
[0255] When the appliance with the monitoring-target flag has not
been operated (Step S114: NO), the steps from Step S112 are
performed again. Meanwhile, when the appliance with the
monitoring-target flag has been operated (Step S115: YES), the
control unit 101 transmits the notification information to the
appliance with the monitoring-target flag via the communication
unit 108 (Step S115). Each appliance having received the
notification information from the server device 10 provides the
users with the notification information via the notification unit
1014.
[0256] Upon completion of the transmission of the notification
information, the control unit 101 resets the monitoring-target flag
of this appliance, and excludes the appliance from the monitoring
target appliances (Step S116).
<1.4 Summary>
[0257] As explained above, the information notification system 1
pertaining to the present embodiment is capable of providing users
with notification information at an appropriate timing for each
user considering each user's action pattern. The information
provider can increase the opportunity for each user to see the
notification information, without setting the timing of
transmitting the notification information to each user.
2. Embodiment 2
<2.1 Overview>
[0258] An information notification system pertaining to the present
embodiment is the same as the information notification system 1
pertaining to Embodiment 1 in basic configuration. However, an
appliance 1003 pertaining to the present embodiment has the
function of receiving feedback information from the user and
transmitting the information to the server device 11, in addition
to the functions of the appliance 1002 pertaining to Embodiment 1.
Furthermore, the server device 11 has the function of receiving the
feedback information transmitted by the appliance 1003, in addition
to the functions of the server device 10. Based on the feedback
information, the server device 11 timely transmits notification
information relating to the notification information transmitted in
the past.
[0259] For example, when the notification information is
information about special offers from the BBB supermarket available
for a limited time, and the user that has received this
notification information submits a feedback showing that the user
is interested in this information, the information notification
system pertaining to the present embodiment is capable of
transmitting the notification information about the special offers
from the BBB supermarket again when the user comes close to the BBB
supermarket.
[0260] In the following, the same components as in the information
notification system 1 pertaining to Embodiment 1 are labeled using
the same reference signs for simplification of explanation. Note
that explanation of the same components as in Embodiment 1 is
omitted, and differences are mainly explained below.
<2.2 Configuration>
(Appliance 1003)
[0261] FIG. 23 is a functional block diagram illustrating primary
components of the appliance 1003.
[0262] The appliance 1003 has an input unit 1019 in addition to the
components of the appliance 1002.
[0263] The appliance 1003 is, for example, a portable terminal
device. The portable terminal device has a receiver for a satellite
positioning system (e.g. global positioning system (GPS)), and has
the function of transmitting the information containing its
position, which serves as the operation histories, to the server
device 11 at intervals.
[0264] The input unit 1019 includes, for example, an acceleration
sensor, and has the function of receiving the feedback information
by determining, based on an output from the acceleration sensor,
whether the user has moved the appliance 1003 in a predetermined
manner when the user is notified with information by the
notification unit 1014 of the appliance 1003. The movement in the
predetermined manner is, for example, shaking the appliance 1003 up
and down as shown in FIG. 24 a predetermined number of times (e.g.
three times). The functions of the input unit 1019 are realized by
the CPU of the appliance 1003 executing the programs stored in the
storage unit 1012.
[0265] The communication unit 1015 also has the function of
notifying the server device 11 when the input unit 1019 receives
the feedback information from the user.
(Server Device 11)
[0266] FIG. 25 is a functional block diagram illustrating primary
components of the server device 11.
[0267] The server device 11 includes a feedback information
management unit 109 in addition to the components of the server
device 10.
[0268] The acquisition unit 103 additionally has the function of
receiving the feedback information from the appliance 1003 via the
communication unit 108 and outputting the information to the
control unit 101.
[0269] The feedback information management unit 109 receives, from
the control unit 101, the feedback information acquired by the
acquisition unit 103, and stores the feedback information in
association with the transmitted notification information, together
with the reception time of the feedback information. Note that the
notification information associated with the feedback information
is hereinafter referred to as "notification information specified
as favorite information".
[0270] The determination unit 106 additionally has the function of
performing a reminding process based on a notification information
table 1101 when there is notification information specified as
favorite information. The notification information table 1101 will
be described later. The details of the reminding process will be
described later.
[0271] The functions of the feedback information management unit
109 and the functions of the determination unit 106 are realized by
the CPU of the server device 11 executing programs stored in the
storage unit 102.
<2.3 Data Structure>
(Notification Information Table 1101)
[0272] FIG. 26 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
the notification information table 1101.
[0273] The notification information table 1101 contains items of
Effective date 1180 and Effective period 1185 in addition to the
items of notification information table 1100.
[0274] Effective date 1180 is an item specifying a condition
relating to the date of transmitting the notification information
to the appliances. [0275] For example, "Monday to Friday" specified
in the figure shows that the notification information is
transmitted on Monday to Friday but is not transmitted on Saturday
or Sunday. "25.sup.th day of each month" shows that the
notification information is transmitted on the 25.sup.th day of
each month but is not transmitted on the other days.
[0276] Effective period 1185 is an item specifying the condition of
the time period within a day during which the notification
information is to be transmitted. For example, "10:00-19:00"
specified in the figure shows that the notification information can
be transmitted within the period of 10:00 to 19:00, but cannot be
transmitted in other periods.
<2.4 Operations>
[0277] The server device 11 performs the same notification process
as the server device 10 pertaining to Embodiment 1. In addition,
the server device 11 performs the reminding process when receiving
a feedback from the user in response to the transmitted
notification information. The reminding process can be a reminding
process A or a reminding process B. The reminding process A is
performed when the condition about the notification area is
specified in Area 1120 of the notification information table 1101,
and the reminding process B is performed when no condition about
the notification area is specified.
[0278] The following explains the operations for the reminding
process performed by the server device 11.
[0279] FIG. 27 is a flowchart for the reminding process performed
by the server device 11.
[0280] First, the determination unit 106 determines whether any
notification information is specified as favorite information (Step
S121). Specifically, the determination unit 106 determines whether
any notification information specified as favorite information is
stored in the feedback information management unit 109. If such
information is stored in the feedback information management unit
109, the determination unit 106 determines that there is
notification information specified as favorite information. When no
notification information specified as favorite information is
stored in the feedback information management unit 109 (Step S121:
NO), the reminding process is terminated.
[0281] Meanwhile, when there is notification information specified
as favorite information (Step S121: YES), the setting unit 105
refers to the notification information table 1101 and specifies the
corresponding notification information. Next, the setting unit 105
determines whether any condition about the effective date is
specified in Effective date 1180 of the specified notification
information (Step S122). When any effective date is specified (Step
S122: YES), the setting unit 105 determines the specified effective
date as the condition for the transmission of the notification
information (Step S123). Otherwise (Step S122: NO), the setting
unit 105 does not set any condition about the effective date.
[0282] Subsequently, the setting unit 105 determines whether any
condition about the effective period is specified in Effective
period 1185 (Step S124). When any effective period is specified
(Step S124: YES), the setting unit 105 determines the specified
effective period as the condition for the transmission of the
notification information (Step S125). Otherwise (Step S124: NO),
the setting unit 105 does not set any condition about the effective
period.
[0283] Furthermore, the setting unit 105 determines whether any
condition about the area is specified in Area 1120 (Step S126).
[0284] When any area is specified (Step S126: YES), the setting
unit 105 determines the specified area as the condition for the
transmission of the notification information (Step S127).
[0285] The determination unit 106 performs the reminding process A
according to the condition set by the setting unit 105 (Step
S128).
[0286] Meanwhile, when no area is specified (Step S126: NO), the
determination unit 106 determines whether at least one of the
condition about the effective date and the condition about the
effective period has been set by the setting unit 105 (Step S129).
When neither the condition about the effective date nor the
condition about the effective period has been set (S129: NO), the
process is terminated.
[0287] Meanwhile, when at least one of the condition about the
effective date and the condition about the effective period has
been set (Step S129: YES), the determination unit 106 performs the
reminding process B.
(Reminding process A)
[0288] The reminding process A is performed in Step S128 in FIG.
27.
[0289] FIG. 28 is a flowchart for the reminding process A.
[0290] First, the determination unit 106 determines whether the
current date satisfies the condition about the effective date set
by the setting unit 105 (Step S131).
[0291] Specifically, when the condition about the effective date is
"Monday to Friday" and the current date is Tuesday, the
determination unit 106 determines that the current date satisfies
the condition about the effective date, and when the current date
is Saturday or Sunday, the determination unit 106 determines that
the current date does not satisfy the condition about the effective
date. Note that when no condition is specified about the effective
date, the determination unit 106 determines that the condition is
satisfied.
[0292] In the case of NO in Step S131, the reminding process A is
terminated. Meanwhile, in the case of YES in Step S131, the
determination unit 106 sets the current time as the specified time
(Step S132).
[0293] Subsequently, the determination unit 106 determines whether
the specified time is within the period specified by the condition
about the effective period (Step S133). Specifically, the
determination unit 106 determines that the specified time is within
the effective period when the specified time is later the starting
time of the effective period and earlier than the ending time of
the effective period. In the case of NO in Step S133, the reminding
process A is terminated.
[0294] In the case of YES in Step S133, the determination unit 106
refers to the user information table 1200, and specifies the
portable terminal device owned by the user who has submitted the
feedback information. The determination unit 106 acquires the
positional information of the specified portable terminal device
(Step S134). Specifically, the determination unit 106 refers to the
operation history information table 1400, and acquires the position
recorded as operation histories of the portable terminal device.
Then, the determination unit 106 calculates the moving distance of
the portable terminal device based on the latest position and the
previous position of the portable terminal device (Step S135).
[0295] The determination unit 106 determines whether the moving
distance calculated in Step S135 is no less than a predetermined
threshold value Dth (e.g. 100 m) and determines whether the current
time is later than the specified time. When the moving distance is
less than the threshold value Dth and when the current time is no
later than the specified time (Step S136: NO), the steps from Step
S134 are performed again.
[0296] In the case of YES in Step S136, the determination unit 106
estimates the time Tr required for reaching the area set by the
setting unit 105 (Step S137). Specifically, the determination unit
106 calculates the minimum distance from the current position to
the area, for example. Furthermore, the determination unit 106
calculates the moving speed of the portable terminal device from
the current position to the area along the shortest path, based on
the moving distance calculated in Step S135 and the time required
for moving the distance. The required time Tr is obtained by
dividing the minimum distance by the moving speed.
[0297] Subsequently, the determination unit 106 determines whether
the required time Tr is shorter than a threshold value Tth (e.g. 20
minutes), and an estimated time to arrive at the area obtained by
adding the required time Tr to the current time is earlier than the
time obtained by subtracting a threshold T0 (e.g. 30 minutes) from
the ending time of the effective period (Step S138).
[0298] When determining that the required time Tr is not shorter
than the threshold value Tth, or when the estimated time to arrive
at the area is not earlier than the time obtained by subtracting
the threshold T0 from the ending time of the effective period (Step
S138: NO), the determination unit adds a predetermined time Ts
(e.g. 1 hour) to the current time and sets the time thus obtained
to the specified time (Step S139). Then, the steps from Step S133
are performed again.
[0299] Meanwhile, in the case of YES in Step S138, the control unit
101 transmits the notification information to the portable terminal
device via the communication unit 108 (Step S140). Upon receiving
the notification information from the server device 10, the
portable terminal device notifies the user of the notification
information by using the notification unit 1014.
[0300] The above-described steps allow the sever device 10 to
transmit the notification information specified as favorite
information again to the user when the user comes to a certain
distance to the area.
(Reminding Process B)
[0301] The reminding process B is performed in Step S130 in FIG.
27.
[0302] FIG. 29 is a flowchart for the reminding process B.
[0303] First, the determination unit 106 determines whether any
condition about the effective date has been set by the setting unit
105 (Step S151). When any condition about the effective date has
been set (Step S151: YES), the determination unit 106 determines
whether the current date satisfies the condition about the
effective date (Step S152). If the current date does not satisfy
the condition about the effective date (Step S152: NO), the
reminding process B is terminated.
[0304] When no condition has been set about the effective date
(Step S151: NO) and when the current date satisfies the condition
about the effective date (Step S152: YES), the determination unit
106 determines whether any condition about the effective period has
been set by the setting unit 105 (Step S153).
[0305] When no condition about the effective period has been set
(Step S153: NO), the determination unit 106 determines whether a
predetermined time (e.g. 1 hour) has elapsed since the notification
information was stored in the feedback information management unit
109 in association with the feedback information (Step S157).
Specifically, the determination unit 106 calculates the elapsed
time by comparing the recorded time with the current time. When the
predetermined time has not elapsed (Step S157: NO), the control
unit 101 waits until the predetermined time has elapsed. When the
predetermined time has elapsed (Step S157: YES), the control unit
101 transmits the notification information to the portable terminal
device via the communication unit 108 (Step S156).
[0306] Meanwhile, when any condition about the effective period has
been set (Step S153: YES), the determination unit 106 determines
whether the current time is later than the ending time of the
effective period (Step S154). When the current time is later than
the ending time of the effective period (Step S154: YES), the
reminding process B is terminated. When the current time is not
later than the ending time of the effective period (Step S154: NO),
the determination unit 106 determines whether the current time is
within the effective period. That is, the determination unit 106
determines whether the current time is not earlier than the
starting time of the effective period (Step S155). When the current
time is not within the effective period (Step S155: NO), the steps
from Step S154 are performed again. Meanwhile, when the current
time is within the effective period (Step S155: YES), the control
unit 101 transmits the notification information to the portable
terminal device via the communication unit 108 (Step S156).
<2.5 Summary>
[0307] As explained above, the information notification system
pertaining to the present embodiment allows the user who has
received the notification information from the server device 11 to
transmit the feedback information to the server device 11 in
response to the received notification information, and accordingly
the server device 11 can timely transmit the notification
information to the user again based on the feedback
information.
<2.6 Modifications>
[0308] (1) In the embodiment above, the appliance that notifies the
user of the notification information and the appliance from which
the user inputs the feedback information in response to the
notification information are the same. However, the appliance that
notifies the user of the notification information and the appliance
from which the user inputs the feedback information in response to
the notification information are not necessarily the same. The
appliance from which the user inputs the feedback information may
be different from the appliance that notifies the user of the
notification information insofar as the appliance can transmit the
feedback information in response to the notification information
transmitted by the server device 11.
[0309] FIG. 30 is a conceptual diagram showing a modified case
where the appliance that notifies the user of the notification
information and the appliance from which the user inputs the
feedback information in response to the notification information
are different.
[0310] The notification information from the server device 11 is
displayed as notification information 11003 on the appliance 1002.
Information showing that the notification information 11003 has
been displayed on the appliance 1002 is displayed on the appliance
1003 (e.g. a portable terminal device) owned by the user. The user
transmits feedback information from the appliance 1003 in order to
indicate whether to register the notification as favorite
information. The feedback information from the portable terminal
device is transmitted to the server device 11 via a base station
40.
[0311] The appliance 1002 may be provided with a button for
registering the notification information as favorite information,
and the user may press the button when the notification information
is provided to the appliance 1002 and thereby submit the feedback
information to the server device 11.
[0312] (2) In embodiments above, a portable terminal device is
explained as an example of the appliance of the user from which the
user submits the feedback information. However, the appliance used
for submitting the feedback information is not necessarily a
portable terminal device. Any device may be used insofar as the
device can submit the feedback information to the server device 11
when receiving the notification information from the server device
11. For example, as shown in FIG. 31, the appliance may have the
function of transmitting information input by the user.
[0313] FIG. 31 is a functional block diagram illustrating primary
components of an appliance 1004 which is a modified example of an
appliance used for submitting the feedback information.
[0314] The appliance 1004 shown in FIG. 31 includes a control unit
1011, a storage unit 1012, a communication unit 1015 and an input
unit 1019.
[0315] The control unit 1011 is, for example, a CPU, and has the
function of receiving information input by the user from the input
unit 1019 and controlling the communication unit 1015 to transmit
the information to the server device 11.
[0316] The storage unit 1012 is, for example, a memory, and has the
function of storing programs for enabling the functions of the
control unit 1011. The functions of the control unit 1011 are
realized by the CPU executing the programs stored in the storage
unit 1012.
[0317] The input unit 109 has the function of receiving the
feedback information input by the user, and outputting the feedback
information to the control unit 1011. The input unit 1019 is, for
example, a button for registering the notification information as
favorite information, and outputs information indicating that the
button has been pressed by the user, to the control unit 1011. Upon
receiving information indicating that the user has pressed the
button, the control unit 1011 controls the communication unit 1015
to transmit, as the feedback information, information indicating an
instruction to register the notification information as the
favorite information, to the server device 11.
[0318] The communication unit 1015 is, for example, an LSI for
communications, and has the function of transmitting the feedback
information under the control of the control unit 1011.
[0319] Note that the appliance for transmitting the feedback
information does not necessarily transmit the feedback information
to the server device 11 every time the user inputs the feedback
information. For example, the appliance may accumulate the feedback
information, and transmit the accumulated feedback information at
once.
[0320] FIG. 32 is a functional block diagram illustrating primary
components of the appliance 1005 that is an example of an appliance
for transmitting the feedback information and is modified to
realize the above-described function.
[0321] The appliance 1005 has a time management unit 1021 in
addition to the components of the appliance 1004.
[0322] The time management unit 1021 has the function of storing
the feedback information received from the user via the input unit
1019 and the time at which the feedback information is received in
association with each other.
[0323] When detecting that it is possible to communicate with the
server device 11, the control unit 1011 controls the communication
unit 1015 to transmit, to the server device 11, the feedback
information stored in the time management unit 1021 and information
about the receiving time of the feedback information.
[0324] With this configuration, even when the feedback information
is received under the condition where it is impossible to
communicate with the server device 11, the appliance 1005 can
transmit the feedback information to the server device 11 when it
becomes possible to communicate with the server device 11.
3. Embodiment 3
<3.1 Overview>
[0325] An information notification system pertaining to the present
embodiment is the same as the information notification system 2
pertaining to Embodiment 2 in basic configuration. However, a
server device 12 pertaining to the present embodiment is different
from the information notification system 2 in that the server
device 12 has the function of receiving the feedback information
transmitted by the appliance 1003 and placing an order according to
the feedback information, in addition to the functions of the
server device 11.
<3.2 Configuration>
[0326] FIG. 33 is a functional block diagram illustrating primary
components of the server device 12.
[0327] The server device 12 has basically the same configuration as
the server device 11.
[0328] The difference is that the server device 12 additionally
includes an ordering unit 110.
[0329] The ordering unit 110 has the function of placing an order
when information relating to the order is contained in the feedback
information. The functions of the ordering unit 110 are realized by
the CPU executing the programs stored in the storage unit 102.
<3.3 Data Structure>
[0330] FIG. 34 illustrates a data structure and example contents of
the notification information table 1102.
[0331] The notification information table 1102 contains an item
Consumable goods 1190 in addition to the items of notification
information table 1100.
[0332] Consumable goods 1190 is an item specifying the goods that
is to be the subject of the determination on whether the goods are
in short supply when "at short supply of consumable goods" is
specified in Notification timing 1160.
[0333] In the example shown in FIG. 34, the notification
information specified in Notification contents 1170 is transmitted
when the amount of detergent for the laundry machine specified in
Appliance type 1130 is no greater than a predetermined amount.
<3.4 Operations>
[0334] The following explains operations of the server device 12 in
an example case where the conditions shown in the notification
information table 1100 in FIG. 34 are specified.
[0335] FIG. 35 is a conceptual diagram showing a notification
process performed when the consumable goods are in short
supply.
[0336] Suppose the case where a laundry machine 1006 can store a
certain amount of detergent that is sufficient for doing laundry
several times, and has the function of transmitting, as the
operation history information, information indicating the remaining
amount of detergent to the server device 12. The laundry machine
1006 has an indicator 11004 including a LED for supporting the
notification by light. When the goods are in short supply, the
indicator 11004 of the laundry machine 1006 is caused to blink, and
notification information 11005 is displayed on a TV 1007 owned by
the same user. The notification information 11005 shows information
encouraging the user to purchase AAA detergent from ZZZ
supermarket. When the user wishes to purchase the AAA detergent for
100 Yen, the user selects "YES" and, and otherwise selects "NO".
When the user selects "YES", the TV 1007 transmits, as the feedback
information, information indicating purchase of the AAA detergent
for 100 Yen, to the server device 12. The server device 12 places
the order for the detergent with ZZZ supermarket according to the
feedback information.
[0337] FIG. 36 is a flowchart for operations performed by the
server device 12 when consumable goods are in short supply.
[0338] The determination unit 106 of the server device 12
determines whether the condition for when the consumable goods are
in short supply, which is specified in Notification timing, is
satisfied or not (Step S161). Specifically, the determination unit
106 refers to the operation history information table 1400, and
determines whether the amount of remaining detergent specified in
Consumable goods 1190 is no greater than a predetermined amount
(e.g. the amount for doing laundry three times).
[0339] In the case of NO in Step S161, the determination unit 106
monitors the operation histories of the laundry machine 1006, and
repeats Step S161 until the remaining amount is no greater than the
predetermined amount.
[0340] In the case of YES in Step S161, the determination unit 106
determines whether the feedback information indicating purchase of
the consumable goods has been received from the user by the
acquisition unit 103 via the communication unit 108 (Step S162).
When the feedback information indicating purchase of the consumable
goods has been received (Step S162: YES), the ordering unit 110
transmits information indicating an order of the consumable goods
to the information provider server 30 owned by the information
provider specified in Name 1110 (Step S163). Note that the method
for placing orders may be the same as conventional methods adopted
for internet shopping.
<3.4 Summary>
[0341] The information notification system pertaining to the
present embodiment allows for timely transmission of notification
information encouraging purchase of consumable goods in short
supply, and therefore the user can instruct the server device 12 to
place an order for the consumable goods by a simple operation.
4. Modifications
[0342] An information notification system using information
notification method pertaining to the present invention has been
described above based on embodiments. However, as a matter of
course, the system may be modified in the following manner, and the
present invention is not limited to the information notification
method shown in embodiments above.
[0343] (1) In above-described embodiments, the server device
determines the timing of transmitting the notification information
and selects the notification-target appliances. However, this is
merely an example, and the determination as to the timing of
transmitting the notification information and the selection of the
notification-target appliances are not necessarily performed by the
server device. It is not necessarily the server device that
performs the determination as to the timing of transmitting the
notification information and the selection of the
notification-target appliances. For example, the GW inside the
house, which is connected to the appliance owned by the user, may
perform the determination and the selection. If this is the case,
each GW includes components that are equivalent to the
determination unit, the selection unit and the acquisition unit of
the server device, and the server device transmits the notification
condition information 1500 used for the determination on the
transmission of the notification information to the GW owned by the
target user. The GW determines the timing of transmitting the
notification information and selects the notification-target
appliances according to the notification condition information.
Alternatively, these processes may be performed by separate
devices. For example, the determination as to the timing of
transmitting the notification information may be performed by the
server device, and the selection of the notification-target
appliances may be performed by each GW.
[0344] (2) In the above-described embodiments, the selection unit
107 selects, as the notification notification-target appliances,
all the appliances satisfying the conditions specified in Target
appliance 1540 of the appliance notification condition information
table 1500. However, this is not essential. It suffices if the
notification information is efficiently and effectively provided to
the users. For example, from among the appliances satisfying the
conditions specified in Target appliance 1540, appliances that are
frequently used by the user within a predetermined range of the
time to transmit the notification information (e.g. from one hour
before the time to one hour after the time) may be determined with
reference to the history information, and the notification
information may be transmitted to the appliances in the order of
the frequency of use. Alternatively, the notification information
may be transmitted to appliances that are used more frequently than
a predetermined threshold (e.g. three times a week or more).
[0345] Alternatively, the notification information may be
transmitted to preferentially appliances that are capable of
providing the notification information without converting it.
[0346] (3) In Embodiment 1, the context search is related to an
action of watching a TV program and the determination is performed
on whether the search keyword is related to the program. However,
this is merely an example, and the context search is not limited to
this example. The context search may be adapted to operations of
any devices, insofar as the context search allows for the detection
of the user's operation related to the keyword. For example, the
determination on whether the keyword for the search performed on a
browser or the like matches the search keyword determined by the
information provider may be performed based on the operation
histories of the device having the browser function.
[0347] (4) In the above-described embodiments, an advertisement
distribution service is explained as an example of the service of
providing information. However, the notification information to be
provided is not limited to advertisements. Any information that the
information providers wish to provide may be specified as the
notification information. For example, the information providers
may provide weather forecast information, traffic information and
so on as the notification information. Alternatively, the broadcast
schedule of TV programs may be specified as the notification
information.
[0348] (5) In the above-described embodiments, the notification
information is written in HTML. However, this is merely an example,
and it is not essential that the notification information is
written in HTML. Any format and any type of files may be used
insofar as the notification information can be specified. For
example, the notification information may be represented by text
data, image data or audio data. Alternatively, any combinations of
the above may be adopted.
[0349] (6) In Embodiment 2, the input unit has the function of
detecting that the user inputs the feedback information by shaking
the portable terminal device up and down. However, this is merely
an example, and the input unit does not necessarily have such a
function. It suffices if the input unit has the function of
enabling the user to input the feedback information. For example,
the input unit may be a mechanical button. If this is the case, the
user presses the button to show the intention of registering the
notification information as the favorite information, and the
feedback information indicating the intention is transmitted to the
server device. Alternatively, a similar button may be displayed on
a touch panel, and the same function may be realized by detecting a
touch on the button.
[0350] (7) In Embodiment 3, the notification information allowing
the user to determine whether to purchase consumable goods is
displayed, and the user inputs the feedback information in response
to the notification information. However, this is merely an
example, and it is not essential that the notification information
allows the user to only determine whether to purchase consumable
goods. For example, the notification information may provide
conditions for purchasing the goods, as shown in FIG. 37. When such
a configuration is adopted, the server device transmits the
feedback information to the information provider and allows the
information provider to know the trend of the price at which the
user would like to buy the goods.
[0351] Alternatively, notification information providing a coupon
relating to the consumable goods may be displayed instead of the
notification information encoring the purchase.
[0352] (8) The various notification processes, the process of
selecting the appliances, the process of registering the substitute
notification-target appliances, the process performed when
consumable goods are in short supply, and so on described in the
embodiments above (FIGS. 13 through 18, 20 through 22, 27 through
29 and 36) may be realized by using control programs that are
composed of program codes written in machine language or high-level
language and that cause the processor of the server device and
various circuits connected to the processor to perform the
processes above. The control programs may be stored on a recording
medium, or distributed via various communication channels. Examples
of such a recording medium includes an IC card, a hard disk, an
optical disc, a flexible disk, ROM, a flash memory, and so on. The
distributed control programs are stored in a memory or the like
that is readable by a processor, and the functions described in
embodiments above are realized by the processor executing the
control programs. Instead of executing the control programs per se,
the processor may execute compiled programs or use an
interpreter.
[0353] (9) The information notification method pertaining to the
present invention may be realized by a computer using computer
programs. Computer programs may be transmitted as digital
signals.
[0354] The prevent invention may be realized as the computer
programs or the digital signals recorded on a computer-readable
recording medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a
MO, a DVD, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, a BD (Blu-ray Disc.TM.), or a
semiconductor memory. The present invention may be the computer
programs or the digital signals recorded on such a recording
medium.
[0355] The computer programs or the digital signals pertaining to
the present invention may be transmitted via networks, of which
telecommunications networks, wire/wireless communications networks,
and the Internet are representative, or via data broadcasting.
[0356] (10) The above-described Embodiments and Modifications may
be combined with one another.
4. Supplemental Descriptions
[0357] The following further explains the structure of the
information notification method pertaining to one aspect of the
present invention, modifications applicable to the method, and
advantageous effects of the method.
[0358] (1) One aspect of the present invention provides an
information notification method for providing information from a
server device to a plurality of devices connected to a network,
comprising: a reading step of reading notification information that
is stored in association with information indicating a particular
action of a user; an acquiring step of acquiring operation
histories of the plurality of devices; an estimating step of
estimating, based on operation histories of one or more devices
owned by the user among the plurality of devices, a no-operation
period during which the user is unlikely to operate the one or more
devices; a determining step of determining, based on current
operation state of the one or more devices, whether the particular
action has been performed outside the no-operation period; and a
transmitting step of, when outcome of the determining step is
affirmative, transmitting the notification information associated
with the particular action to a destination device among the one or
more devices owned by the user, wherein the destination device,
receiving the notification information, provides the user with the
notification information.
[0359] According to the stated information notification method, a
period during which the user is unlikely to operate the appliances
is estimated based on the operation histories of the appliances,
and whether the appliances have been operated outside the estimated
period is determined. Therefore, the stated method allows for
timely transmission of the notification information to each user,
without being provided by the information provider with detailed
settings for each user with respect to conditions for
notification.
[0360] (2) The information notification may further comprise: a
selecting step of selecting, based on current operation state of
the one or more devices owned by the user, at least one device as
the destination device of the notification information from among
the one or more devices owned by the user. The operation histories
of the one or more devices owned by the user may contain
information indicating a power-on period of each of the one or more
devices owned by the user, the power-on period of a device being a
period during which the device was in power-on state in each day.
The particular action may be use of at least one particular device
from among the one or more devices owned by the user. In the
estimating step, an action period may be estimated based on the
information indicating the power-on period, the action period being
a period during which the user is likely to perform the particular
action. In the determining step, the particular action may be
determined to have been performed within the action period when
power status of the at least one particular device is determined to
have been changed within the action period. In the transmitting
step, the notification information may be transmitted to the at
least one device selected as the destination device in the
selecting step when the particular action is determined to have
been performed within the action period.
[0361] According to the stated method, a period during which the
user is likely to perform the particular action each day is
estimated based on whether the at least one device relating to the
user's particular action has been powered on or not. Therefore, the
stated method allows for determination on whether the particular
device has been operated in the period during which the user is
likely to perform the particular action.
[0362] (3) In the determining step, the particular action may be
determined to have been performed within the action period when the
at least one particular device has been switched from power-off
state to powered-on state within the action period, and in the
selecting step, the at least one device switched to power-on state
may be selected as the destination of the notification
information.
[0363] The stated method allows for transmission of the
notification information to particular devices that have been
powered on within the estimated period during which the user is
likely to perform the particular action.
[0364] (4) In the determining step, the particular action may be
determined to have been performed within the action period when a
device among the at least one particular device is switched from
power-on state to power-off state at any point within the action
period and all of the at least one particular device has been
switched to power-off state at the point. In the selecting step,
the at least one device switched to power-off state may be selected
as the destination device of the notification information. In the
transmitting step, the notification information may be transmitted
to the at least one device selected as the destination device in
the selecting step when the at least one device selected as the
destination device is switched to power-on state.
[0365] The stated method allows for determination as to whether all
the particular devices are in the power-off state within the period
during which the user is likely to operate the devices, and allows
for transmission of the notification information when a device
among the devices that have been in the power-off state is switched
to power-on state. Therefore, the notification information is
transmitted to the device when, for example, the user returns
home.
[0366] (5) The one or more devices owned by the user may include a
portable information terminal device that is not the at least one
particular device. In the determining step, the particular action
may be determined to have been performed within the action period
when a device among the at least one particular device is switched
from power-on state to power-off state at any point within the
action period and all of the at least one particular device has
been switched to power-off state at the point. In the selecting
step, the portable information terminal device may be selected as
the destination device of the notification information. In the
transmitting step, the notification information may be transmitted
to the portable information terminal device.
[0367] The stated method detects that all the particular devices
have been switched to power-off state, and upon detection,
transmits the notification information to the portable terminal
device belonging to the user of the particular devices. Therefore,
the notification information is transmitted to the portable
terminal device of the user when, for example, the user goes out of
home.
[0368] (6) The portable information terminal device may include a
positioning unit using a satellite positioning system. The
information notification method may further comprise a position
acquiring step of sequentially acquiring positional information of
the portable information terminal device from the positioning unit.
In the transmitting step, the notification information may be
transmitted to the portable information terminal device when the
portable information terminal device enters a predetermined area
from outside thereof.
[0369] With the stated method, the notification information is
transmitted to the portable terminal device owned by the user when
the user, while being out of home for example, approaches to a
specified area.
[0370] (7) In the selecting step, one or more devices other than
the at least one particular device may be selected from among the
one or more devices owned by the user, and in the transmitting
step, the notification information may be transmitted to, among the
one or more devices selected in the selecting step, a device that
is in power-on state.
[0371] With the stated method, the notification information is
transmitted to a device in power-on state, other than the
particular devices owned by the user.
[0372] (8) The information notification method may further comprise
a notification device information reading step of reading
notification device information stored in association with the
particular action, the notification device information specifying
one or more devices as candidates for the destination device of the
notification information. In the selecting step, a device that is
in power-on state may be selected as the destination device of the
notification information from among the one or more devices
specified by the notification device information.
[0373] With the stated method, the notification information is
transmitted to a device that is in power-on state at the time of
transmission of the notification information, from among the
predetermined candidates for the destination device.
[0374] (9) The information notification method may further comprise
a destination device information reading step of reading
destination device information stored in association with the
notification information, the destination device information
specifying a condition for type of the destination device and a
condition for a range relating to the destination device. In the
selecting step, the destination device may be selected based on the
destination device information.
[0375] With the stated method, the notification information is
transmitted to the device satisfying the conditions specified in
advance by the information provider.
[0376] (10) The range relating to the destination device may be a
time range specifying a usage period for which the device has been
used. In the selecting step, the usage period of each of the one or
more devices owned by the user may be specified based on the
operation histories, and a device that satisfies the condition for
the range may be selected as the destination device.
[0377] With the stated method, the notification information is
transmitted to the device satisfying the conditions relating to the
usage period of the device, specified in advance by the information
provider.
[0378] (11) The information notification method may further
comprise a positional information reading step of reading
positional information of each of the plurality of devices. The
range relating to the destination device may be a positional range
of the destination device. In the selecting step, a device that
satisfies the condition for the range may be selected as the
destination device from among the one or more devices owned by the
user.
[0379] With the stated method, the notification information is
transmitted to the device satisfying the conditions relating to the
location of the device, specified in advance by the information
provider.
[0380] (12) At least one of the one or more devices owned by the
user may be an information search terminal device. The information
search terminal device may include a keyword input unit receiving a
keyword input by the user. The operation histories of the plurality
of devices may contain the keyword. The particular action of the
user may be to input an instruction relating to the keyword into
the at least one of the one or more devices owned by the user. In
the determining step, the particular action may be determined to
have been performed when the information search terminal device is
determined to have operated according to the instruction relating
to the keyword. In the selecting step, the information search
terminal device may be selected as the destination device of the
notification information.
[0381] With the stated structure, notification information relating
to the keyword is transmitted when the user performs a search
relating to a particular keyword.
[0382] (13) The one or more devices owned by the user may include a
device including a feedback information input unit receiving
feedback information from the user. The information notification
method may further comprise: a feedback information acquiring step
of acquiring the feedback information from the device including the
feedback information input unit; a function information reading
step of reading function information used for enabling one of the
one or more devices owned by the user to perform a particular
function based on the feedback information; and an instructing step
of issuing an instruction to enable the one of the one or more
devices owned by the user to perform the particular function when
the feedback information satisfies a predetermined condition.
[0383] The stated method enables the server device to receive the
feedback information from the user that has received the
notification information, and to timely transmit additional
information relating to the notification information to the user
according to the feedback information.
[0384] (14) Another aspect of the present invention provides an
information notification system for providing information from a
server device to a plurality of devices connected to a network, the
server device comprising: a storage unit storing notification
information in association with information indicating a particular
action of a user; a reading unit reading the notification
information stored in association with the information indicating
the particular action of the user; an acquisition unit acquiring
operation histories of the plurality of devices; an estimation unit
estimating, based on operation histories of one or more devices
owned by the user among the plurality of devices, a no-operation
period during which the user is unlikely to operate the one or more
devices; a determination unit determining, based on current
operation state of the one or more devices, whether the particular
action has been performed outside the no-operation period; and a
transmission unit, when outcome of the determining step is
affirmative, transmitting notification information associated with
the particular action to a destination device among the one or more
devices owned by the user, and each of the plurality of devices
comprising: a history information transmission unit transmitting
operation histories of the device to the server device; a receiving
unit receiving the notification information from the server device;
and a notification unit providing the user with the notification
information.
[0385] The stated information notification system estimates a
period during which the user is unlikely to operate the appliances,
based on the operation histories of the appliances, and determines
whether the appliances have been operated outside the estimated
period. Therefore, the server device can timely transmit the
notification information to each user, without detailed settings
specified by the information provider for each user with respect to
conditions for notification, and the devices that have received the
notification information can provide the user with the notification
information.
[0386] (15) Another aspect of the present invention provides a
server device for providing information to a plurality of devices
connected to a network, comprising: a storage unit storing
notification information in association with information indicating
a particular action of a user; a reading unit reading the
notification information stored in association with the information
indicating the particular action of the user; an acquisition unit
acquiring operation histories of the plurality of devices; an
estimation unit estimating, based on operation histories of one or
more devices owned by the user among the plurality of devices, a
no-operation period during which the user is unlikely to operate
the one or more devices; a determination unit determining, based on
current operation state of the one or more devices, whether the
particular action has been performed outside the no-operation
period;
[0387] and a transmission unit, when outcome of the determining
step is affirmative, transmitting the notification information
associated with the particular action to a destination device among
the one or more devices owned by the user.
[0388] The stated server device estimates a period during which the
user is unlikely to operate the appliances, based on the operation
histories of the appliances, and determines whether the appliances
have been operated outside the estimated period. Therefore, the
server device can timely transmit the notification information to
the devices owned by each user, without being provided by the
information provider with detailed settings for each user with
respect to conditions for notification.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0389] An information notification method pertaining to the present
invention is applicable to a server device that determines the
timing of providing the user with information, or devices to which
the information is to be provided.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0390] 10, 11, 12: Server device [0391] 20: Network [0392] 30:
Information provider server [0393] 101, 1011: Control unit [0394]
102, 1012: Storage unit [0395] 103: Acquisition unit [0396] 104:
Target user determination unit [0397] 105: Setting unit [0398] 106:
Determination unit [0399] 107: Selection unit [0400] 108, 1015:
Communication unit [0401] 109: Feedback information management unit
[0402] 110: Ordering unit [0403] 900: Setting information [0404]
1002, 1003, 1004, 1005: Appliance [0405] 1100: Notification
information table [0406] 1101: Notification information table
[0407] 1102: Notification information table [0408] 1013: Event
detection unit [0409] 1014: Notification unit [0410] 1016:
Appliance control unit [0411] 1017: Main component [0412] 1018:
Main hardware [0413] 1019: Input unit [0414] 1200: User information
table [0415] 1300: Appliance information table [0416] 1400:
Operation history information table [0417] 1500: Notification
condition information table [0418] 2000: Event condition
information table
* * * * *
References