Specification
[Title of Invention] TERMINAL DEVICE, EXTERNAL DEVICE,
INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND INFORMATION
PROCESSING SYSTEM
5 [Technical Field]
[00011
The present technique relates to a terminal device,
an external device, an information processing method, a
program, and an information processing system.
10 Particularly, it is directed for using information
corresponding to a user's life rhythm easily and timely.
[Background Art]
[0002]
Conventionally, there have been served health care
15 services for providing health care information depending
on a user with an information processing system. For
example, a terminal device having a communication
function and a measurement device measuring vital data
(such as body weight, blood pressure and steps) are
20 linked with each other to record client's vital data
measured by the measurement device in an external device
by the terminal device. The external device performs a
statistical processing and the like on the recorded vital
data, and transmits a statistical processing result to
25 the terminal device.
[00031
In a health care management system described in
Patent Document 1, there is proposed, as other health
care service, that advice about diet and exercise is
30 given based on life style data and vital data.
[Prior Art Documents]
[Patent Document]
[00041
[Patent Document 11 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No. 11-47096
5 [Summary of Invention]
[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
[00051
With a service for notifying a statistical
processing result of vital data, a change in accumulated
10 vital data can be grasped. However, if a daily change in
vital data is small, a change in statistical processing
result to be notified is also small, and a degree of
user's interest can lower and the service can be less
used. For information provision, when infqrmation is
15 provided through linkage with a vital data registration
timing, the user cannot timely obtain the information
based on his/her life rhythm.
[00061
When a search type system is used so as to provide
20 information a user desires, the user cannot obtain
information without a setting operation on search
conditions and the like. Thus, if the user determines
that the operation is complicated, it is difficult to
increase a service use frequency and to cause the user to
25 continuously utilize the service.
[0007]
It is therefore an object of the present technique
to enable information corresponding to a user's life
rhythm to be easily and timely used.
30 [Means for Solving the Problems]
[00081
A first aspect of the present technique is a
terminal device including an information collecting unit
collecting information for selecting content according to
a life rhythm, a control unit providing the collected
5 information collected in the information collecting unit
and making a content request to an external device, and a
content presenting unit presenting content which is
selected based on the life rhythm analyzed from the
collected information in the external device in response
10 to the content request and is supplied from the external.
device.
[OO091
With the technique, the information collecting unit
is provided with a sensor unit collecting information on
15 user's actions or position information and a user
interface unit for inputting information on a user's life
rhythm so that information for selecting content
according to the life rhythm is collected. The control
unit provides the collected information collected in the
20 information collecting unit and makes a content request
to the external device, and the content presenting unit
presents content selected and supplied based on the life
rhythm analyzed from the collected information in the
external device in response to the content request. When
25 the supplied content is used, the control unit notifies
the external device of the use of the content. When a
life rhythm analyzing unit analyzing a life rhythm based
on the collected information is provided, the content
request contains search parameters for selecting content
30 according to a life rhythm at a content selecting time
before the content request time instead of the provision
of the collected information. Content selected and
supplied according to the life rhythm is presented in the
external device based on the search parameters contained
in the content request. The life rhythm analyzing unit
5 classifies user's actions based on the collected
information, and analyzes a life rhythm based on a
frequency of an action at each time.
[00101
A second aspect of the present technique is an
10 information processing method including a step of
collecting information for selecting content according to
a life rhythm, a step of providing the collected
information and making a content request to an external
device, and a step of presenting content selected and.
15 supplied according to the life rhythm based on the
provided information in the external device in response
to the content request.
[OOll]
A third aspect of the present technique is a
20 program causing a computer to obtain content from an
external device. The program causes the computer to
execute a procedure of collecting information for
selecting content according to a life rhythm, a procedure
of providing the collected information and making a
25 content request to the external device, and a procedure
of presenting content selected and supplied according to
the life rhythm based on the provided information in the
external device in response to the content request.
[00121
3 0 A fourth aspect of the present technique is an
external device including a content transmitting unit
selecting content based on collected information for
selecting content according to a life rhythm supplied
from a terminal device in response to a content request
from the terminal device and transmitting the selected
5 content to the terminal device.
[00131
With the technique, the content transmitting unit
selects content based on the collected information for
selecting content according to a life rhythm supplied
10 from the terminal device in response to a content request
from the terminal device and transmits the selected
content to the terminal device. For the content
selection, a plurality of pieces of content is selected.
For the content transmitting, the selected pieces of
15 content are randomly transmitted. When an environmental
information acquiring unit obtaining environmental
information is provided, environmental information is
selected from the obtained environmental information in
response to a content request and the selected
20 environmental information is used to select content.
When the content request contains search parameters for
selecting content according to a life rhythm, the search
parameters are used to select content. When content
according to a life rhythm cannot be selected for the
25 content selection, attributes previously registered from
the terminal device by the user are used to select
content. Further, when a life rhythm analyzing unit
analyzing a life rhythm based on the collected
information is provided, content according to a life
30 rhythm at a content selecting time before the content
request time is selected based on the life rhythm
analysis result. In the life rhythm analysis, the user's
actions are classified based on the collected information,
and the life rhythm is analyzed based on a frequency of
an action at each time. When the use of the content is
5 notified from the terminal device, the transmitted
content is stored in association with the use
notification.
[00141
A fifth aspect of the present technique is an ,
10 information processing method including a step of
selecting content based on collected information for
selecting content according to a life rhythm supplied
from a terminal device in response to a content request
from the terminal device and transmitting the selected
15 content to the terminal device.
[0015]
A sixth aspect of the present technique is a
program causing a computer to transmit content in
response to a content request from a terminal device.
20 The program causes the computer to execute a procedure of
selecting content based on collected information for
selecting content according to a life rhythm supplied
from the terminal device in response to a content request
from the terminal device and transmitting the selected
25 content to the terminal device.
[00161
A seventh aspect of the present technique is an
information processing system transmitting content from
an external device to a terminal device in response to a
30 content request from the terminal device. The terminal
device includes an information collecting unit collecting
information for selecting content according to a life
rhythm, a control unit providing the collected
information collected in the information collecting unit
and making a content request to an external device, and a
5 content presenting unit presenting content selected and
supplied according to the life rhythm based on the
collected information in the external device in response
to the content request. The external device include a
content transmitting unit selecting content based on
10 collected information for selecting content according to
a life rhythm supplied from the terminal device in
response to a content request from the terminal device
and transmitting the selected content to the terminal
device.
15 [00171
The program according to the present technique can
be provided in a computer-readable storage medium or
communication medium including a storage medium such as
optical disc, magnetic disc or semiconductor memory or a
20 communication medium such as network to a general-purpose
computer capable of executing various program codes.
such a program is provided in a computer readable form,
thereby achieving the processing according to the program
on the coniputer.
25 [Effects of the Invention]
[0018]
With the technique, in the terminal device,
information for selecting content according to a life
rhythm is collected and the collected information is
30 provided and a content request is made to the external
device. Content selected and supplied according to a
life rhythm is presented based on the collected
information in the external device in response to the
content request. In the external device, content is
selected based on the collected information for selecting
5 content according to a life rhythm supplied from the
terminal device in response to the content request from
the terminal device and the selected content is
transmitted to the terminal device. Thus, the
information corresponding to the user's life rhythm can
10 be easily and timely used.
[Brief Description of Drawings]
[00191
Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of an
information processing system.
15 Fig. 2 is a diagram exemplifying an outer profile
of a terminal device.
Fig. 3 is a diagram exemplifying an information
input screen.
Fig. 4 is a diagram exemplifying a channel
20 selection screen.
Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing operations of the
terminal device.
Fig. 6 is a diagram exemplifying information stored
in a collected information storing unit.
25 Fig. 7 is a diagram exemplifying an action pattern
analysis result.
Fig. 8 is a diagram exemplifying an exercise
quantity pattern analysis result.
Fig. 9 is a diagram exemplifying a preference
30 pattern analysis result.
Fig. 10 is a diagram exemplifying a day-based
pattern analysis result.
Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing operations of a life
rhythm analyzing unit.
Fig. 12 is a diagram exemplifying stored content
5 information.
Fig. 13 is a diagram exemplifying stored
environmental information.
Fig. 14 is a diagram for explaining action
determining operations.
10 Fig. 15 is a diagram for explaining item
determining operations.
Fig. 16 is a diagram for explaining target standard
determining operations.
Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing operations of a
15 content transmitting unit.
Fig. 18 is a diagram showing content presenting
operations.
[Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]
[OOZO]
20 An embodiment embodying the present technique v~ill
be described below. The explanation will be made in the
following order.
1. Structure of information processing system
2. Operations of terminal device
3. Operations of life rhythm analyzing unit
4. Operations of server device
[0021]
<1. Structure of information processing system>
Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of an
30 information processing system. The information
processing system 10 is configured of a terminal device
20 and an external device such as a server device 40, and
the terminal device 20 and the server device 40 are
connected to each other via a network 50, for example.
LO0221
5 The terminal device 20 has a sensor unit 21, a user
interface unit 22, a display unit 23, a conununication
unit 24 and a control unit 25. The server device 40 has
a content registering unit 41, a content storing unit 42,
an environmental information acquiring unit 43, an
10 environmental information storing unit 44, a content
transmitting unit 45, and a communication unit 47.
Further, in the information processing system 10, a life
rhythm analyzing unit 30 is provided in the terminal
device 20 or the server device 40. Fig. 1 exemplifies a
15 case in which the life rhythm analyzing unit is provided
in the server device 40. The content is information such
as image, character, speech or motor control signal, and
the following description exemplifies a case in which the
content is information such as image or character.
20 LO0231
The sensor unit 21 in the terminal device 20
collects information used for analyzing a life rhythm.
For example, the sensor unit 2 1 is provided vith a
movement sensor 211 having a step counting function, and
25 generates information on user's motions. The sensor unit
2 1 may be provided with a location detecting unit 212
obtaining position information. The location detecting
unit 212 is provided with a function of receiving a
positioning signal used for GPS (Global Positioning
30 System), for example, and detecting a current position, a
function of receiving a signal from a base station of
cell phones and detecting a current position, a function
of obtaining position information of a router based on an
address contained in a signal received from the router in
WiFi (wireless fidelity) and detecting a current position,
5 and the like. The information collected in the sensor
unit 21 and the information input via a user's
information input operation described later are assumed
as collected information.
[0024]
10 The user interface unit 22 is directed for user's
menu selection, information input and the like, and is
configured of operating switches, a touch panel or the
like. The user interface unit 22 generates an operation
signal depending on a user operation and outputs the
15 signal to the control unit 25.
[00251
The display unit 23 is configured of a flat display
device such as liquid crystal device or organic EL. The
display unit 23 displays menus or content supplied from
20 the server device 40.
[00261
The communication unit 24 makes communication with
the server device 40. The communication unit 24 is
controlled by the control unit 25 to transmit the
25 collected information or a content request to the server
device 40. Further, the communication unit 24 receives
content supplied from the server device 40.
roo271
The control unit 25 controls each unit in the
30 terminal device 20, and controls each unit to operate
depending to a user' operation. For example, the control
unit 25 provides the collected information or makes a
content request to the server device 40 depending to a
user's operation. Further, the control unit 25 uses user
identification information to provide the collected
5 information or to make a content request so that the user
who has provided the collected information or made a
content request can be identified by the server device 40.
Further, the control unit 25 periodically provides the
collected information to the server device 40 if
10 previously allowed by the user.
[0028]
The control unit 25 reproduces content supplied
from the server device 40 in response to a content
request, and displays various items of information
15 indicated by the content on the display unit 23. For
example, when the content is information such as images
or characters, the information is displayed on the
display unit 23. For example, when the content indicates
a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), the control unit 25
20 accesses a host indicated by the URL via the netraiork 50
to obtain information, and displays the obtained
information on the display unit 23. When terminating the
reproduction of the content, the control unit 25 makes a
content request to the server device 40. When the
25 content supplied from the server device 40 is used, the
control unit 25 notifies the server device 40 of the use
of the content. For example, when an operation
indicating that diet or exercise has been done based on
the displayed content is performed by the user, the
30 control unit 25 transmits a use notification indicating
which content has been used to the server device 40. The
control unit 25 may automatically determine which content
has been used based on a detection result of the sensor
unit 21. For example, when the user position is a shop
position indicated by the content, the control unit 25
5 automatically determines that the content has been used,
and transmits a use notification to the server device 40.
[00291
The life rhythm analyzing unit 30 has a collected
information storing unit 31, an analysis processing unit
10 32 and an analysis results storing unit 33. The
collected information storing unit 31 stores therein the
collected information provided from the terminal device
20.
[00301
15 The analysis processing unit 32 analyzes a user's
life rhythm pattern based on the collected information
stored in the collected information storing unit 31. For
example, the analysis processing unit 32 analyzes a
pattern of daily life rhythm or weekly life rhythm and
20 supplies an analysis result to the analysis storing unit
33.
[00311
The analysis storing unit 33 stores the life rhythm
analysis result supplied from the analysis processing
25 unit 32. The analysis results storing unit 33 supplies
the stored analysis result to the content transmitting
unit 45 in response to a request from the content
transmitting unit 45.
[00321
3 0 The content registering unit 41 in the server
device 40 registers content to be provided to the
terminal device 20. The content is information
associated with the actions configuring the user's life
pattern. The content registering unit 41 registers the
content in association with attributes of the actions.
5 The content may be registered by a content provider
online or may be registered offline based on an
instruction from the content provider.
[00331
The content storing unit 42 stores therein the
10 content registered in association with the attributes of
the actions. The content stored in the content storing
unit 42 is read by the content transmitting unit 45.
[00341
The environmental information acquiring unit 43
15 obtains environmental information on a user's life. The
environmental information acquiring unit 43 obtains
environmental information such as weather information
including temperature, daylight hours, precipitation,'
wind direction and wind speed. In obtaining the veather
20 information, the environmental information acquiring unit
43 obtains information corresponding to a user's position.
The user's position may be previously registered in the
server device 40 by the user, and the position detected
by the location detecting unit 212 in the sensor unit 21
25 in the terminal device 20 may be used. Further, a user's
future position is predicted and environmental
information of an area including the predicted position
may be obtained. The future position may be predicted
with reference to a user's past action history, for
30 example.
[0035]'
The environmental information storing unit 44
stores therein the environmental information obtained by
the environmental information acquiring unit 43. The
environmental information storing unit 44 is read by the
5 content transmitting unit 45.
LOO361
The content transmitting unit 45 determines a user
who has made a content request, and reads the analysis
result of the life rhythm of the determined user from the
10 analysis results storing unit 33 in the life rhythm
analyzing unit 30. The content transmittirig unit 45
determines a user's next action based on the read
analysis result, and reads environmental information
corresponding to the determined action from the
15 environmental information storing unit 44. Further, the
content transmitting unit 45 reads content associated
with the determined action and the read environmental
information from the content storing unit 42, and
transmits the content to a content request source.
20 Further, the content transmitting unj.t 45 calculates a
use rate indicating how often the content is used for
content transmitting based on the content use
notification from the terminal device 20. The calculated
use rate may be stored in association with the content
25 stored in the content storing unit 42, for example, or
may be notified to the content registrant.
I00371
The comn~unication unit 47 makes communication with
the communication unit 24 in the terminal device 20, and
30 receives a content request or the like supplied from the
terminal device 20 and supplies it to the content
.transmitting unit 45. The communication unit 47
transmits the content supplied from the content
transmitting unit 45 to the terminal device 20 in
response to the content request.
5 [00381
There has been described the case in which the
terminal device 20 uses the display unit 23 as a content
presenting unit to display content. However, when the
content is speech information, the content is presented
10 by a speaker or the like. The content storing unit 42
and the environmental information storing unit 44 may be
provided in an external device such as data center
instead of the server device 40.
[00391
15 <2. Operations of terminal device>
Fig. 2 exemplifies an outer profile of the terminal
device 20. A housing 200 in the terminal device 20 is
provided with operating switches 221 and 222 configuring
the user interface unit 22. A touch panel 224
20 configuring the user interface unit 22 is provided on the
display surface of the display unit 23. For example, the
operating switch 221 is directed for reading an
information input screen used for analyzing a life rhythm.
The operating switch 222 is directed for reading a
25 channel selection screen for designating a category of
content to be obtained from the server device 40. The
control unit 25 in the terminal device 20 displays the
information input screen on the display unit 23 in
response to an operation of the operating switch 221.
30 Further, when the user operation is performed for
displaying the information input screen, the control unit
25 determines which input operation the user has
performed, based on the operation position of the touch
panel 224 and the screen display, and performs an
information input processing based on a discrimination
5 result.
[0040]
Fig. 3 exemplifies the information input screen.
Fig. 3(A) exemplifies a user information input screen.
Information for selecting user's physical features or
10 user's highly-interested content can be input on the user
information input screen. For example, in Fig. 3(A),
there are provided text fields for inputting the physical
features such as body height and body weight and text
fields for inputting highly-interested items. However,
15 the information inputting is not limited to the text
fields. A spin button may be provided for inputting body
height and body weight, or a list box or combo box may be
provided for inputting highly-interested items.
[0041]
20 Fig. 3(B) exemplifies an action information input
screen. Action information which cannot be collected by
the sensor unit 21 or action information by the user
instead of the sensor unit 21 can be input on the action
information input screen. For example, in Fig. 3(B),
25 there are provided text fields for inputting wake-up time,
bedtime, diet category or taken calories, exercise type
and steps. However, the information inputting is not
limited to the text fields as described above. A spin
button may be provided for inputting wake-up time,
30 bedtime and steps, and a list box or combo box may be
provided for inputting diet category or exercise type.
The action information is input in association with time
information in order to identify when the action
information relates to an action. For the time
information to be associated, the time information
5 indicating when the information input operation has been
performed may be automatically generated in the control
unit 25 or the user may input the time information.
[0042]
Fig. 3 ( C ) exemplifies a log-in screen. The log-in
10 screen is provided with text fields for inputting a user
ID for user identification.
[0043]
The control unit 25 in the terminal device 20
displays the channel selection screen on the display unit
15 2 3 in response to an operation of the operating switch
2 2 2 . Further, when the user operation has been performed
for displaying the channel selection screen, the control
unit 25 determines which channel selection operation the
user has performed, based on the operation position of
20 the touch panel 224 and the screen display.
[0044]
Fig. 4 exemplifies the channel selection screen.
Any of multiple channels can be selected on the channel
selection screen. For example, in Fig. 4 (A), any of
25 daily life channel, exercise channel and diet channel can
be selected. The daily life channel is directed for
timely providing information on diet, exercise and sleep
corresponding to a user's life rhythm. The exercise
channel is directed for timely providing exercise-related
30 information or the like based on user's exercise history
information in correspondence to the user's life rhythm.
The diet channel is directed for timely providing dietrelated
information or the like corresponding to a user's
preference in correspondence to the user's life rhythm.
When the exercise channel is selected, content supplied
5 from the server device 40 in correspondence to the user's
life rhythm for exercise is displayed as shown in Fig'.
4 (B) .
[00451
Fig. 5 is a flowchart shoving operations of the
10 terminal device. In step ST11, the control unit 25 logs
in. The control unit 25 displays the log-in screen on
the display unit 23 to receive user ID input. The
control unit 25 transmits the input user ID to the server
device 40, and when being notified of the completion of
15 the user confirmation from the server device 40, proceeds
to step ST12. When being notified of the fact that the
user confirmation has not been made, the control unit 25
displays the fact on the display unit 23.
LOO461
20 In step ST12, the control unit 25 calls the channel
selection screen. The control unit 25 controls the
display unit 23 to display the channel selection screen,
and proceeds to step ST13.
roo471
25 In step ST13, the control unit 25 determines
whether the channel selection has been made. When not
detecting that the channel selection has been made, the
control unit 25 returns to step ST13, and when detecting
that the channel selection has been made, proceeds to
30 step ST14.
[00481
In step ST14, the control unit 25 makes a content
request. The control unit 25 requests content of the
channel selected in step ST13 to the server device 40 and
proceeds to step ST15.
5 [00491
In step ST15, the control unit 25 determines
whether the content has been received. The control unit
25 returns to step ST15 until the content is supplied
from the server device 40 in response to the content
10 request, and proceeds to step ST16 when receiving the
content transmitted from the server device 40.
[00501
In step ST16, the control unit 25 reproduces
content. The control unit 25 reproduces the received
15 content to display the information on the screen of the
display unit 23, for example, and then proceeds to step
ST17.
[0051]
In step ST17, the control unit 25 determines
20 whether an event has occurred. When an event has not
occurred, for example, when a user operation has not been
performed, the control unit 25 returns to step ST17, and
when it is determined that the user operation has been
performed, proceeds to step ST18.
25 [00521
In step ST18, the control unit 25 determines which
of the reproduction end and the switch ope;ation the
event is. When the touch panel operation of the display
unit 23 has been performed, for example, the control unit
30 25 proceeds to step ST24, and when the switch operation
has been performed by any of the operating switches 221
and 222, proceeds to step ST19.
100531
In step ST19, the control unit 25 determines
whether the switch operation is the channel selection
5 operation. When it is determined that the operating
switch 222 reading the channel selection screen has been
operated, the control unit 25 proceeds to step ST20.
When it is determined that the operating switch 221
calling the information input screen has been operated,
10 the control unit 25 proceeds to step ST20.
[0054]
In step ST20, the control unit 25 calls the
information input screen. The control unit 25 controls
the display unit 23 to display the informatlon input
15 screen, and proceeds to step ST21.
[0055]
In step ST21, the control unit 25 determines
whether information has been input. When not detecting
that information has been input, the control unit 25
20 returns to step ST21, and when detecting that information
has been input, proceeds to step ST22.
[0056]
In step ST22, the control unit 25 transmits data.
The control unit 25 transmits the input information or
25 the collected information to the server device 40, and
proceeds to step ST24.
roo571
When proceeding from step ST19 to step ST23, the
control unit 25 terminates the content reproduction. '
30 Since a new channel is to be selected, the control unit
25 terminates the content reproduction and returns to
step ST12.
[00581
When proceeding from step ST18 or 22 to step ST24,
the control unit 25 terminates the content reproduction
5 and returns to step ST14.
LO0591
When the reproduced content is used, for example,
when the user operation indicating that the content is to
be used is performed while the content is being
10 reproduced, the control unit 25 notifies the server
device 40 of the use of the content.
[00601
In this way, the terminal device 20 provides the
collected information for analyzing a life rhythm to the
15 server device 40. Thus, the collected information
provided is used to analyze a life rhythm described later,
thereby predicting user's future actions. Further, since
user's future actions can be predicted, when the terminal
device 20 makes a content request to the server device 40,
20 content corresponding to the predicted action can be
transmitted from the server device 40 to the terminal
device 20. Therefore, content corresponding to the
user's life rhythm can be previously provided. The
collected information is notified from the terminal
25 device 20 to the server device 40. Accordingly, content
to be provided can be improved for increasing a use rate.
[00611
<3. Operations of life rhythm analyzing unit>
The life rhythm analyzing unit 30 analyzes a user's
30 life rhythm based on the collected information.
[0062]
The collected information storing unit 31 stores
the information input from the information input screen
or the collected information obtained in the sensor unit
21 as a history per user. Fig. 6 exemplifies collected
5 information stored in the collected information storing
unit 31. For example, the collected information is
stored in association with action name, type and quantity
in time sequence. The "action name" classifies exercise
and diet, and the "type" indicates an exercise type or
10 diet type. Further, the "quantity" indicates the number
of steps during exercise or the number of calories of
food.
[00631
The analysis processing unit 32 analyzes a life
15 rhythm by use of the collected information stored in the
collected information storing unit 31. The analysis
processing unit 32 analyzes an action pattern, an actionrelated
quantity pattern such as exercise quantity
pattern, and a preference pattern based on the collected
20 information stored in the collected information storing
unit 31.
[00641
Fig. 7 exemplifies an action pattern analysis
result. In the action pattern analysis result, which.
25 action is frequently done is indicated per action in time
sequence. For example, the analysis processing unit 32
compares the stored information on exercise quantity or
taken calories with preset thresholds, thereby analyzing
whether exercise or diet has been done based on the
30 comparison result. The analysis processing unit 32 sets
the analysis result at "1" assuming that exercise is done
when the exercise quantity is equal to or more than the
threshold. Similarly, the analysis processing unit 32
sets the analysis result at "1" assuming that diet is
done when the number of taken calories is equal to or
5 more than the threshold. When analyzing that neither
exercise or diet has been done, the analysis processing
unit 32 sets the analysis result at "0." The analysis
processing unit 32 generates an action pattern analysis
result assuming that the initial value of the action
10 pattern analysis result is "0" and the daily analysis
results at a set time are added to be frequency values.
When the action pattern analysis result is generated in
this way, the action pattern analysis result is a model
related to the action pattern. Therefore, by use of the
15 action pattern analysis result, it is possible to
determine when and which action is often done, based on
the frequency values of the action pattern.ana1ysi.s
result.
[00651
20 Fig. 8 exemplifies an exercise quantity pattern
analysis result. The analysis processing unit 32
calculates a statistical value or average value of daily
exercise quantities every hour, and assumes the exercise
quantity pattern analysis result. When the exercise
25 quantity pattern analysis result is generated in this way,
the exercise quantity pattern analysis result is a model
related to an expected value of the exercise quantity.
LOO661
Fig. 9 exemplifies a preference pattern analysis
30 result. Fig. 9 is a preference pattern analysis result
of an exercise category. The preference pattern analysis
result indicates which category of exercise is often done
in time sequence. For example, the analysis processing
unit 32 analyzes which category of exercise has been done
based on the stored information on "type", and sets the
5 analysis result of the category of the done exercise at
"1." The analysis processing unit 32 sets the analysis
result of the category of undone exercise at "0." The
analysis processing unit 32 generates a preference
pattern analysis result assuming that the initial value
10 of the preference pattern analysis result is "0" similar
to the action pattern analysis result and daily analysis
results are added in time sequence to be frequency values.
When the preference pattern analysis result is generated
in this way, the preference pattern analysis result is a
15 model on a preference of the exercise category. Thus, by
use of the preference pattern analysis result, it is
possible to analyze when and which category of exercise
is often done, by the frequency values of the preference
pattern analysis result.
20 [0067]
Since a life rhythm may be different betvieen
weekday and holiday, not only a daily life rhythm
irrespective of day but also a day-based life rhythm may
be analyzed. For the analysis of the day-based life
25 rhythm, the collected information is divided per day, and
the collected information of the day when the life rhythm
is analyzed is used to analyze a life rhythm. Fig. 10
exemplifies a day-based pattern analysis result. The
day-based pattern is configured of daily pattern analysis
30 results irrespective of day and day-based pattern
analysis results, that is, eight analysis result patterns.
For example, the column of each day of (quantity) walking
is associated with distribution data every hour in Fig. 8
corresponding to each date. The column of each day of
(preference) exercise category is associated with
5 distribution data every hour in Fig. 9 corresponding to
each date. Similarly, a distribution of action patterns
in Fig. 7 is also associated with each date and is
managed in the table of Fig. 10.
[00681
10 The analysis results storing unit 33 stores therein
the models on the life rhythm analyzed in the analysis
processing unit 32, that is, the action pattern analysis
result, the quantity pattern analysis result, the
preference pattern analysis result and the like. When
15 the collected information stored in the collected
information storing unit 31 is updated and the life
rhythm is analyzed by the analysis processing unit 32;
the models of the life rhythm stored in the analysis
results storing unit 33 are updated to new analysis
20 results.
[00691
Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing operations of the
life rhythm analyzing unit 30 when the life rhythm
analyzing unit 30 is provided in the server device 40.
25 [00701
In step ST31, the life rhythm analyzing unit 30
determines whether the collected information has been
received. When having been supplied with the information
input from the information input screen or the
30 information obtained by the sensor unit 21 from the
terminal device 20 and having received the collected
information, the life rhythm analyzing unit 30 proceeds
to step ST32, and when having not received the collected
information, returns to step ST31.
[00711
5 In step ST32, the life rhythm analyzing unit 30
updates the stored information. The collected
information storing unit 31 in the life rhythm analyzing
unit 30 stores the collected information newly supplied
as a history, and proceeds to step ST33.
10 [0072]
In step ST33, the life rhythm analyzing unit 30
analyzes a life rhythm. The collected information stored
in the collected information storing unit 31 is updated
so that the analysis processing unit 32 in the life
15 rhythm analyzing unit 30 uses the updated information to
analyze a life rhythm, and proceeds to step ST34. When
analyzing the life rhythm by the day, the life rhythm
analyzing unit 30 confirms of which day the collected
information newly supplied is, and analyzes the life
20 rhythm of the confirmed day.
roo731
In step ST34, the life rhythm analyzing unit 30
updates a model on the life rhythm. The analysis results
storing unit 33 in the life rhythm analyzing unit 30
25 updates the stored model on the life rhythm based on the
analysis result in step ST33, and returns to step ST31.
When the life rhythm is analyzed by the day, the models
of the same day are updated.
roo741
3 0 In this way, the life rhythm analyzing unit 30
analyzes the user's life rhythm based on the collected
information, and generates an action pattern, a
preference pattern and the like. Thus, the pattern
analysis result is used thereby to predict user's future
actions and the like.
5 [00751
<4. Operations of server device>
The content information registered by the content
registering unit 41 in the server device 40 is stored in
the content storing unit 42.
10 roo761
Fig. 12 exemplifies content information stored in
the content storing unit 42. The content information.
contains content (such as URL (Uniform Resource Locator))
and metadata indicating attributes of the content. The
15 metadata is information used for selecting content
depending on a user's life rhythm or the like, and is
registered by a content provider in association with the
content attributes, for example. As the metadata,
information on action name, action type and quantity used
20 for analyzing a life rhythm, and environmental
information are used.
[0077]
The environmental information obtained by the
environmental information acquiring unit 43 in the server
25 device 40 is stored in the environmental information
storing unit 44.
[00781
Fig. 13 exemplifies the environmental information
stored in the environmental information storing unit 44.
30 For the environmental information, information on weather
or temperature is obtained as the environmental
information. The environmental information is stored
together with a time per divided area so as to obtain
information depending on a content user's location. Fig.
13 exemplifies environmental information of one area.
5 [0079]
The content transmitting unit 45 in the server
device 40 determines parameters for searching a
registered content for each time based on each model
indicating the life rhythm, position information or
10 channel information contained in a request from a cliknt,
and the stored environmental information. The content
transmitting unit 45 selects content based on the
determined parameters, and transmits the selected content
to the client.
15 [00801
When a daily life channel is selected in the
terminal device 20, the content transmitting unit 45
calculates an action probability in terms of a frequency
at a content selecting time in the action pattern
20 analysis result. Further, an action is determined by
probability-based lot. When an individual channel such
as diet or exercise is selected in the terminal device 20,
the content transmitting unit 45 employs an action of the
selected channel to select content, and thus does not
25 drar.1 probability-based lots.
[0081]
The content selecting time is a time to be set for
providing content related to an action to be done later
with reference to a time when the content is requested.
30 For example, the time when the content is requested is
between 5 and 6 PM, the content selecting time is set
between 6 and 7 PM that is one hour later. An interval
between the time when the content is requested and the
content selecting time is not limited to a preset fixed
time, and may be changed depending on a time zone when
5 the user-selected channel or content is requested. For
example, in the time zone when an action changes in a
short time from the life rhythm analysis result, an ,
interval between the time when the content is requested
and the content selecting time is shortened, thereby
10 providing content according to the next action.
[0082]
Fig. 14 is a diagram for explaining action
determining operations. For example, as sh0t~n in Fig.
14(A), when the frequency value of exercise around 18
15 o'clock in the action pattern analysis result is "85" and
the frequency value of diet is "15", the action
probability is such that the probability of exercise is
"0.85" and the probability of diet is "0.15" as shown in
Fig. 14(B). Thus, an action is determined by the
20 probability-based lot.
roo831
Then, the content transmitting unit 45 determines
an item of content to be provided based on the preference
pattern and determines a target standard of the value for
25 selecting content to be provided based on the quantity
pattern for the determined action.
[00841
Fig. 15 is a diagram for explaining item
determining operations when exercise is determined as an
30 action. For example, as shown in Fig. 15(A), when the
frequency value of running around 18 o'clock in the
exercise preference pattern analysis result is "70" and
the frequency value of tennis is '5", the item
probability is such that the probability of running is
"0.70" and the probability of tennis is "0.05" as shown
5 in Fig. 15(B). Thus, an item is determined by the .
probability-based lot.
[00851
Fig. 16 is a diagram for explaining quantity target
standard determining operations when exercise is
10 determined as an action. For example, as shown in Fig.
16, when the exercise quantity between 6 to 7 PM in the
quantity pattern analysis result is "3890", the target
standard is determined at '3890 steps."
[00861
15 While Fig. 15 and Fig. 16 show the case in which
exercise is determined as an action, the category of diet
such as Chinese food or Japanese food is determined based
on the preference pattern analysis result for diet. The
number of taken calories is determined as a quantity
20 reference value. Since the preference pattern for sleep
has two kinds such as sleep and wake-up, a quantity
parameter is not used.
[00871
The content transmitting unit 45 also performs an
25 environmental information determination processing. For
the determination of an environment, environmental
information is determined based on a position indicated
by the position information from the terminal device 20
and a content selecting time. For example, the
30 environmental information at the content selecting time
is selected from the environmental information of an area
containing the position indicated by the position
information. A position is not limited to the position
indicated by the position information from the terminal
device 20. For example, a position at the content
5 selecting time may be estimated from the life rhythm with
reference to the position indicated by the position
information and the environmental information at the
content selecting time may be selected from the
environmental information of an area containing the
10 estimated position.
[00881
As described above, the content transmitting unit
45 determines action, item, target standard and
environmental information to be search parameters. For
15 example, in the above example, the search parameters are
action=exercise, action item=running, target
standard=3890 steps, and environmental information=fine.
Further, the content transmitting unit 45 selects content
as transmitting candidates from the content stored in the
20 content storing unit 42 based on the search parameters.
For example, content having metadata such as
action=exercise, action item=running and environmental
information=fine is searched, and quantity meta of the
searched content, which is close to target standard=3890
25 steps, is selected to be a transmitting candidate.
[00891
Furthermore, the content transmitting unit 45
randomly selects one content from a plurality of pieces
of content selected as the transmitting candidates to be
30 a transmitting content. The content transmitting unit 45
transmits the transmitting content to the terminal device
20. When one content is selected and transmitted based
on the search parameters, the same content is repeatedly
provided when a content request is made from the terminal
device 20 multiple times in the same time zone. An
5 operation of changing the search parameters, or the like
is needed for providing a new content. However, the
content transmitting unit 45 selects multiple pieces of
content as transmitting candidates based on the search
parameters. Further, the content transmitting unit 45
10 randomly selects and transmits content from the
transmitting candidates, thereby providing a different
content even when a content request is made from the
terminal device multiple times in the same time zone.
[00901
15 The action may not correspond to any action item in
the action pattern analysis result depending on a time.
In this case, a user-input keyword is used as a search
parameter for selecting transmitting candidates.
Specifically, the keyword registered in the item of
20 "interest" in the user information input screen is stored
in the life rhythm analyzing unit 30 and content is
selected with the keyword randomly selected from the
stored keywords as a search parameter. For example, when
the action does not correspond to any action item in the
25 action pattern analysis result, the search parameter for
action is set at "information." When the randomlyselected
keyword is "high blood pressure", a plurality of
pieces of content with the action of "information" aria
the type of "high blood pressure" are selected as the
30 transmitting candidates from the registered content
[00911
Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing operations of the
content transmitting unit 45 when a content request is
made. In step ST41, the content transmitting unit 45
determines whether the selected channel is daily life.
5 When the selected channel is daily life, the content
transmitting unit 45 proceeds to step ST42, and when the
selected channel is other channel, proceeds to step ST45.
[00921
In step ST42, the content transmitting unit 45 sets
10 a content selecting time. The content transmitting unit
45 sets a content selecting time for providing content
related to a next action with reference to the time when
the content request is made, and proceeds to step ST43.
[00931
15 In step ST43, the content transmitting unit 45
calculates an action probability. The content
transmitting unit 45 calculates a probability per action
based on the frequency value at the content selecting
time in the action pattern analysis result, and proceeds
20 to step ST44.
[0094]
In step ST44, the content transmitting unit 45
determines an action. The content transmitting unit 45
draws action probability-based lots to determine an
25 action, and proceeds to step ST47.
[00951
When proceeding from step ST41 to step ST45, the
content transmitting unit 45 sets a content selecting
time. The content transmitting unit 45 sets a content
30 selecting time as in step ST42, and proceeds to step ST46.
[00961
In step ST46, the content transmitting unit 45
determines an action. The content transmitting unit 45
employs the action of the selected channel, and proceeds
to step ST47.
5 [0097]
In step ST47, the content transmitting unit 45
determines whether the determined action is exercise.
When the determined action is exercise, the content
transmitting unit 45 proceeds to step ST48, and when the
10 determined action is not exercise, proceeds to step ST52.
[00981
In step ST48, the content transmitting unit 45
determines an item. The content transmitting unit 45
calculates a probability per item based on the frequency
15 value at the content selecting time in the exercise
preference pattern analysis result. Further, the content
transmitting unit 45 draws Item probability-based lots,
and proceeds to step ST49.
[00991
20 In step ST49, the content transmitting unit 45
determines a target standard. The content transmitting
unit 45 determines the exercise quantity at the content
selecting time in the quantity pattern analysis result as
the target standard, and proceeds to step ST50.
25 [OlOO]
In step ST50, the content transmitting unit 45
determines environmental information. The content
transmitting unit 45 selects information corresponding to
the positlon indicated by the position information from
30 the terminal device 20 and the content selecting time
from the information stored in the environmental
information storing unit 44 thereby to determine
environmental information, and proceeds to step ST51.
[01011
In step ST51, the content transmitting unit 45
5 determines transmitting candidates. The content
transmitting unit 45 selects content of the transmitting
candidates from the content stored in the content storing
unit 42 based on the search parameters with the action,
the item and the like determined in steps ST44, 46 and 48
10 to 50 as the search parameters, and proceeds to step ST62
[01021
When proceeding from step ST47 to step ST52, the
content transmitting unit 45 determines whether the
determined action is diet. When the determined action is
15 diet, the content transmitting unit 45 proceeds to step
ST53, and when the determined action is not diet,
proceeds to step ST57.
[01031
In step ST53, the content transmitting unit 45
20 determines an item. The content transmitting unit 45
calculates a probability per category based on the
frequency value at the content selecting time in the
preference pattern analysis result for the category of
cooking. Further, the content transmitting unit 45 draws
25 lots based on category-based probability to determine an
item, and proceeds to step ST54.
[01041
In step ST54, the content transmitting unit 45
determines a target standard. The content transmitting
30 unit 45 determines a target standard based on the number
of taken calories at the content selecting time in the
quantity pattern analysis result, and proceeds to step
ST55.
[0105]
In step ST55, the content transmitting unit 45
5 determines environmental information. Similar to step
ST50, the content transmitting unit 45 selects
information corresponding to the position indicated by
the position information from the terminal device 20 and
the content selecting time from the information stored in
10 the environmental information storing unit 44 thereby to
determine environmental information, and proceeds to step
ST56.
[01061
In step ST56, the content transmitting unit 45
15 determines transmitting candidates. The content
transmitting unit 45 selects content of the transmitting
candidates from the content stored in the content storing
unit 42 based on the search parameters with the action,
the item and the like determined in steps ST44, 46 and 53
20 to 55 as the search parameters, and proceeds to step ST62.
[01071
When proceeding from step ST52 to step ST57, the
content transmitting unit 45 determines whether the
determined action is sleep. When the determined action
25 is sleep, the content transmitting unit 45 proceeds to
step ST58, and when the determined action is not sleep,
proceeds to step ST60.
[01081
In step ST58, the content transmitting unit 45
30 determines an item. The content transmitting unit 45
proceeds to step ST59 with the item as sleep.
[0109]
In step ST59, the content transmitting unit 45
determines transmitting candidates. The content
transmitting unit 45 selects content of the transmitting
5 candidates from the content stored in the content storing
unit 42 based on the search parameters with the action,
the item and the like determined in steps ST44, 46 and 58
as the search parameters, and proceeds to step ST62.
[01101
10 When proceeding from step ST57 to step ST60, the
content transmitting unit 45 determines a keyword. The
content transmitting unit 45 randomly selects a keyword
from the user-registered keywords, and proceeds to step
ST61.
15 [Olll]
In step ST61, the content transmitting unit 45 '
determines transmitting candidates. The content
transmitting unit 45 selects content of the transmitting
candidates from the content stored in the content storing
20 unit 42 based on the search parameters with the keyword
determined in step ST60 as the search parameter, and
proceeds to step ST62.
[0112]
In step ST62, the content transmitting unit 45
25 determines a transmitting content. The content
transmitting unit 45 randomly selects one content from a
plurality of pieces of content selected as the
transmitting candidates and assumes the content as a
transmitting content, and proceeds to step ST63.
30 [01131
In step ST63, the content transmitting unit 45
transmits content. The content transmitting unit 45
transmits the transmitting content to the terminal device
20 having made a content request.
[0114]
5 In this way, the content transmitting unit 45
determines the action, the item, the target standard, the
environmental information and the like corresponding to
the content selecting time as the search parameters from
the user's life rhythm pattern analysis result analyzed
10 in the life rhythm analyzing unit 30. The content
transmitting unit 45 uses the search parameters to select
the transmitting candidates of the content, and
determines a transmitting content from the transmitting
candidates to transmit the content to the terminal device
15 20. Thus, the content corresponding to the user's life
rhythli can be previously provided. For example,
information on food and restaurants can be provided
before lunch time. Further, information on exercise can
be provided before going back home. Furthermore, the
20 environmental i-nformation is used to provide environmentbased
information such as information on eating by which
a person feel cool when it is hot or information on
exercise done indoor when it rains.
[0115]
25 Further, the content transmitting unit 45
calculates a use rate indicating how often the content is
used for the content transmitting, based on a content use
notification from the terminal device 20. Thus, the
calculated use rate is notified to the content registrant,
30 thereby improving the content such that the use rate
increases. The content use situation can be grasped per
user based on the content use notification, and thus
points or benefits are added depending on the use
situation, for example, thereby enhancing the use rate.
[01161
5 As described above, with the information processing
system 10, the client and server functions, the
registered content, and each model indicating a life
rhythm analyzed from each user's log are used simply to
select a channel so that content having the channel
10 attributes can be sequentially provided according to the
rhythm such as time (when), quantity (how much) or .
preference (hovr) .
[01171
Therefore, the content user can timely obtain
15 various pieces of content viithout progressively
performing operations. For example, as shown in Fig. 18,
there can be provided information on food and restaurants
before lunch time, information on exercise before going
back home, information on relaxation items before bedtime,
20 and music or environmental sound for relaxation while
sleeping. In this way, the content user can previously
receive the content according to his/her life rhythm, and
thus the content can be easily used. Further, content is
selected in a combination of parameters such as category
25 and quantity, and thus new content which the content user
does not know can be provided. The content user only
selects a channel indicating the attributes, thereby
easily obtaining the personalized content according to
his/her life rhythm. Furthermore, the content provider
30 only sets metadata for content and registers the content,
thereby efficiently providing information only to the
user well-compatible with the content via the information
processing system 10.
[01181
There has been described in the above form the case
5 in which the life rhythm analyzing unit 30 is provided in
the server device 40, but the life rhythm analyzing unit
30 may be provided in the terminal device 20. When the
life rhythm analyzing unit 30 is provided in the server
device 40, the terminal device 20 only provides the
10 collected information to the server device 40 so that a
life rhythm pattern is analyzed, and thus the processing
of the terminal device 20 can be alleviated. When the
life rhythm analyzing unit 30 is provided in the terminal
device 20, the terminal device 20 contains the search
15 parameters for selecting content according to a life
rhythm at a content selecting time before the content
request time in the content request instead of providing
the collected information. The display unit 23 displays
the content selected and supplied according to the life
20 rhythm in the server device 40 based on the search
parameters contained in the content request. Further,
since the life rhythm pattern is analyzed in the terminal
device 20, the user can confirm his/her life rhythm
pattern by the terminal device 20.
25 [0119]
A series of processing described in the
specification may be executed in hardware, software, or
in a combination structure thereof. When the processing
is performed in software, a program recording a
30 processing sequence therein is installed and executed in
a memory in a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware.
Alternatively, the program can be installed and executed
in a general-purpose computer capable of executing
various processing.
[01201
5 For example, the program may be previously recorded
in a recording medium such as hard disc or ROM (Read Only
Memory). Alternatively, the program may be temporarily
or permanently stored (recorded) in a removable recording
medium such as flexible disc, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read
10 Only Memory), MO (Magneto optical) disc, DVD (Digital
Versatile Disc), magnetic disc or semiconductor memory
card. Such a removable recording medium can be provided
in so-called package software.
[01211
15 The program may be installed in a computer from a
removable recording medium, or transferred to a computer
in a wireless or wired manner via a network such as LAN
(Local Area Network) or Internet from a download si,te.
The computer can receive the program transferred in this
20 way and install the program in an incorporated recording
medium such as hard disc.
[01221
The present technique should not be interpreted
only for the above technical embodiment. The technical
25 embodiment discloses the present technique in examples,
and it can be seen that those skilled in the art can
modify or replace the embodiment without departing from
the spirit of the present technique. That is, Claims
should be considered in order to understand the spirit of
30 the present technique.
[0123]
The terminal device and the external device
according to the present technique can take the following
structures.
(1) A terminal device including:
5 an information collecting unit for collecting
information selecting content according to a life rhythm;
a control unit for providing the collected
information collected in the information collecting unit
and making a content request to an external device; and
10 a content presenting unit for presenting content
which is selected based on the life rhythm analyzed from
the collected information in the external device in
response to the content request and is supplied from the
external device.
15 (2) The terminal device according to (I),
wherein the information collecting unit includes a
sensor unit for collecting information on user's actions,
and a user interface unit inputting information on a
user's life rhythm and designating an information
20 category, and
the control unit provides information collected in
the sensor unit and information input in the user
interface unit as the collected information to the
external device.
25 (3) The terminal device according to (1) or (2),
wherein the sensor unit collects position information of
the user.
(4) The terminal device according to any one of (1)
to ( 3 ) , wherein when the supplied content is used, the
30 control unit makes a use notification to the external
device.
(5) The terminal device according to any one of (1)
to (41,
wherein a life rhythm analyzing unit analyzing a
life rhythm based on the collected information is
5 provided,
the control unit contains search parameters for
selecting content according to a life rhythm at a content
selecting time before a content request time in the
content request instead of providing the collected
10 information, and
the display unit displays content selected and
supplied according to the life rhythm in the external
device based on the search parameters contained in the
content request.
15 (6) The terminal device according to (5), wherein
the life rhythm analyzing unit classifies actions of the
user based on the collected information and analyzes a
life rhythm based on a frequency of an action at each
time.
20 (7) An external device including a content
transmitting unit selecting content based on collected
information for selecting content according to a life
rhythm supplied from a terminal device in response to a
content request from the terminal device and transmitting
25 the selected content to the terminal device.
(8) The external device according to ( 7 ) , wherein
the content transmitting unit selects a plurality of
pieces of content and randomly transmits the content to
the terminal device.
30 (9) The external device according to (7) or (81,
including an environmental information acquiring unit
obtaining environmental information,
wherein the content transmitting unit selects
environmental information from the obtained environmental
information in response to the content request, and uses
5 the selected environmental information to select the
content.
(10) The external device according to any one of
(7) to ( 9 ) , wherein when search parameters for selecting
content according to the life rhythm are contained in the
10 content request, the content transmitting unit uses the
search parameters to select content.
(11) The external device according to any one of
(7) to (lo), wherein when content according to a life
rhythm cannot be selected, the content transmitting unit
15 uses attributes previously registered by a user of the
terminal device to select content.
(12) The external device according to any one of
(7) to (ll), wherein the content transmitting unit stores
a content use notification from the terminal device in
20 association with the transmitted content.
(13) The external device according to any one of
(7) to (12), including a life rhythm analyzing unit
analyzing a life rhythm based on the collected
information,
25 wherein the content transmitting unit selects
content according to a life rhythm at a content selecting
time before the content request time based on the life
rhythm analysis result.
(14) The external device according to (13), wherein
30 the life rhythm analyzing unit classifies actions of the
user based on the collected information and analyzes a
life rhythm based on a frequency of an action at each
time.
[Industrial Applicability]
[0124]
5 With the terminal device, the external device, the
information processing method, the program, and the
information processing system according to the present
technique, the terminal device collects information for
selecting content according to a life rhythm, and
10 provides the collected information and makes a content
request to the external device. The external device
presents content selected and supplied according to the
life rhythm based on the collected information in
response to the content request. The external device
15 selects content based on the collected information for
selecting content according to the life rhythm supplied
from the terminal device in response to the content
request from the terminal device, and transmits the
selected content to the terminal device. Thus, the
20 information corresponding to the user's life rhythm can
be easily and timely used. For example, a health care
content associated with diet or exercise can be timely
used according to the user's life rhythm. A use
frequency of a service of providing content can be
25 enhanced and the service can be continuously used.
[Description of Reference Symbols]
[0125]
10 Information processing system
20 Terminal device
30 21 Sensor unit
2 2 User interface unit
23 Display unit
24, 47 Communication unit
25 Control unit
30 Life rhythm analyzing unit
5 31 Collected information storing unit
32 Analysis processing unit
33 Analysis results storing unit
Server device
Content registering unit
Content storing unit
Environmental information acquiring unit
Environmental information storing unit
Content transmitting unit
Network
Housing
Movement sensor
Location detecting unit
222 Operating switch
Touch panel
[Name of Document] Claims
[Claim 11
A terminal device comprising:
an information collecting unit collecting
5 information for selecting content according to a life
rhythm;
a control unit providing the collected information
collected in the information collecting unit and making a
content request to an external device; and
10 a content presenting unit presenting content which
is selected based on the life rhythm analyzed from the
collected information in the external device in response
to the content request and is supplied from the external
device.
15 [Claim 21
The terminal device according to claim 1,
wherein the information collecting unit includes a
sensor unit collecting information on user's actions, and
a user interface unit for inputting information on a
20 user's life rhythm and designating an information
category, and
the control unit provides information collected in
the sensor unit and information input in the user
interface unit as the collected information to the
25 external device.
[Claim 31
The terminal device according to claim 2, wherein
the sensor unit collects position information of the user.
[Claim 41
30 The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein
when the supplied content is used, the control unit makes
a use notification to the external device.
[Claim 51
The terminal device according to claim 1,
wherein a life rhythm analyzing unit analyzing a
5 life rhythm based on the collected information is
provided,
the control unit contains search parameters for
selecting content according to a life rhythm at a content
selecting time before a content request time in the
10 content request instead of providing the collected
information, and
the display unit displays content selected and
supplied according to the life rhythm in the external
device based on the search parameters contained in the
15 content request.
[Claim 61
The terminal device according to claim 5, wherein
the life rhythm analyzing unit classifies actions of the
user based on the collected information and analyzes a
20 life rhythm based on a frequency of an action at each
time.
[Claim 71
An information processing method comprising the
steps of:
2 5 collecting information for selecting content
according to a life rhythm;
providing the collected information and making a
content request to an external device; and
presenting content selected and supplied according
30 to the life rhythm based on the provided information in
the external device in response to the content request.
[Claim 81
A program causing a computer to obtain content from
an external device, the program causing the computer to
execute :
5 a procedure of collecting information for selecting
content according to a life rhythm;
a procedure of providing the collected information
and making a content request to the external device; and
a procedure of presenting content selected and
10 supplied according to the life rhythm based on the
provided information in the external device in response
to the content request.
[Claim 91
An external device comprising a content
15 transmitting unit selecting content based on collected
information for selecting content according to a life
rhythm supplied from a terminal device in response to a
content request from the terminal device and transmitting
the selected content to the terminal device.
20 [Claim 101
The external device according to claim 9, wherein
the content transmitting unit selects a plurality of
pieces of content and randomly transmits the content to
the terminal device.
25 [Claim 111
The external device according to claim 9,
comprising an environmental information acquiring unit
obtaining environmental information,
wherein the content transmitting unit selects
30 environmental information from the obtained environmental
information in response to the content request, and uses
the selected environmental information to select the
content.
[Claim 121
The external device according to claim 9, wherein
5 when search parameters for selecting content according to
the life rhythm are contained in the content request, the
content transmitting unit uses the search parameters to
select content.
[Claim 131
10 The external device according to claim 9, wherein
when content according to a life rhythm is configured to
be selected, the content transmitting unit uses
attributes previously registered by a user of the
terminal device to select content.
15 [Claim 141
'The external device according to claim 9, wherein
the content transmitting unit stores a content use
notification from the terminal device in association with
the transmitted content.
20 [Claim 151
The external device according to claim 9,
comprising a life rhythm analyzing unit analyzing a life
rhythm based on the collected information,
wherein the content transmitting unit selects
25 content according to a life rhythm at a content selecting
time before the content request time based on the life
rhythm analysis result.
[Claim 161
The external device according to claim 15, wherein
30 the life rhythm analyzing unit classifies actions of the
user based on the collected information and analyzes a
life rhythm based on a frequency of an action at each
time .
[Claim 171
An information processing method comprising a step
5 of selecting content based on collected information for
selecting content according to a life rhythm supplied
from a terminal device in response to a content request
from the terminal device and transmitting the selected
content to the terminal device.
10 [Claim 181
A program causing a computer to transmit content in
response to a content request from a terminal device, the
program causing the computer to execute:
a procedure of selecting content based on collected
15 information for selecting content according to a life
rhythm supplied from the terminal device in response to a
content request from the terminal device and transmitting
the selected content to the terminal device.
[Claim 191
20 An information processing system transmitting
,content from an external device to a terminal device in
response to a content request from the terminal device,
wherein the terminal device includes:
an information collecting unit for collecting
25 information for selecting content according to a life
rhythm;
a control unit providing the collected information
collected in the information collecting unit and making a
content request to an external device; and
30 a content presenting unit presenting content
selected and supplied according to the life rhythm based
on the collected information in the external device in
response to the content request, and
the external device includes:
a content transmitting unit for selecting content
5 based on collected information for selecting content
according to a life rhythm supplied from the terminal
device in response to a content request from the terminal
device and transmitting the selected content to the
terminal device.