Abstract:
An information network system includes a massage machine and a communication server. The massage machine contains: a treatment portion configured to treat a subject, a control unit configured to control the treatment portion, an operation unit configured to operate the treatment portion via the control unit, and a new arrival notification portion. The communication server is connected to the control unit via a communication network, the communication server is configured to emit an information related to the massage machine. The control unit is configured to cause the new arrival notification portion to issue a notification upon a receipt of the information.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the Convention Priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-111869, filed on Jun. 3, 2016, the contents of which, including the specification, the claims and the drawings, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an information network system including a massage machine. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    In the related art, a treatment subject treats each site of the body by using a massage machine. In the massage machine, generally, a plurality of treatment courses are set in advance such that the treatment subject can make selection. Each of the treatment courses set in advance has a fixed treatment operation in which kneading, patting, and the like are combined. 
         [0004]    The treatment subject often performs treatment by selecting a preferable treatment course from the plurality of treatment courses in accordance with the condition of the body. However, depending on the treatment subject, a relaxed state is sometimes affected in the treatment course set in advance, and there are cases where the massage machine is less likely to be used. Therefore, a massage machine in which the treatment course can be updated has been proposed. 
         [0005]    For example, as such a technology in the related art, there is a technology in which after information regarding treatment contents is acquired through a portable communication terminal, data is downloaded through the portable communication terminal and is transferred to an operation portion of a massage machine so as to replace data in storage means such that an appropriate treatment state for a treatment subject is achieved (for example, refer to JP-2014-39612-A). 
         [0006]    In addition, as another technology in the related art, there is a technology in which a server prepares a massage course based on information from an external sensor such as a body composition meter, and data of the massage course is downloaded from the server via a communication portion of an operation unit for a massage machine and is executed (for example, refer to JP-2014-104178-A). 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The information network system of the present invention includes a massage machine and a communication server. The massage machine contains: a treatment portion configured to treat a subject, a control unit configured to control the treatment portion, an operation unit configured to operate the treatment portion via the control unit, and a new arrival notification portion. The communication server is connected to the control unit via a communication network, the communication server is configured to emit an information related to the massage machine. The control unit is configured to cause the new arrival notification portion to issue a notification upon a receipt of the information. 
         [0008]    The massage machine may further include a storage portion. The control unit may be configured to download data of the information from the communication server and to store the data into the storage portion when the information is accepted. 
         [0009]    The information may be a renewal information of a treatment course stored in the storage portion, a substitute treatment course or a new system program. The information can also be a merchandise information or an emergency information. 
         [0010]    The system may further include a billing system. The billing system may be configured to charge the treatment subject for a cost of the information upon acceptance of the information. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is the overall configuration diagram illustrating an information network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a massage machine illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of the massage machine illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front view illustrating an example of a screen of an operation unit illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a front view illustrating an example of a newly-arrived notification in the screen of the operation unit illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a configuration diagram of an example in which a billing system is included in the information network system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the screen illustrating an example of displaying information in the operation unit illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a front view illustrating an example of displaying the screen in which information in the operation unit illustrated in  FIG. 7  is selected. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. The concept of forward, rearward, leftward, and rightward directions in the documents of this specification and Claims coincides with the concept of directions viewed from a treatment subject when the treatment subject takes a seat in a seat portion  11  of a massage machine  10  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
       (Configuration of Information Network System) 
       [0020]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an information network system  1  including the massage machine  10  of the embodiment includes the massage machine  10  treating the treatment subject, a service provider  40 , and a communication server  41  within a communication network  3 . Examples of the service provider  40  include a service provider  40  providing rental service of the massage machine  10 , and a service provider  40  managing the massage machine  10  which has been sold. The communication server  41  is configured to be able to communicate with the massage machine  10  via the communication network  3 . Examples of the communication network  3  include the internet network, a communication network in a building, and a local network. In this embodiment, an example in which the service provider  40  has a cloud-type communication server  41  will be described. The communication server  41  may be a communication server  41  managed by the service provider  40  or may be a communication server  41  managed by a different service provider  40 . The communication server  41  emits information related to the massage machine  10 . 
       (Configuration of Massage Machine) 
       [0021]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the massage machine  10 , and  FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of the massage machine  10 .  FIG. 4  is a front view illustrating an example of a screen of an operation unit illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As illustrated, the massage machine  10  has the seat portion  11  in which the treatment subject takes a seat, and a backrest portion  12  which supports the upper half of the body of the treatment subject who takes a seat in the seat portion  11 , from the back. The seat portion  11  has armrests  13  at the right and left positions. The seat portion  11  has a footrest  14  in the front of the seat portion  11 . In this example, a treatment portion (kneading ball unit)  15  of the backrest portion  12  is illustrated. Other portions are also provided with a treatment portion such as an air bag. The treatment portion  15  is controlled by a control unit  17 . A plurality of treatment courses (will be described later) are set from combinations of the treatment portion  15  and, data of the treatment courses are stored in a storage portion  16 . 
         [0022]    In a portion of the armrest  13 , there is provided an operation unit  20  for operating the massage machine  10 . The operation unit  20  has a screen  21 . A treatment operation of the treatment portion  15  or the like is operated by using the operation unit  20 . The operation unit  20  is provided so as to be able to be operated in a state where the treatment subject takes a seat. The operation unit  20  can be an operation unit  20  such as a tablet terminal. The control unit  17  is connected to the operation unit  20 . The screen  21  of the operation unit  20  functions as a new arrival notification portion  22  notifying the treatment subject of newly-arrived information related to the massage machine  10 . 
         [0023]    When the control unit  17  of the massage machine  10  receives information emitted from the communication server  41 , for example, the control unit  17  issues a notification regarding the information which is received through the new arrival notification portion  22  set in a part of the screen  21  of the operation unit  20 . Examples of the notification include a notification through a voice from a speaker, and a notification through light such as an LED, in addition to a notification through screen display. 
         [0024]    In addition, in addition to the operation unit  20 , the massage machine  10  of the embodiment includes a terminal  30  having the new arrival notification portion  22 . The terminal  30  may have a screen, may have a speaker for issuing a notification of a new arrival, and may have an LED for issuing a notification of a new arrival. The terminal  30  can communicate with the massage machine  10  through radio communication (BLUETOOTH (registered trademark))  2 . The terminal  30  may be connected to the massage machine  10  by radio or through a cable of different type. Moreover, the new arrival notification portion  22  can serve as an emergency alert notification portion  25  when an emergency alert is received (will be described later). Such a “new arrival notification portion  22 ” can be an independent new arrival notification portion  22  (terminal  30  or the like) and a part of the massage machine, in addition to the operation unit  20 . Examples of the independent new arrival notification portion  22  include a smart phone and a tablet terminal. 
         [0025]    The massage machine  10  is provided with the control unit  17  which controls an operation of the treatment portion  15 , an erect/tilt angle of the backrest portion  12  according to the treatment course (will be described later), and the like; and the storage portion  16  which stores the data of the plurality of treatment courses having treatment contents for the treatment portion  15  different from each other. For example, the control unit  17  has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. For example, as the storage portion  16 , a flash memory, a hard disk drive, or the like can be used. 
         [0026]    In this manner, when new information related to the massage machine  10  is transmitted from the communication server  41 , the massage machine  10  causes the new arrival notification portion  22  to display the received new information, thereby informing the treatment subject of the presence of the new information. The treatment subject can check that the new information has been delivered, through the new arrival notification portion  22  when using the massage machine  10 . 
         [0027]    In addition, the massage machine  10  has a positional information portion  18  where a positional information of the massage machine  10  is obtained. As positional information of the massage machine  10  is obtained, a signal is sent from the positional information portion  18  of the massage machine  10  to the communication server  41 , and a position (region) where the massage machine  10  is located is specified through the communication server  41 . The position (region) of the massage machine  10  can be specified through GPS, region discrimination means or the like using communication means in use (for example, communication means such as WI-FI and LTE). Accordingly, as described below, when an emergency alert is emitted in the region where the massage machine  10  is positioned, the emergency alert is transmitted from the communication server  41  to the massage machine  10  and is informed to the treatment subject through the emergency alert notification portion  25 . 
       (Example of Newly-Arrived Information Related to Massage Machine) 
       [0028]    Examples of the newly-arrived information related to the massage machine  10  include update information related to the treatment course, information related to a new treatment course, update information related to a system program, and information related to new music. The newly-arrived information is not limited to the examples. 
       (Update Information Related to Treatment Course) 
       [0029]    The communication server  41  emits the update information related to the treatment course of the massage machine  10  to the control unit  17 . The control unit  17  issues a notification regarding the presence of the newly-arrived information through the new arrival notification portion  22  of the operation unit  20 . The notification through the new arrival notification portion  22  may be set such that the treatment subject selects the new arrival notification portion  22  as in this example. However, without being selected by the treatment subject, contents of the update information can be notified through an information notification portion  23 . In this example, when the new arrival notification portion  22  is selected by the treatment subject, a notification regarding the presence of the update information is issued through the information notification portion  23  of the screen  21  of the operation unit  20 . Examples of the notification include a notification through screen display, voice guidance, and flashing of light. In addition, it is also possible to be informed of the update information such as addition of a function related to the treatment course via the communication network  3 . The treatment subject can determine whether or not to update the treatment course. When the treatment subject decides to perform updating, update data of the treatment course is downloaded from the communication server  41  via the communication network  3 . The update data is installed by the control unit  17 , and the treatment course is updated. Accordingly, the treatment course of the massage machine  10  can be in a latest state. 
         [0030]    In this manner, when there is a need to update the treatment course included in the massage machine  10 , the treatment subject can be notified through the information notification portion  23 . The treatment subject can decide whether or not to perform updating upon his/her own determination. 
       (Information Related to New Treatment Course) 
       [0031]      FIG. 5  is a front view illustrating an example of a newly-arrived notification in the screen  21  of the operation unit  20 . The communication server  41  emits the information related to a new treatment course of the massage machine  10  to the control unit  17 . The control unit  17  issues a notification regarding the presence of the newly-arrived information through the new arrival notification portion  22  of the operation unit  20 . In this case as well, the notification through the new arrival notification portion  22  may be set such that the treatment subject selects the new arrival notification portion  22  as in this example. However, without being selected by the treatment subject, contents of the new treatment course can be notified through the information notification portion  23 . In this example, when the new arrival notification portion  22  is selected by the treatment subject, a notification regarding the presence of the information related to a new treatment course is issued through the information notification portion  23  of the screen  21  of the operation unit  20 . In addition, the information related to a new treatment course can also be informed via the communication network  3 . In this example, it is possible to be informed that there are “newly-arrived treatment course A” and “newly-arrived treatment course B”. In addition, the contents related to each of the newly-arrived treatment courses and the introduction cost can be checked. The treatment subject can check the information and can determined whether or not to introduce the new treatment course. When the treatment subject selects the new treatment course to be introduced and presses a decide button  26 , data of the new treatment course is downloaded from the communication server  41  via the communication network  3 . The data of the new treatment course is installed by the control unit  17 . Accordingly, the treatment subject can immediately use the new treatment course. 
         [0032]    In this manner, the new treatment course of the massage machine  10  can be informed to the treatment subject by issuing a notification through the new arrival notification portion  22 . The treatment subject can decide whether or not to introduce the new treatment course upon his/her own determination by causing the information notification portion  23  to display the new treatment course of the newly-arrived information and checking the new treatment course. 
         [0033]    Similar to the information related to a new treatment course, the information related to new music is also emitted from the communication server  41  to the massage machine  10  and can be notified through the new arrival notification portion  22  of the massage machine  10 . The treatment subject can also decide whether or not to introduce new music (merchandise) upon his/her own determination. In addition, examples of the newly-arrived information notified through the new arrival notification portion  22  can include information related to merchandise such as new health food. The treatment subject checks the newly-arrived information through the information notification portion  23  and can decide purchase of the merchandise upon his/her own determination. 
       (Update Information Related to System Program) 
       [0034]    The communication server  41  emits the update information related to the system program of the massage machine  10  to the control unit  17 . In a case of the update data of the system program, the control unit  17  can automatically download and introduce the update data from the communication server  41  and store into the storage portion  16 . In addition, the control unit  17  issues a notification through the new arrival notification portion  22  such that the system program is to be updated. 
         [0035]    In this manner, when the information is emitted from the communication server  41  to the control unit  17  regarding the system program of the massage machine  10 , if there is a need to perform updating, the control unit  17  can download the update data via the communication network  3  and can perform updating. Accordingly, regarding the system program of the massage machine  10 , for example, updating can be performed such that enhancement of security and bugs of the system program are automatically revised and stored in the storage portion  16 . 
         [0036]    In this embodiment, description is given regarding an example in which the update information, the information related to a new treatment course, and the like are notified through the information notification portion  23  of the operation unit  20 . However, in a case of including the terminal  30  having the new arrival notification portion  22 , the terminal  30  may be caused to be provided with the information notification portion  23  such that the update information, the information related to a new treatment course, and the like are notified through the terminal  30 . 
       (Configuration of Billing System) 
       [0037]      FIG. 6  is a configuration diagram of an example in which a billing system  50  is included in the information network system  1 . As illustrated, in addition to the treatment subject using the massage machine  10 , and the service provider  40 , a communication service provider  51  managing the billing system  50  is included. The billing system  50  indicates a system of charging the treatment subject for the cost. In a case of this example, as the billing system  50 , a fee collecting system or the like of the communication service provider  51  can be used. In the illustrated example, when the treatment subject decides the purchase (S 1 ), the service provider  40  checks the treatment subject for the purchase (S 2 ) and transmits data (S 3 ). Thereafter, the service provider  40  charges the communication service provider  51  for the cost (S 4 ). The communication service provider  51  charges the treatment subject for the purchase cost together with the communication cost and the like with respect to the service provider  40  (S 5 ). The treatment subject makes payment with respect to the communication service provider  51  (S 6 ). Then, the purchase cost of the treatment subject is payed from the communication service provider  51  to the service provider  40  (S 7 ). 
         [0038]    In this manner, the treatment subject decides at least one of decision of updating, decision of introducing the new treatment course, updating related to the system program, and purchase of merchandise notified through the new arrival notification portion  22 , the billing system  50  charges the treatment subject for the cost. In a case where the cost occurs due to updating the treatment course, introducing a new treatment course, updating the system program, or the like, the billing system  50  charges the treatment subject for the cost. Therefore, the cost can be easily paid. 
         [0039]    As the billing system  50 , in addition to the service provider managing the communication server  41  and an external service provider, the service provider  40  may have the billing system  50 . 
       (Configuration as Information Instrument) 
       [0040]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the screen  21  illustrating an example of displaying information in the operation unit  20 .  FIG. 8  is a front view illustrating an example of displaying the screen in which information in the operation unit  20  illustrated in  FIG. 7  is selected. Based on the drawings, description will be given regarding an example in which information is transmitted from the communication server  41  to the massage machine  10  and is displayed in the operation unit  20 . In this embodiment, the operation unit  20  further includes a function as an information instrument performing information communication with the communication server  41  via the control unit  17 , and the screen  21  displaying information. The screen  21  is the same. 
         [0041]    The communication server  41  emits the newly-arrived information to the control unit  17 . The control unit  17  issues a notification through the new arrival notification portion  22  of the operation unit  20  regarding the presence of the newly-arrived information. When the treatment subject selects the new arrival notification portion  22  of the operation unit  20 , the screen  21  of the operation unit  20  displays the newly-arrived information. The treatment subject can select necessary information through selection portions  24  from the newly-arrived information displayed in the screen  21 . In this example, description will be given regarding a case where “concerned health check (visual examination method)” is selected. 
         [0042]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , when selection (decision) is made through the operation unit  20 , the screen for “concerned health check (visual examination method)” is displayed. In this example, the health check can be performed for “facial part”, “face color”, “nails”, “lips”, “tongue”, and “eye rim”. 
         [0043]    For example, when “eye rim” is selected, the screen illustrated in  FIG. 7  is displayed. As the “health check figured out from the eye rim”, a comment is displayed. In this example, “There is a saying that goes: a cycle of three cold days and four warm days. Aren&#39;t you likely to be in bad physical condition on a day when it suddenly becomes cold? Let&#39;s check a signal of bad condition generated on the eye rim” is displayed. A comment based on the state of the eye rim is displayed. In this example, “swell of eyelids . . . weakened kidneys and bowels, trouble of the heart”, “dark circles under eyes . . . accumulated fatigue and nephric decline”, “increased eye bags . . . too much moisture or fat”, and the like are displayed. Description related to other health checks will be omitted. In addition, the above-referenced items for health check are examples and a different health check can be adopted. 
         [0044]    In this manner, the treatment subject can perform treatment while seeing the information emitted from the communication server  41  when the massage machine  10  is in use. Examples of the information can include new music, advice related to health, introduction of health equipment, and introduction of health food, in addition to information related to health. The treatment subject selects the information and can see various types of information displayed in the screen  21  of the operation unit  20  when the massage machine  10  is in use. According to such a function, the treatment subject can perform treatment while being relaxed. 
         [0045]    (Configuration of Receiving Emergency Alert) 
         [0046]    The massage machine  10  of the embodiment has the positional information portion  18  acquired through GPS. The communication server  41  has information for specifying a region in which the massage machine  10  is positioned, through the positional information portion  18  of the massage machine  10 . As described above, as the information for specifying the position (region) of the massage machine  10 , the region discrimination means or the like using the communication means in use (for example, the communication means such as WI-FI and LTE) can be used in addition to GPS. 
         [0047]    When an emergency alert for the region corresponding to the positional information of the massage machine  10  is emitted, the communication server  41  transmits the emergency information to the control unit  17 . The control unit  17  of the massage machine  10  notifies the treatment subject of the received emergency alert through the emergency alert notification portion  25 . In addition, as necessary, an emergency alert independent from the positional information is also transmitted from the communication server  41  to the control unit  17 , and the received emergency alert may be notified to the treatment subject through the emergency alert notification portion  25 . 
         [0048]    The emergency alert notification portion  25  may be a part of the screen  21  of the operation unit  20 . In addition, in this embodiment, the emergency alert notification portion  25  can be the terminal  30  other than the operation unit  20 . Examples of the emergency alert notification portion  25  include a portion independent from the massage machine  10 , and a part of the massage machine. 
         [0049]    Moreover, Examples of the notification of the emergency alert can include a notification through a voice, and a notification through light, in addition to a notification through screen display. For example, a notification through a voice such as “Pleas immediately check the emergency alert which has been received” can be combined with flashing red light. According to such a configuration, the treatment subject can be easily informed that an emergency alert is emitted during treatment. 
         [0050]    In addition, the control unit  17  can stop the operation of the treatment portion  15  upon reception of the emergency alert and can cause the treatment portion  15  to return to the initial state. Examples of stopping an operation of the treatment portion  15  include stopping a kneading ball, and compressing/releasing an air bag. In this manner, the massage machine  10  automatically returns to a state at the time treatment starts, upon reception of an emergency alert. Therefore, the treatment subject can easily perform an action thereafter. 
         [0051]    Moreover, the massage machine  10  of the embodiment is a chair-type massage machine  10  having the seat portion  11  in which the treatment subject takes a seat, and the backrest portion  12  which supports the upper half of the body of the treatment subject who takes a seat in the seat portion  11 , from the back. Therefore, the control unit  17  can erect at least the backrest portion  12  upon reception of an emergency alert. In this manner, in a case of the chair-type massage machine  10 , upon reception of an emergency alert, the massage machine  10  returns to a state where the treatment subject is seated in the seat portion  11  at the time before treatment starts. Therefore, the treatment subject is in a state of being likely to perform action thereafter. 
       (General) 
       [0052]    As described above, according to the information network system  1  including the massage machine  10 , the treatment subject can be informed that there is the newly-arrived information related to the massage machine  10  when using the massage machine  10 . The treatment subject checks updating the treatment course related to the massage machine  10 , information of a new treatment course, and the like and a countermeasure can be accepted upon the determination of the treatment subject. Accordingly, the function of the massage machine  10  can be appropriately retained via the communication network  3 . 
         [0053]    Moreover, improvement and the like of the function of the massage machine  10  can be achieved upon the determination of the treatment subject. Therefore, the massage machine  10  can be in a state desired by the treatment subject. 
         [0054]    In addition, in a case where an emergency alert is emitted, the massage machine  10  can be controlled such that the treatment subject can easily act, and the treatment subject can easily act at the time of emergency. 
         [0055]    In the embodiment described above, description has been given regarding an example of the massage machine  10  which has the seat portion  11  and the backrest portion  12  and in which the backrest portion  12  can be erected and tilted. However, the embodiment can also be applied to a massage machine in which the angle of the backrest portion  12  is fixed, and a massage machine other than the chair-type massage machine. The type of the massage machine  10  is not limited to the embodiment described above. 
         [0056]    In addition, in the embodiment described above, description has been given regarding an example in which the massage machine  10 , the communication server  41 , and the service provider  40  are connected together via the communication network  3 . However, the embodiment may have a configuration in which the communication service provider  51  operating the billing system  50  is also connected to the communication network  3 . The information network system  1  is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment. 
         [0057]    Moreover, the embodiment described above is an example, and the communication server  41  may be integrated with the service provider  40  or may be a server managed by a different service provider. Various changes can be made within the scope not harming the gist of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. 
         [0058]    Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. It should be appreciated that variations may be made in the described embodiments by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in this specification or during the prosecution of the application, and the examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. Moreover, no element or component in this disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element or component is explicitly recited in the following claims.