JP2017173956A - Information processing device, information processing system, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide quantitative information that serves as decision material of whether or not to subscribe to paid guarantee.SOLUTION: An information processing device 2000 comprises a performance record information acquisition unit 2020, an expense information acquisition unit 2040, and an expected value information generation unit 2060. The performance record information acquisition unit 2020 acquires performance record information about a commodity to be purchased. The performance record information relating to a commodity correlates a use state and fault information with regard to the same kind of commodity as the commodity. The expense information acquisition unit 2040 acquires expense information about the commodity to be purchased. The expense information relating a commodity indicates information relating to expenses needed for the repair of a fault in the commodity. The expected value information generation unit 2060 generates expected value information relating to the commodity to be purchased on the basis of the performance record information and expense information acquired with regard to the commodity to be purchased, and outputs the generated information. The expected value information relating to a commodity indicates the temporal transition of expected values of repair expenses of the commodity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, a control method, and a program.

  A paid warranty may be provided when purchasing a product such as an appliance. Paid guarantees are richer and longer than the free warranty that comes with the default.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 03-225594 JP 2008-084157 A

  In general, the customer determines whether to enter the paid guarantee, considering whether it is better to join the paid guarantee or not, based on the subscription fee for the paid guarantee. However, the information used for the judgment is qualitative information such as word-of-mouth from people who have already used the product and advice based on the experience of the store clerk.

  Here, one of the indicators of whether or not it is better to subscribe to a paid warranty is the likelihood of a product failure. As a technique for predicting a product failure, there is Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for correcting a predetermined predicted life of a compressor of a refrigerator that is already in operation based on the operation results and information collected from other refrigerators in the past. However, it is difficult to determine whether it is advantageous to join a paid warranty only by knowing the expected life of a component.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for providing quantitative information that is used as a material for determining whether or not to join a paid guarantee.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes (1) performance information acquisition means for acquiring performance information in which usage status and failure information are associated with a product of the same type as the product to be purchased; Cost information acquisition means for acquiring cost information related to the cost required for repair of a product failure, and (3) a time transition of an expected value of repair costs for the product to be purchased based on the performance information and the cost information. Expected value information generating means for generating expected value information to be shown.

The information processing system of the present invention includes a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus.
The first information processing apparatus includes (1) performance information acquisition means for acquiring performance information generated by the second information processing apparatus for the same type of product as the purchase target product; Cost information acquisition means for acquiring cost information related to the cost required for repairing a failure, and (3) an expectation indicating a time transition of an expected value of repair cost for the product to be purchased based on the result information and the cost information Expected value information generating means for generating value information;
The second information processing apparatus includes: (1) a collecting unit that collects current status information on the usage status of the product and whether or not the product has malfunctioned from the used product; and (2) the current status acquired from the product. Performance information generating means for generating the performance information for the product based on the information.

  The control method of the present invention is executed by a computer. The control method includes: (1) a record information acquisition step of acquiring record information in which usage status and failure information are associated with each other for a product of the same type as the purchase target product; and (2) a failure of the purchase target product. A cost information acquisition step for acquiring cost information relating to a cost required for repair of the product, and (3) an expected value indicating a time transition of an expected value of the repair cost for the product to be purchased based on the result information and the cost information. An expected value information generation step for generating information.

  The program of this invention makes a computer perform each step which the control method of this invention has.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the technique which provides the quantitative information used as the judgment material of whether to join a paid guarantee is provided.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is the figure which illustrated expectation value information with the graph. It is a figure which illustrates the computer for implement | achieving information processing apparatus. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing executed by the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates track record information in a table format. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing executed by the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus according to a third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing executed by the information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates a mode that the expected value of the repair expense corresponding to the expiration date of a guarantee is output to the display apparatus 30 with expected value information. It is a figure which illustrates a mode that the expected value of the repair cost corresponding to the expiration of a guarantee is displayed on the display apparatus 30 separately from expected value information. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates a mode that the expected value information after purchase and the expected value information at the time of purchase are output collectively in one graph. It is a figure which shows the example which compares the expected value information of the goods at the time of purchase, and the expected value information after purchase. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an information processing system according to a fifth embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates a mode that the present condition information is collected from goods. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing executed by a second information processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the description will be omitted as appropriate. In each block diagram, unless otherwise specified, each block represents a functional unit configuration, not a hardware unit configuration.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus 2000 according to the first embodiment. The information processing apparatus 2000 according to the first embodiment includes a performance information acquisition unit 2020, a cost information acquisition unit 2040, and an expected value information generation unit 2060.

  The track record information acquisition unit 2020 acquires track record information for the product to be purchased. The track record information on a certain product is information in which the usage status and the failure information are associated with each other for the same type of product as the product. Here, the definition of the product type will be described later.

  The cost information acquisition unit 2040 acquires cost information for the product to be purchased. The cost information related to a certain product indicates information related to the cost required for repairing the failure of the product.

  The expected value information generation unit 2060 generates and outputs expected value information related to the purchase target product based on the record information and cost information acquired for the purchase target product. The expected value information regarding a certain product indicates a time transition of the expected value of the repair cost of the product. The expected value of repair cost over time indicates how the expected value of repair cost changes with time.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating expected value information in a graph. In the graph of Fig. 2, the X-axis shows the product usage period, and the Y-axis shows the expected repair cost. In FIG. 2, the expected value of repair costs increases with the passage of time. For example, the expected repair cost after 1 year from purchase of the product is 6,000 yen, the expected repair cost after 3 years from purchase is 10,000 yen, and the repair cost after 5 years from purchase. Expected value is 20,000 yen.

<Action and effect>
According to the information processing apparatus 2000 of the present embodiment, expected value information is output for a product to be purchased. The expected value information indicates the time transition of the expected value of the repair cost for the product to be purchased. By using the expected value information, a customer who wants to purchase a product can grasp how the expected value of the repair cost of the product to be purchased changes over time.

  The customer can use the expected value information as a material for determining whether or not to subscribe to the paid guarantee provided for the product to be purchased. For example, it is assumed that the subscription fee for a paid warranty with a warranty period of 3 years from the purchase date is 3,000 yen. In this case, if the expected repair cost after three years from the date of purchase is less than 3,000 yen, it is more likely that the customer will benefit from joining the warranty. On the other hand, if the expected value of repair costs after three years from the date of purchase is greater than 3,000 yen, it is more likely that customers will not be eligible for the warranty. In this way, by using the expected value information, it becomes possible for the customer to quantitatively determine whether or not to join the paid guarantee.

  Further, the customer can use the expected value information as a judgment material when selecting a product to be purchased. Specifically, the customer can select a product to purchase in consideration of not only the price of the product but also the cost of repairing the product.

  For example, assume that the customer is wondering whether to purchase refrigerator A or refrigerator B, which has little difference in performance. Here, it is assumed that the price of the refrigerator A is 50,000 yen and the price of the refrigerator B is 60,000 yen. In this case, since the refrigerator A is cheaper by 10,000 yen, it seems that it is better for the customer to buy the refrigerator A.

  However, when the expected value information of the refrigerator A is compared with the expected value information of the refrigerator B, the expected repair cost of the refrigerator A is 10,000 more than the expected repair cost of the refrigerator B when five years have passed since the purchase. Suppose it is higher than the yen. In this case, if the customer uses the refrigerator for more than 5 years, the total value of the price of the product and the repair cost will be cheaper for the refrigerator B. Therefore, unlike the case of comparison only by price, it is considered that it is more advantageous for the customer to purchase the refrigerator B.

  In this way, by using the expected value information, the customer can select a product in consideration of not only the price of the product itself but also the repair cost.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in further detail.

<Example of Hardware Configuration of Information Processing Device 2000>
Each functional component of the information processing apparatus 2000 may be realized by hardware (eg, a hard-wired electronic circuit) that implements each functional component, or a combination of hardware and software (eg: It may be realized by a combination of an electronic circuit and a program for controlling it). Hereinafter, the case where each functional component of the information processing apparatus 2000 is realized by a combination of hardware and software will be further described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a computer 1000 for realizing the information processing apparatus 2000. The computer 1000 is a variety of computers. For example, the computer 1000 is a personal computer (PC), a server machine, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. The computer 1000 may be a dedicated computer designed for realizing the information processing apparatus 2000 or a general-purpose computer.

  The computer 1000 includes a bus 1020, a processor 1040, a memory 1060, a storage 1080, an input / output interface 1100, and a network interface 1120. The bus 1020 is a data transmission path through which the processor 1040, the memory 1060, the storage 1080, the input / output interface 1100, and the network interface 1120 transmit / receive data to / from each other. The processor 1040 is an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The memory 1060 is a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage 1080 is a storage device such as a hard disk, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a memory card. The storage 1080 may be a memory such as RAM or ROM.

  The input / output interface 1100 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 and an input / output device. For example, the input / output interface 1100 is connected to an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse and an output device such as a display device.

  The network interface 1120 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 to other devices via a communication line.

  The storage 1080 stores program modules that implement the functions of the information processing apparatus 2000. The processor 1040 reads each program module into the memory 1060 and executes it, thereby realizing each function corresponding to the program module.

  The hardware configuration of the computer 1000 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and various other configurations can be adopted. For example, the method of connecting the processors 1040 and the like is not limited to bus connection. For example, each program module may be stored in the memory 1060. In this case, the computer 1000 may not include the storage 1080.

<Process flow>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing executed by the information processing apparatus 2000 according to the first embodiment. The information processing apparatus 2000 acquires information (hereinafter referred to as type specifying information) for specifying the type of product to be purchased (S102). The track record information acquisition unit 2020 acquires track record information for the type of product specified by the type specification information (S104). The cost information acquisition unit 2040 acquires cost information for each product for which performance information has been acquired (S106). The expected value information generation unit 2060 generates expected value information related to the purchase target product based on the result information and the cost information (S108). The expected value information generation unit 2060 outputs the generated expected value information (S110).

<About "Product Type">
The information processing apparatus 2000 generates expected value information of the purchase target product by using the result information regarding the same type of product as the purchase target product. At this time, the result information used to generate the expected value information varies depending on how the “product type” is determined. For example, when the type of product is defined by the general name of the product, such as “refrigerator”, the record information about various refrigerators sold in the past is used. On the other hand, if the product type is determined by the model number assigned by the manufacturer, such as “ABCDEF model A refrigerator”, among the refrigerators sold in the past, it is manufactured by company A and the model number is Only the information that is “ABCDEF” is used.

  There are various ways to determine the type of product. Hereinafter, a method for determining the type of product will be exemplified.

<< General name >>
For example, the type of product is defined by the general name of the product, such as “refrigerator” described above. In this case, if the product is a refrigerator, it belongs to the type “refrigerator” regardless of the manufacturer of the product.

<< General name and manufacturer >>
For example, the type of the product is determined by a combination of the general name of the product and the manufacturer, such as “Fridge manufactured by Company A”.

<< Brand name and series name >>
For example, the type of product is determined by a brand name or a series name. For example, even refrigerators manufactured by the same manufacturer may be sold under different brand names. In such a case, products sold under the same brand name can be classified into the same type of products. Similarly, even refrigerators manufactured by the same manufacturer, for example, may be classified by series name such as “A series” or “B series”. In such a case, products belonging to the same series can be classified into the same type of products.

<< Product name >>
For example, the product type is determined by the product name. In the case of sequentially upgrading products, there may be products with the same product name but different model numbers. In such a case, by classifying the products by the product name, similar products such as products of different versions can be classified into the same type of products.

<< Products with the same model number >>
For example, the product type is determined by the product model number. For example, when the model number of a certain product is “ABCDEF”, the same type of product as the product is a product having the model number “ABCDEF”.

  However, there may be similar products with different part numbers, such as products with the same internal structure and different exteriors (for example, colors). For example, the model number of the black product A is “ABCDEF-B”, and the model number of the red product A is “ABCDEF-R”. In this case, products whose model numbers match completely (those whose exteriors also match) may be classified into the same type of product, or products whose model numbers partially match (for example, the part that defines the internal structure) match the same type. May be classified into In the former case, “ABCDEF-B” and “ABCDEF-R” are different types of products, and in the latter case, they are the same type of products.

  Information indicating how to define the “product type” in the information processing apparatus 2000 may be set in advance in the information processing apparatus 2000 or stored in a storage device accessible from the information processing apparatus 2000. Alternatively, it may be set by a user (customer, store clerk, etc.) of the information processing apparatus 2000.

<Acquisition method of product type identification information: S102>
The information processing apparatus 2000 acquires type specifying information (S102). For example, the type specifying information includes various information (general name, brand name, series name, product name, or model number) that defines the type of the above-described product. The type specifying information may be manually input by a user of the information processing apparatus 2000, or may be automatically acquired using a product identifier (hereinafter referred to as a product ID (Identifier)). Hereinafter, a method of using the product ID is specifically exemplified.

  First, the information processing apparatus 2000 acquires a product ID of a product to be purchased. There are various methods for the information processing apparatus 2000 to acquire the product ID. For example, the information processing device 2000 acquires a product ID read from a product using a reader connected to the information processing device 2000, or receives a product ID read by a reader connected to another device. Or a product ID manually input using an input device. Here, the existing technology can be used as the technology for reading the product ID using various readers. For example, when a barcode is attached to a product, the product ID of the product can be read by scanning the barcode using a barcode reader.

  Next, the information processing apparatus 2000 searches the store's product database using the product ID as a search key, thereby acquiring the various information described above that identifies the type of product to be purchased. In this case, various information such as the general name and brand name of the product is stored in the product database of the store in association with the product ID.

  However, what is stored in the store's product database may be a part of information for specifying the type of product. For example, in the store database, the model number of the product and the address (IP address or the like) of the database provided by the manufacturer of the product are stored in association with the product ID. In this case, the information processing apparatus 2000 first searches the store's product database using the product ID as a search key, thereby acquiring the model number of the product and the address of the manufacturer's database. Thereafter, the information processing apparatus 2000 searches the manufacturer's database using the acquired model number as a search key. By doing so, the information processing apparatus 2000 acquires various information such as a general name and a brand name of the product. In this case, the general name or brand name of the product is stored in the manufacturer's database in association with the product model number.

  When the above-described various information is acquired based on the product ID, the information processing apparatus 2000 may use all of the acquired information as type specifying information, or use part of the acquired information as type specifying information. May be. In the latter case, for example, the information processing apparatus 2000 receives an input from the user for selecting information to be used as type specifying information.

<About achievement information>
The track record information acquisition unit 2020 acquires track record information for the type of product specified by the type specification information (S104). The performance information is information in which the usage status of the product and the failure information are associated with each other. Hereinafter, each of the usage status and the failure information will be specifically described.

<< Product usage status >>
There are various parameters that constitute the usage status of the product. For example, the usage status of a product includes parameters such as a usage period, a usage frequency, or a usage environment.

<<< use period >>>
The usage period is a period during which the product is used. The start of the use period may be the time when the product is purchased or the time when the use of the product is started. The end of the usage period is the time when the performance information is generated.

<<< frequency of use >>>
The usage frequency is arbitrary information indicating the frequency of use of the product. For example, the frequency of use is expressed as the number of times the product is turned on or off. Further, for example, the use frequency is represented by the number of times that the product is operated. Further, for example, the use frequency is represented by a value obtained by dividing the total value of the time when the product is turned on or the time when the product is operated by the use period.

<<< Usage environment >>>
The usage environment is information indicating in what environment the product is used. For example, the use environment is determined by the use area, temperature, humidity, or indoor or indoor use.

  Here, there are various ways of expressing the area of use. For example, the use area is represented by a part or all of the address of the place where the product is used. Here, the part of the address is, for example, A prefecture, A prefecture B city, A prefecture B city C town, or the like when the address is “A prefecture B city C town D-E-F”. Further, the use area may be represented by a local name (such as Kanto region or Chubu region) or a country name.

  In addition, the goods used while moving like a portable terminal may change frequently in a use area. There are various methods for determining the use area of such products. For example, the region where such a product is used may be determined based on the customer's address, may be determined in one region where the product is most commonly used, or the product is frequently used. It may be determined in a plurality of regions, or may be determined in all regions where the product is used. Here, the method of determining the use area in a plurality of areas may be a method of enumerating the plurality of areas, or a method of representing the areas including the plurality of areas by a generic name. In the latter case, for example, if all of the plurality of regions belong to the Kanto region, the Kanto region is used, and if all of the plurality of regions are the A prefecture B city, the A prefecture B city is used.

<< Failure information >>
The product failure information is various information related to product failure. For example, the failure information represents the presence or absence of a product failure. When the failure information indicates a failure of the product, the failure information may further indicate the type of failure. The type of failure indicates for which part the failure has occurred or what kind of symptom has occurred. Symptoms of failure are, for example, “no sound” or “no response to input operation”. Note that the information indicating the failed part may further indicate how the part has failed.

<< Example structure of track record information >>
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the result information in a table format. The table shown in FIG. The performance information 500 includes a usage status 502 and failure information 504.

  The usage status 502 includes a usage period 506, a usage frequency 508, and a usage environment 510. The usage period 506 indicates the usage period in the format of “hour: minute; second”. The use environment 510 includes a use area 512, a temperature 514, a humidity 516, and an indoor / outdoor 518. Here, indoor / outdoor 518 indicates whether the product is used indoors or outdoors.

  The failure information 504 includes a failure presence / absence 520, a part 522, and a symptom 524. The failure presence / absence 520 indicates whether or not the product is broken. A component 522 indicates a failed component when the product is broken. The symptom 524 indicates a symptom of failure when the product is out of order.

<Generation method of achievement information>
The record information may be generated based on information input manually, or may be generated based on information automatically collected by a computer. Here, the former will be described, and the latter will be described in an embodiment described later.

  For example, the performance information is generated by a repair manufacturer that repairs a product. This manufacturer inputs to the database managing the repaired product which part has failed in the repaired product, what kind of symptom failure has occurred, and the like. In this way, failure information is generated. The usage status of the product is specified by using information related to the user of the product who requested the repair, for example. The use area is specified by the address of the user of the product, for example. The period of use is specified by, for example, the purchase date described in the warranty. The frequency of use can be specified by, for example, having a product user fill in when receiving repairs.

  The database generates performance information by associating failure information with usage status. By doing in this way, performance information is produced | generated from the performance of repair in each repair maker.

  There are various places where the record information is stored for provision to the information processing apparatus 2000. For example, the record information may be stored in a storage device owned by the repair manufacturer, stored in a storage device owned by the manufacturer of the product, or stored in a storage device owned by the manufacturer of the product. Also good. When storing performance information in a storage device of a product manufacturer or sales maker, the performance information generated in the repair manufacturer's database is transmitted to the storage device of the product manufacturer or sales manufacturer.

  Further, for example, the performance information may be generated based on information provided from the user of the product instead of the repair manufacturer. For example, a manufacturer or sales maker of a product regularly receives a questionnaire regarding the product from the user. This questionnaire includes items for generating failure information (whether there is a product failure, when the product has failed, which component has failed, what symptom failure has occurred, etc.) and usage status Items (such as use region, use period, or use frequency) for identifying the item. The manufacturer or sales maker of the product generates result information using this questionnaire. This record information is stored in a storage device owned by the manufacturer or distributor of the product.

<Acquisition information acquisition method: S104>
The record information acquisition unit 2020 acquires record information about the purchased product (S104). Specifically, the track record information acquisition unit 2020 acquires track record information regarding each product of the same type as the purchased product. For example, the track record information acquisition unit 2020 acquires track record information about each product of the same type as the purchased product by searching a database in which track record information is stored using the type specifying information as a search key. The performance information is stored in a storage device owned by a repair manufacturer, a manufacturer, a sales manufacturer, or the like. Further, the record information may be stored inside the information processing apparatus 2000.

<Cost information acquisition method: S106>
The cost information acquisition unit 2040 acquires cost information for the product to be purchased (S106). Specifically, the cost information acquisition unit 2040 acquires the repair cost required when the failure indicated in the acquired performance information occurs in the purchase target product.

  When the failure information indicates a failure of the entire product (whether there is a failure), for example, the cost information acquisition unit 2040 acquires a representative value of repair costs required for repairing the failure of the product to be purchased. Here, the method of determining the representative value of the repair cost is arbitrary. For example, the representative value of the repair cost is a cost required for repairing a failure that occurs most frequently in a product to be purchased, or a statistical value (an average value, a mode value, etc.) of repair costs for each part of the product to be purchased.

  When the failure information indicates a failure on a component basis (when indicating which component has failed), the cost information acquisition unit 2040 repairs when the component indicated by the failure information fails in the product to be purchased. Get the cost. For example, when the failure information indicates “breakage of the display”, the cost information acquisition unit 2040 acquires a repair cost required when the display is damaged in the product to be purchased.

  When the failure information indicates a failure on a symptom basis (when indicating what symptom failure has occurred), the expense information acquisition unit 2040 indicates that the failure indicated by the failure information is a product to be purchased. Acquire the repair cost required when it occurs. For example, when the failure information indicates “no sound”, the cost information acquisition unit 2040 acquires the cost required for repair when no sound is output from the purchase target product.

  The cost information is provided from the manufacturer or sales maker of the product to be purchased, or a repair maker that contracts the product. The cost information acquisition unit 2040 acquires cost information from a storage device in which the cost information is stored. This storage device may be a storage device owned by a manufacturer or repair manufacturer of the product, or may be another storage device (for example, a storage device inside the information processing apparatus 2000).

<Generation method of expected value information: S108>
The expected value information generation unit 2060 generates expected value information based on the result information. First, the expected value information generation unit 2060 calculates the time transition of the failure rate based on the failure information indicated in each acquired actual information. For example, the expected value information generation unit 2060 calculates the failure rate with a granularity such as one month or one year. For example, when the failure rate is calculated with a granularity of one month, the expected value information generation unit 2060 displays “use period = 1 month, use period = 2 months, use period = after 3 months,. Calculate the failure rate for.

  The failure rate when the usage period is i unit time (for example, i is a positive integer after e-month elapses from the time of purchase) is calculated using performance information that satisfies “use period ≦ i unit time”. Here, an existing technique can be used as a method of calculating the failure rate based on the failure history.

  Here, when calculating the failure rate whose usage period is i unit time, the expected value information generation unit 2060 may use all the actual information satisfying “use period ≦ i unit time”, or “use period ≦ A part of performance information satisfying “i unit time” may be used. In the latter case, for example, the expected value information generation unit 2060 excludes information indicating that the usage environment or usage frequency shows an outlier from the performance information that satisfies “use period ≦ i unit time”, and uses the remaining record information. To calculate the failure rate. Here, the expected value information generation unit 2060 excludes performance information in which a predetermined number or more parameters indicate outliers among a plurality of parameters indicating the use environment and use frequency. The information representing the predetermined number may be set in advance in the expected value information generation unit 2060, may be stored in a storage device accessible from the expected value information generation unit 2060, or may be stored in the information processing device 2000. It may be set by the user.

  The failure rate may be calculated for the entire product, may be calculated for each part, or may be calculated for each symptom. However, in order to calculate the failure rate for each component, the failure information needs to indicate a failure history for each component. Further, in order to calculate the failure rate for each symptom, the failure information needs to indicate a failure history for each symptom.

E[i] は、使用期間がｉ単位時間となる時点における修理費用の期待値である。r[i] は、使用期間がｉ単位時間となる時点における故障率である。c は、購入対象の商品の修理費用の代表値である。 The expected value information generation unit 2060 calculates expected value information using the calculated failure rate, and the cost information acquired by the cost information acquisition unit 2040. When the failure rate is calculated for the failure of the entire product, the expected value information generation unit 2060 generates expected value information using, for example, the following formula (1).

E [i] is an expected value of repair costs when the usage period is i unit hours. r [i] is a failure rate at the time point when the usage period is i unit time. c is the typical repair cost for the product being purchased.

r[i,j] は、使用期間がｉ単位時間となる時点における、部品ｊまたは症状ｊについての故障率である。c[j] は、購入対象の商品における、部品ｊ又は症状ｊの故障の修理に要する修理費用である。 When the failure rate is calculated for each component or for each symptom, the expected value information generation unit 2060 generates expected value information using, for example, the following mathematical formula (2).

r [i, j] is the failure rate for the part j or symptom j at the time when the usage period is i unit time. c [j] is a repair cost required for repairing the failure of the part j or the symptom j in the product to be purchased.

  According to the above equations, the expected value information is determined by the numerical sequence E.

<Expected Value Information Output Method: S110>
The expected value information generation unit 2060 outputs expected value information. Here, there are various output destinations of expected value information. For example, the expected value information generation unit 2060 outputs the expected value information to an arbitrary storage device. By doing so, expected value information is stored in the storage device. Further, for example, the expected value information generation unit 2060 may output the expected value information to a display device connected to the information processing device 2000. By doing so, expected value information is displayed on the display device. For example, the expected value information generation unit 2060 may transmit the expected value information to another device. By doing so, the expected value information is also used for apparatuses other than the information processing apparatus 2000.

  Note that the expected value information output by the expected value information generation unit 2060 may be the above-described numeric value sequence E itself, or may be obtained by processing the numeric value sequence E into a graph or a table.

<Use Method of Information Processing Device 2000>
There are various methods of using the information processing apparatus 2000. For example, the information processing apparatus 2000 is realized as a portable terminal used by a store clerk in a store that sells products to customers. For example, when a customer purchases a product or recommends the customer to purchase a product, the store clerk displays expected value information on the display device of the portable terminal and presents it to the customer. In this way, when purchasing a product at a store, the customer decides whether or not to join a paid warranty, referring to the expected value information, and considers the expected value of repair costs. You can choose. In this case, the input of the type specifying information is performed on this mobile terminal.

  Further, the information processing apparatus 2000 may be realized as a server that is communicably connected to the mobile terminal used by the store clerk described above. In this case, the mobile terminal used by the store clerk acquires the expected value information from the information processing device 2000 and displays it on the display device. In this case, type specifying information or the like is input to the mobile terminal, and the input information is transmitted from the mobile terminal to the information processing apparatus 2000.

  The information processing apparatus 2000 may be a server that can be connected from a customer terminal (such as a PC or a portable terminal). For example, this server is a server that provides online shopping. In this way, when purchasing products through online shopping, customers can use the expected value information to determine whether or not to join a paid warranty, and take into account the expected value of repair costs. Can be selected. In this case, the type specifying information or the like is input to the customer's mobile terminal, and the input information is transmitted from the customer's terminal to the information processing apparatus 2000.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus 2000 according to the second embodiment. Except as described below, the information processing apparatus 2000 of the second embodiment has the same functions as the information processing apparatus 2000 of the first embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 2000 according to the second embodiment includes an expected usage status acquisition unit 2080. The expected usage status acquisition unit 2080 acquires the expected usage status of the product.

  The expected value information generation unit 2060 according to the embodiment generates expected value information by using the actual information indicating the usage state applicable to the expected usage state acquired by the expected usage state acquisition unit 2080.

<Process flow>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing executed by the information processing apparatus 2000 according to the second embodiment. Here, among the steps shown in FIG. 7, the description of the steps shown in FIG. 4 is omitted. The expected usage status acquisition unit 2080 acquires the expected usage status (S202). The expected value information generation unit 2060 generates expected value information by using the record information indicating the usage status that matches the expected usage status (S204).

<Obtained usage status acquisition method: S202>
The expected usage status acquisition unit 2080 acquires the expected usage status (S202). The expected usage status is information indicating an expected situation in which the customer uses the product to be purchased. The expected usage status includes the expected usage frequency and usage environment.

  There are various methods by which the expected usage status acquisition unit 2080 acquires the expected usage status. For example, the expected usage status acquisition unit 2080 acquires the expected usage status input by the customer. In this case, the customer may input the expected usage status using an input device connected to the information processing apparatus 2000, or may use an input device connected to an apparatus other than the information processing apparatus 2000 for prediction. You may input usage information. In the latter case, the expected usage status acquisition unit 2080 acquires the expected usage status from the device that has received the input of the expected usage status. For example, the customer inputs the expected usage status with his / her mobile terminal, and the information processing apparatus 2000 acquires the expected usage status from the mobile terminal. The input may be performed by a store clerk on behalf of the customer.

  By using the usage status expected by the customer as the expected usage status in this way, actual information on products used in situations that do not fit the usage status expected by the customer can be used to generate expected value information. It will not be done. Therefore, expected value information suitable for the usage environment of the customer is generated.

  The predicted usage status acquisition unit 2080 may acquire a predicted usage status stored in advance in an internal or external storage device of the information processing apparatus 2000. This expected usage status indicates, for example, a usage status generally expected for the product.

  By using the expected usage situation prepared in advance in this way, the actual result information of products used under circumstances that do not fit into the assumed usage situation (for example, generally expected usage situation) It will not be used to generate expected value information. Therefore, expected value information with higher accuracy is generated for a customer who uses a product in an expected situation (for example, a generally assumed situation).

<Use of performance information applicable to expected usage situation: S204>
The expected value information generation unit 2060 according to the present embodiment generates expected value information by using the actual information indicating the usage state applicable to the expected usage state (S204). Here, the “use situation applicable to the expected use situation” means a use situation that is the same as or included in the expected use situation.

  For example, the fact that the usage area of the performance information is applicable to the predicted usage situation means that the usage area of the performance information is the same area as or inside the usage area of the expected usage situation. For example, when the predicted usage status indicates “use region: Kanto region”, the usage status of the performance information indicating “use region: Kanto region”, “use region: Tokyo”, “use region: Katsushika City, Tokyo”, etc. This is true for expected usage.

  In addition, for example, if a parameter (usage frequency, temperature, humidity, etc.) expressed numerically in the usage status of the performance information is applicable to the expected usage status, is the parameter value the same as the value indicated in the expected usage status? Or within the range of values indicated in the anticipated usage status. Here, in the usage status and the expected usage status of the performance information, the parameter represented by a numerical value is a unique value (for example, “temperature: 10 ° C.”) or a numerical range (for example, “temperature: 10 ° C. to 20 ° C.”). For example, when the predicted usage status indicates “temperature: 10 ° C. or higher and 20 ° C. or lower”, the usage status of the performance information indicating “temperature: 13 ° C.” or “temperature: 12 ° C. or higher and 17 ° C. or lower” indicates Applies to usage.

  In the present embodiment, the record information acquisition unit 2020 may acquire record information regardless of whether or not the predicted use situation applies, or may acquire only the record information that applies to the predicted use condition. In the former case, the expected value information generation unit 2060 calculates performance information indicating the symptom strength applicable to the expected usage situation from the performance information acquired by the performance information acquisition unit 2020, and uses the calculated performance information. Generate expected value information. In the latter case, the expected value information generation unit 2060 generates expected value information by using each result information acquired by the result information acquisition unit 2020. In this case, the expected usage status is acquired (S202) before the performance information is acquired (S104).

<Hardware configuration>
The hardware configuration of a computer that implements the information processing apparatus 2000 according to the second embodiment is represented by, for example, FIG. However, the storage 1080 of the computer 1000 that implements the information processing apparatus 2000 according to the present embodiment further stores program modules that implement the functions of the information processing apparatus 2000 according to the present embodiment.

<Action and effect>
According to the information processing apparatus 2000 of the present embodiment, expected value information is generated using performance information indicating a usage situation that applies to an expected usage situation. Here, the failure rate of a product can be affected by the usage environment and usage frequency of the product. For this reason, the expected value information is generated using the actual information indicating the usage situation that matches the expected usage situation, so that the failure rate when the customer uses the product to be purchased is calculated with higher accuracy. As a result, the expected value of the repair cost when the customer uses the product to be purchased is calculated with higher accuracy. Therefore, according to the information processing apparatus 2000 of the present embodiment, the customer can more accurately grasp how the expected repair cost of the product to be purchased changes.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus 2000 according to the third embodiment. Except for the points described below, the information processing apparatus 2000 of the third embodiment has the same functions as the information processing apparatus 2000 of the first or second embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 2000 according to the third embodiment includes a guarantee information output unit 2100. The guarantee information output unit 2100 acquires maturity information indicating the expiration date of the guarantee. The term “guarantee” as used herein means that a manufacturer or a sales maker guarantees that a product is repaired free of charge or at a low cost when the product breaks down. For example, in general, a product is often accompanied by a guarantee that repairs a failure free of charge for a certain period of time after the purchase of the product.

  The warranty information output unit 2100 outputs an expected value of repair costs corresponding to the expiration date of the warranty in the expected value information. For example, when the expiration date of the warranty is one year from the purchase date, the warranty information output unit 2100 outputs an expected value of repair costs corresponding to the point of one year after purchase in the expected value information.

<Process flow>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing executed by the information processing apparatus 2000 according to the third embodiment. The guarantee information output unit 2100 acquires maturity information (S302). The warranty information output unit 2100 outputs an expected value of repair costs corresponding to the expiration date of the warranty in the expected value information (S304).

<Maturity information acquisition method: S302>
There are various methods for the guarantee information output unit 2100 to acquire the maturity information. For example, the warranty information output unit 2100 acquires maturity information stored in an internal or external storage device of the information processing apparatus 2000. In this case, the maturity information is provided from a guarantee provider (for example, a manufacturer or sales maker of the product). Further, for example, the guarantee information output unit 2100 may acquire maturity information manually input by the user of the information processing apparatus 2000.

  There may be a plurality of types of guarantees that can be attached to one product. For example, there may be a guarantee provided free of charge by a manufacturer with a maturity of one year from the purchase date, and a guarantee provided by a sales manufacturer for a fee of five years from the purchase date.

  The guarantee information output unit 2100 may acquire maturity information for each of the plurality of guarantees, or may acquire maturity information for a part of these. In the latter case, for example, the guarantee information output unit 2100 receives an input for selecting a part of a plurality of guarantees from the user, and acquires maturity information corresponding to the selected guarantee.

<Expected Value Output Method: S304>
The warranty information output unit 2100 calculates and outputs an expected value of repair costs corresponding to the expiration date of the warranty in the expected value information (S304). When a plurality of maturity information is acquired, the warranty information output unit 2100 calculates and outputs an expected value of repair costs corresponding to the maturity of the warranty for each maturity information.

  Here, it is conceivable that the start time of the guarantee period is the time of purchase, while the start time of the use period in the expected value information is the time when the use of the product is started. In this case, the warranty information output unit 2100 determines that the start point of the use period in the expected value information is the time of purchase of the product, and calculates an expected value of repair costs corresponding to the expiration date of the warranty. For example, when the warranty period is one year, the warranty information output unit 2100 determines the expected repair cost one year after the start of use of the product (when “use period = 1 year”). The expected repair cost corresponding to the maturity.

  There are various methods by which the warranty information output unit 2100 outputs an expected repair cost value corresponding to the expiration date of the warranty. The warranty information output unit 2100 outputs the expected repair cost value to the storage device, the display device, or the other device, for example, similarly to the expected value information generation unit 2060.

  The expected repair cost value may be output together with the expected value information, or may be output separately. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the expected value of repair costs corresponding to the expiration date of the warranty is output to the display device 30 together with the expected value information. The graph represents expected value information. In FIG. 10, a guarantee A whose warranty expires for 3 years from the purchase date and a guarantee B whose warranty expires for 5 years from the purchase date are handled.

  The subscription fee for Warranty A is 14,000 yen. On the other hand, the expected repair cost corresponding to 3 years, which is the expiration date of warranty A, is 10,000 yen. Therefore, the warranty A subscription fee is higher than the expected repair cost. Therefore, the point indicating the guarantee A subscription fee is above the graph.

  The subscription fee for Warranty B is 18,000 yen. On the other hand, the expected repair cost corresponding to 5 years, which is the expiration date of warranty B, is 20,000 yen. Therefore, the warranty B subscription fee is lower than the expected repair cost. Therefore, the point indicating the guarantee B subscription fee is below the graph.

  Thus, by looking at the display device 30, the customer can easily grasp that there is a high probability of losing when entering the guarantee A, while the probability of obtaining is high when entering the guarantee B.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an expected value of repair costs corresponding to the expiration date of the warranty is displayed on the display device 30 separately from the expected value information. In FIG. 11, information related to the warranty and the expected value of the repair cost corresponding to the expiration date of the warranty are displayed side by side. Information regarding each warranty and the expected value of repair costs corresponding to the expiration date of the warranty are the same as in the case of FIG.

  By looking at this table, the customer can easily grasp that the probability of losing when entering the guarantee A is high, but the probability of obtaining the guarantee when entering the guarantee B is high.

<Hardware configuration>
The hardware configuration of a computer that implements the information processing apparatus 2000 according to the third embodiment is represented by, for example, FIG. However, the storage 1080 of the computer 1000 that implements the information processing apparatus 2000 according to the present embodiment further stores program modules that implement the functions of the information processing apparatus 2000 according to the present embodiment.

<Action and effect>
According to the information processing apparatus 2000 of the present embodiment, an expected value of repair costs corresponding to the expiration date of the warranty is output. Therefore, the customer can easily compare the guarantee subscription fee with the expected repair cost corresponding to the expiration date of the guarantee. Therefore, the customer can easily determine whether or not to join the guarantee.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus 2000 according to the fourth embodiment. Except as described below, the information processing apparatus 2000 of the fourth embodiment has the same function as any one of the information processing apparatuses 2000 of the first to third embodiments.

  The information processing apparatus 2000 according to the fourth embodiment includes an expected value information acquisition unit 2120. Further, the information processing apparatus 2000 according to the fourth embodiment is connected to the expected value information storage unit 10 so as to be accessible.

  The expected value information storage unit 10 stores the expected value information generated in the past by the expected value information generation unit 2060.

  The expected value information acquisition unit 2120 uses the expected value information generated by the expected value information generation unit 2060 when the product is a purchase target product (at the time of purchase of the product). Obtained from the generation unit 2060.

  The expected value information generation unit 2060 generates expected value information for the product after purchase. At this time, the track record information acquisition unit 2020 acquires track record information regarding the same type of product as the post-purchase product. And the expected value information generation part 2060 produces | generates expected value information about the goods after this purchase based on this performance information and expense information. Further, the expected value information generation unit 2060 outputs the expected value information generated for the purchased product and the expected value information acquired from the expected value information storage unit 10 for the product.

  That is, according to the information processing apparatus 2000 of the present embodiment, the expected value information is generated again for the product for which the expected value information is generated at the time of purchase. For example, several months after purchasing a certain product, expected value information of the product is generated based on the record information acquired at that time.

  In addition, the performance information acquired by the performance information acquisition unit 2020 for the product after purchase may include the performance information of the product itself. For example, the performance information acquired after 6 months from the purchase of the product may include performance information obtained by using the product for 6 months. By doing so, the customer's own product usage record is also reflected in the generation of expected value information.

  There are various timings at which the expected value information generation unit 2060 generates expected value information for a product after purchase. For example, the expected value information generation unit 2060 generates expected value information for a product after purchase in response to an input operation by the user of the information processing apparatus 2000. For example, the expected value information generation unit 2060 may automatically generate expected value information at a predetermined timing. For example, the expected value information generation unit 2060 generates expected value information for the product again after a predetermined time has elapsed since the product was purchased (after the expected value information was generated at the time of purchase). The predetermined time may be preset in the expected value information generation unit 2060, may be stored in a storage device accessible from the expected value information generation unit 2060, or may be set by the user. Good.

  The method in which the expected value information generation unit 2060 of the present embodiment outputs the expected value information for the purchased product is the same as the method in which the expected value information generation unit 2060 of the first embodiment outputs the expected value information for the purchase target product. It is. Here, when the expected value information generation unit 2060 outputs the expected value information in the form of a graph or a table, the expected value information after purchase and the expected value information at the time of purchase are output together in one graph or table. It may be output to a separate graph or table.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the expected value information after purchase and the expected value information at the time of purchase are output together in one graph. In FIG. 13, a graph 20 represents expected value information at the time of purchase, and a graph 22 represents expected value information after purchase.

  Referring to FIG. 13, the expected value indicated by the graph 22 is larger than the expected value indicated by the graph 20. This means that the expected value of the repair cost of the product at the present time (after purchase) is larger than that at the time of purchase. For example, when the number of cases in which a product of the same type as the product fails after the purchase of the product increases, the expected value indicated by the expected value information after the purchase becomes larger than the expected value indicated by the expected value information at the time of purchase. In particular, when a customer purchases a product that has been released for a short time, it is considered that there are few cases of failure at the time of purchase. For this reason, the number of failure cases increases after purchase, and thus the expected value indicated by the expected value information after purchase is likely to be larger than the expected value indicated by the expected value information at the time of purchase.

  As described above, when the expected value information is automatically generated at a predetermined timing, the expected value information generation unit 2060 may notify the customer that the expected value information has been generated. Specifically, the expected value information generation unit 2060 transmits to the customer by e-mail or the like that the expected value information has been generated. By doing so, the customer can grasp that the expected value information has been generated by the information processing apparatus 2000.

  At this time, the expected value information generation unit 2060 may or may not transmit the expected value information to the customer. In the latter case, for example, the expected value information generation unit 2060 describes the link of the web page where the expected value information can be browsed in a mail and transmits it to the customer. The customer can browse the expected value information by using this link.

<Hardware configuration>
The hardware configuration of a computer that implements the information processing apparatus 2000 according to the fourth embodiment is represented by, for example, FIG. However, the storage 1080 of the computer 1000 that implements the information processing apparatus 2000 according to the present embodiment further stores program modules that implement the functions of the information processing apparatus 2000 according to the present embodiment.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 2000 that generates expected value information for the purchase target product described in the first embodiment and the information processing apparatus 2000 that generates expected value information for the purchased product described in the present embodiment are as follows: It may be realized by a different computer. For example, the former is realized as a portable terminal operated by a store clerk in a store, while the latter is realized by a server device held in the store.

<Action and effect>
According to the information processing apparatus 2000 of the present embodiment, expected value information is generated for a product after purchase. Here, the performance information when generating the expected value information for the product after purchase can be changed from the performance information when the product is purchased. For example, the performance information acquired for a product after purchase is newly added with performance information regarding a failure that occurred in the same type of product after the customer purchased the product. Therefore, the expected value information generated for the product after purchase is different from the expected value information generated at the time of purchase. Therefore, according to the information processing apparatus 2000 of the present embodiment, by comparing the expected value information generated at the time of purchase with the expected value information generated after the purchase, the time transition of the expected value of the repair cost of the product can be determined. You can see how it changed.

  The comparison between the expected value information at the time of purchase and the expected value information after the purchase can be used, for example, to determine whether to change the warranty after purchase or to newly join the warranty after purchase. . Examples thereof will be described below.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of comparing the expected value information of the product at the time of purchase with the expected value information after the purchase. In this example, it is assumed that there is a condition that “subscribe within one year after purchase” as a condition for subscribing to a five-year paid guarantee (guarantee A). In this case, even if the customer does not enter the warranty at the time of purchase, the customer can join the warranty later within one year after the purchase.

  In FIG. 14, a graph 20 shows expected value information at the time of purchase. In the graph 20, the expected value corresponding to 5 years, which is the expiration date of the guarantee A, is lower than the guarantee subscription fee. As a result, the customer determined that the product would not be covered by the warranty when purchased.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus 2000 generates expected value information of the product at that time and provides it to the customer within a period during which the warranty can be subscribed (for example, one month before the expiration date when the warranty can be subscribed). The graph 22 shows the expected value information after the purchase.

  Here, the expected value corresponding to the expiration date of the guarantee in the graph 22 exceeds the guarantee subscription fee. Therefore, the customer can make a determination that “you should join the warranty now”.

<Modification 1>
When the information processing apparatus 2000 according to the present embodiment generates expected value information after purchase, the information processing apparatus 2000 may acquire information representing the actual usage status (usage frequency or usage environment) of the product from the customer. In this case, the expected value information generation unit 2060 generates expected value information using the record information applicable to the usage status acquired from the customer. In addition, the method of generating expected value information using the actual information applicable to the usage situation acquired from the customer is the expected value information generating unit 2060 according to the second embodiment generates the expected value information using the historical information applicable to the expected usage situation. It is the same as the method to do.

  According to this method, since the expected value information is generated using the actual information that indicates the usage status that is applicable to the actual usage status of the customer, which is grasped by the customer actually using the product, the failure rate of the product Is calculated with higher accuracy. As a result, the expected value of the repair cost is calculated with higher accuracy. Therefore, the customer can grasp more accurately how the expected value of the repair cost of the product changes.

  Here, it is assumed that the expected value information at the time of purchase has been generated using the record information applicable to the expected usage situation as described in the second embodiment. In this case, it is conceivable that the expected usage status at the time of purchase is different from the actual usage status of the product. For example, although it was predicted that the product is frequently used before purchase, the actual usage frequency may be lower than expected. More specifically, there may be cases where a customer buys a washing machine in order to do laundry every day, but actually does laundry only twice a week. Moreover, the actual use environment (use area, temperature, humidity, etc.) may differ from the expected use environment due to moving after purchasing the product. Specifically, when a customer moves from Tokyo to Hokkaido after purchasing a product, the actual usage environment and the expected usage environment differ greatly. In these cases, there is a possibility that the expected value information at the time of purchase and the expected value information after the purchase are greatly different.

  Even in such a case, the customer may obtain expected value information corresponding to the actual usage situation after the change by generating the expected value information using the actual information obtained from the customer and applied to the actual usage situation. it can. Therefore, the customer can obtain the expected value information with high accuracy according to the actual use situation.

<Modification 2>
The expected value information generation unit 2060 of the present embodiment may not have a function of generating expected value information of the product to be purchased. In this case, the expected value information generation unit 2060 is a device that generates and outputs expected value information of a product after purchase. In this case, the result information acquisition unit 2020 does not acquire the result information for the same type of product as the purchase target product, and acquires the result information for the same type of product as the purchase target product.

[Embodiment 5]
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an information processing system 4000 according to the fifth embodiment. The information processing system 4000 includes the information processing apparatus 2000 and the second information processing apparatus 3000 according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments. In FIG. 15, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 2000 is omitted.

  This embodiment shows an example of a method for automatically generating performance information by a computer. The second information processing device 3000 is a device that collects data necessary for generating performance information and generates performance information based on the data. For this purpose, the second information processing device 3000 includes a collection unit 3020 and a record information generation unit 3040. The collection unit 3020 acquires the current status information from the used product. The current status information is data collected from a product for generating performance information, and indicates the usage status of the product, the presence or absence of a failure of the product, and the like.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of how current status information is collected from a product. The second information processing device 3000 acquires current status information from the product 40 via a WAN (Wide Area Network) 60. Here, the product 40 may be directly connected to the WAN 60, or may be connected to the WAN 60 via another device (for example, the home gateway 50). In the latter case, the product 40 is connected to the home gateway 50 or the like via a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The track record information generation unit 3040 generates track record information based on the acquired current status information. The record information generated by the record information generating unit 3040 is stored in a storage device provided inside or outside the second information processing apparatus 3000.

  The track record information acquisition unit 2020 of the present embodiment acquires track record information generated by the track record information generation unit 3040. Specifically, the track record information acquisition unit 2020 acquires track record information from the storage device. For this purpose, the information processing apparatus 2000 is connected so as to be accessible to the storage device.

<Process flow>
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing executed by the second information processing device 3000 according to the fifth embodiment. The collection unit 3020 acquires the current status information from the used product (S502). The track record information generation unit 3040 generates track record information based on the current status information (S504).

<About current status information>
The current status information is generated by a current status information generation device (for example, incorporated) installed in the product. The current status information generation device is a small computer realized using, for example, an SoC (System On Chip). The current status information generating device generates current status information at a regular timing or a timing when a predetermined event occurs. The predetermined event is, for example, a component failure. The failure of a component can be detected by using various sensors built into the product, for example. The current status information is transmitted from the current status information generation device to the second information processing device 3000.

  The current status information indicates the current status of the product. Specifically, the current status information indicates the usage frequency and usage environment of the product (installation location, temperature, humidity, or whether the product is used indoors or outdoors). The location of the product is represented by GPS coordinates that are grasped using, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor built into the product. The temperature and humidity of the product are grasped using a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or the like built in the product. Whether the product is installed indoors or outdoors is grasped by monitoring, for example, a change in temperature. Specifically, when the temperature change during the day is large, it can be understood that the product is used outdoors. The usage frequency of a product is grasped using, for example, a sensor that grasps whether the power is ON or OFF, and a counter that counts ON / OFF of the power. The presence / absence of a product failure is ascertained by, for example, a sensor incorporated in the product as described above.

  Moreover, the presence or absence of the failure of goods may be grasped | ascertained by the presence or absence of the present condition information. For example, there may be a failure in which the current status information cannot be transmitted from the current status information generation device, such as when a power supply of a product fails. In this case, the performance information generation unit 3040 can grasp the failure of the product by handling the current status information as a kind of heartbeat. Specifically, the performance information generation unit 3040 determines that the product has failed when the current status information that should be periodically transmitted from the product is not transmitted.

<Result information generation method: S504>
The track record information generation unit 3040 generates track record information for the product based on the current status information acquired from each product. The usage status indicated by the performance information is determined based on the usage frequency and usage environment indicated in the current status information.

  Here, the usage status indicated by the performance information may be the usage frequency or the usage environment itself indicated in the current status information, or may be a result of processing the usage frequency or usage environment indicated in the current status information. In the latter case, for example, the record information generation unit 3040 determines the address of the installation location from the installation location of the product indicated by the GPS coordinates, and sets the address as the use area indicated by the record information. Further, for example, the record information generation unit 3040 calculates the use frequency indicated in the record information using a plurality of current status information. For example, the track record information generation unit 3040 calculates a use frequency indicated in the current status information by using a plurality of current status information indicating whether the power source is ON or OFF. Specifically, the performance information generation unit 3040 determines the usage frequency indicated by the usage status of the performance information when the breakdown of power ON / OFF in the N current status information is ON for a and OFF for Na. / N.

  The period of use indicated by the performance information is determined based on the generation time of the current status information. The record information generation unit 3040 sets a value obtained by subtracting the purchase time or the use start time of the product from the generation time of the current status information. The purchase time of the product is provided, for example, from a store where the product is sold. Moreover, the use start time of goods can be defined, for example, at the time of generation of current status information acquired for the first time from the goods.

  The failure information in the performance information is determined by the presence or absence of a failure indicated in the current status information. When the current state information indicates a failure of the entire product or a component, the failure information of the performance information indicates the failure. On the other hand, when the current status information indicates that there is no failure, the failure information in the performance information indicates that there is no failure.

<Hardware configuration>
The hardware configuration of a computer that implements the information processing apparatus 2000 according to the fifth embodiment is represented by, for example, FIG.

  The hardware configuration of a computer that implements the second information processing apparatus 3000 according to the fifth embodiment is represented by, for example, FIG. 3, similarly to the computer that implements the information processing apparatus 2000. The second information processing device 3000 is realized by various computers such as a PC, a server device, or a mobile terminal. The storage 1080 of the computer 1000 that implements the second information processing apparatus 3000 stores program modules that implement the functions of the second information processing apparatus 3000. In addition, the storage 1080 of the computer 1000 that implements the second information processing apparatus 3000 also functions as a storage device that stores performance information. However, the storage device that stores the record information may be a storage device provided outside the second information processing device 3000.

  Further, the hardware configuration of the current status information generation device provided in the product 40 is also represented, for example, by FIG. A computer 1000 that implements the current status information generation apparatus is a small computer that is implemented using, for example, an SoC. In the storage 1080 of the computer 1000 that realizes the current status information generation apparatus, a program module that realizes the function of the current status information generation apparatus is stored.

  Here, when the product 40 is directly connected to the WAN 60, the network interface 1120 of the computer 1000 that realizes the current status information generation apparatus is a network interface connectable to the WAN. On the other hand, when the product 40 is connected to the WAN via the LAN, the network interface 1120 of the computer 1000 that implements the current status information generation device is a network interface that can be connected to the LAN.

<Effect>
According to the information processing system 4000 of the present embodiment, current status information is collected from a product, and performance information is automatically generated based on the current status information. Therefore, as described in the actual form 1, it is not necessary for a repair maker worker or the like to manually input the record information. Therefore, the labor of a worker is reduced.

  In addition, by collecting the current status information from the product in this way and generating performance information, the manufacturer and manufacturer of the product can determine how long the product has failed, It is possible to grasp whether the product is being used or under what circumstances the product being used is likely to break down. As a result, the manufacturer can grasp the improvement points of the product and use it for future development. Further, the sales maker can explain in detail the points to be noted when using the product when explaining the product to the customer.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, these are illustrations of this invention, The combination of said each embodiment or various structures other than the above can also be employ | adopted.

Hereinafter, examples of the reference form will be added.
1. For the same type of product as the product to be purchased, a record information acquisition means for acquiring record information in which usage status and failure information are associated;
Cost information acquisition means for acquiring cost information related to costs required for repairing a failure of the product to be purchased;
Expected value information generating means for generating expected value information indicating a time transition of an expected value of repair cost for the product to be purchased based on the result information and the cost information;
An information processing apparatus.
2. The usage status indicated by the record information includes the period of use of the product, the frequency of use of the product, the region where the product is used, the temperature or humidity of the place where the product is used, or whether the product is used outdoors or indoors. Including, The information processing apparatus described in 1.
3. It has an expected usage status acquisition means for acquiring the expected usage status of products,
The performance information acquisition unit acquires performance information indicating a usage status that applies to the acquired expected usage status. Or 2. The information processing apparatus described in 1.
4). 1. Warranty information output means for outputting an expected value of repair costs at the expiration of the warranty for the expected value information. To 3. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above.
5. Expected value information acquisition means for acquiring first expected value information generated when purchasing the product from expected value information storage means for storing the expected value information generated in the past for the purchased product; ,
The expected value information generation means generates second expected value information for the product after purchase using the result information regarding the same type of product as the product after purchase, and the first expected value information. And the second expected value information are output together. To 4. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above.
6). 4. The performance information acquired for the same type of product as the product after purchase is the result information in which usage status and failure information are associated with the product after purchase. The information processing apparatus described in 1.
7). An information processing system including a first information processing device and a second information processing device,
The first information processing apparatus includes:
About the same kind of product as the product to be purchased, the result information obtaining means for obtaining the result information generated by the second information processing device;
Cost information acquisition means for acquiring cost information on the cost required for repair of product failure,
Expected value information generating means for generating expected value information indicating a time transition of an expected value of repair cost for the product to be purchased based on the record information and the cost information,
The second information processing apparatus
A collecting means for collecting current information on the use status of the product and the presence or absence of failure of the product from the used product;
An information processing system comprising: record information generating means for generating the record information for the product based on the current status information acquired from the product.
8). A control method executed by a computer,
For a product of the same type as the product to be purchased, a performance information acquisition step for acquiring performance information in which usage status and failure information are associated;
Cost information acquisition step for acquiring cost information related to the cost required for repairing the failure of the product to be purchased;
An expected value information generating step for generating expected value information indicating a time transition of an expected value of repair costs for the product to be purchased based on the result information and the cost information;
A control method.
9. The usage status indicated by the record information includes the period of use of the product, the frequency of use of the product, the region where the product is used, the temperature or humidity of the place where the product is used, or whether the product is used outdoors or indoors. Including, 8. The control method described in 1.
10. An expected usage status acquisition step for acquiring the expected usage status of the product,
The performance information acquisition step acquires performance information indicating a usage situation that applies to the acquired expected usage situation; 8. Or 9. The control method described in 1.
11. A warranty information output step of outputting an expected value of repair costs at the expiration of the warranty for the expected value information; To 10. The control method as described in any one.
12 An expected value information acquisition step of acquiring first expected value information generated when purchasing the product from an expected value information storage step of storing the expected value information generated in the past for the product after purchase; ,
The expected value information generation step generates second expected value information for the product after purchase using the result information regarding the same type of product as the product after purchase, and the first expected value information. And output the second expected value information together; 8. To 11. The control method as described in any one.
13. The track record information acquired by the track record information for the same type of product as the post-purchase product includes track record information in which usage status and failure information are associated with the post-purchase product. The control method described in 1.
14 8). Thru 13. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to any one of the above.

10 Expected Value Information Storage Unit 20 Graph 22 Graph 30 Display Device 40 Product 50 Home Gateway 500 Result Information 502 Usage Status 504 Failure Information 506 Usage Period 508 Usage Frequency 510 Usage Environment 512 Usage Area 514 Temperature 516 Humidity 518 Indoor / Outdoor 520 Failure Existence 522 Component 524 Symptom 1000 Computer 1020 Bus 1040 Processor 1060 Memory 1080 Storage 1100 Input / output interface 1120 Network interface 2000 Information processing device 2020 Performance information acquisition unit 2040 Cost information acquisition unit 2060 Expected value information generation unit 2080 Expected usage status acquisition unit 2100 Output of warranty information Unit 2120 Expected Value Information Acquisition Unit 3000 Second Information Processing Device 3020 Collection Unit 3040 Performance Information Generation Unit 4000 Information Processing System

Claims (9)

For the same type of product as the product to be purchased, a record information acquisition means for acquiring record information in which usage status and failure information are associated;
Cost information acquisition means for acquiring cost information related to costs required for repairing a failure of the product to be purchased;
Expected value information generating means for generating expected value information indicating a time transition of an expected value of repair cost for the product to be purchased based on the result information and the cost information;
An information processing apparatus.   The usage status indicated by the record information includes the period of use of the product, the frequency of use of the product, the region where the product is used, the temperature or humidity of the place where the product is used, or whether the product is used outdoors or indoors. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: It has an expected usage status acquisition means for acquiring the expected usage status of products,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the performance information acquisition unit acquires performance information indicating a usage status that applies to the acquired expected usage status.   4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a warranty information output unit configured to output an expected value of repair costs at the expiration date of the warranty for the expected value information. Expected value information acquisition means for acquiring first expected value information generated when purchasing the product from expected value information storage means for storing the expected value information generated in the past for the purchased product; ,
The expected value information generation means generates second expected value information for the product after purchase using the result information regarding the same type of product as the product after purchase, and the first expected value information. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein both the first and second expected value information are output.   The said performance information which the said performance information acquires about the same kind of goods as the said goods after the purchase contains the results information which matched the usage condition and failure information about the said goods after the purchase. Information processing device. An information processing system including a first information processing device and a second information processing device,
The first information processing apparatus includes:
About the same kind of product as the product to be purchased, the result information obtaining means for obtaining the result information generated by the second information processing device;
Cost information acquisition means for acquiring cost information on the cost required for repair of product failure,
Expected value information generating means for generating expected value information indicating a time transition of an expected value of repair cost for the product to be purchased based on the record information and the cost information,
The second information processing apparatus
A collecting means for collecting current information on the use status of the product and the presence or absence of failure of the product from the used product;
An information processing system comprising: record information generating means for generating the record information for the product based on the current status information acquired from the product. A control method executed by a computer,
For a product of the same type as the product to be purchased, a performance information acquisition step for acquiring performance information in which usage status and failure information are associated;
Cost information acquisition step for acquiring cost information related to the cost required for repairing the failure of the product to be purchased;
An expected value information generating step for generating expected value information indicating a time transition of an expected value of repair costs for the product to be purchased based on the result information and the cost information;
A control method.   The program which makes a computer perform each step of the control method of Claim 8.

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