Food information suggestion device and food information suggestion method

Abstract

To provide a food information suggestion device and a food information suggestion method that suggest foods based on an amount of nutrients recommended for a user to intake.SOLUTION: In a food information suggestion system 100, a food information suggestion device 20 comprises: a food information acquisition unit 21 that acquires information on an amount of nutrients contained in each of multiple foods; a user information acquisition unit 22 that acquires user information on each of multiple users; an intake recommendation information acquisition unit 24 that acquires intake recommendation information on the amount of nutrients recommended for each of the multiple users to intake; an operation information acquisition unit that acquires operation information indicating that the multiple users have performed the selection operations; a food selection unit 25 that selects multiple foods which commonly satisfy conditions of the multiple users who have performed the selection operations from the food information on the basis of the information acquired by the food information acquisition unit, the user information, the intake recommendation information, and the operation information; and a display control unit 27 that controls a display device 30 so as to display the foods selected by the food selection unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a food information suggestion device and a food information suggestion method. [Background technology]

[0002] A system has been disclosed that proposes a menu based on the recommended intake of nutrients, etc., for a main user and a family user (see Patent Document 1). This system displays the distribution amount of the proposed menu on a terminal according to the recommended intake of each of the main user and the family user, so that the main user can receive a menu proposal that satisfies the recommended intake of each user, even if the recommended intakes of the main user and the family users are different. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-107096 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The system described in Patent Document 1 calculates the dietary intake standard per meal as 1 / 3 of the daily diet, and calculates dietary recommendations for the family based on the average dietary intake standard values ​​for the family. However, the number of meals eaten per day varies from person to person, and in a family that includes both young children and adults, the average value cannot be the optimal value for anyone in the family, resulting in a problem of reduced recommendation accuracy.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to solve the above-mentioned problem by providing a food information proposal device and a food information proposal method that can propose multiple foods that commonly satisfy the conditions of multiple users based on the amount of nutrients recommended for intake for each of the multiple users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The food information proposal device of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising a food information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the amount of nutrients contained in each of a plurality of foods; a user information acquisition unit that acquires user information regarding each of a plurality of users; an intake recommendation information acquisition unit that acquires intake recommendation information regarding the amount of nutrients that each of the plurality of users is recommended to consume; an operation information acquisition unit that acquires operation information indicating that one or more users of the plurality of users have performed a selection operation; a food selection unit that selects foods to be proposed to the one or more users who have performed the selection operation based on the information acquired by the food information acquisition unit, the user information acquired by the user information acquisition unit, the intake recommendation information acquired by the intake recommendation information acquisition unit, and the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit; and a display control unit that controls the display device to display the foods selected by the food selection unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, based on information indicating that one or more users out of a plurality of users have been selected, foods based on the amount of nutrients recommended for the selected users are displayed on the display device. Therefore, even if there are multiple users who do not dine together, foods based on the amount of nutrients recommended for the users can be suggested. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a food information recommendation system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a food information proposal device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a food information proposal device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the food information proposal device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a user selection image that the food information proposal device in the first embodiment causes to be displayed on a terminal in a state where no user is registered. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a user selection image that the food information proposal device in the first embodiment displays on a terminal when one user is registered. [Figure 7] 4 is a diagram showing a user selection image that the food information proposal device in the first embodiment displays on a terminal when multiple users are registered. FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is a diagram showing a user selection image that the food information proposal device in the first embodiment displays on a terminal when multiple users are registered. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image of a suggested food list for a first user that is displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a suggested food list image for a fourth user that is displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing detailed images of selection candidate foods for a first user that are displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing detailed images of selection candidate foods for a fourth user that are displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the portion size has been changed in a detailed image of selection candidate foods for a fourth user that is displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device in the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing food images selected by a first user that are displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first meal record image of a first user that is displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device in the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a selected food list image including a plurality of selected foods of a first user, which is displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device in the first embodiment. [Figure 17]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed image of suggested food items displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device in the first embodiment when a plurality of suggested food items of a first user are selected. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first meal record image of a first user that is displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device in the first embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a food search image of a first user that is displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device in the first embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a food search result image of a first user that is displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device in the first embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image of a food selection result of a first user that is displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first meal record image of a first user that is displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device in the first embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second meal record image of a first user that is displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device in the first embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a third meal record image of a first user that is displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device in the first embodiment. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a fourth meal record image of a first user that is displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device in the first embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a food information recommendation system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 27] 5 is a schematic diagram showing how an image acquisition device of the food information recommendation system according to the second embodiment captures an image of a food. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1 First, a schematic configuration of a food information proposal system 100 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the food information proposal system 100 according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the food information proposal system 100 includes a database 10, a food information proposal device 20, and multiple terminals 30, which are electrically connected to each other via wire or wirelessly so that information can be communicated between them.

[0010] The database 10 includes an intake reference information storage unit 11 and a food information storage unit 12. The intake reference information storage unit 11 stores intake reference information, which is information on the reference amounts of nutrients that a general user of the terminal 30 is recommended to consume. For example, the intake reference information storage unit 11 stores, as the intake reference information, any one or more of information indicating the reference amount of energy that the user is recommended to consume and information indicating the reference amounts of multiple types of nutrients. In the following description, each of the reference amount of energy and the reference amounts of multiple types of nutrients that the user is recommended to consume based on the intake reference information is also referred to as the intake reference amount.

[0011] For example, the amount of energy related to the intake reference information stored in the intake reference information storage unit 11 is indicated in calories. Also, for example, the multiple types of nutrients related to the intake reference information stored in the intake reference information storage unit 11 include proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and minerals, and the amounts of these multiple types of nutrients are indicated in mass. Note that the intake reference information storage unit 11 may store information on the amount of each of these nutrients in a more detailed manner. For example, the multiple types of nutrients related to the information stored in the intake reference information storage unit 11 may store information on the amount of sugar and dietary fiber as carbohydrates, and information on the amount of nutrients such as salt, sodium, potassium, iron, and calcium as minerals.

[0012] For example, the reference intake information storage unit 11 stores, as the reference intake information, information on the amount of nutrients that a user is recommended to consume in a predetermined period of time, provided by organizations such as international organizations, government organizations of various countries, companies, and non-profit organizations. Specifically, the reference intake information storage unit 11 stores, as the reference intake information, information on the amount of nutrients that a Japanese user is recommended to consume, which is included in the "Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese" disclosed by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan. Note that the reference intake amounts may be indicated by a specific value for each of the amount of energy and the amount of multiple nutrients, or may be indicated by upper and lower limit values, or may be indicated by only one of the upper and lower limit values.

[0013] The food information storage unit 12 stores food information including food nutrition information, which is information on the amount of nutrients contained in each of a plurality of foods, and food identification information, which is information for identifying the plurality of foods. For example, the food information storage unit 12 stores one or more of information indicating the amount of energy contained in each of a plurality of foods and information indicating the amount of a plurality of types of nutrients when each of the plurality of foods is made by a representative amount and cooking method, and the names of the plurality of foods. For example, the names of the plurality of foods include one or more of the names of dishes made at home, the names of ingredients used in the dishes, the names of foods sold in stores, and the names of dishes served at a specific restaurant. Note that, when the food information storage unit 12 stores information on the names of foods sold in stores as the food identification information, it may store the name of the store selling the food and the name of the manufacturer of the food in association with the name of the food. Also, when the food information storage unit 12 stores information on the names of dishes served at a specific restaurant as the food identification information, it may store the name of the restaurant serving the dish in association with the name of the dish.

[0014] The food information proposal device 20 includes a food information acquisition unit 21, a user information acquisition unit 22, a recommended intake calculation unit 23, an operation information acquisition unit 24, a selection unit 25, a timing unit 26, a display control unit 27, and a storage unit 28 that stores information acquired by the food information proposal device 20, information used when the food information proposal device 20 performs various processes, and information related to the results of these various processes. The food information proposal device 20 acquires information from the database 10 and multiple terminals 30, and based on the acquired information, outputs information for suggesting foods to each user of the multiple terminals 30 according to the amount of nutrients that each user is recommended to consume.

[0015] The food information acquisition unit 21 acquires food information including food nutrition information of a plurality of foods and food identification information of the plurality of foods. For example, the food information acquisition unit 21 refers to information stored in the food information storage unit 12 of the database 10, and acquires one or more of information indicating the amount of energy and information indicating the amount of multiple types of nutrients contained in each of the plurality of foods when each of the plurality of foods is prepared using a representative amount and cooking method, and the food names of the plurality of foods.

[0016] The user information acquisition unit 22 has a setting information acquisition unit 225 and a meal history information acquisition unit 226, and acquires user information on each of a plurality of users by the setting information acquisition unit 225 and the meal history information acquisition unit 226. In other words, the user information acquisition unit 22 acquires user information on the characteristics of each user of a plurality of terminals 30 for each user. For example, the user information acquisition unit 22 acquires user information based on operation information from the terminal 30 indicating that the terminal 30 has been operated. For example, the user information acquired by the user information acquisition unit 22 includes setting information preset for the user and meal history information on the user's meal history.

[0017] The setting information acquisition unit 225 acquires setting information that is set in advance for the user as user information based on information from the terminal 30. For example, the setting information acquisition unit 225 acquires the user's physical characteristics and the user's lifestyle as the setting information. Information regarding the user's health condition and the user's preferences may also be acquired. For example, the setting information acquisition unit 225 acquires information regarding the user's age, sex, whether or not the user is in a menstrual period, whether or not the user is in a pregnancy period, and whether or not the user is in a breastfeeding period as the user's physical characteristics. Information regarding the height, weight, BMI (Body Mass Index), and body fat percentage may also be acquired.

[0018] Also, for example, the setting information acquisition unit 225 acquires the user's physical activity amount, the user's average number of meals per day, and the user's average wake-up time and bedtime as information on the user's lifestyle habits. Also, for example, the setting information acquisition unit 225 may acquire information on one or more of the user's exercise habits, the user's average amount of exercise per day, the user's average number of steps per day, and the user's occupation as information on the user's physical activity amount. Note that the setting information acquisition unit 225 may be configured to acquire information indicating which of a plurality of levels set in advance the user's physical activity amount corresponds to.

[0019] Also, for example, the setting information acquisition unit 225 may acquire, as information on the user's health condition, information on the user's blood glucose level, information on the user's blood pressure, the presence or absence of the user's illness and its details, the presence or absence of the user's allergy and its details, the presence or absence of the user's dietary restrictions and its details, and information on the presence or absence of the user's medication habits and the names of the medications. Also, for example, the setting information acquisition unit 225 may acquire, as information on the user's preferences, information on the user's food preferences, the user's food spiciness preferences, the user's food salt content preferences, the user's preferences for restaurants used by the user, the user's preferences for food manufacturers, and information on foods the user avoids.

[0020] The setting information acquisition unit 225 may be configured to acquire setting information based on the user's operation of the terminal 30, or may be configured to automatically acquire the setting information from other application software possessed by the terminal 30, such as application software for recording the amount of exercise, application software for managing the menstrual period, etc., by cooperating with the application software.

[0021] The meal history information acquisition unit 226 acquires meal history information related to the meal history of the user as user information based on information from the terminal 30. For example, the meal history information acquisition unit 226 acquires information on the time when the user ate a meal, the place where the user ate a meal, and the food consumed by the user based on operation information when the user operated the terminal 30. Information on the place where the user ate a meal may also be acquired.

[0022] Furthermore, the meal history information acquisition unit 226 is configured to acquire the names and amounts of the foods eaten by the user as information regarding the foods eaten by the user. Furthermore, the meal history information acquisition unit 226 may be configured to acquire information indicating the general names of the foods eaten by the user as information regarding the names of the foods eaten by the user, or may be configured to acquire information indicating the product names of the foods eaten by the user, or may be configured to acquire information indicating the names of dishes eaten by the user at the restaurant when the user ate at a restaurant.

[0023] The recommended intake amount calculation unit 23 as an intake recommendation information acquisition unit acquires intake recommendation information related to the amount of nutrients that each of the multiple users is recommended to consume. For example, the recommended intake amount calculation unit 23 acquires intake reference information by referring to information stored in the intake reference information storage unit 11 of the database 10, and acquires intake recommendation information related to the amount of nutrients that each of the multiple users is recommended to consume based on the acquired intake reference information and the user information acquired by the user information acquisition unit 22. Specifically, the recommended intake amount calculation unit 23 acquires intake recommendation information indicating the amount of energy and the amount of each nutrient per meal that the user is recommended to consume based on the daily intake reference amount indicated in the intake reference information and the average number of meals per day of a specific user indicated in the user information. In the following description, the amount of energy and the amount of multiple types of nutrients that a specific user is recommended to consume are also referred to as recommended intake amounts.

[0024] In addition, for example, the recommended intake calculation unit 23 calculates the recommended intake amount per day for a specific user based on each daily reference intake amount indicated in the intake reference information and the user information, and obtains the recommended intake amount per meal for the user by dividing the calculated recommended intake amount for the user by the average number of meals eaten by the user per day.

[0025] Also, for example, the recommended intake calculation unit 23 calculates the daily recommended intake of a specific user based on each reference intake amount indicated in the intake reference information and the user information. Specifically, the recommended intake calculation unit 23 calculates each recommended intake amount of the specific user based on each reference intake amount indicated in the intake reference information and information on the physical characteristics of the specific user included in the user information. For example, the recommended intake calculation unit 23 calculates each recommended intake amount of the specific user based on each reference intake amount indicated in the intake reference information and information on the body size of the specific user included in the user information. Specifically, each recommended intake amount of the specific user is extracted based on information on the user's physical characteristics (e.g., "age", "sex", "whether or not the user is in a menstrual period", "whether or not the user is in a pregnancy period", and "whether or not the user is in a lactation period") and information on the user's lifestyle habits (e.g., "physical activity amount") from data indicated in the "Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese" disclosed by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan.

[0026] The operation information acquiring unit 24 acquires operation information indicating the operation contents when the user operates the terminal 30 from each terminal 30. For example, the operation information acquiring unit 24 acquires operation information indicating the operation contents when the user operates the terminal 30 to input user information related to the user. Also, for example, the operation information acquiring unit 24 acquires operation information indicating the operation contents when the user operates the terminal 30 to select one or more users among the multiple users stored in advance in the storage unit 28. Also, for example, the operation information acquiring unit 24 acquires operation information indicating the operation contents when the user operates the terminal 30 to select one or more foods among the multiple foods presented by the food information proposal device 20.

[0027] The selection unit 25 as a food selection unit generates a suggested food list, which is a list of foods to be proposed to a specific user, by extracting one or more foods from the multiple foods included in the information acquired by the food information acquisition unit 21 based on the food information acquired by the food information acquisition unit 21, the user information acquired by the user information acquisition unit 22, the recommended intake amount acquired by the recommended intake calculation unit 23, and the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit 24. For example, when the operation information from any of the terminals 30 indicates that a specific user has performed a selection operation, the selection unit 25 selects foods from the multiple foods included in the food information according to the recommended intake amount per meal for that user, and generates a suggested food list for that user.

[0028] Specifically, the selection unit 25 as a food selection unit first extracts, from among a plurality of foods included in the food information acquired by the food information acquisition unit 21, foods whose amounts of energy and amounts of each nutrient fall within a preset range including the specific user's recommended intake amount per meal, and generates a list of the extracted foods as a recommended food list for the user. For example, the selection unit 25 extracts, from among a plurality of foods included in the food information acquired by the food information acquisition unit 21, foods whose amounts of energy and amounts of each nutrient fall within a preset range centered on the specific user's recommended intake amount per meal, and generates a list of the extracted foods as a recommended food list for the user.

[0029] Specifically, the selection unit 25 extracts foods whose energy amount and the amount of each nutrient are within ±10% of the recommended intake amount per meal for a specific user from among multiple foods included in the food information acquired by the food information acquisition unit 21, and generates a list of the extracted foods as a recommended food list for the user. Note that the selection unit may be configured to set a range for the amount of energy and the amount of each nutrient to be included in the recommended food list, or may be configured to set only the upper or lower limit of the range to be included in the recommended food list.

[0030] Furthermore, the selection unit 25 extracts one or more foods from the multiple foods included in the recommended food list based on the user information of the user, and generates a proposed food list that is a list of foods proposed to the user from the extracted foods. For example, the selection unit 25 generates a proposed food list for a specific user based on the user information of the specific user by extracting foods that do not contain ingredients related to the allergic disease from the multiple foods included in the recommended food list when the specific user has an allergic disease. Also, for example, the selection unit 25 generates a proposed food list for a specific user based on the user information of the specific user by extracting foods that do not contain ingredients that are not recommended to be combined with the medicine taken by the specific user from the multiple foods included in the recommended food list when the specific user has a habit of taking medicine. Also, for example, the selection unit 25 generates a proposed food list for a specific user based on the user information of the specific user so that the proposed food list includes foods that are preferred by the specific user. Also, for example, the selection unit 25 generates a proposed food list for a specific user based on the user information of the specific user by extracting foods that do not contain foods that are preferred by the specific user or ingredients and foods that the specific user avoids from the multiple foods included in the recommended food list.

[0031] The timing unit 26 measures time to obtain information indicating the time when the food information proposal device 20 performed various processes. For example, the timing unit 26 obtains information indicating the time when the food information proposal device 20 obtained various information and the current time. Specifically, the timing unit 26 obtains information indicating the time when the food information proposal device 20 obtained information from the database 10 and the time when operation information was obtained from the terminal 30 when the terminal 30 was operated by a user. In addition, the "average wake-up time" and "average bedtime" information is used to determine what meal the proposed meal will be for each user during the day, for example, whether it is breakfast or dinner for that person regardless of the time.

[0032] The display control unit 27 controls each terminal 30 to display various images. For example, the display control unit 27 controls each terminal 30 to display food information acquired by the food information acquisition unit 21 on each terminal 30. Also, for example, the display control unit 27 controls each terminal 30 to display user information acquired by the user information acquisition unit 22 on each terminal 30. Also, for example, the display control unit 27 controls each terminal 30 to display the recommended intake amount calculated by the recommended intake amount calculation unit 23 on each terminal 30. Also, for example, the display control unit 27 controls each terminal 30 to display the food list generated by the selection unit 25 on each terminal 30. Also, for example, the display control unit 27 controls each terminal 30 to display information related to the time measured by the timing unit 26 on each terminal 30. Also, for example, the display control unit 27 controls each terminal 30 to display information stored in the storage unit 28 on each terminal 30.

[0033] Each of the terminals 30 as display devices includes an input unit 31 and a display unit 32. For example, the terminals 30 are configured with a mobile phone such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, etc. The input unit 31 receives an input operation by a user and outputs a signal corresponding to the input operation. For example, the input unit 31 is configured with a touch panel, a physical button, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The display unit 32 displays an image corresponding to information acquired from the food information proposal device 20, an image corresponding to an input operation to the input unit 31, and other images. For example, the display unit 32 is configured with a liquid crystal panel, an EL (Electro Luminescence) panel, a touch panel formed integrally with the input unit 31, etc.

[0034] In the food information proposal system, a terminal may have some or all of the functions of the above-mentioned food information proposal device, or the food information proposal device may have some or all of the functions of the above-mentioned terminal. In addition, the food information proposal system may be configured so that one terminal is operated by multiple users, or so that a specific user who represents the multiple users operates one terminal to propose foods to each of the multiple users.

[0035] Next, the hardware configuration of the food information proposal device 20 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the food information proposal device 20 according to the first embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the food information proposal device 20 according to the first embodiment, which is different from that shown in Fig. 2. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the food information proposal device 20 has a processor 20a, a memory 20b, and an I / O port 20c, and is configured so that the processor 20a reads and executes a program stored in the memory 20b. The memory 20b may be, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM, or an EEPROM. The memory 20b may also be a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, a DVD, or the like. The memory 20b may also be an HDD or an SSD.

[0036] 3, the food information proposal device 20 has a processing circuit 20d and an I / O port 20c, which are dedicated hardware. The processing circuit 20d is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, a system LSI (Large-Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination of these. Each function of the food information proposal device 20 is realized by the processor 20a or the processing circuit 20d, which is dedicated hardware, executing a program, which is software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.

[0037] In addition to the above hardware, the food information proposal device 20 may also include hardware such as a display device, an input device, and a timer element for measuring time.

[0038] Next, an example of the processing performed by the food information proposal device 20 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 25. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the food information proposal device 20 according to the first embodiment, and is a diagram showing a user selection image D1 that the food information proposal device 20 according to the first embodiment causes the terminal 30 to display when a user is not registered. In other words, Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a user selection image D1 that the food information proposal device according to the first embodiment causes the terminal 30 to display when there is access from an unregistered user. In other words, Fig. 5 is a user selection image D1 that the food information proposal device causes the terminal 30 to display when the user identification information acquired from a specific terminal 30 is setting information indicating that the user is an unregistered user. In other words, Fig. 5 is a user selection image D1 that the food information proposal device causes the terminal 30 to display when the user identification information acquired from the specific terminal 30 is setting information indicating that the user is a user whose setting information is not stored in the storage unit 28.

[0039] Furthermore, when the terminal 30 in a state where the user selection image D1 is displayed is such that the user operating the terminal 30 and one or more other users associated with the user are not registered in the food information proposal device 20, the user and the other users can be registered in the food information proposal device 20 by operating the terminal 30. In the following description, the terminal 30 that displays the user selection image D1 shown in Fig. 5 is also referred to as the terminal 30. A specific user operating the terminal 30 is also referred to as the user.

[0040] Furthermore, when the user is already registered and no other users associated with the user are registered, the terminal 30 on which the user selection image D1 is displayed can start a process of suggesting food to the user by operating the terminal 30. When the user and one or more other users associated with the user are already registered, the terminal 30 on which the user selection image D1 is displayed can start a process of suggesting food to the selected users by operating the terminal 30 to select users who will have a meal with the user and the other users.

[0041] For example, based on the user information acquired from the terminal 30, the food information proposal device 20 determines whether the user is a user registered in the food information proposal device 20, and if the user is a user registered in the food information proposal device 20, determines whether other users associated with the user are registered in the food information proposal device 20.

[0042] When the food information proposal device 20 starts processing the terminal 30, it first acquires reference intake information from the database 10 (step ST1), and acquires food information from the database 10 (step ST2). After performing the processing of steps ST1 and ST2, the food information proposal device 20 acquires user setting information based on the information from the terminal 30 (step ST3). In this processing, for example, the food information proposal device 20 acquires the user setting information based on the user information from the terminal 30, and displays a user selection image on the display unit 32 of the terminal 30 for selecting a user to which foods are to be proposed from among a plurality of users registered in advance. The food information proposal device 20 may be configured to perform the processing of steps ST1 and ST2 after the processing of step ST3.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, when an unregistered user accesses the device 20, the device 20 displays a user selection image D1 including a current date and time image 110, a user selection proposal image 113, a food selection proposal image 114, a food record proposal image 115, a user information registration proposal image 116, and a user addition image 117 on the terminal 30. The current date and time image 110 is an image showing the current date and time, and includes a current date image 111 showing the current date and a current time image 112 showing the current time. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the current date and time image 110 shows that the current date is "Tuesday, June 20, 2023" and the current time is "12:04".

[0044] The user selection suggestion image 113 is an image for suggesting to the user a selection operation of one or more users to whom food items are to be suggested. For example, the user selection suggestion image 113 includes an image showing a character string "Who are the members of the meal?". In addition, for example, when multiple users are already registered in the food information suggestion device 20, the user selection suggestion image 113 prompts the user operating the terminal 30 to perform a selection operation to select a user (member) who will dine together from among the multiple users.

[0045] The food selection suggestion image 114, the food record suggestion image 115, and the user information registration suggestion image 116 are images displayed on the terminal 30, and are virtual buttons that function as UI (User Interface) buttons that accept input operations when selected. For example, if the input unit 31 and the display unit 32 of the terminal 30 are configured with a touch panel, the user can perform input operations related to the food selection suggestion image 114, the food record suggestion image 115, and the user information registration suggestion image 116 on the terminal 30 by pressing the food selection suggestion image 114, the food record suggestion image 115, and the user information registration suggestion image 116. Furthermore, for example, if the input unit 31 of the terminal 30 is configured with a mouse and the display unit 32 of the terminal 30 is configured with a liquid crystal panel that is not a touch panel, the user can perform input operations on the terminal 30 regarding the food selection suggestion image 114, the food record suggestion image 115, and the user information registration suggestion image 116 by pressing the mouse button while placing a cursor (not shown) over the food selection suggestion image 114, the food record suggestion image 115, and the user information registration suggestion image 116.

[0046] In addition, in a state where no user is registered in the food information proposal device 20, the food information proposal device 20 may be configured to disable input operations on the food selection proposal image 114, the food record proposal image 115, and the user information registration proposal image 116. For example, in this state, the display control unit 27 causes the display unit 32 of the terminal 30 to display the food selection proposal image 114, the food record proposal image 115, and the user information registration proposal image 116 in a less noticeable manner than when the images are enabled, for example, in a darker, lighter, or lower brightness than when the images are enabled.

[0047] The user-added image 117 is an image for the user to register a new user in the food information proposal device 20, and is a virtual button that functions as a UI button that accepts an input operation when selected. The method of inputting the user-added image 117 as a UI button is the same as that of the other UI buttons described above, and therefore the explanation will be omitted.

[0048] When the user performs an input operation on the user-added image 117, the food information proposal device 20 displays an image for accepting the user's setting information on the terminal 30 and accepts various setting information from the user. Descriptions of the image for accepting the user's setting information and the user's input operation on the image will be omitted.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a user selection image D1 displayed on the terminal 30 by the food information proposal device 20 according to the first embodiment in a state where one user is registered. As shown in FIG. 6, when only the user is registered in the food information proposal device 20, the food information proposal device 20 displays a user selection image D1 including an icon A1 indicating the user, a current date and time image 110, a user selection proposal image 113, a food selection proposal image 114, a food record proposal image 115, a user information registration proposal image 116, and a user addition image 117 on the terminal 30. For example, when only the user is registered in the food information proposal device 20, the food information proposal device 20 displays a user selection image D1 including an icon A1 that is an image that can visually identify the user based on user identification information for identifying the user, as the icon A1 indicating the user, on the terminal 30. The icon A1 may be an image configured to identify the user by a character string, or may be an image configured to identify the user by a face photo of the user or other images.

[0050] In addition, when any user is registered in the food information proposal device 20, the food information proposal device 20 enables input operations to the food selection proposal image 114, the food record proposal image 115, and the user information registration proposal image 116.

[0051] 7 and 8 are diagrams showing a user selection image D1 displayed on the terminal 30 by the food information proposal device 20 according to the first embodiment when multiple users are registered. As shown in FIG. 7, when multiple users including the user are registered in the food information proposal device 20, the food information proposal device 20 displays a user selection image D1 including an icon A1 indicating the user, icons A2, A3, and A4 indicating other users, a current date and time image 110, a user selection proposal image 113, a food selection proposal image 114, a food record proposal image 115, a user information registration proposal image 116, and a user addition image 117 on the terminal 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the food information proposal device 20 displays a user selection image D1 including an icon A1 indicating a first user who is the user, an icon A2 indicating a second user who is another user, an icon A3 indicating a third user who is another user, and an icon A4 indicating a fourth user who is another user on the terminal 30. For example, these first user to fourth users constitute one family.

[0052] When an icon representing one or more users is displayed on the terminal 30, the food information proposal device 20 can obtain operation information indicating that one or more users among the registered users have been selected from the terminal 30. For example, each user's icon is a virtual button that functions as a UI button that accepts a selection operation, which is an input operation for selecting a user to which food is to be proposed. The method of inputting the icon as a UI button is similar to the other UI buttons described above, and therefore the explanation is omitted. When the process of step ST3 is performed and the user performs a selection operation on the terminal 30 to select one or more users among the registered users, the food information proposal device 20 obtains operation information indicating the content of the selection operation (step ST4).

[0053] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the user and all other users registered in the food information proposal device 20 are selected by the selection operation of the user, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the user and all other users registered in the food information proposal device 20 are selected by the selection operation of the user. For example, when one or more users are selected by the user, the food information proposal device 20 displays each icon on the terminal 30 in a manner that visually indicates which user has been selected. Specifically, the food information proposal device 20 displays an emphasis image 118 on the terminal 30 to highlight and make the icon of the selected user stand out. More specifically, the food information proposal device 20 displays an emphasis image 118, which is an image that outlines the icon of the selected user to highlight and make it stand out, on the terminal 30 together with the icon.

[0054] In addition, the food information proposal device 20 may be configured to display each icon on the terminal 30 in a manner that allows visual distinction between users who have performed a selection operation and users who have not performed a selection operation. For example, the food information proposal device may be configured to display each icon on the terminal 30 so that the icons of users who have not performed a selection operation are in a darker, lighter color, or lower brightness than the icons of users who have performed a selection operation, or may be configured to display a mark different from the highlighted image 118 on the terminal 30.

[0055] When the process of step ST4 is performed, the food information proposal device 20 acquires meal history information related to the meal history of the selected user (step ST5). For example, in this process, the food information proposal device 20 may be configured to acquire the meal history information based on the user information from the terminal 30, or may be configured to acquire the meal history information by referring to information acquired in advance and stored in the storage unit 28. For example, the meal history information includes information indicating which meal each of the user has had in a day, which is determined based on the information acquired by the timing unit 26, the user's wake-up time, and the user's bedtime.

[0056] After performing the process of step ST5, the food information proposal device 20 calculates the recommended daily intake for each selected user (step ST6). For example, in this process, based on the selection of the user "mother" and another user "youngest child", the food information proposal device 20 calculates the recommended daily intake for each of the user "mother" and another user "youngest child".

[0057] After performing the process of step ST6, the food information proposal device 20 calculates the recommended intake amount per meal for each selected user based on the recommended intake amount per day for each selected user (step ST7). For example, in this process, the food information proposal device 20 calculates the recommended intake amount per meal for the first user "mother" and the fourth user "youngest child" based on the recommended intake amount per day for the selected user "mother" and the fourth user "youngest child". In addition, for example, the food information proposal device 20 calculates the recommended intake amount per meal for each selected user based on the recommended intake amount per day for each selected user and the diet history information of each user stored in the storage unit 28. Specifically, the food information proposal device 20 determines which meal the current meal is in a day based on the meal history information, and calculates the recommended intake amount per meal for each selected user based on the determination result and the daily recommended intake amount for each selected user. For example, when the food information proposal device 20 determines that the current meal is the first meal of a specific user in a day, it calculates the recommended intake amount per meal for the user by dividing the recommended intake amount per day for the specific user by the average number of meals of the specific user. Also, for example, when the food information proposal device 20 estimates that the current meal is the second meal of a specific user in a day, it subtracts the amount of nutrients ingested in the first meal indicated by the meal history information of the specific user from the recommended intake amount per day for the user, and calculates the recommended intake amount per meal for the user by dividing the calculation result by the average number of meals of the specific user minus the first meal. In other words, in the case of a specific user's second or subsequent meal, the food information recommendation device 20 calculates the amount of nutrients ingested per meal by subtracting the nutritional value ingested by the user at the first meal from the nutritional value per day, and dividing the result by the average number of meals eaten by the specific user per day minus the number of meals already eaten.In addition, the food information proposal device 20 may be configured to calculate the amount of nutrients ingested per meal of a specific user based on information regarding meals that the specific user has already ingested on a specific day (the current day). For example, the food information proposal device 20 may be configured to calculate the amount of nutrients ingested per meal of a specific user based on information regarding the total amount of nutrients that the specific user has already ingested in meals on the current day, or the food information proposal device 20 may be configured to calculate the amount of nutrients ingested per meal of a specific user based on information regarding the number of meals that the specific user has already ingested on the current day.

[0058] After performing the process of step ST7, the food information proposal device 20 generates a recommended food list for each selected user based on the recommended intake amount per meal for each selected user (step ST8).

[0059] After performing the process of step ST8, the food information proposal device 20 generates a suggested food list to be displayed on the terminal 30 based on the recommended food list of each user selected (step ST9). After performing the process of step ST9, the food information proposal device 20 causes the terminal 30 to display a suggested food list image, which is an image showing the generated suggested food list (step ST10).

[0060] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a suggested food list image D2 displayed on a terminal 30 by the food information proposal device 20 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9, when generating a suggested food list for each selected user, the food information proposal device 20 displays on the terminal 30 a suggested food list image D2 including a current date and time image 110, icons A1 and A4 indicating the selected user, a return operation image 121, a food category name image 122, a food category selection image 123, and suggested food images S11, S12, S13, and S14.

[0061] For example, when multiple users are selected, the food information proposal device 20 displays icons corresponding to the multiple users on the terminal 30 in a manner that visually indicates which user the proposed food list image to be displayed on the terminal 30 is for. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the food information proposal device 20 displays an emphasis image 118 on the terminal 30 together with the icon of the corresponding user, thereby visually indicating which user the proposed food list image to be displayed on the terminal 30 is for. Note that the icon included in the proposed food list image D2 is a virtual button that functions as a UI button that accepts a selection operation, which is an input operation for selecting a user for which the proposed food list is to be displayed. The method of inputting the user-added image 117 as a UI button is the same as that of the other UI buttons described above, and therefore will not be described.

[0062] The return operation image 121 is a virtual button that functions as a UI button that accepts an end operation, which is an input operation for the user to end viewing of the image displayed on the terminal 30. For example, when the user performs an end operation, the food information proposal device 20 ends the display of the image displayed on the terminal 30 and causes the terminal 30 to display a user selection image D1. The method of inputting the return operation image 121 as a UI button is similar to that of the other UI buttons described above, and therefore will not be described.

[0063] The food category name image 122 is an image for displaying the category name of the food list included in the suggested food list image D2. For example, the selection unit 25 classifies multiple foods included in the food information acquired by the food information acquisition unit 21 into multiple groups, and the display control unit 27 causes the terminal 30 to display the suggested food list generated by the selection unit 25 together with the food category name image 122 for each food category. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the food category name image 122 causes the terminal 30 to display a suggested food list image D2 including foods classified as "Ramen" out of the multiple foods included in the suggested food list, together with the food category name image 122 indicating the category name "Ramen".

[0064] In addition, the food information acquisition unit may be configured to acquire food information including classification information for classifying multiple foods into multiple groups, and the display control unit may be configured to display on the terminal 30 the suggested food list generated by the selection unit 25 based on the classification information together with the food category name image 122 for each food category.

[0065] When foods included in the suggested food list are classified into multiple groups, the food category selection image 123 is a virtual button that functions as a UI button that accepts a category switching operation, which is an input operation for changing the category of the suggested food list displayed on the terminal 30. For example, when the user performs a category switching operation, the food information proposal device 20 causes the terminal 30 to display a suggested food list of another category, instead of the suggested food list displayed on the terminal 30. The method of inputting the return operation image 121 as a UI button is similar to that of the other UI buttons described above, and therefore will not be described.

[0066] The suggested food images S11, S12, S13, and S14 are images showing a part of the suggested food list, and each image visually shows a food included in the suggested food list. For example, the suggested food image S11 includes a food name image Sa1 that is an image including a character string for identifying a food, and a food image Sa2 that is an image showing the appearance of the food. For example, the food information proposal device 20 causes the terminal 30 to display a plurality of suggested food images S11 to S14 for the first user, who is the user, in an arranged state. Specifically, the food information proposal device 20 causes the terminal 30 to display a plurality of suggested food images S11 to S14 in an arranged state so that the suggested food images corresponding to foods that match the taste of the user are positioned higher than the suggested food images corresponding to foods that do not match the taste, based on the user information acquired by the user information acquisition unit 22.

[0067] The food information proposal device may be configured to display a plurality of suggested food images on the terminal in a state where they are arranged based on other information. For example, the food information proposal device may display a plurality of suggested food images on the terminal in a state where they are arranged so that a suggested food image corresponding to a food that the user ingested earlier on the date and time of the last time is positioned higher than a suggested food image corresponding to a food that the user ingested more recently on the date and time of the last time based on the meal history information of the user, or may display a plurality of suggested food images on the terminal in a state where they are arranged so that a suggested food image corresponding to a food that has a small difference between the amount of energy and the amount of each nutrient contained in the food and the recommended intake amount is positioned higher than a suggested food image corresponding to a food that has a large difference between the amount of energy and the amount of each nutrient contained in the food and the recommended intake amount, or may display a plurality of suggested food images on the terminal in a state where they are arranged so that a suggested food image corresponding to a food that was recently announced by a restaurant on the date and time of the last time is positioned higher than a suggested food image corresponding to a food that was announced earlier on the date and time of the last time based on the food information. Note that the uppermost position is not limited to the upper position in the display area of ​​the image, and may be, for example, a prominent position or an end position when a plurality of suggested food images are arranged.

[0068] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a suggested food list image D2 for a fourth user that the food information proposal device 20 according to the first embodiment causes the terminal 30 to display. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, the food information proposal device 20 causes the terminal 30 to display a plurality of suggested food images S41, S42, S43, and S44 for the fourth user in an arranged state. The food information proposal device 20 may be configured to display a plurality of suggested food images S41, S42, S43, and S44 for the fourth user in an arranged state similar to that when a plurality of suggested food images for the first user are displayed on the terminal 30, or may be configured to display a plurality of suggested food images for the first user in an arranged state different from that when a plurality of suggested food images for the first user are displayed on the terminal 30.

[0069] For example, the food information proposal device 20 may display on the terminal a plurality of suggested food images for a fourth user who is a sub-user in an arranged state such that suggested food images corresponding to foods common to a plurality of suggested food lists for a first user who is a main user or foods classified into a common set are positioned at the top. In other words, the food information proposal device 20 may select a plurality of foods that commonly satisfy the conditions of a plurality of users who have been selected based on the information acquired by the food information acquisition unit 21, the user information acquired by the user information acquisition unit 22, the recommended intake information acquired by the recommended intake amount calculation unit 23, and the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit 24, from the food information, and display on the terminal the selected foods in an arranged state. Also, for example, the food information proposal device 20 may display on the terminal a plurality of suggested food images in an arranged state such that suggested food images corresponding to foods common to a plurality of suggested food lists for the user and a plurality of suggested food lists for other users or foods classified into a common set are positioned at the top in each of the plurality of suggested food lists for the user and the plurality of suggested food lists for other users. In other words, when the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit 24 is operation information indicating that a selection operation has been performed by a specific number of users, the display control unit 27 may control the terminal to display the recommendation rankings of a number of foods that commonly satisfy the conditions of the multiple users, selected by the selection unit 25, in a manner that allows them to be compared with each other.

[0070] In addition, the suggested food image may be a virtual button that functions as a UI button that receives a selection operation as an input operation when selected. For example, when a selection operation is performed on any of the suggested food images while the suggested food list image D2 shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 is displayed on the terminal 30, the food information proposal device 20 acquires operation information indicating the selection operation from the terminal 30, and based on the operation information, causes the terminal 30 to display a selection candidate food detail image including information on the amount of nutrients of the food corresponding to the suggested food image on which the selection operation was performed. The method of inputting an input operation on a suggested food image as a UI button is the same as that of the other UI buttons described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0071] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a selection candidate food detailed image D3 for a first user that the food information proposal device 20 according to the first embodiment causes the terminal 30 to display, and Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a selection candidate food detailed image D3 for a fourth user that the food information proposal device 20 according to the first embodiment causes the terminal 30 to display. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, when the food information proposal device 20 acquires from the terminal 30 operation information indicating that a selection operation has been performed on any of the suggested food images included in the suggested food list image D2, the food information proposal device 20 causes the terminal 30 to display a selection candidate food detailed image D3 including a date and time image 110, icons A1 and A4 of the selected user, a return operation image 121, a food category name image 122, a food category selection image 123, the selected suggested food image S11, a selected candidate food nutrition image 130, a portion adjustment image 136, and a food selection image 137.

[0072] The nutritional image of the selected candidate food 130 is an image showing information on the amount of nutrients contained in the selected candidate food, which is a food corresponding to any one of the suggested food images selected by the user from the suggested food images. For example, the food information suggestion device 20 displays on the terminal 30 the nutritional image of the selected candidate food showing the amount of energy and the amount of multiple nutrients contained in the selected candidate food by a chart, a bar graph, a line graph, a table, etc. For example, the nutritional image of the selected candidate food 130 includes a nutrient type image 131 showing the energy and any one of multiple nutrients contained in the selected candidate food, a nutrition content image 132 showing the amount of energy and any one of the amounts of each nutrient contained in the selected candidate food, a recommended intake amount image 133 showing the recommended intake amount per meal of each of the energy or nutrients related to the nutrient type image 131, a radar chart 135 showing the amount of energy and the amount of multiple nutrients and the recommended intake amount contained in the selected candidate food, and a selected candidate food switching image 138 which is a virtual button that functions as a UI button that accepts a switching operation for switching the selected candidate food to another suggested food.

[0073] For example, the radar chart 135 includes a selection candidate food nutrition graph 135c showing the amount of energy and the amount of multiple nutrients contained in the selection candidate foods, a recommended intake upper limit graph 135a showing the upper limit of the recommended intake amount per meal, and a recommended intake lower limit graph 135b showing the lower limit of the recommended intake amount per meal. In this way, the food information proposal device 20 displays the amount of energy and the amount of multiple nutrients contained in the selection candidate foods and each recommended intake amount in a comparable manner.

[0074] Also, for example, the food information suggestion device 20 causes the terminal 30 to display the nutrition images 130 of the selection candidate foods in a manner that allows visual discrimination as to whether the amount of energy and the amount of multiple nutrients contained in the selection candidate foods are within the range between the upper and lower limits of the recommended intake amounts. Specifically, the display control unit 27 determines whether the amount of energy and the amount of multiple nutrients contained in the selection candidate foods are within the range between the upper and lower limits of the recommended intake amounts, and causes the terminal 30 to display the nutrition images 130 of the selection candidate foods such that the display manner of each nutrient type image 131 corresponding to the energy and multiple nutrients is different depending on the determination result.

[0075] More specifically, the display control unit 27 causes the terminal 30 to display nutrient type images 131 corresponding to the amounts of energy and nutrients contained in the selection candidate foods that are not within the range between the upper and lower limits of the recommended intake amounts in a more prominent manner than nutrient type images 131 corresponding to those that are within the range.

[0076] The portion adjustment image 136 is an image that functions as a UI that accepts a portion adjustment operation by the user, in order to display the selection candidate food nutrition image 130 showing the amount of energy and the amount of multiple nutrients of the selection candidate food when the portion of the selection candidate food is adjusted (changed) on the terminal 30. For example, the portion adjustment image 136 has a slider image 136a that accepts a portion adjustment operation by the user, and when the user performs an operation to move the slider image 136a while selecting the slider image 136a, the amount of energy and the amount of multiple nutrients displayed by the selection candidate food nutrition image 130 changes according to the position of the slider image 136a in the portion adjustment image 136.

[0077] When a user performs an input operation on icons A1 and A2 while the selection candidate food detailed image D3 shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 is displayed on the terminal 30, the food information proposal device 20 is configured to be able to switch the selection candidate food detailed image D3 displayed on the terminal 30 between the content for the user and the content for another user in response to the input operation. This allows the food information proposal device 20 to select foods to be proposed to multiple users while comparing them with each other. Note that the food information proposal device may be configured to control the terminal 30 so that the foods proposed to multiple users are displayed in a manner that allows them to be compared with each other. For example, the food information proposal device may display the foods proposed to multiple users as one image on one terminal at the same time, allowing them to be compared with each other.

[0078] 12, if the fourth user is a minor, the recommended intake amount per meal is less than that of the first user who is an adult, and therefore the amount of energy and the amount of multiple nutrients in the selection candidate foods for adults is likely to be significantly outside the range between the upper and lower limits of the recommended intake amounts for the fourth user. In such a case, by adjusting the portion size of the selection candidate foods to be ingested, it is possible to bring the amount of energy and the amount of multiple nutrients to be ingested within or close to the range between the upper and lower limits of the recommended intake amounts for the fourth user.

[0079] 13 is a diagram showing a state where the portion size is changed in the selection candidate food detailed image D3 for the fourth user, which is displayed on the terminal 30 by the food information proposal device 20 according to the first embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the slider image 136a is located at the position indicating 1 / 2, the food information proposal device 20 causes the terminal 30 to display the selection candidate food detailed image D3 indicating 1 / 2 of the amount of energy and the amount of multiple nutrients contained in the selection candidate food.

[0080] The food selection image 137 is a virtual button that functions as a UI button that accepts a selection operation, which is an input operation by the user to select a selection candidate food shown in the selection candidate food detail image D3 as a food to be consumed at the next meal. When a selection operation is performed on the food selection image 137, the food information proposal device 20 acquires operation information corresponding to the selection operation from the terminal 30 and displays the selected food image on the terminal 30.

[0081] 14 is a diagram showing a selected food list image D4 of a first user displayed on the terminal 30 by the food information proposal device 20 according to embodiment 1. For example, the selected food list image D4 includes a date and time image 110, icons A1 and A4 of the user who has been selected, a return operation image 121, a selected food image 140 that has been selected, a selected food addition image 141 for receiving an input operation for adding a selected food, and a decision image 143 for receiving an input operation for deciding to consume the selected food.

[0082] When an input operation is performed on the decision image 143 while the selected food list image D4 is displayed on the terminal 30, the food information proposal device 20 acquires operation information indicating that the selected food has been selected as a food to be consumed by the user corresponding to the selected food (step ST11). When such operation information is acquired, the food information proposal device 20 stores information indicating that the user corresponding to the selected food has consumed the selected food as meal history information in the storage unit 28 (step ST12), and displays a meal record image on the terminal 30. The meal history information includes user identification information for identifying the corresponding user, food identification information for identifying the consumed food, and information indicating the time when the user consumed the food. The food information proposal device 20 may acquire information indicating the time when the user consumed the food based on the operation information when the user performed an input operation on the terminal 30, or based on the time when the user performed an input operation on the decision image 143.

[0083] 15 is a diagram showing a first meal record image D5 of a first user displayed on a terminal 30 by the food information proposal device 20 according to the first embodiment. For example, the first meal record image D5 is an image showing a meal record of a specific day of a user, and includes a date and time image 110, an icon A1 of the user corresponding to the meal record, a return operation image 121, a daily nutrient intake image 150 showing information on the amount of nutrients taken by the user on the specific day, a meal record date image 156 showing the date of the specific day, an intake food image 157 showing the food taken on the specific day, an intake time image 158 showing the time each food was taken on the specific day, and a display record switching image 159 for switching the first meal record image D5 to another meal record image. For example, the daily nutrient intake image 150 is a radar chart and includes a graph showing the amount of energy and the amount of each nutrient taken by the user on a specific day, a graph showing the user's recommended daily intake, an image showing the amount of energy and the amount of each nutrient taken by the user on a specific day, and an image showing the user's recommended daily intake.

[0084] In addition, a user may consume multiple foods in one meal. For this reason, the food information proposal device 20 is configured to allow a user to select multiple foods as selected foods. For example, when an input operation is performed on the selected food addition image 141 while the selected food list image D4 is displayed on the terminal 30, the food information proposal device 20 causes the terminal 30 to display selected food images including suggested foods to be added so that the user can consume the foods shown in the selected food list image D4 in one meal together. This allows a user to select multiple foods as selected foods.

[0085] 16 is a diagram showing a selected food list image D4 including a plurality of selected foods of a first user, which is displayed on the terminal 30 by the food information proposal device 20 according to the embodiment 1. When a plurality of selected foods are displayed in this manner, the user performs an operation on the terminal 30 to decide to consume the plurality of selected foods, and the plurality of selected foods are recorded as having been consumed by the user as a meal record.

[0086] 17 is a diagram showing a selection candidate food detailed image D3 in a state where multiple suggested foods of a first user are selected, which is displayed on the terminal 30 by the food information proposal device 20 according to embodiment 1. For example, the food information proposal device 20 causes the terminal 30 to display a radar chart 135 including graphs 135c1, 135c2, and 135d respectively showing the amount of energy and the amount of each nutrient contained in each food per meal, a recommended intake upper limit graph 135a showing the upper limit of the recommended intake per meal, and a recommended intake lower limit graph 135b showing the lower limit of the recommended intake per meal.

[0087] In addition, even users within a family do not necessarily dine together every time, and different users may share a meal depending on the meal. In addition, some or all of the users within a family may eat a meal without using the food information proposal device 20. For this reason, the food information proposal device 20 is configured so that a user can add meal history information to the food information proposal device 20 by operating the terminal 30.

[0088] 18 is a diagram showing a first meal record image D5 of a first user that the food information proposal device 20 according to the embodiment 1 causes the terminal 30 to display. For example, when the user selects an arbitrary part (a part surrounded by a thick-lined square shown in FIG. 18) of the ingested food image 157 to which the meal history information is to be added, by an input operation on the terminal 30, the food information proposal device 20 causes the terminal 30 to display a food search image for searching for foods related to the meal history information.

[0089] 19 is a diagram showing a food search image D6 of a first user that the food information proposal device 20 according to the first embodiment causes the terminal 30 to display. The food search image D6 includes a current date and time image 110, icons A1 and A4 indicating the selected user, a return operation image 121, a search term input field 161, and a search execution image 163. When a user inputs a search term 162 into the search term input field 161 by an input operation on the terminal 30 and an input operation is performed on the search execution image 163, the food information proposal device 20 searches for food based on the search term and causes the terminal 30 to display the search results.

[0090] 20 is a diagram showing a food search result image D7 of a first user that the food information proposal device 20 according to the embodiment 1 causes the terminal 30 to display. The food information proposal device 20 refers to food information stored in the storage unit 28 based on the input search term, and causes the terminal 30 to display foods related to the input search term as a search result image 170.

[0091] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a food selection result image D8 of a first user that is displayed on a terminal by the food information proposal device according to the first embodiment. The food selection result image D8 includes a selected food image 140 showing any food among the food search results selected based on an input operation on the terminal 30 by the user. When the food selection result image D8 shown in FIG. 21 is displayed on the terminal 30, if an input operation is performed on a selected food addition image 141, it becomes possible to further add food related to the meal history information, and if an input operation is performed on a decision image 143, the food for which the meal history information is recorded is decided, and the new meal history information is stored in the storage unit 28. When the new meal history information is stored in the storage unit 28, the food information proposal device 20 causes the terminal 30 to display a first meal record image D5.

[0092] Fig. 22 is a diagram showing a first meal record image D5 of a first user displayed on the terminal 30 by the food information proposal device 20 according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 22, the foods shown in the food selection result image D8 in Fig. 21 are added to the intake food image 157 as meal history information.

[0093] When a first meal record image D5 is displayed on the terminal 30 and an input operation is performed on the display record switching image 159, the food information proposal device 20 switches the first meal record image D5 to another meal record image, a second meal record image.

[0094] 23 is a diagram showing a second meal record image D9 of a first user displayed on a terminal 30 by the food information suggestion device 20 according to the first embodiment. For example, the second meal record image D9 is an image showing a meal record of a specific day of a user, and includes a date and time image 110, an icon A1 of the user corresponding to the meal record, a return operation image 121, a daily nutrient intake image 150 for showing information on the amount of nutrients taken by the user on the specific day, a calendar 191 in which dates in January including the specific day are arranged in a table format, a specific day identification display 192 for identifying the specific day from a plurality of dates arranged on the calendar 191, a display record switching image 194 for switching the second meal record image D9 to the first meal record image D5, and a display record switching image 193 for switching the second meal record image D9 to another meal record image other than the first meal record image D5. When the user selects any one of the dates arranged on the calendar 191, the food information proposal device 20 causes the terminal 30 to display the diet record for that day corresponding to the selected date.

[0095] When the second meal record image D9 is displayed on the terminal 30 and the user performs an input operation on the display record switching image 193, the food information proposal device 20 switches the second meal record image D9 to another meal record image, a third meal record image.

[0096] 24 is a diagram showing a third meal record image D10 of a first user displayed on a terminal 30 by the food information suggestion device 20 according to the first embodiment. For example, the third meal record image D10 is an image showing a meal record of a specific January of a user, and includes a date and time image 110, an icon A1 of the user corresponding to the meal record, a return operation image 121, a daily nutrient intake image 150 for showing the average amount of nutrients taken by the user in a specific January, a calendar 211 in which the month numbers of a year including the specific month are arranged in a table format, a specific month identification display 212 for identifying the specific January from the multiple month numbers arranged in the calendar 211, a display record switching image 213 for switching the third meal record image D10 to the second meal record image D9, and a display record switching image 214 for switching the third meal record image D10 to another meal record image.

[0097] When the third meal record image D10 is displayed on the terminal 30 and the user performs an input operation on the display record switching image 214, the food information proposal device 20 switches the third meal record image D10 to another meal record image, the fourth meal record image.

[0098] 25 is a diagram showing a fourth meal record image D11 of a first user displayed on a terminal 30 by the food information suggestion device 20 according to the first embodiment. For example, the fourth meal record image D11 is an image showing a meal record of a specific year of a user, and includes a date and time image 110, an icon A1 of the user corresponding to the meal record, a return operation image 121, a daily nutrient intake image 150 showing the average amount of nutrients taken by the user in a specific year, a calendar 221 in which the year numbers of multiple years including the specific year are arranged in a table format, a specific year identification display 222 for identifying the specific year from the multiple year numbers arranged in the calendar 221, and a display record switching image 223 for switching the fourth meal record image D11 to the third meal record image D10. The food information recommendation device 20 is configured to display the total nutritional value of meals per day, the monthly average of the total nutritional value per day, and the yearly average of the total nutritional value per day, so that a person can eat meals that match events in their life or their mood on that day, and aim for a long-term healthy diet while accepting any resulting nutritional surplus or deficiency on a daily basis. Generally, a system of following a daily quota is not sustainable, but the food information recommendation device 20 makes it possible to maintain health while enjoying meals.

[0099] As described above, the food information proposal system 100 according to embodiment 1 includes a food information acquisition unit 21 that acquires information on a plurality of foods and information on the amount of nutrients contained in each of the plurality of foods, a user information acquisition unit 22 that acquires user information on each of a plurality of users, a recommended intake amount calculation unit 23 that acquires recommended intake information on the amount of nutrients that each of the plurality of users is recommended to consume, an operation information acquisition unit 24 that acquires operation information indicating that one or more of the plurality of users have performed a selection operation, a selection unit 25 that selects foods to be proposed to the one or more users who have performed the selection operation based on the information acquired by the food information acquisition unit 21, the user information acquired by the user information acquisition unit 22, the recommended intake information acquired by the recommended intake amount calculation unit 23, and the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit 24, and a display control unit 27 that controls the terminal 30 to display the foods selected by the selection unit 25.

[0100] Configured in this manner, the food information recommendation system 100 of embodiment 1 displays foods based on the amounts of nutrients recommended for the selected user on the terminal 30 based on information indicating that one or more users out of a plurality of users have been selected. Therefore, even if there are multiple users who do not dine together, foods based on the amounts of nutrients recommended for the selected user can be suggested to the user.

[0101] The food information proposal system 100 may have only one terminal, or may have terminals for all users who use the food information proposal system 100, or may have terminals for only some of the users who use the food information proposal system 100, for example, a user who is the representative of a family, or may be configured to allow information to be shared between multiple terminals used by multiple users who make up a family.

[0102] Embodiment 2 Next, a food information proposal system 100A according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figures 26 and 27. The food information proposal system 100A according to embodiment 2 differs from the food information proposal system 100 according to embodiment 1 in that it includes an image acquisition device 40 and in some configurations of the food information proposal device, but other configurations are similar. The same components as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0103] Fig. 26 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a food information proposal system 100A according to Embodiment 2. As shown in Fig. 26, the food information proposal system 100A includes a database 10, a food information proposal device 20A, a plurality of terminals 30, and an image acquisition device 40.

[0104] The image acquisition device 40 acquires image information by capturing images of target objects and scenery. For example, the image acquisition device 40 has a lens and an image sensor (not shown), and acquires image information by photoelectrically converting light input from the lens using the image sensor. The image acquisition device 40 transmits the acquired image information to the food information proposal device 20A.

[0105] The food information proposal device 20A includes a food information acquisition unit 21, a user information acquisition unit 22, a recommended intake calculation unit 23, an operation information acquisition unit 24, a selection unit 25, a timing unit 26, a display control unit 27, an image analysis unit 29, and a storage unit 28. The food information proposal device 20A is a device that acquires information from the database 10, multiple terminals 30, and an image acquisition device 40, and outputs information for suggesting foods to each user of the multiple terminals 30 according to the amount of nutrients that each user is recommended to consume, based on the acquired information.

[0106] Image analysis unit 29 acquires image information from image acquisition device 40, analyzes the image information acquired from image acquisition device 40 based on the food information acquired by food information acquisition unit 21, and identifies foods included in the image information. In other words, image analysis unit 29 acquires image information from image acquisition device 40, and identifies foods included in the image information based on the food information acquired by food information acquisition unit 21 and the image information acquired from image acquisition device 40.

[0107] FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram showing how the image acquisition device 40 of the food information proposal system 100A according to the second embodiment captures food. The storage unit 28 stores the food contained in the image information acquired by the image analysis unit 29 as the user's meal history information. For example, by capturing an image of the food ingested by the user with the image acquisition device 40, the food information proposal system 100A saves the user the trouble of registering the meal history information, improves convenience, and prevents the meal history information from becoming erroneous due to a user's operation error. For example, as shown in FIG. 27, the image acquisition device 40 is configured by a fixed camera fixed so that the dining table at home is included in the imaging range. The image acquisition device may be provided in a terminal.

[0108] In addition, the present disclosure allows free combinations of the respective embodiments, or modifications of any of the components of the respective embodiments, or omission of any of the components of the respective embodiments.

[0109] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0110] (Appendix 1) a food information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the amount of nutrients contained in each of a plurality of foods; a user information acquisition unit that acquires user information regarding each of a plurality of users; an intake recommendation information acquisition unit that acquires intake recommendation information regarding an amount of nutrients that each of the plurality of users is recommended to consume; an operation information acquisition unit that acquires operation information indicating that the plurality of users have performed a selection operation; a food selection unit that selects, from the food information, a plurality of foods that commonly satisfy the conditions of the plurality of users selected based on the information acquired by the food information acquisition unit, the user information acquired by the user information acquisition unit, the intake recommendation information acquired by the intake recommendation information acquisition unit, and the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit; A display control unit that controls the display device to display the food selected by the food selection unit. A food information suggestion device comprising: (Appendix 2) When the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit is operation information indicating that the plurality of users have performed a selection operation, the food selection unit selects a plurality of foods that commonly satisfy conditions of the plurality of users from the food information. 2. The food information suggestion device according to claim 1, (Appendix 3) When the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit is operation information indicating that the plurality of users have performed a selection operation, the display control unit controls the display device to display recommendation rankings of the plurality of foods that commonly satisfy conditions of the plurality of users and that have been selected by the food selection unit in a manner that allows comparison with each other. 3. The food information suggestion device according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) When the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit is operation information indicating that the multiple users have performed a selection operation, the display control unit controls the display device to display information on nutrient amounts contained in multiple foods that commonly satisfy conditions of the multiple users and that are selected by the food selection unit, and recommended intake information for each of the multiple users, in a manner that allows them to be compared with each other. 4. A food information suggestion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. (Appendix 5) When the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit is operation information indicating that the plurality of users have performed a selection operation, the display control unit controls the display device to display information regarding the amount of nutrients contained in the plurality of foods selected by the food selection unit and commonly satisfying the conditions of the plurality of users when the portion sizes of the foods are changed. 5. A food information suggestion device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. (Appendix 6) The user information includes information regarding physical characteristics of the plurality of users. 6. A food information suggestion device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. (Appendix 7) The user information includes information regarding food consumed by the plurality of users. 7. A food information suggestion device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. (Appendix 8) The intake recommendation information acquisition unit acquires intake recommendation information regarding the amount of nutrients that a specific user is recommended to consume based on information about meals that the specific user has already consumed on a specific day. 2. The food information suggestion device according to claim 1. (Appendix 9) The intake recommendation information acquisition unit acquires intake recommendation information regarding the amount of nutrients that a specific user is recommended to consume, based on information regarding the number of meals already consumed in a specific day, which is determined based on the wake-up time and bedtime of the specific user. 9. The food information suggestion device according to claim 8, (Appendix 10) The display control unit causes the display device to display an average value of a nutrient amount taken per day by a specific user during a specific period. 2. The food information suggestion device according to claim 1. (Appendix 11) A food information suggestion method performed by a device including a food information acquisition unit, a user information acquisition unit, an intake recommendation information acquisition unit, an operation information acquisition unit, a food selection unit, and a display control unit, The food information acquisition unit acquires information regarding the amount of nutrients contained in each of a plurality of foods; a step of the user information acquisition unit acquiring user information regarding each of a plurality of users; The intake recommendation information acquisition unit acquires intake recommendation information regarding an amount of nutrients that each of the plurality of users is recommended to consume; The operation information acquisition unit acquires operation information indicating that the plurality of users have performed a selection operation; the food selection unit selecting, from the food information, a plurality of foods that commonly satisfy the conditions of the plurality of users selected based on the information acquired by the food information acquisition unit, the user information acquired by the user information acquisition unit, the intake recommendation information acquired by the intake recommendation information acquisition unit, and the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit; The display control unit controls the display device to display the food selected by the food selection unit. A food information suggestion method comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 10 database, 11 intake standard information storage unit, 12 food information storage unit, 20 food information proposal device, 20A food information proposal device, 21 food information acquisition unit, 22 user information acquisition unit, 23 recommended intake calculation unit, 24 operation information acquisition unit, 25 selection unit (food selection unit), 26 timing unit, 27 display control unit, 28 storage unit, 29 image analysis unit, 30 terminal, 31 input unit, 32 display unit, 40 image acquisition device, 100 food information proposal system, 100A food information proposal system, 110 date and time image, 111 current date image, 112 current time image, 113 user selection proposal image, 114 food selection proposal image, 115 food record proposal image, 116 user information registration proposal image, 117 user addition image, 118 emphasis image, 121 return operation image, 122 food category name image, 123 Food category selection image, 130 image of nutrition of food candidates, 131 image of nutrition type, 132 image of nutrition content, 133 image of recommended intake, 135 radar chart, 135a graph of upper limit of recommended intake, 135b graph of lower limit of recommended intake, 135c graph of nutrition of food candidates, 135c1 graph, 135c2 graph, 136 image of portion adjustment, 136a slider image, 137 image of food selection, 138 image of switching food candidates, 140 image of selected food, 141 image of adding selected food, 143 image of decision, 150 image of daily nutrition intake, 156 image of date of meal record, 157 image of food intake, 158 image of time of intake, 159 image of switching record display, 161 search term input field, 162 search term, 163 image of executing search, 170 image of search result, 191 calendar, 192 Specific day identification display, 193 Display record switching image, 194 Display record switching image, 200A Food information suggestion system, 211 Calendar, 212 Specific month identification display, 213 Display record switching image, 214 Display record switching image, 221 Calendar, 222 Specific year identification display, 223 Display record switching image, 225 Setting information acquisition unit, 226 Meal history information acquisition unit, A1 Icon, A2 Icon, A3 Icon, A4 Icon, D1 User selection image, D10 Third meal record image, D11 Fourth meal record image, D2 Suggested food list image, D3 Selection candidate food details image, D4 ​​Selected food image, D5 First meal record image, D6 Food search image, D7 Food search result image, D8Food selection result image, D9 second meal record image, S11 suggested food image, S12 suggested food image, S13 suggested food image, S14 suggested food image, S41 suggested food image, S42 suggested food image, S43 suggested food image, S44 suggested food image, Sa1 food name image, Sa2 food image.

Claims

1. a food information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the amount of nutrients contained in each of a plurality of foods; a user information acquisition unit that acquires user information regarding each of a plurality of users; an intake recommendation information acquisition unit that acquires intake recommendation information regarding an amount of nutrients that each of the plurality of users is recommended to consume; an operation information acquisition unit that acquires operation information indicating that the plurality of users have performed a selection operation; a food selection unit that selects, from the food information, a plurality of foods that commonly satisfy the conditions of the plurality of users selected based on the information acquired by the food information acquisition unit, the user information acquired by the user information acquisition unit, the intake recommendation information acquired by the intake recommendation information acquisition unit, and the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit; A display control unit that controls the display device to display the food selected by the food selection unit. A food information suggestion device comprising:

2. When the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit is operation information indicating that the plurality of users have performed a selection operation, the food selection unit selects a plurality of foods that commonly satisfy conditions of the plurality of users from the food information.

2. The food information suggestion device according to claim 1 .

3. When the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit is operation information indicating that the plurality of users have performed a selection operation, the display control unit controls the display device to display recommendation rankings of the plurality of foods that commonly satisfy conditions of the plurality of users and that have been selected by the food selection unit in a manner that allows comparison with each other.

3. The food information suggestion device according to claim 2.

4. When the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit is operation information indicating that the multiple users have performed a selection operation, the display control unit controls the display device to display information on nutrient amounts contained in multiple foods that commonly satisfy conditions of the multiple users and that are selected by the food selection unit, and recommended intake information for each of the multiple users, in a manner that allows them to be compared with each other.

3. The food information suggestion device according to claim 2.

5. When the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit is operation information indicating that the plurality of users have performed a selection operation, the display control unit controls the display device to display information regarding the amount of nutrients contained in the plurality of foods selected by the food selection unit and commonly satisfying the conditions of the plurality of users when the amount of the foods is changed.

3. The food information suggestion device according to claim 2.

6. The user information includes information regarding physical characteristics of the plurality of users.

2. The food information suggestion device according to claim 1 .

7. The user information includes information regarding food consumed by the plurality of users.

2. The food information suggestion device according to claim 1 .

8. The intake recommendation information acquisition unit acquires intake recommendation information regarding the amount of nutrients that a specific user is recommended to consume based on information about meals that the specific user has already consumed on a specific day.

2. The food information suggestion device according to claim 1 .

9. The intake recommendation information acquisition unit acquires intake recommendation information related to the amount of nutrients that a specific user is recommended to consume, based on information regarding the number of meals already consumed in a specific day, which is determined based on the wake-up time and bedtime of the specific user.

9. The food information suggestion device according to claim 8.

10. The display control unit causes the display device to display an average value of a nutrient amount ingested per day by a specific user during a specific period.

2. The food information suggestion device according to claim 1 .

11. A food information suggestion method performed by a device including a food information acquisition unit, a user information acquisition unit, an intake recommendation information acquisition unit, an operation information acquisition unit, a food selection unit, and a display control unit, The food information acquisition unit acquires information regarding the amount of nutrients contained in each of a plurality of foods; a step of the user information acquisition unit acquiring user information regarding each of a plurality of users; The intake recommendation information acquisition unit acquires intake recommendation information regarding an amount of nutrients that each of the plurality of users is recommended to consume; The operation information acquisition unit acquires operation information indicating that the plurality of users have performed a selection operation; the food selection unit selecting, from the food information, a plurality of foods that commonly satisfy the conditions of the plurality of users selected based on the information acquired by the food information acquisition unit, the user information acquired by the user information acquisition unit, the intake recommendation information acquired by the intake recommendation information acquisition unit, and the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit; The display control unit controls the display device to display the food selected by the food selection unit. A food information suggestion method comprising:

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