Proposal device, proposal method and program

Abstract

To provide a proposal device for accurately proposing products suitable for users.SOLUTION: A proposal device includes an answer receiving part for receiving answer information representing answers of a user to a questionnaire regarding health conditions, an examination result receiving part for receiving examination results using specimens collected from the user, and a product proposal part for outputting a proposal screen for proposing products to the user based on the answer information and the examination results.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a proposal device, a proposal method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in a mail-order service that sells products such as health foods or supplements via a communication network such as the Internet, there is a technique for proposing products according to a customer's health condition. This type of mail-order service is also called personal nutrition.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a test information management system that generates product information to be recommended to a user based on the test results related to the user's biological condition. Also, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a supplement suggestion system that suggests supplements containing nutrients that are lacking to a user based on the user's answers to questions related to lifestyle habits. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-35082 A [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-33638 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional technology, there is room for improving the accuracy of the supplements suggested to the user. It is difficult to suggest the most suitable product to the user based only on the answers to the questionnaire or the test results.

[0006] In view of the above technical problems, an object of the present invention is to accurately suggest products suitable for a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a proposal device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an answer receiving unit that receives answer information indicating a user's answer to a questionnaire regarding a health condition, a test result receiving unit that accepts test results using a sample collected from the user, and a product proposal unit that outputs a proposal screen for suggesting products to the user based on the answer information and the test results. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to accurately suggest products suitable for a user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a mail order service. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an overall configuration of a sales system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the sales system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of product information. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a proposed method. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a questionnaire screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of question items. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a product suggestion process. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a score calculation rule. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of product selection rules. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an advice screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a proposal screen. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a product re-suggestion process. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product adjustment rule. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0011] [Embodiment] One embodiment of the present invention is a sales system that provides a mail order service. In this embodiment, a sales system that sells products such as health foods or supplements will be described as an example. The sales system in this embodiment has a function of suggesting products suitable for users based on the health condition of customers who purchase the products (in other words, users of the sales system). In other words, the sales system in this embodiment is an information processing system that realizes personalized nutrition.

[0012] Conventionally, information processing systems that realize personalized nutrition have had the problem that it takes time and effort to identify the health condition of a user. For example, there is an information processing system that suggests supplements containing nutrients that are lacking based on the user's answers to a questionnaire about lifestyle habits. In this type of information processing system, the user needs to answer a questionnaire containing many questions in order to identify the user's nutritional condition, which places a heavy burden on the user.

[0013] For example, questionnaires aimed at understanding the nutritional status of Japanese people's dietary habits include (1) the self-administered diet history questionnaire (DHQ) and (2) the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ). (1) The self-administered diet history questionnaire is a questionnaire for quantitatively investigating eating habits (nutrient intake, food intake, etc.) over the past month, and consists of more than 400 questions spread over 22 pages. (2) The brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire was developed as a simplified version of the self-administered diet history questionnaire, but requires participants to answer about 80 questions spread over 4 pages in order to calculate the intake of 58 types of foods and more than 100 types of nutrients.

[0014] On the other hand, for example, there is an information processing system that suggests supplements suitable for a user based on the test results using a sample collected from the user. In this type of information processing system, it is necessary to send a test kit in response to an application from the user, collect the test kit from the user with the sample collected, and perform a test using the sample. For example, in the case of a urine test, it often takes at least several days to several weeks from the user's application to obtaining the test results.

[0015] Furthermore, when the questionnaire responses or the test results are used alone, there is a risk that it is not possible to suggest products that are appropriate for the user. By combining the questionnaire responses and the test results to select products to be suggested to the user, it is expected that it is possible to suggest products that are more suitable for the user.

[0016] In this embodiment, an object is to accurately suggest products suitable for the user. At the same time, an object is to quickly suggest products suitable for the user. The sales system in this embodiment selects products to be suggested to the user (hereinafter also referred to as "suggested products") based on both the questionnaire responses and the inspection results. In one aspect, according to this embodiment, products suitable for the user can be suggested more accurately and quickly than in the past.

[0017] <Service Overview> A mail order service provided by the sales system in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the mail order service in this embodiment.

[0018] In step S1, the sales system presents a questionnaire about a health condition to the user. The number of items included in the questionnaire may be fewer than that of conventional questionnaires such as the DHQ or BDHQ, and may be, for example, about 30 items. The sales system accepts the user's responses to the questionnaire.

[0019] In step S2, the sales system proposes products to the user based on the answers to the questionnaire received in step S1 (first time). The user selects a product to purchase from the proposed products and carries out the purchase procedure.

[0020] In step S3, the sales system ships the product purchased by the user to the user (first time). When the user receives the shipped product, the user starts using the product. For example, if the product is a supplement, the user takes the supplement according to the recommended intake for that supplement.

[0021] In step S4, the sales system again ships the product purchased by the user (for the second time) after a predetermined time interval has elapsed. The predetermined time interval may be set according to the period in which the product shipped the first time is consumed. The predetermined time interval may be, for example, one month. At this time, the sales system ships the test kit to the user by bundling it with the product or separately from the product.

[0022] When the user receives the test kit, the user collects a specimen. The specimen may be, for example, urine, saliva, or stool. The test kit may include multiple types of test kits using different specimens. The test may be performed by returning the test kit containing the specimen to a designated testing institution, or by transmitting information shown on the test kit to a testing institution, or the test results may be displayed on the test kit itself. The sales system accepts the test results using the specimen collected by the user. The test results reflect any changes in the user's health condition that have occurred as a result of using the product proposed in step S2.

[0023] In step S5, the sales system proposes products to the user (for the second time) based on the inspection results received in step S4. At this time, the sales system adjusts (reselects) the products proposed in the first time based on the inspection results. The user selects the product to purchase from the proposed products and completes the purchase procedure.

[0024] In step S6, the sales system ships the product purchased by the user (for the third time). From step S7 onwards, the sales system periodically ships the product and the test kit to the user, receives the test results, and adjusts the suggested products based on the latest test results, repeatedly executing the process.

[0025] In the example shown in FIG. 1, a test kit is sent to a user every other time, but the interval for sending the test kit may be determined arbitrarily. For example, after the first test kit is sent, an interval of about one year may be allowed until the second test kit is sent. Also, the test kit may not be sent periodically, but may be sent when requested by the user.

[0026] 1, products are suggested based only on the questionnaire results the first time, and the products are adjusted based on the test results from the second time onwards, but products may be suggested based on the questionnaire results and the test results from the first time onwards. For example, in step S1, a questionnaire may be presented to the user and a test kit may be shipped to the user, and when both the questionnaire results and the test results are received, products may be suggested to the user based on both the questionnaire results and the test results.

[0027] The sales system may accept consultations regarding products or health conditions through various channels. Examples of channels for providing consultations include chat, telephone, SNS (Social Networking Service), FAQ (Frequently Asked Question), etc. The sales system may also support the user in reviewing proposed products through the consultations.

[0028] <Overall composition> The overall configuration of the sales system in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the sales system in this embodiment.

[0029] 2, the sales system 1000 in this embodiment includes a proposal device 10 and a terminal device 20. The proposal device 10 and the terminal device 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate data with each other via a communication network N1 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

[0030] The proposal device 10 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, a workstation, or a server that proposes products such as health foods or supplements. The proposal device 10 receives answer information indicating the user's answers to a questionnaire from the terminal device 20, and selects a proposed product based on the answer information. The proposal device 10 obtains test results using a sample collected from the user, and adjusts the proposed product based on the test results. The proposal device 10 transmits a proposal screen for proposing the selected or adjusted proposed product to the terminal device 20.

[0031] The terminal device 20 is an information processing terminal such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone operated by a user. The terminal device 20 receives screen data for displaying a questionnaire screen from the proposal device 10, and transmits answer information indicating the answers to the questionnaire entered on the questionnaire screen to the proposal device 10. The terminal device 20 receives screen data for displaying the proposal screen from the proposal device 10, and requests the proposal device 10 to purchase a product selected by the user in response to the user's operation on the proposal screen.

[0032] The overall configuration of the sales system 1000 shown in Fig. 2 is an example, and various system configuration examples are possible depending on the application and purpose. For example, the sales system 1000 may include multiple proposal devices 10 and one or more terminal devices 20. For example, the proposal device 10 may be realized by multiple computers, or may be realized as a cloud computing service. The division of devices such as the proposal device 10 and the terminal device 20 shown in Fig. 2 is an example.

[0033] <Hardware configuration> The hardware configuration of the sales system 1000 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0034] <Computer> The proposal device 10 and the terminal device 20 in this embodiment are realized by, for example, a computer. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the computer in this embodiment.

[0035] 3, the computer 500 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 501, a read only memory (ROM) 502, a random access memory (RAM) 503, a hard disk drive (HDD) 504, an input device 505, a display device 506, a communication interface (I / F) 507, and an external I / F 508. The CPU 501, the ROM 502, and the RAM 503 form a so-called computer. Each piece of hardware of the computer 500 is connected to each other via a bus line 509. The input device 505 and the display device 506 may be connected to the external I / F 508 for use.

[0036] The CPU 501 is a calculation device that reads out programs and data from a storage device such as the ROM 502 or the HDD 504 onto the RAM 503 and executes processing to realize the overall control and functions of the computer 500. The computer 500 may have a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) in addition to or instead of the CPU 501.

[0037] The ROM 502 is an example of a non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 502 functions as a main storage device that stores various programs and data required for the CPU 501 to execute various programs installed in the HDD 504. Specifically, the ROM 502 stores boot programs such as a Basic Input / Output System (BIOS) and an Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) that are executed when the computer 500 is started, and data such as an Operating System (OS) setting and a network setting.

[0038] The RAM 503 is an example of a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) in which programs and data are erased when the power is turned off. The RAM 503 is, for example, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM). The RAM 503 provides a working area in which various programs installed in the HDD 504 are expanded when the CPU 501 executes them.

[0039] The HDD 504 is an example of a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The programs and data stored in the HDD 504 include an OS, which is basic software that controls the entire computer 500, and applications that provide various functions on the OS. Note that the computer 500 may use a storage device that uses a flash memory as a storage medium (e.g., an SSD (Solid State Drive) or the like) instead of the HDD 504.

[0040] The input device 505 includes a touch panel, operation keys or buttons, a keyboard or mouse, a microphone for inputting sound data such as voice, etc., which are used by the user to input various signals.

[0041] The display device 506 is composed of a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display for displaying a screen, a speaker for outputting sound data such as voice, and the like.

[0042] The communication I / F 507 is an interface that connects to a communication network and enables the computer 500 to perform data communication.

[0043] The external I / F 508 is an interface with external devices, such as a drive device 510.

[0044] The drive device 510 is a device for setting the recording medium 511. The recording medium 511 here includes media that record information optically, electrically, or magnetically, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, or a magneto-optical disk. The recording medium 511 may also include semiconductor memories that record information electrically, such as a ROM or a flash memory. This allows the computer 500 to read and / or write data from and to the recording medium 511 via the external I / F 508.

[0045] The various programs to be installed in the HDD 504 are installed, for example, by setting the distributed recording medium 511 in a drive device 510 connected to the external I / F 508 and reading out the various programs recorded in the recording medium 511 by the drive device 510. Alternatively, the various programs to be installed in the HDD 504 may be installed by being downloaded from a network different from the communication network via the communication I / F 507.

[0046] <Functional configuration> The functional configuration of the sales system in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the sales system in this embodiment.

[0047] ≪Proposed device≫ As shown in FIG. 4, the proposal device 10 in this embodiment includes a product information memory unit 101, a rule memory unit 102, an advice memory unit 103, a questionnaire presentation unit 104, a response receiving unit 105, a score calculation unit 106, a product selection unit 107, a proposal information memory unit 108, a shipping instruction unit 109, an inspection result receiving unit 110, an inspection result memory unit 111, a product adjustment unit 112, and a product proposal unit 113.

[0048] The product information storage unit 101, the rule storage unit 102, the advice storage unit 103, the proposal information storage unit 108, and the inspection result storage unit 111 are realized by the HDD 504 shown in FIG.

[0049] The questionnaire presentation unit 104, the response reception unit 105, the score calculation unit 106, the product selection unit 107, the shipping instruction unit 109, the inspection result reception unit 110, the product adjustment unit 112 and the product proposal unit 113 are realized by processing executed by the CPU 501 of a program expanded from the HDD 504 shown in FIG. 3 onto the RAM 503.

[0050] Product information on products to be proposed is stored in advance in the product information storage unit 101. In this embodiment, the products to be proposed are supplements, but the products are not limited to supplements and may be, for example, health foods.

[0051] Rules used for selecting suggested products are pre-stored in the rule storage unit 102. The rules stored in the rule storage unit 102 include score calculation rules for calculating a score based on response information, product selection rules for selecting products based on the score, and product adjustment rules for adjusting products based on inspection results.

[0052] The advice storage unit 103 prestores advice information indicating advice on health conditions (e.g., dietary habits, etc.). The advice information may be created in advance by a person with specialized knowledge (e.g., a registered dietitian or a doctor, etc.). The advice information may be created for each category related to the user's worries (hereinafter, also referred to as a "worry category").

[0053] Examples of concern categories include beauty, intestinal regulation, oxidative stress, cognitive function, eye health, sleep, joints, and blood lipid control, etc. The concern categories are not limited to these, and any category can be set according to the characteristics of the product.

[0054] The questionnaire presenting unit 104 generates screen data for displaying a questionnaire screen and transmits it to the terminal device 20. The questionnaire screen includes predetermined questions and answer options for each question. The questions are questions about health status, and may include, for example, items about the user's self-awareness of their health status, diet, and lifestyle.

[0055] The answer receiving unit 105 receives input of answer information indicating a user's answer to the questionnaire. The answer receiving unit 105 may receive the answer information by receiving the answer information from the terminal device 20. The answer receiving unit 105 may receive the answer information by reading out electronic data indicating the answer information input to the input device 505.

[0056] The score calculation unit 106 calculates a score for each worry category based on the answer information input to the answer receiving unit 105. The score calculation unit 106 calculates a score for each worry category using score calculation rules read from the rule storage unit 102.

[0057] The product selection unit 107 selects suggested products from the product information read from the product information storage unit 101 based on the score calculated by the score calculation unit 106. The product selection unit 107 selects suggested products using product selection rules read from the rule storage unit 102.

[0058] The proposed information storage unit 108 stores proposed information indicating the proposed product selected by the product selection unit 107. The proposed information storage unit 108 accumulates, for each user, proposed information indicating the proposed product proposed to the user.

[0059] The shipping instruction unit 109 instructs the shipping of the product and test kit purchased by the user. The shipping instruction unit 109 may instruct the shipping of the product or test kit at a predetermined time interval, or may instruct the shipping of the product or test kit in response to a predetermined opportunity.

[0060] The test result receiving unit 110 receives input of test results using a sample collected from a user. The test result receiving unit 110 may receive the test results by reading out electronic data indicating the test results input to the input device 505.

[0061] The test results are obtained from a test performed using the test kit shipped by the shipping instruction unit 109. The test may be outsourced to a specified testing organization, may be performed by an entity that operates the mail order service, or the test results may be indicated on the test kit itself.

[0062] The test result storage unit 111 stores the test results input to the test result receiving unit 110. The test result storage unit 111 accumulates, for each user, test results using a sample collected from that user.

[0063] The product adjustment unit 112 adjusts the proposed product based on the inspection results input to the inspection result receiving unit 110. The product adjustment unit 112 may adjust the proposed product based on the inspection results stored in the inspection result storage unit 111. The product adjustment unit 112 adjusts the proposed product using product adjustment rules read from the rule storage unit 102. The product adjustment unit 112 may adjust the proposed product by adding or deleting a product to the proposal information read from the proposal information storage unit 108.

[0064] The product proposal unit 113 generates screen data for displaying an advice screen, a proposal screen, and a purchase screen, and transmits the screen data to the terminal device 20. The advice screen is a screen for presenting advice on a health condition. The proposal screen is a screen for proposing a product to the user. The purchase screen is a screen for the user to purchase a product.

[0065] The product proposal unit 113 includes, in the advice screen, the advice read from the advice storage unit 103 based on the score calculated by the score calculation unit 106. The product proposal unit 113 includes, in the proposal screen, proposal information regarding the proposed product selected by the product selection unit 107 or proposal information regarding the proposed product adjusted by the product adjustment unit 112.

[0066] Terminal Device As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 20 in this embodiment includes a questionnaire display unit 201, a response sending unit 202, and a proposal display unit 203.

[0067] The questionnaire display unit 201, the response sending unit 202, and the proposal display unit 203 are realized by processing that is executed by the CPU 501 according to a program loaded onto the RAM 503 from the HDD 504 shown in FIG.

[0068] The questionnaire display unit 201 receives screen data for displaying a questionnaire screen from the proposal device 10. The questionnaire display unit 201 outputs a questionnaire screen to the display device 506 based on the received screen data.

[0069] The answer sending unit 202 acquires the user's answer to the questionnaire in response to the user's operation on the questionnaire screen. The answer sending unit 202 transmits answer information indicating the acquired answer to the questionnaire to the proposal device 10.

[0070] The proposal display unit 203 receives screen data for displaying an advice screen, a proposal screen, and a purchase screen from the proposal device 10. The proposal display unit 203 outputs the advice screen, the proposal screen, and the purchase screen to the display device 506 based on the received screen data.

[0071] ≪Product information≫ FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of product information in this embodiment. The product information shown in FIG. 5 is an example of product information related to supplements. As shown in FIG. 5, the product information in this embodiment includes, as data items, the product name, ingredient names, number of pills, characteristics, etc. The ingredient names are the main nutrients contained in the product. The number of pills is the approximate amount to be taken in a specified unit of time (e.g., one day). The characteristics are the main effects obtained by taking the product.

[0072] <Processing Procedure> A proposal method executed by the sales system in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the proposal method in this embodiment.

[0073] In step S11, the questionnaire display unit 201 of the terminal device 20 accepts an operation for displaying a questionnaire screen by a user. Next, the questionnaire display unit 201 transmits a request for acquiring a questionnaire screen to the proposal device 10.

[0074] The operation for displaying the questionnaire screen is, for example, an operation indicating that the user wishes to purchase a product. Specifically, the operation may be an operation of pressing a button or a banner provided on the screen output by the proposal device 10.

[0075] In the proposal device 10, the questionnaire presentation unit 104 receives a request to acquire a questionnaire screen from the terminal device 20. Next, the questionnaire presentation unit 104 generates screen data for displaying the questionnaire screen. The screen data includes predetermined questions and answer options for each question. Then, the questionnaire presentation unit 104 transmits the screen data to the terminal device 20.

[0076] In the terminal device 20, the questionnaire display unit 201 receives the screen data from the proposal device 10. Next, the questionnaire display unit 201 outputs a questionnaire screen to the display device 506 based on the received screen data.

[0077] 7 is a diagram showing an example of a questionnaire screen 300. As shown in FIG. 7, a questionnaire screen 300 in this embodiment has a link 301 to the terms of use, a check box 302 indicating items to be agreed to, and an answer button 303.

[0078] On the questionnaire screen 300, when the user confirms the terms of use and checks all the check boxes 302, and then presses the answer button 303, predetermined questions and answer options are displayed on the questionnaire screen 300.

[0079] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of question items. As shown in FIG. 8, the question items in this embodiment include, as an example, 30 questions. The question items include items related to the user's self-awareness of the health condition, diet, and lifestyle. It may be possible to arbitrarily set whether or not an answer is required for each question item. In other words, it may be configured so that it is not necessary to answer all of the questions presented.

[0080] Examples of items related to self-awareness include the following: (No.1) Please check the box that applies to your ideal situation. (No.2) Please check the box that applies to your current concerns. (No.27) What would you like to do about your current weight? (No.28) Is there anything you do in particular to stay healthy?

[0081] Examples of items related to diet include the following items. (No.3) Are your meal times always regular? (No.4) Are you eating a balanced diet? (No.5) Do you ever eat dinner or a late-night snack within two hours of going to bed? (No.6) Do you eat staple foods habitually? · (No.7) How often do you eat meat? · (No.8) How often do you eat fish? (No.9) How often do you eat soybeans and soy products? · (No.10) How often do you eat vegetables? (No.11) How often do you eat mushrooms or seaweed? · (No.12) How often do you eat fruit? (No.13) How often do you eat fried foods? (No.14) How often do you eat rice bowls or noodles? (No.15) How often do you eat sweets or desserts after meals? · (No.16) How often do you drink sugary drinks? (No.17) How many servings of vegetable dishes do you eat per day? (No.18) Do you habitually eat out, pre-prepared meals, or store-bought bento boxes?

[0082] Examples of lifestyle-related items include the following: (No.19) How many hours of sleep do you get on average? · (No.20) Are you satisfied with the quality of your sleep? (No.21) How is your bowel movement? (No.22) Do you exercise regularly? (No.23) Do you smoke cigarettes habitually? (No.24) Do you drink alcohol habitually? (No.25) Which of the following describes your work style? (No.26) Has your weight changed in the past year?

[0083] Returning to Fig. 6, in step S12, the proposal device 10 executes a product proposal process. The product proposal process is a process for proposing a product to the user based on the user's response to the questionnaire.

[0084] <Product proposal processing> The product suggestion process (step S12 in Fig. 6) in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the product suggestion process in this embodiment.

[0085] In step S21, the answer transmission unit 202 of the terminal device acquires the user's answer to the questionnaire in response to the user's operation on the questionnaire screen. Next, the answer transmission unit 202 generates answer information indicating the acquired user's answer. Then, the answer transmission unit 202 transmits the answer information to the proposal device 10.

[0086] In the proposal device 10, the answer receiving unit 105 receives answer information from the terminal device 20. Next, the answer receiving unit 105 receives input of the received answer information. Then, the answer receiving unit 105 sends the received answer information to the score calculation unit 106.

[0087] In step S22, the score calculation unit 106 of the proposal device 10 receives the answer information from the answer receiving unit 105. Next, the score calculation unit 106 reads out the score calculation rules from the rule storage unit 102. Then, the score calculation unit 106 calculates a score for each concern category based on the answer information and the score calculation rules. Then, the score calculation unit 106 sends the score for each concern category to the product selection unit 107.

[0088] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the score calculation rule. As shown in Fig. 10, the score calculation rule is a rule for determining, for each answer option to a question item, a score to be added to each worry category when that option is selected.

[0089] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 10, if the user selects "I want to look younger than my actual age" as an answer to the question "Please check the box that applies to your ideal condition," one point is added to the "beauty" concern category. At this time, the score may be weighted according to the question. In this way, the score for each concern category is calculated by adding up the scores determined for all questions according to the answers selected by the user.

[0090] Returning to Fig. 9, the explanation will be given. In step S23, the product selection unit 107 of the proposal device 10 receives the score for each concern category from the score calculation unit 106. Next, the product selection unit 107 reads out product selection rules from the rule storage unit 102. Also, the product selection unit 107 reads out product information from the product information storage unit 101. Then, the product selection unit 107 selects a suggested product from the product information based on the score for each concern category and the product selection rules.

[0091] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of product selection rules. As shown in Fig. 11, the product selection rules in this embodiment are rules that set the priority of each concern category and the priority of ingredients in each concern category, and determine ingredients to be included in suggested products according to the score of each concern category.

[0092] For example, when the score for the concern category "oxidative stress" is high, supplements containing "coenzyme Q10" will be selected first, and if possible, supplements containing "resveratrol" will be selected. However, since "multivitamin and mineral" is set as the number 1 priority in all concern categories, it is set to be included in the suggested products without fail.

[0093] Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 11, when the score in the worry category related to "oxidative stress" is low, only "multivitamin mineral" is selected. When the score in the worry category related to "oxidative stress" is medium, a supplement containing "multivitamin mineral" and "coenzyme Q10" is selected. When the score in the worry category related to "oxidative stress" is high, a supplement containing "resveratrol" is selected in addition to "multivitamin mineral" and "coenzyme Q10".

[0094] In the example shown in FIG. 11, when the score in the concern category related to "intestinal regulation" is low, only "multivitamin mineral" is selected. When the score in the concern category related to "intestinal regulation" is high, a supplement containing "bifidobacteria" in addition to "multivitamin mineral" is selected. When the score in the concern category related to "intestinal regulation" is even higher, a supplement containing "oligosaccharides" in addition to "multivitamin mineral" and "bifidobacteria" is selected. When the score in the concern category related to "intestinal regulation" is even higher, a supplement containing "lactic acid bacteria" in addition to "multivitamin mineral", "bifidobacteria", and "oligosaccharides" is selected. When the score in the concern category related to "intestinal regulation" is the highest, a supplement containing "butyric acid bacteria" in addition to "multivitamin mineral", "bifidobacteria", "oligosaccharide", and "lactic acid bacteria" is selected.

[0095] In addition, if there are worry categories with the same score, the supplement selected in the worry category with the higher priority is selected preferentially. For example, if the score for "sleep" and the score for "eye health" are the same, and the priority (P6) for "sleep" is higher than the priority (P5) for "eye health" (P6>P5), "valerian," "theanine," and "GABA" selected in the "sleep" worry category are selected preferentially over "lutein" selected in the "eye health" worry category.

[0096] Returning to Fig. 9, in step S24, the product selection unit 107 of the proposal device 10 stores proposal information indicating the product selected in step S23 in the proposal information storage unit 108. At this time, the product selection unit 107 associates the proposal information with identification information for identifying the user (for example, a customer ID, etc.) and stores the association in the proposal information storage unit 108. Then, the product selection unit 107 sends the proposal information to the product proposal unit 113.

[0097] In step S25, the product proposal unit 113 of the proposal device 10 receives the proposal information from the product selection unit 107. Next, the product proposal unit 113 reads out advice information from the advice storage unit 103 based on the score for each concern category. For example, the product proposal unit 113 may randomly select advice information related to a concern category with a high score.

[0098] Next, the product proposal unit 113 generates screen data for displaying an advice screen. The screen data includes the advice information read from the advice storage unit 103. Then, the product proposal unit 113 transmits the screen data to the terminal device 20.

[0099] In the terminal device 20, the proposal display unit 203 receives the screen data from the proposal device 10. Next, the proposal display unit 203 outputs an advice screen to the display device 506 based on the received screen data.

[0100] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an advice screen. As shown in Fig. 12, an advice screen 310 in this embodiment has an area 311 for displaying a score for each worry category, an area 312 for displaying advice information, and a suggestion button 313.

[0101] When the user presses the suggestion button 313 on the advice screen 310, the suggestion display unit 203 accepts an operation for displaying the suggestion screen. The suggestion display unit 203 transmits an acquisition request for the suggestion screen to the suggestion device 10 in response to the operation for displaying the suggestion screen.

[0102] Returning to FIG. 9, in step S26, the product proposal unit 113 of the proposal device 10 receives a request to acquire a proposal screen from the terminal device 20. Next, the product proposal unit 113 generates screen data for displaying the proposal screen. The screen data includes the proposal information generated in step S23. Then, the product proposal unit 113 transmits the screen data to the terminal device 20.

[0103] In the terminal device 20, the proposal display unit 203 receives the screen data from the proposal device 10. Next, the proposal display unit 203 outputs a proposal screen to the display device 506 based on the received screen data.

[0104] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a proposal screen. As shown in Fig. 13, a proposal screen 320 in this embodiment has a proposed product image 321, check boxes 322 for selecting a product, and a purchase button 323. When there are multiple suggested products, the product images 321 and check boxes 322 are displayed in the same number as the suggested products. It is preferable that all check boxes 322 are selected in the initial display.

[0105] When the user selects a check box 322 corresponding to a product he or she wishes to purchase on the proposal screen 320 and presses a purchase button 323, the proposal display unit 203 accepts an operation for displaying the purchase screen. In response to the operation for displaying the purchase screen, the proposal display unit 203 transmits a request for acquiring the purchase screen to the proposal device 10. The acquisition request includes information indicating the selected product.

[0106] Returning to FIG. 9 , the explanation will be given. In step S27, the product proposal unit 113 of the proposal device 10 receives a request to acquire a purchase screen from the terminal device 20. Next, the product proposal unit 113 generates screen data for displaying the purchase screen. The screen data includes information about the product selected on the proposal screen 320. The information about the product may include, for example, the product name, price, quantity, delivery date, etc. Then, the product proposal unit 113 transmits the screen data to the terminal device 20.

[0107] In the terminal device 20, the proposal display unit 203 receives the screen data from the proposal device 10. Next, the proposal display unit 203 outputs a purchase screen to the display device 506 based on the received screen data. The user performs a product purchase procedure on the purchase screen. The purchase procedure includes, for example, input of a shipping address, a payment method, and the like.

[0108] Returning to Fig. 6, in step S13, the shipping instruction unit 109 of the proposal device 10 instructs the shipping of the product purchased by the user in step S12. As a result, the product purchased by the user is shipped to the shipping address specified in the purchase procedure. When the user receives the shipped product, he or she starts using the product.

[0109] In step S14, the shipping instruction unit 109 of the proposal device 10 instructs shipping of the test kit after a predetermined time interval has elapsed since instructing the shipping of the product in step S13. As a result, the test kit is shipped to the shipping destination specified in the purchase procedure. Note that the shipping instruction unit 109 may instruct the shipping of the product purchased by the user in step S12 together with the test kit. That is, steps S13 and S14 may be executed simultaneously.

[0110] When the user receives the shipped test kit, the user collects a specimen using the test kit. If the testing institution uses the test kit containing the specimen to perform a test, the user returns the test kit containing the collected specimen to a designated location. If the testing institution uses the information indicated in the test kit to perform a test, the user transmits the information indicated in the test kit in a designated manner. For example, the user may take a picture of the marker displayed on the test kit and transmit the image to the testing institution.

[0111] In step S15, the proposal device 10 executes a product re-proposal process. The product re-proposal process is a process of re-proposing a product to the user based on a test result using a sample collected from the user.

[0112] <Product re-proposal process> The product re-suggestion process (step S15 in Fig. 6) in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the product re-suggestion process in this embodiment.

[0113] In step S31, the test result receiving unit 110 of the proposed device 10 receives input of test results using a sample collected from a user. For example, the test result receiving unit 110 may receive the test results by inputting electronic data indicating the test results received from a testing institution to the input device 505.

[0114] Next, the inspection result receiving unit 110 stores the received inspection results in the inspection result storage unit 111. Then, the inspection result receiving unit 110 sends the received inspection results to the product adjustment unit 112.

[0115] In step S32, the product adjustment unit 112 of the proposal device 10 receives the inspection results from the inspection result receiving unit 110. The product adjustment unit 112 may read out past inspection results of the same user from the inspection result storage unit 111. Next, the product adjustment unit 112 reads out proposal information related to products previously proposed to the same user from the proposal information storage unit 108.

[0116] In step S33, the product adjustment unit 112 of the proposal device 10 reads the product adjustment rules from the rule storage unit 102. The product adjustment unit 112 also reads the product information from the product information storage unit 101. Next, the product adjustment unit 112 adjusts the product indicated in the proposal information based on the inspection results and the product adjustment rules. Then, the product adjustment unit 112 updates the proposal information stored in the proposal information storage unit 108 with the proposal information in which the product has been adjusted.

[0117] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a product adjustment rule. As shown in Fig. 15, the product adjustment rule in this embodiment is a rule for determining, for each test item for each specimen, components to be included in a proposed product when the numerical value of the test item is high.

[0118] For example, when the urine test item "oxidative stress" is high, the suggested products are adjusted to include supplements containing "coenzyme Q10" or "resveratrol." In other words, when the products shown in the suggested information do not include supplements containing "coenzyme Q10" or "resveratrol," and a test result showing a high value for "oxidative stress" is received, supplements containing "coenzyme Q10" or "resveratrol" are selected from the product information and added to the suggested products.

[0119] Also, for example, when the "intestinal environment index", which is a test item of a urine test, is high, the suggested products are adjusted to include supplements containing "bifidobacteria" or "oligosaccharides". In other words, when the products shown in the suggested information do not include supplements containing "bifidobacteria" or "oligosaccharides", and a test result with a high "intestinal environment index" is received, supplements containing "bifidobacteria" or "oligosaccharides" are selected from the product information and added to the suggested products.

[0120] Returning to Fig. 14, in step S34, the product proposal unit 113 of the proposal device 10 notifies the terminal device 20 that the proposed product has been updated. For example, the product proposal unit 113 sends an email to the user's email address indicating that the proposed product has been updated. The terminal device 20 sends a request to acquire a proposal screen to the proposal device 10 in response to a user's operation in response to the notification that the product has been updated.

[0121] In the proposal device 10, the product proposal unit 113 receives a request to acquire a proposal screen from the terminal device 20. Next, the product proposal unit 113 generates screen data for displaying the proposal screen. The screen data includes the proposal information adjusted in step S33. Then, the product proposal unit 113 transmits the screen data to the terminal device 20.

[0122] In the terminal device 20, the proposal display unit 203 receives the screen data from the proposal device 10. Next, the proposal display unit 203 outputs a proposal screen to the display device 506 based on the received screen data. The proposal screen output in step S33 is similar to the proposal screen 320 output in step S26, except that the proposed product is different.

[0123] When the user selects a check box 322 corresponding to a product he or she wishes to purchase on the proposal screen 320 and presses a purchase button 323, the proposal display unit 203 accepts an operation for displaying the purchase screen. In response to the operation for displaying the purchase screen, the proposal display unit 203 transmits a request for acquiring the purchase screen to the proposal device 10. The acquisition request includes information indicating the selected product.

[0124] In step S35, the product proposal unit 113 of the proposal device 10 receives a request to acquire a purchase screen from the terminal device 20. Next, the product proposal unit 113 generates screen data for displaying the purchase screen. Then, the product proposal unit 113 transmits the screen data to the terminal device 20.

[0125] In the terminal device 20, the proposal display unit 203 receives the screen data from the proposal device 10. Next, the proposal display unit 203 outputs a purchase screen to the display device 506 based on the screen data. The user performs a procedure for purchasing the product on the purchase screen.

[0126] Returning to Fig. 6, the explanation will be given. In step S16, the proposal device 10 judges whether or not the user continues purchasing the product (in other words, whether or not the user has completed the purchase procedure in step S35 of Fig. 14). If the user continues purchasing the product (YES), the proposal device 10 returns the process to step S13. If the user does not continue purchasing the product (NO), the proposal device 10 ends the process.

[0127] After returning the process to step S13, the proposal device 10 executes the processes from step S13 to step S16 again. In this way, the proposal device 10 repeatedly executes the shipment of the product and the re-proposition of the product as long as the user continues to purchase the product. However, the processes from step S14 to step S16 may be executed each time step S13 is repeated a predetermined number of times. In other words, the proposal device 10 may be configured to ship a test kit after repeatedly shipping the product a predetermined number of times, and to re-propose the product when the test result is received.

[0128] <Effects> The suggestion device 10 in this embodiment outputs a suggestion screen for suggesting products to a user based on the user's answers to a questionnaire about a health condition and test results using a sample collected from the user. Since the suggestion device 10 suggests products based on both the questionnaire answers and the test results, it is possible to select products suitable for the user with greater accuracy than if products were suggested using each of them alone. In one aspect, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suggest products suitable for the user with greater accuracy.

[0129] The suggestion device 10 in this embodiment may adjust the suggested product based on the test results using a sample collected after the user uses the product selected based on the questionnaire response. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the product is first suggested based on the questionnaire response, so that the product can be suggested quickly. In particular, in this embodiment, the product is later re-suggested based on the test result, so that the product can be suggested by a simpler questionnaire than in the past. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the initially suggested product is adjusted based on the test result, so that a product suitable for the user can be suggested with high accuracy.

[0130] The suggestion device 10 in this embodiment may repeatedly receive the test results and adjust the suggested products. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suggest appropriate products according to changes in the user's health condition that occur as a result of continued use of the products.

[0131] The suggestion device 10 in this embodiment may calculate a score for each category related to the user's concerns based on the answers to the questionnaire, and select a product based on the score. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suggest products according to the user's concerns.

[0132] The suggestion device 10 in this embodiment may select a supplement containing coenzyme Q10 when the score of the concern regarding oxidative stress is high. The suggestion device 10 may add a supplement containing coenzyme Q10 to the suggested products when the value regarding oxidative stress is high. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately suggest a supplement containing coenzyme Q10.

[0133] The suggestion device 10 in this embodiment may output an advice screen that displays advice according to the answers to the questionnaire, and may output a suggestion screen according to a user's operation on the advice screen. In other words, the advice on the health condition and the product suggestion are presented to the user at different times. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the user does not feel as if he or she is being sold a product, and the purchase rate of the product can be improved.

[0134] [supplement] Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) implemented by an electronic circuit, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), conventional circuit module, and other devices designed to execute each function described above.

[0135] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 1000 Sales System 10 Proposed device 101 Product information storage section 102 Rule storage 103 Advice Memory Unit 104 Questionnaire presentation section 105 Answer Reception Department 106 Score Calculation Department 107 Product Selection Section 108 Proposal information storage unit 109 Shipping Instructions 110 Test Results Reception Department 111 Inspection result storage unit 112 Product Coordination Department 113 Product Proposal Department 20 Terminal Equipment 201 Survey display section 202 Reply Sending Department 203 Suggestion display area

Claims

1. an answer receiving unit configured to receive answer information indicating an answer of a user to a questionnaire regarding a health condition; A test result receiving unit configured to receive test results using a sample collected from the user; a product suggestion unit configured to output a suggestion screen for suggesting products to the user based on the response information and the inspection results; The proposed device comprises:

2. The proposal device according to claim 1, a product selection unit configured to select the product to be recommended to the user based on the answer information; a product adjustment unit configured to adjust the product to be proposed to the user based on the inspection result; Further equipped with The test result receiving unit is configured to receive the test result using the sample collected after the user uses the product selected by the product selection unit. Proposed device.

3. The proposal device according to claim 2, the test result receiving unit receiving the test results; The product adjustment unit adjusts the product proposed to the user; and Repeatedly execute Proposed device.

4. The proposed device according to claim 2 or 3, a score calculation unit configured to calculate a score for each category related to the user's worries based on the answer information, The product selection unit is configured to select the product based on the score. Proposed device.

5. The proposal device according to claim 4, The product is a supplement. Proposed device.

6. The proposal device according to claim 5, The category includes the concerns related to oxidative stress, The product selection unit is configured to select the supplement containing coenzyme Q10 when the score regarding the oxidative stress is high. Proposed device.

7. The proposal device according to claim 5, The test results include test items related to oxidative stress, The product adjustment unit is configured to add the supplement containing coenzyme Q10 to the product when the value related to the oxidative stress is high. Proposed device.

8. The proposal device according to claim 5, The category includes the troubles related to intestinal regulation, The product selection unit is configured to select the supplement containing bifidobacteria when the score related to intestinal regulation is high. Proposed device.

9. The proposal device according to claim 5, The test results include test items related to intestinal environment indicators, The product adjustment unit is configured to add the supplement containing bifidobacteria to the product when the value related to the intestinal environment index is high. Proposed device.

10. A proposal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The product proposal department outputting an advice screen that displays advice corresponding to the answer information; and outputting the suggestion screen in response to an operation of the user on the advice screen. Proposed device.

11. The computer receiving answer information indicating a user's answer to a questionnaire regarding a health condition; A step of accepting test results using a sample collected from the user; outputting a proposal screen for proposing products to the user based on the response information and the inspection results; A proposed method for carrying out the above.

12. On the computer, receiving answer information indicating a user's answer to a questionnaire regarding a health condition; A step of accepting test results using a sample collected from the user; outputting a proposal screen for proposing products to the user based on the response information and the inspection results; A program for executing the above.

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