Care support system

Abstract

To provide a technology which supports appropriate care for cleanly and comfortably maintaining a living environment, with respect to each user.SOLUTION: A care support system comprises an acquisition unit, a prediction unit, and a determination unit. The acquisition unit acquires lifestyle information related to a plurality of lifestyles of a user, and preference information about preferences related to the user's sanitary state. The prediction unit predicts, based on the lifestyle information, a plurality of care candidates each having an unsanitary risk level equal to or greater than a predetermined level, among a plurality of care candidates which are candidates of the care associated with at least one care point, which is a point belonging to a house or an article, and at least one unsanitary risk factor, which is a factor causing an unsanitary state of the care point, as a plurality of care objects. The determination unit determines a priority order of the care in the plurality of care candidates, on the basis of the unsanitary risk level and the preference information of each of the plurality of care objects.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for assisting care to maintain a user's living environment clean and comfortable.

Background Art

[0002] In order to maintain a clean living environment and live a comfortable daily life, it is necessary to properly care for housing, clothing, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an information providing device that provides information on the maintenance of homogeneous building materials to user terminals of a plurality of users living in houses having the same homogeneous building materials.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] On the other hand, for each user, the locations that are felt to be unhygienic or uncomfortable in the living environment such as housing are different. However, there is no known technology for assisting appropriate care to maintain the living environment clean and comfortable for each user.

[0005] The problem of the present invention relates to a technology for assisting appropriate care to maintain the living environment clean and comfortable for each user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A care support system according to an aspect of the present invention is a care support system for assisting care of a user's residence or articles housed in the residence, and includes an acquisition unit, a prediction unit, and a determination unit. The acquisition unit acquires lifestyle information regarding a plurality of lifestyles of the user and preference information regarding preferences regarding the user's hygiene status. Based on the lifestyle information, the prediction unit predicts, as a plurality of care targets, a plurality of care candidates having a predetermined or higher unhygienic risk level among a plurality of care candidates that are associated with at least one care location that is a location belonging to the dwelling or the article and at least one unhygienic risk factor that is a factor causing an unhygienic state of the care location. The determination unit determines the priority order of care among the plurality of care candidates based on the unhygienic risk level and the preference information of each of the plurality of care targets.

[0007] A care support method according to another aspect of the present invention is a care support method executed by a computer for supporting care of a user's dwelling or an article accommodated in the dwelling, acquiring lifestyle information regarding a plurality of lifestyles of the user; acquiring preference information regarding preferences regarding the user's hygiene status; based on the lifestyle information, predicting, as a plurality of care targets, a plurality of care candidates having a predetermined or higher unhygienic risk level among a plurality of care candidates that are associated with at least one care location that is a location belonging to the dwelling or the article and at least one unhygienic risk factor that is a factor causing an unhygienic state of the care location; determining the priority order of care among the plurality of care candidates based on the unhygienic risk level and the preference information of each of the plurality of care targets; and including.

[0008] A program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program for supporting care of a user's dwelling or an article accommodated in the dwelling, and causes a computer to acquire lifestyle information regarding a plurality of lifestyles of the user; The step of obtaining preference information regarding the preferences of the user's hygiene status; Based on the lifestyle information, among a plurality of care candidates that are candidates for care associated with at least one care location that is a location belonging to the dwelling or the article, and at least one unhygienic risk factor that is a factor causing an unhygienic state of the care location, predicting a plurality of care candidates having a predetermined or higher unhygienic risk level as a plurality of care targets; Based on the unhygienic risk level and the preference information of each of the plurality of care targets, determining the priority order of care among the plurality of care candidates; Causing the above to be executed.

Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to support appropriate care for each user to maintain the living environment clean and comfortable.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] <First Embodiment> [Configuration Example of System] The care support system according to the first embodiment of the present invention constitutes a system via, for example, the Internet 50. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the system according to the present embodiment includes a server 100 on the Internet 50 and a plurality of user terminals 200. In the present invention, the "system" is assumed to be composed of one or more computers (information processing devices). For example, the system may be composed of a single computer or a plurality of computers. In the present embodiment, the latter example is shown.

[0013] The server 100 can be, for example, a web server (computer) operated by an operator of a service (hereinafter, "care support service") that supports care for a residence or articles housed in the residence. The server 100 is connected to, for example, a plurality of user terminals 200 via the Internet 50. The server 100 can provide a care support service to the user terminal 200 via, for example, a website (hereinafter, "care support site") or an application program.

[0014] The user terminal 200 (200A, 200B, 200C...) is a computer used by a user (user A, B, C...) registered for the care support service. The user terminal 200 can be, for example, a smartphone, a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a smartwatch, etc., but is not limited thereto. The user terminal 200 accesses, for example, the server 100, receives a web page or the like generated by the server 100, and displays it on the screen by a browser or the like.

[0015] In this embodiment, the server 100 acquires, from the user terminal 200, the user's lifestyle information and preference information regarding the user's preferences for hygiene conditions. Then, based on this information, the server 100 determines the priority of care from among a plurality of care targets predicted to have a high risk of unhygiene in the dwelling. Further, the server 100 associates a care method for the care target with the priority and transmits it to the user terminal 200. Thereby, the server 100 can provide the user with information about care of the dwelling and the like that should be prioritized in order to maintain a clean and comfortable living environment for the user. Details of the above processing will be described later.

[0016] In this embodiment, care of the dwelling or the articles housed in the dwelling is an action to remove and prevent the occurrence of unhygiene risk factors such as dirt, odor, infectious microorganisms, and inhalation allergens in the dwelling and the articles. Examples of such care include cleaning, washing, deodorizing, laundering clothes, infection prevention measures, and measures for removing and preventing the occurrence of dirt, odor, bacteria, viruses, dust, mold, mites, pollen, etc. In this embodiment, the dwelling represents the entire space formed by the house in addition to the house itself, which is a building for the user to live in. Examples of articles housed in the dwelling include clothes, shoes, ornaments, tableware, cooking utensils, electrical products (refrigerators, freezers, microwave ovens, rice cookers, washing machines, dryers, vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, lighting fixtures, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air cleaners, circulators, air conditioners, information and communication devices such as TVs and personal computers, mobile terminals such as mobile phones, and cooking appliances such as mixers), furniture (sofas, carpets, dining tables, chairs, bookshelves, beds, closets, etc.), ornaments, and other daily necessities.

[0017] In this embodiment, "hygiene condition" means the state of cleanliness. Factors involved in the hygiene condition include, for example, dirt, odor, infectious microorganisms (such as bacteria and viruses), inhalation allergens (such as dust, mites, mold, and pollen), messiness, leaving garbage unattended, and the presence or absence of pets.

[0018] [Hardware Configuration of Each Device] As shown in FIG. 2(A), the server 100 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an input / output interface 15, and a bus 14 that connects these components to each other.

[0019] The CPU 11 appropriately accesses the RAM 13 or the like as needed, performs various arithmetic processes, and comprehensively controls the entire blocks of the server 100. The ROM 12 is a non-volatile memory in which firmware such as an OS, programs, and various parameters to be executed by the CPU 11 are fixedly stored. The RAM 13 is used as a working area of the CPU 11 or the like, and temporarily holds the OS, various applications being executed, and various data being processed.

[0020] Connected to the input / output interface 15 are a display unit 16, an operation reception unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and the like.

[0021] The display unit 16 is a display device using, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OELD (Organic ElectroLuminescence Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like.

[0022] The operation reception unit 17 is, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, or other input devices. When the operation reception unit 17 is a touch panel, the touch panel can be integrated with the display unit 16.

[0023] The storage unit 18 is a non-volatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory (SSD; Solid State Drive), or other solid-state memories. Stored in the storage unit 18 are the above-mentioned OS, various application programs, and various data.

[0024] In this embodiment, the storage unit 18 may have, in addition to programs and the like necessary for the processes described later, a user database, a lifestyle database, a preference database, a care database, and other databases used for other processes. These databases are referred to as necessary in the processes.

[0025] The communication unit 19 is various modules for wireless communication such as, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) for Ethernet or a wireless LAN, and is responsible for communication processing with the user terminal 200.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2(B), the user terminal 200 also has, similar to the server 100, for example, a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a bus 24, an input / output interface 25, a display unit 26, an operation reception unit 27, a storage unit 28, and a communication unit 29. Further, the user terminal 200 has an imaging unit 30 connected to the input / output interface 25. The imaging unit 30 is, for example, a camera including an image sensor.

[0027] [Database Configuration of Server] As shown in FIG. 3, the server 100 has a user database 31, a lifestyle database 32, a preference database 33, and a care database 34. Note that these databases may be stored in a storage device externally connected to the server 100 or in the server instead of the storage unit 18.

[0028] The user database 31 stores, for each user, attribute information of the users registered for the care support service. The user's attribute information is not particularly limited, but for example, in addition to general information such as name (nickname), user ID for identifying the user, age (age group), gender, email address, etc., the acquired lifestyle information and preference information described later may also be included. Further, the user database 31 may further include, for each user, care candidate and care target information obtained by processing, information on the priority thereof, provided care information, and the like.

[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the lifestyle database 32 stores, for each lifestyle, the care candidates and the unhygienic risk levels in association with each other. Note that each database shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is an example and is not limited to these examples.

[0030] In the present embodiment, the lifestyle preferably includes a lifestyle related to life in the residence, and may further include a lifestyle outside the residence such as the user's work and hobbies (presence or absence of sports and cultural activities, etc.). In the present embodiment, the lifestyle includes, for example, a lifestyle selected from a housework-related lifestyle, a residence-related lifestyle, a lifestyle habit-related lifestyle, and a cohabitant-related lifestyle.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the housework-related lifestyle is a lifestyle related to housework performed in the user's residence. Examples of the housework-related lifestyle include matters related to cooking (frequency of cooking, types of cooking, time zone for cooking, time zone for dishwashing, presence or absence of using a dishwasher, type of dishwashing detergent used, etc.), matters related to laundry (frequency of laundry, place to dry laundry, types of laundry, amount of laundry, time zone for laundry, laundry detergent and fabric softener used, etc.), matters related to cleaning (frequency of cleaning, location for cleaning, cleaning method for each location, time zone for cleaning, type of cleaning tool used, etc.), matters related to shopping (frequency of shopping, amount of shopping per time, etc.).

[0032] In this embodiment, the housing-related lifestyle is a lifestyle related to at least one of the characteristics of the housing or the articles housed in the housing. Examples of the characteristics of the housing include, for example, the floor plan of the housing, the size of the housing or each room, the direction in which each room faces, the presence or absence of windows in each room, the layout and specifications, the materials used in each part of the house, the presence or absence and specifications of the facilities provided in the housing (kitchen, bathroom facilities, washbasin, toilet, hot water supply facilities, air conditioning facilities, etc.), the type of the housing (detached house or apartment house, etc.), and the like. Further, examples of the characteristics of the articles arranged in the housing include, for example, the presence or absence, arrangement, number, type, material, and specifications of the above-mentioned articles (clothes, furniture, electrical products, etc.).

[0033] In this embodiment, the lifestyle-related lifestyle is a lifestyle related to the living habits of the user in the housing. Examples of the living habits include, for example, the presence or absence and time of ventilation, the presence or absence and type of footwear in the housing (slippers, socks, bare feet, etc.), the clothing in the housing (outdoor clothing, indoor clothing, etc.), the frequency of using the bathtub, the presence or absence of smoking indoors, the presence or absence of pet breeding and the type of pet, the method of using the toilet (urination posture of men when urinating, opening and closing of the lid during flushing, etc.), and the like.

[0034] In this embodiment, the cohabitant-related lifestyle is a lifestyle related to the cohabitants of the user. Examples of the cohabitant-related lifestyle include, for example, the number of cohabitants, age or age group, gender, hobbies (presence or absence of sports, etc.), affiliation (presence or absence of club activities, etc.), and the like.

[0035] In this embodiment, a care candidate is a candidate that can be a target of care for a housing or an article housed in the housing, and is respectively associated with at least one care location and at least one unhygienic risk factor.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the care location is a location belonging to a dwelling or an article accommodated in the dwelling. In the present embodiment, the "location of the dwelling" includes an area partitioned in the dwelling (such as a kitchen, a living room, a bathroom, a toilet, a bedroom, a corridor, etc.), equipment provided in the above-mentioned dwelling, and a part of these locations. Further, examples of articles accommodated in the dwelling include the above-mentioned various articles (clothes, furniture, electrical appliances, etc.).

[0037] The unsanitary risk factor is a factor that causes an unsanitary state of the above-mentioned care location, and is selected from, for example, dirt, odor, infectious microorganisms, and inhalation allergens. Examples of dirt include oil stain, charring, food stain, food scraps, scale, black mold stain, soap scum, hair debris, sand stain, sebum stain, hand dirt (keratin), sweat stain, urinary calculus, tar stain, slime in a drain, etc. Examples of odor include a musty smell, an oily smell, a foot odor, a sweat odor, a stale smell, a toilet odor, etc. Infectious microorganisms are microorganisms that cause infectious diseases, and include at least one selected from, for example, viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and other infectious microorganisms. For example, the infectious microorganism may be at least one selected from viruses and bacteria that cause droplet infection, contact infection and / or airborne infection, for which household infection is likely to be a problem. Examples of inhalation allergens include dust (house dust), pollen, mold, mites, pet dander, etc. Note that each unsanitary risk factor may belong to a plurality of categories among dirt, odor, infectious microorganisms, and inhalation allergens, such as slime caused by bacteria and mold. Note that the unsanitary risk factor may belong to a category other than the above (for example, "leaving garbage unattended", "messiness", etc.).

[0038] In the present embodiment, the unsanitary risk level is an index of the unsanitary risk. The unsanitary risk level is preferably represented by a numerical value, but may also be represented by a character or a symbol indicating the level of the unsanitary risk, etc.

[0039] The preference database 33 stores, for example, the unhygienic risk factors that may be included in the preference information and the corresponding range of levels of aversion that can be taken. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the preference database 33 stores, for each unhygienic risk factor, the relationship between the options of the questionnaire described later and the score representing the level of aversion. The level of aversion is preferably represented by a numerical value, but may also be represented by a character or symbol indicating the level of unhygienic risk, etc.

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the care database 34 stores, for each care candidate, at least one care method or care product for removing it. As care products for items other than clothing, they are appropriately set for each care location. For example, there are cleaning detergents, bleaches, cleansers, other cleaning treatment agents, cleaning sheets, cleaning sheet wipes, vacuum cleaners, space deodorants, space disinfectants, etc. As care products for clothing, for example, there are laundry detergents, laundry bleaches, fabric softeners, clothing deodorants, other laundry treatment agents, laundry supplies such as laundry nets, etc. Further, the care database 34 may store specific product information (product name, product image, URL of the purchase page, price, etc.) in association with the type of care product. Examples of care methods include cleaning methods, washing methods, and other care methods using the above care products.

[0041] [Operation Example of the System] Next, with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 7, an operation example of the server 100 and the user terminal 200 configured as described above will be described. The operations of the server 100 described below are executed by the cooperation of hardware such as the CPU 11 and the communication unit 19 and software stored in the storage unit 18. The operations of the user terminal 200 are similarly executed by the cooperation of hardware such as the CPU 21 and the communication unit 29 and software stored in the storage unit 28. In the following operation example, an example in which the server 100 provides a care support service via a care support site will be described, but similar processing may be executed via an application program installed in the user terminal 200.

[0042] The CPU 21 of the user terminal 200 transmits a service provision request for requesting the provision of a care support service to the server 100 based on an input operation by the user or the like (S21). The service provision request is transmitted based on an input operation such as tapping on a button saying "Use the service" on the care support site, for example.

[0043] The CPU 11 of the server 100 receives the service provision request (S11) and transmits a questionnaire form to the user terminal 200 (S12). In this operation example, the questionnaire form includes a questionnaire form about the lifestyle, a questionnaire form about preferences regarding the hygiene status, and an input form for user information such as the user's name and email address. The CPU 21 of the user terminal 200 receives these questionnaire forms (S22) and causes them to be displayed on the display unit (S23).

[0044] In the example shown in FIG. 8, the questionnaire form 60 about the lifestyle includes a question 61 about the lifestyle and options 62 for answers to each question. In this example, the question 61 includes questions (Q1 to Q3) about the presence or type of cooking, questions (Q5 to Q7) about footwear in the residence, questions (Q8 to Q9) about the place to dry laundry, questions (Q10 to Q11) about the presence or absence of ventilation, questions (Q12 to 13) about the clothes worn in the residence, etc., but may include other questions. The user can select an option 62 corresponding to their own lifestyle using, for example, radio buttons. In the example of the figure, after answering the questionnaire form, when the user selects a page transition button 63 by tapping or the like, a questionnaire form 70 about preferences is displayed.

[0045] In the example shown in FIG. 9, the questionnaire form 70 about preferences includes a question 71 about the level of aversion to unhygienic risk factors and answer options 72 for each question. In the example of this figure, for each unhygienic risk factor such as bad smell, foot odor, musty smell, oil stain, food stain, sole stain, sand stain, hair, black mold, bacteria / virus, dust, pollen, etc., the user can select an option 72 corresponding to the level of aversion by radio buttons. In the example of this figure, after answering the questionnaire form 70, when the user selects the page transition button 73 by tapping or the like, for example, an input form (not shown) for user information is displayed.

[0046] The CPU 21 of the user terminal 200 receives the input from the questionnaire form (S24) and transmits the received input information (S25). In this operation example, the input information includes lifestyle information and preference information.

[0047] The CPU 11 of the server 100 receives (acquires) the lifestyle information and preference information (S13). Note that "acquisition" in this embodiment includes any of receiving information via the Internet 50, receiving information from other electronic devices using short-range wireless communication or wired communication, acquiring information received by the user's input operation, etc., and acquiring information stored in the storage unit 18 or an external storage device. Also, in this step, the CPU 11 functions as an "acquisition unit".

[0048] In this operation example, the lifestyle information includes information about the user's lifestyle obtained from the answers to the questionnaire form 60 about the lifestyle. The preference information includes information indicating the level of aversion of the user to each unhygienic risk factor obtained from the answers to the questionnaire form 70 about preferences. The score representing the level of aversion is also referred to as the "second value" in this operation example.

[0049] Subsequently, the CPU 11 predicts, as a plurality of care targets, a plurality of care candidates having a predetermined or higher unhygienic risk level based on the lifestyle information (S14). In this step, the CPU 11 functions as a "prediction unit".

[0050] In this step, the CPU 11 predicts, for example, the unhygienic risk level of each of the plurality of care candidates based on the lifestyle information. For example, the CPU 11 extracts, from the lifestyle database 32 (see FIG. 4), the care candidates and the unhygienic risk levels corresponding to each lifestyle. Then, the CPU 11 extracts, as a plurality of care targets, a plurality of care candidates predicted to have a predetermined or higher unhygienic risk level. That is, the care target is a care candidate having a predetermined or higher unhygienic risk level.

[0051] A specific example in FIG. 10 will be described for illustration. In FIG. 10, the "lifestyle" marked with "〇" in each user's column is assumed to indicate the user's lifestyle obtained from the questionnaire form 60 about the lifestyle. The "level of disgust" of each user indicates the score (second value) corresponding to the option for each unhygienic risk factor obtained from the questionnaire form 70 about preferences.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 10, from the answers (lifestyle information) of the questionnaire form 60 of user A, lifestyles such as cooking (meat dishes), cooking (fish dishes), wearing slippers, drying outdoors, ventilating, and spending time in casual clothes are acquired. The CPU 11 refers to the lifestyle database 32 for the lifestyle of "cooking (meat dishes)" and extracts data such as "kitchen oil stain" as a care candidate and "5 points" as an unhygienic risk level. The care location in this care candidate is "kitchen" and the unhygienic risk factor is "oil stain". Similarly for other lifestyles, the CPU 11 extracts the care candidates and unhygienic risk levels respectively associated from the lifestyle database 32. In this operation example, the score, which is the unhygienic risk level, is also referred to as the "first value".

[0053] Note that FIG. 10 also shows an example in which lifestyle patterns such as not cooking, wearing socks, drying clothes in the room, not ventilating, and spending time in outerwear are obtained from the responses to the questionnaire form 60 of another user B.

[0054] In the example of FIG. 10, when the "unsanitary risk level above a predetermined level" is set to 3 points or more, care candidates such as kitchen oil stains (5 points), kitchen odor (3 points), floor oil stains, food stains, sand stains, and pollen (5 points) are extracted as care targets from the lifestyle information of user A. On the other hand, care candidates such as mold in the bathroom and toilet (5 points) and sand stains, pollen, bacteria, and viruses on the sofa (3 points) are extracted as care targets from the lifestyle information of user B. In FIG. 10, the data corresponding to the extracted care targets are surrounded by thick frames.

[0055] Subsequently, the CPU 11 determines the priority order of care for the plurality of care targets based on the unsanitary risk level and preference information of each of the plurality of care targets (S15). In this operation example, the CPU 11 functions as a "determination unit". In this operation example, the CPU 11 determines the priority order of care for the plurality of care targets based on the unsanitary risk level of each of the plurality of care targets and the level of aversion to the unsanitary risk factors of each of the plurality of care targets.

[0056] More specifically, the CPU 11 determines the priority order of care for the plurality of care targets in descending order of the value (third value) obtained by multiplying the first value representing the unsanitary risk level by the second value representing the level of aversion to the unsanitary risk factor for each care target. When a plurality of unsanitary risk factors are associated with one care target, the CPU 11 can calculate, for example, the average value of the levels of aversion to these plurality of unsanitary risk factors from the preference database 33 and use this as the level of aversion to the care target.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 10, taking the example of "kitchen oil stain", which is the care target extracted from the lifestyle of User A, "cooking (meat dishes)", the CPU 11 extracts 5 points as the level of aversion to "oil stain", which is an unsanitary risk factor, based on the acquired preference information and the preference database 33. Then, the CPU 11 calculates 25 points, which is the value obtained by multiplying 5 points, the unsanitary risk level (the first value) of "kitchen oil stain", by 5 points, the corresponding level of aversion (the second value), as the third value.

[0058] Similarly, the CPU 11 calculates the third value for other care targets respectively, compares the calculated third values of multiple care targets, and determines the care priority order in descending order of the third value. For example, in the example of FIG. 10, the CPU 11 determines that for User A, the care priority order is: "kitchen oil stain (25 points)" ranks first, "floor oil stain, food stain, sand stain, pollen (20 points)" ranks second, and "kitchen odor (15 points)" ranks third.

[0059] Similarly, the CPU 11 can determine the care priority order for other users. In the example of FIG. 10, the CPU 11 determines that for User B, the care priority order is: "mold in the bathroom and toilet (15 points)" ranks first, and "sand stain, pollen, bacteria, virus on the sofa (9 points)" ranks second.

[0060] Subsequently, the CPU 11 transmits (outputs) the care information about the care for removing the unsanitary risk factors of the care target to the user terminal 200 in association with the priority order (S16). In this embodiment, "output" is a concept that includes not only the transmission of information via the Internet 50 and the transmission of information to other electronic devices using short-range wireless communication or wired communication, but also any output of information by the display unit 16 or the speaker. Also, in this step, the CPU 11 functions as an "output unit".

[0061] In this embodiment, the care information includes information about care supplies or care methods for removing the unsanitary risk factors of the care target. In this operation example, the CPU 11 can generate care information by extracting information about care supplies or care methods corresponding to a care candidate that is the care target from the care database 34 (see FIG. 6). The CPU 11 may extract the information stored in the care database 34 as care information, or may generate care information using text generation technology or the like based on the information.

[0062] The care information may include information for recommending a product belonging to a care supply corresponding to an unsanitary risk factor. Examples of such information include information indicating the recommendation of the product, access information (such as a URL or a two-dimensional barcode) to the purchase page of the product, and the like.

[0063] The CPU 11 may transmit care information for all care targets, or may transmit care information for some care targets. When transmitting care information for some care targets, the selection criteria for the care targets to be transmitted may be, for example, a priority level of a predetermined value or more, a third value (score) of a predetermined value or more, or a combination of these criteria.

[0064] Examples of the means for transmitting care information include e-mail, various messenger applications, SNS (Social Networking Service), and a notification function on a website or application program that provides the above care support service. Note that access information that can access care information may be transmitted to the user terminal 200 using the above transmission means, and the care information may be transmitted when the user accesses the access information.

[0065] Subsequently, the CPU 21 of the user terminal 200 receives the care information (S26) and causes the display unit 26 to display the care information (S27). Thereby, the care information can be presented to the user. The care information for each care target may be displayed together with information indicating a priority (for example, a number such as "recommended care 1", a phrase indicating a priority such as "most recommended care", etc.). Alternatively, the care information may be displayed in descending order of priority. In this case, on one display screen, the care information may be arranged in descending order of priority corresponding to the movement of the line of sight from top to bottom or the like. Alternatively, the pages of each care information may be arranged so as to be switched by tab switching or a swipe operation, and the care information may be displayed in descending order of priority.

[0066] The care information display screen 80 illustrated in FIG. 11 includes, as care information for user A, care information 81 for "kitchen oil stains" and care information 82 for "floor oil stains, food stains, sand stains, pollen". The care information 81 includes, for example, an image 83 of the corresponding care product and a hyperlink 84 to the purchase page of the care product, and the care information 82 includes, for example, images 85, 87 of the corresponding care products and links 86, 88 to the purchase pages of the care products.

[0067] As described above, in the present embodiment, the server 100 can predict care targets including locations with high unsanitary risks and their specific factors (stains, odors, infectious microorganisms, inhalation allergens, etc.) in the residence from the lifestyle. Furthermore, the server 100 can determine the priority of care for care targets based on the unsanitary risk level and preference information, and can also determine the priority of care with reference to the preferences regarding the user's hygiene state. Thereby, for each user, it is possible to determine the care that should be preferentially performed to keep the living environment clean and comfortable.

[0068] Furthermore, the server 100 can present the care that should be preferentially performed to the user by outputting the care information about the care for removing the unsanitary risk factors of the care target in association with the priority.

[0069] In the above operation example, the CPU 11 of the server 100 acquired the lifestyle information and the preference information simultaneously, but they may be acquired separately. For example, the acquisition timing of the preference information is not particularly limited as long as it is before the determination of the care priority (S15), and it may be before or after the acquisition of the lifestyle information.

[0070] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the unhygienic risk level of each care candidate was predicted from each lifestyle included in the lifestyle information. However, for example, the unhygienic risk level may vary depending on the material and equipment of the residence, the number of cohabitants, etc. Therefore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the lifestyle that can predict the unhygienic risk level of the care candidate, an example of correcting the unhygienic risk level of the care candidate by an auxiliary lifestyle related to the unhygienic risk level of the care candidate will be described.

[0071] In the present embodiment, the lifestyle database 32 stores a plurality of lifestyles and a plurality of auxiliary lifestyles. The lifestyles are stored in association with, for example, care candidates (unhygienic risk factors at care locations) and unhygienic risk levels, similar to the first embodiment (see FIG. 4).

[0072] In the present embodiment, the auxiliary lifestyle is stored in association with at least one of the related lifestyle or unhygienic risk factor and the degree of relevance indicating the relevance. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary lifestyle alone cannot predict the unhygienic risk level, but is used to correct the unhygienic risk level of the care candidate predicted from the lifestyle. The degree of relevance is represented, for example, as a correction coefficient and is set for each related lifestyle or each unhygienic risk factor.

[0073] As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 15, examples of the assisted living style include, for example, those classified as housing-related living styles (such as floor materials, ventilation and air conditioning equipment or household appliances, the direction of the laundry drying area, interior trends, etc.), those classified as cohabitant-related living styles (such as the number of cohabitants and the number of children living together, etc.), and the like, but are not limited thereto. In the following operation example, an example using the assisted living style classified as the housing-related living style shown in FIG. 12 will be described.

[0074] Regarding the operation example of the present embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described with reference to FIG. 7. Also in this embodiment, first, the CPU 21 of the user terminal 200 transmits a service provision request to the server 100 (S21). Then, the CPU 11 of the server 100 receives the service provision request (S11) and transmits a questionnaire form regarding preferences for the living style and hygiene status to the user terminal 200 (S12). The CPU 21 of the user terminal 200 receives the questionnaire form (S22) and causes it to be displayed on the display unit 26 (S23).

[0075] For example, the questionnaire form regarding the living style includes a questionnaire form 60 regarding the living style as shown in FIG. 8 and a questionnaire form 90 regarding the assisted living style as shown in FIG. 13. The questionnaire form 90 regarding the assisted living style includes questions 91 regarding the assisted living style and options 92 for answers to each question. The questions 91 include, for example, questions (Q1 to Q3) regarding floor materials, questions (Q4 to Q7) regarding ventilation and air conditioning equipment or household appliances, questions (Q8 to Q9) regarding the direction of the laundry drying area, questions (Q10 to Q11) regarding the interior, etc., but may also include other questions. The user selects the option 92 corresponding to the assisted living style applicable to himself / herself, for example, by radio buttons. Note that the questionnaire form regarding the assisted living style may be continuously displayed on the same page as the questionnaire form regarding the living style. Also, since the questionnaire form 70 regarding preferences for the hygiene status is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 21 of the user terminal 200 receives an input from the questionnaire form (S24), and transmits input information (lifestyle information and preference information) regarding the lifestyle and hygiene preferences input by the user (S25). The CPU 11 of the server 100 receives (acquires) these input information (S13).

[0077] Subsequently, the CPU 11 predicts a plurality of care targets based on the lifestyle information (S14). In this operation example, first, the CPU 11 predicts the unhygienic risk level (first value) of each of the plurality of care candidates associated with the lifestyle, in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Each care candidate is associated with a care location and an unhygienic risk factor. Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the lifestyle information includes information about an auxiliary lifestyle related to at least one of the lifestyle corresponding to the care candidate or the unhygienic risk factor. When it is determined that the information is included, the CPU 11 corrects the predicted unhygienic risk level based on the degree of association associated with the auxiliary lifestyle. For example, the CPU 11 corrects the unhygienic risk level by multiplying the first value of the care candidate by a correction coefficient representing the degree of association associated with the auxiliary lifestyle.

[0078] In the example shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 11 extracts an auxiliary lifestyle of "flooring" as an auxiliary lifestyle related to the unhygienic risk factor of "oil stain" corresponding to the lifestyle of "cooking (meat dishes)" of user A. Since oil stains are likely to adhere to "flooring", a correction coefficient of 1.5 points is associated with "oil stain". Therefore, the CPU 11 corrects the unhygienic risk level to 7.5 points by multiplying the 5 points (first value) predicted from "cooking (meat dishes)" by 1.5 points. Similarly for other auxiliary lifestyles, the unhygienic risk level is corrected.

[0079] Subsequently, the CPU 11 extracts unhygienic risk factors for which the corrected unhygienic risk level (the first value) is equal to or higher than a predetermined level as care targets. Thereby, the CPU 11 can predict care targets.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the processing after S15 is the same as that in the first embodiment. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 11 calculates 37.5 points, which is obtained by multiplying 7.5 points, which is the corrected unhygienic risk level, by 5 points corresponding to the level of disgust for "oil stain", as the third value. The CPU 11 similarly calculates the third value for other care targets and determines the care priority order in descending order of these third values.

[0081] In the present embodiment, the unhygienic risk level predicted from the lifestyle can be corrected based on an assisted lifestyle related to at least one of the lifestyle or the corresponding unhygienic risk factors. Thereby, information related to unhygienic risks, the difficulty of care, etc., such as the materials and facilities of the residence, can be reflected in the calculation of the unhygienic risk level, and a more accurate care priority order can be determined.

[0082] Also, as another example of the present embodiment, an assisted lifestyle included in a cohabitant-related lifestyle as shown in FIG. 15(A) may be used. In the example of this figure, a correction coefficient is set according to the number of children in a predetermined age group input by the user. Thereby, it is possible to determine a care priority order that conforms to the actual situation where the risk of food stains, sole stains, etc. increases as the number of children in a lower age group increases, and the risk of sand stains due to exercise, etc. increases as the number of children in a higher age group increases.

[0083] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 15(B), auxiliary lifestyle information related to the lifestyle may be used. In FIG. 15(B), an example where the auxiliary lifestyle is the number of cohabitants is shown, and this auxiliary lifestyle is associated with a lifestyle in which the level of unhygienic risk can vary in relation to the number of cohabitants. Also, in the example of this figure, a correction coefficient is set according to the input number of people. Thereby, it is possible to perform processing in accordance with the actual situation that some unhygienic risks increase as the number of cohabitants increases.

[0084] <Third Embodiment> In the above-described second embodiment, an example of correcting the unhygienic risk level according to the auxiliary lifestyle has been described. However, depending on the structural characteristics of the dwelling, etc., for example, dirt, odor, etc. generated in one place may spread to other places. Therefore, in the third embodiment of the present invention, an example of adding care locations for care candidates according to the auxiliary lifestyle will be described.

[0085] The lifestyle database 32 of the present embodiment stores a plurality of lifestyles and a plurality of auxiliary lifestyles. The lifestyle is stored in association with, for example, a care candidate (unhygienic risk factor and care location) and an unhygienic risk level, similar to the first embodiment (see FIG. 4).

[0086] In the present embodiment, the auxiliary lifestyle is stored in association with at least one of the related lifestyle or care location, and an additional care location that belongs to the dwelling or article and is different from the care location. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary lifestyle alone cannot predict the unhygienic risk level, but is used to add care locations of care candidates predicted from the lifestyle. FIG. 16 shows, for example, auxiliary lifestyles such as "open kitchen" and "kitchen dedicated space" related to the lifestyle of "cooking", but is not limited thereto.

[0087] Regarding the operation example of this embodiment, while referring to FIG. 7, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Also in this embodiment, first, the CPU 21 of the user terminal 200 transmits a service provision request to the server 100 (S21). Then, the CPU 11 of the server 100 receives the service provision request (S11) and transmits a questionnaire form regarding preferences related to the lifestyle and hygiene status to the user terminal 200 (S12). The CPU 21 of the user terminal 200 receives the questionnaire form (S22) and causes it to be displayed on the display unit 26 (S23).

[0088] For example, the questionnaire form regarding the lifestyle includes a questionnaire form 60 regarding the lifestyle as shown in FIG. 8 and a questionnaire form regarding the supplementary lifestyle. The questionnaire form regarding the supplementary lifestyle includes, for example, questions about the type of kitchen, whether it is an open kitchen, and whether it is a dedicated kitchen space such as a corridor kitchen for single persons. The user selects the corresponding option, for example, by radio buttons. Note that the questionnaire form regarding the supplementary lifestyle may be displayed on the same page as the questionnaire form regarding the lifestyle or on a different page.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 21 of the user terminal 200 accepts the input from the questionnaire form (S24) and transmits input information (lifestyle information and preference information) regarding the preferences related to the lifestyle and hygiene status input by the user (S25). The CPU 11 of the server 100 receives (acquires) these input information (S13).

[0090] Subsequently, the CPU 11 predicts a plurality of care targets based on the lifestyle information (S14). In this operation example, first, the CPU 11 predicts the unhygienic risk level of each of the plurality of care candidates associated with the lifestyle, in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Each care candidate is associated with a care location and an unhygienic risk factor. Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the lifestyle information includes information about an auxiliary lifestyle related to at least one of the lifestyle or care location for which the unhygienic risk level has been predicted. If it is determined that the information is included, the CPU 11 adds the additional care location corresponding to the auxiliary lifestyle to the care locations of the care candidates.

[0091] In the example shown in FIG. 17, the lifestyle information of user A includes, in addition to the lifestyle of "cooking (meat dishes)", the auxiliary lifestyle of "open kitchen" related thereto. The CPU 11 extracts from the lifestyle database 32 the lifestyle of "cooking (meat dishes)", the auxiliary lifestyle of "open kitchen" related thereto, and the additional care location of "sofa, curtain, floor" associated therewith. Then, the CPU 11 adds the additional care location of "sofa, curtain, floor" in addition to the care location of "kitchen" predicted from "cooking (meat dishes)".

[0092] In this example, when the CPU 11 determines "oil stain in the kitchen" as a care target in S15, in addition to the care information of "oil stain in the kitchen" in S16, the CPU 11 may output care information of "oil stain on the sofa and curtain" and "oil stain on the floor" corresponding thereto. Thereby, when the unhygienic risk factors are likely to spread widely due to the characteristics of the residence or the like, it is possible to present care corresponding to the actual situation.

[0093] <Fourth Embodiment> In the above-described embodiment, an example was given of using the user's level of aversion to each unsanitary risk factor as preference information. However, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, an example is described in which the level of aversion is corrected using auxiliary preference information that affects the user's level of aversion to an unsanitary risk factor, such as the user's personality or values.

[0094] In this embodiment, the preference database 33 stores the unsanitary risk factors shown in FIG. 5 and the data of the range of possible levels of disgust associated therewith, as well as the auxiliary preference information shown in FIG. 18 and the unsanitary risk factors and correction coefficients associated therewith. The auxiliary preference information is not limited to the preference for each unsanitary risk factor, but may indicate, for example, the user's hygiene concept and preferences for each classification of unsanitary risk factors (dirt, odor, bacteria / virus, inhalation allergens). In the example shown in FIG. 18, the unsanitary risk factors and the correction coefficient (for example, 1.5) are associated with information on the user's personality, such as "cleanliness freak (clean freak / perfectionist)" as the auxiliary preference information. Note that other auxiliary preference information includes information on the user's personality, such as "rough, want to reduce housework time, want to do housework easily, want to do housework happily, want to do housework comfortably, etc." In this case, a correction coefficient according to each auxiliary preference information (for example, a correction coefficient less than 1 for "rough") may be set.

[0095] In the operation example of this embodiment, only S15 (determination step) in FIG. 7 is different from the first embodiment, so the description of the other steps will be omitted. In S15, the CPU 11 of the server 100 multiplies the first value representing the unsanitary risk level of each care target by the second value representing the level of aversion to the unsanitary risk factor, and further multiplies it by the correction coefficient in the auxiliary preference information associated with the unsanitary risk factor to calculate a third value. This makes it possible to calculate a third value that reflects not only the user's aversion to each unsanitary risk factor, but also the user's personality and values ​​regarding the sanitary state. By determining the priority order of care based on this third value, it is possible to determine the priority order of care that can further increase the user's comfort.

[0096] <Fifth Embodiment> In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the lifestyle information includes the input information obtained from the questionnaire form has been described. However, the means for obtaining the lifestyle information is not limited to this. Hereinafter, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, an example in which the lifestyle information includes the sensor information obtained from a sensor that detects information related to the user's lifestyle will be described.

[0097] In the present embodiment, the sensor may be a sensor mounted on the user terminal 200 or a sensor mounted on a device arranged in the dwelling. Examples of the sensor information include image information obtained by an image sensor, information of a CO2 sensor that detects the ventilation status in the dwelling, information of an illuminance sensor that detects the illuminance in the dwelling, information of a smart sensor that detects the movement of people in the dwelling, and the like.

[0098] Among these, for example, the image information may be the image information captured by the imaging unit 30 of the user terminal 200 or the image information of a security camera or the like arranged in the dwelling. Examples of the image related to the lifestyle include, but are not limited to, an image including at least one feature of the dwelling or the articles stored in the dwelling, an image including information related to the housework performed in the dwelling, an image including information related to the user's lifestyle, an image including information of the user's cohabitant, and the like.

[0099] As an operation example of the present embodiment, with reference to FIG. 19, an example in which the sensor information is the image information captured by the imaging unit 30 of the user terminal 200 will be described. Note that the system configuration and the hardware configuration of each device in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0100] As illustrated in FIG. 19, the CPU 21 of the user terminal 200 controls the imaging unit 30 to capture an image related to the user's lifestyle (S41). The imaging location may be guided based on the application program on the care support site, or may be determined by the user according to the instructions on the care support site. In this operation example, for example, the CPU 21 captures an image of the kitchen, inside the refrigerator, and the user's feet. The image may be a still image or a moving image.

[0101] Based on the user's input operation or the like, the CPU 21 transmits the captured image information related to the lifestyle to the server 100 (S42). Note that the CPU 21 also transmits user information (for example, the user's name, email address, etc.) in association with the image information. The CPU 11 of the server 100 receives the image information (S31) and transmits a questionnaire form regarding preferences related to the hygiene status to the user terminal 200 (S32). This questionnaire form is the same as the questionnaire form 70 regarding preferences in the first embodiment.

[0102] The CPU 21 of the user terminal 200 receives the questionnaire form (S43), displays the questionnaire form (S44). Then, the CPU 21 accepts the input from the questionnaire form (S45) and transmits the input information (preference information) regarding the preferences related to the hygiene status received to the server 100 (S46). The CPU 11 of the server 100 receives (acquires) the input information (S33). Note that in this operation example, the CPU 11 in steps S31 and S33 functions as an "acquisition unit".

[0103] Subsequently, based on the lifestyle information, the CPU 11 predicts, as a plurality of care targets, a plurality of care candidates having a predetermined or higher unhygienic risk level among the plurality of care candidates (S34).

[0104] In this operation example, the CPU 11 first extracts the lifestyle from the image information using image analysis technology or the like. For example, the CPU 11 extracts the food ingredients in the refrigerator from the image in the refrigerator, and thereby extracts lifestyles such as "cooking (meat dishes)", "cooking (fish dishes)", "cooking (vegetable dishes)", and / or "not cooking". Also, the CPU 11 determines the usage feeling of the kitchen from the image of the kitchen, and thereby can also predict lifestyles such as "cooking" or "not cooking". Further, the CPU 11 extracts lifestyles such as "wearing slippers", "wearing socks", or "spending time barefoot" from, for example, an image of the user's feet. Then, the CPU 11 refers to the lifestyle database 32 and extracts the care locations and unhygienic risk factors of the care candidates corresponding to each lifestyle, and the score (the first value), which is the unhygienic risk level. Thereby, the CPU 11 can predict the unhygienic risk level of each care candidate from each lifestyle in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and can predict the care targets with a predetermined unhygienic risk level or higher.

[0105] Subsequently, the CPU 11 determines the priority order of care for a plurality of care targets based on the preference information (S35). Similar to the first embodiment, the CPU 11 determines the priority order of care for a plurality of care targets in descending order of the value obtained by multiplying the first value of each care target by the second value representing the level of aversion to the unhygienic risk factor.

[0106] Subsequently, the CPU 11 transmits (outputs) the care information about the care for removing the unhygienic risk factors of the care target to the user terminal 200 in association with the priority order (S36). The CPU 21 of the user terminal 200 receives the care information (S47) and causes the display unit 26 to display the care information (S48). In this way, the same care determination process as in the first embodiment can be performed also by the lifestyle information other than the input information.

[0107] In addition to the above examples, various types of information related to the lifestyle can be used as the lifestyle information. For example, the lifestyle information may be information related to the operation of electrical products arranged in the residence or facilities attached to the residence. Such information includes, for example, the operation history of a washing machine, the opening and closing history of a refrigerator, the inventory quantity and temperature history, the operation history of a vacuum cleaner, the flush history and the opening and closing history of the lid of a toilet, the hot water supply history in a bathroom, etc., the operation history of a ventilation device, the operation history of an IH cooker, a microwave oven, etc., the operation history of a lighting device, etc. Note that among the information related to the above operations, the information detected by a sensor can also be classified as "sensor information".

[0108] These lifestyle information may be directly transmitted from each device connected to the Internet 50 to the server 100. In this case, the information of each device is stored in the storage unit 18 in advance, and each device is configured to be able to communicate information in cooperation with the server 100. Alternatively, the lifestyle information may be transmitted from each device connected to the Internet 50 to the server 100 via another computer (such as a web server). The latter example will be described in detail in the sixth embodiment.

[0109] <Sixth Embodiment> As the sixth embodiment of the present invention, an example in which the CPU 11 of the server 100 acquires lifestyle information from a computer such as a server related to the provision of services related to the user's lifestyle will be described. Note that in this embodiment, the other server only needs to be configured to be able to communicate information in cooperation with the server 100, and does not need to constitute a care support system.

[0110] The lifestyle information acquired from the other server is not particularly limited as long as it is information related to the lifestyle. For example, it includes the information related to the operation of the above-mentioned electrical products or facilities, the sensor information detected from a smart sensor, a security camera, etc., the user's cooking recipe search and browsing history, meal records, exercise records, purchase history, other behavior histories, SNS information, information related to the characteristics of the residence, etc.

[0111] The following describes an example in which lifestyle information includes dwelling information regarding the characteristics of a user's residence, obtained from a server (hereinafter referred to as the "second server") that provides a housing information provision service. Examples of dwelling information include, for example, the floor plan of the dwelling, the size of the dwelling or each room, the direction in which each room faces, the presence or absence of windows in each room, the layout and specifications, the building materials used in the house, the presence or absence of facilities (such as a kitchen, bathroom facilities, washbasin, toilet, hot water supply facilities, air conditioning facilities, etc.) installed in the dwelling, the layout and specifications, the type of dwelling (detached house or apartment building, etc.), and the like. Further, the dwelling information may include information regarding the characteristics of the articles arranged in the dwelling as furnishings (the presence or absence, layout, number, type, material, and specifications of furniture, electrical appliances, etc.).

[0112] As illustrated in FIG. 20, the CPU 21 of the user terminal 200 transmits a request for providing a care support service to the server 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "first server 100") in the same manner as in the first embodiment (S61). The CPU 11 of the first server 100 receives the service provision request (S51) and transmits a request for the dwelling information of the user's residence to the second server (S52). The request for dwelling information includes, for example, information for identifying the user's residence. The information for identifying the user's residence may be the address, property name, property ID, etc. of the residence. Alternatively, when the user has registered with the housing information provision service and the user's identification information and the dwelling information thereof are associated with each other in the housing information provision service, the information for identifying the user's residence may include the user's identification information.

[0113] The CPU of the second server receives the request for the dwelling information of the user's residence (S71), and extracts the target dwelling information from the stored housing information database based on the information for identifying the user's residence (S72). The CPU of the second server transmits the extracted dwelling information to the first server 100 (S73).

[0114] The CPU 11 of the first server 100 receives the housing information (S53) and transmits a questionnaire form regarding preferences related to the hygiene status to the user terminal 200 (S54). Hereinafter, the operations of S54 to S58 of the first server 100 correspond to the operations of S32 to S36 of the fifth embodiment (FIG. 19), and the operations of S62 to S67 of the user terminal 200 correspond to the operations of S43 to S48 of the fifth embodiment (FIG. 19), so the description thereof will be omitted.

[0115] According to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain lifestyle information while reducing the processing burden on the user terminal 200. Further, this also reduces the labor involved in obtaining lifestyle information by the user.

[0116] <Other Embodiments> As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0117] In each of the above embodiments, as an example of the method for predicting the unhygienic risk level, an example of extracting the information stored in the lifestyle database 32 has been given. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the unhygienic risk level may be predicted using a model generated by machine learning or the like. For example, the CPU 11 may extract care candidates corresponding to the lifestyle from the lifestyle database 32 and predict the unhygienic risk level using a prediction model that predicts the unhygienic risk level from the care candidates. Alternatively, the CPU 11 may extract the lifestyle by referring to the lifestyle database 32 from the lifestyle information and predict the unhygienic risk level using a prediction model that predicts care candidates and the unhygienic risk level from the lifestyle. Alternatively, the CPU 11 may predict the unhygienic risk level using a prediction model that directly predicts care candidates and the unhygienic risk level from the lifestyle information. In this case, the server 100 may not have the lifestyle database 32.

[0118] In addition, the lifestyle information may include information from different acquisition channels as exemplified in each of the above-described embodiments.

[0119] Also, the preference information is not limited to the input information obtained by questionnaires or the like, and may include information acquired from a server related to the provision of other services. Specifically, examples of such preference information include, for example, the operation history of a washing machine, the operation history of a vacuum cleaner, the purchase history, the user's web search history, SNS information, and other behavior histories.

[0120] In this case, the CPU 11 can extract the preferences regarding the user's hygiene status from these preference information and use them for processing by using a model or the like generated by machine learning or the like. For example, the CPU 11 can predict the level of the user's aversion to dirt and odors from the purchase history of laundry products, cleaning products, and deodorant products. Alternatively, the CPU 11 can predict the level of aversion to infectious microorganisms and inhaled allergens from the purchase history of sterilization-related products and allergy medications. Also, the CPU 11 can predict the level of the user's aversion to dust, pollen, sand stains, etc., and the user's cleanliness from the operation history and behavior history of the vacuum cleaner.

[0121] Note that the method of predicting the level of aversion from the user's preferences may be performed based on a database that associates and stores the user's preferences and the level of aversion, or may be performed using a machine learning model or the like for predicting the level of aversion from the user's preferences. In the latter case, the server 100 may not have the preference database 33.

[0122] The output target of the care information by the server 100 is not limited to the user terminal 200, and may include other devices connected to the Internet 50. Examples of such devices include, for example, electrical devices (washing machines, refrigerators, microwave ovens, televisions, smart displays, etc.) arranged in a dwelling. Further, the output mode of the care information in these devices is not limited to display on a display unit (display), etc., and may be voice output. Further, the server 100 may output care information to a device related to care. For example, care related to washing may be transmitted to a washing machine.

[0123] Alternatively, the server 100 may transmit the care information to a server related to the provision of other services with which it is linked. Thereby, a device (user terminal 200, smart display, etc.) in which an application program related to the provision of the other service is installed can output the care information via a display screen or the like in this application program.

[0124] In the above embodiments, an example in which the server 100 performs steps such as a step of acquiring lifestyle information, a step of acquiring preference information, a step of predicting a care target, and a step of determining the priority of care has been shown, but each step may be performed by another computer. That is, the functional blocks such as the acquisition unit, prediction unit, determination unit, and output unit of the system according to the present invention may be realized by different computers respectively.

[0125] Among the inventions described in the claims of the present application, the invention described as "care support method" is such that each step thereof is automatically performed by at least one device such as a computer by information processing by software, and is not performed by a human using a device such as a computer. That is, the "care support method" is an information processing method by computer software, and is not a method of operating a computing tool called a computer by a human.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0126] 11…CPU 18…Storage unit 19… Communication department 31… User database 32… Lifestyle database 33… Hobby database 34… Care database 100… Server 200… User terminal

Claims

1. A care support system for supporting care of a user's residence or articles accommodated in the residence, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires lifestyle information regarding a plurality of lifestyles of the user and preference information regarding preferences regarding the user's hygiene status; a prediction unit that, based on the lifestyle information, predicts, as a plurality of care targets, a plurality of care candidates having a predetermined or higher unhygienic risk level among a plurality of care candidates associated with at least one care location that is a location belonging to the residence or the article and at least one unhygienic risk factor that is a factor causing an unhygienic state of the care location; a determination unit that determines a priority order of care among the plurality of care candidates based on the unhygienic risk level and the preference information of each of the plurality of care targets; A care support system comprising the above.

2. The preference information includes: information indicating a level of aversion to the unhygienic risk factor, The determination unit: determines a priority order of care among the plurality of care targets based on the unhygienic risk level of each of the plurality of care targets and the level of aversion to the unhygienic risk factor of each of the plurality of care targets. The care support system according to Claim 1.

3. The unhygienic risk level is represented as a first value, The level of aversion is represented as a second value, The determination unit: determines a priority order of care among the plurality of care targets in descending order of the value obtained by multiplying the first value representing the unhygienic risk level corresponding to the unhygienic risk factor of each care target by the second value representing the level of aversion to the unhygienic risk factor. The care support system according to Claim 2.

4. The prediction unit: predicts the unhygienic risk level of each of the plurality of care candidates based on the lifestyle information, and extracts, as the plurality of care targets, the plurality of care candidates predicted to have the predetermined or higher unhygienic risk level. The care support system according to Claim 1.

5. a storage unit that stores a plurality of lifestyles respectively associated with the care candidates, a supplementary lifestyle associated with at least one of the related lifestyle or the unhygienic risk factor and a degree of association indicating the association therewith; further comprising: ​ The lifestyle information further includes information about the plurality of lifestyles and information about the assisted lifestyle. The prediction unit predicts the unhygienic risk level of each of the plurality of care candidates associated with the lifestyle, and corrects the predicted unhygienic risk level based on the degree of association associated with the assisted lifestyle related to at least one of the lifestyle or the unhygienic risk factor corresponding to the care candidate. The care support system according to claim 4.

6. The unhygienic risk level is represented as a first value, the degree of association is represented as a correction coefficient for correcting the first value, The prediction unit predicts the first value of each of the plurality of care candidates associated with the lifestyle, and corrects the unhygienic risk level by multiplying the first value of the care candidate by the correction coefficient associated with the assisted lifestyle. The care support system according to claim 5.

7. a plurality of lifestyles respectively associated with the care candidates, an assisted lifestyle associated with at least one of the related lifestyle or the care location and an additional care location that is a location belonging to the dwelling or the article and is different from the care location, further comprising a storage unit for storing, The lifestyle information further includes information about the plurality of lifestyles and information about the assisted lifestyle. The prediction unit predicts the unhygienic risk level of each of the care candidates associated with the lifestyle, and adds the additional care location corresponding to the assisted lifestyle related to at least one of the lifestyle or the care location corresponding to the care candidate for which the unhygienic risk level has been predicted to the care location of the care candidate. The care support system according to claim 4.

8. The lifestyle information includes information about a housework-related lifestyle related to housework performed in the dwelling, a dwelling-related lifestyle related to at least one characteristic of the dwelling or an article arranged in the dwelling, a lifestyle habit-related lifestyle related to the lifestyle habits of the user in the dwelling, and information about a lifestyle selected from a cohabitant-related lifestyle related to a cohabitant of the user. The care support system according to claim 1.

9. The lifestyle information includes at least one of input information input from the user or sensor information acquired by a sensor that detects information related to the lifestyle of the user. The care support system according to claim 1.

10. The unhygienic risk factor is at least one selected from dirt, odor, infectious microorganisms, and inhalation allergens. The care support system according to claim 1.

11. Output the care information about the care for removing the unhygienic risk factor of the care target in association with the priority order. The care support system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A care support method executed by a computer for supporting the care of a user's residence or an article accommodated in the residence, comprising: acquiring lifestyle information regarding a plurality of lifestyles of the user; acquiring preference information regarding preferences regarding the hygiene status of the user; Based on the lifestyle information, among a plurality of care candidates that are candidates for care associated with at least one care location that is a location belonging to the residence or the article and at least one unhygienic risk factor that is a factor causing an unhygienic state of the care location, predicting a plurality of care candidates having a predetermined or higher unhygienic risk level as a plurality of care targets; Determining the priority order of care among the plurality of care candidates based on the unhygienic risk level and the preference information for each of the plurality of care targets. Care support method.

13. A program for supporting the care of a user's residence or an article accommodated in the residence, causing a computer to: acquire lifestyle information regarding a plurality of lifestyles of the user; acquire preference information regarding preferences regarding the hygiene status of the user; Based on the lifestyle information, among a plurality of care candidates that are candidates for care associated with at least one care location that is a location belonging to the residence or the article and at least one unhygienic risk factor that is a factor causing an unhygienic state of the care location, predict a plurality of care candidates having a predetermined or higher unhygienic risk level as a plurality of care targets; Determine the priority order of care among the plurality of care candidates based on the unhygienic risk level and the preference information for each of the plurality of care targets. A program for causing execution.

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