Body odor care support information provision device and body odor care support information provision method

Abstract

To provide technology that enables effective body odor care by supporting appropriate countermeasures based on stress levels determined using skin gases. [Solution] The body odor care support information providing device according to the embodiment comprises an acquisition unit, a calculation unit, a determination unit, a generation unit, and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires emission amount information regarding the emission amounts of multiple types of skin gases emitted from the subject's skin. The calculation unit calculates at least one index value indicating the ratio of the emission amount of a specific skin gas selected from the multiple types of skin gases based on the emission amount information. The determination unit determines the subject's stress state based on at least one index value and determines the subject's body odor classification based on the determined stress state. The generation unit generates body odor care support information about the subject based on the subject's body odor classification. The output unit outputs the body odor care support information.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a body odor care support information providing apparatus and a body odor care support information providing method.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] It is known that stress odor is emitted from the skin in association with stress, and effective body odor care is demanded. There is also a technique for detecting the stress of a test subject based on gas emitted from the skin of the human test subject.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0003]

PATENT DOCUMENT 1

PATENT DOCUMENT 2

PATENT DOCUMENT 3

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] When a human is in a stressed state, it is clear that gas of components that cause discomfort is emitted from that human. On the other hand, gas components regarded as stress odor are various. In addition, skin gas is emitted as a mixture of gases of various components. For this reason, conventional body odor care that mainly focuses on dealing with specific component gases may not be sufficient as a countermeasure.

[0005] Accordingly, one of the problems of the present invention is to provide a technique for realizing effective body odor care by supporting appropriate countermeasures on the basis of a stress state determined using skin gas.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0006] An embodiment of the body odor care support information provision device includes, as an example, an acquisition unit, a calculation unit, a determination unit, a generation unit, and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires emission amount information relating to the emission amounts of multiple types of skin gases emitted from the subject's skin. The calculation unit calculates at least one index value indicating the proportion of the emission amount of a specific skin gas selected from the multiple types of skin gases based on the emission amount information. The determination unit determines the subject's stress state based on at least one of the index values ​​and determines the subject's body odor classification based on the determined stress state.

[0007] The generation unit generates body odor care support information for the subject based on the subject's body odor classification. The output unit outputs the body odor care support information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the body odor care support information provision device of this embodiment, effective body odor care can be achieved by supporting appropriate countermeasures based on the stress state determined using skin gas. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a body odor care support information provision device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of a skin gas detection location according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the functional configuration of a body odor care support information provision device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a two-dimensional map illustrating the relationship between vascular indicators, metabolic indicators, and stress levels, illustrating the relationship between these factors and the state of mind and body. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows another example of a two-dimensional map of mental and physical state illustrating the relationship between vascular indicators, metabolic indicators, and stress levels. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of information supporting body odor care. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of body odor care support information. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a body odor care support information generation process. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a form of providing body odor care support information to a subject. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between a vascular index value and a stress value. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between a metabolic index value and a physical stress value. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, the body odor care support information providing system and the body odor care support information providing apparatus of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the embodiment described below, and the actions and effects brought about by the configuration are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the content described below.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a body odor care support information providing system 1 according to the embodiment. The body odor care support information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a skin gas sensor 11 and a body odor care support information providing apparatus 12.

[0012] The skin gas sensor 11 is a sensor that detects skin gas dissipated from the skin of a subject. The skin gas sensor 11 is capable of detecting skin gas generated in association with activities for maintaining homeostasis in the human body, and is capable of detecting at least a vascular-related gas related to vasomotion (contraction or dilation of blood vessels) and a metabolic-related gas related to metabolic activity.

[0013] The vascular-related gas may be, for example, hexanoic acid, propionic acid, or the like.

[0014] The metabolic-related gas may be, for example, acetone, acetic acid, acetaldehyde, or the like.

[0015] The specific configuration of the skin gas sensor 11 is not particularly limited, and for example, an oxide semiconductor sensor, a QCM (Quartz Crystal Microbalance) sensor, an FET (Field Effect Transistor) sensor, a membrane-type surface stress sensor and the like can be used as the skin gas sensor 11. In addition, skin gas emission amount data obtained by quantitatively measuring each skin gas species of the skin gas collected by a PFS (Passive Flux Sampler) using a GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) apparatus or the like can also be used as the data of the skin gas sensor 11. The PFS is a small-sized device that collects skin gas diffused from the skin surface of a subject by adsorbing it to a solid collecting material, and thermally or chemically desorbs the skin gas from the collecting material for chemical analysis, and for example, there is a skin gas sampler (MonoTrap (registered trademark) SG DCC18) manufactured by GL Sciences Inc.

[0016] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the detection position of skin gas according to the embodiment. The detection position of skin gas by the skin gas sensor 11 according to the present embodiment is the palm 31 of the subject, and it is particularly preferable that the position is the thenar eminence 32 or the fingertip portion 33. These sites have many capillaries, are usually hairless, and have little subcutaneous fat, and thus have a large amount of skin gas emission, enabling relatively stable detection of skin gas. Although the fingertip of the thumb is exemplified as the fingertip portion 33 in Figure 2, the fingertip portion 33 may be the fingertip of another finger (index finger, middle finger, ring finger, or little finger).

[0017] Note that the detection position, specific configuration, installation position, and the like of the skin gas sensor 11 are not limited to the above. For example, the detection position may be the popliteal fossa or the like.

[0018] The body odor care support information providing apparatus 12 is connected to the skin gas sensor 11 via a predetermined network 15, and executes various types of information processing for detecting the stress of the subject based on the detection result of the skin gas sensor 11.

[0019] The body odor care support information provision device 12 illustrated here is constructed using a general-purpose information processing device (computer) and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, ROM (Read Only Memory) 23, storage 24, communication I / F (Interface) 25, and user I / F 26.

[0020] The CPU 21 uses the RAM 22 as a workspace to perform predetermined arithmetic processing according to the programs stored in the ROM 23 and storage 24. The storage 24 is a non-volatile memory such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and enables writing and reading of programs, data necessary for the CPU 21's processing, and data generated by the CPU 21's processing. The communication I / F 25 is a device that enables communication with other electronic devices such as the skin gas sensor 11 connected via a predetermined network 15. The user I / F 26 is a device that enables receiving input from the user (such as the user of the body odor care support information provision system 1) and outputting information to the user, and may be, for example, a keyboard, pointing device, touch panel mechanism, display, speaker, microphone, etc. The CPU 21, RAM 22, ROM 23, storage 24, communication I / F 25, and user I / F 26 are connected via a data bus.

[0021] The hardware configuration of the body odor care support information provision device 12 is not limited to the above; for example, it may be configured using FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc., or it may be a system in which multiple computers work together.

[0022] Figure 3 shows an example of the functional configuration of the body odor care support information providing device 12 according to this embodiment. The body odor care support information providing device 12 according to this embodiment has an acquisition unit 101, a vascular index value calculation unit 102, a metabolic index value calculation unit 103, a determination unit 104, a generation unit 105, an output unit 106, and a storage unit 107. These functions 101 to 107 are configured through the cooperation of hardware elements and software elements (programs, firmware, etc.) that constitute the body odor care support information providing device 12. In addition, at least a part of these functions 101 to 107 may be configured with dedicated hardware (circuits, etc.).

[0023] The acquisition unit 101 acquires emission amount information from the skin gas sensor 11 regarding the amount of skin gas emitted from the subject's skin. In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 101 acquires vascular-related gas information indicating the emission amounts of multiple types of vascular-related gases, and metabolic-related gas information indicating the emission amounts of multiple types of metabolic-related gases. The emission amount may be, for example, a value indicating the amount of gas emitted (detected by the skin gas sensor 11) per predetermined unit time.

[0024] Vascular gas information includes, for example, the amount of hexanoic acid emitted, the amount of propionic acid emitted, etc.

[0025] Metabolism-related gas information includes, for example, the amount of acetone, acetic acid, and acetaldehyde released.

[0026] Furthermore, the emission amount information acquired by the acquisition unit 101 may include information on the emission amounts of skin gases other than vascular-related gases and metabolic-related gases, such as other skin gases emitted in response to homeostatic activities in the body.

[0027] The vascular index value calculation unit 102 calculates the vascular index value based on the vascular-related gas information acquired by the acquisition unit 101. The vascular index value is a value that indicates the ratio of the emission amount of a specific vascular-related gas selected from the multiple types of vascular-related gases to the total emission amount of multiple types of vascular-related gases. For example, if the multiple types of vascular-related gases are hexanoic acid and propionic acid, the specific vascular-related gas is hexanoic acid, and the emission amount of hexanoic acid is A1 and the emission amount of propionic acid is A2, the vascular index value BV can be calculated by the following formula (1).

[0028] BV = A1 / (A1 + A2) …(1)

[0029] In other words, the vascular index value BV may be the ratio of hexanoic acid emissions to the total emissions of hexanoic acid and propionic acid. Note that the above method for calculating the vascular index value BV is illustrative, and the selection of multiple types of vascular-related gases, as well as the selection of specific vascular-related gases, is not limited to the above. For example, the vascular index value BV may be the ratio of propionic acid emissions to the total emissions of hexanoic acid and propionic acid (BV' = A2 / (A1 + A2)).

[0030] As described above, by utilizing the vascular index value BV, which is the ratio of the emission amount of a specific vascular-related gas to the total emission amount of multiple vascular-related gases, it is possible to suppress the effects of fluctuations in skin gas emission caused by climatic conditions and subject-specific factors (constitution, mental state, etc.).

[0031] The metabolic index value calculation unit 103 calculates the metabolic index value based on the metabolism-related gas information acquired by the acquisition unit 101. The metabolic index value is a value that indicates the ratio of the emission amount of a specific metabolism-related gas selected from the multiple types of metabolism-related gases to the total emission amount of multiple types of metabolism-related gases. For example, if the multiple types of metabolism-related gases are acetone, acetic acid, and acetaldehyde, and the specific metabolism-related gas is acetone, and the emission amount of acetone is B1, the emission amount of acetic acid is B2, and the emission amount of acetaldehyde is B3, then the metabolic index value ME can be calculated by the following formula (2).

[0032] ME = B1 / (B1 + B2 + B3) …(2)

[0033] In other words, the metabolic index value ME may be the ratio of acetone emissions to the total emissions of acetone, acetic acid, and acetaldehyde. Note that the above method for calculating the metabolic index value ME is illustrative, and the selection of multiple metabolic gases, as well as the selection of specific metabolic gases, is not limited to the above. For example, the metabolic index value ME may be the ratio of the total emissions of acetic acid and aldehydes to the total emissions of acetone, acetic acid, and acetaldehyde (ME'=(B2+B3) / (B1+B2+B3)).

[0034] As described above, by using the metabolic index value ME, which is the ratio of the emission amount of a specific metabolic-related gas to the total emission amount of multiple metabolic-related gases, it is possible to suppress the effects of fluctuations in skin gas emission caused by climatic conditions and subject-specific factors (constitution, mental state, etc.).

[0035] The determination unit 104 determines the subject's stress state based on at least one index value. Specifically, the determination unit 104 determines whether the subject is in a stress state where they are experiencing stress above a predetermined level, based on the vascular index value BV calculated by the vascular index value calculation unit 102 and the metabolic index value ME calculated by the metabolic index value calculation unit 103.

[0036] Furthermore, the vascular index value BV and metabolic index value ME, which are indicators used by the determination unit 104 for determination, can be called objective indicator values ​​because they are indicator values ​​calculated based on chemical component analysis. In addition, the vascular index value BV and metabolic index value ME are examples of objective indicator values. The determination unit 104 may also determine whether or not a person is in a stressed state based on indicator values ​​other than the vascular index value BV and metabolic index value ME.

[0037] Figure 4 shows an example of a stress state map illustrating the relationship between vascular index value BV, metabolic index value ME, and stress state. An example of the determination method by the determination unit 104 will be explained with reference to the stress state map shown in Figure 4.

[0038] The determination unit 104 determines that the subject is in a stressed state if the relationship between the vascular index value BV and the threshold X1 satisfies predetermined conditions. For example, if the vascular index value BV is defined as the ratio of hexanoic acid to the total emission of hexanoic acid and propionic acid, the subject is determined to be in a stressed state if the vascular index value BV is less than or equal to the threshold X1, that is, if the point (BV, ME) in the graph shown in Figure 4 is within region R1 or region R2. Note that the threshold X1 and predetermined conditions (such as the relationship between BV and X1) change depending on the selection of vascular-related gases or specific vascular-related gases.

[0039] Furthermore, if the determination unit 104 determines that the subject is in a stressed state, it determines, based on the relationship between the metabolic index value ME and the threshold Y1, whether the subject is in a physical stressed state experiencing physical stress or a mental stressed state experiencing mental stress. For example, if the metabolic index value ME is the ratio of acetone emission to the total emission of acetone, acetic acid, and acetaldehyde, the subject is determined to be in a physical stressed state if the vascular index value BV is less than or equal to the threshold X1 and the metabolic index value ME is greater than or equal to the threshold Y1, that is, if the point (BV,ME) is within region R1 in the graph shown in Figure 4.

[0040] Furthermore, the determination unit 104 determines that the subject is in a state of mental stress if the vascular index value BV is less than or equal to the threshold X1 and the metabolic index value ME is less than the threshold Y1, that is, if the point (BV, ME) is within region R2 in the graph shown in Figure 4. Mental stress refers to a stress response that is triggered psychologically by a stress stimulus (stressor), and includes stress accompanied by symptoms such as decreased vitality, irritability, anxiety, and depression (low mood, decreased interest).

[0041] Furthermore, the determination unit 104 determines that the subject is in a neutral state if the vascular index value BV is greater than the threshold X1 and the metabolic index value ME is less than or equal to the threshold Y2, that is, if the point (BV, ME) in the graph shown in Figure 4 is within region R3. A neutral state can be a state of mental and physical stability, not a state of stress.

[0042] Furthermore, the determination unit 104 determines that the subject is in a temporarily high-activity state if the vascular index value BV is greater than the threshold X1 and the metabolic index value ME is greater than the threshold Y2, that is, if the point (BV, ME) in the graph shown in Figure 4 is within region R4. A temporarily high-activity state is not a stress state corresponding to regions R1 or R2, but it is a state in which the physical load is higher than normal and can be considered a type of stress state. Note that the conditions for distinguishing between the thresholds Y1, Y2 and regions R1 to R4 (such as the relative magnitudes of ME, Y1, and Y2) change depending on the selection of metabolic gases and specific metabolic gases.

[0043] According to the above-described determination method, it is possible to determine whether a subject is in a stressed state based on the vascular index value BV. In addition to the vascular index value BV, it is also possible to determine whether the type of stress the subject is experiencing is physical or mental based on the metabolic index value ME. Furthermore, it is possible to determine other states besides stress (e.g., a neutral state). The results of these determinations regarding other states can be used, for example, to generate stress information or support information.

[0044] Figure 4 illustrates an example of classifying stress states into four states (domains): "physical stress state," "mental stress state," "neutral state," and "temporary high-activity state." However, the number of stress state classifications can be arbitrarily set as needed.

[0045] Figure 5 shows another example of a stress state map illustrating the relationship between vascular index BV, metabolic index ME, and stress levels. In the example shown in Figure 5, stress levels are classified into two categories: "stressed state" and "neutral state."

[0046] Furthermore, as shown by the multiple black dots in Figure 5, for example, by mapping points (BV, ME) corresponding to skin gases acquired at different times onto the stress state map, it is possible to understand the changes in stress status over time.

[0047] Furthermore, the determination unit 104 performs a body odor classification process for the subject based on the determined stress state. Specifically, the determination unit 104 uses the determined stress state and body odor classification information to perform a body odor classification for the subject.

[0048] Here, body odor classification information refers to a table (or database) that associates stress states with body odor classifications. For example, the body odor classification information is a table that associates stress states with body odor classifications such as "physical stress state" and "pungent fermented odor (smell of rotten cheese)", "mental stress state" and "pungent sour odor (smell of vinegar)", "temporary high activity state" and "rubber odor", and "neutral state" and "neutral odor (not a distinctive pungent odor)".

[0049] In this embodiment, an example was given where body odor is classified into four categories: "pungent fermented odor (smell of rotten cheese)," "pungent sour odor (smell of vinegar)," "rubber odor," and "neutral odor (not a distinctive pungent odor)." However, the number of body odor classifications can be set arbitrarily as needed. Furthermore, the number of body odor classifications does not necessarily have to be the same as the number of stress state classifications; the body odor classification information can be anything as long as it associates multiple stress states with multiple body odor classifications.

[0050] The generation unit 105 generates body odor care support information for the subject based on the body odor classification performed by the determination unit 104.

[0051] Here, body odor care support information refers to information that includes at least one of the results of the subject's body odor classification and information on body odor suppression based on that classification. Furthermore, information on body odor suppression refers to information that includes at least one of the following: treatments to reduce the production of substances causing body odor of that body odor classification (curative treatments), and treatments to suppress the (occurred) body odor of that body odor classification (management treatments). In addition, body odor care support information may also include information to reduce the subject's stress.

[0052] For example, if the body odor classification is "pungent fermented odor (smell of rotten cheese)," the body odor care support information would include "aerobic exercise," "revising diet (reducing intake of XX)," and "getting enough sleep." If the body odor classification is "pungent sour odor (smell of vinegar)," the body odor care support information would include "exercise, bathing (sweat gland training)." If the body odor classification is "rubber odor," the body odor care support information would include "avoiding overeating and excessive drinking," "reducing alcohol consumption," and "avoiding eating and drinking late at night."

[0053] Furthermore, various methods can be employed by the generation unit 105 to generate body odor care support information. For example, the generation unit 105 can generate body odor care support information using a database (or table) in which multiple body odor classifications and multiple pieces of information on body odor suppression are associated. Alternatively, the generation unit 105 can generate body odor care support information using a trained model that, for example, takes a body odor classification as input and outputs body odor care support information such as multiple pieces of information on body odor suppression.

[0054] The output unit 106 outputs (presents) the body odor care support information generated by the generation unit 105 in a predetermined format.

[0055] Figure 6 shows an example of how body odor care support information is presented. In the example shown in Figure 6, point Pc on a simplified stress state map indicates which region (zone) the subject is classified into (i.e., the subject's body odor classification). Information on multiple body odor suppression methods for each body odor classification is also presented simultaneously.

[0056] As shown in Figure 6, the body odor care support information presented allows subjects to easily and quickly obtain and confirm their own body odor classification and support information for body odor care corresponding to that classification.

[0057] Figure 7 shows another example of how body odor care support information can be presented. In the example shown in Figure 7, in addition to a simplified stress state map, the typical skin gas components for each body odor classification (and the skin gas components of the subject in question) are also presented.

[0058] As shown in Figure 7, the body odor care support information allows subjects to easily and quickly obtain and confirm their own body odor classification and the dominant components for their body odor care.

[0059] The memory unit 107 stores, for each subject, skin gas information acquired by the acquisition unit 101, vascular index value BV calculated by the vascular index value calculation unit 102, metabolic index value ME, judgment results from the judgment unit 104, and body odor care support information generated by the generation unit 105.

[0060] (Body odor care support information generation process) Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the body odor care support information generation process according to the embodiment. The body odor care support information generation process will be explained in accordance with Figure 8.

[0061] First, the acquisition unit 101 acquires skin gas information from the skin gas sensor 11 (step S1).

[0062] The vascular index value calculation unit 102 calculates the vascular index value BV based on the skin gas information acquired by the acquisition unit 101 (step S2). The vascular index value BV is, for example, the ratio of the amount of hexanoic acid emitted to the total amount of hexanoic acid and propionic acid emitted.

[0063] The metabolic index value calculation unit 103 calculates the metabolic index value ME based on the skin gas information acquired by the acquisition unit 101 (step S3). The metabolic index value ME is, for example, the ratio of the amount of acetone emitted to the total amount of acetone, acetic acid, and acetaldehyde emitted.

[0064] The determination unit 104 uses the calculated vascular index value BV, metabolic index value ME, and stress state map to determine the stress state of the subject (step S4).

[0065] Furthermore, the determination unit 104 performs a body odor classification process on the subject based on the determined stress state and determines the body odor classification of the subject (step S5).

[0066] The generation unit 105 generates body odor care support information about the subject based on the body odor classification by the determination unit 104 (step S6).

[0067] The output unit 106 outputs the generated stress information in a predetermined format (step S7).

[0068] Figure 9 shows an example of how body odor care support information is provided to subjects. In the body odor care support information provision system 1 illustrated in Figure 9, the body odor care support information provision device 12 acquires emission amount information corresponding to each of multiple subjects P from a predetermined detection device 61 via the network 15, generates body odor care support information 51 for each subject P based on the acquired emission amount information, and transmits each generated body odor care support information 51 to the terminal device 62 used by the corresponding subject P via the network 15.

[0069] The form of the detection device 61 (the device equipped with the skin gas sensor 11) is not particularly limited, but could be, for example, a dedicated device fixedly installed in a specific location, or a wearable device that can be worn by subject P. The form of the terminal device 62 used by subject P is not particularly limited, but could be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet device, a personal computer, or a dedicated device specifically for use with the body odor care support information provision system 1.

[0070] As described above, the body odor care support information providing device 12 according to the embodiment comprises an acquisition unit 101, a vascular index value calculation unit 102 and a metabolic index value calculation unit 103, a determination unit 104, a generation unit 105, and an output unit 106. The acquisition unit 101 acquires emission amount information regarding the emission amounts of multiple types of skin gases emitted from the subject's skin. The vascular index value calculation unit 102 and the metabolic index value calculation unit 103 calculate a vascular index value BV and a metabolic index value ME, which indicate the ratio of emission amounts of a specific skin gas selected from multiple types of skin gases, based on the emission amount information. The determination unit 104 determines the subject's stress state based on the calculated vascular index value BV and metabolic index value ME, and performs a body odor classification of the subject based on the determined stress state. The generation unit 105 generates body odor care support information about the subject based on the subject's body odor classification. The output unit 106 outputs the body odor care support information.

[0071] Therefore, the body odor care support information providing device 12 can correctly determine the stress state based on objective index values ​​calculated using the subject's skin gas, and perform a highly objective body odor classification based on the determined stress state. Furthermore, based on the highly objective body odor classification, it can present specific and appropriate body odor care support information to the subject. The subject can quickly and easily obtain body odor care support information simply by providing their skin gas, and can then achieve effective body odor care using this information.

[0072] Furthermore, the body odor care support information includes at least one of the results of the subject's body odor classification and information on body odor suppression based on the body odor classification.

[0073] Therefore, according to the body odor care support information provision device 12, subjects can understand, based on the results of their body odor classification, which specific classification their body odor belongs to, such as "pungent fermented odor (smell of rotten cheese)," "pungent sour odor (smell of vinegar)," "rubber odor," or "neutral odor (not a distinctive pungent odor)." In addition, based on the information on body odor suppression that is derived from the body odor classification, subjects can understand and take appropriate measures, including measures to reduce the production of substances in the body that cause the body odor of that classification (curative measures) and measures to suppress the (occurred) body odor of that classification (countermeasures).

[0074] Furthermore, at least one index value includes at least one of a vascular index value and a metabolic index value.

[0075] Therefore, the body odor care support information provision device 12 can acquire body odor care support information and take specific measures for body odor caused by at least one of a physical stress state and a mental stress state.

[0076] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, an example was given of determining the stress state using two indices, the vascular index BV and the metabolic index ME, and a stress state map. In contrast, it is also possible to determine the stress state using, for example, only one of the vascular index BV or the metabolic index ME.

[0077] Figure 10 shows an example of the relationship between the vascular index value BV and the stress value S. In Figure 10, line L1 illustrates the relationship between the vascular index value BV and the stress value S. The stress value S is a numerical representation of the intensity of mental stress based on a predetermined standard, and in this case, a higher value indicates greater stress.

[0078] Figure 10 shows that a relationship exists where the higher the stress value S, the lower the vascular index value BV. Here, if we define a subject as being in a stressed state when the stress value S is equal to or greater than the threshold S1, then we can determine that the subject is in a stressed state when the vascular index value BV is equal to or less than the threshold X1 corresponding to the threshold S1.

[0079] Figure 11 shows an example of the relationship between the metabolic index value ME and the physical stress value Sb. In Figure 11, line L2 illustrates the relationship between the metabolic index value ME and the physical stress value Sb. The physical stress value Sb is a numerical representation of the intensity of physical stress based on a predetermined standard, where a higher value indicates greater physical stress.

[0080] Figure 11 shows that a relationship exists where the higher the physical stress value Sb, the higher the metabolic index value ME. Here, if we define a subject as being in a state of physical stress when the physical stress value Sb is equal to or greater than the threshold Sb1, then a subject can be determined to be in a state of physical stress when the metabolic index value ME is equal to or greater than the threshold Y1 corresponding to the threshold Sb1.

[0081] The determination unit 104 can, for example, determine the subject's stress state based on the relationship shown in Figure 10 or Figure 11, and perform a body odor classification process for the subject based on the determined stress state.

[0082] According to the modified body odor care support information provision device 12, the stress state is determined using either the vascular index value BV or the metabolic index value ME. Therefore, the computational load is reduced and the device can be simplified compared to the case where both the vascular index value BV and the metabolic index value ME are used.

[0083] (Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the case where the subject of body odor measurement is a human subject was used as an example. However, it is also possible to measure the body odor of animals other than humans (pets, livestock, animals kept in zoos).

[0084] The program that causes a computer to execute the calculation and control functions of the aforementioned body odor care support information provision device can be provided as an installable or executable file recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R (Recordable), or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). Furthermore, the program may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0085] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments and their modifications described herein are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiments and modifications described herein can be implemented in various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The embodiments and modifications described herein are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents.

[0086] [Summary of this embodiment] This embodiment comprises at least the following configurations.

[0087] The body odor care support information providing device (12) according to the embodiment includes: an acquisition unit (101) that acquires emission amount information relating to the emission amounts of multiple types of skin gases emitted from the subject's skin; a calculation unit (102, 103) that calculates at least one index value indicating the ratio of the emission amount of a specific skin gas selected from the multiple types of skin gases based on the emission amount information; a determination unit (104) that determines the subject's stress state based on at least one index value and determines the subject's body odor classification based on the determined stress state; a generation unit (105) that generates body odor care support information relating to the subject based on the subject's body odor classification; and an output unit (106) that outputs the body odor care support information.

[0088] With this configuration, the stress level can be accurately determined based on objective index values ​​calculated using the subject's skin gas, and a highly objective body odor classification can be performed based on the determined stress level. Furthermore, based on the highly objective body odor classification, specific and appropriate body odor care support information can be presented to the subject. The subject can quickly and easily obtain body odor care support information simply by providing their skin gas, and can then achieve effective body odor care using this information.

[0089] Furthermore, the body odor care support information includes at least one of the results of the subject's body odor classification and information on body odor suppression based on the body odor classification.

[0090] Therefore, according to the body odor care support information provision device 12, subjects can understand, based on the results of their body odor classification, which specific classification their body odor belongs to, such as "pungent fermented odor (smell of rotten cheese)," "pungent sour odor (smell of vinegar)," "rubber odor," or "neutral odor (not a distinctive pungent odor)." In addition, based on the information on body odor suppression that is derived from the body odor classification, subjects can understand and take appropriate measures, including measures to reduce the production of substances in the body that cause the body odor of that classification (curative measures) and measures to suppress the (occurred) body odor of that classification (countermeasures).

[0091] Furthermore, at least one index value includes at least one of a vascular index value and a metabolic index value.

[0092] Therefore, the body odor care support information provision device 12 can acquire body odor care support information and take specific measures for body odor caused by at least one of a physical stress state and a mental stress state.

[0093] A method for providing body odor care support information using the body odor care support information provision device (12) according to the embodiment includes: acquiring emission amount information regarding the emission amounts of multiple types of skin gases emitted from the subject's skin; calculating at least one index value indicating the ratio of the emission amount of a specific skin gas selected from the multiple types of skin gases based on the emission amount information; determining the subject's stress state based on the at least one index value; determining the subject's body odor classification based on the determined stress state; generating body odor care support information about the subject based on the subject's body odor classification; and outputting the body odor care support information.

[0094] With this configuration, the stress level can be accurately determined based on objective index values ​​calculated using the subject's skin gas, and a highly objective body odor classification can be performed based on the determined stress level. Furthermore, based on the highly objective body odor classification, specific and appropriate body odor care support information can be presented to the subject. The subject can quickly and easily obtain body odor care support information simply by providing their skin gas, and can then achieve effective body odor care using this information.

[0095] Although embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated above, these embodiments and modifications are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments and modifications can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the configurations and shapes of each embodiment and modification can be partially replaced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1...Body odor care support information provision system, 11...Skin gas sensor, 12...Body odor care support information provision device, 15...Network, 21...CPU, 22...RAM, 23...ROM, 24...Storage, 25...Communication I / F, 26...User I / F, 51...Body odor care support information, 61...Detection device, 62...Terminal device, 101...Acquisition unit, 102...Vascular index value calculation unit, 103...Metabolic index value calculation unit, 104...Determination unit, 105...Generation unit, 106...Output unit

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires emission amount information regarding the emission amounts of multiple types of skin gases emitted from the subject's skin, A calculation unit that calculates at least one index value indicating the proportion of the emission amount of a specific skin gas selected from the multiple types of skin gases based on the emission amount information, A determination unit that determines the stress state of the subject based on at least one of the aforementioned index values, and determines the body odor classification of the subject based on the determined stress state, A generation unit that generates body odor care support information relating to the subject based on the subject's body odor classification, An output unit that outputs the aforementioned body odor care support information, A body odor care support information provision device equipped with the following features.

2. The body odor care support information includes at least one of the results of the body odor classification of the subject and information regarding body odor suppression based on the body odor classification. The body odor care support information provision device according to claim 1.

3. At least one of the aforementioned index values ​​includes at least one of a vascular index value and a metabolic index value. The body odor care support information providing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A method for providing body odor care support information using a body odor care support information provision device, We obtained emission information regarding the emission amounts of multiple types of skin gases emitted from the subject's skin. Based on the emission amount information, at least one index value is calculated that indicates the proportion of the emission amount of a specific skin gas selected from the multiple types of skin gases. The stress state of the subject is determined based on at least one of the aforementioned index values, Based on the determined stress state, the body odor classification of the subject is determined. Based on the body odor classification of the subject, body odor care support information for the subject is generated. Outputting the aforementioned body odor care support information, A method for providing information to support body odor care, comprising the features described above.

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