Applications and programs for assessing head shape skewness and / or brachycephaly

Abstract

To provide means which allows even a person who does not have professional knowledge to evaluate a distortion degree and / or short head degree of a head shape.SOLUTION: An application for evaluating a distortion degree and / or short head degree of a head shape comprises: a step being the first pre-imaging step of displaying a head contour guide diagram on a display part, the head contour guide diagram including means of making a photographer conscious of positions of both ears; a step of capturing a head plane image; a step of displaying a contour of a head shape in the captured head plane image on a display part as a head contour diagram for evaluation; a step of specifying a position of the nose (P1), a position of the left ear (P2) and a position of the right ear (P3) in the head contour diagram for evaluation; a step of determining a distortion degree and / or short head degree of the head shape on the basis of at least one of P1, P2 and P3; and a step of outputting the determined distortion degree and / or short head degree to display them on the display part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to an application for assessing head shape skewness and / or brachycephaly. [Background technology]

[0002] Human infants, especially those over about three months of age, may develop a condition known as plagiocephaly, dolichocephaly, or brachycephaly, which is a distortion of the head shape. For example, plagiocephaly is a condition in which the back of the head is distorted at an angle and asymmetrical when viewed from above. If this condition is left untreated and the distortion progresses as the infant grows, the position of the ears and the face will remain asymmetrical.

[0003] For this reason, a treatment method (hereinafter referred to as "helmet treatment") is sometimes adopted in which a skull shape correction helmet is fitted to the baby's head for a specified period of time up to about 18 months of age depending on the symptoms, and the baby lives daily in that state (Patent Document 1). Helmet treatment makes it possible to gradually return the distorted head shape to normal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6833240 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Whether an infant has plagiocephaly, dolichocephaly, or brachycephaly, or is at risk of having them, was evaluated and diagnosed by a specialist based on the degree of distortion of the head shape and / or the degree of brachycephaly. Therefore, people without specialist knowledge (for example, the parents of an infant) had to decide whether or not to have their infant examined by a specialist based on their own subjective opinion.

[0006] Therefore, people without specialized knowledge (for example, parents of infants) sometimes had infants who clearly did not need treatment examined by a specialist, and sometimes they subjectively decided that infants who actually needed treatment did not need treatment and did not have them examined by a specialist. Forcing infants who clearly did not need treatment to be diagnosed by a specialist was not desirable from a medical economic perspective. In addition, if infants who actually needed treatment could not be examined by a specialist, there was a problem that satisfactory treatment results could not be obtained due to delays in the start of treatment, etc.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a means for enabling even a person without specialist knowledge to evaluate the degree of distortion of head shape and / or brachycephaly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In view of the above problems, and after extensive research, the inventor has found that the above problems can be solved by providing an application or program etc. including the following steps: a first pre-photographing step of displaying a head contour guide diagram on a display unit; a step of photographing a head planar image; a step of displaying the contour of the head shape in the photographed head planar image as a head contour diagram for evaluation on a display unit; a step of identifying the position of the nose (P1), the position of the left ear (P2) and the position of the right ear (P3) on the head contour diagram for evaluation; a step of determining the degree of distortion and / or brachycephaly of the head shape based on at least one of P1, P2 and P3; and a step of outputting the determined degree of distortion and / or brachycephaly and displaying it on the display unit, thereby completing the present invention.

[0009] Thus, the present invention provides the following. [1] An application for evaluating head shape distortion and / or brachycephaly, which is operable on a terminal device including an imaging unit and a display unit, comprising: A first pre-photographing step of displaying a head contour guide diagram on a display unit, The head contour guide diagram includes a means for making the photographer aware of the positions of both ears; taking a planar head image; displaying a head shape contour in the photographed head planar image on a display unit as an evaluation head contour map; A step of identifying a nose position (P1), a left ear position (P2), and a right ear position (P3) on an evaluation head contour map; determining a degree of head shape skewness and / or brachycephaly based on at least one of P1, P2 and P3; A step of outputting the determined degree of distortion and / or degree of brachycephaly and displaying it on a display unit; Including, applications. [2] The application according to [1], wherein the means for making the photographer aware of the position of both ears is a shape that points to the position of both ears. [3] The first pre-shooting step is the tutorial step, a second pre-photographing step of displaying a head photography contour diagram on a display unit after the first pre-photographing step, The cephalogram includes means for indicating the location of the ears and nose. The application according to [1] or [2], further comprising: [4] The application described in [1], wherein the evaluation head contour map includes a plurality of points on the contour that can be operated by an operator of the terminal device. [5] The step of determining the degree of distortion of the head shape includes: Identifying the midpoint (P4) of a line connecting P2 and P3; A step of calculating four intersection points between two inclined lines inclined at a predetermined angle in opposite directions with respect to a reference line that is a straight line passing through P1 and P4, and the contour of the evaluation head contour map; determining a degree of distortion of the head shape based on an absolute value of a difference between the lengths of the two inclined lines calculated based on the four intersection points; Including, The step of determining the brachycephalic degree of the head shape comprises: Identifying the midpoint (P4) of a line connecting P2 and P3; A step of determining two intersection points between a center line passing through P4 and perpendicular to a reference line that is a straight line passing through P1 and P4, and a contour of the evaluation head contour map; A step of determining the brachycephalic degree of the head shape based on a ratio between the length of a center line calculated based on two intersection points and the length of a reference line calculated based on two intersection points between the reference line and the contour of the evaluation head contour map; The application described in [1], comprising: [6] A program for evaluating the degree of head shape distortion and / or brachycephaly, comprising: A first pre-photographing step of displaying a head contour guide diagram on a display unit of a terminal device, The head contour guide diagram includes a means for making the photographer aware of the positions of both ears; taking a planar head image; displaying a head shape contour in the photographed head planar image on a display unit of a terminal device as a head contour map for evaluation; A step of identifying a nose position (P1), a left ear position (P2), and a right ear position (P3) on an evaluation head contour map; determining a degree of head shape skewness and / or brachycephaly based on at least one of P1, P2 and P3; A step of outputting the determined degree of distortion and / or degree of brachycephaly and displaying it on a display unit of a terminal device; A program for causing a terminal device to execute steps including the steps of: [7] The program according to [6], wherein the means for making the photographer aware of the position of both ears is a shape that indicates the position of both ears. [8] The first pre-shooting step is a tutorial step; a second pre-photographing step of displaying a head photography contour diagram on a display unit after the first pre-photographing step, The cephalogram includes means for indicating the location of the ears and nose. The program according to [6] or [7], further comprising: [9] The application described in [6], wherein the evaluation head contour map includes a plurality of points on the contour that can be operated by an operator of the terminal device.

[10] The step of determining a degree of distortion of a head shape comprises: Identifying the midpoint (P4) of a line connecting P2 and P3; A step of calculating four intersection points between two inclined lines inclined at a predetermined angle in opposite directions with respect to a reference line that is a straight line passing through P1 and P4, and the contour of the evaluation head contour map; determining a degree of distortion of the head shape based on an absolute value of a difference between the lengths of the two inclined lines calculated based on the four intersection points; Including, The step of determining the brachycephalic degree of the head shape comprises: Identifying the midpoint (P4) of a line connecting P2 and P3; A step of determining two intersection points between a center line passing through P4 and perpendicular to a reference line that is a straight line passing through P1 and P4, and a contour of the evaluation head contour map; A step of determining the brachycephalic degree of the head shape based on a ratio between the length of a center line calculated based on two intersection points and the length of a reference line calculated based on two intersection points between the reference line and the contour of the evaluation head contour map; The program according to [6], comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, even those who do not have specialized knowledge about head shape (for example, parents of infants) can evaluate the degree of head shape distortion and / or brachycephaly in infants, etc. It is also expected that by periodically evaluating the degree of head shape distortion and / or brachycephaly using the application of the present invention, it will be possible to periodically observe the effects of helmet treatment, etc., without having to regularly see a specialist. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a functional block diagram of a terminal device. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 shows an example of a functional diagram of a terminal device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the head shape skewness and / or brachycephalicity assessment system described herein. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a functional block diagram of the server. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows an example of a functional diagram of a server. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows an example process flow diagram of the application described herein. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an example of a process flow diagram between a terminal device and a server. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows an example of a process flow diagram of the server. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows an example of the user interface of the tutorial screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows an example of a user interface of the shooting screen. [Figure 11A] FIG. 11A shows an example of a user interface of the contour adjustment screen. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B shows an example of the user interface of the contour adjustment screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows an example of the user interface of the ear and nose position adjustment screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows an example of a user interface of the judgment screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Configuration of the application for assessing head shape skewness and / or brachycephaly as described herein

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an application for evaluating a degree of head shape distortion and / or a degree of brachycephaly operable on a terminal device including an imaging unit and a display unit, the application comprising: A first pre-photographing step of displaying a head contour guide diagram on a display unit, The head contour guide diagram includes a means for making the photographer aware of the positions of both ears; taking a planar head image; displaying a head shape contour in the photographed head planar image on a display unit as an evaluation head contour map; A step of identifying a nose position (P1), a left ear position (P2), and a right ear position (P3) on an evaluation head contour map; determining a degree of head shape skewness and / or brachycephaly based on at least one of P1, P2 and P3; A step of outputting the determined degree of distortion and / or degree of brachycephaly and displaying it on a display unit; The present invention provides an application including

[0014] The "terminal device" described in this specification is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer (PC), and the like. An application program (head shape evaluation application) for evaluating the degree of head shape distortion and / or brachycephalic degree may be installed in the terminal device. The head shape evaluation application program may be downloaded, for example, from a business server or a homepage (HP) managed by a service provider.

[0015] The term "imaging unit" as used herein is not particularly limited as long as it is a part provided in a terminal device and capable of photographing an object to be photographed, but examples thereof include a camera unit (including a lens, etc.)

[0016] The "display unit" referred to in this specification is not particularly limited as long as it is provided in a terminal device and is capable of displaying various screens, but examples thereof include a liquid crystal panel and an organic EL panel.

[0017] The "head contour guide diagram" described in this specification is not particularly limited as long as it is displayed in the first pre-photographing step and has a shape that imitates the head shape when the head is viewed from above. The head contour guide diagram may have a shape that imitates the head shape, and does not need to have a shape that strictly reproduces the head shape of an infant or the like. The head contour guide diagram may be, for example, an approximately circular shape, an approximately elliptical shape, or an approximately polygonal shape (for example, an approximately rectangular shape, an approximately hexagonal shape, or an approximately octagonal shape). The head contour guide diagram includes a "means for making the photographer aware of the positions of both ears" described later. The head contour guide diagram may include a figure (for example, a figure that represents the shape of a nose or ears) or a point indicating the position of the nose, left ear, right ear, etc., at a desired position (for example, on the contour). The head contour guide diagram may include a "means for making the photographer aware of the center of the head plane". The "means for making the photographer aware of the center of the head plane" described in this specification may be, for example, a point indicating the center of the head contour guide diagram, or it may be two or more lines that appear as the intersection point of the center of the head contour guide diagram (for example, the intersection point of a line connecting the parts corresponding to the positions of both ears and a vertical line drawn from the part corresponding to the position of the nose).

[0018] The "first pre-photographing step" described in this specification may be any step before photographing a planar head image, and may be, for example, a tutorial step, or a step in which a planar head image can be photographed (i.e., a step in which an image can be photographed by issuing a photographing instruction by pressing a photographing button, etc.). When the first pre-photographing step is a step in which a planar head image can be photographed, the photographer (operator of the terminal device) can perform a photographing operation after aligning the head contour of the head planar image of the baby to be photographed, which is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device through the photographing unit (e.g., a camera unit), with the contour of the head contour guide diagram.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first pre-photographing step is a tutorial step. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first pre-photographing step is a tutorial step, and includes a second pre-photographing step of displaying a head image on the display unit after the first pre-photographing step. The "second pre-photographing step" described in this specification is a step of displaying a head image on the display unit after the first pre-photographing step when the first pre-photographing step is a tutorial step, and is a step in which a planar head image can be captured (i.e., a step in which an image can be captured by issuing a capture instruction by pressing a capture button, etc.). The "head image capture contour map" described in this specification is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device in the second pre-photographing step, and is not particularly limited as long as it has a shape that imitates the head shape when the head is viewed from above. The head image capture contour map may have any shape that imitates the head shape, and does not need to have a shape that strictly reproduces the head shape of an infant or the like. The head imaging contour map may be, for example, substantially circular, substantially elliptical, or substantially polygonal (for example, substantially rectangular, substantially hexagonal, or substantially octagonal). The head imaging contour map may include a "means for making the photographer aware of the positions of both ears" described later. The head imaging contour map may include figures (for example, figures in the shape of a nose or ear) or points indicating the positions of the nose, left ear, right ear, etc., at desired positions (for example, on the contour). The head imaging contour map may include a "means for making the photographer aware of the center of the head plane". The means for making the photographer aware of the center of the head plane may be, for example, a point indicating the center of the head imaging contour map, or two or more lines at which the center of the head contour guide map appears as an intersection (for example, the intersection of a line connecting the parts corresponding to the positions of both ears and a vertical line drawn from the part corresponding to the position of the nose). The photographer (the operator of the terminal device) can then perform the photographing operation after aligning the head contour of the head plane of the infant being photographed, which is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device through the photographing unit (e.g., the camera unit), with the contour of the head photography contour diagram.

[0020] The "means for making the photographer aware of the position of both ears" described in this specification is not particularly limited as long as it is a means included in the head contour guide diagram in the first pre-photographing step and can make the photographer aware of the position of both ears. The means for making the photographer aware of the position of both ears may be, for example, a figure (e.g., a figure imitating the shape of ears) or a point on the contour of the head contour guide diagram that corresponds to the position of both ears, or a shape (e.g., an arrow, a figure imitating the shape of a finger) that points to the position of both ears. In one embodiment of the present invention, the means for making the photographer aware of the position of both ears is separate from the figure (e.g., a figure imitating the shape of ears) or a point on the contour of the head contour guide diagram that corresponds to the position of both ears. In one embodiment of the present invention, the means for making the photographer aware of the position of both ears is a shape that points to the position of both ears. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means for making the photographer aware of the position of both ears is a shape that points to the position of both ears (more preferably, a figure imitating the shape of a finger that points to the position of both ears). When the means for making the photographer aware of the position of both ears is separate from a figure (e.g., a figure imitating the shape of ears) or a point on the contour of the head contour guide illustration that corresponds to the position of both ears, the head contour guide illustration may further include a figure (e.g., a figure imitating the shape of ears) or a point on the contour of the head contour guide illustration that corresponds to the position of both ears.

[0021] The "planar head image" described in this specification is an image of the planar head of an infant or the like captured by a terminal device (an image of the head captured from above).

[0022] The "evaluation head contour map" described in this specification is not particularly limited as long as it is a figure including a contour that can correspond to the contour of the head shape in the planar head image. Therefore, the contour in the evaluation head contour map may substantially correspond to the contour in the planar head image, may roughly correspond to the contour in the planar head image, or may be a schematic diagram with low correlation with the contour in the planar head image (for example, a contour of a substantially circular shape, a substantially elliptical shape, or a substantially polygonal shape).

[0023] The evaluation head contour map may be operable by an operator operating a terminal. For example, the contour of the evaluation head contour map may be operable (i.e., the contour of the evaluation head contour map may be changeable) by clicking or touching a desired position on the evaluation head contour map. The evaluation head contour map may include one or more points on its contour that can be operated by an operator operating a terminal. By being able to manipulate the contour of the evaluation head contour map (or one or more points contained on the contour of the evaluation head contour map), it becomes possible to more accurately align the contour in the evaluation head contour map with the contour in the head contour map, for example, when a head planar image is displayed together with the evaluation head contour map (for example, when the evaluation head contour map and the head planar image are merged).

[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, the evaluation head contour map includes a plurality of points on the contour that can be operated by the operator of the terminal device. The number of the plurality of points that can be operated by the operator of the terminal device is not limited thereto, but is, for example, 2 to about 20, preferably about 3 to about 15, more preferably about 5 to about 10, and further preferably about 8. By including a plurality of points on the contour that can be operated by the operator of the terminal device, it becomes clear that only a specific plurality of points are operated, not the entire contour, and the operator of the terminal device can adjust the contour on the evaluation head contour map more simply and intuitively.

[0025] The evaluation head contour map may include an indication indicating the position of the nose, the left ear, and / or the right ear. The indication indicating the position of the nose, the left ear, and / or the right ear may be, but is not limited to, a figure (e.g., an arrow) indicating the position of the nose, the left ear, and / or the right ear, and a point on the contour of the evaluation head contour map indicating the position of the nose, the left ear, and / or the right ear, respectively. The indication indicating the position of the nose, the left ear, and / or the right ear may be operable by an operator of the terminal device. For example, when a head planar image is displayed together with the evaluation head contour map (for example, when the evaluation head contour map and the head planar image are merged), it becomes possible to more accurately match the positions of the nose, the left ear, and / or the right ear on the evaluation head contour map with the positions of the nose, the left ear, and / or the right ear on the head contour map. The positions of the nose, left ear and / or right ear on the evaluation head contour map adjusted in this manner may be identified as the nose position (P1), the left ear position (P2) and the right ear position (P3), respectively.

[0026] The evaluation head contour map may include a straight line connecting the left ear position (P2) and the right ear position (P3), a reference line passing through the midpoint of the line and the nose position (P1), and a horizontal line passing through the midpoint and perpendicular to the reference line.

[0027] The "communication network" described in this specification may be composed of one or more networks. The communication network may be a dedicated line or a public line, and may be wired or wireless. A part or all of the communication network may be a telephone line, the Internet, a VPN, or the like.

[0028] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a program for assessing head shape skewness and / or brachycephaly, comprising: A first pre-photographing step of displaying a head contour guide diagram on a display unit of a terminal device, The head contour guide diagram includes a means for making the photographer aware of the positions of both ears; taking a planar head image; displaying a head shape contour in the photographed head planar image on a display unit of a terminal device as a head contour map for evaluation; A step of identifying a nose position (P1), a left ear position (P2), and a right ear position (P3) on an evaluation head contour map; determining a degree of head shape skewness and / or brachycephaly based on at least one of P1, P2 and P3; A step of outputting the determined degree of distortion and / or degree of brachycephaly and displaying it on a display unit of a terminal device; The present invention provides a program for causing a terminal device to execute the steps including the steps of:

[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a program for assessing head shape skewness and / or brachycephaly, comprising: A first pre-photographing step of displaying a head contour guide diagram on a display unit of a terminal device, The head contour guide diagram includes a means for making the photographer aware of the positions of both ears; taking a planar head image; displaying a head shape contour in the photographed head planar image on a display unit of a terminal device as a head contour map for evaluation; A step of identifying a nose position (P1), a left ear position (P2), and a right ear position (P3) on an evaluation head contour map; determining a degree of head shape skewness and / or brachycephaly based on at least one of P1, P2 and P3; A step of outputting the determined degree of distortion and / or degree of brachycephaly and displaying it on a display unit of a terminal device; The present invention provides a recording medium for executing a program for causing a terminal device to execute steps including the steps of:

[0030] In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for assessing head shape skewness and / or brachycephaly, comprising the steps of: A first pre-photographing step of displaying a head contour guide diagram on a display unit of a terminal device, The head contour guide diagram includes a means for making the photographer aware of the positions of both ears; taking a planar head image; displaying a head shape contour in the photographed head planar image on a display unit of a terminal device as a head contour map for evaluation; A step of identifying a nose position (P1), a left ear position (P2), and a right ear position (P3) on an evaluation head contour map; determining a degree of head shape skewness and / or brachycephaly based on at least one of P1, P2 and P3; A step of outputting the determined degree of distortion and / or degree of brachycephaly and displaying it on a display unit of a terminal device; The present invention provides a method comprising:

[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system for assessing head shape skewness and / or brachycephaly, comprising: A first pre-photographing step of displaying a head contour guide diagram on a display unit of a terminal device, The head contour guide diagram includes a means for making the photographer aware of the positions of both ears; taking a planar head image; displaying a head shape contour in the photographed head planar image on a display unit of a terminal device as a head contour map for evaluation; A step of identifying a nose position (P1), a left ear position (P2), and a right ear position (P3) on an evaluation head contour map; determining a degree of head shape skewness and / or brachycephaly based on at least one of P1, P2 and P3; A step of outputting the determined degree of distortion and / or degree of brachycephaly and displaying it on a display unit of a terminal device; The present invention provides a system including:

[0032] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0033] The terminal device 1 is capable of downloading a head shape evaluation application 4 having a UI (User Interface) which will be described later.

[0034] 1 shows a functional block diagram of terminal device 1. Terminal device 1 includes, as functional blocks, a display unit 10, a camera unit 11, an operation unit 12, a control unit 13, a storage unit 14, and an input / output unit 15. Head shape evaluation application 4 (not shown) is realized by executing an installed head shape evaluation application program, and may include a processing module 41. Head shape evaluation application 4 is stored in storage unit 14. Processing module 41 is a module that generally manages head shape evaluation application 4, and may be capable of displaying an operation screen (UI screen) on display unit 12 and executing various processes.

[0035] The display unit 10 is configured with a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, or the like, and is capable of displaying various screens.

[0036] The camera unit 11 includes a lens (for example, a focus lens, a zoom lens, etc.).

[0037] The operation unit 12 is composed of a touch panel, keyboard, mouse, etc., and can be operated by a worker who is the user to input data.

[0038] The image data generating unit 13 can capture the subject image formed via the camera unit 11 with an image sensor and generate image data.

[0039] The image processing unit 14 may perform various processes on the imaging data output from the image sensor to generate an image to be displayed in real time on the display unit 10. The image processing unit 14 may be provided with a module capable of recognizing the contour, nose position, and / or ear position, thereby being capable of recognizing and identifying the contour of the head shape, the nose position, and / or the ear position from the captured planar head image.

[0040] The input / output unit 15 may input and output various data and the like via the network 3 .

[0041] The storage unit 16 is configured with a HDD, SSD, etc., and can store various data. The head shape evaluation application 4, captured image data, etc. may be stored.

[0042] 2 shows a configuration block diagram of the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC, etc., and has the configuration of these information terminals. The terminal device 1 includes a CPU 17, a ROM 18, a RAM 19, a camera unit 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 10, a communication I / F 101, and a storage unit 16, which may be connected by a bus.

[0043] One or more CPUs 17 may read out processing programs (including a head shape evaluation application program) stored in ROM 18 or storage unit 16, and execute various processes using RAM 19 as a working memory. The various processes include, but are not limited to, displaying a start screen, displaying a tutorial screen, starting up the camera unit, displaying a shooting screen, taking a planar head image, processing the captured image data, detecting the head shape contour, displaying a contour adjustment screen, contour adjustment processing, displaying a nose-ear position adjustment screen, nose-ear position adjustment processing, calculating the degree of distortion and / or brachycephaly, evaluating the degree of distortion and / or brachycephaly, displaying the evaluation results, etc.

[0044] The communication I / F 101 may transmit and receive data etc. via the communication network 3. As will be described later, in the case where head shape evaluation is processed on a server rather than by a head shape evaluation application installed on the terminal device 1, the communication I / F 101 may transmit and receive data etc. to and from the server 2 via the communication network 3 (FIG. 3).

[0045] 4 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the server 2. The server 2 includes a storage unit 200, an input / output unit 201, a start screen display unit 202, a tutorial screen display unit 203, a photography screen display unit 204, a contour detection unit 205, a contour adjustment screen display unit 206, a contour adjustment unit 207, a nose and ear position detection unit 208, a nose and ear position adjustment screen display unit 209, a nose and ear position adjustment unit 210, a distortion degree calculation unit 211, a brachycephalic degree calculation unit 212, a distortion degree determination unit 213, a brachycephalic degree determination unit 214, and a determination result screen display unit 215.

[0046] The storage unit 200 can store the captured head planar image, the result of the determination of the degree of distortion and / or the degree of brachycephaly, etc. The storage unit 200 may store various screens (for example, a start screen, a tutorial screen, a photography screen, a contour adjustment screen, a nose and ear position adjustment screen, a determination result display screen, etc.).

[0047] The input / output unit 201 can transmit and receive data to and from the terminal device 1 .

[0048] The start screen display unit 202 can display a start screen on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1. The start screen display unit 202 may store the start screen.

[0049] The tutorial screen display unit 203 can display a tutorial screen on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1. The tutorial screen display unit 202 may store a tutorial screen.

[0050] The photographed screen display unit 204 can display a photographed screen on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1. The photographed screen display unit 204 may be capable of activating the camera unit 11 of the terminal device 1. The photographed screen display unit 202 may store a photographed screen.

[0051] The contour detection unit 205 can detect the contour of the head in the captured planar head image. The method of detecting the contour is not particularly limited, and for example, the color of the head (including hair) in the planar head image and the color of other parts (for example, background) may be recognized, and the contour of the head may be detected based on the boundary therebetween.

[0052] The contour adjustment screen display unit 206 can display a contour adjustment screen on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1. The contour adjustment screen display unit 206 may store a contour adjustment screen.

[0053] The contour adjustment unit 207 can adjust the contour of the head contour map for evaluation on the contour adjustment screen. The contour adjustment may be based on the contour detected by the contour detection unit 205, or on a predetermined operation by the operator of the terminal device 1 (for example, an operation of touching the contour or the like of the head contour map for evaluation and moving the contour or the like while keeping the touch).

[0054] The nose and ear position detection unit 208 can detect the position of the nose and both ears in the captured planar head image. The method of detecting the position of the nose and both ears is not particularly limited, and for example, the position of the nose and both ears may be detected based on the unevenness of the top, bottom, left and right of the head contour in the planar head image.

[0055] The nose-ear position adjustment screen display unit 209 can display a nose-ear position adjustment screen on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1. The nose-ear position adjustment screen display unit 209 may store a nose-ear position adjustment screen.

[0056] The nose and ear position adjustment unit 210 can adjust the positions of the nose and both ears on the head contour map for evaluation on the nose and ear position adjustment screen. The adjustment of the positions of the nose and both ears may be based on the positions of the nose and both ears detected by the nose and ear position detection unit 208, or may be based on a predetermined operation by the operator of the terminal device 1 (for example, an operation of touching each point that specifies the position of the nose and both ears on the head contour map for evaluation and moving the point while keeping the touch).

[0057] The distortion degree calculation unit 211 can calculate the distortion degree of the head shape based on the head contour map for evaluation in which the contour, nose position, and / or both ear positions have been adjusted. For example, the distortion degree of the head shape can be calculated by the following method, but the method is not limited to this method as long as it is possible to evaluate the distortion degree of the head shape.

[0058] The midpoint (P4) of the line connecting the position (P2) of the left ear and the position (P3) of the right ear specified in the head contour map for evaluation is specified. Next, a reference point is drawn, which is a line connecting the position (P1) of the nose specified in the head contour map for evaluation and the midpoint (P4). Next, four intersection points between two inclined lines inclined at a predetermined angle (for example, about 1 to about 80°, preferably about 5 to about 60°, more preferably about 10 to about 50°, even more preferably about 20 to about 40°, and even more preferably about 30°) in opposite directions with respect to the reference line and the contour of the head contour map for evaluation are specified. Next, the absolute value (L1-L2) of the difference between the lengths (L1, L2) of the two inclined lines derived based on the four intersection points is calculated. Then, based on the calculated absolute value, the degree of distortion may be calculated using the following formula 1 (in formula 1, the case of L1>L2 is assumed).

[0059] Equation 1 Distortion (mm) = L1-L2

[0060] Alternatively, the degree of skewness may be calculated using the calculated absolute value and the length of the shorter of the two sloping lines according to the following formula 2 (in formula 2, it is assumed that L1>L2).

[0061] Equation 2 Distortion (%) = [(L1-L2) / L2] x 100

[0062] The distortion degree determination section 213 can determine the distortion degree of the head shape based on the distortion degree calculated by the distortion degree calculation section 211. For example, when the distortion degree is calculated based on the above formula 1, a calculated value of 6 mm may be determined as "mild", and a calculated value of 17 mm may be determined as "severe". Alternatively, when the distortion degree is calculated based on the above formula 2, a calculated value of 10% may be determined as "mild".

[0063] Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the step of determining the degree of distortion of the head shape comprises: Identifying the midpoint (P4) of a line connecting P2 and P3; A step of calculating four intersection points between two inclined lines inclined at a predetermined angle in opposite directions with respect to a reference line that is a straight line passing through P1 and P4, and the contour of the evaluation head contour map; determining a degree of distortion of the head shape based on an absolute value of a difference between the lengths of the two inclined lines calculated based on the four intersection points; Includes.

[0064] The brachycephaly calculation section 212 can calculate the degree of distortion of the head shape based on the evaluation head contour diagram in which the contour, the nose position and / or the positions of both ears have been adjusted. For example, the brachycephalic degree of the head shape can be calculated by the following method, but the method is not limited to this method as long as it is capable of evaluating the brachycephalic degree of the head shape.

[0065] The midpoint (P4) of the line connecting the position of the left ear (P2) and the position of the right ear (P3) identified on the head contour map for evaluation is identified. Next, a center line that is perpendicular to the reference line, which is a straight line that passes through P1 and P4, and passes through P4 is drawn. Next, two intersection points between this center line and the contour of the head contour map for evaluation are calculated. Next, the length (L3) of the center line derived based on these two intersection points, and the length (L4) of the reference line calculated based on the two intersection points between the reference line and the contour of the head contour map for evaluation are calculated. Then, based on the calculated length (L3) of the center line and the length (L4) of the reference line, the brachycephalic degree may be calculated according to the following formula 3.

[0066] Formula 3 Brachycephaly (%) = L4 / L3 x 100

[0067] The brachycephaly determination unit 214 can determine the brachycephaly of the head shape based on the brachycephaly calculated by the brachycephaly calculation unit 212. For example, when calculating the brachycephaly based on the above formula 3, a calculated brachycephaly of 85% may be determined as "normal" and a calculated brachycephaly of 105% may be determined as "severe."

[0068] Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the step of determining the brachycephalic degree of the head shape comprises: Identifying the midpoint (P4) of a line connecting P2 and P3; A step of determining two intersection points between a center line passing through P4 and perpendicular to a reference line that is a straight line passing through P1 and P4, and a contour of the evaluation head contour map; A step of determining the brachycephalic degree of the head shape based on a ratio between the length of a center line calculated based on two intersection points and the length of a reference line calculated based on two intersection points between the reference line and the contour of the evaluation head contour map; Includes.

[0069] The judgment result screen display unit 215 can display the judgment result screen on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1. The judgment result screen display unit 215 may store the judgment result screen.

[0070] 5 shows an example of a configuration block diagram of the server 2. The server 2 includes a CPU 2a, a ROM 2b, a RAM 2c, an input / output interface (I / F) 2d, a storage device 2e, a communication interface (I / F) 2f, an input device 2g, and a display device 2h, which may be connected via a bus.

[0071] One or more CPUs 2a can read out processing programs stored in ROM 2b or storage device 2e and execute various processes using RAM 2c as a working memory. The various processes include a process of displaying various screens (e.g., a start screen, a tutorial screen, a photography screen, a contour adjustment screen, a nose and ear position adjustment screen, a judgment result display screen, etc.) on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1, a process of detecting a contour in a planar head image, a process of adjusting a contour in an evaluation head contour diagram, a process of detecting the positions of the nose and both ears in a planar head image, a process of adjusting the positions of the nose and both ears in an evaluation head contour diagram, a process of calculating a degree of distortion and / or a brachycephalic degree, a process of determining a degree of distortion and / or a brachycephalic degree, etc.

[0072] The input / output I / F 2d is connected to an input device 2g and a display device 2h, and is capable of inputting and outputting data.

[0073] The storage device 2e is configured with an HDD, an SSD, etc., and can store various data. The storage device 2e includes the storage unit 200 in FIG.

[0074] The communication I / F 2f can transmit and receive data to and from the terminal device 1 via the communication network 20. The communication I / F 2f includes the input / output unit 200 in FIG.

[0075] The flow of determining the degree of distortion and / or the degree of brachycephaly in the head shape evaluation application 4 installed in the terminal device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0076] When head shape evaluation application 4 installed in terminal device 1 is started, a start screen is displayed on display unit 10 (S101).

[0077] When "Start" on the start screen is selected, a tutorial screen is displayed on the display unit 10 (S102). The tutorial screen includes a head contour guide diagram that includes a means for making the photographer aware of the position of both ears. If there is a photography assistant (a person other than the operator of the terminal device 1), the operator of the terminal device 1 can instruct the photography assistant to point to the position of both ears of the subject (baby) in a manner similar to that of the finger-shaped figure. In this way, the operator of the terminal device 1 can be strongly aware of the position of both ears of the subject in the photography step described later, making it possible to photograph a planar head image with little deviation.

[0078] When "Next" is selected on the tutorial screen, the camera unit 11 of the terminal device 1 is started (S103), and a shooting screen is displayed on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1 (S104). On the shooting screen, a head shooting contour diagram and a shooting target (a plane of the baby's head) displayed through the camera unit 11 are displayed.

[0079] When a photographing operation (for example, pressing the "Photograph" button on the photographing screen) is performed on the photographing screen (S105), the contour of the head is detected in the photographed image (planar head image) as necessary (S106).

[0080] Next, a contour adjustment screen is displayed on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1 (S107). The captured head planar image and the evaluation head contour map are displayed on the contour adjustment screen. The evaluation head contour map may include means (e.g., a plurality of points) that can be operated by the operator of the terminal device on the contour. The operator may touch each point and move the position of each point to match the captured head planar image with the contour of the evaluation head contour map (S108). When each point is touched, an auxiliary screen that duplicates the touched point and the screen around it may be displayed on the contour adjustment screen at a predetermined position (e.g., a position that does not overlap with the finger when touching with a finger). With the auxiliary screen, for example, when touching with a finger, it is possible to grasp the position of the point hidden by the touching finger, and it is possible to more accurately match the contour of the head planar image and the contour map of the evaluation head.

[0081] When the "Next" button is selected on the contour adjustment screen, a nose-ear position adjustment screen including a point (P1) for identifying the position of the nose and points (P2, P3) for identifying the positions of both ears may be displayed on the contour of the head contour diagram for evaluation (the diagram after the contour adjustment in case of contour adjustment in S108) (S109). P1, P2, and P3 may be operable by an operator of the terminal device. When P1, P2, and P3 are operable, the operator may touch each point and move the position of each point to match the positions of the nose and both ears in the captured head planar image with the positions of P1, P2, and P3 on the head contour diagram for evaluation (S110). When each point is touched, an auxiliary screen duplicating the touched point and the screen around it may be displayed on the nose-ear position adjustment screen at a predetermined position (for example, a position that does not overlap with the finger when touching with a finger). The presence of the auxiliary screen makes it possible, for example, when touching with a finger, to grasp the position of a point hidden by the touching finger, and to more accurately align the positions of the nose and both ears in the planar head image with the positions of P1, P2, and P3 on the evaluation head contour image.

[0082] Alternatively, in the nose and ear position adjustment screen, P1, P2, and P3 may not be displayed on the display unit. In this case, the positions of the nose and both ears in the head planar image may be detected and specified as the positions of the nose and both ears in the evaluation head contour image.

[0083] When the "Next" button is selected on the nose and ear position adjustment screen, the degree of distortion and / or brachycephaly is calculated based on the positions of the nose and both ears specified in the evaluation head contour map (S111). Then, the degree of distortion and / or brachycephaly of the subject is determined based on the calculated degree of distortion and / or brachycephaly (S112), and the determination result is displayed on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1 (S113).

[0084] The determination result may be stored as necessary (S114).

[0085] Next, an embodiment in which the degree of skewness and / or the degree of brachycephaly are determined on the server will be described.

[0086] In this embodiment, a terminal device 1 and a server 2 are capable of bidirectional communication via a communication network 3 (FIG. 3).

[0087] The process flow between the terminal device 1 and the server 2 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0088] When the server 2 receives an access request from the terminal device 1 via the communication network 3, the server 2 transmits to the terminal device 1 an instruction to display a start screen on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1 (S201).

[0089] When the server 2 receives from the terminal device 1 a notification that "START" on the start screen has been pushed (S202), it transmits to the terminal device 1 an instruction to display a tutorial screen on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1 (S203). The tutorial screen includes a head outline guide diagram including a means for making the photographer aware of the positions of both ears.

[0090] When the server 2 receives a notification from the terminal device 1 that "Next" has been pushed on the tutorial screen (S204), the server 2 transmits to the terminal device 1 an instruction to activate the camera of the terminal device and an instruction to display the shooting screen on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1 (S205).

[0091] After the operator of the terminal device 1 performs a photographing operation (S206), the terminal device 1 transmits photographed data of a head planar image to the server 2 (S207).

[0092] When the server 2 receives the imaging data of the head planar image from the terminal device 1, the server 2 detects the head contour in the imaging data as necessary (S208).

[0093] The server 2 transmits to the terminal device 1 an instruction to display a contour adjustment screen on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1 (S209). The contour adjustment screen includes the photographed data of the head planar image and a head contour diagram for evaluation (if a head contour is detected in S208, the diagram may reflect the detected head contour).

[0094] If necessary, the operator of the terminal device 1 adjusts the head contour in the captured head planar image and the contour in the evaluation head contour chart on the contour adjustment screen so as to match them (S210).

[0095] When the server 2 receives from the terminal device 1 the head contour diagram for evaluation after the contour adjustment together with a notification that "Next" has been pushed on the contour adjustment screen (S211), it transmits to the terminal device 1 an instruction to display a nose-ear position adjustment screen on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1 (S212). The nose-ear position adjustment screen includes the photographed data of the head planar image and the head contour diagram for evaluation (if the head contour has been adjusted in S210, it may be a diagram reflecting the adjusted head contour).

[0096] The operator of the terminal device 1 adjusts the positions of the nose and both ears in the captured planar head image on the nose and ear position adjustment screen so as to match the nose and both ears in the evaluation head contour image (S213).

[0097] When the server 2 receives from the terminal device 1 the head contour map for evaluation after the positions of the nose and both ears have been adjusted together with a notification that "Next" has been pushed on the nose and ear position adjustment screen (S214), it calculates the degree of distortion and / or the brachycephaly based on the contour, nose position, and / or the position of both ears in the head contour map for evaluation (S215). Furthermore, it determines the degree of distortion and / or the brachycephaly based on the calculated degree of distortion and / or the brachycephaly (S216), and transmits an instruction to the terminal device 1 to display the determination result on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1 (S217).

[0098] The server 2 may store the determination result as necessary.

[0099] Next, the process in the server 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0100] The server 2 determines whether or not an access request has been received from the terminal device 1 via the communication network 3 (S301). If the server 2 has not received an access request, the server 2 may end the process. If the server 2 has received an access request, the server 2 causes the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1 to display a start screen (S302).

[0101] The server 2 judges whether or not a notification that "START" on the start screen has been pushed has been received from the terminal device 1 (S303). If the server 2 has not received a notification that "START" has been pushed, the server 2 may end the process. If the server 2 has received a notification that "START" has been pushed, the server 2 causes the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1 to display a tutorial screen (S304).

[0102] The server 2 judges whether or not a notification that "Next" has been pushed on the tutorial screen has been received from the terminal device 1 (S305). If the server 2 has not received a notification that "Next" has been pushed, or if it has received a notification that "Back" has been pushed, it may end the process. If the server 2 receives a notification that "Back" has been pushed, it may cause the display unit 10 to display the previous screen (start screen). If the server 2 receives a notification that "Next" has been pushed, it starts up the camera unit 2 of the terminal device 1 and causes the display unit 10 to display the shooting screen (S306).

[0103] The server 2 determines whether or not it has received the imaging data of the planar head image from the terminal device 1 (S307). If the server 2 has not received the imaging data of the planar head image from the terminal device 1, it may end the process. If the server 2 has received the imaging data of the planar head image from the terminal device 1, it may detect the head contour in the planar head image as necessary (S308).

[0104] Next, the server 2 may determine whether or not head contour adjustment is required in the evaluation head contour image (S309). For example, when the server 2 detects the boundary between the head contour in the head planar image and other parts (e.g., background) to use the head contour image for evaluation, it may skip S309 to S311 without adjusting the head contour. When the server 2 determines that head contour adjustment is required in the evaluation head contour image or when there is no determination flow of S309, it causes the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1 to display a contour adjustment screen.

[0105] The server 2 may determine whether or not the evaluation head contour view after the contour adjustment has been received from the terminal device 1 together with a notification that "Next" on the contour adjustment screen has been pushed (S311). If the server 2 does not receive a notification that "Next" on the contour adjustment screen has been pushed, if the evaluation head contour view after the contour adjustment has not been received, or if the server 2 receives a notification that "Back" has been pushed, the server 2 may end the process or display the previous screen (e.g., the photographing screen) on the display unit 10. If the server 2 receives the evaluation head contour view after the contour adjustment from the terminal device 1 together with a notification that "Next" on the contour adjustment screen has been pushed, the server 2 may determine whether or not the nose and ear positions need to be adjusted (S312). For example, the server 2 may detect the boundaries between the nose and both ears and other parts in the head planar image, and if the positions of the nose and both ears on the evaluation head contour view can be specified (for example, if there is a step of S308, the server 2 may specify the positions of the nose and both ears simultaneously with S308, or may skip S312 to S314 between any other steps). If the server 2 determines that it is necessary to specify the positions of the nose and both ears in the evaluation head contour map, or if there is no determination flow of S312, it causes the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1 to display a nose and ear adjustment position screen (S313).

[0106] The server 2 may determine whether or not it has received from the terminal device 1 a head contour map for evaluation after the positions of the nose and both ears have been specified together with a notification that "Next" has been pushed on the nose-ear position adjustment screen (S314). If the server 2 has not received a notification that "Next" has been pushed on the nose-ear position adjustment screen, has not received a head contour map for evaluation after the positions of the nose and both ears have been specified, or has received a notification that "Back" has been pushed, the server 2 may end the process or display the previous screen (e.g., a contour adjustment screen, a photographing screen, etc.) on the display unit 10. If the server 2 has received from the terminal device 1 a head contour map for evaluation after the positions of the nose and both ears have been specified together with a notification that "Next" has been pushed on the nose-ear position adjustment screen, the server 2 calculates the degree of distortion and / or the brachycephaly (S315). The server 2 determines the degree of distortion and / or the brachycephaly based on the calculated degree of distortion and / or the brachycephaly (S316), and displays the determination result on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1 (S317).

[0107] The following is a specific description of a screen (UI screen) displayed on the display unit 10 of the terminal device 1. Note that a smartphone is exemplified as the terminal device 1 and a touch panel is exemplified as the display unit 10, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0108] When the head shape evaluation application 40 installed in the terminal device 1 is started, a start screen 401 is displayed on the display unit 10.

[0109] When "Measure" on the start screen 42 is touched, a tutorial screen 43 is displayed on the display unit 10 (FIG. 9). On the tutorial screen, a planar reference image of the baby's head (for example, a planar photograph of the baby's skull) 431, a finger-shaped figure 432 as a means of making the photographer aware of the position of both ears, and a head outline guide diagram 433 are displayed. If there is a photography assistant (a person other than the operator of the terminal device 1), the operator of the terminal device 1 can instruct the photography assistant to point to the position of both ears of the subject (baby) in the same manner as the finger-shaped figure 432. By doing so, the operator of the terminal device 1 can be strongly aware of the position of both ears of the subject in the photography step described later, and it becomes possible to photograph a planar head image with little deviation. The head contour guide diagram 433 displays a nose portion 433a indicating the position of the nose, ear portions 433b and 433c indicating the positions of the ears, a horizontal line 433d which is a straight line connecting the ear portions 433b and 433c, and a vertical line 433f which is a straight line connecting the midpoint 433e of the horizontal line 433d and the nose portion 433a. By displaying the horizontal line 433d and the vertical line 433f on the head contour guide diagram 433, it is possible to make the photographer (the user of the head shape evaluation application 4) aware of the center of the cranial plane as well, and it becomes possible to take a head planar image with little deviation.

[0110] When "Next" on the tutorial screen 43 is touched, a photographing screen 44 is displayed on the display unit 10 (FIG. 10). Photographing screen 44 displays a head photographing contour diagram 441, a subject to be photographed (a plane of the baby's head) 442 displayed through the camera unit 11, and a photographing button 443. Head photographing contour diagram 441 also displays a nose portion 441a indicating the position of the nose, and ear portions 441b and 441c indicating the positions of the ears. The photographer aligns head plane 442 of the baby to be photographed with head photographing contour diagram 441, and then touches photographing button 443.

[0111] When the photographing button 443 on the photographing screen 44 is touched, the contour adjustment screen 45 is displayed on the display unit 10 (FIG. 11A). The photographed head planar image 451 and the head contour map for evaluation 452 are displayed on the contour of the head contour map for evaluation 452. The head contour map for evaluation 452 includes a plurality of points 452a on its contour that can be operated by the operator of the terminal device. In FIG. 11A, eight points 452a are provided at equal intervals on the contour of the head contour map for evaluation 452. The operator can align the contour of the photographed head planar image 451 with the contour of the head contour map for evaluation 452 by touching each point and moving the position of each point. When the point 452a is touched, an auxiliary screen 453 that duplicates the touched point and the surrounding screen may be displayed on the contour adjustment screen 45 at a predetermined position (for example, in the case of touching with a finger, a position that does not overlap with the finger) (FIG. 11B). The presence of the auxiliary screen 453 makes it possible to grasp the position of a point hidden by the touching finger, for example, when touching with a finger, and to more accurately align the contours of the head planar image 451 and the evaluation head contour image 452.

[0112] When the adjustment of the contour of the evaluation head contour map 452 is completed on the contour adjustment screen 45 and the "Next" button is touched, a nose-ear position adjustment screen 46 including a point 462a for identifying the position of the nose and points 462b, 462c for identifying the positions of both ears is displayed on the contour of the evaluation head contour map 462 after the contour adjustment (FIG. 12). The points 462a, 462b, and 462c can be operated by the operator of the terminal device 1. The operator can match the positions of the nose and both ears in the photographed head planar image 461 with the positions of the points 462a, 462b, and 462c on the evaluation head contour map 462 by touching each point and moving the position of each point. When each point is touched, an auxiliary screen 463 in which the touched point and the screen around it are duplicated may be displayed on the nose-ear position adjustment screen 46 at a predetermined position (for example, in the case of touching with a finger, a position that does not overlap with the finger). The presence of the auxiliary screen 463 makes it possible to grasp the position of points hidden by the touching finger, for example, when touching with a finger, and to more accurately match the positions of the nose and both ears in the head planar image 461 with the positions of points 462a, 462b, and 462c on the evaluation head contour map 462.

[0113] When the adjustment of the positions of the nose and both ears in the evaluation head contour map 462 is completed on the nose-ear position adjustment screen 46, and the "Next" button is touched, the judgment result display screen 47 is displayed on the display unit 10 (FIG. 13). The judgment result display screen 47 displays a photographed head planar image 471, an evaluation head contour map 472 in which the positions of the contour, nose, and both ears have been adjusted on the contour adjustment screen 45 and the nose-ear position adjustment screen 46, and a numerical judgment display section 473 in which the degree of distortion and the brachycephaly degree are expressed as numerical values ​​(%). The evaluation head contour map 472 further displays a straight line 472d connecting the positions of both ears 472b and 472c, a reference line 472f passing through a midpoint 472e of the straight line 472d and the position 472a of the nose, and a horizontal line 472g passing through the midpoint 472e and perpendicular to the reference line 472f. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1: Terminal device 10: Display section 11: Camera section 12:Operation unit 13: Image data generation unit 14: Image processing section 15: Input section 16: Storage section 2: Server 3: Communication network 4: Head shape evaluation application 43: Tutorial screen 431: Head plane reference image 432: A way to make the photographer aware of the position of both ears 433: Head contour guide 433a:Nose 433b:Ear 433d:Horizon 433e: Midpoint 433f: Vertical line 44: Shooting screen 441: Contour drawing for head photography 441a:Nose 441b:Ear 442: Subject (head plane of an infant) 443: Shooting button 45: Contour adjustment screen 451: A captured planar image of the head 452: Head contour diagram for evaluation 452a: A point operable by the operator of the terminal device 453: Auxiliary screen 46: Nose and ear position adjustment screen 461: A captured planar image of the head 462: Head contour diagram for evaluation 462a: Dot for locating nose 462b, 462c: Points for locating both ears 47: Judgment result display screen 471: Head plane image 472: Head contour diagram for evaluation 472a: Nose position 472b, 472c: Position of both ears 472d: A straight line connecting the positions of both ears 472f: A reference line passing through the midpoint of the line and the nose position 472g: A horizontal line that passes through the midpoint and is perpendicular to the reference line 473: Numerical value judgment display section

Claims

1. An application for evaluating a degree of head shape distortion and / or a degree of brachycephaly, the application being operable on a terminal device including an imaging unit and a display unit, a first pre-photographing step of displaying a head contour guide diagram on a display unit, the first pre-photographing step being a tutorial step, the head contour guide diagram including a shape imitating the head shape when the head is viewed from above, including a figure of a portion corresponding to the positions of both ears, and a means for making a photographer aware of the positions of both ears, the shape being separate from the shape imitating the head shape and including a shape pointing to the positions of both ears; a second pre-photography step of displaying a head radiography contour map on a display unit after the first pre-photography step, the head radiography contour map including means for indicating the positions of both ears and a nose; taking a planar head image; displaying a head shape contour in the photographed head planar image on a display unit as an evaluation head contour map; Identifying a nose position (P1), a left ear position (P2), and a right ear position (P3) on an evaluation head contour map; determining a degree of head shape distortion and / or a degree of brachycephaly based on P1, P2 and P3; A step of outputting the determined degree of distortion and / or degree of brachycephaly and displaying it on a display unit; An application for causing the terminal device to execute the above.

2. An application for evaluating a degree of head shape distortion and / or a degree of brachycephaly, the application being operable on a terminal device including an imaging unit and a display unit, a first pre-photographing step of displaying a head contour guide diagram on a display unit, the first pre-photographing step being a tutorial step, the head contour guide diagram including a shape imitating the head shape when the head is viewed from above, including a figure of a portion corresponding to the positions of both ears, and a means for making a photographer aware of the positions of both ears, the shape being separate from the shape imitating the head shape and including a shape pointing to the positions of both ears; a second pre-photography step of displaying a head radiography contour map on a display unit after the first pre-photography step, the head radiography contour map including means for indicating the positions of both ears and a nose; taking a planar head image; displaying on a display unit a contour of the head shape in the photographed planar head image as an evaluation head contour diagram including a plurality of points on the contour that can be operated by an operator of the terminal device; Identifying a nose position (P1), a left ear position (P2), and a right ear position (P3) on an evaluation head contour map; determining a degree of head shape distortion and / or a degree of brachycephaly based on P1, P2 and P3; A step of outputting the determined degree of distortion and / or degree of brachycephaly and displaying it on a display unit; An application for causing the terminal device to execute the above.

3. An application for evaluating a degree of head shape distortion and / or a degree of brachycephaly, the application being operable on a terminal device including an imaging unit and a display unit, a first pre-photographing step of displaying a head contour guide diagram on a display unit, the first pre-photographing step being a tutorial step, the head contour guide diagram including a shape imitating the head shape when the head is viewed from above, including a figure of a portion corresponding to the positions of both ears, and a means for making a photographer aware of the positions of both ears, the shape being separate from the shape imitating the head shape and including a shape pointing to the positions of both ears; a second pre-photography step of displaying a head radiography contour map on a display unit after the first pre-photography step, the head radiography contour map including means for indicating the positions of both ears and a nose; taking a planar head image; a step of displaying a head shape contour in the photographed head planar image on a display unit as an evaluation head contour map, the evaluation head contour map displaying at least a straight line connecting both ears and a straight line connecting a midpoint of the straight line and the position of the nose; Identifying a nose position (P1), a left ear position (P2), and a right ear position (P3) on an evaluation head contour map; determining a degree of head shape distortion and / or a degree of brachycephaly based on P1, P2 and P3; A step of outputting the determined degree of distortion and / or degree of brachycephaly and displaying it on a display unit; An application for causing the terminal device to execute the above.

4. The step of determining a degree of distortion of the head shape comprises: Identifying the midpoint (P4) of a line connecting P2 and P3; A step of calculating four intersection points between two inclined lines inclined at a predetermined angle in opposite directions with respect to a reference line that is a straight line passing through P1 and P4, and the contour of the evaluation head contour map; determining a degree of distortion of the head shape based on an absolute value of a difference between the lengths of the two inclined lines calculated based on the four intersection points; Including, The step of determining the brachycephalic degree of the head shape comprises: Identifying the midpoint (P4) of a line connecting P2 and P3; A step of determining two intersection points between a center line that is perpendicular to a reference line that is a straight line passing through P1 and P4 and passes through P4, and a contour of the evaluation head contour map; A step of determining the brachycephalic degree of the head shape based on a ratio between the length of a center line calculated based on two intersection points and the length of a reference line calculated based on two intersection points between the reference line and the contour of the evaluation head contour map; 4. The application of claim 1, 2 or 3, comprising:

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