Control Method, Control Device, and Program

Abstract

This control method involves: acquiring identification information for specifying a user and the user's gene information associated with the identification information; assessing the user's constitutional predisposition on the basis of the acquired gene information; determining an apparatus control program for controlling apparatuses on the basis of the assessed constitutional predisposition; and transmitting the acquired identification information, and control information for controlling the apparatus execution of the determined one apparatus control program, in association with each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for controlling devices.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, research has been underway to enable devices to perform control suitable for individual users. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for collecting information on conditions before a user enters a building and controlling facilities in the building based on the collected information, thereby improving the comfort of the user.

[0003] However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since the device is not controlled in consideration of the physical constitution of each individual user, further improvement is required to enable the device to perform control suitable for each individual user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique capable of causing a device to perform control suitable for an individual user.

[0006] A control method according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a method for controlling a device, in which a computer acquires identification information for identifying a user and gene information of the user associated with the identification information, determines the physical constitution of the user based on the acquired gene information, determines a device control program for controlling the device based on the determined physical constitution, and transmits the acquired identification information in association with control information for causing the device to execute the determined device control program.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a device can be made to execute control suitable for an individual user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (The Process Leading to One Aspect of the Present Disclosure) In recent years, the speed and cost of technologies for analyzing human genes have been advancing rapidly. Along with this, users can easily undergo genetic testing at home or the like. Genetic testing is a test for examining the base sequence of DNA containing A (adenine), T (thymine), C (cytosine), and G (guanine). The base sequence of DNA varies among humans, and this variation gives rise to the diversity of human constitutions. Therefore, it is possible to determine a human's constitution by examining the differences in the base sequences of DNA. And by considering the determined constitution, it becomes possible to cause a device to execute control suitable for each individual user.

[0010] However, conventionally, determining a user's constitution from gene information such as the base sequence of DNA and controlling a device based on the determined constitution has not been done. For example, in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, when estimating a user's condition, at least one of information regarding the user's behavior history and information regarding the environment where the user was before entering the building is used, but the user's constitution is not considered. Therefore, the conventional technology is insufficient for causing a device to execute control suitable for each individual user.

[0011] Therefore, the inventor has obtained the knowledge that by analyzing a user's gene information, it is possible to accurately determine the constitution of each individual user, and thereby it becomes possible to cause a device to execute control suitable for each individual user, and has arrived at the idea of each aspect of the present disclosure.

[0012] A control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for controlling a device, in which a computer acquires identification information for identifying a user and the user's gene information associated with the identification information, determines the constitution of the user based on the acquired gene information, determines a device control program for controlling the device based on the determined constitution, and transmits the acquired identification information in association with the determined device control program and control information for causing the device to execute the program.

[0013] According to this configuration, since the user's constitution is determined based on genetic information, the user's constitution can be accurately determined. Then, based on the determined constitution, a device control program is determined, and control information and identification information for causing the device to execute the determined device control program are transmitted. Therefore, the device can identify the device control program corresponding to the identification information. Thereby, the device can execute control suitable for individual users.

[0014] In the above control method, the genetic information may be information indicating the nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid of the user.

[0015] According to this configuration, since the genetic information is information indicating the nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid of the user, the user's constitution can be accurately determined.

[0016] In the above control method, further, based on the temporal change of the acquired genetic information, the expression of a predetermined gene may be detected, and the device control program may be determined based on the detection result.

[0017] When a predetermined gene is expressed, the user's constitution changes. According to this configuration, since the expression of a predetermined gene is detected and the device control program is determined based on the detection result, an appropriate device control program can be determined in consideration of the change in the user's constitution.

[0018] In the above control method, the constitution may be at least one of a thermal constitution, a taste sensitivity, and a fatigue constitution.

[0019] According to this configuration, it is possible to execute control of a device suitable for the user in consideration of at least one of a thermal constitution, a taste sensitivity, and a fatigue constitution.

[0020] In the above control method, the control information may include the device control program.

[0021] According to this configuration, since the device control program is transmitted, it is possible to cause the device to execute the device control program without having the device hold the device control program in advance.

[0022] In the above control method, the control information may include information for causing the device having a plurality of device control programs to execute the determined device control program.

[0023] According to this configuration, it is possible to cause the device to execute the device control program without transmitting the device control program.

[0024] In the above control method, the constitution is a warm constitution, the device is an air conditioning device, and in the determination, a device control program of the air conditioning device corresponding to the warm constitution of the user may be determined.

[0025] According to this configuration, it is possible to cause the device to execute appropriate control according to the warm constitution of the user.

[0026] In the above control method, the constitution is taste sensitivity, the device is a cooking device, and in the determination, a device control program of the cooking device corresponding to the taste sensitivity of the user may be determined.

[0027] According to this configuration, it is possible to cause the device to execute appropriate control according to the taste sensitivity of the user.

[0028] In the above control method, the constitution is a fatigue constitution, the device is an information presentation device capable of presenting rest information for promoting rest, and in the determination, one device control program may be determined from a plurality of device control programs in which the presentation timing of the rest information differs according to the fatigue constitution of the user.

[0029] According to this configuration, it is possible to present an appropriate rest timing according to the fatigue constitution of the user to the user.

[0030] In the above control method, in the determination, a single nucleotide polymorphism of the gene information may be detected, and based on the detection result, the constitution may be determined.

[0031] According to this configuration, since the constitution of the user is determined based on the single nucleotide polymorphism of the gene information, the constitution of the user can be determined with higher accuracy.

[0032] An apparatus according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a reception unit that receives control information for controlling the execution of a device control program determined based on the constitution of the user determined from the gene information of the user, and identification information of the user associated with the control information, a memory that stores the control information and the identification information in association with each other, a sensor for detecting surrounding users, a specifying unit that specifies the identification information of the surrounding users from the detection data of the sensor, a control information specifying unit that specifies, from the memory, the control information corresponding to the specified identification information, and an execution unit that executes a device control program corresponding to the specified control information.

[0033] According to this configuration, control information for controlling the execution of a device control program determined based on the constitution of the user and identification information of the user associated with the control information are stored in the memory in association with each other. Then, the identification information of the users around the device is specified from the detection data of the sensor, the control information corresponding to the specified identification information is specified from the memory, and the device control program corresponding to the specified control information is executed. Therefore, the device can execute control suitable for the users around it.

[0034] The present disclosure can also be realized as a program that causes a computer to execute each characteristic configuration included in such a control method, or a system that operates according to this program. Needless to say, such a computer program can be distributed via a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a communication network such as the Internet.

[0035] Note that all the embodiments described below show specific examples of the present disclosure. The numerical values, shapes, components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Among the components in the following embodiments, components not described in the independent claims indicating the most general concept are described as optional components. Also, in all embodiments, the respective contents can be combined with each other.

[0036] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a control system 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The control system 1 includes a cell collection device 100, a server 200, and a device 300. The cell collection device 100, the server 200, and the device 300 are communicably connected to each other via a network NT. The network NT is, for example, a public communication line such as the Internet. Note that the network NT may be a local area network. The cell collection device 100 and the device 300 are, for example, installed in a user's home. The cell collection device 100 and the device 300 may be communicably connected via a local network in the home.

[0037] The cell collection device 100 is configured by, for example, a sequence decoding device also referred to as a DNA sequencer. The cell collection device 100 is a device that collects a user's cells and extracts the user's genetic information. The genetic information includes information indicating the base sequence of DNA contained in the user's cells. The cell collection device 100 transmits the extracted genetic information to the server 200 in association with a user ID, which is the user's identification information.

[0038] The server 200 is configured by, for example, a cloud server including one or more computers. The server 200 determines the user's constitution based on the genetic information transmitted from the cell collection device 100, determines a device control program suitable for the constitution, and transmits the determined device control program to the device 300 in association with the user ID.

[0039] Device 300 is composed of electrical devices. The electrical devices are, for example, household electrical devices such as air conditioners, cooking appliances, televisions, and personal computers. Device 300 executes the device control program transmitted from server 200.

[0040] The above is the overall configuration of control system 1. Subsequently, the details of each component of control system 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of cell collection device 100. Cell collection device 100 includes a communication unit 110, an extraction unit 120, a collection unit 130, a memory 140, and a user ID acquisition unit 150.

[0041] Communication unit 110 is composed of a communication circuit that connects cell collection device 100 to network NT. Communication unit 110 transmits the genetic information extracted by extraction unit 120 to server 200 in association with the user ID of the user who provided the genetic information.

[0042] Collection unit 130 collects the user's cells and supplies the collected cells to extraction unit 120.

[0043] Extraction unit 120 includes a labeling unit, a light source, an image sensor, and a processor. The labeling unit attaches a fluorescent label for each type of base (A, T, G, C) to the DNA of the cells collected by collection unit 130. The light source irradiates the DNA with the attached fluorescent label with light. The image sensor detects the fluorescence emitted from the DNA by the light from the light source. The processor generates genetic information including information indicating the base sequence of the DNA based on the fluorescence detected by the image sensor.

[0044] Memory 140 is composed of a rewritable non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory. Memory 140 stores, for example, the user ID.

[0045] The user ID acquisition unit 150 includes, for example, a communication interface for communicating with the user recognition device 400, and acquires the user ID of the user who provided the genetic information. Alternatively, the user ID acquisition unit 150 may acquire the user ID from the memory 140. Alternatively, the user ID acquisition unit 150 may acquire the user ID input by the user using an operation device (not shown).

[0046] For example, when the cell collection device 100 is mounted on an electric device (for example, an electric toothbrush) used for each individual user, the memory 140 can store the user ID of the user who provided the genetic information. In this case, the user ID acquisition unit 150 may acquire the user ID stored in the memory 140 as the user ID of the user who provided the genetic information.

[0047] For example, the cell collection device 100 may be mounted on an operation switch such as a lighting device that the user frequently contacts. In this case, the cell collection device 100 may acquire the user ID from the user recognition device 400 provided around the operation switch.

[0048] When the user recognition device 400 detects that the user has touched the operation switch, the user recognition device 400 transmits the user ID of the user who touched the operation switch to the user ID acquisition unit 150. The user recognition device 400 may detect the user who touched the operation switch by using, for example, image recognition processing. Specifically, the user recognition device 400 includes a camera, a communication unit, and a processor. The camera constantly images the surroundings of the operation switch. The processor performs image processing on the image data captured by the camera to detect whether a certain user has touched the operation switch. When the processor detects that a certain user has touched the operation switch, the processor executes face recognition processing to determine which user among the users registered in advance the user corresponds to, and detects the user ID of the determined user as the user ID of the user who touched the operation switch. The communication unit may input the user ID detected by the processor to the user ID acquisition unit 150.

[0049] Alternatively, the user recognition device 400 may detect the user ID by fingerprint authentication. In this case, the user recognition device 400 is composed of a fingerprint authentication device provided on the operation switch.

[0050] Alternatively, the user recognition device 400 may be mounted on the device 300. In this case, the user recognition device 400 may detect the user from whom cells have been collected by the cell collection device 100 in response to a user ID acquisition request output from the user ID acquisition unit 150, and input the user ID of that user to the user ID acquisition unit 150.

[0051] When the cell collection device 100 is mounted on an electric toothbrush, the collection unit 130 may collect the user's saliva and collect cells from the collected saliva. When the cell collection device 100 is mounted on the operation switch, the collection unit 130 may collect the user's sweat and collect the user's cells from the collected sweat.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 200. The server 200 includes a processor 210, a memory 220, and a communication unit 230 (an example of a transmission unit). The processor 210 is composed of, for example, a CPU. The processor 210 includes an acquisition unit 211, a determination unit 212, and a decision unit 213. The acquisition unit 211 to the decision unit 213 may be realized by the processor 210 executing a predetermined program, or may be composed of a dedicated hardware circuit.

[0053] The acquisition unit 211 acquires the user ID and gene information transmitted by the cell collection device 100 via the communication unit 230. The acquisition unit 211 attaches a time stamp to the acquired gene information, and stores the gene information with the time stamp attached in the memory 220 in association with the user ID. Thereby, time-series data of gene information for each user is accumulated in the memory 220.

[0054] The determination unit 212 determines the constitution of the user who provided the gene information based on the gene information acquired by the acquisition unit 211. Here, the determination unit 212 detects a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the base sequence indicated by the gene information and the type of the SNP, and determines the constitution of the user based on the detection result. Specifically, the determination unit 212 determines whether an SNP appears at a predetermined locus on the base sequence related to the constitution to be determined. When an SNP appears at the predetermined locus, the determination unit 212 specifies the type of the SNP. Then, the determination unit 212 determines the constitution to be determined from the specified type. For example, the determination unit 212 may determine the type of the SNP from the pattern of the bases of the SNPs located at the same locus on homologous chromosomes.

[0055] Although 99.9% of the human base sequences are the same, there are differences in 0.1%. Due to this difference, there are differences in appearance, ability, constitution, etc. In a certain human population, when the difference in the base sequence appears at a frequency of 1% or more, the difference in the base sequence is called a polymorphism. When the difference in the base sequence appears at a frequency of 1% or less, the difference in the base sequence is called a mutation or a rare variation. There are various types of polymorphisms, and among them, the one in which one base is replaced by another base is an SNP. It is estimated that SNPs exist at a probability of 1 per 500 to 1000 bases and are estimated to exist at about 10 million locations.

[0056] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an SNP. In the example of FIG. 5, the one that was A in the normal gene sequence (wild type) has mutated to G.

[0057] Humans inherit one gene sequence each from their father and mother, and there are three combinations thereof. Therefore, there are three types of one SNP. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the type of SNP. For example, in the case of the A-G SNP mutation in the example of FIG. 5, there are three types of SNPs: AA, AG, and GG.

[0058] For example, when the SNP types of both parents are AG types, their child will inherit one A sequence and one G sequence from each parent. Therefore, for the A-G SNP mutation, as shown in Figure 6, there are three types: AA, AG, and GG.

[0059] There are many SNPs, and it has been shown that certain SNPs are associated with specific diseases. SNPs associated with a certain specific disease are called "disease-related SNPs".

[0060] An example of a disease-related SNP is the "metabolism-related SNP". The "metabolism-related SNP" is an SNP related to the "metabolic syndrome". And depending on the type of this "metabolism-related SNP", it is possible to determine whether a person has an "easily overweight constitution" or a "difficult-to-get-overweight constitution".

[0061] As another example of a disease-related SNP, there is an SNP related to alcohol dehydrogenase. The combination of SNP types related to alcohol dehydrogenase with GG is called the GG homotype. People with this SNP type are resistant to alcohol. The combination of SNP types related to alcohol dehydrogenase with AG is called the AG heterotype. Humans with this SNP type are born with a low tolerance for alcohol. The combination of SNP types related to alcohol dehydrogenase with AA is called the AA homotype. Humans with this SNP type have no alcohol metabolism activity and are born unable to drink alcohol.

[0062] Thus, if a specific SNP and its type are known for a certain human, the constitution of that human can be understood.

[0063] The constitution that can be understood from the base sequence has a risk of developing diseases. Examples of diseases include type 2 diabetes, myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, cluster headache, LDL-cholesterol, insomnia, atopic dermatitis, duodenal ulcer, and nicotine dependence.

[0064] Furthermore, as for the constitution that can be understood from the base sequence, there are tendencies characteristic of humans. Examples of such tendencies include fatigue tendency, lifespan tendency, height tendency, hair thickness tendency, eye color tendency, information processing speed tendency, calculation speed tendency, memory tendency, and the like.

[0065] Furthermore, as for the constitution that can be understood from the base sequence, there are vitamin concentration, development tendencies of fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscles, and taste sensitivity, and the like.

[0066] Thus, by analyzing the base sequence, it is possible to determine various constitutions of humans. Therefore, the determination unit 212 can determine these constitutions from SNPs and SNP types. In the present embodiment, the determination unit 212 particularly determines the thermal constitution, taste sensitivity, and fatigue constitution. The thermal constitution refers to constitutions such as being prone to heat or cold. Taste sensitivity refers to the sensitivity of taste. Among them, for example, the sweetness sensitivity is a constitution in which the sensitivity to sweetness is high or low. Hereinafter, the sweetness sensitivity will be taken as an example to explain the taste sensitivity. The fatigue constitution refers to constitutions such as being easily fatigued or being resistant to fatigue. For example, the determination unit 212 may determine the constitution of the user by referring to information in which the correspondence relationship between the SNP type to be determined and the constitution is determined in advance.

[0067] The determination unit 213 determines one device control program from a plurality of device control programs for controlling the device 300 based on the constitution determined by the determination unit 212. The determination unit 213 transmits the determined one device control program to the device 300 via the communication unit 230 in association with the user ID.

[0068] For example, when the device 300 is an air conditioning device, there are device control programs for heat intolerance, cold intolerance, and standard as device control programs for the air conditioning device.

[0069] The heat-intolerant device control program is, for example, a device control program that operates the air conditioner at a set temperature lower than the standard. The standard device control program is, for example, a device control program that operates the air conditioner at the standard set temperature. The cold-intolerant device control program is, for example, a device control program that operates the air conditioner at a set temperature higher than the standard.

[0070] When the determination unit 212 determines that the user has a heat-intolerant thermic constitution, the determination unit 213 selects the heat-intolerant device control program. When the determination unit 212 determines that the user has a cold-intolerant thermic constitution, the determination unit 213 selects the cold-intolerant device control program. When the determination unit 212 determines that the user has a standard thermic constitution, the determination unit 213 selects the standard device control program.

[0071] For example, when the device 300 is a cooking device, as the device control program of the cooking device, there are a device control program for a user with a high sweetness sensitivity, a device control program for a user with a standard sweetness sensitivity, and a device control program for a user with a low sweetness sensitivity.

[0072] The device control program for a user with a high sweetness sensitivity is, for example, a device control program that operates the cooking device with a recipe in which the amount of sugar is suppressed to be lower than normal or a device control program that proposes such a recipe to the user. The device control program for a user with a low sweetness sensitivity is, for example, a device control program that operates the cooking device with a recipe in which the amount of sugar is increased compared to normal or a device control program that proposes such a recipe to the user. The device control program for a user with a standard sweetness sensitivity is, for example, a device control program that operates the cooking device with a normal recipe or a device control program that proposes such a recipe to the user.

[0073] When the determination unit 212 determines that the user has a high sweetness sensitivity, the determination unit 213 selects a device control program for a user with a high sweetness sensitivity. When the determination unit 212 determines that the user has a low sweetness sensitivity, the determination unit 213 selects a device control program for a user with a low sweetness sensitivity. When the determination unit 212 determines that the user's sweetness sensitivity is standard, the determination unit 213 selects a device control program with a standard sweetness sensitivity.

[0074] For example, when the device 300 is an information presentation device capable of presenting rest information to prompt the user to take a break, the device control program includes, for example, a device control program for a user with an easily fatigued fatigue constitution, a device control program for a user with a standard fatigue constitution, and a device control program for a user with a not easily fatigued fatigue constitution.

[0075] The device control program for a user with an easily fatigued fatigue constitution is, for example, a device control program in which the presentation timing of the rest information is a predetermined time faster than the normal presentation timing. The device control program for a user with a standard fatigue constitution is, for example, a device control program in which the presentation timing of the rest information is a standard device control program. The device control program for a user with a not easily fatigued fatigue constitution is, for example, a device control program in which the presentation timing of the rest information is a predetermined time slower than the standard. The information presentation device presents the rest information periodically, for example, after the power is turned on. Therefore, the device control program will change the period of presenting the rest information according to the user's constitution.

[0076] When the determination unit 212 determines that the fatigue constitution is easily fatigued, the determination unit 213 selects a device control program for a user with an easily fatigued fatigue constitution. When the determination unit 212 determines that the fatigue constitution is standard, the determination unit 213 selects a device control program for a user with a standard fatigue constitution. When the determination unit 212 determines that the fatigue constitution is not easily fatigued, the determination unit 213 selects a device control program for a user with a not easily fatigued fatigue constitution.

[0077] The memory 220 is composed of a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a solid state drive. The memory 220 stores a plurality of device control programs for each type of the device 300. Here, the memory 220 stores in association with the device control program and the constitution information indicating the constitution. For example, taking the device control program of the air conditioner as an example, the memory 220 stores each of the programs for those who are sensitive to heat, those who are sensitive to cold, and the standard device control program, in association with the constitution information for those who are sensitive to cold, those who are sensitive to heat, and the standard constitution information, respectively.

[0078] The communication unit 230 is composed of a communication circuit that connects the server 200 to the network NT. The communication unit 230 transmits to the device 300, in association with each other, the device control program determined by the determination unit 213 and the user ID of the user corresponding to the determined device control program.

[0079] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the device 300. The device 300 includes a communication unit 310 (an example of a receiving unit), a memory 320, a sensor 330, and a control unit 340. The communication unit 310 is composed of a communication circuit for connecting the device 300 to the network NT. The communication unit 310 receives the device control program and the user ID transmitted from the server 200.

[0080] The memory 320 is composed of a rewritable non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory. The memory 320 stores in association with each other the device control program and the user ID received by the communication unit 310 from the server 200. Further, the memory 320 stores in association with each other the feature amounts of one or more pre-registered users and the user IDs. The feature amounts of the users are, for example, the feature amounts of the face and the feature amounts of the voice.

[0081] The sensor 330 is a sensor for detecting the surrounding users. The sensor 330 varies depending on the device 300. For example, when the device 300 is an air conditioner or an information presentation device, the sensor 330 is composed of an image sensor. For example, when the device 300 is a cooking device, the sensor 330 is composed of a microphone.

[0082] Here, the information presentation device is a device capable of presenting some information to a user, such as a television, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, and a smart speaker. When the device 300 is configured by a smart speaker, the sensor 330 may be configured by a microphone.

[0083] The control unit 340 is composed of a processor such as a CPU. The control unit 340 includes a specifying unit 341 and an execution unit 342. The specifying unit 341 detects a user from the detection data of the sensor 330 and specifies the user ID of the detected user.

[0084] For example, when the sensor 330 is an image sensor, the specifying unit 341 detects a user by performing a predetermined image recognition process on the image data which is the detection data. Then, the specifying unit 341 sequentially compares the face features registered in the memory 320 with the face image included in the image data, and may specify the user ID corresponding to the feature amount with the similarity being equal to or greater than the threshold value and being the largest as the user ID of the user included in the image data.

[0085] For example, when the sensor 330 is a microphone, the specifying unit 341 detects the user's voice by performing a voice recognition process on the sound data which is the detection data. Then, the specifying unit 341 sequentially compares the sound data with the feature amounts of the voices of one or more pre-registered users, and may specify the user ID.

[0086] Here, the process of specifying the user ID using the feature amounts pre-registered in the memory 320 is shown, but this is just an example. For example, the specifying unit 341 may specify the user ID by inputting the detection data of the sensor 330 into a user specifying model generated in advance through machine learning such as a neural network.

[0087] The execution unit 342 acquires the device control program corresponding to the user ID specified by the specifying unit 341 from the memory 320 and executes the device control program. Thereby, the control of the device 300 suitable for the constitution of the user around the device 300 is realized.

[0088] In addition, when the detection data of the sensor 330 includes a plurality of users, the specifying unit 341 may specify the user ID of the user who most recently operated the device 300. For example, in the case of an air conditioner, the user ID of the user who most recently turned on the power of the air conditioner is specified. Alternatively, the specifying unit 341 may determine the user who mainly operates the device 300 according to the attributes of a plurality of users (for example, father, mother, child, etc.), and specify the user ID of that user. For example, in the case of a cooking device, the user ID of the user who mainly performs cooking (for example, the mother) is specified.

[0089] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a process when the control system 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure determines a device control program. In this flowchart, for the sake of convenience of explanation, an example of a process of determining one device control program for one device 300 in one house will be described.

[0090] In step S101, the collection unit 130 of the cell collection device 100 collects the user's cells. In step S102, the user ID acquisition unit 150 acquires the user ID of the user who collected the cells. For example, as described above, the user ID acquisition unit 150 may acquire the user ID pre-stored in the memory 140, may acquire the user ID from the user recognition device 400, or may acquire the user ID input by the user.

[0091] In step S103, the extraction unit 120 extracts genetic information from the collected cells. In step S104, the communication unit 110 associates the user ID acquired in step S102 with the genetic information extracted in step S103 and transmits the result to the server 200.

[0092] In step S201, the communication unit 230 of the server 200 receives the user ID and the genetic information. In step S202, the determination unit 212 determines the constitution of the user who provided the genetic information from the genetic information received in step S201. For example, the determination unit 212 may identify the constitution of the user from the SNPs and the types of SNPs as described above.

[0093] In step S203, the determination unit 213 determines one device control program corresponding to the constitution determined in step S202 from among a plurality of predetermined device control programs for the device 300. For example, as described above, if the user's thermal constitution is heat-intolerance and the device 300 to be controlled is an air-conditioning device, the device control program for heat-intolerance is determined.

[0094] In step S204, the communication unit 230 transmits the device control program determined in step S203 and the user ID received in step S201 to the device 300 in association with each other.

[0095] In step S301, the communication unit 310 of the device 300 receives the device control program and the user ID.

[0096] In step S302, the communication unit 310 stores the device control program received in step S301 and the user ID in the memory 320 in association with each other.

[0097] As described above, the device 300 can acquire a device control program corresponding to the constitution of each user in the house.

[0098] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing when the device 300 executes the device control program. In step S401, the specifying unit 341 detects a user from the detection data of the sensor 330. If a user is detected (YES in step S401), the process proceeds to step S402. If no user is detected (NO in step S401), the process returns to step S401.

[0099] In step S402, the specifying unit 341 specifies the user ID of the user detected in step S401. In step S403, the execution unit 342 acquires, from the memory 320, a device control program corresponding to the user ID specified in step S402.

[0100] In step S404, the execution unit 342 executes the device control program acquired in step S403.

[0101] As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the constitution of the user is determined based on the gene information, the constitution of the user can be accurately determined. Then, based on the determined constitution, one device control program is determined from among a plurality of device control programs, and the determined one device control program and the identification information are transmitted to the device 300. Therefore, the device 300 can specify the device control program corresponding to the user ID. As a result, the device 300 can execute control suitable for each individual user.

[0102] (Embodiment 2) The control system 1 of Embodiment 2 detects the expression of a predetermined gene based on the temporal change of gene information. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0103] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 200A according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. In Embodiment 2, the difference from Embodiment 1 is that the processor 210 further includes a comparison unit 214 and an analysis unit 215. Also, the function of the determination unit 213A is changed with respect to the determination unit 213 of Embodiment 1.

[0104] The comparison unit 214 compares a plurality of pieces of gene information of a certain user stored in the memory 220, and detects whether or not a change has occurred in the gene information. For example, the comparison unit 214 may compare the most recent gene information with the gene information one before the most recent.

[0105] When the change in gene information is detected by the comparison unit 214, the analysis unit 215 detects the presence or absence of the expression of a predetermined gene by analyzing the changed gene information.

[0106] The molecular structure of genes is affected by "environment" and "upbringing". That is, the expression of a certain gene is influenced by the living environment and lifestyle. Many acquired phenomena without changes in the gene sequence, such as aging or canceration, are related to the expression of genes. Genes are stored in the cell nucleus in a state where they are further folded by being wrapped around a protein called histone. The structure in which DNA is wrapped around histone is called "chromatin". One chromatin contains approximately 150 base pairs of DNA.

[0107] As a result of epigenetics research, it has become clear that the expression of genes is related to the shape of chromatin. When the chromatin structure is solidified, the gene switch that expresses the gene is turned off, and conversely, when it is open, this gene switch is turned on. Furthermore, this change in chromatin structure is caused by chemical modifications of histone proteins and the DNA wrapped around them. For example, when the histone protein is methylated, the chromatin becomes solidified and the gene switch is turned off. Also, when the histone protein is acetylated, the chromatin becomes open and the gene switch is turned on. On the other hand, for the DNA wrapped around this histone protein, when a certain C (cytosine) in it is methylated, the gene switch is turned off.

[0108] Therefore, the analysis unit 215 predicts gene expression by detecting changes in the base sequence of a predetermined locus related to a certain gene. Specifically, when the comparison unit 214 detects a change in the base sequence, the analysis unit 215 determines whether the changed locus is a locus related to the target gene. Then, when the changed locus is a locus related to the target gene, the analysis unit 215 may determine that the gene may be expressed. Furthermore, when the analysis unit 215 detects gene expression, it may determine that the user's constitution related to the gene has changed. For example, if the expressed gene is a gene indicating a change in constitution from being heat-intolerant to cold-intolerant, the analysis unit 215 may determine that the user's warm and hot constitution has changed from being heat-intolerant to cold-intolerant. For example, if the expressed gene is a gene indicating a change in constitution from having a high sensitivity to sweetness to a low sensitivity, the analysis unit 215 may determine that the user's sensitivity to sweetness has changed from a high sensitivity to a low sensitivity. For example, if the expressed gene is a gene indicating a change in constitution from being easily fatigued to being resistant to fatigue, the analysis unit 215 may determine that the user's fatigue constitution has changed from being easily fatigued to being resistant to fatigue.

[0109] When the analysis unit 215 detects gene expression, the determination unit 213A determines a device control program based on the detection result. Specifically, when the analysis unit 215 determines that the user's constitution has changed with the expression of the gene, the determination unit 213A determines a device control program corresponding to the changed constitution. Then, the determination unit 213A associates the determined device control program with the user ID and transmits it to the device 300 via the communication unit 230.

[0110] Upon receiving this device control program, the device 300 updates the corresponding user's device control program stored in the memory 320 with the received device control program. Thereby, the device 300 can execute a device control program suitable for the changed constitution.

[0111] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the server 200 in Embodiment 2. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 may be executed each time the server 200 receives new gene information, or may be executed each time a predetermined number of new gene information is accumulated.

[0112] In step S501, the comparison unit 214 compares the gene information of a certain user stored in the memory and detects the presence or absence of a change in the base sequence. In step S502, when a change in the gene information is detected (YES in step S502), the process proceeds to step S503. When no change in the gene information is detected (NO in step S502), the process returns to step S501.

[0113] In step S503, the analysis unit 215 detects the expression of a predetermined gene. Here, what is detected is the expression of genes related to warm body constitution, sweetness sensitivity, and fatigue constitution. However, this is an example, and it may be the expression of genes related to various diseases exemplified in Embodiment 1, or the expression of genes related to the tendency of human characteristics.

[0114] In step S504, the analysis unit 215 identifies the change in the user's constitution from the gene expression detected in step S503. In step S505, the determination unit 213A determines a device control program corresponding to the changed constitution.

[0115] In step S506, the determination unit 213A transmits the determined device control program to the device 300 in association with the user ID.

[0116] As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the expression of a predetermined gene is detected and the device control program is determined based on the detection result, an appropriate device control program can be determined in consideration of the change in the user's constitution.

[0117] (Embodiment 3) In Embodiments 1 and 2, the server 200 transmitted the device control program to the device 300 in association with the user ID. In Embodiment 3, the server 200 transmits control information for executing the device control program to the device 300. In this embodiment, the same components as those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0118] Refer to FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the determination unit 213 of the server 200 determines one device control program from among a plurality of device control programs based on the physique determined by the determination unit 212, and transmits control information for executing the determined one device control program to the device 300 via the communication unit 230 in association with the user ID. The control information includes, for example, physique information indicating the physique of the user determined by the determination unit 212.

[0119] Refer to FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the memory 320 of the device 300 stores a plurality of presentation control programs in which physique information is associated in advance. The memory 320 further stores the control information transmitted from the server 200 in association with the user ID.

[0120] The execution unit 342 acquires, from the memory 320, a device control program associated with the physique information corresponding to the user ID specified by the specifying unit 341, and executes the acquired device control program.

[0121] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the control system 1 according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. In this flowchart, the same processing as that in FIG. 7 is denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0122] In step S1101 following step S203, the communication unit 230 transmits control information for executing the device control program determined in step S203 and the user ID to the device 300.

[0123] In step S1102, the communication unit 310 of the device 300 receives a user ID and control information. In step S1103, the communication unit 310 associates the received user ID and control information and stores them in the memory 320.

[0124] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when the device 300 in Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure executes a device control program. In FIG. 12, the same processing numbers are assigned to the same processing as in FIG. 8, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0125] Subsequent to step S402, in step S1201, the execution unit 342 acquires control information corresponding to the user ID specified by the specifying unit 341 from the memory 320.

[0126] In step S1202, the execution unit 342 acquires a device control program corresponding to the physical constitution information included in the control information from the memory 320, and executes the acquired device control program.

[0127] As described above, according to Embodiment 3, since a plurality of device control programs are stored in the device 300 in advance in association with physical constitution information, the server 200 can cause the device 300 to execute a device control program suitable for the user's physical constitution without transmitting the device control program to the device 300.

[0128] (Modification example) The following modification examples can be adopted in the present disclosure.

[0129] (1) Embodiment 3 is also applicable to Embodiment 2. That is, in Embodiment 2, when a change in physical constitution is specified, a device control program corresponding to the changed physical constitution is transmitted. Instead of transmitting this device control program, control information including physical constitution information indicating the changed physical constitution may be transmitted.

[0130] (2) In Embodiments 1 to 3, the server 200 acquires genetic information from the cell collection device 100 installed in the user's home, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the server 200 may acquire the genetic information of the user measured by an external institution in combination with the user ID of the user.

[0131] (3) In the present disclosure, the method for determining an SNP and the type of SNP is not limited to the above-described method. For example, the RFLP method (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism), SSCP method (Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism), SSCP method, TaqMan PCR method, SNaP Shot method, Invader method, mass spectrometry method, or a method using a DNA microarray may be employed. When these methods are employed, information indicating the SNP and the type of SNP may be included in the genetic information.

[0132] For example, when a method using a DNA macroarray is employed, the cell collection device 100 is composed of a DNA microarray. In this case, the cell collection device 100 may transmit information regarding a specific SNP and the type of the SNP from the collected cells to the server 200 as genetic information. The determination unit 212 of the server 200 may determine the constitution of the user from the SNP and the type of SNP included in the genetic information.

[0133] (4) The cell collection device 100, the server 200, and the device 300 are each separate devices, but the present disclosure is not limited to this and may be configured by one device. In this case, "transmitting the acquired identification information and the control information for causing the device to execute the determined device control program in association with each other" means that the identification information and the control information are transmitted in association with each other within the one device.

[0134] (5) In Embodiments 1 to 3, it has been described that one device control program is determined from among a plurality of device control programs, but the present disclosure is not limited to this.

Industrial Applicability

[0135] According to the present disclosure, since control suitable for the user's constitution can be performed, it is useful for realizing comfortable control for the user.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a device, comprising: a computer obtaining identification information for identifying a user and gene information of the user associated with the identification information, identifying a single nucleotide polymorphism and a type of the single nucleotide polymorphism at a predetermined locus related to a constitution to be determined based on a base sequence indicated by the obtained gene information, and determining the constitution of the user from the identified single nucleotide polymorphism and the type of the single nucleotide polymorphism, determining a device control program corresponding to the determined constitution from a plurality of predetermined device control programs for controlling the device, associating and transmitting the obtained identification information with control information for causing the device to execute the determined device control program, further comparing the most recent gene information among the obtained gene information with the gene information one before the most recent, detecting an expression of a predetermined gene by detecting a change in a base sequence at a predetermined locus related to the gene, and when the expression of the predetermined gene is detected, determining that the constitution of the user related to the predetermined gene has changed, and determining the device control program corresponding to the changed constitution, a control method.

2. The gene information includes information indicating a base sequence of a nucleic acid of the user, The control method according to claim 1.

3. The constitution is at least one of a warm constitution, taste sensitivity, and fatigue constitution, The control method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The control information includes the device control program, The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The control information includes information for causing the device having a plurality of device control programs to execute the determined device control program, The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The constitution is a warm constitution, The device is an air conditioner, In the determination, when the user has a warm constitution with heat intolerance, determining the device control program for heat intolerance of the air conditioner, when it is determined that the user has a warm constitution with cold intolerance, determining the device control program for cold intolerance, and when it is determined that the user has a standard warm constitution, determining a standard device control program, The device control program for heat intolerance is a device control program for operating the air conditioner at a set temperature lower than the standard, The cold-intolerant device control program is the device control program for operating the air-conditioning device at a set temperature higher than the standard. The standard device control program is the device control program for operating the air-conditioning device at the standard set temperature. The control method according to claim 1.

7. The constitution is taste sensitivity. The device is a cooking device. In the determination, a device control program for the cooking device corresponding to the taste sensitivity of the user is determined. The control method according to claim 1.

8. The constitution is a fatigue constitution. The device is an information presentation device capable of presenting rest information for promoting rest. In the determination, one device control program is determined from a plurality of device control programs in which the presentation timing of the rest information differs according to the fatigue constitution of the user. The control method according to claim 1.

9. A control device for a device, An acquisition unit that acquires identification information for identifying a user and the genetic information of the user associated with the identification information, Based on the base sequence indicated by the acquired genetic information, a single nucleotide polymorphism of a predetermined locus related to the constitution to be determined and the type of the single nucleotide polymorphism are identified, and the constitution of the user is determined from the identified single nucleotide polymorphism and the type of the single nucleotide polymorphism. A determination unit, A determination unit that determines a device control program for controlling the device corresponding to the determined constitution from a plurality of predetermined device control programs for controlling the device, A transmission unit that associates and transmits the acquired identification information and control information for causing the device to execute the determined device control program, A comparison unit that compares the most recent genetic information among the acquired genetic information with the genetic information one before the most recent one, An analysis unit that detects the expression of a predetermined gene by detecting a change in the base sequence of a predetermined locus related to a certain gene, and when the expression of the predetermined gene is detected, determines that the constitution of the user related to the predetermined gene has changed, and determines the device control program corresponding to the changed constitution. A control device.

10. A program for causing a computer to execute a device control method, Causing the computer to, Acquire identification information for identifying a user and genetic information of the user associated with the identification information. In the nucleotide sequence indicated by the obtained gene information, identify a single nucleotide polymorphism at a predetermined locus related to the constitution to be determined and the type of the single nucleotide polymorphism, and determine the constitution of the user from the identified single nucleotide polymorphism and the type of the single nucleotide polymorphism. From among a plurality of predetermined device control programs for controlling the device, determine a device control program corresponding to the determined constitution. Associate and transmit the obtained identification information with control information for causing the device to execute the determined device control program. Further, compare the most recent gene information among the obtained gene information with the gene information one before the most recent one, detect the expression of the predetermined gene by detecting a change in the nucleotide sequence of a predetermined locus related to a certain gene, and when the expression of the predetermined gene is detected, determine that the constitution of the user related to the predetermined gene has changed, and determine the device control program corresponding to the changed constitution. Program.

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