Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processor, a method for processing information, and a program for outputting information of a task that fits a user.SOLUTION: In an information processing system, an information processor 100 includes: a sound information acquisition unit 141 for acquiring sound information as biological sound produced from the body of a user; a task acquisition unit 162 for acquiring at least one task for a user by using input information including the sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit 141 and previously prepared learning information; and a task output unit 168 for outputting information of the task acquired by the task acquisition unit 162.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program for outputting information relating to a user's activity state. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, users have become increasingly aware of their own health. In response to this situation, various devices and services have been provided to provide support with information related to health and lifestyle habits. For example, Patent Document 1 listed below describes the configuration of a health management support system that acquires and records a user's health management information and outputs health management messages to the user based on the content of the information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-041035 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, knowledge of what activities are good for health and what activities are bad for health has been known. Tasks related to such activities are assigned to each user, and the user is encouraged to work on the tasks, for example, to maintain or improve their health. However, because individual users' health conditions vary, it is not necessarily the case that multiple users working on a single task will achieve the expected results for all users. In other words, the tasks suitable for each user may differ.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that are capable of outputting task information suitable for a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device of the first invention is an information processing device comprising: a sound information acquisition unit that acquires sound information related to body sounds, which are sounds emitted from a living body, of a single user; a task acquisition unit that acquires one or more tasks corresponding to the user using input information including the sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit and pre-prepared learning information; and a task output unit that outputs information on the tasks acquired by the task acquisition unit.

[0007] With this configuration, it is possible to output information on one or more tasks that are suitable for the user.

[0008] In addition, the information processing device of the second invention is an information processing device in which, compared to the first invention, the learning information is information constructed using two or more teacher data having input information including sound information and output information including a task identifier that identifies a task for improving physical condition.

[0009] With this configuration, it is possible to output information on tasks for improving the user's physical condition.

[0010] Furthermore, the information processing device of the third invention is an information processing device in which, compared to the first invention, the learning information is information constructed using two or more teacher data having input information including sound information and output information including a task identifier that identifies a task related to physical condition, and the task acquisition unit acquires a task identifier by applying the input information including the sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit to the learning information, and acquires a task using the acquired task identifier.

[0011] With this configuration, it is possible to output information about a task that corresponds to an issue related to the user's physical condition.

[0012] Furthermore, the information processing device of the fourth invention is an information processing device that, compared to the third invention, further includes a task storage unit that stores two or more pairs in which one assignment identifier is associated with one or more tasks, and the task acquisition unit acquires a task corresponding to the assignment identifier acquired using the learning information, which is stored in the task storage unit.

[0013] With this configuration, it is possible to output information about a task that corresponds to an issue related to the user's physical condition.

[0014] Furthermore, the information processing device of the fifth invention is an information processing device in which, compared to the first invention, the biological sounds are abdominal sounds emitted from the abdomen, and the task acquisition unit acquires a value of a predetermined index related to the health state based on output information acquired by applying input information including sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit to learning information, and acquires a task using the acquired value of the predetermined index.

[0015] With this configuration, it is possible to output information about a task that corresponds to the value of a predetermined index related to the user's health condition.

[0016] Furthermore, the information processing device of the sixth invention is an information processing device in which, compared to the fifth invention, the biological sounds are abdominal sounds emitted from the abdomen, and the predetermined indicator is at least one of the state of bowel movements, the number of intestinal peristaltic movements per unit time, and the frequency of abdominal sounds.

[0017] With this configuration, task information corresponding to a value reflecting the activity state of the user's intestines can be output.

[0018] Furthermore, the information processing device of the seventh invention is an information processing device in which, compared to the fifth or sixth invention, selection conditions regarding the value of a predetermined index are set in advance for each of two or more tasks, and the task acquisition unit acquires a task corresponding to the selection condition when the value of the predetermined index acquired using the learning information satisfies one of the selection conditions.

[0019] With this configuration, it is possible to output information about a task that corresponds to the value of a predetermined index related to the user's health condition.

[0020] Furthermore, the information processing device of the eighth invention is an information processing device in which, compared to any one of the first to seventh inventions, the task acquisition unit acquires information about one task randomly identified from among two or more tasks when two or more tasks are candidates for acquisition.

[0021] With this configuration, it is possible to output information about one task to the user.

[0022] Furthermore, the information processing device of the ninth invention is an information processing device in which, with respect to any one of the first to eighth inventions, the task acquisition unit acquires a task identifier that identifies a task currently being applied to the user, and acquires one or more tasks corresponding to the user based on the acquired task identifier.

[0023] With this configuration, task information can be output based on the currently applied task.

[0024] An information processing device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the information processing device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, wherein the task acquisition unit acquires a task different from a task currently being applied to the user.

[0025] With this configuration, it is possible to output information about a task different from the currently applied task.

[0026] Furthermore, the information processing device of the eleventh invention is an information processing device according to any one of the first to tenth inventions, further comprising a device identification information acquisition unit that acquires device identification information that identifies the type of device used to acquire the body sounds, which corresponds to the sound information; a plurality of pieces of learning information are prepared, each piece corresponding to the device identification information; and the task acquisition unit acquires a task using the learning information that corresponds to the device identification information acquired by the device identification information acquisition unit.

[0027] With this configuration, it is possible to acquire an appropriate task depending on the characteristics of the device used to acquire the body sounds.

[0028] In addition, the information processing device of the twelfth invention is an information processing device according to any one of the first to eleventh inventions, further comprising a microphone for recording body sounds and a display unit on which the tasks output by the task output unit are displayed.

[0029] With this configuration, the user can check the displayed task based on the body sounds recorded by the microphone.

[0030] Furthermore, the information processing device of the thirteenth invention is an information processing device that, compared to the twelfth invention, further includes a learning information storage unit in which learning information is stored, the task acquisition unit applies input information including sound information from body sounds recorded by a microphone to the learning information to acquire one or more tasks, and the task output unit displays the tasks on the display unit.

[0031] With this configuration, the user can check the displayed task based on the body sounds recorded by the microphone without communicating with other devices. [Effects of the Invention]

[0032] According to the information processing device of the present invention, task information suitable for the user can be output. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an information processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] Block diagram of the information processing device [Figure 3] Block diagram of the terminal device [Figure 4] A flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device [Figure 5] A flowchart showing an example of a task acquisition process of the information processing apparatus [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of task correspondence information used in the information processing apparatus; [Figure 7] A flowchart showing an example of a corresponding task acquisition process of the information processing apparatus. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of screen transitions of the terminal device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing a specific example of screen transitions of the terminal device. [Figure 10] A flowchart showing an example of a task acquisition process of the information processing apparatus [Figure 11] 1 is a block diagram of an information processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of task correspondence information used in the information processing apparatus; [Figure 13] A flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device [Figure 14] A flowchart showing an example of a score acquisition process of the information processing device. [Figure 15] A flowchart showing an example of an abdominal sound use process of the information processing device [Figure 16] A flowchart showing an example of an intestine-related score acquisition process of the information processing device [Figure 17] A flowchart showing an example of an excretion score acquisition process of the information processing device [Figure 18] A flowchart showing an example of a task acquisition process of the information processing apparatus [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device according to another modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 20] Overview of the computer system in the above embodiment [Figure 21] Block diagram of the computer system DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing device and the like will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that components with the same reference numerals in the embodiments perform similar operations, and therefore repeated description may be omitted.

[0035] The terms used below are generally defined as follows: The meanings of these terms should not always be interpreted as shown here, but rather, when they are individually explained below, they should be interpreted in light of that explanation.

[0036] Body sounds refer to sounds emitted from the user's body. Examples of body sounds include abdominal sounds, heart sounds, breathing sounds, neck sounds, leg sounds, joint sounds, tinnitus, and swallowing sounds. Abdominal sounds refer to sounds emitted from the user's abdomen. Abdominal sounds may include, for example, bowel sounds emitted from the intestines. Abdominal sounds may also include sounds emitted by blood flow in the abdomen (e.g., abdominal aortic sounds) and sounds emitted from organs such as the stomach. Heart sounds refer to sounds emitted by the beating of the heart. Breathing sounds refer to sounds emitted from the lungs when breathing. Neck sounds refer to sounds emitted from the neck. Leg sounds refer to sounds emitted when blood flows in the legs. Joint sounds refer to sounds emitted from joints. Tinnitus refers to sounds emitted when blood flows in the ears. Swallowing sounds include the sounds made when food or drink flows from the pharynx into the esophagus and sounds made from the cervical aorta.

[0037] The sound information refers to information obtained based on body sounds. The sound information may be the recorded body sound data itself, or may be data obtained by processing or editing the recorded body sound data.

[0038] Lifestyle information is information about a user's lifestyle. The lifestyle may include various elements related to the user's behavior, status, etc. In the following embodiments, the lifestyle information includes, for example, excretion-related information, eating and drinking information, and activity status information. That is, the lifestyle may include, for example, the user's excretion status, the user's eating and drinking status, the user's activity status, etc. However, without being limited to this, the lifestyle information may include information about other elements, or may include information about only some of these elements. Note that each piece of information about each element of the lifestyle information (excretion-related information, eating and drinking information, activity status information, etc.) may include information about smaller elements.

[0039] The excretion-related information is information related to the user's excretion status. As described above, the excretion-related information may include parameter values from various perspectives, such as the time of excretion, the amount, odor, and form (shape, color, etc.) of the excretion. More specifically, in this embodiment, the excretion-related information includes values expressed by the well-known Bristol Stool Form Scale (hereinafter also referred to as the Bristol scale). The Bristol scale indicates the physiological gastrointestinal transit time and can indirectly represent the state of the intestines. Note that labels corresponding to values expressed by the Bristol scale (e.g., "banana," "firm," "mushy," etc.) may be used as the excretion-related information. Note that the excretion-related information may be information resulting from an evaluation of excretion by an evaluator such as a user (information that involves the evaluator's subjective opinion), or information resulting from measurements and evaluations performed using an evaluation device, etc.

[0040] Food and drink information is information related to a user's eating and drinking habits. As described above, food and drink information may include information from various perspectives, such as water intake, alcohol intake, and meal content. Food and drink information may be conceptually divided into food information related to meals and dietary habits and beverage information related to beverage intake. More specifically, in this embodiment, food and drink information includes at least one of information on the amount of water consumed, information on whether or not alcohol has been consumed and the amount of alcohol consumed, information on whether or not meals have been consumed and the contents of meals, and information on the presence or amount of a specific group of foods consumed, but is not limited to this. Note that a specific group of foods refers to foods that belong to a specific group within groups such as meat, dairy products, and vegetables, but the perspective and granularity of such "group" classifications are not limited to this. In addition, either or both of the food information and beverage information may include information related to so-called supplements (health foods). Note that food and drink information is information entered by an evaluator, such as a user, after evaluating the eating and drink habits. However, it is not limited to this, and information resulting from measurements and evaluations performed using an evaluation device, for example, may also be used. For example, the types and amounts of food and beverages consumed can affect gastrointestinal motility differently.

[0041] The activity status information is information related to the user's activity status. The activity status here refers to the status related to lifestyle habits (i.e., actions and movements the user repeatedly performs in their daily life), excluding eating and drinking. In other words, the activity status information may include information related to lifestyle habits, excluding eating and drinking information. In this embodiment, the activity status information includes at least one of sleep information (such as sleep duration and sleep quality) and exercise information (such as number of steps, calorie expenditure, whether or not the user exercises regularly, exercise intensity and frequency), but is not limited thereto. For example, the activity status information may include information related to smoking status and smoking history. The activity status information may be, for example, information acquired by an activity meter provided in a device (such as a wearable device or other mobile device) owned or worn by the user, or information entered by an evaluator, such as the user, after making an evaluation.

[0042] The basic information is information about the user's morphology and characteristics. For example, the basic information may include various information such as the user's height, weight, age, sex, body fat percentage, muscle mass, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. The basic information may also include the user's responses to a questionnaire, information generated based on the responses, and information about the user's medical history. For example, the responses to a questionnaire used to diagnose people with intestinal disorders may objectively represent the user's constitution. The basic information may be, for example, input by the user in advance, but is not limited to this. For example, the basic information may be information acquired by a wearable device worn by the user, or information acquired from an external database in which user information is recorded.

[0043] A task can be defined as an action or movement that a user should undertake, or a state that should be achieved as a result of engaging in that action. Tasks can be categorized, for example, as those related to meals or activity status. A task may include elements related to a predetermined amount that the user should undertake (such as, but not limited to, time, number of times, frequency, and workload). For such tasks, information (called task values) indicating whether the task is set as something that should be performed, whether the task has been performed, progress regarding the completion of the task, and the degree of completion can be handled. Note that the value of a task can be handled as being related to another value to which the task is related, and vice versa. For example, a user's completion of a task such as jogging a predetermined distance can be handled as information indicating the amount of calories consumed by the user through exercise, or a user's completion of a task such as drinking milk can be handled as information indicating the amount of calories or nutrients consumed by the user.

[0044] An identifier for a certain item is a character or code that uniquely identifies that item. An identifier could be, for example, an ID, but any type of information can be used as long as it can identify the corresponding item. In other words, an identifier could be the name of the thing it represents, or a combination of codes that uniquely identify the thing.

[0045] Acquisition may include acquiring information entered by a user or the like, or acquiring information stored in one's own device or another device (which may be information stored in advance or information generated by information processing performed on the device). Acquiring information stored in another device may include acquiring information stored in another device via an API or the like, or acquiring the contents of a document file (including the contents of a web page) provided by another device by scraping, etc. It may also include acquiring information in a format different from the original information, such as acquiring information by performing optical character reading on an image file.

[0046] Furthermore, a so-called machine learning technique may be used to acquire information. The machine learning technique can be used, for example, as follows: That is, a classifier that receives a specific type of input information as input and outputs a desired type of information is configured using the machine learning technique. For example, two or more pairs of input information and output information (which may be called training data) are prepared in advance, and the two or more pairs of information are provided to a module for configuring a machine learning classifier to configure the classifier, and the configured classifier is stored in a storage unit. The classifier can also be called a learning device. Examples of machine learning techniques include deep learning, random forest, SVR, and the like. For machine learning, functions in various machine learning frameworks, such as fastText, tinySVM, random forest, and TensorFlow, and various existing libraries can be used.

[0047] Furthermore, the classifier is not limited to one obtained by machine learning. The classifier may be, for example, a table showing the correspondence between input vectors based on input information and output information. In this case, output information corresponding to a feature vector based on the input information may be obtained from the table. Alternatively, a vector approximating the feature vector based on the input information may be generated using two or more input vectors in the table and parameters for weighting each input vector, and the final output information may be obtained using the output information and parameters corresponding to each input vector used in the generation. The classifier may also be, for example, a function representing the relationship between an input vector based on input information and information for generating output information. In this case, for example, information corresponding to a feature vector based on the input information may be obtained using a function, and the obtained information may be used to obtain output information.

[0048] Outputting information is a concept that includes displaying on a display, projecting using a projector, printing on a printer, outputting sound, transmitting to an external device, storing on a recording medium, transferring the processing results to another processing device or another program, etc. Specifically, it includes, for example, making it possible to display information on a web page, transmitting as e-mail, etc., and outputting information for printing.

[0049] The concept of accepting information includes accepting information entered from input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel, receiving information transmitted from other devices via wired or wireless communication lines, and accepting information read from recording media such as optical disks, magnetic disks, and semiconductor memories.

[0050] With respect to various types of information stored in information processing devices, etc., an update is a concept that includes not only changes to the stored information, but also the addition of new information to the stored information, and the erasure of some or all of the stored information.

[0051] (Embodiment 1)

[0052] In this embodiment, the information processing device is configured to select one or more tasks using input information including sound information related to a user's body sounds and previously prepared learning information, and output information related to the selected tasks. In this embodiment, abdominal sounds are used as the body sounds. An information processing system 1 including an information processing device 100 configured in this manner will be described below.

[0053] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] In this embodiment, the information processing system 1 includes an information processing device 100 and a terminal device 600. The information processing device 100 and the terminal device 600 can communicate with each other via a network such as a local area network or the Internet. However, the configuration of the information processing system 1 is not limited to this. The number of devices included in the information processing system 1 is not important, and other devices may also be included in the information processing system 1.

[0055] A user of the information processing system 1 can use the information processing system 1 by using a terminal device 600. Note that in FIG. 1, a portable information terminal device such as a smartphone, each having a built-in microphone 681, is shown as the terminal device 600, but the terminal device 600 is not limited to such a portable information terminal device. For example, a terminal device 600b that is a personal computer (PC) such as a laptop computer may be used, or other devices such as a tablet-type information terminal device may be used. Furthermore, an external microphone 681b may be used as the microphone. In the following example, it is assumed that a portable information terminal device such as a smartphone is used as the terminal device 600, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0056] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the information processing device 100. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the terminal device 600.

[0057] 2, the information processing device 100 includes a storage unit 110, a receiving unit 120, a reception unit 130, a processing unit 140, and a transmission unit 170. The information processing device 100 is, for example, a server device.

[0058] The storage unit 110 includes a learning information storage unit 111 , a user information storage unit 115 , and a task storage unit 118 .

[0059] The learning information storage unit 111 stores learning information acquired in advance. The learning information is, for example, generated by the learning information generation unit 147 using a so-called machine learning technique as described below and stored in the learning information storage unit 111, but is not limited to this. That is, learning information generated in a device other than the information processing device 100 may be stored in the learning information storage unit 111. Note that the learning information is not limited to information generated using a machine learning technique. It may be a table indicating a correspondence relationship between an input vector based on input information, etc. and output information, such as the classifier described above, or a function indicating a relationship between an input vector based on input information, etc. and information for generating output information.

[0060] In this embodiment, multiple pieces of learning information are prepared. Each piece of learning information is stored in learning information storage unit 111 in association with device identification information. The device identification information corresponds to sound information included in the learning input information used when generating the learning information and identifies the type of device used to acquire, i.e., record, the abdominal sounds corresponding to the sound information. The device identification information may also be information identifying the method by which the abdominal sounds were recorded. Here, the device may refer to, for example, the microphone used to record the abdominal sounds or a device set including the microphone. Specific examples of device identification information include, but are not limited to, a code identifying the model of the device used to record the abdominal sounds or a code identifying the type of device used for recording (e.g., whether a smartphone's built-in microphone was used or an external microphone was used). Codes that can identify the origin of the learning input information with a certain degree of granularity, such as the recording method and the method of processing the recorded abdominal sounds (e.g., the presence or absence, type, and sound quality adjustment of a filter applied), may be used as device identification information.

[0061] The user information storage unit 115 stores user information. In this embodiment, the user information is information in which a user identifier, which is an identifier for identifying a user using the information processing system 1, is associated with information about the user. The user information may include various types of information. For example, it may include information transmitted from the terminal device 600 used by the user and information about the user acquired by the information processing device 100 as described below. The information transmitted from the terminal device 600 used by the user may include, for example, basic information about the user, as well as sound information, device identification information, and lifestyle information, as described below. Furthermore, the information about the user acquired by the information processing device 100 may include, for example, a task identifier, a task, information about the frequency of bowel sounds, an estimated result of the intestinal condition, each element score, and a bowel score, as described below. The user information storage unit 115 may also store user information transmitted from other external devices, etc.

[0062] The task storage unit 118 stores task correspondence information including two or more pairs of one task identifier and one or more tasks. Here, the task identifier, for example, identifies a task the user is facing. The task is particularly a health-related task, such as a digestive activity or condition, such as slight diarrhea or slight constipation. For example, intestinal conditions such as diarrhea, constipation, or low peristalsis may be considered as a problem. Low peristalsis here refers to, for example, a state in which peristalsis is infrequent or the duration of active peristalsis is relatively short, but is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the task correspondence information may be broadly applicable to physical and mental health conditions. Furthermore, the task correspondence information may be configured to identify discrepancies from generally considered desirable activity states, such as those related to the content of dietary intake or the amount of exercise. In this embodiment, two or more tasks are pre-prepared as potential problems for the user. Each of these is associated with one or more tasks in the task correspondence information.

[0063] Specifically, examples of pairs in which one task identifier is associated with one or more tasks include the following: For example, a task such as refraining from eating spicy foods or drinking alcohol may be associated with the task of feeling a little diarrhea. Furthermore, a task such as taking in dietary fiber or taking a specific beverage may be associated with the task of feeling a little constipated. Furthermore, a task such as taking a specific beverage or receiving a massage (receiving a massage treatment on a specific part of the body or the whole body) may be associated with the task of having low peristalsis.

[0064] The receiving unit 120 receives information transmitted from another device. The receiving unit 120 stores the received information in, for example, the storage unit 110. In this embodiment, a user inputs information using, for example, the terminal device 600 and transmits the information to the information processing device 100. The receiving unit 120 can store each piece of transmitted information in the storage unit 110 in association with a user identifier. Also, as will be described later, in this embodiment, sound information transmitted from each terminal device 600 can be received and stored in the storage unit 110 in association with a user identifier. When receiving this information from the terminal device 600, the receiving unit 120 can identify the user identifier of the user involved in the transmission based on the transmitted information.

[0065] The reception unit 130 receives information input using an input means (not shown) connected to the information processing device 100. The reception unit 130 stores the received information in the storage unit 110, for example. The input means may be any means, such as a numeric keypad, keyboard, mouse, or menu screen. The reception unit 130 may also receive information input by an input operation (including, for example, information read by a device) performed using a reading device (for example, a code reader) connected to the information processing device 100.

[0066] Note that the accepting unit 130 may be considered to accept the information received by the receiving unit 120 as information input to the information processing device 100. In other words, inputting information to the information processing device 100 may be interpreted as meaning that the information is indirectly input to the information processing device 100 by the user via the terminal device 600 or the like, or may be interpreted as meaning that the information is directly input to the information processing device 100 by the user using an input means. Furthermore, inputting information to the information processing device 100 may be considered to mean that the user provides information to the information processing device 100 by executing a program that automatically generates information or by providing various information to a program to make it function.

[0067] The processing unit 140 includes a sound information acquisition unit 141, a device identification information acquisition unit 143, a lifestyle information acquisition unit 145, a learning information generation unit 147, a task acquisition unit 162, and a task output unit 168. The processing unit 140 performs various types of processing. The various types of processing are, for example, processing performed by each unit of the processing unit 140 as follows.

[0068] The sound information acquisition unit 141 acquires sound information of one user. In this embodiment, the sound information acquisition unit 141 acquires sound information transmitted from the terminal device 600 of the user and received by the receiving unit 120.

[0069] The device identification information acquisition unit 143 acquires device identification information corresponding to the sound information. In the present embodiment, the device identification information is transmitted from the user's terminal device 600 in association with the sound information, but is not limited to this. The device identification information acquisition unit 143 may be configured to acquire device identification information that is stored in advance in the storage unit 110 as information for identifying the user's terminal device 600.

[0070] The lifestyle information acquisition unit 145 acquires lifestyle information. In this embodiment, the lifestyle information includes, but is not limited to, excretion-related information, dietary information, and activity status information (i.e., exercise information and sleep information). The lifestyle information acquisition unit 145 acquires, for example, information stored in the user information storage unit 115. In addition, the lifestyle information acquisition unit 145 may acquire basic information about the user.

[0071] The learning information generation unit 147 generates learning information using a machine learning technique. The machine learning technique can be used, for example, as follows: A classifier that receives input information including sound information as input and outputs output information is configured using the machine learning technique. For example, two or more pairs of learning input information and learning output information (teacher data) are prepared in advance, and the two or more pairs of information are provided to a module for configuring a machine learning classifier to configure the classifier, and the configured classifier is stored in the learning information storage unit 111 as learning information. The classifier can also be referred to as a learning device. Machine learning techniques include, for example, deep learning such as convolutional neural networks (CNN), random forests, SVR, and the like. For machine learning, functions in various machine learning frameworks such as fastText, tinySVM, random forest, and TensorFlow, as well as various existing libraries, can be used. It is sufficient that combinations of learning input information and learning output information are prepared in advance. Learning information may also be regenerated at a predetermined timing using combinations of sound information and output information newly acquired by the information processing device.

[0072] In this embodiment, the learning information generation unit 147 constructs the learning information using two or more pieces of teacher data having, for example, learning input information including sound information and output information including a task identifier that identifies a task related to intestinal health. That is, the learning information storage unit 111 stores, as the learning information, information constructed using two or more pieces of teacher data having learning input information including sound information and output information including a task identifier that identifies a task related to intestinal health.

[0073] The task acquisition unit 162 acquires one or more tasks corresponding to the user using input information including sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit 141 and previously prepared learning information. In this embodiment, the task acquisition unit 162 acquires a task identifier by applying the input information including sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit 141 to the learning information. Then, the task acquisition unit 162 acquires a task using the acquired task identifier. The task acquisition using the task identifier is performed, for example, based on task correspondence information stored in the task storage unit 118. That is, the task acquisition unit 162 searches the task correspondence information for one or more tasks corresponding to the task identifier acquired using the learning information (selects the tasks as acquisition candidates). Then, the task acquisition unit 162 acquires the searched one or more tasks (tasks selected as selection candidates) as tasks corresponding to the user. In other words, the task acquisition unit 162 acquires tasks stored in the task storage unit 118 using the acquired task identifier.

[0074] In this embodiment, the task acquisition unit 162 is configured to acquire, from the learning information storage unit 111, learning information corresponding to the device identification information acquired by the device identification information acquisition unit 143, and perform the above-mentioned processing using the acquired learning information. This makes it possible to use learning information corresponding to the characteristics of the terminal device 600 used to record abdominal sounds, and therefore, by applying the input information to the learning information, it becomes possible to obtain more appropriate output information.

[0075] In this embodiment, the sound information used as learning input information by the learning information generation unit 147 and the sound information input by the task acquisition unit 162 are spectrograms that represent, in a predetermined format, the results of analyzing audio data (which may be processed) obtained by recording abdominal sounds using Fourier transform or fast Fourier transform. The sound information may be the audio data (which may be processed) itself, or may be data converted into another format. Such sound information used as learning input information by the learning information generation unit 147 and the sound information input by the task acquisition unit 162 may be prepared by the processing unit 140. Sound information in the form of a spectrogram may be prepared in advance in a device other than the information processing device 100, such as a device in which abdominal sounds are recorded, and the sound information may be transmitted to the information processing device 100.

[0076] The learning information generation unit 147 and the task acquisition unit 162 may be configured to use learning input information including user information such as basic information when generating and using the learning information. In this case, the generated learning information may be stored in the learning information storage unit 111 in association with an identifier that identifies each type, which can classify users based on the user information. The task acquisition unit 162 may be configured to acquire, from the learning information storage unit 111, learning information of a type corresponding to an identifier identified based on the user information, and acquire a task using the learning information. This allows for more accurate output results. The input information may also include lifestyle information.

[0077] Here, the task acquisition unit 162 may acquire a task that satisfies a predetermined acquisition condition from among the tasks selected as acquisition candidates. Various acquisition conditions can be set.

[0078] For example, the task acquisition unit 162 may be configured to acquire a task identifier that identifies a task currently or previously applied to the user, and acquire one or more tasks corresponding to the user based on the acquired task identifier. In this embodiment, the task acquisition unit 162 acquires a task different from the task currently applied to the user. In this case, the acquisition condition can be expressed as a task different from the task currently applied to the user. For example, the task acquisition unit 162 is configured to preferentially acquire a task different from the currently applied task among tasks corresponding to assignment identifiers acquired using learning information. Note that in this embodiment, the task acquisition unit 162 is configured to acquire tasks different from the currently applied task if all tasks corresponding to assignment identifiers acquired using learning information are currently applied tasks, but this is not limited to this. In this way, by acquiring tasks different from the currently applied tasks, it is possible to present the user with tasks that feel fresh to them. Note that the task acquisition unit 162 may be configured to acquire a task that is not currently applied or has been applied for a predetermined period in the past. Alternatively, the task acquisition unit 162 may preferentially acquire a task that has been currently or previously applied among tasks corresponding to assignment identifiers. In this case, the acquisition condition can be expressed as the task being identical to a task that has been applied currently or in the past. This makes it possible to present tasks that are familiar and easy for the user to work on. Note that when acquiring the current task based on the task identifier of a task that has been applied in the past, the current task may be acquired based on a task that the user has completed (which may also be called a task that has been achieved or performed) from among the tasks that have been applied in the past. In other words, the current task may be acquired based on the task identifier of a task that is applied currently or in the past and the performance information of that task.

[0079] The task acquisition unit 162 associates the acquired task with the user identifier and stores it in the user information storage unit 115. The task acquisition unit 162 may store the acquired task as a task to be output to the user, or may store the acquired task in a state in which it is applied to the user as a task to be worked on by the user.

[0080] The task acquisition unit 162 may change the predetermined method used for acquiring such a task as appropriate based on basic information about the user. Specifically, for example, the task acquisition unit 162 may be configured to acquire task identifiers using sound information by different methods, or to select tasks to acquire from among the tasks corresponding to the task identifiers, depending on the user's gender, age, height, weight, medical history, results of a predetermined questionnaire, etc. In other words, the task acquisition unit 162 may acquire tasks based on the basic information about the user.

[0081] The task output unit 168 outputs task information acquired by the task acquisition unit 162. Note that output of task information may mean transmitting the information to the user's terminal device 600 via the transmission unit 170, or storing the information in the storage unit 110 of the information processing device 100 or another device (including sending a message such as an e-mail) so that the user can acquire the information using the terminal device 600 or the like. The task information output by the task output unit 168 includes, for example, a task identifier that identifies the task and other information corresponding to the task identifier (for example, information corresponding to the task identifier in the task correspondence information), but is not limited to this. For example, the task information may include only the task identifier. In this case, the terminal device 600 or the like that receives the task identifier may acquire other information corresponding to the task identifier.

[0082] In this embodiment, when two or more tasks are identified as candidates for acquisition, the task acquisition unit 162 may acquire information on one task that is randomly identified from the two or more tasks. This may also be expressed as the task output unit 168 outputting information on one randomly identified task when two or more tasks are acquired by the task acquisition unit 162. When three or more tasks are acquired by the task acquisition unit 162, the task output unit 168 may be configured to output information on the two or more randomly identified tasks. Furthermore, when two or more tasks are acquired by the task acquisition unit 162, the task output unit 168 may output a number of tasks that is fewer than the number of acquired tasks by a method other than the above.

[0083] The transmitting unit 170 transmits the information via the network to other devices constituting the information processing system 1. The transmitting unit 170 transmits the information to, for example, the terminal device 600. In other words, the transmitting unit 170 outputs the information to, for example, the terminal device 600.

[0084] Next, the configuration of the terminal device 600 will be described.

[0085] 3, the terminal device 600 includes a terminal storage unit 610, a terminal receiving unit 620, a terminal acceptance unit 630, a device processing unit 640, a terminal output unit 660, a terminal transmission unit 670, and a sensor unit 680. The terminal output unit 660 includes a display unit 661. The sensor unit 680 includes a microphone 681 and an acceleration sensor 683.

[0086] The terminal storage unit 610 includes a sound information storage unit 611 , a device identification information storage unit 613 , and a lifestyle information storage unit 615 .

[0087] The sound information storage unit 611 accumulates sound information recorded using the sensor unit 680 of the terminal device 600. The sound information is transmitted to the information processing device 100 by the terminal transmission unit 670, and may be deleted from the sound information storage unit 611 when transmission is complete, or may be held as is until a predetermined period has elapsed, or may be held permanently until a deletion operation is performed by the user.

[0088] Device identification information is stored in the device identification information storage unit 613. The device identification information is information that can identify the model of the terminal device 600, but is not limited to this. It is also possible that other information cannot be written to the device identification information storage unit 613.

[0089] Lifestyle information is accumulated in the life style information storage unit 615. The life style information is transmitted to the information processing device 100 by the terminal transmission unit 670, and may be deleted from the life style information storage unit 615 when transmission is complete, or may be held as is until a predetermined period has elapsed, or may be held permanently until a deletion operation is performed by the user.

[0090] The lifestyle information stored in the lifestyle information storage unit 615 may include information input by the user or information based on the input. This information may be, for example, information accepted by the device accepting unit 630, or information acquired by the device processing unit 640 by performing calculations or the like based on the information accepted by the device accepting unit 630.

[0091] Furthermore, the lifestyle information stored in the lifestyle information storage unit 615 may include measurement values or information based on the measurement values. This information may be, for example, information measured by the sensor unit 680, or information acquired by the device processing unit 640 by performing calculations or the like based on the information measured by the sensor unit 680. Alternatively, the information may be information measured or the like by a sensor device communicably connected to the terminal device 600 and transmitted to the terminal device 600.

[0092] The terminal receiving unit 620 receives information transmitted from the information processing device 100 or other devices via a network. The terminal receiving unit 620 stores the received information in, for example, the terminal storage unit 610 so that the device processing unit 640 and the like can acquire the information.

[0093] The terminal reception unit 630 receives various input operations for the terminal device 600 by a user of the terminal device 600. The operations are performed, for example, using an input device (not shown), but are not limited to this. The terminal reception unit 630 may also receive input operations using voice input via the microphone 681, for example.

[0094] The terminal processing unit 640 uses each unit of the terminal device 600 to perform various information processing operations.

[0095] The terminal output unit 660 outputs information by, for example, displaying it on a display device such as a display unit 661. Note that the method of outputting information is not limited to this, and information may be output by outputting sound or the like from a speaker or the like.

[0096] The terminal transmitting unit 670 transmits information acquired by, for example, the terminal processing unit 640 via the network.

[0097] The sensor unit 680 may include, for example, a microphone 681, an acceleration sensor 683, and an air pressure sensor. The sensor unit 680 uses the microphone 681 to record audio and measure items, and outputs information such as obtained audio data and measurement values. The obtained information is stored in, for example, the terminal storage unit 610. Here, the measurement values may be, for example, values indicating a change in acceleration acquired by an acceleration sensor or values indicating a change in air pressure acquired by an air pressure sensor, but are not limited to these. The sensor unit 680 may include, for example, a pulse sensor, an illuminance sensor, a camera, or a location information sensor capable of identifying a location using GPS or the like. The sensor unit 680 may also be a timer that measures the passage of time. In this embodiment, the sensor unit 680 functions as an activity meter that acquires information about the user's activity level, such as the amount of heat consumed and the number of steps, and information about the user's lifestyle habits, such as the user's wake-up time, bedtime, and commuting time. In addition, based on the measurement values obtained by the sensor unit 680, information about the user's living environment, such as the area where the user lives, the climate, and the noise environment, may be obtained and stored in the terminal storage unit 610.

[0098] The storage unit 110 and the terminal storage unit 610 are preferably non-volatile recording media, but can also be realized as volatile recording media. Information acquired by each device is stored in these, but the process by which the information is stored is not limited to this. For example, information may be stored via a recording medium, information transmitted via a communication line, or information input via an input device.

[0099] Furthermore, the above-mentioned processing unit 140 and device processing unit 640 can usually be realized by an MPU, memory, etc. The processing procedures of the processing unit 140 and device processing unit 640 are usually realized by software, and the software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM. However, they may also be realized by hardware (dedicated circuitry).

[0100] Furthermore, input means that can be used to input information that can be accepted by acceptance unit 130 and terminal acceptance unit 630 may be any means, such as a numeric keypad, keyboard, mouse, menu screen, etc. Acceptance unit 130 and terminal acceptance unit 630 can be realized by a device driver for input means such as a numeric keypad or keyboard, or control software for a menu screen, etc.

[0101] Furthermore, the receiving unit 120 and the terminal receiving unit 620 are usually realized by wireless or wired communication means, but may also be realized by means for receiving broadcasts.

[0102] Furthermore, the transmitting unit 170 and the terminal transmitting unit 670 are usually realized by wireless or wired communication means, but may also be realized by broadcasting means.

[0103] Next, an example of the operation of the information processing device 100 performed when a user uses the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the user can use the information processing system 1 by, for example, accessing the information processing device 100 via the terminal device 600 or receiving information transmitted from the information processing device 100 and running a predetermined application on the terminal device 600. Note that the predetermined application may be, for example, a dedicated application that operates using information transmitted from the information processing device 100, or a web browser that displays web applications provided on the information processing device 100 in a usable manner.

[0104] In this embodiment, the information processing system 1 is typically used as follows: The user records their own abdominal sounds using the terminal device 600. The sound information is then transmitted from the terminal device 600 to the information processing device 100, and the information processing device 100 acquires a task. The information processing device 100 transmits (outputs) the acquired task to the terminal device 600. The terminal device 600 receives the task and displays information including the task on a display device via the terminal output unit 660. This allows the user to confirm information about the task recommended by the information processing system 1 to be performed by the user. Since an appropriate task is presented according to the abdominal sounds, the user can learn about tasks related to their health and begin working on the task. When the information processing system 1 operates in this manner, the information processing device 100 performs various operations, for example, as follows. These operations are performed by the processing unit 140 executing control operations and the like using each unit.

[0105] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device 100.

[0106] (Step S101) The processing unit 140 determines whether or not the receiving unit 120 has received information transmitted from the terminal device 600, etc. If it is determined that the information has been received, the processing proceeds to step S102, and if not, the processing proceeds to step S103.

[0107] (Step S102) The processing unit 140 identifies the user based on the received information, and stores the received information in the user information storage unit 115 in association with the user identifier. For example, when lifestyle information, sound information, or device identification information is transmitted from the terminal device 600 in association with the user identifier, the processing unit 140 stores the received information in the user information storage unit 115 in association with the user identifier.

[0108] (Step S103) The processing unit 140 determines whether a trigger for acquiring a task has occurred (the trigger has kicked). In other words, the processing unit 140 determines whether a condition for starting task acquisition has been met. If it is determined that a trigger has occurred, the process proceeds to step S104. If not, the process returns to step S101.

[0109] The trigger may be, for example, an instruction to acquire a task from the user via the terminal device 600 (transmission of predetermined information corresponding to the instruction), but the trigger is not limited to this. For example, the trigger may be the satisfaction of various conditions, such as the arrival of a predetermined time or the receipt of new sound information or other life information.

[0110] (Step S104) The processing unit 140 performs a task acquisition process using the task acquisition unit 162. The task acquisition process will be described later. By the task acquisition process, information on the user's task is acquired and stored in the user information storage unit 115.

[0111] (Step S105) The processing unit 140 constructs information to be output using the acquired task information by the task output unit 168. In this embodiment, information for displaying the task information on the terminal device 600 is constructed.

[0112] (Step S106) The processing unit 140 outputs the constructed information to the target user via the task output unit 168. That is, the processing unit 140 outputs the constructed information about the task to the terminal device 600 used by the user via the transmission unit 170. This allows the terminal device 600 that has received the information to display information about the task.

[0113] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a task acquisition process of the information processing apparatus 100. As shown in FIG.

[0114] (Step S111) The task acquisition unit 162 generates a spectrogram from sound information, which is audio data obtained by recording abdominal sounds.

[0115] (Step S112) The task acquisition unit 162 acquires the generated spectrogram, lifestyle information, past user information, and the like related to the target user based on the user identifier of the target user from the user information storage unit 115. Basic information may also be acquired.

[0116] (Step S113) The task acquisition unit 162 selects, from the learning information stored in the learning information storage unit 111, the learning information that corresponds to the device identification information that corresponds to the sound information, as the learning information to be used.

[0117] (Step S114) The task acquisition unit 162 applies the input information to the selected learning information to acquire output information, thereby acquiring an assignment identifier in this embodiment.

[0118] (Step S115) The task acquisition unit 162 acquires a task corresponding to the acquired assignment identifier (corresponding task acquisition process). The corresponding task acquisition process will be described later.

[0119] (Step S116) The task acquisition unit 162 associates the acquired task with the user identifier of the target user and stores it in the user information storage unit 115. After that, the process returns to FIG.

[0120] Note that, when the sound information stored in the user information storage unit 115 is a spectrogram, such as when the sound information transmitted from the terminal device 600 is a spectrogram, the process of step S121 may not be performed. Also, instead of using a spectrogram as the input image, recorded voice data may be used as is as the sound information.

[0121] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of task correspondence information used in the information processing device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0122] 6, the task correspondence information associates, for example, an assignment identifier with a task identifier that identifies a task. In this embodiment, the task correspondence information further includes the name of the task corresponding to the task identifier, a description of the task, a product identifier that identifies a product corresponding to the task, and the like. Note that the task correspondence information is not limited to this, and may further include attribute values of other attributes, or may not include any of the attribute values described above.

[0123] In FIG. 6, various attribute values are given as examples. The task identifiers include character strings that identify tasks, such as "peristalsis," which indicates a state of low peristalsis, or "feeling like diarrhea" or "feeling like constipation." The task identifiers include character strings that can uniquely identify tasks, such as those indicated by the attribute values of the task name and task description. The product identifiers include character strings that can identify specific products, for example, when there are specific products related to the performance of a task. Note that the identifiers and other attribute values are not limited to these forms, and may be information indicating other resources, key values used in other tables, etc.

[0124] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the corresponding task acquisition process of the information processing apparatus 100. In FIG.

[0125] 7, if there is one task that is a candidate for acquisition, the task acquisition unit 162 acquires that task. On the other hand, if there are two or more tasks that are candidates for acquisition, the task acquisition unit 162 acquires one task that is different from the task that has been applied so far (currently or in the past). If such a task is not a candidate for acquisition, the task acquisition unit 162 acquires one task that is randomly selected from the candidates for acquisition.

[0126] (Step S151) The task acquisition unit 162 searches the task correspondence information using the acquired assignment identifier, and identifies the task corresponding to the assignment identifier. The task acquisition unit 162 also determines whether the number of identified tasks is two or more. If it is determined that the number is two or more, the process proceeds to step S153; if not, the process proceeds to step S152.

[0127] (Step S152) The task acquisition unit 162 acquires only one identified task, and returns to the processing of FIG.

[0128] (Step S153) The task acquisition unit 162 sets the counter i to zero. This can also be said to reset the counter i.

[0129] (Step S154) The task acquisition unit 162 increments the counter i by 1. This can also be said to add 1 to the value of the counter i.

[0130] (Step S155) The task acquisition unit 162 determines whether or not the i-th task exists among the identified tasks. If the task exists, the process proceeds to step S156, and if not, the process proceeds to step S158.

[0131] (Step S156) The task acquisition unit 162 determines whether the i-th task satisfies a predetermined acquisition condition. If it is determined that the i-th task satisfies the acquisition condition, the process proceeds to step S157; if not, the process returns to step S154. Here, the acquisition condition is, for example, that the task is different from a task currently or previously applied to the user.

[0132] (Step S157) The task acquisition unit 162 selects the i-th task, and then proceeds to step S159.

[0133] (Step S158) The task acquisition unit 162 randomly selects one task from the candidate tasks for acquisition, and then proceeds to step S159.

[0134] (Step S159) The task acquisition unit 162 acquires the selected task, and then returns to the processing of FIG.

[0135] In this way, when a task is acquired through the corresponding task acquisition process, information about the task is output. Therefore, even when multiple tasks are candidates for acquisition, information about one of the tasks can be selected and notified to the user. This allows the user to learn about task information and work on the task without feeling overwhelmed by a large number of tasks. Furthermore, in the above example, tasks that are different from current or past tasks are acquired and output as much as possible. Therefore, the user can learn about and work on tasks that are new to them with priority.

[0136] Next, a specific example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described while showing screen transitions on the terminal device 600 used by the user.

[0137] In the following specific example, it is assumed that information processing system 1 provides a health support application for supporting a user to live a healthy life. The health support application accepts input operations related to the user's lifestyle information and provides the user with information useful for maintaining health. The health support application is realized when the user executes a predetermined application on terminal device 600 and communication occurs between terminal device 600 and information processing device 100. The following example screen of the health support application is displayed by terminal output unit 660 under the control of device processing unit 640.

[0138] FIG. 8 is a first diagram showing a specific example of screen transitions of the terminal device 600. In FIG.

[0139] 8 shows a task display screen 905 of the health support application. The task display screen 905 includes, for example, a task display section 951 that displays information about the task currently set for the user, an achievement display section 953 that displays information about achievements such as the number of times the task has been completed, a task proposal button 955 for proposing a new task, and a history display button 957 for checking the task setting history. By operating the task proposal button 955, the user can cause the terminal device 600 to record abdominal sounds and transition to the task proposal screen 906. By operating the history display button 957, the user can check the task setting record. When the task proposal button 955 is operated, abdominal sounds are recorded and then the screen transitions to the task proposal screen 906.

[0140] The task display section 951 includes, for example, the name of the task and its description. The task display section 951 may also include information regarding the progress status of the set task. For example, the task display section 951 may include information indicating whether the task has been completed, the degree of completion, etc.

[0141] FIG. 9 is a second diagram showing a specific example of screen transitions of the terminal device 600. In FIG.

[0142] FIG. 9 illustrates a task proposal screen 906 of a health support application. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the task proposal screen 906 includes, for example, a task display section 961 that displays an output task and a task setting button 963 for receiving an operation for setting the displayed task as one to be performed by the user. By checking the task displayed in the task display section 961, the user can recognize that the task may effectively contribute to improving the user's health condition. Furthermore, by operating the task setting button 963, the user can easily set the displayed task as one to be performed by the user. In other words, by outputting such task information to the terminal device 600 by the information processing device 100 and displaying the task proposal screen 906, the user can easily and effectively be motivated to effectively improve their health condition.

[0143] In this specific example, the task proposal screen 906 further includes a related information display section 964. The related information display section 964 displays information related to the task that is included in the output information. For example, the related information display section 964 may include a description of the task displayed in the task display section 961, information about products related to the task, etc. This allows the user to recognize information about the task to be completed in more detail and effectively motivates the user to purchase related products. Note that the task-related information may be, for example, information based on task correspondence information, but is not limited to this.

[0144] As described above, the information processing device 100 can be said to be able to realize the following information processing method using the learning information and sound information stored in the storage unit 110. That is, the information processing device 100 acquires sound information related to abdominal sounds, which are sounds emitted from the abdomen, of a single user, and acquires one or more tasks corresponding to the user using input information including the acquired sound information and previously prepared learning information, and outputs information about the acquired tasks. Because tasks acquired based on the sound information are output, the user can easily learn about tasks that are objectively selected and suitable for them. In this embodiment, because tasks corresponding to task identifiers are output, the user can easily learn about tasks that correspond to tasks related to the user's intestinal condition.

[0145] (Description of a Modification of the First Embodiment)

[0146] In the first embodiment described above, a task corresponding to an assignment identifier included in the output information of the learning information is acquired and output. However, the output information of the learning information may also include information that can identify the task. That is, the learning information may be configured using two or more sets of teacher data, each of which includes input information including sound information and output information including a task identifier that identifies a task for improving intestinal health. In this case, the task acquisition unit 162 acquires output information including a task identifier by applying the input information including sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit 141 to the learning information. That is, the task is acquired. Then, the task output unit 168 outputs the acquired task. In such a modified example, the task acquisition process may be performed, for example, as described below.

[0147] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of task acquisition processing of the information processing apparatus 100. As shown in FIG.

[0148] The processing from step S611 to step S613 is the same as the processing from step S111 to step S113 in the above-described embodiment 1. That is, the task acquisition unit 162 generates a spectrogram from the sound information, acquires various information based on the user identifier of the user, and selects the learning information to be used.

[0149] (Step S614) The task acquisition unit 162 applies the input information to the selected learning information to acquire output information. Here, in this embodiment, output information including information on the task identifier is acquired. As a result, in this embodiment, the task identifier, i.e., the task, is acquired.

[0150] (Step S615) The task acquisition unit 162 associates the acquired task with the user identifier of the target user and stores it in the user information storage unit 115. Then, the process returns to FIG.

[0151] In this way, even when the output information obtained using the learning information is configured to include a user identifier and the task output unit 162 is configured to obtain a task using the learning information, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

[0152] (Embodiment 2)

[0153] An overview of the second embodiment will be described below, focusing on differences from the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, an information processing system 1 including an information processing device 200 and a terminal device 600 having the same configuration as in the first embodiment is used. The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, instead of the information processing device 100, an information processing device 200 configured to output a task using a score indicating the state of the intestines is used.

[0154] That is, in this embodiment, the learning information is created by using information including sound information as input information and a predetermined index value related to the intestinal activity state as output information, and the information processing device 200 selects a task using the value of the predetermined index acquired using the learning information. Here, the predetermined index is preferably at least one of, for example, the state of bowel movements, the number of intestinal peristaltic movements per unit time, and the frequency of abdominal sounds. Furthermore, tasks associated with the predetermined index are prepared in advance, and the device is configured to output a task based on the acquired value of the predetermined index. The information processing device 200 of the information processing system 1 configured in this manner will be described below.

[0155] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an information processing device 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0156] The information processing device 200 includes a storage unit 110, a receiving unit 120, a accepting unit 130, and a transmitting unit 170, which are configured in the same manner as in the above-described first embodiment. Moreover, the information processing device 200 includes a processing unit 240 instead of the processing unit 140.

[0157] The processing unit 240 includes a sound information acquisition unit 141, a device identification information acquisition unit 143, a lifestyle information acquisition unit 145, a learning information generation unit 147, and a task output unit 168. In this embodiment, the processing unit 240 also includes a task acquisition unit 262 and a bowel score output unit 161.

[0158] In this embodiment, the learning information generation unit 147 generates learning information by machine learning using two or more pairs of learning input information including sound information and output information including a predetermined index value related to the activity state of the intestines. That is, learning information that takes sound information as input information and outputs output information including a predetermined index value is stored in the learning information storage unit 111.

[0159] In this embodiment, the task acquisition unit 262 includes a bowel score acquisition unit 149. The task acquisition unit 262 acquires a predetermined index value by applying input information including sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit 141 to learning information using the bowel score acquisition unit 149. Then, the task acquisition unit 262 acquires a task using the acquired predetermined index value.

[0160] The intestine score acquisition unit 149 acquires an intestine score related to the user's intestinal condition using input information including the sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit 141 and previously prepared learning information. In this embodiment, the intestine score acquisition unit 149 has an element score acquisition unit 151. The element score acquisition unit 151 has an intestine-related score acquisition unit 152, an excretion score acquisition unit 153, an eating and drinking score acquisition unit 154, and an activity status score acquisition unit 155.

[0161] In this embodiment, the intestine score acquisition unit 149 acquires a predetermined index value using the learning information stored in the learning information storage unit 111, and acquires the intestine score using the value of this output index. The process of acquiring the predetermined index value is performed, for example, by the intestine-related score acquisition unit 152 described below. As the predetermined index, for example, at least one of the state of bowel movements and the number of intestinal peristaltic movements per unit time is used. The number of intestinal peristaltic movements may be referred to as the frequency of abdominal sounds at or above a predetermined level (hereinafter, simply referred to as the frequency of bowel sounds). The intestine score acquisition unit 149 is configured to acquire learning information corresponding to the device identification information acquired by the device identification information acquisition unit 143 from the learning information storage unit 111, and acquire the intestine score using the acquired learning information.

[0162] In this embodiment, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 acquires a intestinal score using the element scores acquired by the element score acquisition unit 151. As will be described below, the element score acquisition unit 151 acquires element scores for each of two or more evaluation elements based on input information from each unit. Examples of the two or more evaluation elements include intestinal-related elements, excretion, beverages, meals, and activity status. That is, in this embodiment, the element scores used are, for example, an intestinal motility score, an intestinal condition score, an excretion score, a beverage score, a meal score, and an activity status score. Each score is a code or the like indicating a numerical value or grade that represents the state or degree of well-being of the target item, and is information that can be easily understood by the user.

[0163] The intestine-related score acquisition unit 152 acquires an intestine state score related to the state of bowel movements (normal, diarrhea, constipation, etc.) and an intestine motility score related to intestinal peristalsis (frequency, etc.) using the sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit 141 and the learning information. In this embodiment, the intestine-related score acquisition unit 152 acquires the value of the output index by inputting the sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit 141 into the learning information using a machine learning technique. Then, the intestine-related scores (intestine state score and intestine motility score) are acquired based on the value of the output index.

[0164] Here, in this embodiment as well, the sound information used in the processing unit 240 may be a spectrogram or other audio data. Furthermore, the processing unit 240 may also be configured to use learning input information including user information such as basic information when generating and using learning information. Furthermore, the intestine-related score acquisition unit 152 may be configured to acquire, from the learning information storage unit 111, learning information of a type corresponding to an identifier identified based on the user information, and to acquire the intestine-related score using the learning information. This allows for more accurate output results to be obtained.

[0165] The excretion score acquisition unit 153 acquires the excretion score based on the excretion-related information.

[0166] The eating and drinking score acquisition unit 154 acquires a drink score and a meal score based on the eating and drinking information.

[0167] The activity status score acquisition unit 155 acquires the activity status score based on the activity status information.

[0168] Each of these components of the element score acquisition unit 151 acquires an element score based on the output index value and various lifestyle information, for example, based on whether the output index value and the content of the various lifestyle information satisfy a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition can be set for each element and for each aspect of each element. For example, if the predetermined condition is satisfied, a first predetermined score is reflected in the element score, and if not, a second predetermined score is reflected in the element score, thereby acquiring the element score. Specifically, for example, when the frequency of bowel sounds is obtained as the output index value, if the frequency of bowel sounds is within a predetermined range, the first predetermined score may be added to the reference bowel motility score, and if not, the second predetermined score may be subtracted from the reference bowel motility score.

[0169] Each component of the component score acquisition unit 151 stores the acquired component score in the user information storage unit 115 in association with the user identifier.

[0170] Each unit of the element score acquisition unit 151 may compare the value of the output index or the content of the various lifestyle information with a predetermined standard, and calculate the element score based on the result using a predetermined calculation formula, etc. Alternatively, multiple thresholds may be prepared as standards, and predetermined scores corresponding to the value of the output index or the content of the various lifestyle information falling within a corresponding condition range may be reflected in the element score. Alternatively, multiple evaluation perspectives (e.g., perspectives for comparison with a standard value) may be provided for each element, such as bowel movement, bowel condition, excretion, beverages, meals, and activity status, and predetermined scores may be reflected in the element score based on the results of comparison with the standard value for each perspective. Alternatively, the scores may be reflected in the element score based on information (e.g., an n-dimensional lookup table) previously mapped in a space composed of multiple viewpoint axes.

[0171] Each unit of the element score acquisition unit 151 may acquire an element score based on an element score previously acquired for the user stored in the user information storage unit 115, or on the values of output indicators or various lifestyle information at a past point in time. For example, the current element score may be acquired by reflecting the current score on the element score previously acquired. Alternatively, the element score may be acquired by using the values of output indicators or various lifestyle information for a predetermined period in the past and the current values of output indicators or various lifestyle information, and averaging these values. The element score may be acquired by using (for example, adding up) scores specified for a predetermined number of values of output indicators or various lifestyle information in the past and the current values of output indicators or various lifestyle information.

[0172] Each unit of the element score acquisition unit 151 may set factors such as conditions set for acquiring such element scores, a reference value for comparison, a reference element score, points to be reflected in the element score, and a method for reflecting the points in the element score (addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc.) as appropriate based on basic information about the user. That is, each unit of the element score acquisition unit 151 may acquire an element score based on the basic information about the user. Specifically, for example, each unit of the element score acquisition unit 151 may be configured to acquire an element score by applying different factors depending on the gender or age of the user.

[0173] In this embodiment, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 acquires the intestinal score using the intestinal motility score and intestinal condition score acquired by the intestinal-related score acquisition unit 152, the excretion score acquired by the excretion score acquisition unit 153, the beverage score and meal score acquired by the eating and drinking score acquisition unit 154, and the activity status score acquired by the activity status score acquisition unit. The intestinal score may be acquired, for example, by applying each element score to a predetermined calculation formula, such as by adding or multiplying it in a predetermined manner. Alternatively, the intestinal score may be acquired using a learning device configured using a machine learning technique, with each element score as input and the intestinal score as output. Each element score may be normalized as necessary before being used to acquire the intestinal score.

[0174] The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 stores the acquired intestinal score in the user information storage unit 115 in association with the user identifier.

[0175] The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 may acquire the current intestinal score based on the intestinal score previously acquired for the user stored in the user information storage unit 115. For example, the current intestinal score may be acquired by reflecting points according to each current element score on a standard score based on the previous intestinal score.

[0176] The intestinal score output unit 161 outputs the intestinal score acquired by the intestinal score acquisition unit 149. In this embodiment, the intestinal score output unit 161 outputs information such as the intestinal score by transmitting it to the terminal device 600, but is not limited to this. For example, the intestinal score may be output by displaying the intestinal score as characters or an image on a display provided in the information processing device 100.

[0177] In this embodiment, the task acquisition unit 262 acquires a task based on the intestine-related score acquired using the learning information in the intestine score acquisition unit 149. Note that the task acquisition unit 262 may be configured to acquire a task based not only on the intestine-related score but also on the intestine score or other element scores.

[0178] The task acquisition unit 162 is configured to acquire a task corresponding to a selection condition when a value (score) of a predetermined index acquired using learning information satisfies the selection condition. That is, in this embodiment, a selection condition related to the value of the predetermined index is preset for each of two or more tasks. Here, the selection condition refers to, for example, a predetermined state of relationship between a threshold value of a certain index and the value. The predetermined state refers to, for example, being larger, smaller, equal, or a relationship expressed by a predetermined function, such as a predetermined ratio, but is not limited thereto. For example, for a task of providing a massage with a predetermined content, a selection condition for intestinal peristalsis may be set such that the number of peristaltic movements per unit time is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The correspondence between such selection conditions and tasks may be stored in the task storage unit 118, for example, as task correspondence information, but is not limited thereto.

[0179] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of task correspondence information used in the information processing device 200. As shown in FIG.

[0180] 12, the task correspondence information associates, for example, a selection condition with a task identifier that identifies a task. Similarly to the first embodiment, the task correspondence information further includes a task name, a description of the task, a product identifier that identifies a product that corresponds to the task, and the like, all of which correspond to the task identifier. Note that the task correspondence information is not limited to this, and may further include attribute values of other attributes, or may not include any of the above-mentioned attribute values.

[0181] The selection conditions are set based on whether the comparison result of the score with a threshold is a predetermined state, such as the intestinal state score being less than a threshold X1 or the intestinal motility score being less than a threshold X2. Note that values other than the score, such as poor intestinal state or poor intestinal peristalsis, may also be used as selection conditions. In this case, for example, the task acquisition unit 262 may acquire a determination result regarding the intestinal state or intestinal peristalsis, and determine whether the determination result satisfies the selection conditions.

[0182] In this embodiment, the information processing device 200 performs various operations, for example, as follows: These operations are performed by the processing unit 240 executing control operations and the like using each unit.

[0183] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device 200.

[0184] The processing from step S201 to step S203 is the same as the processing from step S101 to step S103 in the above-described embodiment 1. The task acquisition unit 262 accumulates various information in the user information storage unit 115 or the like based on the user identifier of the user. Furthermore, when a trigger for task acquisition occurs, the task acquisition unit 262 proceeds to the next process.

[0185] (Step S204) The processing unit 240 performs a score acquisition process using the intestine score acquisition unit 149. The score acquisition process will be described later. By the score acquisition process, information on the user's tasks is acquired and stored in the user information storage unit 115.

[0186] (Step S205) The processing unit 240 performs a task acquisition process using the task acquisition unit 262. The task acquisition process will be described later. By the task acquisition process, information on the user's task is acquired and stored in the user information storage unit 115.

[0187] The processes in steps S206 and S207 are the same as the processes in steps S105 and S106 in the first embodiment described above.

[0188] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the score acquisition process of the information processing device 200.

[0189] (Step S211) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 acquires sound information, lifestyle information, past user information, and the like related to the target user based on the user identifier of the user from the user information storage unit 115. Basic information may also be acquired.

[0190] (Step S212) The intestine score acquisition unit 149 performs a process of acquiring the frequency of bowel sounds and an estimation result of the state of the intestines using the sound information. Hereinafter, such a process may be referred to as an abdominal sound use process. The abdominal sound use process will be described in detail later.

[0191] (Step S213) The intestine score acquisition unit 149 stores information such as the acquired frequency of bowel sounds and the estimation result of the intestinal state in the user information storage unit 115 in association with the user identifier of the target user.

[0192] (Step S214) The intestine score acquisition unit 149 performs a process of acquiring scores related to each element using the element score acquisition unit 151. Hereinafter, such a process will be referred to as an element score acquisition process. In this embodiment, the element score acquisition process includes an intestine-related score acquisition process, an excretion score acquisition process, a meal score acquisition process, a beverage score acquisition process, and an activity status score acquisition process. Details of each element score acquisition process will be described later.

[0193] (Step S215) When each element score is obtained, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 acquires the intestinal score from each element score. At this time, as described above, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 acquires the intestinal score by, for example, performing addition or multiplication using each element score in a predetermined method, but is not limited to this.

[0194] (Step S216) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 associates the acquired intestinal score and each element score with the user identifier of the target user, and stores them in the user information storage unit 115. Thereafter, the process returns to FIG.

[0195] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of abdominal sound use processing of the information processing device 200.

[0196] (Step S221) The intestine score acquisition unit 149 generates a spectrogram from sound information, which is audio data obtained by recording abdominal sounds. Note that when the sound information transmitted from the terminal device 600 is a spectrogram, or when the sound information stored in the user information storage unit 115 is a spectrogram, such as when the sound information is a spectrogram, such processing may not be performed.

[0197] (Step S222) The intestine score acquisition unit 149 selects, from the learning information stored in the learning information storage unit 111, the learning information that corresponds to the device identification information that corresponds to the sound information, as the learning information to be used.

[0198] (Step S223) The intestine score acquisition unit 149 inputs the sound information into the learning information and outputs the value of the output index. In this embodiment, the frequency of bowel sounds included in the abdominal sounds and the estimated result of the state of the intestines are output. Then, the process returns to the process shown in FIG.

[0199] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the intestine-related score acquisition process of the information processing device 200.

[0200] (Step S241) The intestine-related score acquisition unit 152 resets the intestinal motility score and the intestinal state score to their initial values (for example, zero).

[0201] (Step S242) The intestine-related score acquisition unit 152 determines whether the frequency of bowel sounds is within a predetermined range. If it is determined to be within the predetermined range, the process proceeds to step S243; if not, the process proceeds to step S244.

[0202] Note that the frequency of bowel sounds being within a predetermined range can be set to, for example, 5 to less than 20 bowel sounds greater than a predetermined level within a predetermined time, but the number of times is not limited to this.

[0203] (Step S243) The intestine-related score acquiring section 152 adds 10 points to the intestinal motility score. That is, the intestine-related score acquiring section 152 determines that the intestinal peristalsis is in an appropriate state. The process proceeds to step S245.

[0204] (Step S244) The intestine-related score acquiring section 152 adds 5 points to the intestinal motility score. That is, the intestine-related score acquiring section 152 determines that the intestinal peristalsis is in a poor state. The process proceeds to step S245.

[0205] (Step S245) The intestine-related score acquisition unit 152 determines whether the intestinal condition estimation result is "normal." If it is determined to be within the predetermined range, the process proceeds to step S243; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S244. If the intestinal condition estimation result is "diarrhea" or "constipation," the process proceeds to step S247.

[0206] (Step S246) The intestine-related score acquiring section 152 adds 10 points to the intestine condition score. That is, the intestine-related score acquiring section 152 determines that the intestines are in good condition.

[0207] (Step S247) The intestine-related score acquiring section 152 adds 5 points to the intestine condition score. That is, the intestine-related score acquiring section 152 determines that the intestinal peristalsis is in an appropriate state.

[0208] When step S246 or step S247 is completed, the intestine-related score acquisition unit 152 acquires the intestinal motility score and the intestinal condition score as the above results, and the process returns to FIG.

[0209] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the excretion score acquisition process of the information processing device 200. As shown in FIG.

[0210] (Step S251) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 resets each excretion score to an initial value (for example, zero).

[0211] (Step S252) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 determines whether the shape of the excrement corresponds to a predetermined type. For example, if the label value of the Bristol scale included in the excretion-related information is a predetermined value (for example, predetermined words such as "banana" or "firm"), it can be determined that the shape of the excrement corresponds to the predetermined type. If it is determined that the shape of the excrement corresponds to the predetermined type, the process proceeds to step S253; if not, the process proceeds to step S254.

[0212] (Step S253) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 adds 10 points to the excretion score. The process proceeds to step S255.

[0213] (Step S254) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 adds 5 points to the excretion score. The process proceeds to step S255.

[0214] (Step S255) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 determines whether the amount of excrement is within a predetermined range. For example, the amount of excrement can be a user-input value related to the amount of excrement contained in the excretion-related information. Also, for example, the predetermined range can be set to a range from 0 grams to 200 grams, but is not limited to this. If it is determined that the amount of excrement is within the predetermined range, the process proceeds to step S256; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S257.

[0215] (Step S256) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 adds 10 points to the excretion score. The process proceeds to step S258.

[0216] (Step S257) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 adds 5 points to the excretion score. The process proceeds to step S258.

[0217] (Step S258) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 determines whether the excretion smells good. For example, the excretion smell may be determined based on a user input value related to the excretion smell included in the excretion-related information. If it is determined that the excretion smell is not good, the process proceeds to step S259; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S260.

[0218] (Step S259) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 adds 10 points to the excretion score.

[0219] (Step S260) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 adds 5 points to the excretion score.

[0220] When step S259 or step S260 is completed, the excretion score acquisition unit 153 acquires the excretion score as a result of the above, and the process returns to FIG.

[0221] While the acquisition of the intestinal-related score and the excretion score has been described above, the acquisition of other element scores may be performed in a similar manner. That is, with regard to the food score and the beverage score, the score may be acquired by adding or subtracting a predetermined number of points to the score depending on the judgment results regarding, for example, the timing of meals, the amount of meals, the content of meals, etc. Furthermore, the base points of the element scores may be set based on a predetermined number of points or on past history, etc. For example, the previously acquired element score may be set as the current base point. Furthermore, a value (e.g., an average value) calculated based on information on past element scores within a predetermined period may be set as the base point.

[0222] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of task acquisition processing of the information processing device 200.

[0223] (Step S311) The task acquiring unit 262 acquires, from the user information storage unit 115, the intestine score and each element score associated with the user identifier of the target user.

[0224] (Step S312) The task acquisition unit 262 determines whether or not each selection condition included in the task correspondence information is satisfied based on the acquired score.

[0225] (Step S313) The task acquisition unit 262 acquires tasks corresponding to the selection conditions that have been determined to be satisfied (this process is called a corresponding task acquisition process). Note that the corresponding task acquisition process may be performed, for example, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, but is not limited to this. For example, all tasks corresponding to the selection conditions that have been determined to be satisfied may be acquired.

[0226] (Step S314) The task acquisition unit 262 associates the acquired task with the user identifier of the target user and stores it in the user information storage unit 115. After that, the process returns to the process in FIG.

[0227] As described above, in the second embodiment as well, the information processing device 200 can use the learning information and sound information stored in the storage unit 110 to acquire one or more tasks corresponding to the user and output information about the acquired tasks. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the user can easily learn about tasks that are objectively selected and suitable for the user. In this embodiment, since a task corresponding to a score is output, the user can easily learn information about a task corresponding to a value that reflects the user's intestinal activity state.

[0228] In this embodiment, in conjunction with the output of a task by the task output unit 168, the intestinal score output unit 161 may output information indicating each score acquired as described above and stored in the user information storage unit 115. The user can be allowed to check both the task and the score using the terminal device 600, and the user can be made aware of the score indicating the condition of their intestines while checking the task, thereby effectively motivating the user to carry out the task.

[0229] (Description of a Modification of the Second Embodiment)

[0230] The process for obtaining the score is not limited to the above. For example, extraction of the bowel sound frequency and estimation of the intestinal condition may be performed using learning information constructed using different input information. Specifically, for example, sound information may be used as input, and the bowel sound frequency may be output using learning information constructed using a machine learning technique so that sound information of the abdominal sound portion is output, or predetermined lifestyle information (e.g., excretion information, diet information, etc.) may be used as input in addition to the sound information, and an intestinal condition estimation result may be output using learning information constructed using a machine learning technique so that the output is an estimation result of the intestinal condition. This allows each output result to be obtained with higher accuracy.

[0231] Furthermore, the learning information to be used may be selected based on, for example, lifestyle information. In this case, the learning information stored in the learning information storage unit 111 is associated with one or more elements and one or more aspects that may be included in the lifestyle information, and the learning information to be used in the abdominal sound use process may be selected based on one or more elements and one or more aspects of the lifestyle information. By performing the abdominal sound use process in this manner, it is possible to obtain more accurate results of estimating the frequency of bowel sounds and the state of the intestines.

[0232] Alternatively, for example, the bowel-related score acquisition unit 152 may acquire a bowel-related score from sound information and lifestyle information using learning information configured to input sound information and lifestyle information and output a bowel-related score. In this case, any element or aspect of the lifestyle information may be used as input information. Alternatively, the bowel-related score may be acquired without using lifestyle information. In either case, basic information may be used as input information. The learning information used may be generated by the learning information generation unit 147 using two or more pairs of learning input information including sound information and lifestyle information and the bowel-related score to construct a classifier using the two or more pairs of information and a module for constructing a machine learning classifier, or may be generated in a similar manner by another device, etc. For example, if a sufficient number of pairs of learning input information and bowel-related scores are available, the bowel-related score and bowel score can be easily and highly accurately obtained by directly outputting the bowel-related score using learning information generated using information on these combinations.

[0233] In addition, when a large number of pairs of learning input information and intestinal scores are obtained, such information may be used to construct learning information with the intestinal score as output information by a machine learning technique. In this case, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 may input sound information and other input information (such as lifestyle information and basic information) into the learning information to acquire the intestinal score. The intestinal score can be obtained easily and with high accuracy.

[0234] (others)

[0235] The processes in the above embodiments may be realized by software. This software may be distributed by software download or the like. This software may also be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed. The software realizing the information processing device in the above embodiments is the following program. That is, this program causes a computer to function as a sound information acquisition unit that acquires sound information related to abdominal sounds, which are sounds emitted from the abdomen of a single user, a task acquisition unit that acquires one or more tasks corresponding to the user using input information including the sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit and previously prepared learning information, and a task output unit that outputs information about the tasks acquired by the task acquisition unit.

[0236] The terminal device may have part or all of the configuration for realizing the functions related to task acquisition and output, such as those possessed by the information processing device described above.

[0237] FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal device according to another variation of the first embodiment.

[0238] 19, the same reference numerals are assigned to components similar to those in the above-described embodiment 1. The terminal device 1600 is configured to be able to acquire and output the intestinal score in the same manner as the above-described information processing device 100.

[0239] 19 , in the terminal device 1600, the terminal storage unit 610 is provided with a learning information storage unit 111, a user information storage unit 115, and a task storage unit 118. The device processing unit 640 also includes a sound information acquisition unit 141, a device identification information acquisition unit 143, a life information acquisition unit 145, a learning information generation unit 147, a task acquisition unit 162, and a task output unit 168. The sound information acquisition unit 141 can acquire sound information based on abdominal sounds recorded by a microphone 681. The device identification information acquisition unit 143 acquires device identification information of the terminal device 1600. The life information acquisition unit 145 acquires life information based on information input by the user and accepted by the terminal acceptance unit 630, or information acquired using the sensor unit 680.

[0240] In this way, the terminal device 1600 may be configured to function as an information processing device that acquires and outputs tasks, thereby achieving the same effects as those described above.

[0241] Note that, with regard to task acquisition and output, some functions and roles of the terminal device 1600 may be executed or assumed by the information processing device 100 or the like. For example, the learning information generation unit 147 may be provided on the information processing device 100 side, and the generated learning information may be received and used by the terminal device 1600. Also, for example, the information processing device 100 may be provided with a learning information storage unit 111 storing multiple pieces of learning information, and learning information corresponding to the device identification information, etc., of the learning information may be downloaded to the terminal device 1600 and used.

[0242] Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of a computer system 800 according to the embodiment, and Fig. 21 is a block diagram of the computer system 800.

[0243] These figures show the configuration of a computer that executes the programs described in this specification to realize the information processing device etc. of the above-mentioned embodiments. The above-mentioned embodiments can be realized by computer hardware and a computer program executed thereon.

[0244] Computer system 800 includes a computer 801 that includes a CD-ROM drive, a keyboard 802, a mouse 803, and a monitor 804.

[0245] In addition to the CD-ROM drive 8012, the computer 801 includes an MPU 8013, a bus 8014 connected to the CD-ROM drive 8012 etc., a ROM 8015 for storing programs such as a boot-up program, a RAM 8016 connected to the MPU 8013 for temporarily storing instructions of application programs and providing temporary storage space, and a hard disk 8017 for storing application programs, system programs, and data. Although not shown here, the computer 801 may further include a network card for providing connection to a LAN.

[0246] A program that causes computer system 800 to execute the functions of the information processing device or the like of the above-described embodiments may be stored on CD-ROM 8101, inserted into CD-ROM drive 8012, and then transferred to hard disk 8017. Alternatively, the program may be transmitted to computer 801 via a network (not shown) and stored on hard disk 8017. The program is loaded into RAM 8016 when executed. The program may also be loaded directly from CD-ROM 8101 or the network.

[0247] The program does not necessarily include an operating system (OS) or a third-party program that causes the computer 801 to execute the functions of the information processing device of the above-described embodiment. The program only needs to include instructions that call appropriate functions (modules) in a controlled manner to achieve desired results. How the computer system 800 operates is well known, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0248] In addition, in the above program, the sending step of sending information and the receiving step of receiving information do not include processing performed by hardware, such as processing performed by a modem or interface card in the sending step (processing that can only be performed by hardware).

[0249] The computer that executes the program may be a single computer or a plurality of computers, that is, it may perform centralized processing or distributed processing.

[0250] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, two or more components present in one device may be physically realized on one medium.

[0251] In the above embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or, for components that can be realized by software, may be realized by executing a program. For example, each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory. During execution, the program execution unit may execute the program while accessing a storage unit or recording medium. The program may also be executed by being downloaded from a server or the like, or by being read from a predetermined recording medium (e.g., an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, etc.). The program may also be used as a program constituting a program product. The program may be executed by a single computer or multiple computers. That is, centralized processing or distributed processing may be performed.

[0252] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, each process (each function) may be realized by centralized processing by a single device (system), or may be realized by distributed processing by multiple devices (in this case, the entire system made up of multiple devices performing distributed processing can be understood as a single "device"). For example, in the above embodiments, some of the operations described as being performed by an information processing device may be executed by another device, such as a terminal device.

[0253] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the transfer of information between components may be performed, for example, by one component outputting information and the other component receiving information if the two components transferring the information are physically different, or by moving from a processing phase corresponding to one component to a processing phase corresponding to the other component if the two components transferring the information are physically the same.

[0254] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, information related to the processing performed by each component, such as information accepted, acquired, selected, generated, transmitted, or received by each component, and information such as thresholds, formulas, and addresses used in processing by each component, may be temporarily or long-term stored in a recording medium (not shown), even if not explicitly stated in the above description. Furthermore, the storage of information in the recording medium (not shown) may be performed by each component or a storage unit (not shown). Furthermore, the reading of information from the recording medium (not shown) may be performed by each component or a reading unit (not shown).

[0255] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, if the information used by each component, such as thresholds, addresses, and various setting values used by each component in processing, may be changed by the user, the user may or may not be able to change the information as appropriate, even if not explicitly stated in the above description. If the information is changeable by the user, the change may be realized, for example, by a receiving unit (not shown) that receives a change instruction from the user and a changing unit (not shown) that changes the information in accordance with the change instruction. The change instruction may be received by the receiving unit (not shown), for example, from an input device, by receiving information transmitted via a communication line, or by receiving information read from a predetermined recording medium.

[0256] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible, and these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and some of the components and functions of the above-described embodiments may be omitted.

[0257] In the above-described embodiment, abdominal sounds are used as body sounds. However, other body sounds may also be used. Furthermore, a combination of multiple body sounds, such as a combination of abdominal sounds and other body sounds, may also be used. Tasks for improving physical condition may then be output. In this case, a task identifier for a physical task may be acquired using sound information, and a task may be acquired using the task identifier. Furthermore, sound information may be acquired to obtain a value of a predetermined index related to a health condition, and a task may be acquired using the acquired value. For example, sound information on heart sounds may be used to output task information related to arrhythmia or valvular heart disease depending on the interval between sounds and the presence or absence of noise. Furthermore, sound information on respiratory sounds may be used to output task information related to pneumonia, asthma, etc. depending on the type of noise, or an appropriate exercise load may be suggested based on the acquired lung capacity, and task information corresponding to the suggested load may be output. Furthermore, sound information related to blood flow, such as neck sounds, leg sounds, and tinnitus, may be used to suggest a task with an appropriate exercise load. Furthermore, sound information on swallowing sounds may be used to output a task such as eating foods with an appropriate thickness to prevent aspiration. Also, for example, the task of drinking a beverage with the appropriate carbonation (strength of gas pressure) may be output based on the sound of the beverage passing through the throat. [Industrial Applicability]

[0258] As described above, the information processing device according to the present invention has the effect of outputting task information suitable for the user, and is useful as an information processing device or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0259] 1. Information Processing Systems 100, 200 Information processing device 110 Storage area 111 Learning information storage unit 115 User information storage section 118 Task storage section 120 Receiver 130 Reception 140, 240 Processing section 141 Sound information acquisition unit 143 Device identification information acquisition unit 145 Lifestyle Information Acquisition Department 147 Learning Information Generation Unit 149 Intestinal Score Acquisition Unit 151 Element score acquisition unit 152 Bowel-related score acquisition section 153 Excretion Score Acquisition Unit 154 Food and Drink Score Acquisition Department 155 Activity Status Score Acquisition Department 161 Intestinal score output unit 162, 262 Task Acquisition Unit 168 Task Output Section 170 Transmitter 600, 1600 terminal equipment 610 Terminal storage section 611 Sound information storage unit 613 Device identification information storage unit 615 Lifestyle Information Storage Unit 620 Terminal receiving unit 630 Terminal Reception 640 Terminal Processing Unit 660 Terminal Output Unit 661 Display section 670 Terminal Transmitter 680 Sensor unit 681, 681b Mike 683 Acceleration Sensor 905 Task display screen 906 Task Suggestion Screen

Claims

1. a sound information acquisition unit that acquires sound information related to body sounds, which are sounds emitted from a living body of a user; a task acquisition unit that acquires one or more tasks corresponding to the user using input information including the sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit and learning information prepared in advance; a task output unit that outputs information about the task acquired by the task acquisition unit, the task acquisition unit acquires a value of a predetermined index related to a health state based on output information acquired by applying input information including the sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit to the learning information, and acquires a task using the acquired value of the predetermined index; the body sounds are abdominal sounds emitted from the abdomen, The information processing device, wherein the predetermined indicator is a state of bowel movements.

2. An information processing device as described in claim 1, wherein the bowel movement state can take any of three or more values including normal, diarrhea, or constipation.

3. A sound information acquisition unit that acquires sound information related to a user's body sounds, which are sounds emitted from the living body of the user; a task acquisition unit that acquires one or more tasks corresponding to the user using input information including the sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit and learning information prepared in advance; a task output unit that outputs information about the task acquired by the task acquisition unit, the task acquisition unit acquires a value of a predetermined index related to a health state based on output information acquired by applying input information including the sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit to the learning information, and acquires a task using the acquired value of the predetermined index; the body sounds are abdominal sounds emitted from the abdomen, and selection conditions related to the values of the predetermined indexes are set in advance for each of two or more tasks; The information processing device wherein, when a value of a predetermined index acquired using the learning information satisfies one selection condition, the task acquisition unit acquires a task corresponding to the selection condition.

4. A sound information acquisition unit that acquires sound information related to a user's body sound, which is a sound emitted from a living body; a task acquisition unit that acquires one or more candidate tasks corresponding to the user using input information including the sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit and learning information prepared in advance, and that preferentially acquires tasks that have been applied currently or in the past from among the one or more candidate tasks; a task output unit that outputs information about the task acquired by the task acquisition unit.

5. A sound information acquisition unit that acquires sound information related to a user's body sound, which is a sound emitted from a living body; a task acquisition unit that acquires one or more tasks corresponding to the user using input information including the sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit and learning information prepared in advance; a task output unit that outputs information about the task acquired by the task acquisition unit, a device identification information acquisition unit that acquires device identification information that identifies a type of device used to acquire the body sound, the device identification information corresponding to the sound information; a plurality of pieces of learning information are prepared, each piece being associated with device identification information; The task acquisition unit acquires a task using learning information corresponding to the device identification information acquired by the device identification information acquisition unit.

6. a microphone for recording the body sounds; The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a display unit that displays the task output by the task output unit.

7. further comprising a learning information storage unit in which the learning information is stored; the task acquisition unit applies input information including sound information from body sounds recorded by the microphone to the learning information to acquire one or more tasks; The information processing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the task output unit displays the task on the display unit.

8. An information processing method including all processing performed by an information processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. Computer, A program for causing the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 to function.

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