Sensory testing contract analysis method

Abstract

To provide a sensory test trust analysis method which can execute efficient exchange of information among a client, a system management company, and a trust analysis company.SOLUTION: A second device executes steps of: receiving information for specifying a sample to be transmitted from a first device; registering the information for specifying the sample and a sensory evaluation item regarding the sample; imparting identification information to the information for specifying the sample; transmitting an analysis item corresponding to the sensory evaluation item and identification information to a third device; receiving an analysis result and the identification information corresponding to the analysis item of the sample from the third device; registering a sensory result prepared about the sample; and transmitting the analysis result and the sensory result to the first device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for entrusted analysis of sensory tests. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a method is known in which samples collected from subjects are sent to a contact company, which then forwards the samples to a management company, which then sends the samples to each testing company depending on the type of test performed on the sample. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-117365 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The method disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a method for exchanging samples and various information related to the samples between subjects, a contact company, a management company, and a testing company, but the processing is complicated. Furthermore, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 is not a method for use in the field of handling food samples. In the field of handling food samples, when a customer requests an analysis of a food sample, the analysis items and the food sample are sent to a contract analysis company, the contract analysis company returns the analysis results, and the customer pays the fee. When a customer requests a sensory test of a food sample, the sensory test items and the food sample are sent to a sensory testing company, the sensory testing company returns the sensory results to the customer, and the customer pays the fee.

[0005] When support from sensory testing is required, a separate institution with experts is requested to provide the results of the analysis and sensory test, and the customer then pays the fee. As such, in the field of food samples, the procedures are complicated, and an efficient method for exchanging information on the analysis results and sensory results of food samples is needed.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to provide a method for sensory testing contract analysis that enables efficient information exchange between a customer, a system management company, and a contract analysis company. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present disclosure relates to a method for performing a sensory test on a contract basis between a first device available to a customer, a second device available to a system management company, and a third device available to a contract analysis company that has analytical equipment for analyzing samples. The second device performs the following steps: receiving sample-identifying information transmitted from the first device, registering the sample-identifying information and sensory evaluation items related to the sample, assigning identification information to the sample-identifying information, transmitting analysis items corresponding to the sensory evaluation items and the identification information to the third device, receiving analysis results corresponding to the sample analysis items and the identification information from the third device, registering the sensory results generated for the sample, and transmitting the analysis results and the sensory results to the first device.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a method for entrusted analysis of sensory tests that allows efficient exchange of information between a customer, a system management company, and an entrusted analysis company. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an analysis system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the analysis system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of each device in the analysis system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the analysis system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between standard sensory evaluation items and analysis items. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing information associated with an ID. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 shows sensory and analytical results for food samples. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of each device in an analysis system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating learning of an estimation model in a learning phase. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an analysis system in an operation phase. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the analysis system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of an analysis system according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated in principle. <First Embodiment> A method for accepting sensory testing analysis in an analysis system 1000 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the analysis system 1000 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the analysis system 1000 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of each device in the analysis system 1000 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram of the analysis system 1000 according to the first embodiment.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, in an analysis system 1000, devices owned by a customer 100, a system management company 200, and a contract analysis company 300 are connected via a network 5. The customers 100 are those who request the analysis of food samples, and may be numbered from 1 to N, for example. The system management company 200 is in charge of managing the entire analysis system 1000, and may be numbered from one to M, for example. The contract analysis companies 300 are those who analyze food samples, and may be numbered from 1 to M, for example. There may be only one contract analysis company 300.

[0012] Using Figure 2, the flow of the analysis system 1000 between the customer 100, the system management company 200, and the contract analysis company 300 will be explained. The customer 100 requests the system management company 200 to analyze a food sample. Based on the analysis request, the system management company 200 selects a contract analysis company 300 that has analytical equipment and notifies the customer 100 of the selected contract analysis company 300. The customer 100 sends the food sample to the selected contract analysis company 300.

[0013] The system management company 200 requests an analysis from the contract analysis company 300. The contract analysis company 300 analyzes the food samples using analytical equipment. The contract analysis company 300 notifies the system management company 200 of the analysis results. The system management company 200 has its sensory evaluators conduct sensory tests on the food samples. Sensory tests are tests that use human senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch, etc.) to determine the quality of a product, and are used for foods, fragrances, industrial products, etc.

[0014] The system management company 200 notifies the customer 100 of the analysis results, the sensory results, and the review results created based on the analysis results and the sensory results. The system management company 200 pays the amount for the analysis request to the contract analysis company 300. The customer 100 pays the amount for the analysis request to the system management company 200.

[0015] 3, the configuration of various devices used in the analysis system 1000 will be described. The analysis system 1000 includes a first device 1 provided by a customer 100, a second device 2 provided by a system management company 200, and a third device 3 provided by a contract analysis company 300, all connected via a network 5.

[0016] The first device 1, the second device 2, and the third device 3 are configured according to a general-purpose computer architecture. In this embodiment, the first device 1, the second device 2, and the third device 3 are configured as desktop computers. The first device 1, the second device 2, and the third device 3 may be devices other than desktop computers, such as laptop computers, tablet computers, and mobile terminals such as smartphones.

[0017] The first device 1 includes a processor 11, a main memory 12, an input / output interface 13, a communication interface 14, and a storage 15. These components are connected via a bus.

[0018] The processor 11 is a computing entity (computer) that executes various processes according to various programs. The processor 11 is configured with at least one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and an MPU (Multi-Processing Unit), for example. The processor 11 may also be configured with a processing circuitry. The processor 11 reads out programs stored in the storage 15, expands them into the main memory 12, and executes them.

[0019] The main memory 12 may be a volatile storage device such as a random access memory (RAM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), or a static random access memory (SRAM), or a non-volatile storage device such as a read only memory (ROM). memory It consists of a device.

[0020] The input / output interface 13 transmits input signals from the user via buttons, touch panels, etc., and output signals to display devices such as liquid crystal displays, to each device.

[0021] Communication interface 14 transmits and receives data (information) to and from other devices via wired or wireless connection. In this embodiment, communication interface 14 transmits and receives data (information) to and from communication interface 24 of second device 2 via wireless communication via network 5.

[0022] The storage 15 is configured with, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage 15 stores analytical information 151 as information for identifying a food sample, including sensory evaluation items of a sensory test of the food sample.

[0023] The second device 2 includes a processor 21, a main memory 22, an input / output interface 23, a communication interface 24, and a storage 25. These components are connected via a bus.

[0024] The configuration of the processor 21, main memory 22, input / output interface 23, communication interface 24, and storage 25 in the second device 2 is the same as the configuration of the processor 11, main memory 12, input / output interface 13, communication interface 14, and storage 15 in the first device 1.

[0025] The storage 25 stores customer information 251, standard sensory evaluation item information 252, sensory evaluation item information 253, analysis item information 254, contracted analysis company information 255, ID information 256, sensory result information 257, analysis result information 258, review result information 259, and price information 260.

[0026] Customer information 251 is information about the customer 100. Standard sensory evaluation item information 252 is information about standard sensory evaluation items that are predetermined for each specific food sample. Sensory evaluation item information 253 includes taste information such as sweetness and sourness, and olfactory information. Analysis item information 254 is information about the analysis items of the food sample sent from the first device 1. Contract analysis company information 255 is information about the contract analysis company 300 that is determined based on the analysis items.

[0027] The ID information 256 is information for identifying the customer that is associated with the customer information 251. The sensory result information 257 is information relating to the results of the sensory test. The analysis result information 258 is information relating to the analysis results of the food sample. The examination result information 259 is information indicating the relationship between the sensory result information 257 and the analysis result information 258. The amount information 260 is information relating to the amount to be paid to the contract analysis company 300 and the amount to be charged to the customer 100.

[0028] The third device 3 includes a processor 31, a main memory 32, an input / output interface 33, a communication interface 34, a storage 35, and an analytical instrument interface 36. These components are connected via a bus.

[0029] The configuration of the processor 31, main memory 32, input / output interface 33, communication interface 34, and storage 35 in the third device 3 is similar to the configuration of the processor 11, main memory 12, input / output interface 13, communication interface 14, and storage 15 in the first device 1.

[0030] The analytical instrument interface 36 inputs and outputs information to and from analytical instruments for analyzing food samples that are provided by the contract analysis company 300. The storage 35 stores analysis result information 351 relating to the analysis results of food samples, etc.

[0031] 4, a method for entrusted analysis of sensory testing between a first device 1 of a customer 100, a second device 2 of a system management company 200, and a third device 3 of an entrusted analysis company 300 will be described. "SQ" in FIG. 4 stands for sequence.

[0032] In SQ11, the first device 1 transmits the analytical information to the second device 2. In SQ12, the second device 2 receives the analytical information and performs a process of associating the customer information and the contracted analysis company information with one piece of ID information, along with the sensory evaluation item information included in the analytical information and the analysis item information obtained from the sensory evaluation item information. The sensory evaluation item information for the sample may be acquired by the system management company 200 and entered into the second device 2, whereby the information is registered in the second device 2. The analytical item information may also be transmitted from the first device 1 to the second device 2.

[0033] In SQ13, the second device 2 transmits the ID information and the contract analysis company information to the first device 1. Note that if a commercially available product is analyzed without receiving a sample from the customer 100, the ID information does not need to be transmitted from the second device 2 to the first device 1. In SQ14, the second device 2 transmits the ID information and the analysis item information to the third device 3. In SQ15, the third device 3 analyzes the food sample using analytical equipment based on the received analysis item information. Thereafter, in SQ15, the third device 3 creates analysis result information. In SQ16, the third device 3 transmits the ID information and the analysis result information to the second device 2. The customer can then send the sample to the contract analysis company based on the transmitted contract analysis company information.

[0034] In SQ17, the second device 2 calculates the payment amount, which is the amount to be paid to the contract analysis company 300, based on the analysis result information. In SQ18, the second device 2 transmits the payment amount information calculated in SQ17 to the third device 3. The payment amount itself may be transferred separately from the system management company 200 to an account or the like of the contract analysis company 300. The payment amount may be calculated by the third device 3 of the contract analysis company 300, and the payment amount information may be transmitted from the third device 3 to the second device 2.

[0035] In SQ19, the second device 2 creates sensory result information based on the results of the sensory test separately obtained from the sensory evaluator. In SQ20, the second device 2 creates examination result information based on the analysis result information and the sensory result information. The examination result information is, for example, data indicating the relationship between the peak value of the analysis result graph and the taste corresponding to that peak value.

[0036] In SQ21, the second device 2 calculates the billing amount, which is the amount to be billed to the customer 100. In SQ22, the second device 2 sends the ID information, analysis result information, sensory result information, and examination result information to the first device 2. 1 In addition, when analyzing a commercially available product or the like without receiving a sample from the customer 100, it is not necessary to send the ID information from the second device 2 to the first device 1. In SQ23, the second device 2 sends the billing amount information calculated in SQ21 to the first device 1. The billing amount itself can be transferred separately from the customer 100 to an account of the system management company 200 or the like.

[0037] According to the sensory test contract analysis method as shown in FIG. 4, the second device 2 of the system management company 200 is connected to the first device 1 of the customer 100 and the third device 3 of the contract analysis company 300. 3 This allows the system management company 200 to manage all the information sent and received between the company 100 and the contract analysis company 300. Compared to when the customer 100 exchanges information directly with the contract analysis company 300, information can be exchanged more efficiently by centrally managing the information at the system management company 200.

[0038] The information stored in storages 15, 25, and 35 will be specifically described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between standard sensory evaluation items and analysis items. Figure 6 is a diagram showing information associated with IDs. Figure 7 is a diagram showing sensory results and analysis results for food samples.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 5, one or more analysis items are associated with the standard sensory evaluation items. For example, the standard sensory evaluation item "A1" is associated with the analysis item "A1-1," the standard sensory evaluation item "A2" is associated with the analysis items "A2-1, A2-2," the standard sensory evaluation item "A3" is associated with the analysis items "A3-1, A3-2," the standard sensory evaluation item "A4" is associated with the analysis items "A4-1, A4-2, A4-3," and the standard sensory evaluation item "A5" is associated with the analysis items "A5-1, A5-2, A5-3." In this way, the second device 2 has a database that stores the standard sensory evaluation items shown in Fig. 5 in association with one or more analysis items corresponding to the standard sensory evaluation items.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, the second device 2 stores various items in association with an ID for identifying a customer. The circles in the sensory evaluation item column are sensory evaluation items that each customer wants to check. In this way, the sensory evaluation items that customers want to check are items selected from the standard sensory evaluation items. Analysis items are associated with the circled items in the sensory evaluation item column as shown in FIG. 5. In other words, analysis items are set by selecting sensory evaluation items from the standard sensory evaluation items.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, customer information "Customer A," contract analysis company information "Analysis Company A," and sensory evaluation items "A1, B1" are associated with ID "1001." Customer information "Customer B," contract analysis company information "Analysis Company A," and sensory evaluation items "A2, B1" are associated with ID "1002." Customer information "Customer C," contract analysis company information "Analysis Company B," and sensory evaluation items "A3, B2" are associated with ID "1003." Customer information "Customer D," contract analysis company information "Analysis Company B," and sensory evaluation items "A4, B2" are associated with ID "1004." Customer information "Customer E," contract analysis company information "Analysis Company C," and sensory evaluation items "A5, B3" are associated with ID "1005."

[0042] The second device 2 selects from among a plurality of contract analysis companies a contract analysis company that has analytical equipment capable of analyzing analysis items corresponding to the sensory evaluation items that the customer wishes to check. When selecting a contract analysis company, the second device 2 may also take into consideration the busyness of each contract analysis company. The second device 2 may select multiple contract analysis companies when there are many analysis items or when it is necessary to use multiple analytical equipment.

[0043] In Figure 7, food sample Specific examples of sensory and analytical results are shown for a case where multiple sakes are used as samples. In the case of sake, for example, a sensory evaluator conducts a sensory test to quantify the sensory evaluation items of "intensity of aroma," "strongness of flavor," "sweetness / dryness," and "degree of maturity." The analytical items corresponding to the sensory evaluation items, "alcohol content," "sake meter value," "acidity," "amino acid content," "isoamyl acetate," "isoamyl alcohol," "ethyl caproate," "citric acid," "pyruvic acid," "malic acid," "succinic acid," "lactic acid," "acetic acid," and "glucose," are analyzed and quantified by analytical equipment.

[0044] More specifically, for example, the amounts of the analytical items "ethyl caproate" and "glucose" affect the sensory evaluation item "fragrance strength." If the amounts of these are high, it can be determined that the "fragrance strength" is strong.

[0045] The second device 2 creates an examination result showing the relationship between the analytical result and the sensory result based on the analytical result and the sensory result shown in Fig. 7. The examination result is, for example, data showing that a certain peak value in the chromatogram of the analytical result corresponds to a certain taste item in the sensory evaluation. <Embodiment 2> A method for accepting sensory testing analysis in an analysis system 2000 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 10. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of each device in the analysis system 2000 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining learning of an estimation model in the learning phase. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the analysis system 2000 in the operation phase.

[0046] Analysis system 2000 of the second embodiment differs from analysis system 1000 of the first embodiment in that sensory result information 257 is replaced with estimation model 240, but other basic configurations are the same as those of analysis system 1000. The learning phase and operation phase of estimation model 240 will be described below.

[0047] 9, the learning phase is a pre-learning phase in which the estimation model 240 is trained before the analysis results are provided to the second device 2. The estimation model 240 is trained by the learning device 51 to estimate the sensory results from the analysis results.

[0048] Known algorithms such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning can be used as a learning algorithm for training the estimation model 240. In this embodiment, the learning device 51 trains the estimation model 240 by supervised learning using the training data 40.

[0049] The training data 40 is prepared in advance for training the estimation model 240, and includes analytical results and sensory results corresponding to the analytical results. For example, the program designer associates multiple past analytical results of food samples with the sensory results (correct data) corresponding to the analytical results to create the training data 40. The designer prepares multiple pieces of such training data 40 in advance.

[0050] The estimation model 240 includes a neural network 2401 and parameters 2402 used by the neural network 2401. The neural network 2401 may be a known neural network used in deep learning processing, such as a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), or a long short-term memory network (LSTM).

[0051] The estimation model 240 performs deep learning by using the above-described neural network 2401. The parameters 2402 include weighting coefficients and the like used in calculations by the neural network 2401. Note that the estimation model 240 is not limited to learning by deep learning using a neural network, and may also be learning by other machine learning methods.

[0052] The learning device 51 receives input of analysis results from the learning data 40. The learning device 51 executes processing to estimate sensory results based on the input analysis results and an estimation model 240 including a neural network 2401.

[0053] The operation phase shown in FIG. 10 is a phase in which a sensory result is estimated using the estimation model 240 after the analysis result is provided. As shown in FIG. 10, the second device 2 stores the estimation model 240 learned by the learning device 51 shown in FIG. 9 in the storage 25. For example, the second device 2 acquires the estimation model 240 from the learning device 51 and stores the acquired estimation model 240 in the storage 25. Note that the learning device 51 may be the second device 2, and the functions of the learning device 51 described above may be functions possessed by the processor 21 of the second device 2.

[0054] The processor 21 of the second device 2 includes an input unit 211, a processing unit 212, and an output unit 213. The input unit 211 accepts input of the analysis result. The processing unit 212 executes processing for estimating a sensory result based on the analysis result input from the input unit 211 and an estimation model 240 including a neural network 2401. As described above, the estimation model 240 is not limited to one that learns by deep learning using a neural network, but may also learn by other machine learning methods. The output unit 213 outputs the sensory result obtained by the processing unit 212 as a sensory prediction result. <Third Embodiment> A method for accepting and analyzing a sensory test in an analysis system 3000 according to embodiment 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the analysis system 3000 according to embodiment 3. Fig. 12 is a sequence diagram of the analysis system 3000 according to embodiment 3.

[0055] As shown in Figure 11, analysis system 3000 has a separate sensory testing company 400 that performs sensory testing. Using Figure 11, the flow of analysis system 3000 between customer 100, system management company 200, contract analysis company 300, and sensory testing company 400 will be explained. Customer 100 requests the system management company 200 to analyze a food sample. Based on the analysis request, system management company 200 determines a contract analysis company 300 that has analytical equipment, and also determines a sensory testing company 400 to which the sensory testing can be entrusted.

[0056] The system management company 200 notifies the customer 100 of the selected contract analysis company 300 and sensory testing company 400. The customer 100 sends the food sample to the selected contract analysis company 300. The system management company 200 requests the contract analysis company 300 to analyze the food sample. The contract analysis company 300 analyzes the food sample using analytical equipment. The contract analysis company 300 notifies the system management company 200 of the analysis results. The system management company 200 pays the contract analysis company 300 the amount for the analysis request.

[0057] The system management company 200 requests an analysis from the contract analysis company 300. The contract analysis company 300 sends the food sample to the sensory testing company 400. The customer 100 may also send the food sample to the sensory testing company 400 in advance. The sensory testing company 400 has its sensory evaluators conduct a sensory test on the food sample. The sensory testing company 400 notifies the system management company 200 of the sensory results. The system management company 200 pays the sensory testing company 400 the amount for the sensory test request.

[0058] The system management company 200 notifies the customer 100 of the analysis results, the sensory results, and the review results created based on the analysis results and the sensory results. The customer 100 pays the system management company 200 the amount for the analysis request.

[0059] Using Figure 12, we will explain the method of sensory testing contract analysis between a first device 1 of a customer 100, a second device 2 of a system management company 200, a third device 3 of a contract analysis company 300, and a fourth device 4 of a sensory testing company.

[0060] In SQ31, the first device 1 transmits the analysis information to the second device 2. In SQ32, the second device 2 that has received the analysis information executes a process of associating customer information, contracted analysis company information, and sensory testing company information with one piece of ID information, along with the sensory evaluation item information included in the analysis information and the analysis item information obtained from the sensory evaluation item information.

[0061] In SQ33, the second device 2 transmits the ID information, contract analysis company information, and sensory testing company information to the first device 1. In SQ34, the second device 2 transmits the ID information and analysis item information to the third device 3. In SQ35, the third device 3 analyzes the food sample using analytical equipment based on the received analysis item information. Thereafter, in SQ35, the third device 3 creates analysis result information. In SQ36, the third device 3 transmits the ID information and analysis result information to the second device 2.

[0062] In SQ37, the second device 2 calculates the first payment amount, which is the amount to be paid to the contract analysis company 300, based on the analysis result information. In SQ38, the second device 2 transmits the first payment amount information calculated in SQ37 to the third device 3. The payment amount itself may be transferred separately from the system management company 200 to an account or the like of the contract analysis company 300. The payment amount may be calculated by the third device 3 of the contract analysis company 300, and the payment amount information may be transmitted from the third device 3 to the second device 2.

[0063] In SQ39, the second device 2 transmits the ID information and sensory test item information to the fourth device 4. In SQ40, the fourth device 4 creates sensory result information based on the sensory test results obtained from the sensory evaluator. In SQ41, the fourth device 4 transmits the ID information and sensory result information to the second device 2.

[0064] In SQ42, the second device 2 calculates a second payment amount, which is the amount to be paid to the sensory testing company 400, based on the sensory result information. In SQ43, the second device 2 transmits the second payment amount information calculated in SQ42 to the fourth device 4. The payment amount itself may be transferred separately from the system management company 200 to an account or the like of the sensory testing company 400. The payment amount may be calculated by the fourth device 4 of the sensory testing company 400, and the payment amount information may be transmitted from the fourth device 4 to the second device 2.

[0065] In SQ44, the second device 2 creates consideration result information based on the analysis result information and the sensory result information. The consideration result information is, for example, data indicating the relationship between the peak value of the analysis result graph and the taste corresponding to that peak value.

[0066] In SQ45, the second device 2 calculates the amount to be billed to the customer 100. In SQ46, the second device 2 sends the ID information, analysis result information, sensory result information, and examination result information to the first device 2. 1 In SQ47, the second device 2 transmits the billing amount information calculated in SQ45 to the first device 1. The billing amount itself may be transferred separately from the customer 100 to an account of the system management company 200, etc.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, the third device 3 of the contract analysis company 300 may transmit the analysis results directly to the first device 1 of the customer 100, rather than to the second device 2 of the system management company 200. In other words, the processes of receiving and transmitting the analysis results by the second device 2 of the system management company 200 can be omitted.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, the first device 1 of the customer 100 may have a database that stores standard sensory evaluation items and one or more analysis items corresponding to the standard sensory evaluation items in association with each other. The first device 1 may set analysis items from the sensory evaluation items using the database and transmit the set information to the second device 2.

[0069] In the above-described embodiment, the analytical information transmitted from first apparatus 1 to second apparatus 2 may include information such as the production date of the food sample and the type of food sample.

[0070] [Aspect] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0071] (Item 1) One embodiment of a method for accepting sensory testing involves a first device available to a customer, a second device available to a system management company, and a third device available to a contract analysis company that has analytical equipment for analyzing samples. The second device receives sample-identifying information sent from the first device, registers the sample-identifying information and sensory evaluation items related to the sample, assigns identification information to the sample-identifying information, transmits analysis items corresponding to the sensory evaluation items and the identification information to the third device, receives analysis results corresponding to the sample analysis items and the identification information from the third device, registers the sensory results generated for the sample, and transmits the analysis results and the sensory results to the first device.

[0072] According to the sensory test contract analysis method described in paragraph 1, information can be exchanged efficiently between the customer, the system management company, and the contract analysis company.

[0073] (Item 2) The sensory evaluation items are items selected from standard sensory evaluation items. One or more analysis items are associated with the standard sensory evaluation items. The second device has a database that stores the standard sensory evaluation items in association with one or more analysis items corresponding to the standard sensory evaluation items, and executes a step of setting analysis items corresponding to the sensory evaluation items using the database.

[0074] According to the sensory test contract analysis method described in paragraph 2, analysis items corresponding to the desired sensory evaluation items can be easily set by selecting the sensory evaluation items determined from the standard sensory evaluation items.

[0075] (Item 3) The second device further includes a fourth device that can be used by a sensory testing company that performs the sensory testing. The second device executes the steps of transmitting identification information and sensory test items corresponding to the sensory evaluation items to the fourth device, and receiving the sensory results transmitted from the fourth device.

[0076] According to the method for entrusted analysis of sensory testing described in paragraph 3, information can be exchanged efficiently even when a sensory testing company conducts the sensory testing.

[0077] (4) The second device creates sensory results corresponding to the sensory evaluation items. According to the sensory test contract analysis method described in paragraph 4, the sensory results are created by the system management company, so that the sensory results can be efficiently transmitted to the customer.

[0078] (5) The second device includes a machine learning device and a storage device that stores past analysis results as training data. The machine learning device executes a step of creating a sensory result using the training data, and the second device executes a step of transmitting the created sensory result to the first device.

[0079] According to the sensory test contract analysis method described in paragraph 5, by using a machine learning device, it is possible to obtain more accurate sensory results than when not using a machine learning device.

[0080] (Item 6) The second device executes a step of calculating a payment amount, which is the amount to be paid to the contract analysis company for the analysis results, and a step of calculating a billing amount, which is the amount to be billed to the customer based on the payment amount.

[0081] According to the sensory test contract analysis method described in paragraph 6, the second device of the system management company calculates the amount, which makes it easy to manage the amount.

[0082] (7) The second device receives from the third device the payment amount, which is the amount to be paid to the contract analysis company for the analysis results. do and a step of calculating a billing amount, which is the amount to be billed to the customer based on the payment amount.

[0083] According to the sensory test contract analysis method described in paragraph 7, the second device of the system management company calculates the billing amount, which makes it easy to manage the amount.

[0084] (Clause 8) The second device executes the steps of calculating a first payment amount, which is the amount to be paid to the contract analysis company for the analysis results, calculating a second payment amount, which is the amount to be paid to the sensory testing company for the sensory results, and calculating a billing amount, which is the amount to be billed to the customer based on the first payment amount and the second payment amount.

[0085] According to the sensory test contract analysis method described in paragraph 8, the second device of the system management company calculates the amount, which makes it easy to manage the amount.

[0086] (Clause 9) The second device executes the steps of receiving from the third device a first payment amount, which is the amount to be paid to the contracted analysis company for the analysis results; receiving from the fourth device a second payment amount, which is the amount to be paid to the sensory testing company for the sensory results; and calculating a billing amount, which is the amount to be billed to the customer, based on the first payment amount and the second payment amount.

[0087] According to the method for sensory test contract analysis described in paragraph 9, the second device of the system management company calculates the amount to be charged, which makes it easy to manage the amount.

[0088] (Clause 10) The second device executes a step of creating a review result indicating the relationship between the analytical result and the sensory result based on the analytical result and the sensory result, and a step of transmitting the review result to the first device.

[0089] According to the sensory testing contract analysis method described in paragraph 10, the second device of the system management company creates the examination results and sends them to the first device, allowing for efficient information exchange.

[0090] (Item 11) A method for accepting sensory testing according to one embodiment is a method for accepting sensory testing conducted among a first device available to a customer, a second device available to a system management company, and a third device available to a contract analysis company that has analytical equipment for analyzing samples. The second device executes the steps of registering information identifying the sample and sensory evaluation items related to the sample, assigning identification information to the information identifying the sample, and registering the sensory results generated for the sample.

[0091] According to the method for sensory testing contract analysis described in paragraph 11, information can be exchanged efficiently between the customer, the system management company, and the contract analysis company.

[0092] (Article 12) The customer will send the sample with the assigned identification information to the system management company. According to the method for sensory testing under contract described in paragraph 12, the system management company can receive the sample with the identification information attached directly from the customer, and can smoothly proceed with the subsequent processing.

[0093] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1 first device, 2 second device, 3 third device, 4 fourth device, 5 network, 11, 21, 31 processor, 12, 22, 32 main memory, 13, 23, 33 input / output interface, 14, 24, 34 communication interface, 15, 25, 35 storage, 36 analytical equipment interface, 40 learning data, 51 learning device, 100 customer, 151 analysis information, 200 system management company, 211 input unit, 212 processing unit, 213 output unit, 240 estimation model, 251 customer information, 252 standard sensory evaluation item information, 253 sensory evaluation item information, 254 analysis item information, 255 contract analysis company information, 256 ID information, 257 sensory result information, 258, 351 analysis result information, 259 examination result information, 260 amount information, 300 contract analysis company, 400 Sensory testing company, 1000,2000,3000 analysis systems, 2401 neural networks, 2402 parameters.

Claims

1. A method for entrusted analysis of sensory testing, which is carried out among a first device available to a customer, a second device available to a system management company, and a third device available to an entrusted analysis company having analytical equipment for analyzing samples, comprising: The second device is receiving information identifying the sample transmitted from the first device; registering information identifying the sample and sensory evaluation items related to the sample; a step of assigning identification information to the information that identifies the sample; transmitting the analysis items corresponding to the sensory evaluation items and the identification information to the third device; receiving, from the third device, the analysis result corresponding to the analysis item of the sample and the identification information; registering the sensory results generated for said samples; transmitting the analytical results and the sensory results to the first device.

2. the sensory evaluation items are items selected from standard sensory evaluation items, One or more of the analysis items are associated with the standard sensory evaluation items, The second device is a database that stores the standard sensory evaluation items and one or more analysis items corresponding to the standard sensory evaluation items in association with each other; 2. The method for accepting and analyzing sensory tests according to claim 1, further comprising the step of setting the analysis items corresponding to the sensory evaluation items using the database.

3. Further provided is a fourth device that can be used by a sensory testing company that performs sensory testing; The second device is transmitting the identification information and the sensory test items corresponding to the sensory evaluation items to the fourth device; The method for accepting and analyzing a sensory test according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step of receiving the sensory result transmitted from the fourth device.

4. The method for accepting and analyzing a sensory test according to claim 1 , wherein the second device creates the sensory results corresponding to the sensory evaluation items.

5. the second device includes a machine learning device and a storage device that stores the past analysis results as learning data; the machine learning device executes a step of generating the sensory result using the training data; The method for accepting and analyzing a sensory test according to claim 1 , wherein the second device executes a step of transmitting the created sensory result to the first device.

6. The second device is a step of calculating a payment amount to be paid to the contract analysis company for the analysis results; 3. The method for accepting and analyzing a sensory test according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: calculating a billing amount to be billed to the customer based on the payment amount.

7. The second device is receiving from the third device a payment amount to be paid to the contract analysis company for the analysis results; 3. The method for accepting and analyzing a sensory test according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: calculating a billing amount to be billed to the customer based on the payment amount.

8. The second device is calculating a first payment amount to be paid to the contract analysis company for the analysis results; calculating a second payment amount to be paid to the sensory testing company for the sensory results; 4. The method for accepting and analyzing sensory tests according to claim 3, further comprising the step of: calculating a billing amount to be billed to the customer based on the first payment amount and the second payment amount.

9. The second device is receiving from the third device a first payment amount, which is an amount to be paid to the contract analysis company for the analysis results; receiving from the fourth device a second payment amount, which is an amount to be paid to the sensory testing company for the sensory results; 4. The method for accepting and analyzing sensory tests according to claim 3, further comprising the step of: calculating a billing amount to be billed to the customer based on the first payment amount and the second payment amount.

10. The second device is creating a study result indicating a relationship between the analytical result and the sensory result based on the analytical result and the sensory result; The method for accepting and analyzing a sensory test according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of: transmitting the examination result to the first device.

Images