Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

[Problem] Finding objective information about the condition of intestines was difficult with conventional information processing devices. [Solution] An information processing device 100 capable of obtaining objective information about the condition of intestines, comprising: a sound information acquisition unit 141 that acquires sound information pertaining to abdominal sounds that are emitted from the abdomen of a user; an intestinal score acquisition unit 149 that acquires an intestinal score pertaining to the state of the intestines of the user, by using input information including sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit 141 and prepared training information; and an intestinal score output unit 161 that outputs the intestinal score acquired by the intestinal score acquisition unit 149.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a recording medium capable of acquiring information regarding the condition of the intestine of a single user.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, among users, awareness regarding their own health has been increasing. In such a situation, various apparatuses and services for supporting information regarding health and lifestyle habits have come to be provided. For example, Patent Document 1 below describes the configuration of a health management support system configured to acquire and record health management information of a user and output a message regarding health management to the user based on the content.

[0003] Also, the intestine (small intestine and large intestine) is known as one of the important organs as a place for digestion and absorption of nutrients and as a place for symbiosis with intestinal bacteria. In recent years, needs regarding the health of the intestine, together with phrases such as "intestinal activation," have been increasing.

[0004] Patent Document 2 below describes an analysis apparatus that evaluates the motility of the gastrointestinal tract for the purpose of diagnosing intestinal diseases based on acoustic feature amounts extracted by a machine learning method from recording data acquired by a non-contact microphone.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] As health awareness increases, users may become interested in specific organs or body parts. For example, the condition of the intestines is easily affected by various factors such as physical condition and the content of food and drink. Therefore, it is useful for many users, who are not medical experts, to be able to easily obtain objective and easily understandable information about the condition of their own intestines.

[0007] Traditionally, in medical settings, for example, a physician would use a stethoscope to listen to abdominal peristalsis sounds and evaluate whether or not peristalsis was active to diagnose bowel function. Furthermore, devices such as the one described in Patent Document 2 have been proposed for the diagnosis of bowel diseases. However, users have not been able to easily obtain objective and readily available information about the condition of their own bowels. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The first information processing device of this invention comprises: a sound information acquisition unit that acquires sound information relating to abdominal sounds, which are sounds emanating from the abdomen of a user; an intestinal score acquisition unit that acquires an intestinal score relating to the condition of the user's intestines using input information including the sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit and pre-prepared learning information; and an intestinal score output unit that outputs the intestinal score acquired by the intestinal score acquisition unit.

[0009] This configuration allows users to access objective information about their gut health.

[0010] Furthermore, the information processing device of this second invention is an information processing device in which the input information further includes lifestyle information relating to the user's living situation, compared to the first invention.

[0011] This configuration allows for the output of more reliable information about the user's intestinal health, based on their lifestyle.

[0012] Furthermore, the information processing device of this third invention, in contrast to the second invention, is an information processing device in which the lifestyle information includes excretion-related information concerning the user's excretion status.

[0013] This configuration allows for the output of more reliable information about the user's bowel movements, based on their bowel habits.

[0014] Furthermore, the information processing device of this fourth invention is an information processing device that, in contrast to the third invention, includes information related to excretion, which is indicated by a Bristol Stool Form Scale input by the user.

[0015] This configuration makes it easy to obtain more reliable information about the condition of the intestines.

[0016] Furthermore, the information processing device of the fifth invention, compared to the third invention, further comprises an excretion score acquisition unit that acquires an excretion score based on excretion-related information, and is an information processing device that acquires an intestinal score using the excretion score acquired by the excretion score acquisition unit.

[0017] This configuration allows for the output of an intestinal score that reflects the user's bowel movements.

[0018] Furthermore, the information processing device of this sixth invention is an information processing device that, in contrast to the second invention, includes, as lifestyle information, food and drink information relating to the user's eating and drinking habits.

[0019] This configuration allows for the output of more reliable information about the user's intestinal health, based on their eating and drinking habits.

[0020] Furthermore, the information processing device of the seventh invention, compared to the sixth invention, is an information processing device in which the food and drink information includes at least one of the following: information regarding the amount of water consumed, information regarding whether or not alcohol was consumed or the amount of alcohol consumed, information regarding whether or not a meal was eaten or the content of the meal, and information regarding whether or not a specific group of foods was consumed or the amount consumed.

[0021] With such a configuration, an intestinal score reflecting a specific diet situation can be output.

[0022] In addition, for the information processing apparatus of the eighth invention, with respect to the sixth invention, the intestinal score acquisition unit further includes a diet score acquisition unit that acquires a diet score based on diet information, and uses the diet score acquired by the diet score acquisition unit to acquire an intestinal score.

[0023] With such a configuration, an intestinal score reflecting the user's diet situation can be output.

[0024] In addition, for the information processing apparatus of the ninth invention, with respect to the second invention, the life information includes activity situation information regarding the user's activity situation.

[0025] With such a configuration, more certain information regarding the condition of the intestine based on the user's activity situation can be output.

[0026] In addition, for the information processing apparatus of the tenth invention, with respect to the ninth invention, the activity situation information includes at least one of sleep information regarding sleep and exercise information regarding exercise.

[0027] With such a configuration, an intestinal score reflecting the sleep or exercise situation can be output.

[0028] In addition, for the information processing apparatus of the eleventh invention, with respect to the ninth invention, the activity situation information is information acquired by an activity meter that acquires the user's activity amount.

[0029] With such a configuration, more certain information regarding the condition of the intestine based on quantitatively obtained activity information can be output.

[0030] Furthermore, the information processing device of the twelfth invention, compared to the ninth invention, is an information processing device in which the intestinal score acquisition unit further comprises an activity status score acquisition unit that acquires an activity status score based on activity status information, and acquires an intestinal score using the activity status score acquired by the activity status score acquisition unit.

[0031] This configuration allows for the output of a gut score that reflects the user's activity level.

[0032] Furthermore, the information processing device of the thirteenth invention is created in which the learning information is information that inputs learning input information including sound information, and outputs information that outputs a predetermined output index value related to the activity state of the intestines, and the intestinal score acquisition unit is an information processing device that acquires an intestinal score using the output index value acquired using the learning information.

[0033] This configuration makes it easy to output objective information about the condition of the intestines.

[0034] Furthermore, the information processing device of the fourteenth invention is an information processing device in which, compared to the thirteenth invention, the output indicator is at least one of the following: the state of bowel movements and the number of intestinal peristaltic movements per unit time.

[0035] With this configuration, an accurate bowel score can be obtained based on at least one value, such as the state of bowel movements and the number of intestinal peristaltic movements per unit time.

[0036] Furthermore, the information processing device of the fifteenth invention, compared to the first invention, has an element score acquisition unit which acquires element scores for each of two or more evaluation elements based on input information, acquires an intestinal score using the element scores acquired by the element score acquisition unit, and an output unit which further outputs a radar chart using the element scores acquired by the element score acquisition unit.

[0037] This configuration allows for the output of information regarding each evaluation element related to intestinal health, making it easy to understand.

[0038] Furthermore, the information processing device of the sixteenth invention further comprises an equipment identification information acquisition unit that acquires equipment identification information that identifies the type of equipment used to acquire abdominal sounds, corresponding to sound information, compared to the first invention, and multiple learning information sets are provided, each associated with the equipment identification information, and the intestinal score acquisition unit acquires an intestinal score using the learning information corresponding to the equipment identification information acquired by the equipment identification information acquisition unit.

[0039] This configuration allows for the appropriate acquisition of the bowel score according to the characteristics of the equipment used to acquire abdominal sounds.

[0040] Furthermore, the information processing device of the seventeenth invention is an information processing device that, compared to the first invention, further comprises a microphone for recording abdominal sounds and a display unit for displaying the intestinal score output by the output unit.

[0041] This configuration allows users to easily measure abdominal sounds and obtain objective information about their bowel health. [Effects of the Invention]

[0042] According to the information processing device, etc., of the present invention, it is possible to output objective information about the condition of one's intestines that can be easily grasped. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0043] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an overview of an information processing system according to one 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 illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing device. [Figure 5]A flowchart showing an example of the score acquisition process of the information processing device. [Figure 6] A flowchart showing an example of abdominal sound processing by the information processing device. [Figure 7] A flowchart showing an example of the gut-related score acquisition process of the information processing device. [Figure 8] A flowchart showing an example of the excretion score acquisition process of the information processing device. [Figure 9] A flowchart showing an example of the meal score acquisition process of the information processing device. [Figure 10] A flowchart showing an example of the beverage score acquisition process of the information processing device. [Figure 11] A flowchart illustrating an example of the process for acquiring activity status scores for the information processing device. [Figure 12] Figure 1 shows a specific example of screen transitions on the terminal device. [Figure 13] Figure 2 shows a specific example of screen transitions on the terminal device. [Figure 14] Figure 3 shows a specific example of screen transitions for the terminal device. [Figure 15] Figure 4 shows a specific example of screen transitions for the terminal device. [Figure 16] A flowchart showing an example of abdominal sound usage processing in an information processing device according to a first modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] A flowchart showing an example of the gut-related score acquisition process of the information processing device. [Figure 18] A flowchart showing an example of abdominal sound usage processing in an information processing device according to a second modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] A flowchart showing an example of the score acquisition process of an information processing device according to a third modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] A flowchart showing an example of the gut-related score acquisition process of the information processing device. [Figure 21] Block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device according to another modification of the above embodiment. [Figure 22] Overview of the computer system in the above embodiment [Figure 23] Block diagram of the computer system [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0044] The embodiments of the information processing device, etc., will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, components that are denoted by the same reference numerals perform the same operation, and therefore, further explanation may be omitted.

[0045] The terms used below are generally defined as follows. However, the meanings of these terms should not always be interpreted in the manner shown here; for example, if they are explained individually below, those explanations should also be taken into consideration when interpreting them.

[0046] Abdominal sounds refer to sounds emanating from the user's abdomen. Abdominal sounds may include, for example, bowel sounds emanating from the intestines. They may also include sounds produced by blood flow in the abdomen (for example, abdominal aortic sounds) and sounds emanating from organs such as the stomach.

[0047] Sound information refers to information obtained based on abdominal sounds. Sound information may be the recorded abdominal sound data itself, or it may be data obtained by processing or editing said data.

[0048] Lifestyle information refers to information about a user's lifestyle. Lifestyle information may include various elements related to the user's behavior, state, etc. In the following embodiments, lifestyle information includes, for example, information about excretion, eating and drinking, and activity status. That is, lifestyle information includes, for example, the user's excretion status, the user's eating and drinking status, and the user's activity status. However, it is not limited to this, and lifestyle information may include information about other elements, or information about only some of these elements. Furthermore, each element of lifestyle information (such as information about excretion, eating and drinking, and activity status) may include information about more detailed elements.

[0049] Excretion-related information refers to information about the user's excretion status. Excretion-related information may include information from various perspectives, such as the time of excretion, amount, odor, and form (shape, color, etc.). In this embodiment, the excretion-related information includes values ​​expressed by the known Bristol Stool Form Scale (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the Bristol Scale). The Bristol Scale suggests the physiological transit time of the digestive tract and can be said to indirectly represent the state of the intestines. Labels corresponding to the values ​​expressed by the Bristol Scale (e.g., "banana," "plump," "mushy," etc.) may also be used as excretion-related information. Furthermore, the excretion-related information may include information resulting from an evaluation of the excrement by an evaluator such as the user (information that involves the evaluator's subjectivity), or it may include information resulting from measurements and evaluations performed by evaluation equipment, etc.

[0050] Food and drink information refers to information about a user's eating and drinking habits. This information may include various aspects, such as water intake, alcohol consumption, and meal content. Conceptually, food and drink information may be divided into food information, which concerns meals and eating habits, and beverage information, which concerns beverage intake. In this embodiment, food and drink information includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: information on water intake, information on whether or not alcohol was consumed or the amount of alcohol consumed, information on whether or not a meal was eaten or the content of the meal, and information on whether or not a specific group of foods was consumed or the amount consumed. A specific group of foods refers to foods belonging to a particular group from among groups classified as meat, dairy products, vegetables, etc., but the perspective and granularity of such "groups" are not limited to this. Food and drink information is information entered by an evaluator such as a user who has evaluated the eating and drinking situation, but is not limited to this; for example, information obtained from measurements and evaluations performed by evaluation equipment may also be used. For example, the type and amount of food and beverages consumed can have different effects on digestive motility.

[0051] Activity status information refers to information about a user's activity status. Here, activity status refers to information about lifestyle habits (actions and movements that a user repeatedly performs in their daily life), excluding eating and drinking habits. In other words, activity status information may include information about lifestyle habits, excluding eating and drinking information. In this embodiment, activity status information includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: sleep information (such as sleep duration and sleep quality) and exercise information (such as steps taken, calories burned, whether or not the user exercises regularly, exercise intensity, and exercise frequency). For example, activity status information may include information about whether or not the user smokes and their smoking history. Activity status information may be information acquired by an activity tracker installed in a device that the user possesses or wears (e.g., a wearable device or other mobile device), or it may be information entered by an evaluator such as a user after evaluation.

[0052] Basic information refers to information about the user's physiology and characteristics. For example, basic information may include various pieces of information such as the user's height, weight, age, gender, body fat percentage, muscle mass, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. Basic information may also include the user's answers to questionnaires, information generated based on those answers, and information about the user's medical history. For example, the answers to questionnaire items used to diagnose people with intestinal disorders can objectively represent the user's physical constitution. Basic information is, for example, information that is entered by the user in advance, but is not limited to this. It may also be information obtained from, for example, wearable devices worn by the user, or information obtained from external databases where user information is recorded.

[0053] An identifier is a character or code that uniquely identifies a particular item. An identifier is, for example, an ID, but it can be any type of information that can identify the corresponding item. In other words, an identifier may be the name of the thing it represents, or it may be a combination of codes that uniquely corresponds to it.

[0054] Acquisition may include acquiring information entered by a user, etc., or it may include acquiring information stored in the device itself or another device (this may be information that is stored in advance or information that is 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, etc., or it may include acquiring the contents of document files (including the contents of web pages, etc.) provided by another device by scraping, etc. It may also include acquiring information in a different format based on the original information, such as acquiring information by performing optical character recognition on an image file.

[0055] Furthermore, so-called machine learning techniques may be used to acquire information. The use of machine learning techniques can be, for example, as follows: A classifier is constructed using machine learning techniques, which takes a specific type of input information as input and outputs the type of information to be acquired. For example, two or more pairs of input and output information are prepared in advance, these two or more pairs of information are provided to a module for constructing a machine learning classifier to construct the classifier, and the constructed classifier is stored in a storage unit. Note that the classifier can also be called a learner. The machine learning technique can be any, such as deep learning, random forest, or SVR. In addition, various machine learning frameworks such as fastText, tinySVM, random forest, and TensorFlow, as well as various existing libraries, can be used for machine learning.

[0056] Furthermore, the classifier is not limited to those obtained through 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, the output information corresponding to the feature vectors based on the input information may be obtained from the table, or a vector approximating the feature vectors based on the input information may be generated using two or more input vectors in the table and parameters that weight each input vector, and the final output information may be obtained using the output information and parameters corresponding to each input vector used for generation. Alternatively, the classifier may be, for example, a function that represents the relationship between input vectors based on input information and information for generating output information. In this case, for example, information corresponding to the feature vectors based on the input information may be obtained using a function, and the output information may be obtained using the obtained information.

[0057] Outputting information is a concept that includes displaying it on a screen, projecting it using a projector, printing it with a printer, outputting sound, transmitting it to an external device, storing it on a recording medium, and transferring processing results to other processing devices or other programs. Specifically, it includes, for example, making information available on a web page, sending it via email, and outputting information for printing.

[0058] The concept of receiving information includes receiving information input from input devices such as keyboards, mice, and touch panels; receiving information transmitted from other devices via wired or wireless communication lines; and receiving information read from recording media such as optical discs, magnetic discs, and semiconductor memory.

[0059] Regarding various types of information stored in information processing devices, the term "update" encompasses not only changes to the stored information, but also the addition of new information to the stored information, and the deletion of some or all of the stored information.

[0060] (Embodiment)

[0061] In this embodiment, the information processing device acquires and outputs an intestinal score related to the condition of the intestines using input information including sound information related to the abdominal sounds of a user and pre-prepared learning information. The input information may include lifestyle information related to the user's living situation, and the lifestyle information may include excretion-related information related to the user's excretion status, food and drink information related to the user's eating and drinking, and activity status information related to the user's activity status. Preferably, the information processing device can be used via a portable information terminal equipped with a microphone for recording abdominal sounds and a monitor for displaying the score, but is not limited to this. The information processing system 1 configured in this manner will be described below.

[0062] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an information processing system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] In this embodiment, the information processing system 1 comprises 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. There is no limit to the number of each device included in the information processing system 1, and other devices may also be included in the information processing system 1.

[0064] Users of the information processing system 1 can use the information processing system 1 using the terminal device 600. In Figure 1, the terminal device 600 is shown as a portable information terminal device such as a smartphone, each having a built-in microphone 681. However, the terminal device 600 is not limited to such portable information terminal devices. For example, a personal computer (PC) such as a laptop computer, which is terminal device 600b, 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 examples, the explanation assumes that a portable information terminal device such as a smartphone is used as the terminal device 600, but it is not limited to this.

[0065] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the information processing device 100. Figure 3 is a block diagram of the terminal device 600.

[0066] As shown in Figure 2, the information processing device 100 comprises 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.

[0067] The storage unit 110 includes a learning information storage unit 111 and a user information storage unit 115.

[0068] The learning information storage unit 111 stores pre-acquired learning information. In this embodiment, the learning information is created by using learning input information, including sound information, as input information, and a predetermined output index value related to the activity state of the intestines as output information. The learning information is generated using so-called machine learning techniques. The learning information is generated by the learning information generation unit 147 as described later and stored in the learning information storage unit 111, but is not limited to this. That is, learning information generated by a device other than the information processing device 100 may also be stored in the learning information storage unit 111.

[0069] In this embodiment, multiple learning information sets are provided. Each learning information set is associated with device identification information and stored in the learning information storage unit 111. The device identification information is information corresponding to the sound information included in the learning input information used when generating the learning information, and identifies the type of equipment used to acquire, i.e., record, the abdominal sound corresponding to the sound information. The device identification information can also be said to be information that identifies the method used to record the abdominal sound. Here, "equipment" may mean, for example, a microphone used to record the abdominal sound, or a set of devices that includes such a microphone. The device identification information may be, for example, a code that identifies the model of the equipment used to record the abdominal sound, or a code that identifies the type of equipment used for recording (e.g., whether a smartphone's built-in microphone was used, or an external microphone was used), but is not limited to these. A code that can identify the origin of the learning input information with a certain level of granularity, such as the recording method and the processing method of the recorded abdominal sound (e.g., whether or not a filter was applied, its type, sound quality adjustment, etc.), can be used as the device identification information.

[0070] The user information storage unit 115 stores user information. In this embodiment, user information is information that associates a user identifier, which is an identifier that identifies a user using the information processing system 1, with information about that user. 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 acquired about the user by the information processing device 100 as described later. Information transmitted from the terminal device 600 used by the user may include, for example, basic user information, as well as sound information, device identification information, and lifestyle information, as described later. Information acquired about the user by the information processing device 100 may include, for example, information about the frequency of bowel sounds, estimation results of the state of the intestines, individual element scores, and intestinal scores, as described later. User information transmitted from other external devices may also be stored in the user information storage unit 115.

[0071] The receiving unit 120 receives information transmitted from other devices. The receiving unit 120 stores the received information, for example, in the storage unit 110. In this embodiment, the user inputs information using, for example, a terminal device 600 and transmits it to the information processing device 100. The receiving unit 120 can store each transmitted piece of information in the storage unit 110, associating it with a user identifier. Furthermore, 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, associating it with a user identifier. When the receiving unit 120 receives this information from the terminal devices 600, it can identify the user identifier of the user involved in the transmission based on the transmitted information.

[0072] The reception unit 130 receives information entered using an input means (not shown) connected to the information processing device 100. The reception unit 130 stores the received information in, for example, the storage unit 110. The input means can be anything, such as a numeric keypad, keyboard, mouse, or menu screen. The reception unit 130 may also receive information entered through input operations performed using a reading device (for example, a code reader) connected to the information processing device 100 (including information read by the device).

[0073] Furthermore, the receiving 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 mean that this information is indirectly input to the information processing device 100 by the user via a terminal device 600 or the like, or it may mean that the user directly inputs it to the information processing device 100 using an input means. Alternatively, inputting information to the information processing device 100 may be considered as the user providing 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.

[0074] The processing unit 140 comprises 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 gut score acquisition unit 149, an element score acquisition unit 151, and a gut score output unit 161. The processing unit 140 performs various processes. These various processes include, for example, the processes performed by each part of the processing unit 140 as follows.

[0075] The sound information acquisition unit 141 acquires sound information of a single user. In this embodiment, the sound information acquisition unit 141 acquires sound information transmitted from the user's terminal device 600 and received by the receiving unit 120.

[0076] The device identification information acquisition unit 143 acquires device identification information corresponding to the sound information. In this 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 has been stored in the storage unit 110 in advance as information to identify the user's terminal device 600.

[0077] The lifestyle information acquisition unit 145 acquires lifestyle information. In this embodiment, lifestyle information includes, but is not limited to, information related to excretion, information on eating and drinking, and activity status information (i.e., exercise information and sleep information). The lifestyle information acquisition unit 145 acquires information stored in the user information storage unit 115, for example. In addition, the lifestyle information acquisition unit 145 may acquire basic user information.

[0078] The learning information generation unit 147 generates learning information using machine learning techniques. The machine learning techniques can be used, for example, as follows: A classifier is constructed using machine learning techniques, taking learning input information including sound information as input and outputting a predetermined output index value (output value) related to the intestinal activity state. For example, two or more pairs of learning input information and output values ​​are prepared in advance, and these two or more pairs of information are provided to a module for constructing a machine learning classifier to construct a classifier. The constructed classifier is then stored as learning information in the learning information storage unit 111. Note that the classifier can also be called a learner. The machine learning technique can be any, such as deep learning like convolutional neural networks (CNNs), random forests, SVR, etc. Furthermore, various machine learning frameworks such as fastText, tinySVM, random forest, and TensorFlow, as well as various existing libraries, can be used for machine learning. The combinations of learning input information and output values ​​only need to be prepared in advance. Furthermore, the system may be configured to regenerate the learned information at a predetermined timing using a combination of newly acquired sound information and output values ​​in the information processing device.

[0079] The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 acquires an intestinal score related to the user's intestinal condition using input information including sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit 141 and pre-prepared learning information. In this embodiment, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 has an element score acquisition unit 151. The element score acquisition unit 151 has an intestinal-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.

[0080] In this embodiment, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 uses the learning information stored in the learning information storage unit 111 to acquire a value for a predetermined output index, and uses this value for the intestinal score. The process of acquiring the value for the predetermined output index is performed, for example, by the intestinal-related score acquisition unit 152, which will be described later. As the predetermined output index, at least one of the following can be used: the state of bowel movements and the number of intestinal peristaltic movements per unit time. The number of intestinal peristaltic movements may also be said to be the frequency at which bowel sounds occur at a predetermined level or higher (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the frequency of bowel sounds). The intestinal 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 to acquire the intestinal score using the acquired learning information.

[0081] In this embodiment, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 acquires the intestinal score using the element scores acquired by the element score acquisition unit 151. As described below, the element score acquisition unit 151 acquires element scores for each of two or more evaluation elements based on the input information. Examples of two or more evaluation elements include intestinal-related elements, excretion, beverages, meals, and activity levels. In other words, in this embodiment, examples of element scores include intestinal motility score, intestinal condition score, excretion score, beverage score, meal score, and activity level score. Each score is a numerical value or code indicating a grade that represents the state or degree of goodness of the subject matter, and is information that can be easily grasped by the user.

[0082] The intestinal relationship score acquisition unit 152 uses the sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit 141 and the learning information to acquire an intestinal state score related to the state of bowel movements (normal, diarrhea, constipation, etc.) and an intestinal motility score related to intestinal peristalsis (frequency, etc.). In this embodiment, the intestinal relationship score acquisition unit 152 uses a machine learning method to input the sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit 141 into the learning information to acquire the value of the output index. Then, based on the value of the output index, it acquires the intestinal relationship score (intestinal state score and intestinal motility score).

[0083] In this embodiment, the sound information used as learning input information in the learning information generation unit 147 and the sound information input to the intestinal relationship score acquisition unit 152 are spectrum images representing the results of analyzing audio data (which may be processed) obtained by recording abdominal sounds using Fourier transform or fast Fourier transform in a predetermined manner. The sound information may be the audio data (which may be processed) itself, or it may be data that has been converted to another format. The preparation of such sound information used as learning input information in the learning information generation unit 147 and the sound information input to the intestinal relationship score acquisition unit 152 can be performed in the processing unit 140. Alternatively, the sound information, which is a spectrum image, may be prepared in advance in equipment other than the information processing device 100, such as equipment used to record abdominal sounds, and that sound information may be transmitted to the information processing device 100.

[0084] Furthermore, the learning information generation unit 147 and the gut-related score acquisition unit 152 may be configured to use learning input information, including user information such as basic information, when generating and using learning information. In this case, the generated learning information should be stored in the learning information storage unit 111, associated with identifiers that identify each type, for several types that allow the user to be classified by the user information. The gut-related score acquisition unit 152 may be configured to acquire learning information of the type corresponding to the identifier identified based on the user information from the learning information storage unit 111, and to acquire a gut-related score using this learning information. This makes it possible to obtain output results with higher accuracy.

[0085] The excretion score acquisition unit 153 acquires an excretion score based on excretion-related information.

[0086] The food and beverage score acquisition unit 154 acquires beverage scores and meal scores based on food and beverage information.

[0087] The activity status score acquisition unit 155 acquires an activity status score based on the activity status information.

[0088] Each part of these element score acquisition units 151 acquires element scores based on the values ​​of output indicators and various lifestyle information, for example, based on whether the values ​​of output indicators and the content of various lifestyle information meet predetermined conditions. The predetermined conditions can be set for each element and for each perspective for each element. For example, if the predetermined conditions are met, a first predetermined score can be reflected in the element score, and if not, a second predetermined score can be reflected in the element score, thereby acquiring the element score. Specifically, for example, if the frequency of bowel sounds is obtained as the value of an output indicator, if the frequency of bowel sounds is within a predetermined range, a first predetermined score can be added to the standard bowel motility score, and if not, a second predetermined score can be subtracted from the standard bowel motility score.

[0089] Each part of the element score acquisition unit 151 associates the acquired element score with a user identifier and stores it in the user information storage unit 115.

[0090] Furthermore, each part of the element score acquisition unit 151 may compare the values ​​of the output indicators and the content of various lifestyle information with predetermined criteria and calculate the element score using a predetermined calculation formula according to the results. Alternatively, multiple threshold values ​​may be prepared, and predetermined scores corresponding to the range of conditions for which the values ​​of the output indicators and the content of various lifestyle information apply may be reflected in the element score. Additionally, multiple evaluation perspectives (such as perspectives for comparison with a standard value) may be established for each element such as bowel movement, bowel condition, excretion, drinking, eating, and activity level, and predetermined scores may be reflected in the element score according to the results of the comparison with the standard value for each perspective. Alternatively, the scores to be reflected may be based on information mapped in advance in a space composed of multiple perspective axes (for example, an n-dimensional lookup table), and the corresponding scores may be reflected in the element score.

[0091] Each part of the element score acquisition unit 151 may acquire element scores based on element scores previously acquired for the user stored in the user information storage unit 115, or on output indicator values ​​or various lifestyle information at past points in time. For example, each part of the element score acquisition unit 151 may acquire the current element score by reflecting the current score to the previously acquired element score. Alternatively, the element score may be acquired by using the average value of output indicator values ​​or various lifestyle information from a predetermined period in the past and the current output indicator value or various lifestyle information. The element score may also be acquired by using (for example, summing) specific scores for a predetermined number of past output indicator values ​​or various lifestyle information and the current output indicator value or various lifestyle information.

[0092] Furthermore, each part of the element score acquisition unit 151 may set factors such as the conditions set for acquiring such element scores, the reference value to compare, the reference element score, the points to reflect in the element score, and the method of reflecting the points in the element score (addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc.) in a timely manner based on the user's basic information. In other words, each part of the element score acquisition unit 151 may acquire element scores based on the user's basic information. Specifically, for example, each part of the element score acquisition unit 151 may be configured to acquire element scores by applying different factors according to the user's gender and age.

[0093] In this embodiment, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 acquires an intestinal score using the intestinal motility score and intestinal state score acquired by the intestinal relationship 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 acquisition of the intestinal score may be performed, for example, by applying each element score to a predetermined calculation formula, such as by adding or multiplying in a predetermined way. Alternatively, the acquisition of the intestinal score may be performed, for example, by using a learning model configured with machine learning techniques that takes each element score as input and outputs the intestinal score. Each element score may be normalized as necessary before being used to acquire the intestinal score.

[0094] The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 stores the acquired intestinal score in the user information storage unit 115, associating it with a user identifier.

[0095] The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 may acquire the current intestinal score based on the intestinal scores previously acquired for the user stored in the user information storage unit 115. For example, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 may acquire the current intestinal score by reflecting the points corresponding to each element score of the current intestinal score in a baseline score based on the previous intestinal score.

[0096] Furthermore, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 may change the predetermined method used for acquiring such intestinal scores as needed, based on the user's basic information. Specifically, for example, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 may be configured to acquire intestinal scores by performing calculations using element scores in different ways depending on the user's gender, age, height, weight, medical history, predetermined questionnaire results, etc. In other words, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 may acquire intestinal scores based on the user's basic information.

[0097] 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, output may be performed by displaying the intestinal score as text or an image on the display provided by the information processing device 100.

[0098] In this embodiment, the gut score output unit 161 is configured to output a radar chart using the element scores acquired by the element score acquisition unit 151. In this case, the gut score output unit 161 may normalize each element score to balance them as needed, and then construct and output information representing each element score in a radar chart. Alternatively, the gut score output unit 161 may construct and output information showing each element score as a graph in another format.

[0099] The transmitting unit 170 transmits information to other devices constituting the information processing system 1 via the network. For example, the transmitting unit 170 transmits information to a terminal device 600. In other words, the transmitting unit 170 outputs information to a terminal device 600.

[0100] Next, the configuration of the terminal device 600 will be described.

[0101] As shown in Figure 3, the terminal device 600 includes a terminal storage unit 610, a terminal receiving unit 620, a terminal reception unit 630, a terminal 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] The sound information storage unit 611 stores 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. Once transmission is complete, the sound information storage unit 611 may be deleted, or it may be retained until a predetermined period of time has elapsed, or it may be retained permanently until deleted by the user.

[0104] The device identification information storage unit 613 stores device identification information. The device identification information is information that can identify the model of the terminal device 600, but is not limited to this. Different information may be unwriteable to the device identification information storage unit 613.

[0105] Life information is stored in the life information storage unit 615. The life information is transmitted to the information processing device 100 by the terminal transmission unit 670. After transmission is complete, the life information may be deleted from the life information storage unit 615, or it may be retained until a predetermined period of time has elapsed, or it may be retained permanently until deleted by the user.

[0106] The lifestyle information stored in the lifestyle information storage unit 615 may include information entered by the user or information based on such input. This information may, for example, be information received by the terminal reception unit 630, or it may be information acquired by the terminal processing unit 640 by performing calculations or other operations based on the information received by the terminal reception unit 630.

[0107] Furthermore, the lifestyle information stored in the lifestyle information storage unit 615 may include measured values ​​or information based thereon. This information may be, for example, information measured by the sensor unit 680, or information acquired by the terminal processing unit 640 by performing calculations, etc., based on the information measured by the sensor unit 680. It may also be information measured by a sensor device that is communicably connected to the terminal device 600 and transmitted to the terminal device 600.

[0108] The terminal receiving unit 620 receives information transmitted from the information processing device 100 and other devices via the network. The terminal receiving unit 620 stores the received information, for example, in the terminal storage unit 610, so that the terminal processing unit 640 and other devices can retrieve it.

[0109] The terminal reception unit 630 receives various input operations to the terminal device 600 from a user using the terminal device 600. Operations are performed using, for example, an input device (not shown), but are not limited to this. The terminal reception unit 630 may also accept voice input operations, for example, from the microphone 681.

[0110] The terminal processing unit 640 performs various information processing operations using the various parts of the terminal device 600.

[0111] The terminal output unit 660 outputs information, for example, by displaying it on a display device, such as the display unit 661. However, the method of information output is not limited to this, and it may also be done by outputting audio, etc., from a speaker or the like.

[0112] The terminal transmission unit 670 transmits information acquired by, for example, the terminal processing unit 640, via the network.

[0113] The sensor unit 680 may include, for example, a microphone 681 and an acceleration sensor 683, as well as a barometric pressure sensor. The sensor unit 680 performs recording using the microphone 681 and measures the measurement items, and outputs information such as the obtained audio data and measured values. The obtained information is stored in, for example, the terminal storage unit 610. Here, the measured values ​​are, for example, values ​​showing the change in acceleration obtained by the acceleration sensor, or values ​​showing the change in barometric pressure obtained by the barometric 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 that can determine the location using GPS, etc. 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 for obtaining information on the amount of heat consumed, information on the user's activity level such as the number of steps, and information on the user's lifestyle habits such as the user's wake-up time, bedtime, and commuting time. Furthermore, based on the measurements 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 acquired and stored in the terminal storage unit 610.

[0114] Next, an example of the operation of the information processing device 100 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 a terminal device 600, receiving information transmitted from the information processing device 100, and running a predetermined application on the terminal device 600. The predetermined application may be, for example, a dedicated application that operates using information transmitted from the information processing device 100, or it may be a web browser that displays web applications provided by the information processing device 100 in a usable format.

[0115] In this embodiment, the information processing system 1 is typically used as follows: The user records their abdominal sounds using the terminal device 600. The sound information is then transmitted from the terminal device 600 to the information processing device 100, where an intestinal score is obtained. The information processing device 100 transmits (outputs) the obtained intestinal score to the terminal device 600. The terminal device 600 receives the intestinal score and displays the information including the intestinal score on the display device using the terminal output unit 660. This allows the user to confirm information about their intestines as an intestinal score. 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 part.

[0116] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device 100.

[0117] (Step S11) The processing unit 140 determines whether or not it has received information transmitted from the terminal device 600, etc., by the receiving unit 120. If it determines that information has been received, it proceeds to step S12; otherwise, it proceeds to step S13.

[0118] (Step S12) The processing unit 140 identifies the user based on the received information and stores the received information in the user information storage unit 115, associating it with the user identifier. For example, when lifestyle information, sound information, or device identification information is transmitted from the terminal device 600 as associated with a user identifier, the processing unit 140 stores the received information in the user information storage unit 115, associating it with that user identifier.

[0119] (Step S13) The processing unit 140 determines whether a trigger has occurred to obtain the intestinal score. In other words, the processing unit 140 determines whether the conditions for starting to obtain the intestinal score have been met. If it is determined that a trigger has occurred, the process proceeds to step S14. Otherwise, the process returns to step S11.

[0120] For example, the trigger could be the user giving instructions to obtain a gut score via the terminal device 600 (i.e., the transmission of predetermined information corresponding to the instructions). However, the trigger is not limited to this. For example, various conditions could be met, such as a predetermined time arriving or the reception of new sound information or other lifestyle information.

[0121] (Step S14) The processing unit 140 performs score acquisition processing using the intestinal score acquisition unit 149. The score acquisition processing will be described later. Through the score acquisition processing, the intestinal score and each element score are acquired and stored in the user information storage unit 115.

[0122] (Step S15) The processing unit 140 constructs output information using the acquired intestinal score, etc., by the intestinal score output unit 161. In this embodiment, information for showing the intestinal score and information for showing each element score as a radar chart are constructed.

[0123] (Step S16) The processing unit 140 outputs the constructed information to the target user using the intestinal score output unit 161. That is, the processing unit 140 outputs the constructed information regarding the intestinal score and each element score to the terminal device 600 used by the user for whom the score is to be calculated using the transmission unit 170. As a result, the terminal device 600 that receives the information can display the intestinal score and each element score.

[0124] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the score acquisition process of the information processing device 100.

[0125] (Step S111) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 acquires sound information, lifestyle information, and past user information related to the target user from the user information storage unit 115 based on the user identifier of the target user. The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 may also acquire basic information.

[0126] (Step S112) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 uses sound information to perform processing to obtain the frequency of intestinal sounds and estimated results of the intestinal state. Hereinafter, this processing may be referred to as abdominal sound usage processing. Details of abdominal sound usage processing will be described later.

[0127] (Step S113) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 stores the acquired information, such as the frequency of bowel sounds and the estimated state of the intestines, in the user information storage unit 115, associating it with the user identifier of the target user.

[0128] (Step S114) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 performs a process to acquire scores for each element using the element score acquisition unit 151. Hereinafter, this process will be referred to as the element score acquisition process. In this embodiment, the element score acquisition process includes an intestinal score acquisition process, an excretion score acquisition process, a diet 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.

[0129] (Step S115) Once each element score is obtained, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 acquires the intestinal score from each element score. At this time, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 acquires the intestinal score by, for example, adding or multiplying each element score in a predetermined way, as described above, but is not limited to this.

[0130] (Step S116) 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. Then, the process returns to Figure 4.

[0131] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the abdominal sound usage processing of the information processing device 100.

[0132] (Step S121) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 generates a spectrum image from sound information, which is audio data obtained by recording abdominal sounds.

[0133] (Step S122) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 selects the learning information corresponding to the device identification information corresponding to the sound information from among the learning information stored in the learning information storage unit 111 as the learning information to be used.

[0134] (Step S123) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 inputs sound information to the learning information and outputs the value of the output index. In this embodiment, the frequency of intestinal sounds included in abdominal sounds and the estimated result of the intestinal state are output. After that, the process returns to the one shown in Figure 5.

[0135] Furthermore, if the sound information stored in the user information storage unit 115 is a spectrum image, such as when the sound information transmitted from the terminal device 600 is a spectrum image, the processing in step S121 should be omitted.

[0136] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the gut-related score acquisition process of the information processing device 100.

[0137] (Step S141) The intestinal relationship score acquisition unit 152 resets the intestinal motility score and the intestinal condition score to their respective initial values ​​(for example, zero).

[0138] (Step S142) The bowel-related score acquisition unit 152 determines whether the frequency of bowel sounds is within a predetermined range. If it determines that it is within the predetermined range, the unit proceeds to step S143; otherwise, it proceeds to step S144.

[0139] The frequency of bowel sounds being within a predetermined range can be defined as, for example, 5 to 20 bowel sounds at a level higher than a predetermined level within a predetermined time period, but the number of occurrences is not limited to this.

[0140] (Step S143) The intestinal score acquisition unit 152 adds 10 points to the intestinal motility score. In other words, the intestinal score acquisition unit 152 determines that the intestinal peristalsis is in an appropriate state. Proceed to step S145.

[0141] (Step S144) The intestinal score acquisition unit 152 adds 5 points to the intestinal motility score. In other words, the intestinal score acquisition unit 152 determines that the intestinal peristalsis is in a poor state. Proceed to step S145.

[0142] (Step S145) The intestinal score acquisition unit 152 determines whether the estimated result of the intestinal condition is "normal". If it is determined to be within a predetermined range, the process proceeds to step S143; otherwise, it proceeds to step S144. If the estimated result of the intestinal condition is "diarrhea" or "constipation", the process proceeds to step S147.

[0143] (Step S146) The intestinal condition score acquisition unit 152 adds 10 points to the intestinal condition score. In other words, the intestinal condition score acquisition unit 152 determines that the intestines are in good condition.

[0144] (Step S147) The intestinal score acquisition unit 152 adds 5 points to the intestinal condition score. In other words, the intestinal score acquisition unit 152 determines that the intestinal peristalsis is in an appropriate state.

[0145] When step S146 or step S147 is completed, the intestinal relationship score acquisition unit 152 acquires the intestinal motility score and intestinal condition score as a result, and returns to Figure 5.

[0146] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the excretion score acquisition process of the information processing device 100.

[0147] (Step S151) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 resets each excretion score to its initial value (for example, zero).

[0148] (Step S152) 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 Stool Scale included in the excretion-related information is a predetermined value (for example, a predetermined word such as "banana" or "plump"), it can be determined that the shape of the excrement corresponds to a predetermined type. If it is determined that the shape of the excrement corresponds to a predetermined type, the unit proceeds to step S153; otherwise, it proceeds to step S154.

[0149] (Step S153) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 adds 10 points to the excretion score. Proceed to step S155.

[0150] (Step S154) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 adds 5 points to the excretion score. Proceed to step S155.

[0151] (Step S155) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 determines whether the amount of excrement is within a predetermined range. For example, the user input value regarding the amount of excrement included in the excretion-related information can be used as the amount of excrement. 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 S156; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S157.

[0152] (Step S156) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 adds 10 points to the excretion score. Proceed to step S158.

[0153] (Step S157) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 adds 5 points to the excretion score. Proceed to step S158.

[0154] (Step S158) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 determines whether or not the excretion has an odor. For example, the user input value regarding the odor of the excretion included in the excretion-related information can be used as the odor of the excretion. If it is determined that the excretion does not have an odor, the process proceeds to step S159; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S160.

[0155] (Step S159) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 adds 10 points to the excretion score.

[0156] (Step S160) The excretion score acquisition unit 153 adds 5 points to the excretion score.

[0157] When step S159 or step S160 is completed, the excretion score acquisition unit 153 acquires the excretion score as a result and returns to Figure 5.

[0158] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the meal score acquisition process of the information processing device 100.

[0159] (Step S161) The food and drink score acquisition unit 154 resets each meal score to its initial value (for example, zero).

[0160] (Step S162) The food and drink score acquisition unit 154 determines whether or not the user has eaten breakfast. For example, this determination can be made based on whether or not there is an input value in the meal information indicating that the user has eaten breakfast. If it is determined that the user has eaten breakfast, the unit proceeds to step S163; otherwise, it proceeds to step S164.

[0161] (Step S163) The food and drink score acquisition unit 154 adds 10 points to the meal score. Proceed to Step S165.

[0162] (Step S164) The food and drink score acquisition unit 154 adds 5 points to the meal score. Proceed to Step S165.

[0163] (Step S165) The food and drink score acquisition unit 154 determines whether the user has consumed a predetermined amount or more of dietary fiber. For example, it can calculate the equivalent amount of dietary fiber based on the contents of the meal included in the meal information and use that value to make the determination. For example, 12 grams can be set as the predetermined amount, but it is not limited to this. An upper limit may also be set. If it is determined that the user has consumed a predetermined amount or more of dietary fiber, the process proceeds to step S166; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S167.

[0164] (Step S166) The food and drink score acquisition unit 154 adds 10 points to the meal score. Proceed to Step S168.

[0165] (Step S167) The food and drink score acquisition unit 154 adds 5 points to the meal score. Proceed to Step S168.

[0166] (Step S168) The food and drink score acquisition unit 154 determines whether the user has consumed a predetermined amount of calcium or more. For example, the amount of calcium equivalent can be calculated based on the contents of the meal included in the meal information, and this value can be used to make the determination. For example, 160 milligrams can be set as the predetermined amount, but it is not limited to this. An upper limit may also be set. If it is determined that the user has consumed a predetermined amount of calcium or more, the process proceeds to step S169; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S160.

[0167] (Step S169) The food and drink score acquisition unit 154 adds 10 points to the meal score.

[0168] (Step S170) The food and drink score acquisition unit 154 adds 5 points to the meal score.

[0169] When step S169 or step S170 is completed, the food and drink score acquisition unit 154 acquires the meal score as a result and returns to Figure 5.

[0170] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the beverage score acquisition process of the information processing device 100.

[0171] (Step S171) The food and drink score acquisition unit 154 resets the beverage scores to their initial values ​​(for example, zero).

[0172] (Step S172) The food and drink score acquisition unit 154 determines whether the user consumed a predetermined amount or more of beverages in the morning. For example, the determination can be made based on input values ​​of the user's water intake during a predetermined time period, which are included in the beverage information. For example, 300 milliliters can be set as the predetermined amount, but it is not limited to this. An upper limit may also be set. If it is determined that the user consumed a predetermined amount or more of beverages in the morning, the process proceeds to step S173; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S174.

[0173] (Step S173) The food and drink score acquisition unit 154 adds 10 points to the beverage score. Proceed to Step S175.

[0174] (Step S174) The food and drink score acquisition unit 154 adds 5 points to the beverage score. Proceed to Step S175.

[0175] (Step S175) The food and drink score acquisition unit 154 determines whether the user's daily beverage intake is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. For example, this determination can be made based on the input value of the user's daily water intake included in the beverage information. For example, 2000 milliliters can be set as the predetermined amount, but it is not limited to this. An upper limit may also be set. If it is determined that the daily beverage intake is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the process proceeds to step S176; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S177.

[0176] (Step S176) The food and drink score acquisition unit 154 adds 10 points to the beverage score.

[0177] (Step S177) The food and drink score acquisition unit 154 adds 5 points to the beverage score.

[0178] When step S176 or step S177 is completed, the food and drink score acquisition unit 154 acquires the beverage score as a result and returns to Figure 5.

[0179] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the activity status score acquisition process of the information processing device 100.

[0180] (Step S181) The activity status score acquisition unit 155 resets each activity status score to its initial value (for example, zero).

[0181] (Step S182) The activity status score acquisition unit 155 determines whether the number of steps taken in a day is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. For example, the determination can be made based on the cumulative value of the user's daily steps included in the activity status information. For example, 7,000 steps can be set as the predetermined value, but it is not limited to this. An upper limit may also be set. If it is determined that the number of steps taken in a day is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S183; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S184.

[0182] (Step S183) The activity status score acquisition unit 155 adds 10 points to the activity status score. Proceed to Step S185.

[0183] (Step S184) The activity status score acquisition unit 155 adds 5 points to the activity status score. Proceed to Step S185.

[0184] (Step S185) The activity status score acquisition unit 155 determines whether the user's sleep time is equal to or greater than a predetermined time. For example, this determination can be made based on the input value of the user's sleep time included in the activity status information. For example, 7 hours can be set as the predetermined time, but it is not limited to this. An upper limit may also be set. If it is determined that the sleep time is equal to or greater than the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S186; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S187.

[0185] (Step S186) The activity status score acquisition unit 155 adds 10 points to the activity status score.

[0186] (Step S187) The activity status score acquisition unit 155 adds 5 points to the activity status score.

[0187] When step S186 or step S187 is completed, the activity status score acquisition unit 155 acquires the activity status score as a result and returns to Figure 5.

[0188] Next, a specific example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment will be explained while showing the screen transitions of the terminal device 600 used by the user.

[0189] In the following specific example, we assume that information processing system 1 provides a health support application to help users live healthy lives. The health support application accepts input operations regarding 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 takes place 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 based on control of terminal processing unit 640.

[0190] Figure 12 is the first diagram showing a specific example of the screen transitions of the terminal device 600.

[0191] Figure 12 shows the menu screen 901 of the health support application. The menu screen 901 includes, for example, a task display unit 911 that displays information about tasks (health tasks) that the user is recommended to perform, an intestinal score information display unit 912 that displays information about the intestinal score, a lifestyle information record button 913 for inputting lifestyle information and viewing history, and a basic information button 914 for checking and editing basic information. The task display unit 911 includes, for example, a display showing the progress of the task. When the task display unit 911 is operated, the user transitions to a task management screen (not shown). In this specific example, if the intestinal score has not been obtained within a predetermined period in the past, the intestinal score information display unit 912 includes, for example, a display indicating that fact. When the intestinal score information display unit 912 is operated, the user transitions to, for example, a score acquisition instruction screen 902 (shown in Figure 13) for executing the output of the intestinal score. On the other hand, if the intestinal score has been obtained within a predetermined period in the past, the intestinal score information display unit 912 includes, for example, a display showing the measurement result of the intestinal score. When the intestinal score information display unit 912 is operated, the system transitions to, for example, the score display screen 904 (shown in Figure 15) which shows the measurement results of the intestinal score. By operating the lifestyle information recording button 913, the user can input and record information about each element, or send it to the information processing device 100 for storage.

[0192] Figure 13 is a second diagram showing a specific example of the screen transitions of the terminal device 600.

[0193] Figure 13 shows the score acquisition instruction screen 902 of the health support application. The score acquisition instruction screen 902 is the screen used to instruct the information processing device 100 to output the intestinal score. Specifically, the score acquisition instruction screen 902 includes a confirmation area 921 that displays whether or not all the information necessary to output the intestinal score is available, and an instruction button 925 for instructing the output of the intestinal score. The confirmation area 921 includes a display that indicates whether or not each of the lifestyle information and abdominal sounds used to output the intestinal score has already been prepared (inputted) in the information processing device 100 or the terminal device 600. For missing information, a button to prepare that information is displayed, but it is not limited to this. The instruction button 925 is disabled until, for example, all the lifestyle information and abdominal sounds used to output the intestinal score are available, and is enabled (or appears) when all the information is available. When the instruction button 925 is operated, the information processing device 100 acquires the intestinal score as described above, and the acquired intestinal score etc. is transmitted to the terminal device 600. When the terminal device 600 receives the intestinal score, etc., it transitions to the score display screen 904 (shown in Figure 15).

[0194] Note that in Figure 13, there is insufficient information regarding abdominal sounds and excretion. When the button corresponding to abdominal sounds ("Record" button) is pressed, the screen transitions to the abdominal sound recording screen 903 (shown in Figure 14).

[0195] Figure 14 is a third diagram showing a specific example of the screen transitions of the terminal device 600.

[0196] Figure 14 shows the abdominal sound recording screen 903 of the health support application. The abdominal sound recording screen 903 includes a recording button 931 for starting recording. When the recording button 931 is operated, recording is performed using the microphone 681, and the sound information is stored in the sound information storage unit 611. The abdominal sound recording screen 903 may also include a display indicating the position of the microphone 681. Furthermore, the abdominal sound recording screen 903 may display guidance on appropriate recording methods regarding the user's posture and the posture and position of the terminal device 600. Such displays allow the user to easily and appropriately record abdominal sounds by bringing the microphone 681 close to their abdomen.

[0197] Figure 15 is the fourth figure, which shows a specific example of the screen transitions of the terminal device 600.

[0198] Figure 15 shows the score display screen 904 of a health support application. The score display screen 904 includes, for example, a gut score display unit 941 that shows the acquired gut score, and an element score display unit 942 that shows each element score in a radar chart. The user can check the gut score and element scores on the score display screen 904. Since each element score is shown in a radar chart, the user can intuitively understand which elements are lacking in terms of maintaining good gut health. In addition, the example shown in Figure 15 includes a history display button 943 for checking the trend, including past scores. The user can check the trend of the gut score and each element score by operating the history display button 943.

[0199] As explained above, the information processing device 100 can implement the following information processing method using the learning information and sound information stored in the storage unit 110. Specifically, the information processing device 100 acquires sound information related to abdominal sounds, which are sounds coming from the abdomen of a user, and uses the input information including the acquired sound information and pre-prepared learning information to acquire an intestinal score regarding the user's intestinal condition, and outputs the acquired intestinal score. Since the intestinal score is output based on the sound information, the user can easily obtain objective and easily understandable information regarding the condition of their own intestines.

[0200] In this embodiment, the gut score is obtained using lifestyle information about factors considered to be related to gut health. Therefore, a more accurate gut score can be output. Furthermore, a more accurate gut score can also be output when the gut score is obtained using the user's basic information. In addition, the gut score is obtained using information about multiple factors. Therefore, an even more accurate gut score can be output. In this embodiment, multiple factor scores are obtained, and the gut score is obtained using these. Therefore, the user can easily find out about factors in which they are considered to be lacking in efforts to maintain good gut health, or factors that may be contributing to poor gut health. Furthermore, the multiple factor scores are output as a graph such as a radar chart. Therefore, the user can intuitively grasp the evaluation results for each factor related to gut health.

[0201] (Explanation of variations)

[0202] Modifications of the above-described embodiment will now be explained.

[0203] The first variation is as follows: In the abdominal sound processing, the extraction of bowel sound frequencies and the estimation of the bowel state may be performed using training information constructed from mutually different input information. Furthermore, when obtaining each element score, not only addition of evaluation points to the element score may be performed, but subtraction or other methods may also be employed.

[0204] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing an example of abdominal sound usage processing of an information processing device 100 according to a first modified embodiment of the present invention.

[0205] (Step S221) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 generates a spectrum image from sound information, which is audio data obtained by recording abdominal sounds.

[0206] (Step S222) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 selects the first learning information corresponding to the device identification information corresponding to the sound information from the learning information stored in the learning information storage unit 111 as the learning information to be used. The first learning information is, for example, learning information configured using machine learning techniques so that the input is sound information and the output is sound information of the intestinal sound portion.

[0207] (Step S223) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 uses machine learning techniques to input sound information to the first learning information and extract intestinal sounds.

[0208] (Step S224) The bowel score acquisition unit 149 outputs the frequency of bowel sounds based on the extracted bowel sound information.

[0209] (Step S225) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 selects the second learning information corresponding to the user information from the learning information stored in the learning information storage unit 111 as the learning information to be used. The second learning information is, for example, learning information that takes predetermined lifestyle information (such as excretion information and eating and drinking information) in addition to sound information as input, and is constructed using machine learning methods so that the output is an estimation result of the intestinal state.

[0210] (Step S226) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 uses machine learning techniques to input sound information and predetermined lifestyle information into the second learning information to obtain an estimated result of the intestinal state.

[0211] (Step S227) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 outputs information on the estimated state of the intestines. Then, the process returns to the one shown in Figure 5.

[0212] By performing abdominal sound processing in this manner, it is possible to obtain more accurate results for estimating the frequency of bowel sounds and the state of the intestines.

[0213] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the gut-related score acquisition process of the information processing device 100.

[0214] (Step S241) The intestinal score acquisition unit 152 sets the intestinal motility score and the intestinal condition score to a base score (for example, 10 points).

[0215] (Step S242) The bowel-related score acquisition unit 152 determines whether the frequency of bowel sounds is within a predetermined range. If it determines that it is within the predetermined range, the unit proceeds to step S243; otherwise, it proceeds to step S244.

[0216] (Step S243) The intestinal score acquisition unit 152 adds 5 points to the intestinal motility score. In other words, the intestinal score acquisition unit 152 determines that the intestinal peristalsis is in an appropriate state. Proceed to step S245.

[0217] (Step S244) The intestinal score acquisition unit 152 deducts 5 points from the intestinal motility score. In other words, the intestinal score acquisition unit 152 determines that the intestinal peristalsis is in a poor state. Proceed to step S245.

[0218] (Step S245) The intestinal score acquisition unit 152 determines whether the estimated result of the intestinal condition is "normal" or not. If it is determined to be within a predetermined range, the unit proceeds to step S243; otherwise, it proceeds to step S244.

[0219] (Step S246) The intestinal relationship score acquisition unit 152 adds 5 points to the intestinal condition score. In other words, the intestinal relationship score acquisition unit 152 determines that the intestines are in good condition.

[0220] (Step S247) The intestinal score acquisition unit 152 deducts 5 points from the intestinal condition score. In other words, the intestinal score acquisition unit 152 determines that the intestinal peristalsis is in an appropriate state.

[0221] This method can also be used to obtain other element scores. By using this method, it is possible to easily adjust the judgment result against the criteria and the degree to which it affects the element score for each element score.

[0222] Furthermore, the base score for element scores may be set based on a predetermined score, or it may be set based on past history, etc. For example, the element score obtained last time may be set as the base score for the current time. Alternatively, a value calculated based on past element score information within a predetermined period (e.g., the average value) may be set as the base score. This is, of course, also true in the embodiment described above.

[0223] A second variation is as follows: In the abdominal sound usage processing, the learning information to be used may be selected based on lifestyle information. In this case, the learning information stored in the learning information storage unit 111 is associated with one or more elements or one or more perspectives that may be included in the lifestyle information, and in the abdominal sound usage processing, the learning information to be used should be selected based on one or more elements or one or more perspectives from the lifestyle information.

[0224] For example, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 may select learning information to be used for abdominal sound processing based on the acquired excretion-related information.

[0225] Figure 18 is a flowchart showing an example of abdominal sound usage processing of an information processing device 100 according to a second modified embodiment of the present invention.

[0226] (Step S321) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 generates a spectrum image from sound information, which is audio data obtained by recording abdominal sounds.

[0227] (Step S322) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 acquires information related to excretion.

[0228] (Step S323) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 selects from the learning information stored in the learning information storage unit 111 the learning information that corresponds to both the device identification information corresponding to the sound information and the excretion-related information as the learning information to be used. That is, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 selects from the learning information stored in the learning information storage unit 111 the learning information that corresponds to predetermined information included in the lifestyle information as the learning information to be used.

[0229] This process can be carried out, for example, as follows: Each of the multiple learning information stored in the learning information storage unit 111 is associated with device identification information, as well as, for example, the Bristol Stool scale. This can be achieved by generating learning information using multiple learning input information that have the same Bristol Stool scale. Then, in the process of step S323, the learning information that corresponds to the device identification information should be selected from among the learning information that corresponds to the Bristol Stool scale of the excretion-related information acquired in step S322.

[0230] (Step S324) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 inputs sound information to the learning information and outputs the value of the output index. In this embodiment, the frequency of intestinal sounds included in abdominal sounds and the estimated result of the intestinal state are output. After that, the process returns to the one shown in Figure 5.

[0231] By performing abdominal sound processing in this manner, it is possible to obtain more accurate results for estimating the frequency of bowel sounds and the state of the intestines.

[0232] Furthermore, in the abdominal sound usage processing, the learning information to be used may be selected based on the basic information using the same method as described above. In this case, the learning information stored in the learning information storage unit 111 is associated with one or more elements that may be included in the basic information, and the learning information to be used in the abdominal sound usage processing may be selected based on one or more elements of the basic information.

[0233] A third variation is as follows: The gut relationship score acquisition unit 152 may acquire the gut relationship score from the sound information and lifestyle information using learning information configured to take sound information and lifestyle information as input and output a gut relationship score. In this case, any element or perspective of the lifestyle information may be used as input information. Alternatively, the gut relationship score may be acquired without using lifestyle information. In any case, basic information may also be used as input information.

[0234] The learning information used may be generated by the learning information generation unit 147 using two or more sets of learning input information, which includes sound information and lifestyle information, and a gut-related score, and by using these two or more sets of information and a module for constructing a machine learning classifier to generate a classifier, or it may be generated in a similar manner by other devices, etc.

[0235] Figure 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the score acquisition process of the information processing device 100 according to a third modified embodiment of the present invention.

[0236] (Step S411) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 acquires sound information, lifestyle information, and past user information related to the target user from the user information storage unit 115 based on the user identifier of the target user.

[0237] (Step S412) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 performs the process of acquiring scores for each element other than the intestinal score using the element score acquisition unit 151. That is, it performs the element score acquisition process for all elements other than the intestinal score.

[0238] (Step S413) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 performs intestinal relationship score acquisition processing using sound information. In this modified example, it can be said that the intestinal relationship score acquisition processing is performed as abdominal sound usage processing. Details of the intestinal relationship score acquisition processing in this modified example will be described later.

[0239] (Step S414) Once the element scores are obtained through the element score acquisition process and the intestinal score acquisition process, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 acquires the intestinal score from each element score. At this time, the intestinal score acquisition unit 149 acquires the intestinal score by, for example, adding or multiplying each element score in a predetermined way, as described above, but is not limited to this.

[0240] (Step S415) 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. Then, the process returns to Figure 4.

[0241] Figure 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the gut-related score acquisition process of the information processing device 100.

[0242] (Step S421) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 generates a spectrum image from sound information, which is audio data obtained by recording abdominal sounds.

[0243] (Step S422) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 selects the learning information corresponding to the device identification information corresponding to the sound information from among the learning information stored in the learning information storage unit 111 as the learning information to be used.

[0244] (Step S423) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 acquires lifestyle information. Basic information may also be acquired at the same time.

[0245] (Step S424) The intestinal score acquisition unit 149 inputs sound information and lifestyle information into the learning information and outputs an intestinal motility score and an intestinal state score. After that, it returns to the process shown in Figure 19.

[0246] For example, if a sufficient number of pairs of learning input information and gut relationship scores are available, the gut relationship score and gut score can be easily and accurately obtained by directly outputting the gut relationship score using the learning information generated from these combinations.

[0247] Furthermore, if a large number of pairs of learning input information and gut scores are obtained, learning information that uses gut scores as output information may be constructed using machine learning techniques based on this information. In this case, the gut 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 gut score. This allows for easy and highly accurate acquisition of gut scores.

[0248] While non-volatile recording media are preferred for the aforementioned storage unit 110 and terminal storage unit 610, volatile recording media can also be used. These units store information acquired by each device, but the process by which information is stored is not limited to this. For example, information may be stored via a recording media, information transmitted via a communication line, or information input via an input device.

[0249] Furthermore, the aforementioned processing unit 140 and terminal processing unit 640 can typically be implemented using an MPU or memory. The processing procedures of the processing unit 140 and terminal processing unit 640 are usually implemented in software, and this software is recorded on a recording medium such as ROM. However, they may also be implemented in hardware (dedicated circuitry).

[0250] Furthermore, any input method can be used to input information that can be received by the reception unit 130 or the terminal reception unit 630, such as a numeric keypad, keyboard, mouse, or menu screen. The reception unit 130 and the terminal reception unit 630 can be implemented using device drivers for input methods such as numeric keypads and keyboards, or control software for menu screens.

[0251] Furthermore, while the receiving unit 120 and the terminal receiving unit 620 are usually implemented by wireless or wired communication means, they may also be implemented by means of receiving broadcasts.

[0252] Furthermore, while the transmitting unit 170 and the terminal transmitting unit 670 are usually implemented by wireless or wired communication means, they may also be implemented by broadcasting means.

[0253] Each information processing device 100 may consist of a single server, multiple servers operating in cooperation with each other, or a computer or the like built into other devices. It goes without saying that the server can be a so-called cloud server, an ASP server, or any other type.

[0254] The processing in this embodiment may be implemented in software. This software may be distributed by software download or the like. Alternatively, this software may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed. The software that implements the information processing device 100 in this embodiment is the following program. In other words, this program causes the computer to function as a sound information acquisition unit that acquires sound information related to abdominal sounds, which are sounds coming from the abdomen of a single user; an intestinal score acquisition unit that acquires an intestinal score related to the condition of the user's intestines using input information including the sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit and pre-prepared learning information; and an output unit that outputs the intestinal score acquired by the intestinal score acquisition unit.

[0255] (others)

[0256] The terminal device may have some or all of the configuration necessary to implement the functions related to acquiring and outputting intestinal scores, as described above for the information processing device.

[0257] Figure 21 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device according to another modified example of the above-described embodiment.

[0258] In Figure 21, components similar to those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The terminal device 1600 is configured to acquire and output the intestinal score in the same way as the information processing device 100 described above.

[0259] As shown in Figure 21, in the terminal device 1600, the terminal storage unit 610 is provided with a learning information storage unit 111 and a user information storage unit 115. The terminal processing unit 640 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 gut score acquisition unit 149, an element score acquisition unit 151, and a gut score output unit 161. The sound information acquisition unit 141 can acquire sound information based on abdominal sounds recorded by the microphone 681. The device identification information acquisition unit 143 acquires device identification information of the terminal device 1600. The lifestyle information acquisition unit 145 acquires lifestyle information based on information input by the user received by the terminal reception unit 630 and information acquired using the sensor unit 680. The gut score output unit 161 displays the acquired gut score, etc., on the display unit 661 of the terminal output unit 660, for example.

[0260] Thus, the terminal device 1600 may be configured to function as an information processing device that acquires and outputs the intestinal score. The same effects as described above can be obtained.

[0261] Furthermore, regarding the acquisition and output of the gut score, some functions and roles of the terminal device 1600 may be performed or handled by the information processing device 100 or other devices. For example, a learning information generation unit 147 may be provided on the information processing device 100 side, and the terminal device 1600 may be configured to receive and use the generated learning information. Alternatively, for example, a learning information storage unit 111 containing multiple learning information may be located on the information processing device 100 side, and the learning information corresponding to the device identification information of the terminal device 1600 may be downloaded to the terminal device 1600 for use.

[0262] Figure 22 is an overview view of the computer system 800 in the above embodiment. Figure 23 is a block diagram of the same computer system 800.

[0263] These figures show the configuration of a computer that executes the program described herein to realize the information processing device and the like of the above-described embodiment. The above-described embodiment can be realized with computer hardware and a computer program executed thereon.

[0264] The computer system 800 includes a computer 801 with a CD-ROM drive, a keyboard 802, a mouse 803, and a monitor 804.

[0265] Computer 801 includes, in addition to a CD-ROM drive 8012, an MPU 8013, a bus 8014 connected to the CD-ROM drive 8012, a ROM 8015 for storing programs such as a boot-up program, a RAM 8016 connected to the MPU 8013 for temporarily storing instructions for application programs and providing temporary storage space, and a hard disk 8017 for storing application programs, system programs, and data. Although not shown here, computer 801 may further include a network card for providing connectivity to a LAN.

[0266] The program that causes the computer system 800 to execute the functions of the information processing device, etc., of the above-described embodiment 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.

[0267] The program does not necessarily have to include an operating system (OS) or third-party program that causes the computer 801 to execute the functions of the information processing device, etc., of the embodiment described above. The program only needs to include the instruction portion that calls the appropriate function (module) in a controlled manner and obtains the desired result. How the computer system 800 operates is well known, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0268] In the above program, the transmission step for sending information and the reception step for receiving information do not include hardware-based processing, such as processing performed by a modem or interface card in the transmission step (processing that can only be performed by hardware).

[0269] Furthermore, the computer running the above program may be a single computer or multiple computers. In other words, it may perform centralized processing or distributed processing.

[0270] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, two or more components present in a single device may be physically realized in a single medium.

[0271] In the above embodiment, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or, if it is a component that can be implemented by software, it may be implemented by executing a program. For example, each component can be implemented 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 the storage unit or recording medium. The program may also be executed by being downloaded from a server or the like, or by being executed by reading a program recorded on a predetermined recording medium (e.g., an optical disk, magnetic disk, semiconductor memory, etc.). Furthermore, this program may be used as a program that constitutes a program product. Furthermore, the computer executing the program may be one or multiple computers. That is, it may perform centralized processing or distributed processing.

[0272] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each process (each function) may be implemented by centralized processing by a single device (system), or by distributed processing by multiple devices (in this case, the entire system composed of multiple devices that perform distributed processing can be understood as a single "device"). For example, in the above embodiment, some of the operations described as being performed by the information processing device may be performed by other devices, such as terminal devices.

[0273] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the exchange of information between each component may, for example, be performed by outputting information from one component and receiving information from the other component if the two components performing the information exchange are physically different, or by moving from the processing phase corresponding to one component to the processing phase corresponding to the other component if the two components performing the information exchange are physically the same.

[0274] Also, in the above embodiment, information related to the processing executed by each component, for example, information received, acquired, selected, generated, transmitted, or received by each component, and information such as thresholds, mathematical formulas, addresses, etc. used by each component in the processing may be temporarily or permanently stored in a recording medium not shown even if not specified in the above description. Further, the accumulation of information on the recording medium not shown may be performed by each component or an accumulation unit not shown. Also, the reading of information from the recording medium not shown may be performed by each component or a reading unit not shown.

[0275] Also, in the above embodiment, when information used by each component, etc., for example, information such as thresholds, addresses, and various setting values used by each component in the processing may be changed by the user, even if not specified in the above description, the user may appropriately be able to change such information, or not. When the user can change such information, the change may be realized, for example, by a reception unit not shown that receives a change instruction from the user and a change unit not shown that changes the information in response to the change instruction. The reception of the change instruction by the reception unit not shown may be, for example, reception from an input device, reception of information transmitted via a communication line, or reception of information read from a predetermined recording medium.

[0276] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and various modifications are possible, and these are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0277] It is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment itself, and some components and functions of the above embodiment may be omitted.

Industrial Applicability

[0278] As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention has the effect of being able to know objective information regarding the condition of the intestine and is useful as an information processing apparatus or the like.

Claims

1. A sound information acquisition unit acquires sound information related to abdominal sounds, which are sounds emanating from the abdomen of a single user. An intestinal score acquisition unit acquires an intestinal score related to the user's intestinal condition using input information including sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit and pre-prepared learning information. The system includes an intestinal score output unit that outputs the intestinal score obtained by the intestinal score acquisition unit, The aforementioned learning information is created by taking learning input information, which includes the aforementioned sound information, as input information, and outputting information that is the number of intestinal peristaltic movements per unit time, which is a predetermined output index value related to the activity state of the intestines. The aforementioned intestinal score acquisition unit is an information processing device that acquires an intestinal score using the value of the output index acquired using the learning information.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input information further includes lifestyle information relating to the user's living situation.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the lifestyle information includes excretion-related information relating to the user's excretion status.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the excretion-related information includes information indicated by the Bristol Stool Form Scale input by the user.

5. The aforementioned intestinal score acquisition unit is The system further includes an excretion score acquisition unit that acquires an excretion score based on the aforementioned excretion-related information, The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the intestinal score is obtained using the excretion score obtained by the excretion score acquisition unit.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the lifestyle information includes food and drink information relating to the user's eating and drinking habits.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the aforementioned food and drink information includes at least one of the following: information regarding the amount of water consumed, information regarding whether or not alcohol was consumed or the amount of alcohol consumed, information regarding whether or not food was eaten or the content of food, and information regarding whether or not a specific group of foods was consumed or the amount consumed.

8. The aforementioned intestinal score acquisition unit is The system further includes a dining score acquisition unit that acquires a dining score based on the aforementioned dining information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the intestinal score is obtained using the food and drink score obtained by the food and drink score acquisition unit.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the lifestyle information includes activity status information relating to the user's activity status.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the activity status information includes at least one of sleep information and exercise information.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the activity status information is information obtained by an activity meter that obtains the user's activity level.

12. The aforementioned intestinal score acquisition unit is The system further includes an activity status score acquisition unit that acquires an activity status score based on the aforementioned activity status information, The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, which uses the activity status score acquired by the activity status score acquisition unit to acquire the intestinal score.

13. A sound information acquisition unit acquires sound information related to abdominal sounds, which are sounds emanating from the abdomen of a single user. An intestinal score acquisition unit acquires an intestinal score related to the user's intestinal condition using input information including sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit and pre-prepared learning information. The system includes an intestinal score output unit that outputs the intestinal score obtained by the intestinal score acquisition unit, The intestinal score acquisition unit includes an element score acquisition unit that acquires element scores for each of two or more evaluation elements based on the input information, and acquires the intestinal score using the element scores acquired by the element score acquisition unit. The output unit is an information processing device that further outputs a radar chart using the element scores acquired by the element score acquisition unit.

14. A sound information acquisition unit acquires sound information related to abdominal sounds, which are sounds emanating from the abdomen of a single user. An intestinal score acquisition unit acquires an intestinal score related to the user's intestinal condition using input information including sound information acquired by the sound information acquisition unit and pre-prepared learning information. The system includes an intestinal score output unit that outputs the intestinal score obtained by the intestinal score acquisition unit, The system further includes an equipment identification information acquisition unit that acquires equipment identification information that identifies the type of equipment used to acquire abdominal sounds, corresponding to the aforementioned sound information. Multiple sets of the aforementioned learning information are provided, each associated with device identification information. The intestinal score acquisition unit is an information processing device that acquires the intestinal score using learning information corresponding to the device identification information acquired by the device identification information acquisition unit.

15. A microphone for recording the aforementioned abdominal sounds, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays the intestinal score output by the output unit.

16. An information processing method for causing a computer to perform all processing performed by an information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. Computers, A program for causing an information processing device to function as described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

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