Work estimation method, information processing device, and program

Abstract

This work estimation method that is executed by an information processing device 10 includes a step for acquiring environment information related to work content performed by staff, a step for estimating a work content candidate on the basis of the environment information, and a step for presenting the work content candidate. The environment information includes a data group related to position information on a facility plan view, posture information of the staff, and time information.

Description

Work estimation method, information processing device, and program CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-187190, filed on October 31, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an activity estimation method, an information processing device, and a program.

[0003] Techniques for compiling the work details of staff members have been known for some time. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for dividing a work area where staff members move into small work sections, and recording and compiling the work details by combining the work name with the name of the small work section.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-280726

[0005] Conventional technology records the names of tasks and small work areas in combination, making it easy to compile the work content and work time when staff members move around a large work area and perform multiple tasks. However, the task of recording the location and work content of each staff member along with the time is assumed to be manually entered by the user, and there has been insufficient consideration given to estimating the work content. As such, there is room for improvement in the technology for estimating staff work.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for estimating staff work.

[0007] (1) A task estimation method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a task estimation method executed by an information processing device, and includes the steps of: acquiring environmental information related to the task content of staff members; estimating candidate task content based on the environmental information; and presenting the candidate task content, wherein the environmental information includes a group of data related to position information on a facility floor plan, posture information of the staff members, and time information.

[0008] (2) An activity estimation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the activity estimation method according to (1), in which the environmental information further includes environmental sound.

[0009] (3) An activity estimation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the activity estimation method according to (1) or (2), wherein the environmental sounds include at least one of the following: a sound of a door opening and closing, a sound of running water, a sound of washing dishes, a sound of operating or moving equipment, a sound of a wheelchair moving, a sound of staff members talking to each other, the sound of shoes, and the sound of footsteps.

[0010] (4) An activity estimation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the activity estimation method according to any one of (1) to (3), in which the environmental information further includes illuminance.

[0011] (5) An activity estimation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is the activity estimation method according to any one of (1) to (4), in which the environmental information further includes a landscape.

[0012] (6) An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing device including a processor, wherein the processor executes the activity estimation method according to any one of (1) to (5).

[0013] (7) A program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a program executed by an information processing device, causing a computer to execute the activity estimation method according to any one of (1) to (5).

[0014] According to an operation estimation method, an information processing device, and a program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the technology for estimating staff operations.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing device that executes an activity estimation technology according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an activity estimation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for generating a learning model that estimates activity content in the activity estimation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of activity content.

[0016] Hereinafter, an operation estimation technique according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0018] First, an overview of the present embodiment will be described. The task estimation technology according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is executed by an information processing device 10. The task estimation technology according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be used, for example, in caregiving, nursing, medical, and other settings. Tasks in these settings are expected to be more diverse and require flexible response to different situations than tasks in factories and other settings, as described in Patent Literature 1, and therefore the effects of the present invention are even more pronounced. Specifically, in the task estimation technology according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the information processing device 10 acquires environmental information related to the tasks performed by staff members and can estimate highly accurate candidate task content from the environmental information. The estimated candidate task content is presented to the user. The environmental information includes a set of data related to position information on a facility floor plan, staff member posture information, and time information.

[0019] Here, the term "staff" refers to a person who provides care, etc., directly or indirectly to a subject at a caregiving, nursing, medical, or other site. For example, the staff may be a worker, a care manager, or other manager. Furthermore, the environmental information related to the staff's work content refers to any information that can be used to estimate the staff's work content. The term "user" refers to a person who checks the work content candidates estimated by the work estimation technology according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The user may be the staff member themselves or another staff member.

[0020] In this way, the task estimation technology according to this embodiment makes it possible to estimate the task content of staff members based on environmental information, thereby improving the technology for estimating the task content of staff members.

[0021] A configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0022] (Configuration of Information Processing Device) Next, each component of the information processing device 10 will be described in detail. The information processing device 10 is any device used by a user. For example, a personal computer, a server computer, a general-purpose electronic device, or a dedicated electronic device can be adopted as the information processing device 10.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 10 includes a control unit 11 , a storage unit 12 , an input unit 13 , an output unit 14 , and a communication unit 15 .

[0024] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The control unit 11 controls each unit of the information processing device 10 and executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0025] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read-only memory (ROM). The RAM is, for example, a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The ROM is, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The storage unit 12 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores data used in the operation of the information processing device 10 and data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0026] The input unit 13 includes at least one input interface. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key, a capacitance key, a pointing device, or a touch screen integrated with a display. The input interface may also be, for example, a sound sensor that accepts voice input, or a camera that accepts gesture input. The input unit 13 accepts an operation to input data used in the operation of the information processing device 10. The input unit 13 may be connected to the information processing device 10 as an external input device instead of being provided in the information processing device 10. Any connection method may be used, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0027] The output unit 14 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display that outputs information as a video. The display is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescence (EL) display. The output unit 14 displays and outputs data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10. The output unit 14 may be connected to the information processing device 10 as an external output device instead of being provided in the information processing device 10. Any connection method, such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark), can be used.

[0028] The communication unit 15 includes at least one external communication interface. The communication interface may be either a wired or wireless communication interface. In the case of wired communication, the communication interface is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface or a USB (Universal Serial Bus). In the case of wireless communication, the communication interface is, for example, an interface compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th generation), or 5G (5th generation), or an interface compatible with short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 15 receives data used in the operation of the information processing device 10 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0029] The functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by executing a program according to this embodiment on a processor corresponding to the information processing device 10. That is, the functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the information processing device 10, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing device 10. That is, the computer functions as the information processing device 10 by executing the operations of the information processing device 10 in accordance with the program.

[0030] In this embodiment, the program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes non-transitory computer-readable media, such as a magnetic recording device, an optical disc, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The program can be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium, such as a DVD (digital versatile disc) or a CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory), on which the program is recorded. The program can also be distributed by storing the program in the storage of an external server and transmitting the program from the external server to another computer. The program can also be provided as a program product.

[0031] Some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be realized by a dedicated circuit equivalent to the control unit 11. In other words, some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be realized by the hardware of the information processing device 10 itself.

[0032] Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 2, a task estimation method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0033] Step S101: The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 acquires environmental information related to the work content of the staff member. The control unit 11 acquires position information on the facility floor plan, staff member posture information, and time information (hereinafter referred to as "position information, etc."). The position information on the facility floor plan can be determined over time, for example, by observing the staff member's position using a beacon installed in the facility, understanding changes in the staff member's walking speed and direction of travel using a device worn or carried by the staff member, and comparing this with the information on the facility floor plan. The information on the facility floor plan requires information on structurally unwalkable areas, such as the layout of the facility's walls. The facility floor plan may be, for example, a wall map. The information on the facility floor plan may also include semantic information on places where staff members perform specific tasks, such as baths and dining rooms.

[0034] Staff posture information can be obtained from sensing data acquired from a device worn or carried by the staff. The sensing data can include acceleration information, angular velocity information, and magnetic information. In addition, environmental information can include information acquired from a nurse call system, an excretion sensor, voice information from nursing care record support, IoT vital sign measuring devices, or existing work content estimation software.

[0035] Any method can be used to acquire environmental information. For example, the control unit 11 may acquire environmental sound, illuminance, or scenery, in addition to location information, via the input unit 13. The control unit 11 may also acquire this environmental information from a device worn or carried by the staff member. The device worn or carried by the staff member may be a smartphone, which can be hung around the neck. To improve accuracy, it is preferable to place the device in close contact with the torso, for example, by placing it in a breast pocket or by securing it in a smartphone holder around the waist. In addition, the control unit 11 may acquire this environmental information from sensors installed in the facility.

[0036] The control unit 11 uses such environmental information as explanatory variables. For example, the control unit 11 extracts, as explanatory variables, a data group from the past few minutes that is highly relevant to a certain work content. The data group includes at least position information at a certain time. In other words, the environmental information used by the control unit 11 may include a data group related to position information on a facility floor plan, posture information of staff members, and time information. The amount of data in the data group need only be sufficient to estimate the work content that has been performed up to a certain point in time, and is not limited to data from the past few minutes, and may be data from a longer or shorter period of time.

[0037] Step S102: The control unit 11 estimates candidate work content related to the work performed by the staff member up to that point based on the environmental information. For example, the control unit 11 may generate a learning model as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 and estimate candidate work content by inputting the environmental information acquired in step S101 into this trained learning model. In the example of FIG. 3, the control unit 11 acquires environmental information related to the staff member's work previously acquired (step S201) and the work performed by the staff member at that time (step S202). The control unit 11 generates a work content estimation model using the acquired environmental information and work content as training data (step S203). The learning model may be, for example, a machine learning model built based on a decision tree. Examples of machine learning models built based on a decision tree include, but are not limited to, Light GBM and XGBoost. Alternatively, the learning model may be a model generated based on a machine learning algorithm such as a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), or other deep learning algorithms.

[0038] The estimated work content candidates may be selected from a work classification table that classifies the work content into large, medium, and small, for example, according to the granularity of the work content. The work content may be classified into multiple hierarchical categories as illustrated in FIG.

[0039] In the example of Figure 4, the work content performed by staff members is divided into three hierarchies: major, medium, and minor. A major category may include at least one medium category. A medium category may include at least one minor category. In other words, the number of categories belonging to the minor category is the largest, and the number of categories belonging to the medium category is smaller than the number of categories belonging to the minor. The number of categories belonging to the major category is even smaller than the number of categories belonging to the medium category.

[0040] The major categories may be categories that classify the work performed by staff members by type of service. The major categories may include, for example, caregiving, nursing, rehabilitation, nursing support, food and nutrition, indirect work, common work, other work, or non-work. The major categories may include measurement error as a category to classify work performed by staff members that cannot be classified into any other category. The major categories are not limited to these examples and may include various categories.

[0041] The intermediate categories may be divisions that classify the work performed by staff members according to the purpose or situation of the work. The intermediate categories may include, for example, getting up or going to bed, changing positions, dressing and grooming, moving users, excretion, eating, cleanliness, environmental maintenance, laundry, going out, recreation, transportation, medical treatment, drug management, vital sign measurement, examination, and direct intervention on physical functions. They may also include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language-hearing therapy, care plans, nutritional management, meals, hygiene management, staff movement, meetings, office cleaning, understanding users or patients, information sharing, record-keeping, confirmation, dealing with visitors, other services, other tasks, and breaks.

[0042] The intermediate categories may include, for example, categories belonging to the major category of caregiving, such as waking up or going to bed, changing positions, dressing and grooming, moving the user, toileting, eating, cleaning, environmental maintenance, laundry, going out, recreation, or transportation. Furthermore, categories belonging to the major category of nursing may include medical treatment, drug management, vital sign measurement, examination, or direct intervention on physical functions. Categories belonging to the major category of rehabilitation may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech-language-hearing therapy. Categories belonging to the major category of care support may include care plans. Categories belonging to the major category of meals and nutrition may include nutritional management, meals, and hygiene management. Categories belonging to the major category of indirect tasks may include staff transportation, meetings, or office cleaning. Categories belonging to the major category of common tasks may include understanding the user or patient, sharing information, record-keeping, confirmation, dealing with visitors, or other services. Categories belonging to the major category of non-work may include breaks.

[0043] A subcategory may be a division that more specifically classifies the work performed by staff.

[0044] The minor categories may include, for example, the categories belonging to the medium category of getting up or going to bed include assistance with getting up or assistance with going to bed. The categories belonging to the medium category of changing positions may include changing positions or adjusting recline. The categories belonging to the medium category of changing clothes and grooming may include assistance with changing clothes or assistance with grooming. The categories belonging to the medium category of user mobility may include wheelchair guidance, walking assistance, transfer assistance, or standing assistance. The categories belonging to the medium category of excretion may include excretion assistance, diaper changing, or hand washing assistance. The categories belonging to the medium category of eating may include eating assistance, drinking assistance, serving food, clearing the table, or cooking assistance. The categories belonging to the medium category of cleanliness may include bathing assistance, foot bathing assistance, washing assistance, wiping, genital cleaning, oral care, earwax removal, nail clipping, shaving, hair washing, hand washing assistance, or gargling assistance. Categories belonging to the environmental maintenance major category may include changing sheets, collecting trash, cleaning rooms, checking users' belongings, adjusting room temperature, controlling humidity, adjusting lighting, or ventilation. Categories belonging to the laundry major category may include doing laundry or collecting laundry. Categories belonging to the going out major category may include shopping for the user or accompanying the user on the shopping trip. Categories belonging to the recreation major category may include exercises, oral exercises, music, picture-story shows, or cooking. Categories belonging to the transportation major category may include transportation or assistance with boarding and disembarking.

[0045] For example, the minor categories may include, for example, categories belonging to the major category of medical treatment, tracheal suction, wound care, ointment application, disinfection, medication application, intravascular pressure monitoring, intravenous drip injection, gastrostomy management, urinary management, enema, or oxygen therapy. Categories belonging to the major category of drug management may include oral medication, tube medication, medication distribution, instillation, injection, suppository administration, or inventory check. Categories belonging to the major category of vital sign measurement may include temperature measurement, SpO2 measurement, pulse measurement, blood pressure measurement, weight measurement, or vital sign measurement. Categories belonging to the major category of medical examination may include attending medical examinations or accompanying patients to hospitals. Categories belonging to the major category of direct interventions on bodily functions may include massage or functional restoration. Categories belonging to the major category of physical therapy may include range of motion training, heat therapy, walking training, standing training, stair climbing, exercise training, or physical therapy assistance. Categories belonging to the occupational therapy major category may include occupational tasks, calculation tasks, cognitive tasks, memory tasks, artistic tasks, play tasks, or occupational therapy assistance. Categories belonging to the speech-language-hearing therapy major category may include expression training, auditory comprehension training, swallowing function assessment, indirect swallowing training, or direct swallowing training. Categories belonging to the care plan major category may include care plan creation, conference, monitoring, or assessment. Categories belonging to the nutritional management major category may include nutritional care plan creation, conference, monitoring, nutritional assessment, nutritional screening, or nutrition and dietary consultation. Categories belonging to the school lunch major category may include menu creation, cooking, meal count management, or ingredient procurement. Categories belonging to the hygiene management major category may include physical condition management, ingredient management, or facility management.

[0046] The minor categories may include, for example, moving, waiting, or transporting as categories belonging to the medium category of staff movement. The categories belonging to the medium category of meetings may include morning meetings, evening meetings, or meetings. The categories belonging to the medium category of office cleaning may include cleaning common areas or tidying up.

[0047] The minor categories may include, for example, categories belonging to the medium category of understanding users or patients, such as calling out, listening, watching over, checking on user status, or responding to nurse calls. Categories belonging to the medium category of information sharing may include contacting, handing over, and telephone or fax transmission. Categories belonging to the medium category of record creation may include record creation, calculation, or printing and copying. Categories belonging to the medium category of confirmation may include record confirmation, work confirmation, or equipment confirmation. Categories belonging to the medium category of visiting guest support may include family support or visiting guest support.

[0048] Subcategories may include setup, cleanup, or hand washing as common tasks.

[0049] Step S103: The control unit 11 displays a user interface screen including the task content candidates estimated in step S102 on the output unit 14 and presents it to the user. For example, the control unit 11 may output the task content candidates together with the estimated likelihoods and present them to the user. If the user is a staff member, the presentation destination may be a terminal worn or carried by the staff member. Alternatively, if the user is a person other than a staff member, the presentation destination may be a terminal used by the person.

[0050] In this way, the task estimation technology according to this embodiment estimates candidate tasks as tasks that the staff member has been performing up to that point based on environmental information related to the task content of the staff member, and presents these to the user. In this way, the task estimation technology according to this embodiment can estimate candidate tasks, improving the technology for estimating the task content of staff members.

[0051] The control unit 11 may acquire environmental sounds as environmental information in addition to location information, etc. Environmental sounds refer to all sounds heard in the workplace where staff work. Environmental sounds may include, for example, at least one of the following: the sound of a door opening and closing, the sound of running water, the sound of washing dishes, the sound of operating or moving equipment, the sound of a wheelchair being moved, the sound of staff members talking to each other, the sound of shoes, and footsteps. The sound of a door opening and closing may include the sound of a doorknob or a lever handle turning, the sound of a door hitting a vertical frame, etc. The sound of running water may include the sound of a faucet turning, the sound of water hitting a bathroom floor, the sound of water hitting a sink, etc. The sound of washing dishes may include the sound of dishes hitting each other and the sound of dishes rubbing against each other. The sound of operating or operating equipment may include the sound of operating commercial electronic devices such as an air conditioner, a washing machine, a vacuum cleaner, and a dishwasher, and the operating sounds of these commercial electronic devices. The sound of staff members talking to each other needs only to be identified as a human voice by the control unit 11, and it is desirable that an input level is ensured that intonation, tempo, duration, etc. can be recognized. The staff member who speaks may be one person or multiple people. Furthermore, the staff members who speak may or may not include the staff member involved in the work content estimation.

[0052] Here, the accuracy of work content estimation can be improved by including environmental sounds in addition to position information, etc., in the environmental information. For example, if a staff member is vacuuming the floor, it is possible to estimate the work content of the staff member as cleaning based on the staff member's posture characteristics, speed of movement, etc. However, by using the operating sound of the vacuum cleaner as environmental sounds for estimation, it is possible to more quickly and accurately estimate that the work content of the staff member is cleaning. Furthermore, by using the sounds of staff members talking to each other for estimation, it is possible to estimate that the work content of the staff member is morning assembly, evening assembly, or handover.

[0053] Furthermore, by including environmental sounds in addition to location information, etc., the content of a certain task can be grasped at a finer level of granularity. For example, if a staff member is located in front of a washing machine, it can be inferred from location information, etc. that the staff member's task is laundry. However, it is difficult to distinguish from location information, etc. alone whether laundry is about to begin or has already been completed. In contrast, by using the operating sound of the washing machine and the subsequent operating sound of the washing machine as environmental sounds in addition to location information, etc., it can be inferred that the staff member has started laundry. Conversely, if the staff member is located in front of the washing machine and there is a change in posture information but there is no operating sound of the washing machine, it can be inferred that the staff member is picking up washed clothes, etc.

[0054] Furthermore, by using environmental sounds, the start and end times of a certain task can be determined more accurately. For example, when a staff member enters or exits the waste disposal room, it can be estimated from location information, etc., that the staff member has performed waste disposal work. In this case, it is possible to determine the start or end time of the task when the staff member moves into or out of the waste disposal room, but the control unit 11 cannot always accurately observe the staff member's location information, etc. Therefore, by using the sound of a door opening and closing as environmental sounds in addition to location information, etc., the start and end times of the task can be determined more accurately.

[0055] In this way, by including environmental sounds in addition to location information, etc., environmental information can reinforce information regarding the situation where staff are located, the work they are doing, etc., and the accuracy and granularity of work content estimation can be further improved.

[0056] Furthermore, the environmental information may include illuminance. Illuminance refers to the degree of brightness in the area where the staff member is working. In the example described above, for example, if a staff member hears the sound of a door opening in the waste disposal room and the illuminance changes to brighter, it can be estimated with a higher degree of accuracy that the staff member has begun waste disposal work. Also, if a staff member enters a resident's room while patrolling the facility at night and the illuminance changes to brighter, it is highly likely that the sleeping resident needs some kind of assistance. Therefore, it can be estimated with a higher degree of accuracy that subsequent care for the resident, such as assistance with falls, will be required.

[0057] The environmental information may also include scenery. The scenery refers to video information that can be captured by a device worn or carried by the staff member. For example, by acquiring video information of the area in front of the staff member using a device worn or carried by the staff member and using this information for estimation, information about the staff member's work situation can be reinforced, and the accuracy of work content estimation can be further improved.

[0058] In addition, the environmental information may include magnetic field information and electric field information. For example, the magnetic field information is useful for determining position information and posture information, and can also be a source of information regarding whether the washing machine is running.

[0059] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 11 may estimate multiple work content candidates, output them along with their respective estimated likelihoods, and present them to the user in association with time information in descending order of estimated likelihood. Furthermore, when one of the presented multiple work content candidates is selected, the control unit 11 may determine the selected work content as the work content of the staff member. If there is no correct option among the presented multiple work content candidates, the control unit 11 may accept input of the correct work content.

[0060] Furthermore, the task estimation technology according to this embodiment may retrain the task estimation model (machine learning model) using information about the task content of staff members determined based on user feedback as training data. This will improve the accuracy of task content estimation as this technology is used in caregiving, nursing, medical care, and other settings, and will further improve the task estimation technology.

[0061] In addition, the control unit 11 may analyze or statisticize the records of the work content of the staff and output the results in a visualized form such as a graph.

[0062] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each means or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple means or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0063] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Information processing device 11 Control unit 12 Storage unit 13 Input unit 14 Output unit 15 Communication unit

Claims

1. A task estimation method executed by an information processing device, comprising the steps of: acquiring environmental information relating to the task content of staff members; estimating candidate task content based on the environmental information; and presenting the candidate task content, wherein the environmental information includes a group of data relating to position information on a facility floor plan, posture information of the staff members, and time information.

2. The task estimating method according to claim 1, wherein the environmental information further includes environmental sounds.

3. An activity estimation method as described in claim 2, wherein the environmental sounds include at least one of the following: sounds of doors opening and closing, sounds of running water, sounds of washing dishes, sounds of equipment being operated or functioning, sounds of moving a wheelchair, sounds of staff talking to each other, sounds of shoes, and sounds of footsteps.

4. The task estimation method according to claim 1, further comprising: the environmental information further including illuminance.

5. A task estimation method according to claim 1, wherein the environmental information further includes a landscape.

6. An information processing device comprising a processor that executes the task estimation method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A program for causing an information processing device to execute the task estimation method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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