Proposal device, proposal system, proposal method, and program

Abstract

A proposal device according to the present invention, in order to be capable of proposing, on the basis of meal information in which meals of a user are recorded, an improvement in the dietary lifestyle that is easy for the user to put into practice, comprises: an extraction unit that extracts, from the meal information in which the meals of the user are recorded, meal content that is not in line with an intake goal of the user; an inference unit that infers, on the basis of the meal information, a dietary trend that the user could easily put into practice; and a proposal unit that proposes, on the basis of the meal content and the dietary trend, a meal of the user in line with the intake goal.

Description

Proposal device, proposal system, proposal method, and program

[0001] The present invention relates to a proposal device, a proposal system, a proposal method, and a program.

[0002] There are dietary management applications that manage meals. For example, it has been reported that the use of dietary management applications with a function to visualize the nutritional balance of input meals has changed people's awareness of their diet (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] Sayaka Yokoyama, Yuko Takeda, Hiroko Koyama, Takayuki Watanabe, "Development and Evaluation of a Dietary Management App to Promote Changes in Awareness of Dietary Balance," Proceedings of the 84th National Conference of the Information Processing Society of Japan, 2022, pp. 4-937-4-938.

[0004] However, conventional techniques have the problem of not being able to suggest dietary improvements that are easy for users to put into practice.

[0005] The embodiment of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and makes it possible to suggest improvements to the user's diet that are easy for the user to put into practice, based on dietary information that records the user's meals.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a suggestion device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an extraction unit that extracts meal contents that are not in line with a user's dietary goals from dietary information that records the user's meals, an estimation unit that estimates dietary trends that the user is likely to follow based on the dietary information, and a suggestion unit that suggests meals for the user that are in line with the dietary goals based on the dietary contents and dietary trends.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to suggest improvements to the user's diet that are easy for the user to put into practice, based on dietary information that records the user's meals.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a proposal system according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a proposal system according to the present embodiment; FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a proposal process according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information on foods or dishes in a meal DB according to the example; FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of information on user 1 in a meal DB according to the example; FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an image of meal information according to the example; FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a proposal process according to the example; FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a proposal process according to the present embodiment; FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer;

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is merely an example, and the embodiment to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0010] <System Configuration> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a proposal system according to this embodiment. The proposal system 1 is a system that proposes dietary improvements that are easy for a user to put into practice based on dietary information that records the user's meals. In the example of Fig. 1, the proposal system 1 includes a proposal device 10, a database 11, and a user terminal 20 that can communicate with the proposal device 10 via a communication network N.

[0011] The suggestion device (meal suggestion server) 10 is an information processing device having a computer configuration or a system including multiple computers. The suggestion device 10 suggests easy-to-practice dietary improvements to a user who uses a user terminal 20.

[0012] The database 11 is a database that stores, for example, information on foods or dishes, meal information that records the meals of the user, user information that stores information about the user, etc. The database 11 may be managed by the proposal device 10, or a database 11 managed by another system may be used.

[0013] The user terminal 20 is an information terminal used by a user and equipped with a computer configuration such as a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or a wearable terminal. The user can use the user terminal 20 to, for example, view suggestions for improving eating habits from the suggestion device 10, or register dietary information.

[0014] (Processing Overview) There is a dietary management application that visualizes nutritional balance when meals are registered and raises dietary awareness in order to improve dietary habits. In order to move from dietary awareness to action, it is desirable to make suggestions that take into consideration ease of implementation in the user's daily life, such as what the person likes, what is easy to obtain, and what is easy to cook, just as public health nurses or registered dietitians do in health guidance.

[0015] However, conventional techniques have the problem of not being able to suggest dietary improvements that are easy for users to put into practice.

[0016] Therefore, the proposal system 1 according to this embodiment is capable of proposing dietary improvements that are easy for the user to implement based on the dietary information that records the user's meals. For example, the proposal system 1 extracts meal contents that are not in line with the user's dietary goals from the user's dietary information, infers dietary trends that the user can easily implement based on the dietary information, and proposes meals for the user that are in line with the dietary goals based on the extracted meal contents and the inferred dietary trends.

[0017] <Functional Configuration> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the proposed system according to this embodiment.

[0018] (Functional Configuration of Proposal Device) The proposal device 10 realizes, for example, each functional configuration as shown in Fig. 2 by executing a predetermined program on a computer included in the proposal device 10. In the example of Fig. 2, the proposal device 10 has a communication unit 201, an extraction unit 202, an estimation unit 203, a proposal unit 204, an information management unit 205, and a storage unit 206. Note that at least a part of each of the above functional configurations may be realized by hardware.

[0019] The communication unit 201 connects the proposal device 10 to the communication network N and executes communication processing to communicate with other devices such as the user terminal 20, for example.

[0020] The extraction unit 202 executes an extraction process to extract meal contents that do not conform to the user's intake goal from the meal information that records the user's meals.

[0021] The estimation unit 203 performs estimation processing to estimate dietary habits that the user is likely to follow based on the dietary information that records the user's meals. For example, the estimation unit 203 estimates dietary habits that the user is likely to follow based on foods or dishes that frequently appear in the user's dietary information. For example, foods or dishes that frequently appear in the most recent predetermined period (e.g., one week, one month, etc.) are considered to be foods that the user is likely to prepare or dishes that the user likes.

[0022] Preferably, the estimation unit 203 estimates the tendency of meals that the user is likely to follow based further on the user's meal information, such as a procurement method that appears frequently, an ingredient that appears frequently, and / or a cooking method that appears frequently, etc. Preferably, the estimation unit 203 estimates the tendency of meals that the user is likely to follow based further on cooking times for each day of the week or each time period.

[0023] The suggestion unit 204 executes a suggestion process to suggest a meal for the user that is in line with the user's intake goal, based on the meal content extracted by the extraction unit 202 and the dietary tendency estimated by the estimation unit 203. Preferably, the suggestion unit 204 suggests meal replacements for the user that are in line with the user's intake goal, and provides feedback to the meal replacements suggested to the user as to whether or not the suggested meal replacements have been reflected in the user's diet.

[0024] The information management unit 205 executes information management processing for managing a user information DB (Database) 221, a meal DB 222, and the like.

[0025] The user information DB 221 is a database in which, for example, the user's age, gender, health checkup results, dietary habits, etc. are registered. Of this information, the user's age, gender, health checkup results, etc. may be information managed by another system. For example, the user's dietary habits estimated by the estimation unit 203 are registered in the user information DB 221 by the information management unit 205.

[0026] The meal DB 222 stores, for example, food or dish categories, nutrients per unit, ingredients, cooking methods, cooking times, and necessary equipment (e.g., ovens, microwaves, grills, etc.). The storage unit 206 stores various information, data, programs, etc. The information management unit 205 may store and manage the databases 11 of the user information DB 221 and / or the meal DB 222 in the storage unit 206, or may use databases 11 external to the proposal device 10.

[0027] (Functional Configuration of User Terminal) The user terminal 20 realizes, for example, each functional configuration as shown in Fig. 2 by executing a predetermined program on a computer provided in the user terminal 20. In the example of Fig. 2, the user terminal 20 has a communication unit 211, a display control unit 212, an operation reception unit 213, a storage unit 214, etc. Note that at least a part of each of the above functional configurations may be realized by hardware.

[0028] The communication unit 211 connects the user terminal 20 to the communication network N and executes communication processing to communicate with other devices such as the proposal device 10, for example.

[0029] The display control unit 212 executes a display control process in which the proposal device 10 displays various display screens, such as a proposal screen that proposes meals for the user that are in line with the intake goal, or a registration screen that registers the user's meals. Note that the display screens displayed by the display control unit 212 may be created by the proposal device 10, or may be created by the display control unit 212 based on proposal information created by the proposal device 10.

[0030] The operation acceptance unit 213 executes an operation acceptance process for accepting user operations on the display screen displayed by the display control unit 212. The storage unit 214 stores various information, data, programs, and the like.

[0031] The functional configuration of the proposal system 1 shown in Fig. 2 is an example. The functional configurations of the proposal device 10 and the user terminal 20 shown in Fig. 2 may be possessed by either the proposal device 10 or the user terminal 20. When the user terminal 20 has the functional configurations of the proposal device 10 and the user terminal 20 shown in Fig. 2, the user terminal 20 becomes the proposal device according to this embodiment.

[0032] <Processing Flow> Next, the processing flow of the proposed method according to this embodiment will be described.

[0033] (Proposal Process 1) Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a proposal process according to this embodiment. This process shows an example of a proposal process executed by the proposal system 1 having the functional configuration described in Fig. 2, for example.

[0034] In step S301, for example, a user registers meal information in the proposal system 1. When the user registers a meal, for example, the information management unit 205 calculates the daily nutrient intake for the past week and the past month. The information management unit 205 also counts the frequency of appearance of each food or dish and stores it in a database such as the meal DB 222.

[0035] The process of step S301 is an example. For example, the information management unit 205 may acquire the above-described user's dietary information, information on nutrients per day for the past week and past month, and application frequency information for each food or dish from another system that manages the user's dietary information or an app on the user terminal 20.

[0036] In step S302, the information management unit 205 acquires user information about the user from, for example, the user information DB 221. As described above, this user information includes the user's age, sex, health checkup results, dietary habits, etc. In step S303, the information management unit 205 extracts nutrients that are the subject of dietary guidance from the acquired health checkup results and sets an intake target for the user.

[0037] The processes in steps S302 and S303 are merely examples. The information management unit 205 may acquire the user's intake goal set by, for example, a registered dietitian, a public health nurse, or a doctor, or may acquire the user's intake goal from another system that manages user information.

[0038] In step S304, the extraction unit 202 extracts meal contents that do not conform to the user's intake goals from the meal information that records the user's meals. For example, if the nutrients that are the subject of guidance are off the goals, the extraction unit 202 extracts the top three foods or dishes that are off the goals in terms of the amount (or percentage) of the foods or dishes that are off the goals.

[0039] In step S305, the estimation unit 203 estimates the eating habits (or meals) that the user can easily follow based on the user's dietary information. For example, the estimation unit 203 estimates that the following conditions are the foods or dishes with the ideal amount of nutrients that are the subject of guidance as meals that the subject can easily follow, and sets them as candidates for substitution: - Foods or dishes that appear frequently - Methods of procurement that appear frequently - Average cooking time for each day of the week and time period

[0040] The estimation unit 203 may add the following as conditions for replacement candidates to make meals easier to follow: ingredients that appear frequently, cooking methods that appear frequently, and types of eating out that appear frequently.

[0041] In step S306, the suggestion unit 204 suggests a meal for the user that is in line with the user's intake goal, based on the meal contents extracted by the extraction unit 202 and the tendency of meals that the user can easily follow, estimated by the estimation unit 203. For example, the suggestion unit 204 generates advice that suggests reducing the foods or dishes extracted by the extraction unit 202 in step S303 and increasing the meals that the user can easily follow, estimated by the estimation unit 203. Furthermore, the display control unit 212 displays the advice generated by the suggestion unit 204.

[0042] Through the processing of FIG. 3, the proposal system 1 can propose dietary improvements that are easy for the user to put into practice, based on the dietary information that records the user's meals.

[0043] <Example> Next, a specific example of this embodiment will be described.

[0044] Dietary guidance is provided not only for disease prevention but also according to the individual's wishes (for example, to achieve an ideal body shape or to improve sports performance, etc.), but in this example, the following explanation will be given assuming that advice is given in the health field with the aim of improving eating habits to prevent diabetes.

[0045] Here, the user's carbohydrate intake goal is, for example, 130 g per day (50 g in the morning, 50 g at lunchtime, 30 g at night, etc.), with no restrictions on fat or protein.

[0046] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information about foods or dishes in the meal DB according to the embodiment. The meal DB 222 includes, for example, information about foods or dishes as shown in Fig. 4. In the example of Fig. 4, the meal DB 222 includes information such as items such as "Food / Dish," "Category 1," "Category 2," "Unit," "Calories," "Nutrient PFC," "Carbohydrates," "Cooking Method," "Cooking Time," "Cooking Equipment," and "Ingredients."

[0047] "Food / Dish" is information indicating the name of a food or dish. "Category 1" is information indicating a category of a food or dish, such as a staple food, main dish, or side dish. "Category 2" is information indicating a more specific category of a food or dish, such as rice, rice ball, or toast. "Unit" is information indicating the unit amount of a food or dish. "Calories" is information indicating the calories per unit amount of a food or dish. Nutrient FPC is information indicating the intake or intake ratio of three nutrients: protein, fat, and carbohydrate. "Carbohydrate" is information indicating the intake of carbohydrates. "Cooking method" is information indicating a cooking method, such as rice cooking, frying, or stir-frying. "Cooking time" is information indicating the time required for cooking by the user. "Cooking equipment" is information indicating equipment required for cooking, such as an oven, microwave, or grill. "Ingredients" is information indicating the ingredients used in a food or dish.

[0048] In the meal DB 222, general information about foods or dishes, such as that shown in FIG. 4, is registered in advance.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of information about user 1 in a meal DB according to an embodiment. The meal DB 222 in FIG. 5 may include, for example, user information as shown in FIG. 5 . In the example of FIG. 5 , information about user 1, such as "Method of Acquisition_USER1" 501, "Fried Chicken_USER1" 502, "Frequency per Week" 503, and "Frequency per Month" 504, is added to the meal DB 222. "Method of Acquisition_USER1" 501 is information indicating, for example, the acquisition method (procurement method) of a food or dish registered by the user. "Fried Chicken_USER1" 502 is information about a food or dish related to fried chicken that user 1 cooks at home. "Frequency per Week" 503 and "Frequency per Month" 504 are information indicating the frequency with which a food or dish appears in the user's meals. In this way, user information can be registered in the meal DB 222.

[0050] The user information DB 11a stores, for example, the user's physical information (such as health checkup results), psychological information (such as personality traits and health awareness), social information (such as occupation and family structure), and / or lifestyle habits (such as exercise, diet, and alcohol consumption). This information is obtained, for example, from the results of health checkups and responses to questionnaires. This information may be obtained by the proposal system 1 or from another system.

[0051] 6 is a diagram showing an example of meal information according to an embodiment. For example, a user registers meal information 601, which is information about a meal eaten by the user, in the proposal system 1 or another system, as shown in FIG. 6. Based on the meal information 601 and the information registered in the meal DB 222, the proposal system 1 can identify or estimate the nutrients, cooking time, cooking equipment, etc. of the user's meal.

[0052] The extraction unit 202 extracts nutrients to be guided from, for example, the results of the user's health check, and sets the user's nutrient intake target.

[0053] The prediction unit 203 predicts a meal that is easy for the user to follow (food or dish that is easy to prepare). Preferably, the prediction unit 203 predicts a meal that is easy for the user to follow, excluding foods or dishes that the user needs to be careful about.

[0054] For example, foods or dishes that have appeared frequently in the past week and / or past month are considered to be the user's favorites or easy to prepare. Therefore, the estimation unit 203 estimates that the frequently appearing foods or dishes are the meals that the user can easily prepare, based on the meal information that records the user's meals.

[0055] Furthermore, the estimation unit 203 may estimate a meal that is easy for the user to follow based on the following factors: Commonly occurring procurement methods Commonly occurring ingredients Commonly occurring cooking methods Furthermore, the estimation unit 203 may estimate a meal that is easy for the user to follow based on, for example, cooking times for each day of the week and / or each time period.

[0056] For example, if "convenience store" is frequently listed as a procurement method, the estimation unit 203 extracts from the meal DB 222 frequently appearing foods or dishes that are low in carbohydrates and can be purchased at convenience stores, and estimates these as meals that are easy for the user to follow. Also, if the user frequently cooks at home and "frying" does not appear, the estimation unit 203 does not estimate fried foods as meals that are easy for the user to follow.

[0057] (Example of User 1) When User 1 (USER1) registers a meal, the information management unit 205 calculates, for example, the daily nutrient intake for the most recent week and the most recent month. The information management unit 205 also counts the frequency of appearance of each food or dish, and stores the frequency as information about User 1 in, for example, the meal DB 222 shown in FIG. 5.

[0058] If the amount of carbohydrates per meal is off the target, the extraction unit 202 extracts the top three foods or dishes with the largest amount of carbohydrates. For example, in the meal DB 222 of Fig. 5, the top three foods or dishes with the most carbohydrates per meal eaten by user 1 are rice ball 506, rice 505, and cup noodles 507. In this case, the extraction unit 202 extracts rice ball 506, rice 505, and cup noodles.

[0059] The estimation unit 203 ranks, in order of ideal nutritional value, foods or dishes that the user 1 has eaten in the past, other than the foods or dishes extracted by the extraction unit 202. For example, the estimation unit 203 calculates a G value, which indicates the foods or dishes that the user has eaten in the past that have low carbohydrate content and are frequently eaten, using the following formula (1): G = (carbohydrate amount of top carbohydrate food - carbohydrate amount of the food / dish) x intake frequency of the food (1). Preferably, the estimation unit 203 prioritizes meals that are easy for the user to follow, taking into account the most frequently used method of procurement depending on the time of day. For example, if the user 1 often buys lunch at a convenience store, the estimation unit 203 may rank foods or dishes purchased at the convenience store during the lunchtime period. For example, the order of priority may be 1. fried chicken from a convenience store, 2. fried chicken, 3. stir-fried meat and vegetables, etc.

[0060] In this case, the suggestion unit 204 generates advice such as, for example, "Why not try ordering less rice balls and more fried chicken at the convenience store?" and displays it on the user terminal 20 or the like.

[0061] 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a replacement process according to an embodiment. This process shows an example of a suggestion process in which the suggestion unit 204 suggests a meal for the user that is in line with the intake goal based on meal contents that are not in line with the intake goal of the user and dietary trends that the user is likely to follow.

[0062] In step S701, the suggestion unit 204 determines whether the procurement method for the food or dish (hereinafter referred to as "meal") is fixed, for example, based on the meal DB 222 to which information about user 1 has been added, as shown in FIG. 5. If the procurement method is fixed, the suggestion unit 204 proceeds to step S702. On the other hand, if the procurement method is not fixed, the suggestion unit 204 proceeds to step S703.

[0063] In step S702, the suggestion unit 204 suggests to the user 1 meals that are low in carbohydrates and that are most frequently procured during the suggested time period (for example, first to third places).

[0064] In step S703, the suggestion unit 204 determines whether the procurement methods include home cooking (cooking) based on the meal DB 222 to which the information of user 1 has been added, for example, as shown in Fig. 5. If the procurement methods do not include home cooking (cooking), the suggestion unit 204 proceeds to step S704. On the other hand, if the procurement methods include home cooking (cooking), the suggestion unit 204 proceeds to step S705.

[0065] In step S704, the suggestion unit 204 suggests the top three meals with the highest G values ​​for the fixed procurement method to the user 1. The G value can be calculated using the above-mentioned formula (1).

[0066] In step S705, the suggestion unit 204 suggests to the user 1 meals that are low in carbohydrates and have cooking times close to the suggested time period.

[0067] For example, the suggestion unit 204 ranks foods or dishes as low-carbohydrate meals in descending order of G value, and calculates the difference in cooking time for each food or dish from the top to the bottom using the following formula (2): Difference in cooking time = (cooking time of food / dish suggested to be increased - cooking time of food / dish suggested to be decreased) ... (2) If the calculated difference in cooking time is negative or close to zero, the suggestion unit 204 suggests that food or dish to user 1.

[0068] By the process of FIG. 7, the suggestion unit 204 can suggest meals for the user that are in line with the intake goal.

[0069] (Proposal Process 2) Fig. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the proposal process according to this embodiment. This process shows another example of the proposal process executed by the proposal system 1 having the functional configuration described in Fig. 2, for example. Note that, among the processes in Fig. 8, the processes in steps S301 to S306 are similar to the example of the proposal process described in Fig. 3, and therefore description thereof will be omitted here.

[0070] For example, if the frequency of registration of a food or dish that has been suggested to be reduced does not decrease within one week after the suggestion, the suggestion system 1 may suggest replacing it with a food or dish in the same category that contains even slightly less of the target nutrient.

[0071] For example, in step S801 of Fig. 8, the suggestion unit 204 determines whether the suggestion made to the user has been reflected in the meals for one week after the suggestion. If the suggestion has been reflected in the meals for one week after the suggestion, the suggestion unit 204 ends the processing of Fig. 8. On the other hand, if the suggestion has not been reflected in the meals for one week after the suggestion, the suggestion unit 204 transitions the processing to step S802.

[0072] In step S802, the suggestion unit 204 suggests to the user a replacement food or dish within the same category that is closer to the user's intake goal. For example, if there is cup noodles B that has less carbohydrates than cup noodles A, the suggestion unit 204 suggests to the user that there is a product called cup noodles B that has less carbohydrates than cup noodles A.

[0073] It should be noted that interviews with public health nurses have revealed that meal replacements can be difficult depending on the user's lifestyle. Therefore, it is desirable for the recommendation system 1 to calculate and suggest meals that are easy to follow, taking into account the user's characteristics. For example, in the case of a user whose family prepares meals, the recommendation system 1 may suggest replacements from among meals that the user can choose (e.g., snacks, lunch, etc.).

[0074] Cases where meal replacement is difficult include those due to the user's family structure (for example, when meals must be tailored to growing children), or when the user is not the one who plans the meal contents at home.

[0075] <Hardware Configuration> The proposal device 10 and the user terminal 20 according to this embodiment have, for example, the hardware configuration of a computer 900 as shown in Fig. 9. Note that the proposal device 10 may be realized by a plurality of computers 900. Note that the computers are not limited to physical machines and may be, for example, virtual machines on a cloud.

[0076] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer. In the example of Fig. 9, a computer 900 includes a drive device 1000, an auxiliary storage device 1002, a memory device 1003, a CPU 1004, an interface device 1005, a display device 1006, an input device 1007, and an output device 1008, all of which are interconnected by a bus B. The computer 900 may further include a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or the like.

[0077] A program for implementing processing on the computer 900 is provided by a recording medium 1001, such as a CD-ROM or a memory card. When the recording medium 1001 storing the program is set in the drive device 1000, the program is installed from the recording medium 1001 to the auxiliary storage device 1002 via the drive device 1000. However, the program does not necessarily have to be installed from the recording medium 1001, but may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 1002 stores the installed program as well as necessary files, data, etc.

[0078] The memory device 1003 reads and stores the program from the auxiliary storage device 1002 when an instruction to start the program is received. The CPU 1004 realizes functions related to the proposal device 10 or the user terminal 20 in accordance with the program stored in the memory device 1003. The interface device 1005 is used as an interface for connecting to a communication network, etc. The display device 1006 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like according to the program. The input device 1007 is composed of a keyboard, mouse, buttons, and / or a touch panel, etc., and is used to input various operation instructions. The output device 1008 outputs the calculation results.

[0079] The CPU 1004 may be another processor such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0080] <Effects of the embodiment> According to the present embodiment, it becomes possible to suggest improvements to the user's diet that are easy for the user to put into practice, based on diet information that records the user's meals.

[0081] For example, the recommendation system 1 according to the present embodiment may provide dietary advice by suggesting that the user reduce the number of meals recorded by the user that are not in line with the dietary advice and replace them with meals that are in line with the dietary advice. In this case, the recommendation system 1 may provide advice that is easy for the user to put into practice in their daily lives, such as foods that the user frequently eats, cooking methods that are assumed to be frequently used, and / or ingredients that the user frequently obtains, which makes the advice easy for the user to put into practice and contributes to the user's health.

[0082] Summary of Embodiments This specification discloses at least the following proposal devices, proposal systems, proposal methods, and programs. (Item 1) A proposal device comprising: an extraction unit that extracts, from dietary information recording the user's meals, dietary content that does not conform to the user's dietary goals; an estimation unit that estimates dietary trends that the user is likely to follow based on the dietary information; and a proposal unit that suggests meals for the user that conform to the dietary goals based on the dietary content and the dietary trends. (Item 2) The proposal device described in Item 1, in which the estimation unit estimates the dietary trends based on foods or dishes that frequently appear in the dietary information. (Item 3) The proposal device described in Item 2, in which the estimation unit estimates the dietary trends further based on procurement methods, ingredients, and / or cooking methods that frequently appear in the user's dietary information. (Item 4) The proposal device described in Item 2 or 3, in which the estimation unit estimates the dietary trends further based on cooking times for each day of the week or each time period. (Clause 5) The proposal device described in any of Clauses 1 to 3, wherein the proposal unit proposes meal replacements for the user that are in line with the intake goal, and provides feedback on whether the proposed meal replacements have been reflected in the user's meals to the meal replacements proposed to the user. (Clause 6) A proposal system comprising: an extraction unit that extracts meal content that is not in line with the user's intake goal from meal information that records the user's meals; an estimation unit that infers dietary trends that the user is likely to follow based on the dietary information; and a proposal unit that proposes meal replacements for the user that are in line with the intake goal based on the dietary content and the dietary trends. (Clause 7) A proposal method in which a computer executes the following steps: an extraction process that extracts meal content that is not in line with the user's intake goal from dietary information that records the user's meals; an estimation process that infers dietary trends that the user is likely to follow based on the dietary information; and a proposal process that proposes meal replacements for the user that are in line with the intake goal based on the dietary content and the dietary trends. (Item 8) A program that causes a computer to execute the proposed method described in item 7.

[0083] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

[0084] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Proposal system 10 Proposal device 20 User terminal (another example of a proposal device) 202 Extraction unit 203 Estimation unit 204 Proposal unit 205 Information management unit 212 Display control unit 221 User information DB 222 Meal DB

Claims

1. A suggestion device comprising: an extraction unit that extracts, from dietary information that records a user's meals, meal contents that do not conform to the user's dietary goals; an estimation unit that estimates dietary trends that the user is likely to follow based on the dietary information; and a suggestion unit that suggests meals for the user that conform to the dietary goals based on the dietary contents and dietary trends.

2. The suggestion device according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates the dietary trends based on foods or dishes that frequently appear in the dietary information.

3. The suggestion device according to claim 2, wherein the prediction unit predicts the dietary trends further based on procurement methods, ingredients, and / or cooking methods that frequently appear in the user's dietary information.

4. The suggestion device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the estimation unit estimates the dietary trends further based on cooking times for each day of the week or each time period.

5. A suggestion device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the suggestion unit suggests meal replacements for the user that are in line with the intake goal, and provides feedback to the user on whether or not the suggested meal replacements have been reflected in the user's diet.

6. A suggestion system comprising: an extraction unit that extracts meal contents that are not in line with a user's intake goals from dietary information that records the user's meals; an estimation unit that estimates dietary trends that the user is likely to follow based on the dietary information; and a suggestion unit that suggests meal replacements for the user that are in line with the intake goals based on the dietary contents and dietary trends.

7. A proposal method in which a computer executes the following steps: an extraction process for extracting, from dietary information that records the user's meals, dietary content that does not conform to the user's dietary goals; an estimation process for estimating dietary trends that the user is likely to follow based on the dietary information; and a proposal process for suggesting meal replacements for the user that conform to the dietary goals based on the dietary content and dietary trends.

8. A program for causing a computer to execute the proposed method according to claim 7.

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