JP7106952B2 - Olfactory ability derivation method, olfactory ability derivation program, and olfactory ability derivation device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an olfactory ability derivation method, an olfactory ability derivation program, and an olfactory ability derivation device.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a paresthesia detection device that makes a user aware of the possibility of paresthesia in daily life.
In Patent Document 2, a fragrance component is microencapsulated into a powder, and the microcapsules are mixed in an odorless solid base having a viscosity that can be attached to paper or the like, molded into a stick shape, and stored in a container. A stick-type odor presenting device is disclosed, which is characterized by being loaded in a .
Patent Literature 3 discloses an olfactory set that enables a user to learn and memorize scents in a simpler and more enjoyable and ambitious manner.
US Pat. No. 6,200,401 discloses, in various embodiments, an apparatus for detecting, assessing and/or monitoring olfactory dysfunction by measuring and determining olfactory detection thresholds for left and right nostrils of a patient.
Patent Literature 5 discloses an apparatus capable of appropriately and simply testing quantitative and comprehensive olfactory functions as one item of a health checkup.

JP 2016-171936 A Japanese Patent No. 3694409 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-433 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-529885 JP 2016-129577 A

However, the inventions of Patent Documents 1 to 3 cannot measure the olfactory ability accurately because the release concentration of odor cannot be varied. The inventions of Patent Documents 4 and 5 are aimed at testing, so they may be able to accurately measure olfactory ability, but they are complicated to operate and do not have the equipment necessary for continuous sniffing training.

An object of the present invention is to provide an olfactory ability derivation method, an olfactory ability derivation program, and an olfactory ability derivation device that can easily derive an olfactory ability by changing the release state of odor components.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for deriving olfactory ability according to claim 1 of the present invention is a method implemented by a processor, wherein the processor displays a plurality of options including correct answers as an image processing unit. , as an odor component release processing unit , outputs an instruction to release odor components in a release state determined according to the age of the trainee; as a reception processing unit , receives a selection result of an option by the trainee ; The correct answer and the selection result are compared to determine whether or not the correct answer has been selected. a correction coefficient set according to the odor component, a correction coefficient set according to the level, a correction coefficient set based on the number of correct selections and the number of incorrect selections; calculating the olfactory age obtained by multiplying by

The present invention displays a plurality of options including a correct answer, emits odor components in a release state determined according to the age of the trainee, receives a selection result of the options by the trainee, and selects the correct answer and the selection result. to derive the olfactory ability of the trainee.
The present invention derives the olfactory ability of the trainee by changing the release state of odor components according to the age of the trainee and allowing the trainee to select options. Therefore, the present invention can easily derive olfactory ability by changing the release state of odor components.

The olfactory ability derivation method of the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, the processor as the odor component release processing unit , when the selection result is the correct selection, sets the release state to: If the selection result is not the correct answer, the release state is changed to increase the release amount of the odorant, and the odorant is released in the changed release state. Outputs an instruction to release a component.
The olfactory ability derivation method of the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1 or claim 2, the processor, as the odor component release processing unit, sets the release state to the age and the level. determined accordingly.
The olfactory ability derivation method of the invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the processor further receives a training difficulty level as the reception processing unit, As the difficulty level of the image processing unit is higher, options similar to the correct option are displayed as options other than the correct option.
The olfactory ability derivation method of the invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the processor instructs the odor component release processing unit to release the odor component. is output , an instruction is output to set the humidity of the environment in which the odor component is released to a predetermined humidity.
The method for deriving olfactory ability according to the invention described in claim 6 is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the processor serves as a memory processing unit, and when the method for deriving olfactory ability is executed, Further storing information of the displayed options, and when displaying the options as the image processing unit, the options are not the options displayed when the method for deriving olfactory ability was executed last time. Display multiple choices.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided an olfactory ability deriving program that causes a computer to execute the olfactory ability deriving method according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.
An olfactory ability derivation device according to an eighth aspect of the invention comprises a storage medium storing an olfactory ability derivation program for causing a processor to execute an olfactory ability derivation method, and executing the olfactory ability derivation program stored in the storage medium. and a processing device that executes the olfactory ability derivation method by: The method.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can easily derive the olfactory ability by changing the release state of odor components.

1 is a block diagram of an olfactory training system; FIG. A block diagram of the client 10 is shown in FIG. It is a functional block of the CPU 22 of the client 10 . It is a functional block of the CPU 22 of the server 12 . 1 is a flow chart of part of an olfactory training program. FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the remainder of the olfactory training program; FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an olfactory training data processing program; 3 is a diagram showing an initial screen 200; FIG. FIG. 11 shows a start screen 210; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a guidance screen 240; FIG. It is a figure which shows the display screen 250 of several patterns. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a correct answer screen 260; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an incorrect answer screen 270; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a radar chart screen 280; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between age and release amount of odor components per unit time for odor A. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing different patterns for each of a plurality of types for each of a plurality of groups of odors; User history data indicating which pattern was used for each smell in the past olfactory training for each user, and user history data indicating which pattern was used for each smell in the current olfactory training. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing; It is a figure which shows a correct answer table and an incorrect answer table. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a correct answer screen 260 in the twelfth modified example; FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
A block diagram of an olfactory training system is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1 , the olfactory training system includes a client 10 , a server device (hereinafter referred to as “server”) 12 , and an odor component releasing device 16 . The client 10 and server 12 are connected via a network 14 such as the Internet. The odor component release device 16 can selectively release a plurality of, for example, up to six types of odor components according to a command from the client 10 . The odor component release device 16 has six odor component tanks, and releases odor components from each tank through each release port.
The client 10 is an example of an olfactory ability deriving device of the technology of the present disclosure.

The user is positioned at a position where he or she can smell the odor components released from the odor component release device 16, and performs olfactory training, which will be described later.

A block diagram of the client 10 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the client 10 has a computer main body 20 . The computer main body 20 includes a CPU 22 , a ROM 24 , a RAM 26 and an input/output (I/O) port 28 interconnected via a bus 30 . A display device 32 , an input device 34 , a communication device 36 and a storage device 38 are connected to the I/O port 28 . The ROM 24 (or storage device 38) stores an olfactory training program (see FIGS. 5 and 6), which will be described later. The storage device 38 stores a correct answer table and an incorrect answer table (FIG. 18), which will be described later.
The olfactory training program (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is an example of the olfactory ability derivation program of the technology of the present disclosure. The CPU 22 is an example of a processing device of the technology of the present disclosure. The ROM 24 (or storage device 38) is an example of a storage medium of the technology of the present disclosure.

Since the server 12 has the same configuration as the client 10, the description thereof will be omitted. The ROM 24 (or storage device 38) of the server 12 stores an olfactory training data processing program. The storage device 38 of the server 12 stores the relationship (see FIG. 15) between the age and the release amount of odor components per unit time for each odor.

The olfactory training program has a communication processing function, an image processing function, a reception processing function, an odor component release processing function, and a memory processing function. When the CPU 22 of the client 10 executes the olfactory training program, the CPU 22 of the client 10, as shown in FIG. It functions as part 50 .

The olfactory training data processing program has a communication processing function, a release amount determination processing function, a pattern determination processing function, and a memory processing. When the CPU 22 of the server 12 executes the olfactory training data processing program, the CPU 22 of the server 12, as shown in FIG. 68.

5 and 6 show a flow chart of the olfactory training program. Olfactory training processing (olfactory ability derivation processing) by the client 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. When the CPU 22 of the client 10 executes the olfactory training program, the olfactory training process shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 is realized.

An initial screen 200 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the screen of the display device 32 of the client 10 . The initial screen 200 has a training button 204 and a scent adjustment button 206 . The training button 204 is a button for starting olfactory training, that is, starting an olfactory training program. The scent blending button 206 is a button for instructing the blending and release of scent.

When the training button 204 is pressed, the olfactory training program starts, and in step 72 the image processing unit 44 displays the start screen 210 shown in FIG. The start screen 210 includes a name input area 212 for inputting the user's name, an ID number input area 214 for inputting the user's ID number, a birth date input area 216 for inputting the user's date of birth, It has a gender selection button 218 for selecting the gender of the user. The start screen 210 has an ID number list display area 224 that displays a list of ID numbers of users whose names, ID numbers, dates of birth, and genders have already been registered. When these registered users click their own ID numbers from the list of ID numbers displayed in the ID number list display area 224, their registered names and IDs are displayed in the name input area 212 to gender selection button 218. A number, date of birth, and gender are set.

The start screen 210 has an odor type number input area 220 for inputting the number of odor types used for training, and a difficulty level input area 222 for inputting the training difficulty level. As described above, the odor component releasing device 16 can release up to six types of odor components. A value from 1 to 6 is entered in the odor type number input area 220 . There are five training difficulty levels: "1. Easy", "2. Somewhat easy", "3. Normal", "4. Somewhat difficult", and "5. Difficult". When the difficulty level input area 222 is clicked, the name of each of the five training difficulty levels is displayed as a pull-down menu. The user selects the desired level.

The start screen 210 includes a training start button 226, a data clear button 228 for erasing data entered in the name input area 212 to the difficulty level input area 222, and a name input area 212 to the difficulty level input area 222. It has a data registration skip button 230 that allows you to start training without registering data via.

At step 74, the reception processing unit 46 receives user data input via the name input area 212 to the difficulty level input area 222. FIG. The user data includes user age data (date of birth).

At step 76, reception processing unit 46 determines whether or not training start button 226 has been pressed. If it is determined that the training start button 226 has not been pressed, this determination is repeated until the training start button 226 is pressed. When it is determined that the training start button 226 has been pressed, the image processing section 44 displays the guide screen 240 shown in FIG. Guidance screen 240 has message display area 242 for displaying a message explaining the method of olfactory training, and start button 244 .

At step 80, reception processing unit 46 determines whether or not start button 244 has been pressed. If it is determined that the start button 244 has not been pressed, this determination is repeated until it is determined that the start button 244 has been pressed. If it is determined that the start button 244 has been pressed, the communication processing unit 42 transmits the user data from name to difficulty level to the server 12 in step 82 . The server 12 executes an olfactory training data processing program (see FIG. 7), which will be described later, and transmits data on the release amount of each odor component per unit time and the design of each odor. receives the data of the release amount of each odor component per unit time and the pattern of each odor. There are a plurality of patterns for each smell, and the correct pattern is also specified for each smell.

In step 86, the odor component release processing unit 48 initializes to 0 variables n and ni, which are used in the olfactory training program and will be described later in detail. At step 88, the odor component release processing section 48 increments the variable n by one. The variable n identifies each type of odor. For example, if 6 is entered in the odor type number input area 220, the variable n identifies 6 types of odors. Variables n=1-6 identify odors A-F. As described above, since the correct pattern is specified for each scent, the correct patterns for the scents A to F are also identified with variables n=1 to 6.

In step 89, the image processing unit 44 displays a display screen 250 of a plurality of patterns including a pattern corresponding to the correct scent n on the screen of the display device 32, as shown in FIG. The display screen 250 has an area 252ni for displaying five patterns including a pattern corresponding to the correct smell n and a pattern for answering "I don't know". The display screen 250 has an odor release start button 254, a cancel button 256 for canceling an answer, and an instruction button 258 for instructing to move to the next odor.

In step 90, the odorant release processing section 48 instructs the odorant release device 16 to set the release amount Pn of the odorant of the odor n per unit time to Pn0.

At step 91, reception processing unit 46 determines whether or not odor release start button 254 has been pressed. If it is not determined that the odor release start button 254 has been pressed, this determination is repeated until it is determined that the odor release start button 254 has been pressed. When it is determined that the odor release start button 254 has been pressed, in step 92, the odor component release processing unit 48 instructs the odor component release device 16 to release the odor component of the odor n at the release amount Pn per unit time. instruct. The odor component releasing device 16 releases the odor component of the odor n in a release amount Pn per unit time according to the instruction.

Here, the odor component releasing device 16 may release the odor component of the odor n at the release amount Pn per unit time once or a plurality of times (for example, twice).

At step 94, the odor component release processing section 48 increments ni by one.

When the odor component of the odor n is emitted, the user selects the design of the odor corresponding to the emitted odor component via the input device 34 . For example, variable n=1 releases the odor component of the smell of apples. In the area 252ni of the display screen 250 of FIG. 11, five patterns (mandarin orange, apple, banana, melon, kiwi) including the pattern (apple) corresponding to the correct smell n=1 and "I don't know" are answered. A pattern for and is included.

The user sniffs the released odor components, and, for example, when determining that the odor n is the smell of apples, selects the design of apples. When it is determined that the smell n is the smell of mandarin oranges, the pattern of mandarin oranges is selected. If the player does not know what the smell n is, he/she selects a pattern for answering "I don't know".

At step 98, the reception processing unit 46 determines whether or not there is an answer. If it is not determined that a reply has been received, at step 100, the reception processing unit 46 determines whether or not a certain period of time has elapsed. If it is not determined that the fixed time has passed, the process returns to step 98 . If it is determined that there has been no response and that the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the image processing unit 44 displays a non-response message on the screen of the display device 32 at step 102 to the effect that no response has been received. to display. After step 102 , the olfactory training process proceeds to step 108 .

If it is determined at step 98 that an answer has been received, then at step 104 the reception processing unit 46 determines whether or not the correct symbol has been selected. As described above, odors A to F are identified with variables n=1 to 6, and the correct pattern for each odor is also identified, so it is determined whether or not the pattern selected as the answer is the correct pattern. By doing so, it can be determined whether or not the correct symbol has been selected.

For example, when it is determined that the apple symbol was selected and the correct symbol was selected for the variable n=1, the olfactory training process proceeds to step 106 .

On the other hand, for example, when the apple pattern is not selected for the variable n=1, for example, when another pattern (for example, a melon pattern) is selected, or when the "I don't know" pattern is selected, , it is determined that the correct pattern has not been selected. If it is determined that the correct symbol has not been selected, the olfactory training process proceeds to step 108 .

If it is determined in step 104 that the correct symbol has been selected, in step 106 the memory processing unit 50 stores the incorrect answer in the (ni-1)th row of the scent n in the incorrect answer table shown in FIG. Determine whether or not

As shown in FIG. 18, the incorrect answer table and the correct answer table are tables that store the results of olfactory training performed in the region identified by ni in the row of smell n.

When step 106 is executed for the first time, it is not determined that an incorrect answer is stored in the (ni−1)-th row of smell n in the incorrect answer table, and the olfactory training process proceeds to step 112 .

At step 110 , the image processing unit 44 displays the correct answer screen 260 shown in FIG. 12 on the screen of the display device 32 . The correct answer screen 260 includes an interrupt button 262, a correct answer message display area 264 that displays a correct answer message, a progress display area 266 that displays the current progress status, and the area 252ni. After step 106 , the olfactory training process proceeds to step 112 .

At step 112, the storage processing unit 50 stores the ni-th row of the odor n in the correct answer table shown in FIG. For example, if n=3 and ni=1, then as shown in FIG. 18, "o" indicating the correct answer is stored in the first area of the row of odor C (identified by n=3).

When the process of step 112 is executed, the correct answer is selected (step 104: Y), so the user has the ability to perceive the odor with the current release amount Pn of the odor component per unit time. can be determined to have In this case, the user may have the ability to perceive the odor with an emission amount smaller than the current emission amount Pn of the odor component per unit time. In the present embodiment, in order to check whether the user has the ability to perceive the odor with an emission amount smaller than the current emission amount Pn of the odor component per unit time, first, in step 114, The odor component release processing unit 48 sets the release amount Pn of the odor component of the odor n per unit time to Pn/2. It should be noted that the division by 2 is not limited, and may be reduced by a certain amount Δp, such as Pn←Pn−Δp. The olfactory training process then returns to step 91 . Therefore, steps 91-104 are executed.

Since steps 91 to 104 are executed and the odor component is released in a smaller amount than the previous time, the user may not select the correct pattern. In this case, step 104 results in a negative determination, and in step 108, the storage processing unit 50 determines whether or not the correct answer is stored in the (ni-1)th row of smell n in the correct answer table (see FIG. 18).

For example, when n=3 (smell C) and ni=2 in FIG. 18, the correct answer (“◯”) is stored in the ni-1th=1st area, so step 108 is affirmative. . In this case, in step 124 of FIG. 6, the storage processing unit 50 stores the incorrect answer (“x”) in the ni (=2)-th row of the odor n (=3) row of the correct answer table. After step 124 , the olfactory training process proceeds to step 126 .

Unlike the above example, for example, when step 92 is executed first with n=1 (smell A) and the user selects an incorrect answer, step 108 results in a negative determination. In this case, in step 118, the image processing unit 44 displays an incorrect answer screen 270 shown in FIG. The incorrect answer screen 270 includes an interrupt button 272, an incorrect answer message display area 274 that displays an incorrect answer message, a progress display area 276 that displays the current progress, and the area 252ni. After step 118 , the olfactory training process proceeds to step 120 .

At step 120, the storage processing unit 50 stores an incorrect answer (“x”) at the ni (=1)-th row of the smell n (=1) in the incorrect answer table, as shown in FIG.

When the process of step 120 is executed, an incorrect answer is selected (step 104: N), so the user can perceive the odor at the current release amount Pn of the odor component per unit time. You can judge that you don't have the ability. In this case, the user may not have the ability to perceive the odor with an emission amount greater than the current emission amount Pn of the odor component per unit time. In this embodiment, the user first checks in step 122 whether or not the user has the ability to perceive an odor with an emission amount greater than the current emission amount Pn of the odor component per unit time. , the odor component release processing unit 48 sets the release amount Pn of the odor component of the odor n per unit time to 2*Pn. Note that it is not limited to multiplying by 2, and may be increased by a certain amount Δp, such as Pn←Pn+Δp. The olfactory training process then returns to step 91 . Therefore, steps 91-104 are executed.

Steps 91-104 are performed and the user may select the correct symbol. In this case, in step 106, the correct answer screen 260 (see FIG. 12) is displayed, and in step 106, the memory processing unit 50 determines that there is an incorrect answer in the (ni-1)th row of the smell n in the incorrect answer table (see FIG. 18). Determine whether it is stored. In the above example (n=1 and ni=2), the correct answer ("x") is stored in the ni-1th=1st area. The processing unit 50 stores the correct answer (“◯”) in the ni (=2)-th row of the smell n (=1) row in the incorrect answer table. After step 116 , the olfactory training process proceeds to step 126 .

At step 126, the image processing unit 44 calculates the olfactory age of the smell n.
For example, in the incorrect answer table (see FIG. 18), when n=1 (smell A), "X" is stored in the area of ni=1, and "O" is stored in the area of ni=2. This means that the user does not have the ability to recognize odor A at the first release Pn0 for odor A, but has the ability to recognize odor A at release 2*Pn0. It can be determined that

The user's olfactory age is calculated as follows. First, for each odor, an odor coefficient (kn) for correcting the user's age is predetermined. Further, a correction coefficient A for correcting the user's age is determined according to the training difficulty level. Furthermore, a correction coefficient B for correcting the user's age is determined according to the number of correct and incorrect answers. The user's olfactory age is calculated based on the olfactory age calculation formula (user's age)×kn×A×B. Thus, the user's olfactory age does not increase or decrease by one year per wrong or correct answer, but is determined according to the type of smell, the difficulty level of training, and the number of correct or incorrect answers.

After step 126 , the olfactory training process proceeds to step 128 .

At step 128 , the odor component release processing unit 48 determines whether or not n is the value N entered in the odor type number input area 220 . If it is determined that n is not equal to N, there is an odor for which olfactory training has not yet been performed. display on the screen. After step 130, the olfactory training process returns to step 88 and the above processes (steps 88 to 128) are executed.

When the olfactory training is completed for all of the designated number of odors, step 128 makes an affirmative determination. As a result, for example, the contents ("o", "x") corresponding to the training result are stored in the correct answer table and the incorrect answer table of FIG.

If the determination in step 128 is affirmative, the olfactory training process proceeds to step 132 . At step 132, the image processing unit 44 displays the user's olfactory ability on the screen of the display device 32, for example, as a radar chart screen 280 as shown in FIG. The radar chart screen 280 has an olfactory age display area 281, a radar chart area 282, a date area 284, and buttons 286-290.

The user's olfactory age is displayed in the olfactory age display area 281 . In the example shown in FIG. 14, the average age of the user's olfactory sense is obtained for the odors A to F calculated according to the olfactory age calculation formula, and 45 years old is displayed as the obtained average value.

The radar chart area 282 is an area that displays the user's olfactory ability for each smell in a radar chart. The method of plotting is as follows. As described above, the training difficulty levels include "1. Easy", "2. Somewhat easy", "3. Standard", "4. Somewhat difficult", and "5. Difficult". For example, if "3. standard" is selected, the plotting standard is 3. When "1. Easy" and "2. Somewhat easy" are selected, the criteria for plotting are 2 and 1, respectively. On the other hand, when "4. Somewhat difficult" and "5. Difficult" are selected, the plot standards are 4 and 5, respectively. Then, each odor is plotted as a point of "-1" from the reference for one error and "-2" from the reference for two errors. On the other hand, after correcting once for each odor, when the correct answer is obtained with a smaller release amount, the plot is plotted as "+1" from the standard, and when the correct answer is obtained with a smaller release amount, the plot is plotted as "+2" from the standard. When the upper limit and the lower limit are reached, they are plotted at 5 and 0, respectively.

Furthermore, a message indicating the olfactory ability determined according to the difference between the olfactory age of the user (average olfactory age of each odor) and the user's actual age is predetermined as follows. For example, if the difference is in the range of +10 years old or more, "olfactory function is declining", if it is under +10 years old and +3 years old, it is "beginner" (below standard)", and under +3 years old is less than -3 years old. For large ranges, a message of "intermediate (age-appropriate)" is defined. If the difference is less than -3 years old and more than -10 years old, "advanced (standard or higher)" is defined, and if it is less than -10 years old, "sommelier (perfumer)" is defined.
In the example of FIG. 14, the actual age of the user is 43 years old, and the olfactory age (average value) of the user obtained above is 45 years old. Therefore, the difference between the user's olfactory age (average value) and the user's actual age is +2 years old, which is in the range of less than +3 years old and greater than -3 years old. "Intermediate level (suitable for age)" is displayed.

The date area 284 is an area for displaying the date of olfactory training. Buttons 286 to 290 are a button for instructing saving of results, a button for instructing to re-execute olfactory training, and a button for instructing to end olfactory training.

When the button 290 is pressed, in step 134, the image processing section 44 displays an end screen (not shown) on the screen of the display device 32, and the process ends.

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of the olfactory training data processing program. Olfactory training data processing by the server 12 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. When the CPU 22 of the server 12 executes the olfactory training data processing program, the olfactory training data processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is realized. When the olfactory training data processing program starts, in step 152 the communication processing unit 62 determines whether or not user data has been received from the client 10 . If it is determined that the user data has not been received, this determination is repeated until it is determined that the user data has been received.

If it is determined that user data has been received, then in step 154 the release amount determination processing unit 64 extracts the age of the user from the user data, and in step 156 the release amount determination processing unit 64 extracts a plurality of odors. Based on the relationship between the age and the release amount of the odor component per unit time for each odor, the release amount of the odor component per unit time corresponding to the extracted age is obtained for each odor.

Here, the relationship between age and the release amount of odor components per unit time will be explained. In the following, the case of n=1 (smell A) will be explained, but since the concept of the other smells B to F is the same as that of smell A, the explanation thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 15 shows the relationship between age and release amount of odor components per unit time for odor A. In FIG. The release amount of the odor component per unit time is determined by the following experiment. That is, an experiment was conducted on a plurality of subjects of the same age, while gradually increasing the release amount of the odorant component, and determining the release amount at which each of the plurality of subjects could perceive the odor. The average value of the release amount per unit time at which the odor becomes recognizable is defined as the release amount of the odor component per unit time.

The above relationships are obtained for each of the odors A to F and stored in the storage device 38 of the server 12 . In step 156, the release amount determination processing unit 64 acquires the above-described relationship for each odor A to F and the release amount Pn0 per unit time of the odor component corresponding to the user's age AGO for each odor.

In step 158, the release amount determination processing unit 64 corrects the release amount per unit time of the odor component acquired for each odor according to the set level of difficulty. As described above, the difficulty level input area 222 has five levels: "1. Easy", "2. Somewhat easy", "3. Normal", "4. Somewhat difficult", and "5. Difficult". . If "3. standard" is set, the correction amount of the emission amount is 0. If “2. Fairly easy” is set, the value is doubled from the release amount obtained in step 156 . If “1. easy” is set, the value is set to four times the release amount obtained in step 156 . If "4. Slightly difficult" is set, the value is set to 1/2 times the release amount obtained in step 156 . If “5. Somewhat difficult” is set, the value is set to 1/4 times the release amount obtained in step 156 .

At step 160, the symbol determination processing unit 66 selects, from the user's history data, a symbol that has not been used in a plurality of past trainings for each smell.

FIG. 16 shows a plurality of different patterns for each of a plurality of groups, eg, 6 groups, and a plurality of types, eg, 5 types, of odors. For example, the fruit group includes five types of mandarin oranges, apples, bananas, melons, and kiwis. A plurality of, for example, five different pattern data are stored for each type. As for mandarin oranges, there are five different designs A1-1, A1-2, . . . A1-5. For apples, there are five different symbols A2-1, A2-2, . . . A2-5. For bananas, there are 5 different symbols A3-1, A3-2, . . . A3-5. For melon, there are 5 different designs A4-1, A4-2, . . . A4-5. For kiwi, there are 5 different designs A5-1, A5-2, . . . A5-5. The same applies to other groups. Note that A1-1 and the like are identification information (for example, number) of the pattern. These pattern data are stored in the storage device 38 of the server 12 in correspondence with the corresponding numbers.

FIG. 17 shows user history data indicating which pattern was used for each smell in the past olfactory training for each user. For example, for user (〇〇〇〇), in the olfactory training that started at the start time of 〇〇 month 〇〇, 〇〇: 〇〇, for smell A, A1-1, A1- 2, . . . A1-5 are stored, and it can be recognized that the symbols A1-1, A1-2, . Numbers are similarly stored for other scents, and it is possible to recognize which pattern is used. The same applies to the olfactory training started at other start dates and times.

Then, in step 160, the symbol determination processing unit 66 selects, from the user's history data, a symbol that has not been used in the past training of a plurality of times, for example, three times, for each smell. In the example shown in FIG. 17, for example, for the smell A, in the past three times, the patterns identified by A1-1, A1-2, A1-3, etc. were used. Therefore, this time, a pattern identified by a type other than these, for example, A1-4, A2-4, . . . is selected.

At step 162 , the communication processing unit 62 transmits the release amount per unit time of each odor component of each odor corrected at step 158 and the data of each pattern selected at step 160 .

At step 164, the memory processing unit 68 adds the current symbol numbers A1-4, A2-4, . . . A5-4 to the history data of the user.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to carry out olfactory training in a simple and enjoyable manner, so that it is possible to guide the user to continue olfactory training.
By the way, it has been reported that the sense of smell declines with aging (PSYCHOGERIATRICS 2011; 11: 196-20499), and the relationship between decreased olfactory ability, mortality, and dementia (PLOS ONE 2014; 9; 2013; 50:243-248). Olfactory training has also been reported to improve olfactory abilities (Laryngoscope 2009; 119:496-499).
According to the present embodiment, by continuously performing olfactory training, for example, continuously several times a day, the number of olfactory nerve cells increases, the network of brain circuits is strengthened, and the user can improve olfactory ability, Furthermore, it becomes possible to prevent dementia and extend life. Also, daily health checks are possible.

Next, various modifications will be described. It should be noted that the following modified examples can be combined arbitrarily. For example, all of the first to twelfth modifications may be combined, or two or more but less than twelve of the first to twelfth modifications may be combined.
(First modification)
In the embodiment described above, the olfactory training system includes a client 10, a server 12, and an odor component releasing device 16, as shown in FIG. The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, only the client 10 may be provided and the function of the server 12 may also be performed by the client 10 .

(Second modification)
The odor component release device 16 has six odor component tanks, and releases odor components from each tank through each release port. The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, an odor component releasing device is provided with a plurality of odor component tanks and one release port, and extracts and mixes odor components from the plurality of odor component tanks at a predetermined ratio to generate and release a predetermined odor component. may be used.

(Third modification)
In the above embodiment, the environmental humidity does not matter when the odor component is released. The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the user releases the odor components while setting the humidity of the space where the user smells the odor components from the odor component releasing device 16 to a predetermined optimum humidity, for example, 50% relative humidity (RH (relative humidity)). can be In this case, the odorant releasing device may evaporate and humidify the odorant so that the odorant does not adhere to the moisture.

(Fourth modification)
In the above embodiment, when the correct or incorrect answer is selected for the first time, the design is not changed when repeating the olfactory training until the incorrect or correct answer is obtained. The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. Although the types are the same, different patterns may be presented. For example, in the first olfactory training, if the patterns of A1-1, A2-1, ... A5-1 are used, in the next repeated olfactory training, A1-2, A2-2, ... A5 For example, a symbol of -2 is used.

(Fifth Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, when the correct answer is selected for the first time, the olfactory training is repeated with the release amount of the odor component reduced (step 114) until the incorrect answer is obtained. The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, when the correct answer is selected for the first time, the olfactory training may be immediately performed for another odor.

(Sixth modification)
In the above embodiment, when an incorrect answer is selected for the first time, the olfactory training is repeated until the correct answer is obtained by increasing the release amount of the odor component (step 122). The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, if an incorrect answer is selected for the first time, the olfactory training may be performed up to "the number of presented symbols-2" times.

(Seventh Modification)
In the above embodiment, the relationship between the age and the release amount of odor components per unit time for each odor (see FIG. 15) is determined regardless of gender. The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the above relationship (FIG. 15) may be determined for each gender, and the release amount may be determined with consideration given to gender information. Also, the release amount of the odor component per unit time may be determined by the following experiment. That is, an experiment is conducted with a plurality of subjects of the same age to find out how many of the subjects could perceive the odor while gradually increasing the release amount of the odor component. The release amount per unit time at which the majority of people can perceive the odor is defined as the release amount of the odor component per unit time.

(Eighth modification)
In the above embodiment, the release amount of the odor component per unit time is determined according to the age. The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, although the release amount per unit time is constant, the release time of the odor component may be determined according to the age. Also, the concentration gradient of the release amount per unit time may be determined according to the age. Specifically, at least one of the release amount per unit time, the release time, and the concentration gradient of the release amount per unit time may be determined according to age.

(Ninth modification)
In the above embodiment, the number of symbols to be displayed is constant regardless of the difficulty level. The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the number of symbols to be displayed may be increased as the difficulty level increases.

(Tenth Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the pattern displayed when the odor component is emitted is the type of pattern belonging to the group to which the odor belongs, regardless of the difficulty level. The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, when the difficulty level is "1. Easy", one pattern (for example, A1-1, B1-1, C1-1, D1-1, E1 -1) is selected and displayed. The number of patterns of odors relatively similar to the correct odor is increased according to the cases where the difficulty level is "2. Slightly easy", "3. Standard", and "4. Slightly difficult". When the difficulty level is "5. difficult", five types of symbols (for example, A1-1, A2-1, A3-1, A4-1, A5 -1) is displayed.

(11th modification)
In the above embodiment, the user's olfactory age for each odor is determined according to the olfactory age calculation formula. I'm trying to get it fixed. The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and may be as follows.

There are the following three cases in which the user's olfactory age increases (gets older) for each odor.
First, even if the correct answer is selected in the first odor release, "1. Easy" and "2. Somewhat easy" are selected as the training difficulty level. When "1. Easy" is selected, the olfactory age is higher (older) than when "2. Fairly easy" is selected.
Secondly, the number of consecutive incorrect answers increases.
Thirdly, even if the correct answer is selected in the initial odor release, the displayed pattern is a pattern that clearly distinguishes the odors.
In the technique of the present disclosure, the user's olfactory age is determined according to at least one of the first to third cases. The above embodiment is a combination of the first case and the second case.

There are three cases where the olfactory age of the user is reduced (rejuvenated) for each odor.
Fourthly, even if the correct answer is selected in the initial odor release, "4. somewhat difficult" and "5. difficult" are selected as the training difficulty level. When "5. difficult" is selected, the olfactory age becomes smaller (rejuvenated) than when "4. somewhat difficult" is selected.
Fifth, there is a case where the number of consecutive correct answers increases.
Sixthly, even if the correct answer is selected in the initial odor release, the pattern to be displayed is a pattern in which the difference in odors is not clear.
In the technology of the present disclosure, the user's olfactory age is determined according to at least one of the fourth to sixth cases. The above embodiment is a combination of the fourth case and the fifth case.

(Twelfth Modification)
In the embodiment described above, when the first correct answer is given, the same odor is emitted with decreasing concentration until the wrong answer is given. Release while thickening. Therefore, the correct answer message display area 264 of the correct answer screen 260 shown in FIG. 12 and the incorrect answer message display area 274 of the incorrect answer screen 270 shown in FIG. …” message is displayed. The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and may be as follows.
A correct message display area 264 of the correct answer screen 260 shown in FIG. In the incorrect answer message display area 274 of , a message "It smells even stronger..." may be displayed.
Also, once a certain smell is released, another scent may be released when the answer is correct, when the answer is incorrect, or when the non-selection time elapses for a certain period of time. In this case, as shown in FIG. 19, the correct message display area 264 of the correct answer screen 260 may display the message "It smells different....". Similarly, in the incorrect answer message display area 274 of the incorrect answer screen 270, the message "There is a different smell...." may be displayed.

10 Client 12 Server 14 Network 16 Odor component release device 22 CPU
42 communication processing unit 44 image processing unit 46 reception processing unit 48 odor component release processing unit 50 storage processing unit 62 communication processing unit 64 release amount determination processing unit 66 symbol determination processing unit 68 storage processing unit

Claims (8)

A method implemented by a processor, comprising:
The processor
Image processing partAsDisplay multiple choices including correct answersdeath,
Odor component release processing unitAsReleases odor components in a release state that is determined according to the age of the traineeoutput instructions to
Reception processing partAsReceiving a selection result of an option by the trainee,
The reception processing unitAsIt is determined whether or not the correct answer is selected by comparing the correct answer and the selection result.death,
The reception processing unitAsAccepts training difficulty levels,
The image processing sectionAsBased on the age of the trainee, the correction coefficient set according to the odor component, the correction coefficient set according to the level, the number of correct selections, and the number of incorrect selections. Calculate the olfactory age obtained by multiplying the correction coefficient set bydoOlfactory ability derivation method. The processor The odor component release processing unitAsWhen the selection result is the correct selection, the release state is changed so that the release amount of the odor component is reduced, and when the selection result is the incorrect selection, the release state is changed to the odor component. Changed to increase the release amount and release the odorant in the changed release stateoutput instructions toThe method for deriving olfactory ability according to claim 1. The processor The odor component release processing unitAsdetermining the release state according to the age and the level;
The method for deriving olfactory ability according to claim 1 or 2. The processor
The reception processing unitAsMore tolerant of training difficulty levelsexecute,
The image processing sectionAsAs the difficulty level is higher, options similar to the correct option are displayed as options other than the correct option.
The method for deriving olfactory ability according to claim 1 or 2. The processor The odor component release processing unitAsReleases the odor componentsoutput instructions toWhen doing so, the humidity of the environment where the odor component is released is set to a predetermined humidity.output instructions todo,
The method for deriving olfactory ability according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The processor
AmnesticsAsFurther storing information of a plurality of options displayed when the method for deriving olfactory ability is executed.execute,
The image processing sectionAsWhen displaying the plurality of options, display a plurality of options that are not the plurality of options displayed when the method for deriving olfactory ability was executed last time.
The method for deriving olfactory ability according to any one of claims 1 to 3. An olfactory ability derivation program that causes a computer to execute the olfactory ability derivation method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. a storage medium storing an olfactory ability derivation program for causing a processor to execute an olfactory ability derivation method;
a processing device that executes the olfactory ability derivation method by executing an olfactory ability derivation program stored in the storage medium;
An olfactory ability derivation device comprising:
The olfactory ability derivation method is the olfactory ability derivation method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Olfactory ability derivation device.

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