JP7469040B2 - Information processing device, information processing method, information processing program, and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, an information processing program, an information processing system, and a terminal program.

Conventionally, there is known a technology that combines absorbent articles with digital technology to provide various information to users. For example, there is known a technology that provides users with diagnostic results (e.g., menstrual cycle, etc.) based on images of secretions attached to an absorbent article.

International Publication No. 2019/123628

However, the above-mentioned conventional technology merely involves image diagnosis, and may not necessarily enable female users to accurately understand their health condition.

This application was made in consideration of the above, and aims to enable female users to accurately understand their current health condition.

The information processing device according to the present application is characterized by having an acquisition unit that acquires component information indicating components detected from a user's secretions adhering to an absorbent article worn by the user, and an estimation unit that estimates physical information indicating a female's physical condition to the user based on the component information acquired by the acquisition unit.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to allow female users to accurately understand their current health condition.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of information processing according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a result information storage unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a linkage information storage unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a terminal device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an information processing procedure according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration.

The present specification and accompanying drawings make clear at least the following:

(Claim 1)
An information processing device characterized by having an acquisition unit that acquires component information indicating components detected from a user's secretions adhering to an absorbent article worn by the user, and an estimation unit that estimates physical information indicating a female physical condition to the user based on the component information acquired by the acquisition unit.

According to such an information processing device, component information indicating components detected from the user's secretions adhering to an absorbent article worn by the user is acquired, and physical information indicating the female's physical condition is estimated for the user based on the acquired component information. This allows the information processing device to accurately grasp the health condition of the female user. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 can manage for each user what physical information was estimated from what type of detection unit was attached to what type of absorbent article, and therefore can appropriately manage the physical information. As a result, the information processing device 100 can support the user in appropriately managing the physical information even when the user uses, for example, different types of absorbent articles with detection units attached.

(Claim 2)
The information processing device also acquires, as the component information, non-visible information of the secretion that is different from image information of the secretion.

With such an information processing device, component information is obtained as non-visible information about the secretions, which is different from image information about the secretions, making it possible to estimate the user's physical condition with high accuracy.

(Claim 3)
In addition, the information processing device further acquires visible information obtained based on image information of the secretion as the component information, and estimates physical information indicating the physical condition of the woman to the user based on the acquired visible or non-visible information.

According to such an information processing device, visible information obtained based on image information of the secretions is further obtained as component information, and physical information indicating the female's physical condition to the user is estimated based on the obtained visible or non-visible information, so that the user's physical condition can be estimated with a higher degree of accuracy.

(Claim 4)
Furthermore, the information processing device acquires, as the component information, component information indicating components detected from the secretion by a predetermined detector attached to the absorbent article.

With such an information processing device, the component information obtained indicates the components detected from the secretions by a specific detection unit attached to the absorbent article, so that the component information can be obtained easily with less physical burden on the user.

(Claim 5)
The information processing device also acquires the component information by communicating with a predetermined detector attached to the absorbent article, or with a predetermined terminal device that acquires the component information from the predetermined detector.

With such an information processing device, the component information is obtained by communicating with a specified detection unit attached to the absorbent article or a specified terminal device that has obtained the component information from the specified detection unit, thereby improving the convenience of obtaining component information from the user.

(Claim 6)
The information processing device also acquires the component information by communicating with a terminal device used by the user as the specific terminal device, or a dedicated waste box in which the absorbent article is disposed of.

According to such an information processing device, the component information is obtained by communicating with the terminal device used by the user as the specified terminal device, thereby improving the convenience of obtaining component information from the user.

(Claim 7)
Moreover, the information processing device, as the predetermined terminal device, acquires the component information by communicating with a dedicated waste box in which the absorbent article is disposed.

According to such an information processing device, the component information is obtained by communicating with a dedicated waste box in which absorbent articles are disposed of as a specified terminal device, thereby improving the convenience of obtaining component information from the user.

(Claim 8)
The information processing device also acquires, as the component information, component information indicating components detected from the secretion by a predetermined sensor attached to the disposal box.

With such an information processing device, the component information obtained indicates the components detected from the secretions by a specific sensor attached to the waste box, so the component information can be easily obtained without requiring any special operations by the user.

(Claim 9)
In addition, the information processing device acquires the component information by obtaining an image of the absorbent article captured by the specified terminal device, in which the component information is indicated as a detection result by the specified detection unit.

With such an information processing device, the component information is obtained by acquiring an image of an absorbent article captured by a specified terminal device, in which the component information is displayed as a detection result by a specified detection unit, thereby improving the convenience of acquiring component information from a user.

(Claim 10)
The information processing device also obtains the component information indicating components detected from the secretions adhering to a female absorbent article as the absorbent article.

This type of information processing device obtains component information indicating components detected from secretions adhering to absorbent articles for women, making it possible to accurately grasp the health condition of female users.

(Claim 11)
The information processing device also estimates, based on the component information, information related to menstruation or information related to a female disease as the physical information.

With such an information processing device, physical information such as information about menstruation or information about female diseases can be estimated based on the component information, thereby effectively supporting the health management of female users.

(Claim 12)
The information processing device also estimates, as the information relating to menstruation, the menstrual cycle, the menstrual period, the day of ovulation, or changes in physical condition associated with the menstrual cycle.

Such an information processing device can estimate information related to menstruation, such as the menstrual cycle, menstrual period, ovulation date, or changes in physical condition associated with the menstrual cycle, thereby effectively supporting the health management of female users.

(Claim 13)
The information processing device further includes a management unit that manages information indicating a specific service and the physical information in association with each other so that the physical information can be used in the specific service.

With such an information processing device, information indicating a specific service is associated with physical information and managed so that the physical information can be used in the specific service, and the user can easily link the estimated physical information about the user to the specific service, thereby obtaining more appropriate and accurate information from the specific service.

(Claim 14)
Furthermore, the information processing device manages the physical information in association with information indicating a predetermined service, such as a menstrual calendar service or a health consultation service, so that the physical information can be used as the predetermined service.

According to such an information processing device, the physical information is associated with information indicating a specified service, such as a menstrual calendar service or a health consultation service, so that the physical information can be used as a specified service, and the user can obtain more appropriate and accurate information from the menstrual calendar service or health consultation service.

(Claim 15)
In addition, in a constitution diagnosis service that diagnoses a user's constitution and provides the diagnosis results as the specified service, the information processing device manages the physical information in association with information indicating the specified service so that the physical information can be used.

According to such an information processing device, in a constitution diagnosis service that diagnoses a user's constitution and provides the diagnosis results as a specified service, information indicating the specified service is associated with physical information so that the physical information can be used, and the user can obtain more appropriate and accurate information from the constitution diagnosis service.

(Claim 16)
The information processing device further includes a providing unit that provides the user with the physical information estimated by the estimation unit based on component information indicating components detected from the user's secretions.

With such an information processing device, the user is provided with estimated physical information based on component information indicating components detected from the user's secretions, allowing the female user to accurately understand her current health condition.

(Claim 17)
In addition, the information processing device further provides the user with information quantitatively indicating the component information or information quantitatively indicating the physical information as recommendation information recommending that the information be presented to a medical institution.

With such an information processing device, quantitative information showing component information or quantitative information showing physical information is provided to the user as recommended information that is recommended to be presented to a medical institution, thereby helping the user to receive an appropriate diagnosis.

(Claim 18)
The information processing device further provides the user with measure information indicating a measure that has been determined based on the physical information and that can improve the condition indicated by the physical information.

Such an information processing device provides the user with measure information that indicates measures determined based on physical information and that can improve the condition indicated by the physical information, thereby effectively supporting the user's health management.

(Claim 19)
In addition, the information processing device further provides the user with information indicating a correct wearing style, if it determines that the user is wearing the absorbent article in an incorrect style based on the wearing style of the user's absorbent article, which is a wearing style estimated from the adhesion status of the secretions on the absorbent article.

According to such an information processing device, when it is determined that the user is wearing the absorbent article in an incorrect manner based on the manner in which the absorbent article is worn by the user, information indicating the correct wearing manner is provided to the user, thereby enabling accurate component detection by the detection unit.

(Claim 20)
The information processing device further provides the user with product information indicating products that are determined based on the physical information and that are recommended for use by the user.

This type of information processing device provides the user with product information indicating products that are determined based on physical information and are recommended for use by the user, thereby effectively supporting the user in both health and mental aspects.

(Claim 21)
Furthermore, when the physical information indicates that the user's body is in a predetermined physical condition, the information processing device provides, as the product, product information indicating a product corresponding to the predetermined physical condition.

With such an information processing device, if the physical information indicates that the user's body is in a specified physical condition, product information is provided that indicates a product that corresponds to that specified physical condition, thereby effectively supporting the user in both health and mental aspects.

[Embodiment]
An example of a form for implementing an information processing device, an information processing method, an information processing program, an information processing system, and a terminal program (hereinafter, referred to as an "embodiment") will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing device, the information processing method, the information processing program, the information processing system, and the terminal program are not limited to this embodiment. Also, the same components in the following embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

1. Overview of information processing according to an embodiment
First, an overview of information processing according to the embodiment will be described based on the premise of the embodiment. For example, an absorbent article equipped with a dedicated kit for collecting menstrual blood and secretions is known. When using such an absorbent article, a user can collect menstrual blood and secretions without pain, but by simply looking at the collection results of the kit, the user cannot, for example, accurately grasp changes in a woman's physical condition (physical and mental conditions related to menstruation) or appropriately manage information related to a woman's physical condition (menstruation and ovulation).

In addition, absorbent articles are known that include biosensors that detect target biological samples on or through the skin and generate a signal if the user is in a particular disease state. Similarly, when such absorbent articles are used, it is not possible to accurately grasp changes in a woman's physical condition or to appropriately manage information regarding the woman's physical condition.

In addition, there is known technology that provides users with diagnostic results (e.g., menstrual cycle, etc.) based on images of secretions attached to absorbent articles. However, this technology merely involves image diagnosis, and so users are unable to accurately grasp their physical condition related to menstruation or properly manage information related to menstruation.

Therefore, in this embodiment, we focus on estimating physical information indicating a woman's physical condition based on components detected from the user's secretions attached to an absorbent article, and providing the estimated physical information to the user after appropriately managing it.

For this reason, the information processing device according to the embodiment performs the following information processing as the information processing according to the embodiment. Specifically, the information processing device acquires component information indicating components detected from the user's secretions adhering to the absorbent article worn by the user, and estimates physical information indicating the female's physical condition to the user based on the acquired component information. For example, the information processing device estimates physical information indicating the female's physical condition to the user based on component information indicating specific components detected from the secretions as component information. Also, for example, the information processing device estimates physical information such as information related to menstruation, information related to female diseases, and information related to changes in the female's physical condition based on the component information. Then, the information processing device provides the estimated physical information to the user who originated the estimation.

In the following embodiment, the information processing device 100 is taken as an example of an information processing device that performs the above-mentioned information processing. The information processing device 100 according to the embodiment is realized by a server device, a cloud system, or the like. In the following embodiment, the absorbent article is an absorbent article for women, and the target users are female users.

[2. Information Processing System]
An example of information processing according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Prior to this, an information processing system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment includes a terminal device 10 and an information processing device 100. The terminal device 10 and the information processing device 100 are connected to each other via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other via a wired or wireless connection.

The terminal device 10 is an information processing terminal used by a user and is an example of a specific terminal device. The terminal device 10 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc.

[3. Terminal Programs]
An application (terminal program) that realizes transmission and reception of information between the terminal device 10, which is an information processing terminal used by a user, is pre-installed (installed) on the terminal device 10. Hereinafter, such an application may be referred to as an "application AP." The application AP is an application for executing an acquisition procedure for acquiring component information indicating components detected from the user's secretions adhering to an absorbent article worn by the user, and an output procedure for outputting physical information indicating a female's physical condition estimated based on the component information acquired by the acquisition procedure.

As will be explained in detail in FIG. 1, the terminal device 10 acquires component information indicating components detected from the user's secretions adhering to an absorbent article worn by the user by photographing or using a predetermined communication method. The terminal device 10 then transmits the acquired component information to the information processing device 100. In addition, the terminal device 10 receives the physical information transmitted from the information processing device 100, and controls the display of the received physical information on the display screen (output unit 14) of the terminal device itself.

[4. Absorbent articles]
The absorbent article according to the embodiment is an absorbent article (napkin) for women, and is provided with a predetermined detection unit. Examples of the predetermined detection unit include a tester (test paper) and a sensor. The tester (test paper) is provided with a reagent that reacts with a specific component contained in the user's secretions (e.g., menstrual blood, vaginal discharge, urine, feces, etc.) attached to the absorbent article or absorbed by the absorbent article and changes color, so that the components of menstrual blood, vaginal discharge, urine, feces, etc. can be detected by a change in color. Similarly, the sensor can detect a specific component contained in the user's secretions (e.g., menstrual blood, vaginal discharge, urine, feces, etc.). In addition, the sensor has a function of being able to communicate with the terminal device 10 or the information processing device 100 by a specific communication method (e.g., short-distance communication). In this embodiment, an existing absorbent article can be used as an absorbent article having such a detection unit.

Note that examples of what is described as a component here may include, for example, substances such as hormones in secretions, or properties of secretions such as temperature, pH, viscosity, and odor. In addition, the components may be invisible information that is difficult to grasp by directly viewing the secretions (for example, menstrual blood, vaginal discharge, urine, feces, etc.), or may be visible information that can be grasped by directly viewing, such as the color of the secretions and how the secretions spread. For this reason, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment acquires, as component information, information different from image information indicating the secretions, that is, invisible information indicating the secretions. Of course, the information processing device 100 may also acquire information visible from the image information of the secretions (visible information acquired based on image information). In addition, the information processing device 100 estimates physical information indicating the physical condition of the woman to the user based on the invisible information or image information as described above.

The absorbent article may be a product that is manufactured with a specified detection unit (e.g., a tester or a sensor) attached, or may be a product to which a user can later attach a specified detection unit (e.g., a tester or a sensor). In addition, if the product is one to which a specified detection unit can be later attached by a user, the specified detection unit may be enclosed together with the absorbent article (for example, the specified detection unit may be enclosed in the same product package, or may be attached to or enclosed in an individual package that individually packages the product). In addition, the specified detection unit may be sold separately. In addition, in the case of an absorbent article to which a detection unit is attached, the absorbent article may be configured so that the detection unit is visible when attached, or may be configured so that the detection unit is invisible and can be seen by pulling out or removing the detection unit, etc.

Also, for example, if the detection unit is attached to or enclosed in an individual package that individually packages the product, the user can photograph the absorbent article using the individual package as a backing.

5. An example of information processing
From here, an example of information processing according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of information processing according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 1, an absorbent article OB1 is shown as an example of an absorbent article. In addition, in the example of FIG. 1, an example is shown in which a detection unit DU1 is attached to the absorbent article OB1 as an example of a predetermined detection unit. In addition, in the example of FIG. 1, the detection unit DU1 is assumed to be a tester as described above. In addition, in the example of FIG. 1, a user U1 is shown as an example of a user. Therefore, the absorbent article OB1 is worn by the user U1, and is assumed to have secretions (for example, menstrual blood, vaginal discharge, urine, feces, etc.) of the user U1 attached thereto (absorbed thereto).

In this state, for example, when secretions come into contact with detection unit DU1, detection unit DU1 detects a specific component of the secretions (e.g., a component of menstrual blood) due to the action of the reagent (step S1). In the example of FIG. 1, detection unit DU1 detects a specific component of the secretions as a result of the specific component reacting with the reagent. Furthermore, information such as the type of color change exhibited by detection unit DU1 corresponds to component information indicating the specific component of the secretions.

Next, the terminal device 10 photographs the absorbent article OB1 in a manner that includes the detection unit DU1, which has undergone a color change due to the detection of a specific component of the secretions in response to the operation of the user U1 (step S2). As a result, the terminal device 10 acquires a photographed image in which the component information is indicated as the detection result by the detection unit DU1 (step S3). That is, the terminal device 10 acquires, through the photographing operation of the user U1, from the detection unit DU1, component information (component information corresponding to the user U1) indicating the specific component detected from the secretions of the user U1 by the detection unit DU1.

It is also possible to estimate the color and amount of secretions from the captured image. Therefore, the process of the terminal device 10 acquiring the captured image also includes the process of further acquiring information indicating the color of the secretions and information indicating the amount of secretions. For this reason, in step S3, the terminal device 10 further acquires information indicating the color of the secretions of user U1 and information indicating the amount of secretions as component information.

Next, the terminal device 10 transmits the captured image in step S3 to the information processing device 100 in response to the operation of the user U1 (step S4). That is, the terminal device 10 transmits component information corresponding to the user U1 to the information processing device 100 in response to the operation of the user U1. At this time, the terminal device 10 also transmits a user ID that identifies the user, and a detection unit ID that identifies the detection unit that detected the component in the user's secretions. In the example of FIG. 1, the terminal device 10 transmits the user ID "U1" that identifies the user U1, and the detection unit ID "DU1" that identifies the detection unit DU1 that detected the specific component in the user U1, together with the captured image.

In the example of FIG. 1, since the detector DU1 is a tester, the user U1 can manually input the detector ID "DU1" to cause the terminal device 10 to transmit the detector ID "DU1" to the information processing device 100. In addition, to enable such input, the terminal device 10 may guide the user U1 to input the detector ID according to the control of the app AP.

When the information processing device 100 receives the captured image from the terminal device 10 and consequently acquires the component information, the information processing device 100 estimates physical information indicating the physical condition of the woman for the user U1 based on the acquired component information (step S5). Specifically, the information processing device 100 estimates physical information indicating the physical condition of the woman for the user U1 based on the components detected from the secretions of the user U1, the color of the secretions of the user U1, and the amount of the secretions of the user U1. Note that the information processing device 100 may estimate the color and amount of the secretions by analyzing the captured image, or the terminal device 10 may estimate the color and amount of the secretions from the captured image according to the control of the app AP. When the terminal device 10 estimates the color and amount of the secretions, the terminal device 10 transmits the estimated color and amount to the information processing device 100 together with the captured image in step S4, for example.

As another example, the information processing device 100 estimates information related to menstruation or information related to a female disease as physical information based on the component information. For example, the information processing device 100 estimates the menstrual cycle, menstrual period, ovulation date, or changes in physical condition associated with the menstrual cycle as information related to menstruation.

In addition, since absorbent articles are disposable products, in the example of FIG. 1, the information processing device 100 estimates physical information from the component information for one use of the absorbent article. However, the information processing device 100 may estimate physical information based on a set of component information for a predetermined number of uses. For example, assume that user U1 has used an absorbent article three times in the past month. In this example, the information processing device 100 obtains component information for each use, and therefore estimates physical information indicating the female physical condition for user U1 based on the component information for the three uses.

Next, the information processing device 100 manages, in association with a user ID identifying the user for whom the component was detected, a detection unit ID identifying the detection unit that detected the component in the secretions of the user identified by the user ID, component information indicating the component detected by the detection unit identified by the detection unit ID, and physical information estimated from the component information (step S6). For example, the information processing device 100 can perform such management in the result information storage unit 121. Here, an example of the result information storage unit 121 according to the embodiment is shown using FIG. 2. In the example of FIG. 2, the result information storage unit 121 has items such as "user ID", "detection unit ID", "history ID", "component information", and "physical information".

"User ID" indicates identification information that identifies the user for whom the component was detected. "Detection unit ID" indicates identification information that identifies the detection unit that detected the component in the secretions of the user indicated by the "user ID." Although not shown in FIG. 2, the "detection unit ID" of the detection unit attached to the absorbent article may further be associated with identification information of the absorbent article (e.g., a product ID, etc.).

"History ID" indicates identification information that identifies a set of "component information" from one use of the absorbent article and "physical information" estimated based on this "component information" as one use's history. "Component information" indicates component information indicating a specific component (specific component of secretions) detected from secretions attached when the user indicated by "user ID" used the absorbent article once, by the detection unit indicated by "detection unit ID". Note that "component information" also includes information indicating the amount of secretions and information indicating the color of the secretions. "Physical information" indicates physical information estimated from one use of "component information".

For example, in the example of FIG. 1, component information indicating components detected from the secretions of user U1 by detection unit DU1 is conceptually referred to as component information "CP11", and physical information that is an estimated result estimated by information processing device 100 from component information "CP11" is conceptually referred to as physical information "ER11". Then, as in the example of result information storage unit 121 shown in FIG. 2, information processing device 100 issues history ID "LID11", and registers detection unit ID "DU1", history ID "LID11", component information "CP11", and physical information "ER11" in association with user ID "U1".

In addition, the information processing device 100 manages the user ID and the physical information corresponding to the user identified by the user ID in association with a service ID that identifies a specific service, so that the physical information can be used in the specific service (step S7). For example, the information processing device 100 can perform such management in the linkage information storage unit 122. Here, an example of the linkage information storage unit 122 according to the embodiment is shown using FIG. 3. In the example of FIG. 3, the linkage information storage unit 122 has items such as "service ID", "user ID", and "physical information".

"Service ID" indicates identification information for identifying a specific service. Examples of specific services include a menstrual calendar service or a health consultation service. Another example of a specific service is a constitution diagnosis service that diagnoses a user's constitution and provides the diagnosis results. "User ID" is identification information for identifying the user for whom component detection was performed, and corresponds to the "user ID" in the result information storage unit 121. "Physical information" is physical information estimated from one session of "component information," and corresponds to the "physical information" in the result information storage unit 121.

In the example of the linkage information storage unit 122 shown in FIG. 3, a user ID "U1" and an estimation result "ER11" are associated with a service ID "SA1." This example shows an example in which physical information "ER11" corresponding to user U1 is managed so that it can be used in service SA1.

By performing such management, for example, the user can use his/her user ID to link the physical information estimated from his/her own component information to a menstrual calendar app. As a result, the convenience of the information processing device 100 and the menstrual calendar app can be improved. Also, for example, the user can use his/her user ID to link the physical information estimated from his/her own component information to a health consultation service app. As a result, the convenience of the information processing device 100 and the health consultation service app can be improved. Also, for example, the user can use his/her user ID to link the physical information estimated from his/her own component information to a constitution diagnosis app. As a result, the convenience of the information processing device 100 and the constitution diagnosis app can be improved. Note that the information processing device 100 may incorporate the physical information into an application corresponding to a specific service itself, rather than registering the physical information so that the terminal device 10 can use the physical information in the specific service by linking with the specific service. Specifically, when an application corresponding to a specific service is deployed on the terminal device, the information processing device 100 may incorporate the physical information into a storage unit generated by the deployment.

Returning to the example of FIG. 1 for explanation, the information processing device 100 provides the user U1 with physical information estimated based on the component information corresponding to the user U1 (step S8). Specifically, the information processing device 100 distributes the physical information estimated based on the component information corresponding to the user U1 to the terminal device 10. For example, the information processing device 100 may generate content that displays the physical information estimated based on the component information corresponding to the user U1 and distribute the generated content to the terminal device 10, or may launch an app AP and send a push notification to check the physical information within the app AP.

Then, when the terminal device 10 receives the physical information, it controls the display so that the received physical information is displayed (output) on the display screen (output unit 14) (step S9). Note that, when the user launches the app AP in response to a push notification from the information processing device 100, the terminal device 10 may transmit a delivery request for content in which the physical information is displayed to the information processing device 100 in response to the launch of the app AP.

As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment acquires component information indicating specific components (specific components of secretions) detected from the user's secretions adhering to an absorbent article worn by the user, and estimates physical information indicating the female's physical condition for the user based on the acquired component information. The information processing device then provides the estimated physical information to the user who made the estimation. This allows the information processing device 100 to accurately grasp the health condition of the female user.

In addition, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment manages user information (user ID) indicating the user for whom component detection was performed, detection unit information (detection unit ID) indicating the detection unit that detected the component in the secretions of the user indicated by the user information, component information indicating the component detected by the detection unit indicated by the detection unit information, and physical information estimated from the component information in association with each other. This allows the information processing device 100 to manage for each user what physical information was estimated from what detection unit attached to what type of absorbent article, and therefore allows for appropriate management of physical information. As a result, the information processing device 100 can support users in appropriately managing their physical information, for example, even when the users use different types of absorbent articles with detection units attached.

[6. Variations in information processing]
The information processing device 100 according to the above embodiment may be implemented in various different forms other than the above embodiment. Therefore, other embodiments of the information processing device 100 will be described below.

[6-1. Acquisition of ingredient information (1)]
In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the information processing device 100 acquires component information from the detection unit through the terminal device 10 used by the user. Specifically, an example has been shown in which the information processing device 100 acquires component information from the terminal device 10, which is acquired by the terminal device 10 photographing the detection unit, through communication with the terminal device 10 used by the user.

However, various acquisition methods are possible depending on whether the detection unit is a tester or a sensor. First, an acquisition method different from that shown in FIG. 1 will be described for the case where the detection unit is a tester. The detection unit, which is a tester, cannot communicate with the terminal device 10 or the information processing device 100. Therefore, when the detection unit is a tester, the information processing device 100 acquires the component information by acquiring, from a specified terminal device, an image of the absorbent article captured by the specified terminal device so that the image includes the tester, as described in FIG. 1. However, the specified terminal device may not be the terminal device 10 used by the user, but may be a dedicated waste box, i.e., a sanitary box, in which absorbent articles are disposed of.

The sanitary box has, for example, a predetermined sensor (for example, a photographing function such as a camera) and a communication function. Therefore, when the sanitary box detects that an absorbent article has been placed inside (discarded), it acquires component information by photographing the absorbent article with the sensor. Then, the sanitary box transmits the photographed image showing the component information as the detection result to the information processing device 100. As a result, the information processing device 100 acquires component information showing the components detected by the detection unit, which is a tester, by communicating with the sanitary box.

In addition, since many users carry a terminal device 10, when an absorbent article is placed in the sanitary box, the sanitary box may transmit, as a user ID, the identification information of the nearest terminal device 10 among the terminal devices 10 with which the sanitary box was able to communicate by short-range communication, together with the captured image to the information processing device 100. In addition, when the sanitary box analyzes the captured image and is able to identify the type of product the absorbent article is, it may also transmit, for example, the product ID of the identified product or a detection unit ID linked to the product ID to the information processing device 100.

[6-2. Acquisition of ingredient information (2)]
Next, an acquisition method will be described when the detection unit is a sensor having a communication function. First, when the detection unit, which is a sensor, comes into contact with secretions, it detects specific components of the secretions, the color of the secretions, and the amount of the secretions using the functions of its own device. In addition, since the detection unit has a communication function, it transmits component information indicating the specific components of the secretions, the color of the secretions, and the amount of the secretions to the information processing device 100 without going through a specific terminal device (user's terminal device 10 or sanitary box).

For example, assuming that the detection unit, which is a sensor, is linked to the terminal device 10 of the user who uses the device, the detection unit transmits the user ID and detection unit ID along with the component information to the information processing device 100. As a result, the information processing device 100 acquires the component information directly from the detection unit by communicating with the detection unit without going through a specific terminal device (the user's terminal device 10 or a sanitary box).

In addition, when the detection unit, which is a sensor, is linked to the terminal device 10 of the user who uses the device itself, the detection unit may transmit the detection unit ID and component information to the linked terminal device 10, thereby causing the terminal device 10 to transmit the detection unit ID and component information to the information processing device 100. For example, when the detection unit detects that the terminal device 10 has come into contact, it transmits the component information to the terminal device 10 through short-range communication with the terminal device 10. In this case, the terminal device 10 transmits the user ID and detection unit ID to the information processing device 100 along with the component information. As a result, the information processing device 100 acquires the component information through communication with the terminal device 10.

In addition, the information processing device 100 may not only acquire information from the absorbent article as described above, but also acquire information input by the user. For example, the user inputs information such as diet (blood sugar level, cholesterol, salt), exercise, sleep, and mood via the terminal device 10 or via another device, and the terminal device 10 or another device transmits the input information to the information processing device 100. The information processing device 100 may then acquire information transmitted from the terminal device 10 or another device, and use the acquired information to estimate physical information. This allows the information processing device 100 to estimate physical information from a wide range of user information, thereby enabling more accurate health and physical condition management for women.

7. Configuration of terminal device
Next, the terminal device 10 used by a user will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the terminal device 10 has a communication unit 11, an input unit 12, an imaging unit 13, an output unit 14, and a control unit 15.

(Regarding communication unit 11)
The communication unit 11 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC) etc. The communication unit 11 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from, for example, a detection unit attached to the absorbent article and the information processing device 100.

(Regarding the input unit 12, the imaging unit 13, and the output unit 14)
The input unit 12 is an input device that accepts various operations from a user. For example, the input unit 12 is realized by a keyboard, a mouse, operation keys, etc. The output unit 14 is a display device for displaying various information. For example, the output unit 14 is realized by a liquid crystal display, etc. Note that, when a touch panel is adopted in the terminal device 10, the input unit 12 and the output unit 14 are integrated. Also, the output unit 14 corresponds to, for example, the display screen of the terminal device 10. Also, the imaging unit 13 corresponds to a camera function that captures an image of a target. The imaging unit 13 is controlled, for example, by an app AP.

(Regarding the control unit 15)
5, the control unit 15 is realized by a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), etc., executing various programs (e.g., a terminal program corresponding to an application AP) stored in a storage device inside the terminal device 10 using a RAM as a working area. The control unit 15 is also realized by an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 15 has an acquisition unit 15a, a transmission unit 15b, a reception unit 15c, and a display control unit 15d, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of the information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 15 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 5, and may be other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described below. Also, the connection relationship between each processing unit in the control unit 15 is not limited to the connection relationship shown in FIG. 5, and may be other connection relationships.

(Regarding the acquisition unit 15a)
The acquisition unit 15a acquires component information indicating components detected from the secretions of a user attached to an absorbent article worn by the user. For example, when the imaging unit 13 captures an image of an absorbent article including a detection unit showing a color change in response to a user's shooting operation, the acquisition unit 15a acquires a captured image in which the component information is indicated as a detection result from the imaging unit 13. In addition, when a captured image in which the component information is indicated as a detection result is stored in a predetermined storage unit in the terminal device 10, the acquisition unit 15a acquires the captured image from the storage unit in response to a user's operation, for example.

In addition, if the detection unit attached to the absorbent article is a sensor, the acquisition unit 15a acquires the component information from the sensor by receiving the component information transmitted from the sensor.

(Regarding the transmitting unit 15b)
The transmitting unit 15b transmits the component information acquired by the acquiring unit 15a to the information processing device 100. For example, the transmitting unit 15b transmits to the information processing device 100 a user ID for identifying a user who uses the device, a detecting unit ID for identifying a detecting unit that detected the component information acquired by the acquiring unit 15a, and the component information in association with each other.

(Regarding the receiving unit 15c)
The receiving unit 15c receives from the information processing device 100 physical information indicating a female physical condition estimated for the user of the device, based on the component information acquired by the acquiring unit 15a.

(Regarding the display control unit 15d)
The display control unit 15d controls the display so that the physical information received by the receiving unit 15c is displayed (output) on the output unit 14.

8. Configuration of Information Processing Device
Next, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the information processing device 100 has a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

(Regarding communication unit 110)
The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a NIC etc. The communication unit 110 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from, for example, a detection unit attached to the absorbent article and the terminal device 10.

(Regarding the storage unit 120)
The storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk, an optical disk, etc. The storage unit 120 has a result information storage unit 121 and a linkage information storage unit 122.

(Regarding the control unit 130)
The control unit 130 is realized by a CPU, an MPU, or the like executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the information processing device 100 using a RAM as a working area. The control unit 130 is also realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 130 has an acquisition unit 131, an estimation unit 132, a management unit 133, a provision unit 134, a determination unit 135, and a judgment unit 136, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of the information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 6, and may be other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described below. Also, the connection relationships between the processing units in the control unit 130 are not limited to the connection relationships shown in FIG. 6, and may be other connection relationships.

(Regarding the Acquisition Unit 131)
The acquisition unit 131 acquires component information indicating components detected from a user's secretions attached to an absorbent article worn by the user. For example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires component information indicating specific components of secretions detected from secretions (e.g., menstrual blood, vaginal discharge, urine, feces, etc.) as the component information. Furthermore, for example, the acquisition unit 131 further acquires, as the component information, information indicating the color of the secretions or information indicating the amount of the secretion. Furthermore, for example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires, as the component information, non-visible information of the secretions different from the image information of the secretions. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 131 may further acquire, as the component information, visible information acquired based on the image information of the secretions.

The acquisition unit 131 also acquires, as the component information, component information indicating components detected from the secretions by a specified detection unit attached to the absorbent article. The acquisition unit 131 also acquires the component information by communicating with a specified detection unit attached to the absorbent article, or a specified terminal device that has acquired the component information from the specified detection unit. For example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires the component information by communicating with a terminal device used by a user as the specified terminal device.

The acquisition unit 131 may also acquire component information by communicating with a designated terminal device, such as a dedicated waste box (sanitary box) in which absorbent articles are disposed of. In such a case, the acquisition unit 131 acquires, as the component information, component information indicating components detected from secretions by a designated sensor attached to the waste box.

For example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires the component information by acquiring a captured image of the absorbent article captured by a specified terminal device, in which the component information is indicated as a detection result by a specified detection unit. The acquisition unit 131 also acquires component information indicating components detected from secretions adhering to a female absorbent article as an absorbent article.

(Regarding the estimation unit 132)
The estimation unit 132 estimates physical information indicating the female's physical condition to the user based on the component information acquired by the acquisition unit 131. For example, the estimation unit 132 estimates physical information indicating the female's physical condition to the user based on the visible information and the non-visible information acquired by the acquisition unit 131. Also, for example, the estimation unit 132 estimates physical information indicating the female's physical condition to the user based on either the visible information or the non-visible information acquired by the acquisition unit 131. For example, the estimation unit 132 estimates information related to menstruation or information related to a female's disease as physical information based on the component information. For example, the estimation unit 132 estimates the menstrual cycle, menstrual period, ovulation day, or changes in physical condition associated with the menstrual cycle as information related to menstruation.

(Regarding the management unit 133)
The management unit 133 manages the predetermined information in the storage unit by registering the predetermined information in association with the predetermined information in the storage unit.

For example, as described in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the management unit 133 manages user information (user ID) indicating the user for whom component detection was performed, in association with detection unit information (detection unit ID) indicating the detection unit that detected the component in the secretions of the user indicated by the user information, component information indicating the component detected by the detection unit indicated by the detection unit information, and physical information estimated from the component information. For example, the management unit 133 performs such management within the result information storage unit 121.

Furthermore, the management unit 133 manages information indicating a specific service in association with physical information so that the physical information estimated by the estimation unit 132 can be used in the specific service. For example, as described in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the management unit 133 manages, in the linkage information storage unit 122, information indicating the specific service (service ID) in association with user information (user ID) indicating the user and physical information corresponding to the user indicated by the user information so that the user can use the physical information estimated for the user in the specific service. For example, the management unit 133 performs such management in the linkage information storage unit 122.

(Regarding the providing unit 134)
The providing unit 134 provides the user with physical information estimated by the estimation unit 132 based on component information indicating components detected from the user's secretions. For example, the providing unit 134 generates content in which the physical information is displayed, and distributes the generated content to the user's terminal device 10. Furthermore, when the providing unit 134 receives a distribution request for content in which the physical information is displayed from the terminal device 10, the providing unit 134 may generate content in which the physical information is displayed, and distribute the generated content to the user's terminal device 10. Furthermore, the providing unit 134 may send a push notification of the physical information. Furthermore, the providing unit 134 may send a push notification to launch an app AP and check the physical information in the app AP.

The providing unit 134 may further provide the user with the information quantitatively indicating the component information or the information quantitatively indicating the physical information as recommended information that recommends presenting the information to a medical institution. For example, when the providing unit 134 determines, based on the physical information, that the user from whom the physical information was estimated should visit a medical institution, the providing unit 134 generates recommended content that is displayed as recommended information that recommends presenting the information quantitatively indicating the component information or the information quantitatively indicating the physical information to a medical institution. The providing unit 134 then provides the generated recommended content to the user.

For example, when a user visits a medical institution such as an obstetrician-gynecologist, the user may be unable to effectively explain their physical condition and may not be able to receive an appropriate examination. In preparation for such cases, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment provides the user with quantitative information indicating components detected in the user's secretions or quantitative information indicating physical information in advance so that the information can be presented at any time at the medical institution, thereby supporting the user in receiving an appropriate diagnosis.

The estimation unit 132 may estimate physical information based on user information (e.g., information on diet (blood sugar level, cholesterol, salt), exercise, sleep, and mood) acquired from the user through user input or the like. For example, the estimation unit 132 may estimate dietary content, exercise content, sleep method, etc. according to the user's menstrual cycle based on such user information. In addition, in such an example, the provision unit 134 provides suggested information that suggests dietary content, exercise content, and sleep method according to the user's menstrual cycle. In this way, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment can make lifestyle suggestions, thereby contributing to maintaining and improving the user's health.

(Regarding the providing unit 134 and the determining unit 135)
The providing unit 134 may further provide the user with measure information indicating a measure determined based on the physical information and capable of improving the condition indicated by the physical information. In this case, the determining unit 135 determines whether or not a lifestyle review is necessary for the user from whom the physical information was estimated, based on the physical information estimated by the estimating unit 132, in order to improve the condition indicated by the physical information. For example, when the physical information indicates that the user's body is in a predetermined state (e.g., suffering from a specific disease), or when the component information used to estimate the physical information exceeds a standard (e.g., the color of menstrual blood is dark or the amount of menstrual blood is greater than a standard value), the determining unit 135 determines that a lifestyle review is necessary to improve such a condition. Then, when the determining unit 135 determines that a lifestyle review is necessary, the determining unit 135 determines a measure based on a lifestyle review as a measure capable of improving the condition indicated by the physical information.

For example, the decision unit 135 can decide measures capable of improving the condition indicated by the physical information according to a predetermined rule base. As an example, the information processing device 100 has a memory unit in which status information indicating the condition indicated by the physical information and measure information indicating information on what lifestyle habits should be adopted to improve the condition indicated by the status information are stored in association with each other. Then, the decision unit 135 decides, among the physical information stored in the memory unit, that the measure indicated by the measure information associated with the physical information that has led to the determination that a lifestyle improvement is necessary, as the measure capable of improving the condition indicated by the physical information.

Then, the determination unit 135 extracts policy information indicating the determined policy from the storage unit, and outputs it to the provision unit 134. Then, the provision unit 134 provides the policy information obtained from the determination unit 135 to the user who is the source of the estimation.

As a result, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment can advise the user on how to change their lifestyle habits to improve the condition indicated by the physical information, thereby effectively supporting the user's health management. Note that the decision unit 135 may decide measures capable of improving the condition indicated by the physical information based on a rule base, or may use a learning model that inputs component information and user information (personal information and information related to diet, sleep, exercise, etc.) to decide the output measure information as advice to the user.

In addition, the providing unit 134 may further provide the user with product information indicating a product that is determined based on the physical information and is recommended for use by the user. For example, when the physical information indicates that the user's body is in a predetermined physical condition (e.g., suffering from a specific disease), the providing unit 134 provides product information indicating a product corresponding to the predetermined condition.

In such a case, the determination unit 135 determines a product that is recommended for use by the user from whom the physical information was estimated, based on the physical information estimated by the estimation unit 132. Specifically, when the physical information indicates that the user's body is in a predetermined physical condition (e.g., suffering from a specific disease), the determination unit 135 determines a product that corresponds to the predetermined condition as a product that is recommended for use by the user. An example of this will be described using user U1 as an example.

For example, assume that the physical information indicates that user U1 is suffering from menorrhagia. In this case, the determination unit 135 determines an absorbent article with high absorbency as a product recommended for use by user U1. The determination unit 135 determines a medicine that is effective against menorrhagia as a product recommended for use by user U1.

For example, suppose that the physical information indicates that user U1 may be suffering from a specific disease. In this case, the determination unit 135 determines a detection unit (tester or sensor) capable of detecting components that are factors in the specific disease as a product recommended for use by user U1.

Then, the determination unit 135 extracts product information indicating the determined product from a specified storage unit, and outputs it to the provision unit 134. The provision unit 134 then provides the product information acquired from the determination unit 135 to the user U1. For example, the provision unit 134 may provide advertising content in which the product information is advertised to the user U1.

For example, even if a user feels something is wrong with their body, they often become confused and do not know what type of absorbent article to use to treat the abnormality, or what medicine is effective for the abnormality, or how to confirm if the abnormality is caused by some kind of disease. In preparation for such cases, the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment can detect the abnormality of the user and present the user with products that are optimal countermeasures to the detected abnormality, thereby effectively supporting the user in both physical and mental aspects.

(Regarding the providing unit 134 and the determining unit 136)
Furthermore, the providing unit 134 may further provide the user with information indicating a correct wearing manner when it is determined that the user is wearing the absorbent article in an incorrect manner based on the manner in which the user wears the absorbent article, which is a wearing manner estimated from the adhesion state of secretions on the absorbent article. In such a case, the determining unit 136 estimates the manner in which the user wears the absorbent article based on the adhesion state of secretions on the absorbent article. Then, the determining unit 136 determines whether or not the user is wearing the absorbent article in a correct manner based on the estimated wearing manner. An example of this will be described using user U1 as an example.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the acquisition unit 131 acquires a captured image transmitted from the terminal device 10 of the user U1, in which component information indicating the components detected by the detection unit DU1 is displayed as the detection result. In this case, the determination unit 136 estimates the manner in which the absorbent article OB1 is worn by the user U1 based on the state of secretions adhering to the absorbent article OB1. Then, based on the estimated wearing state, the determination unit 136 determines whether or not the user U1 is wearing the absorbent article OB1 in the correct manner. For example, the determination unit 136 can estimate the manner in which the absorbent article OB1 is worn by the user U1 based on the position of secretions adhering to the absorbent article OB1 as the state of secretions adhering to the absorbent article OB1.

Then, when the determination unit 136 determines that the user U1 is not wearing the absorbent article OB1 in the correct manner, i.e., when the determination unit 136 determines that the user U1 is wearing the absorbent article OB1 in the wrong manner, the determination unit 136 extracts, for example, information explaining the correct manner of wearing the absorbent article OB1 from a predetermined storage unit. The information explaining the correct manner of wearing the absorbent article OB1 may be any of text, images, and videos, or may be a combination of these.

Then, when the providing unit 134 obtains information indicating the correct wearing manner from the determining unit 136, it provides the information indicating the correct wearing manner to the user U1.

For example, if the absorbent article is not worn correctly, the detection unit may not be able to detect the components accurately. The information processing device 100 according to the embodiment can present the user with the correct way to wear the absorbent article, and as a result, the detection unit can detect the components accurately.

The determination unit 136 may determine whether the user is wearing the absorbent article in the correct manner by using image information (visible information), such as the degree of deformation of the absorbent article after wearing, component information (invisible information), and user information (personal information, body type, the user's mood, diet, amount of exercise, etc.). The provision unit 134 may not only provide the user with the correct wearing manner, but also suggest an absorbent article that is optimal for the user, which is estimated from the above information.

9. Processing Procedure
Next, the procedure of information processing according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of information processing according to the embodiment.

First, the acquisition unit 131 determines whether or not it has been able to acquire component information indicating components detected from the secretions of a user (hereinafter referred to as the "user to be treated") that are attached to an absorbent article worn by the user (step S101). For example, the acquisition unit 131 determines whether or not it has been able to acquire component information indicating components detected from the secretions (specific components of the secretions) as the component information. While it has been determined that it is not possible to acquire the component information (step S101; No), the acquisition unit 131 waits until it is able to acquire the component information.

On the other hand, if the component information is acquired by the acquisition unit 131 (step S101; Yes), the estimation unit 132 estimates physical information indicating the physical condition of a woman for the user to be processed based on the acquired component information (step S102).

The management unit 133 also manages, in association with a user ID that identifies the user to be processed, a detection unit ID that identifies a detection unit that detected components in the secretions of the user to be processed that is indicated by the user ID, component information that indicates the components detected by the detection unit that is indicated by the detection unit ID, and physical information estimated from the component information (step S103).

In addition, the management unit 133 manages a service ID that identifies a specific service by associating the user ID that identifies the user to be processed with the physical information corresponding to the user to be processed indicated by the user ID, so that the physical information can be used in the specific service (step S104).

Next, the providing unit 134 provides the physical information estimated by the estimating unit 132 to the user to be processed (step S105).

10. Other
Among the above-mentioned processes, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically may be performed manually. Also, all or part of the processes described as being performed manually may be performed automatically by a known method. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings may be changed arbitrarily unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the illustrated information.

The components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual and functional, and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure. Furthermore, each component may be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit, in whole or in part, depending on various loads and usage conditions. Furthermore, each of the processes described above may be executed in appropriate combinations as long as there are no contradictions.

11. Hardware Configuration
Moreover, the terminal device 10 and the information processing device 100 according to the above-described embodiment are realized by a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 8, for example. The information processing device 100 will be described below as an example. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration. The computer 1000 is connected to an output device 1010 and an input device 1020, and a calculation device 1030, a cache 1040, a memory 1050, an output IF (Interface) 1060, an input IF 1070, and a network IF 1080 are connected by a bus 1090.

The arithmetic device 1030 operates based on programs stored in the cache 1040 or memory 1050, or programs read from the input device 1020, and executes various processes. The cache 1040 is a cache such as a RAM that temporarily stores data used by the arithmetic device 1030 for various calculations. The memory 1050 is a storage device in which data used by the arithmetic device 1030 for various calculations and various databases are registered, and is a memory realized by a ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), flash memory, etc.

The output IF 1060 is an interface for transmitting information to be output to an output device 1010 such as a monitor or printer, which outputs various types of information, and may be realized, for example, by a connector conforming to a standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), or HDMI (registered trademark) (High Definition Multimedia Interface). On the other hand, the input IF 1070 is an interface for receiving information from various input devices 1020 such as a mouse, keyboard, scanner, etc., and may be realized, for example, by a USB.

For example, the input device 1020 may be realized by a device that reads information from an optical recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a PD (Phase change rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The input device 1020 may also be realized by an external storage medium such as a USB memory.

The network IF 1080 has the function of receiving data from other devices via the network N and sending it to the computing device 1030, and also transmitting data generated by the computing device 1030 to other devices via the network N.

Here, the arithmetic device 1030 controls the output device 1010 and the input device 1020 via the output IF 1060 and the input IF 1070. For example, the arithmetic device 1030 loads a program from the input device 1020 or the memory 1050 onto the cache 1040 and executes the loaded program. For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the information processing device 100, the arithmetic device 1030 of the computer 1000 realizes the functions of the control unit 40 by executing the program loaded onto the cache 1040.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Information processing system 10 Terminal device 12 Input unit 13 Imaging unit 14 Output unit 15a Acquisition unit 15b Transmission unit 15c Reception unit 15d Display control unit 100 Information processing device 120 Storage unit 121 Result information storage unit 122 Linkage information storage unit 130 Control unit 131 Acquisition unit 132 Estimation unit 133 Management unit 134 Provision unit 135 Determination unit 136 Determination unit

Claims (24)

an acquisition unit that acquires component information indicating components detected from the user's secretions adhering to an absorbent article worn by the user from a predetermined detection unit attached to the absorbent article via a predetermined communication means ;
A first estimation unit that estimates information on the component contained in the secretion based on the component information;
and a second estimation unit that estimates physical information indicating a physical condition of a woman to the user based on the component information. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires, as the component information, non-visible information of the secretion that is different from image information of the secretion. The acquisition unit further acquires, as the component information, visible information acquired based on image information of the secretion,
The information processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the first estimation unit estimates the component information based on the visible information or the non-visible information. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the acquisition unit acquires, as the component information, component information indicating components detected from the secretion by the specified detection unit attached to the absorbent article. The information processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the acquisition unit acquires the component information by communicating with the predetermined detection unit attached to the absorbent article, or with a predetermined terminal device that acquires the component information from the predetermined detection unit. The information processing device according to claim 5 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires the component information by communicating with a terminal device used by the user as the predetermined terminal device. The information processing device according to claim 5 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires the component information by communicating with a dedicated waste box in which the absorbent article is disposed as the predetermined terminal device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires, as the component information, component information indicating components detected from the secretion by a predetermined sensor attached to the disposal box. The information processing device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the acquisition unit acquires the component information by acquiring an image of the absorbent article captured by the specified terminal device, in which the component information is indicated as a detection result by the specified detection unit. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the acquisition unit acquires the component information indicating components detected from the secretions adhering to a female absorbent article as the absorbent article. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the second estimation unit estimates, as the physical information, information related to menstruation or information related to a female disease based on the component information. The information processing device according to claim 11 , wherein the second estimation unit estimates a menstrual cycle, a menstrual period, an ovulation date, or a change in physical condition associated with the menstrual cycle, as the information related to menstruation. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a management unit that manages information indicating a specified service in association with the physical information so that the physical information can be used in the specified service. The information processing device according to claim 13, characterized in that the management unit manages the physical information in association with information indicating a specified service, such as a menstrual calendar service or a health consultation service, so that the physical information can be used for the specified service. The information processing device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the management unit manages, as the specified service, a constitution diagnosis service that diagnoses a user's constitution and provides a diagnosis result, in association with the physical information so that the physical information can be used. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a providing unit that provides the user with the physical information estimated by the second estimation unit based on the information on the components . The information processing device according to claim 16, characterized in that the providing unit further provides the user with information in which the component information is quantitatively indicated or the information in which the physical information is quantitatively indicated as recommendation information recommending that the information be presented to a medical institution. The information processing device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the provision unit further provides to the user measure information indicating a measure determined based on the physical information and capable of improving the condition indicated by the physical information. The information processing device according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the providing unit further provides the user with information indicating a correct wearing manner, when the providing unit determines that the user is wearing the absorbent article in an incorrect manner based on the manner in which the user wears the absorbent article, which is a wearing manner estimated from the adhesion status of the secretions on the absorbent article. The information processing device according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the providing unit further provides the user with product information indicating a product that is determined based on the physical information and is recommended for use by the user. The information processing device according to claim 20 , wherein, when the physical information indicates that the user's body is in a predetermined physical condition, the providing unit provides, as the product, product information indicating a product corresponding to the predetermined physical condition. An information processing method executed by an information processing device,
an acquisition step of acquiring component information indicating components detected from the user's secretions adhering to an absorbent article worn by the user from a predetermined detection unit attached to the absorbent article via a predetermined communication means ;
A first estimation step of estimating information on the components contained in the secretion based on the component information;
and a second estimation step of estimating physical information indicating a physical condition of a woman to the user based on the component information. an acquisition step of acquiring component information indicating components detected from the user's secretions adhering to an absorbent article worn by the user from a predetermined detection unit attached to the absorbent article via a predetermined communication means ;
a first estimation step of estimating information on the components contained in the secretion based on the component information;
and a second estimation step of estimating physical information indicating a female's physical condition to the user based on the component information. An information processing system including an information processing device and a terminal device used by a user,
The information processing device includes:
an acquisition unit that acquires component information indicating components detected from a user's secretions adhering to an absorbent article worn by the user, the component information being detected by a predetermined detection unit attached to the absorbent article via the terminal device;
A first estimation unit that estimates information on the component contained in the secretion based on the component information;
and a second estimation unit that estimates physical information indicating a physical condition of a woman to the user based on the component information,
The information processing system, wherein the terminal device has an output unit that outputs the physical information provided from the information processing device.

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