WO2019131324A1

WO2019131324A1 - Method for estimating level of unpleasant odor components in breath, device for estimating level of unpleasant odor components in breath, program, and bad breath care method

Info

Publication number: WO2019131324A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/046552
Authority: WO
Inventors: 和裕石田; 洋一折原; 達治児玉; 千晶道林
Original assignee: ライオン株式会社
Priority date: 2017-12-27
Filing date: 2018-12-18
Publication date: 2019-07-04
Also published as: TWI790336B; SG11202005324PA; KR20200103617A; JP2019117148A; CN111527405A; TW201928345A; CN111527405B; JP7186500B2

Abstract

A method for estimating the level of unpleasant odor components in the breath has: an acquisition step for acquiring an image that includes a determination area of the tongue body of a subject; and an estimation step for estimating the level of unpleasant odor components in the breath of the subject on the basis of the color of the determination area of the tongue body included in the image acquired in the acquisition step, and of the relationship between the color of the determination area of the tongue body and the level of unpleasant odor components in the breath, the determination area including the median groove of the tongue.

Description

Method for estimating level of unpleasant odorous component in exhaled breath, device for estimating level of unpleasant odorous component in breath, program and halitosis care method

The present invention relates to a method for estimating the level of unpleasant odor component in exhaled breath, an apparatus for estimating the level of unpleasant odor component in exhaled breath, a program, and a method for care of bad breath.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-251952, filed Dec. 27, 2017, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Among the problems related to the oral cavity, there are many worries about bad breath. Although various care products for halitosis have been put on the market, it is difficult to be aware of the effect, and a technology for visualizing halitosis to eliminate the effect anxiety has been desired.
Many products have been marketed as halitosis check products to date. However, these have the problem that components other than the unpleasant component of halitosis, such as a fragrance | flavor, will also be detected, and it can not be said that precision is also enough.
On the other hand, gas chromatography has been used as a method for specifically and precisely detecting malodorous offensive components. Patent Document 1 describes a gas chromatograph apparatus that can stabilize a baseline of detection output of a detector and perform highly reliable measurement.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-254956

The method described in Patent Document 1 requires a very expensive analytical instrument, requires a high level of expert knowledge even when setting the analysis conditions, and has a large problem in general versatility with general consumers. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is possible to estimate the content level of the unpleasant odor component in exhaled breath by a simple method, and the method for estimating the unpleasant odor component in breath It is an object of the present invention to provide a medium unpleasant odor component-containing level estimation device, a program and a bad breath care method.

As a result of intensive investigations, the inventors of the present invention have been able to easily and accurately determine the unpleasant odor component content level in exhaled breath without requiring an expensive analyzer by photographing the judgment part of the tongue under certain specific conditions. The present invention has been completed.

The method for estimating the level of content of the unpleasant odor component in exhaled breath according to the present invention comprises an acquisition step of acquiring an image including a judgment part of a tongue of a subject, and the judgment part of the tongue included in the image acquired in the acquisition step. Estimating the content level of the offensive odor component in the subject's exhaled breath based on the relationship between the color tone of the determined part of the tongue and the content level of the offensive odor component in the exhalation And the judgment site includes a tongue central groove.

In the method for estimating the level of content of the unpleasant odor component in exhalation according to the present invention, the ratio of the area of the judgment site contained in the image to the area of the tongue in the area contained in the image is 0.3 or more and 1.8 or less. It may be

In the breath unpleasant odor component-containing level estimation method of the present invention, the tongue body of the subject is displayed by an imaging device provided with a monitor on which a guide frame for tongue body alignment and the judgment region of the tongue of the subject is displayed. The tongue body alignment guide frame has a ratio of the area of the judgment site included in the image to the area of the tongue inside area included in the image being 0.3 It may be displayed on the monitor so as to be 1.8 or less.

In the breath unpleasant odor component-containing level estimation method of the present invention, the distance between the determination site of the tongue of the subject and the imaging device for imaging the determination site of the tongue of the subject is 5 cm to 20 cm. It may be.

In the method for estimating the unpleasant odor component-containing level in exhalation according to the present invention, even if the image including the determination part of the tongue of the subject is photographed by the photographing device having the number of pixels of 1.2 million to 13.2 million. Good.

In the method for estimating the level of the unpleasant odor component in exhalation according to the present invention, it may be estimated that the content level of the unpleasant odor component in the exhalation of the subject is higher as the redness of the judgment portion of the tongue of the subject is weaker. .

For example, sRGB values are used as parameters to measure tint and redness, but alternatively, other parameters such as HSV and L * a * b * may be used to measure tint and redness .

In the method for estimating the level of the unpleasant odor component in exhalation according to the present invention, the unpleasant odor component in the subject's exhaled breath based on the proportion of pixels in which the sRGB value is R-G <50 in all pixels in the determination site. You may estimate the content level of

In the breath unpleasant odor component-containing level estimation method of the present invention, the subject exhales when the ratio of pixels for which the sRGB value is R-G <50 in all the pixels in the determination site is 60% or more. It is estimated that the concentration of hydrogen sulfide is 450 ppb or more, and the ratio of pixels for which the sRGB value is R-G <50 is 45% or more and less than 60% of all the pixels in the determination region. When it is estimated that the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in exhaled breath is 300 ppb or more and less than 450 ppb, and the ratio of pixels for which sRGB value is R-G <50 is 30% or more and less than 45% It is estimated that the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the subject's breath is 150 ppb or more and less than 300 ppb, and the sRGB value occupied in all pixels in the judgment site is If the proportion of the -G <50 pixels is less than 30%, breath hydrogen sulfide concentration in the subject it may be estimated to be less than 150 ppb.

In the method for estimating the level of the unpleasant odor component in exhalation according to the present invention, the unpleasant odor component in the subject's exhaled breath based on the proportion of pixels in which the sRGB value is R-G <30 in all the pixels in the determination site. You may estimate the content level of

In the breath unpleasant odor component-containing level estimation method of the present invention, the subject exhales when the proportion of pixels for which the sRGB value is R-G <30 in all the pixels in the determination site is 30% or more. It is estimated that the concentration of middle hydrogen sulfide is 450 ppb or more, and the ratio of pixels for which the sRGB value is R-G <30 in all the pixels in the determination region is 20% or more and less than 30%. When it is estimated that the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in exhaled breath is 300 ppb or more and less than 450 ppb, and the proportion of pixels with sRGB values of R-G <30 is 10% or more and less than 20% of all pixels in the judgment site It is estimated that the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the subject's breath is 150 ppb or more and less than 300 ppb, and the sRGB value occupied in all pixels in the judgment site is If the proportion of the -G <30 pixels is less than 10%, breath hydrogen sulfide concentration in the subject it may be estimated to be less than 150 ppb.

In the method for estimating the unpleasant odor component-containing level in exhalation according to the present invention, the sRGB values occupying all the pixels in the determination region are (R, G, B) = (255 to 180, 255 to 180, 255 to 180) Based on the proportion of pixels, the content level of the offensive odor component in the subject's exhalation may be estimated.

In the method for estimating the unpleasant odor component-containing level in exhalation according to the present invention, the sRGB values occupying all the pixels in the determination region are (R, G, B) = (255 to 180, 255 to 180, 255 to 180) When the percentage of pixels is 60% or more, it is estimated that the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the subject's breath is 450 ppb or more, and the sRGB values occupied in all pixels in the determination region are (R, G, B) = If the percentage of pixels with (255 to 180, 255 to 180, 255 to 180) is 45% or more and less than 60%, it is estimated that the subject's breath hydrogen sulfide concentration is 300 ppb or more and less than 450 ppb. The ratio of pixels with sRGB values of (R, G, B) = (255 to 180, 255 to 180, 255 to 180) to all pixels in the judgment part is When the concentration is 0% or more and less than 45%, it is estimated that the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the subject's breath is 150 ppb or more and less than 300 ppb, and the sRGB value occupied in all pixels in the judgment region is (R, G, B) If the proportion of pixels where = (255 to 180, 255 to 180, 255 to 180) is less than 30%, it may be estimated that the hydrogen sulfide concentration in the subject's breath is less than 150 ppb.

The apparatus for estimating the level of content of the unpleasant odor component in exhaled breath according to the present invention comprises an acquisition unit for acquiring an image including a determination region of a tongue of a subject, and the determination region of the tongue included in the image acquired by the acquisition unit. An estimation unit for estimating the content level of the offensive odor component in the subject's exhaled breath based on the relationship between the color tone of the judged part of the tongue and the content level of the offensive odor component in the exhalation Have.

The program according to the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring on a computer an image including a determination portion of a tongue of a subject, a color of the determination portion of the tongue included in the image acquired in the acquisition step, and Estimating the content level of the offensive odor component in the subject's exhaled breath based on the relationship between the tint of the judged part of the tongue and the content level of the offensive odor component in the exhalation It is.

The halitosis care method in the present invention uses the method for estimating the level of unpleasant odor component in the breath.

According to the present invention, it is possible to estimate the content level of unpleasant odor component in exhaled breath by the simple method, it is possible to estimate the content level of unpleasant odor component in exhaled breath, the apparatus for estimating the unpleasant odor component content in breath, program and halitosis care method Can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows an example of the unpleasant odor component content level estimation apparatus in breath of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the color of the determination site | part of a tongue, and the content level of the unpleasant odor component in expiration. It is a figure which shows the application example of the unpleasant odor component content level estimation apparatus in expiration shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the imaging device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the image containing the test subject's tongue body image | photographed by the imaging part of the imaging device. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process performed by the imaging device incorporating the unpleasant odor component content level estimation apparatus in expiration.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of a breath unpleasant odor component-containing level estimation method, an breath unpleasant odor component-containing level estimation device, a program, and a halitosis care method according to the present invention will be described.
In the drawings, in order to make each component easy to see, the scale of dimensions may be shown differently depending on the component.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the device for estimating the level of unpleasant odorous components in exhaled breath 1 of the embodiment.
In the example shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus for estimating the level of unpleasant odor component in exhaled breath 1 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 11 and an estimation unit 12. The acquisition unit 11 acquires an image including the determination part of the tongue of the subject. The estimation unit 12 is based on the relation between the tint of the judgment part of the tongue included in the image acquired by the acquisition unit 11 and the tint of the judgment part of the tongue and the content level of the unpleasant odor component in the exhalation. Then, the content level of the offensive odor component in the subject's exhalation is estimated.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the relationship between the tint of the judgment part of the tongue and the content level of the unpleasant odor component in the exhalation. In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis shows the color of the judgment part of the tongue. In detail, the horizontal axis shows the degree of redness of the judged part of the tongue. The vertical axis indicates the content level of the offensive odor component in exhaled breath. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the content level of the offensive odor component in the exhalation increases as the redness of the determination portion of the tongue decreases, and the content of the offensive odor component in exhalation increases as the redness of the determination position on the tongue increases. The level goes down.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the estimation unit 12 determines the content level of the unpleasant odor component in the subject's exhalation as the redderness of the determination part of the subject's tongue included in the image acquired by the acquisition unit 11 decreases. Is estimated to be high. Further, the estimation unit 12 estimates that the content level of the unpleasant odor component in the exhalation of the subject is lower as the redderness of the determination portion of the tongue of the subject included in the image acquired by the acquisition unit 11 is stronger.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an application example of the unpleasant odor component-containing level estimation apparatus 1 in exhalation shown in FIG.
In the example shown in FIG. 3, the device for estimating the level of the unpleasant odor component in breath 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is incorporated in an imaging device A such as a smartphone owned by a subject. The imaging apparatus A includes an imaging unit A1 such as a lens, a display unit A2 such as a monitor, and a control unit A3. The imaging unit A1 captures an image of the subject's tongue and the like. The display unit A2 displays an image or the like of the tongue of the subject taken by the imaging unit A1. The control unit A3 controls the photographing unit A1 and the display unit A2. The in-breath unpleasant odor component-containing level estimation apparatus 1 is incorporated in the control unit A3.
In another example, the device for estimating the level of the unpleasant odor component in exhaled breath 1 of the embodiment may be configured by something other than a smartphone.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the photographing apparatus A shown in FIG. Specifically, FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the photographing device A at the time of non-activation of the unpleasant odor component-containing level estimation application for exhalation incorporated in the photographing device A. FIG. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the photographing apparatus A during activation of the unpleasant odor component-containing level estimation application during expiration. FIG. 4C is a view showing the relationship between the photographing device A and the tongue B1 of the subject B when the tongue B1 of the subject B is photographed. FIG. 4D is a view showing a screen of the display unit A2 (monitor) of the photographing apparatus A at the time of photographing the tongue B1 of the subject B.
In the example shown in FIG. 4, the photographing device A has a pixel number of, for example, 1.2 million pixels to 13.2 million pixels. As shown in FIG. 4A, the display frame A21 for tongue alignment is not displayed on the display unit A2 of the photographing device A when the application for estimating unpleasant odor component-containing level during expiration is not activated. As shown in FIG. 4B, for example, when the test object B starts the application for estimating the unpleasant odor component in breath, the tongue alignment guide frame A21 is displayed on the display unit A2 of the photographing device A. . As shown in FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D, at the time of photographing the tongue B1 of the subject B, the subject B has the contour of the tongue B1 of the subject B on the screen of the display portion A2 and the tongue position. Match the alignment guide frame A21. The imaging unit A1 captures an image of the tongue B1 of the subject B in a state where the contour of the tongue B1 of the subject B on the screen of the display A2 matches the tongue alignment guide frame A21.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an image C of the tongue B1 of the subject B taken by the imaging unit A1 of the imaging device A.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the determination region B10 of the tongue B1 of the subject B is included in the image C captured by the imaging unit A1 of the imaging device A. The determination part B10 is a part including at least a part of the tongue central groove B11. The tongue central groove B11 is located on the upper surface of the tongue B1 and extends in the vertical direction of FIG. 5 from the dividing groove (the boundary between the tongue base (not shown) and the tongue B1) to the apex B13 in FIG. 5 is a line (or an imaginary line) which roughly divides the tongue B1 into two in the left and right direction of FIG.
That is, in the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the imaging unit A1 is the subject B's subject in a state where the contour of the tongue B1 of the subject B on the screen of the display A2 matches the tongue positioning guide frame A21. When the image C of the tongue B1 is photographed, a determination portion B10 including at least a part of the tongue central groove B11 is included in the image C.
Preferably, in the image C of the tongue B1 of the subject B photographed by the photographing unit A1, the middle tongue portion B12 is included.
In the present specification, the "inside tongue part" is a part from 1/4 to 2/4 from the tongue tip B13 when it is divided into four in the longitudinal direction from the demarcation groove to the tongue tip B13, and the tongue B1 in the left-right direction from the middle Is divided into four, and shows two central areas (that is, an area surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 5 and indicated by a symbol B12).
Preferably, the ratio of the area of the determination part B10 of the tongue B1 of the subject B included in the image C to the area of the middle part B12 of the tongue B1 of the subject B included in the image C is 0.3 or more, It is 1.8 or less.
When the image C of the tongue B1 of the subject B is captured by the imaging section A1, the imaging section A1 is surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 5 described above so that the area indicated by the symbol B12 can be identified. The image C of the tongue B1 may be taken. The imaging unit A1 may perform imaging so that the area is included in the image C of the tongue B1 of the subject B.

More specifically, in the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the subject B's tongue B1 is photographed, as shown in FIG. 4 (D), the tongue alignment guide frame A21 and the subject B's tongue B1. The determination site B10 is displayed on the display unit A2 of the imaging device A. Further, in this state, the imaging unit A1 captures an image C (see FIG. 5) including the determination region B10 of the tongue B1 of the subject B. As a result, the ratio of the area of the determination portion B10 included in the image C to the area of the tongue middle portion B12 is 0.3 or more and 1.8 or less.
Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the distance between the determination region B10 of the tongue B1 of the subject B and the photographing device A at the time of shooting the tongue B1 of the subject B is 5 cm to 20 cm.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of processing executed by the photographing device A incorporating the unpleasant odor component-containing level estimation device 1 during exhalation.
In the example shown in FIG. 6, in step S10, the exhalation unpleasant odor component-containing level estimation application incorporated in the photographing device A is activated, and the display portion A2 of the photographing device A displays the tongue alignment guide frame A21. Do.
In step S11, the contour of the tongue B1 of the subject B on the screen of the display unit A2 matches the tongue positioning guide frame A21 by the subject B, and the photographing part A1 of the photographing device A The image C including the determination region B10 of the tongue B1 is photographed. The image C photographed by the photographing unit A1 is stored, for example, in a storage unit (not shown).
In step S12, the acquisition unit 11 of the control unit A3 of the imaging device A acquires an image C including the determination region B10 of the tongue B1 of the subject B captured by the imaging unit A1. In detail, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the image C, for example, by reading out the image C stored in the storage unit.
In step S13, the estimation unit 12 of the control unit A3 of the photographing apparatus A determines the tint of the determination portion B10 of the tongue B1 included in the image C acquired by the acquisition unit 11 and the relationship shown in FIG. , And the content level of the offensive odor component in the breath of subject B.
In step S14, for example, the display unit A2 of the imaging device A outputs the estimation result of the content level of the unpleasant odor component in the exhalation of the subject B by the estimation unit 12.

As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the device for estimating the level of the unpleasant odor component in exhaled breath 1 is incorporated in the imaging device A. In another example, the unpleasant odor component-containing level estimation device 1 in exhalation may be provided outside the imaging device A, such as a cloud.

As described above, according to the exhaled unpleasant odor component-containing level estimation device 1 of the embodiment, the unpleasant odor in exhalation can be obtained by a simple method without the need to use a very expensive analytical device such as gas chromatography. The content level of the component can be estimated.
Further, in the above-described example to which the device for estimating the level of content of unpleasant odorous components 1 according to the embodiment is applied, the subject B does not need to use a very expensive analytical instrument such as gas chromatography, for example. It is possible to grasp the content level of the offensive odor component in exhaled breath.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by way of examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.
In the following example, sRGB values are used as parameters for measuring color and redness, but in other examples, other parameters such as HSV and L * a * b * for measuring color and redness May be used.

[Examples 1 to 9 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4]
One paneler was fixed, the time zone was changed, the judgment site B10 including the tongue central groove B11 was photographed, and the tongue B1 was ranked based on the following criteria. In addition, the breath of the panelists was analyzed by gas chromatography (product name: Oral Chroma, manufactured by EFAS Co., Ltd.), and halitosis was ranked based on the following criteria. The analysis of oral chroma was performed according to the instruction manual attached to the device.
As a result of confirming the matching property of the results of Aa, Bb, Cc, and Dd on the tongue rank and the rank of bad breath, the tongue B2 is included in the determination part B10, and the determination part B10 and the tongue are included. When the area ratio to the middle site B12 was within the range of Example 1 to Example 9, the tongue and the bad breath rank coincided. On the other hand, when the determination part B10 did not include the tongue central groove B11, it did not match the tongue rank in any state of bad breath rank.
From this, in order to improve the determination accuracy of bad breath, it was considered important that the tongue central groove B11 be entirely or partially included in the determination region B10. In the present examination, the tongue B1 was photographed in a self-portrait capture mode using an in-camera, using an iphone 7 (manufactured by Apple Inc.). Photographed under an indoor environment of illuminance 500 to 1200 lux.
Table 1 shows the tongue rank, bad breath rank and the like of Examples 1 to 9. Table 2 shows the tongue rank, bad breath rank and the like of Comparative Examples 1 to 4.

<Tongue rank criteria>
A: The ratio of pixels for which the sRGB value is R-G <50 in all the pixels in the determination part B10 is 60% or more (less redness of the tongue B1)
B: The ratio of pixels for which the sRGB value is R-G <50 in all pixels in the determination part B10 is 45% or more and less than 60% (the redness of the tongue B1 is slightly small)
C: The proportion of pixels for which the sRGB value is R-G <50 in all pixels in the determination part B10 is 30% or more and less than 45% (a little reddish color of the tongue B1)
D: The proportion of pixels for which the sRGB value is R-G <50 in all pixels in the determination part B10 is less than 30% (redness of the tongue B1 is high)

<Bad odor rank standard>
a: Breath hydrogen sulfide concentration of 450 ppb or more b: Breath hydrogen sulfide concentration of 300 ppb to less than 450 ppb c: Breath hydrogen sulfide concentration of 150 ppb to less than 300 ppb d: Breath hydrogen sulfide concentration of less than 150 ppb

That is, in Examples 1 to 9, the estimation unit 12 determines that the subject B is exhaled during exhalation based on the proportion of pixels for which the sRGB value is R-G <50 in all the pixels in the determination part B10. Estimate the odor component content level.

Similar results were obtained when using the index "RB" instead of the index "RG" described above.

[Examples 10 to 17]
The number of panelists was five, and the time zone was changed, and photographing of the tongue B1 and measurement of breath malodor (hydrogen sulfide concentration in breath) were performed 10 times each time for each person.
The hydrogen sulfide concentration in the subject B when the probability that the Aa matches (that is, the proportion of pixels where the sRGB value occupies R-G <50 in all the pixels in the determination part B10 is 60% or more) Is the probability that B-b will match (that is, the proportion of pixels with sRGB values R-G <50 in all pixels in determination part B10 is 45% or more and less than 60%) In some cases, the probability that the hydrogen sulfide concentration in subject B's breath will be 300 ppb or more and less than 450 ppb) and the probability that Cc will match (that is, the sRGB value occupied by all pixels in determination region B10 is R-G < Probability that subject B's breath hydrogen sulfide concentration will be 150 ppb or more and less than 300 ppb when the ratio of 50 pixels is 30% or more and less than 45%) , D-d match probability (that is, hydrogen sulfide in subject B's breath when the proportion of pixels for which sRGB values occupy R-G <50 in all the pixels in determination part B10 is less than 30%). Based on the probability that the concentration is less than 150 ppb), the matching was ranked according to the following criteria.
As a result, when the ratio of the area of the determination part B10 included in the image C to the area of the middle tongue part B12 included in the image C is 0.3 or more and 1.8 or less, high matching property is shown. . In particular, when the ratio of the area of the determination part B10 included in the image C to the area of the tongue internal part B12 included in the image C is 0.4 or more and 1.5 or less, higher matching is shown. . When the ratio of the area of the determination part B10 included in the image C to the area of the tongue internal part B12 included in the image C is 0.6 or more and 1.2 or less, higher matching property is shown.
In addition, in this examination, tongue body B1 was image | photographed in self-drawing mode using in-camera using iphone7 (made by Apple company). Photographed under an indoor environment of illuminance 500 to 1200 lux. Table 3 shows the matching property, the matching rate, and the like of Examples 10 to 17.

<Matching property>
:: matching rate of tongue rank-bad breath rank 75% or more ○: matching rate of tongue rank-bad breath rank 60-75% :: matching rate tongue rank-bad breath rank 45-60% :: The matching rate of tongue rank-bad breath rank is 30 or more and less than 45%. X: matching rate of tongue rank-bad breath rank is less than 30%.

[Example 18 to Example 22]
The same experiment was performed by changing the camera while setting the area ratio between the determination part B10 and the tongue middle part B12 to 1 (that is, setting the area ratio between the tongue middle part B12 and the determination part B10 to 1). As a result, it showed high matching in the range of 1.2 million to 13.2 million pixels. In particular, the matching property is high at 2 to 12 million pixels, and the matching property is further high at 5 to 10 million pixels. Table 4 shows the matching property, matching rate, and the like of Examples 18 to 22.

<Use camera>
5 million pixels: iphone 6s (manufactured by Apple)
8 million pixels: ZTE BLADE V7 Lite (made by ZTE Japan Ltd.) 13.2 million pixels: Xperia XZ (made by Sony Corp.)
2.2 million pixels: Xperia A4 (manufactured by Sony Corporation)
1.2 million pixels: iphone 6 (manufactured by Apple Inc.)

[Examples 23 to 26]
The same experiment was performed while changing the shooting distance. The camera used iphone7. The matching property was high at 5 to 20 cm, and was even higher at 15 cm. Table 5 shows the matching properties, matching rates, and the like of Examples 23 to 26.

[Comparative Example 5 to Comparative Example 8]
In the case where the tongue central groove B11 was not included in the determination part B10, sufficient accuracy could not be obtained in any case. Table 6 shows matching properties, matching rates, and the like of Comparative Examples 5 to 8.

<Judgment site B10>
The determination part B10 mentioned above is a determination part (part used for estimation), and can adjust the range arbitrarily. The range of the determination part B10 is not particularly limited except that it includes the tongue central groove B11. Preferably, the ratio of the area of the determination part B10 included in the image C to the area of the tongue internal part B12 included in the image C is 0.3 or more and 1.8 or less. More preferably, the ratio of the area of the determination part B10 included in the image C to the area of the middle tongue part B12 included in the image C is 0.4 or more and 1.5 or less. More preferably, the ratio of the area of the determination part B10 included in the image C to the area of the tongue middle part B12 included in the image C is 0.6 or more and 1.2 or less. By setting these ranges, high determination accuracy (estimation accuracy) is maintained.

The determination site B10 may include all or part of the tongue central groove B11.
Although the method of cutting out the determination portion B10 and the shape thereof are not particularly limited, it is preferable that the shape is unlikely to protrude from the outer diameter shape (contour) of the tongue B1. Preferably, a square or more polygon is preferable.

<Number of pixels>
The number of pixels of the imaging device (imaging device A) used in the present invention is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1.2 million to 13.20 million pixels, more preferably 2.2 million to 8 million pixels, and still more preferably 5 million to 8 million pixels. With these ranges, high determination accuracy is maintained.
Moreover, it is preferable that the image sensor of the imaging device used by this case is f2.8 or less.

<Description of bad breath unpleasant component>
The bad breath unpleasant component in the present case is a volatile sulfur compound. These components include hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfoxide. Among these, hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan are preferable from the viewpoint of matching property. Of these, hydrogen sulfide is most preferred.

<Measurement environment>
The photographing environment is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to measure in an indoor environment having an illuminance of 150 lux or more, preferably 300 lux or more. There is no particular upper limit, but in an environment of 100000 lux or more, saliva reflection on the tongue B1 tends to occur, which may reduce the measurement accuracy.
It is preferable that no shadow is cast on the tongue B1 at the time of photographing. A flash may be used. In the present invention, the use of the flash does not particularly affect the determination accuracy (estimation accuracy).
Although the imaging distance is not particularly limited, imaging is preferably performed at a distance of 5 to 30 cm from the determination portion B10 of the tongue B1, more preferably 5 to 20 cm, still more preferably 10 to 15 cm. If the distance is too close, shadows are likely to occur, which may affect the determination accuracy (estimated accuracy). In order to keep the photographing distance constant, it is preferable to provide a tongue alignment guide frame A21 for specifying the position of the tongue B1 on the display part A2 of the photographing device A. When the shooting distance is increased to eliminate the influence of shadows, it is also effective to use a zoom function to stabilize analysis accuracy (estimated accuracy).

<Classification of bad breath level>
When determining (estimated) the level of bad breath, classification of 3 to 4 levels is preferable in terms of accuracy.

<How to rank the tongue>
The method of giving the tongue rank is not limited to the method of obtaining from the ratio of pixels in which the sRGB values in all the pixels in the determination part B10 are represented by R-G <50. Besides, the method of determining from the ratio of pixels represented by R-B <50 can also provide excellent determination accuracy (matching property) of the bad breath level.

In another example, the content level of the unpleasant odor component in the exhalation of subject B is estimated based on the proportion of pixels in which the sRGB value is R-G <30 in all the pixels in determination region B10.
Specifically, the hydrogen sulfide concentration in the breath of subject B is 450 ppb or more when the ratio of pixels for which the sRGB value is R-G <30 in all the pixels in the determination part B10 is 30% or more. It is estimated to be.
The hydrogen sulfide concentration in the breath of subject B is 300 ppb or more and less than 450 ppb when the ratio of pixels for which the sRGB value is R-G <30 to all pixels in the determination part B10 is 20% or more and less than 30%. It is estimated to be.
The hydrogen sulfide concentration in the breath of subject B is 150 ppb or more and less than 300 ppb when the ratio of pixels for which the sRGB value is R-G <30 to all pixels in the determination part B10 is 10% or more and less than 20%. It is estimated to be.
It is estimated that the hydrogen sulfide concentration in the breath of subject B is less than 150 ppb when the ratio of pixels for which the sRGB value is R <G <30 to all the pixels in the determination part B10 is less than 10%.
Also in this example, the subject B can grasp the content level of the offensive odor component in his exhaled breath without having to use a very expensive analytical instrument such as gas chromatography.
Similar results are obtained when using the index "RB" instead of the index "RG" described above.

In yet another example, the test subject is based on the proportion of pixels with sRGB values of (R, G, B) = (255 to 180, 255 to 180, 255 to 180) in all pixels in the determination part B10. The content level of the offensive odor component in the breath of B is estimated.
Specifically, the ratio of pixels with sRGB values of (R, G, B) = (255 to 180, 255 to 180, 255 to 180) occupied in all pixels in the determination part B10 is 60% or more In this case, it is estimated that the hydrogen sulfide concentration in the breath of subject B is 450 ppb or more.
When the ratio of pixels for which the sRGB values occupy (R, G, B) = (255 to 180, 255 to 180, 255 to 180) occupying all pixels in the determination part B10 is 45% or more and less than 60% The hydrogen sulfide concentration in the breath of subject B is estimated to be 300 ppb or more and less than 450 ppb.
When the ratio of pixels for which the sRGB values occupy (R, G, B) = (255 to 180, 255 to 180, 255 to 180) in all pixels in the determination part B10 is 30% or more and less than 45% The hydrogen sulfide concentration in the breath of the subject B is estimated to be 150 ppb or more and less than 300 ppb.
When the proportion of pixels with sRGB values of (R, G, B) = (255 to 180, 255 to 180, 255 to 180) occupying all pixels in the determination part B10 is less than 30%, the subject B It is estimated that the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in exhaled breath is less than 150 ppb.
Also in this example, the subject B can grasp the content level of the offensive odor component in his exhaled breath without having to use a very expensive analytical instrument such as gas chromatography.
In this example, the brightness of the external environment is preferably 500 lux or more. In addition, it is desirable that the camera does not use a flash.

The bad breath can be appropriately suppressed by using the method for estimating the level of discomfort in the breath according to the present invention. Among the bad breath, it is preferable to use the method of the present invention in suppressing physiological bad breath.

A formulation containing an odor masking component such as a fragrance is preferable as a halitosis care formulation suitable for confirming the halitosis suppressing effect by the method of the present invention. By using the method of the present invention in these preparations, the effect of suppressing physiological halitosis can be correctly confirmed without being affected by the masking component. The dosage form is not particularly limited as long as it contains a flavor component, and sheets and tablets are particularly preferred.

Although the preferred embodiments according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is apparent that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and the technical scope of the present invention is also natural for them. It is understood to belong to

The whole or part of the functions of the units included in the device for estimating the level of content of offensive odorous components in exhaled breath in the embodiment described above records programs for realizing these functions in a computer-readable recording medium, It may be realized by causing a computer system to read and execute the program recorded in this recording medium. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.
Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage unit such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a portable medium such as a CD-ROM, or a hard disk built in a computer system. Furthermore, “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time, like a communication line in the case of transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. It may also include one that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory in a computer system that becomes a server or client in that case. The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above, or may be realized in combination with the program already recorded in the computer system.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... An exhalation unpleasant odor component content level estimation device, 11 ... acquisition part, 12 ... estimation part, A ... imaging device, A1 ... imaging part, A2 ... display part, A21 ... tongue alignment guide frame, A3 ... control Part, B: Subject, B1: Tongue, B10: Judgment part, B11: Tongue central groove, B12: Tongue middle part, B13: Tongue apex, C: Image

Claims

An acquisition step of acquiring an image including the determination part of the subject's tongue;
Based on the color of the judgment portion of the tongue included in the image acquired in the acquisition step, and the relation between the color of the judgment portion of the tongue and the content level of the unpleasant odor component in exhalation, And e) estimating the content level of the offensive odor component in the breath of the subject.
The judgment site includes a tongue central groove,
A method for estimating the level of unpleasant odorous components in exhaled breath.
The ratio of the area of the determination part included in the image to the area of the part in the tongue included in the image is 0.3 or more and 1.8 or less.
The method for estimating the unpleasant odor component-containing level in breath according to claim 1.
The image including the determination site of the tongue of the subject is captured by an imaging device including a monitor on which the guide frame for tongue alignment and the determination site of the tongue of the subject is displayed.
The tongue alignment guide frame is configured such that a ratio of an area of the determination portion included in the image to an area of a tongue middle portion included in the image is 0.3 or more and 1.8 or less. Displayed on the monitor,
The method for estimating the unpleasant odor component-containing level in exhaled breath according to claim 1 or 2.
The distance between the determination part of the tongue of the subject and the imaging device for capturing the determination part of the tongue of the subject is 5 cm to 20 cm.
The method for estimating the unpleasant odor component-containing level in breath according to claim 3.
The imaging device having the number of pixels of 1.2 million pixels to 13.2 million pixels captures the image including the determination portion of the tongue of the subject.
The method for estimating the unpleasant odor component-containing level in exhaled breath according to claim 3 or 4.
It is estimated that the content level of the offensive odor component in the exhalation of the subject is higher as the redness of the judgment part of the tongue of the subject is weaker.
The method for estimating the level of content of the unpleasant odorous component in exhaled breath according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
Estimating the content level of the offensive odor component in the subject's exhalation, based on the proportion of pixels in which the sRGB value satisfies R−G <50 in all the pixels in the determination site;
The method for estimating the unpleasant odor component-containing level in breath according to claim 6.
An acquisition unit configured to acquire an image including a determination part of a subject's tongue;
Based on the relation between the color of the judgment part of the tongue included in the image acquired by the acquisition unit and the color of the judgment part of the tongue and the content level of the unpleasant odor component in exhalation, And an estimation unit for estimating the content level of the offensive odor component in the breath of the subject.
An unpleasant odor component containing level estimation device in exhaled breath.
On the computer
An acquisition step of acquiring an image including a determination region of a subject's tongue;
Based on the color of the judgment portion of the tongue included in the image acquired in the acquiring step, and the relation between the color of the judgment portion of the tongue and the content level of the unpleasant odor component in exhalation, A program for performing the steps of: estimating the content level of the offensive odor component in the breath of the subject.
A method for care of halitosis using the method for estimating the level of unpleasant odorous components in breath according to any one of claims 1 to 7.