JP7514660B2 - Provision program, provision system, and provision device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a provision program, a provision system, and a provision device.

Conventionally, there are known technologies that provide users with various information about absorbent articles. One example of such a technology is a technology that suggests how to apply the absorbent article based on the posture at the time of urinary leakage, based on the measurement results of a sensor attached to the absorbent article. In addition, there is known a technology that suggests an appropriate absorbent article and the timing for replacing it, based on the amount of urine absorbed by the absorbent article.

JP 2018-202154 A JP 2018-206381 A

However, the above-mentioned conventional techniques may not provide adequate information about absorbent articles.

For example, if a wearer of an absorbent article excretes while out and about, the wearer's guardian or other person may not be able to find a place to change the absorbent article, and the wearer may be left with excrement inside the absorbent article. In such cases, there is a risk of problems such as skin rashes on the wearer or excrement leaking from the absorbent article, but the above-mentioned conventional technology merely suggests the timing of when to change the absorbent article. For this reason, even if a change of the absorbent article is required, the above-mentioned conventional technology may not be able to change the absorbent article, and may not be able to provide appropriate information about the absorbent article.

This application was made in light of the above, and aims to provide appropriate information regarding absorbent articles.

The provision program according to the present application is characterized in that it causes a computer to execute an acquisition step of acquiring detection information indicating information regarding excretion by a wearer of an absorbent article, the detection information being detected by a predetermined detection device, an identification step of identifying a facility for replacing the absorbent article based on the detection information acquired by the acquisition step, and a provision step of providing facility information indicating the facility identified by the identification step to a user associated with the wearer.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, appropriate information regarding absorbent articles can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a providing process according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of a terminal device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a terminal device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the second application according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a server device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a facility database according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detection information database according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a providing process executed by the terminal device according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration.

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

A provision program that causes a computer to execute an acquisition step of acquiring detection information indicating information related to excretion by a wearer of an absorbent article, the detection information being detected by a specified detection device, a specification step of identifying a facility for replacing the absorbent article based on the detection information acquired by the acquisition step, and a provision step of providing facility information indicating the facility identified by the specification step to a user associated with the wearer.

According to this provision program, detection information is obtained that indicates information related to excretion by a wearer of an absorbent article and that is detected by a specified detection device. Then, a facility for replacing the absorbent article is identified based on the detection information, and facility information indicating the identified facility is provided to a user who is linked to the wearer. In this way, the provision program can provide appropriate information related to the absorbent article to the user.

The provision program also acquires the detection information detected by a detection device attached to the absorbent article.

This provision program obtains detection information detected by a detection device attached to an absorbent article, making it possible to provide facility information at an appropriate time.

The provision program also identifies the facility based on the user's location when the detection information indicating that the wearer has excreted is obtained.

According to this provision program, when detection information is obtained indicating that the wearer has excreted, a facility for changing the absorbent article is identified based on the user's location, enabling the user to quickly change the absorbent article.

The provision program also determines whether the user is out or not based on the user's location, and identifies the facility if it determines that the user is out.

According to this type of provision program, when it is determined that the user is out, it is possible to identify facilities for replacing absorbent articles, and provide appropriate information in a situation in which the user is likely to search for such facilities.

The provision program also searches for a route from the user's location to the facility, and provides the facility information showing the searched route.

This type of provision program provides facility information showing a route from the user's location to the facility, allowing the user to be quickly guided to the facility.

The provision program also searches for a route that provides guidance from the user's location to the facility, and in which the equipment used by the user to travel to the facility satisfies predetermined conditions.

This type of provision program searches for a route where the facilities used by the user when traveling to the facility meet certain conditions, making it possible to provide facility information showing routes that have facilities such as elevators that facilitate the movement of the user accompanied by the wearer, thereby improving convenience.

The provision program also searches for a route that provides guidance from the user's location to the facility and that meets conditions according to the wearer's means of transportation.

This type of provision program searches for routes that meet the conditions according to the wearer's means of transportation, making it possible to provide facility information showing routes that facilitate travel using a stroller or other means of transportation, thereby improving convenience.

The provision program also provides the facility information based on a predetermined score associated with the facility.

This type of provision program provides facility information based on a predetermined score associated with the facility, so that facility information that is useful to the user can be provided preferentially based on a predetermined criterion.

The provision program also provides the facility information based on a score based on at least one of the following: an evaluation of facilities for changing the absorbent articles, ease of transportation to the facility, the presence or absence of facilities available for infants and young children, and an evaluation by users who have used the facility.

This type of provision program provides facility information based on a score based on at least one of the following: an evaluation of facilities for changing absorbent articles, ease of transportation to the facility, availability of facilities for infants and young children, and evaluations by users who have used the facility, so that facility information that is useful from the user's perspective can be provided preferentially.

The provision program also provides the facility information based on information about the facility and the attributes of the user.

This type of provision program provides facility information based on facility information and user attributes, making it possible to provide facility information that meets the needs of the user.

The provision program also provides the facility information based on information about the facility and the gender of the user.

This type of provision program provides facility information based on facility-related information and the gender of the user, making it possible to provide facility information indicating facilities that correspond to the gender of the user.

The provision program also predicts the timing when the wearer will defecate based on the detection information, receives movement information indicating the user's future movements, and notifies the user of the received movement information and the area in which the user will be located at the predicted timing when moving based on the movement information.

This type of program predicts when the wearer will defecate and notifies the user of the area in which the wearer is located at the predicted timing, allowing the user to act based on a prior understanding of the wearer's defecation timing, and thus enabling the user to quickly replace the absorbent article.

The provision program also identifies the facility based on the area in which the user is located at the time predicted by the prediction procedure.

This type of provision program identifies the facility based on the area in which the wearer is located when the wearer defecates, allowing the user to act after understanding the facility information in advance, and allowing the user to quickly replace the absorbent article.

The provision program also suggests a route to the user based on the travel information and the location of the facility.

This type of provision program suggests routes to users based on travel information and the location of facilities, allowing users to plan their travel based on the location of facilities and quickly replace absorbent articles.

Below, an example of a form for implementing the provision program, provision system, and provision device (hereinafter, referred to as an "embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the provision program, provision system, and provision device are not limited to this embodiment. Also, the same parts in the following embodiments will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[Embodiment]
[1. An example of the provision process]
A provision process implemented by a provision program or the like according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the provision process according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the provision system 1 according to the embodiment includes a server device 10 and a terminal device 100. The server device 10 and the terminal device 100 are connected to each other via a network N (see FIG. 3, for example) so as to be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly. The network N is, for example, a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. Note that the provision system 1 shown in FIG. 1 may include multiple server devices 10 and multiple terminal devices 100.

The server device 10 is a server device that provides a service (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "information provision service SA1") that provides information about facilities for exchanging absorbent goods (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "exchange facilities"). For example, the server device 10 collects and manages various information about the exchange facilities. As a specific example, the server device 10 manages information such as the name and location of the exchange facility, equipment information about the equipment of the exchange facility, and evaluation information (reviews) received from users who have used the exchange facility. In the embodiment, the exchange facility is a facility where an exchange table for absorbent goods is installed and may be any facility that is available to users, such as various commercial facilities and public facilities.

The terminal device 100 is an information processing device used by the guardian (user) of the wearer of the absorbent article. The terminal device 100 is realized, for example, by a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc.

In the example of FIG. 1, the terminal device 100 has a provision program (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "app AP1") according to the embodiment installed, executes the app AP1 installed on the terminal device 100, and executes the provision process according to the embodiment under the control of the app AP1. Here, the app AP1 is an application distributed by the server device 10, and is an application for using the information provision service SA1. In addition, the app AP1 links the terminal device 100 with a predetermined detection device (for example, a wearable device attached to the absorbent article in advance) that detects information related to excretion by a wearer of the absorbent article, and enables the terminal device 100 to acquire information detected by the detection device.

The provision process implemented by the terminal device 100 will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 conceptually illustrates a situation in which a user U goes out with a person (infant) B who is wearing an absorbent article (diaper). In the following description, the terminal device 100 is assumed to be a smartphone used by the user U. In addition, in the following description, the terminal device 100 may be regarded as the same as the user U. In other words, in the following description, the user U may also be read as the terminal device 100.

In the following description, it is assumed that a detection device SN1 capable of detecting excretion (urination, defecation) of the wearer B is attached in advance to the absorbent article worn by the wearer B. For example, the detection device SN1 detects the wearer's excretion based on the impedance of the absorbent article. To give a specific example, the detection device SN1 estimates the presence or absence of an excretion action based on impedance information, and when it estimates that an excretion action has occurred (excretion has been performed), performs an estimation process to estimate the excretion at that time, thereby ultimately detecting the excretion of the wearer. In addition to detecting excretion based on impedance information, the detection device SN1 may also detect excretion based on, for example, electrical resistance or odor in the absorbent article. In addition, if an indicator that changes color in response to excretion is provided in the absorbent article, the detection device SN1 may detect excretion based on the color change of the indicator. In other words, the detection device SN1 may detect excretion based on any information. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the detection device SN1 is attached to a position corresponding to the wearer B's cloaca, but it may be attached to any position as long as it is capable of detecting excretion.

First, the terminal device 100 acquires the detection information detected by the detection device SN1 (step S1). For example, the terminal device 100 acquires, as the detection information, the results of an estimation process performed by the detection device SN1 to estimate the presence or absence of an excretion action at a predetermined timing (for example, at 5-second intervals) (for example, the presence or absence of an excretion action, the date and time of the excretion action, and the excrement).

Then, the terminal device 100 transmits the detection information and location information indicating the location of the user U (step S2). For example, if the acquired detection information indicates that an excretory act has occurred, the terminal device 100 transmits the location information of the user U detected by various sensors (e.g., a GPS (Global Positioning System) function, a motion sensor, etc.) possessed by the terminal device 100 together with the detection information to the server device 10. As a specific example, the terminal device 100 transmits a history of the location information of the user U for a predetermined period (e.g., the last hour) to the server device 10.

Then, the server device 10 searches for a facility for changing diapers based on the location information of the user U (step S3). For example, the server device 10 refers to its own database and searches for multiple diaper changing facilities located within a predetermined range from the current location of the user U. As a specific example, when the user U travels by a means of transportation estimated based on the location information history, the server device 10 searches for a diaper changing facility that can be reached within a predetermined time from the current location.

Next, the server device 10 transmits information about the searched facility (step S4). For example, the server device 10 transmits the name, location, equipment information, evaluation information, etc. of the exchange facility to the terminal device 100.

Then, the terminal device 100 displays a notification indicating that the wearer B has excreted and facility information indicating the location of the facility (step S5). For example, the terminal device 100 displays the notification (e.g., a push notification) indicating that the wearer B has excreted by arranging it on a login screen. Then, in response to a selection operation by the user U in response to the displayed notification, the terminal device 100 uses the function of the app AP1 to display the facility information on the screen of the terminal device 100.

Here, the facility information displayed by the terminal device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the terminal device according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 100 displays a screen SC1 showing facility information based on information transmitted from the server device 10. For example, on the screen SC1, the terminal device 100 displays an object Ob indicating the current location of the user U and contents C1 and C2 showing various information related to the exchange facility superimposed on a map corresponding to the current location of the user U. The terminal device 100 may further display navigation information for guiding the user U to the exchange facilities corresponding to the contents C1 and C2, respectively.

As described above, when the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment detects that a wearer of an absorbent article has excreted, it can provide the guardian of the wearer with information regarding facilities for changing the absorbent article. As a result, the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment can quickly change the absorbent article without leaving excrement inside the absorbent article, thereby avoiding trouble caused by leaving excrement inside the absorbent article and reducing the user's anxiety about going out. In other words, the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment can provide appropriate information regarding the absorbent article.

In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the provision process was executed by the terminal device 100, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the provision process may be executed by the server device 10. In such a case, the server device 10 acquires detection information, location information, and the like from the terminal device 100 or the detection device SN1, and provides information indicating the exchange facility identified using the acquired information to the terminal device 100.

2. Configuration of terminal device
The terminal device 100 for realizing the above-mentioned provision process will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the terminal device 100 has a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, a touch panel 130, and a control unit 140.

(Regarding communication unit 110)
The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC) etc. The communication unit 110 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from the payment server 10 etc.

(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 or an optical disk.

(Regarding the touch panel 130)
The touch panel 130 is realized by a liquid crystal display or the like, and is an input device that displays various information and accepts various operations from the user with the user's finger or a dedicated pen.

(Regarding the control unit 140)
The control unit 140 is a controller, and is realized, for example, by a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU) executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the terminal device 100 using a RAM as a working area. The control unit 140 is also a controller, and is realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

Here, the control unit 140 executes multiple applications to realize various functions related to the terminal device 100. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 140 executes a first application 141 and a second application 142. Note that the control unit 140 may execute any number of applications other than the applications shown in FIG. 3 to achieve any function.

The first application 141 is an application that serves as the OS (Operating System) of the terminal device 100. The second application 142 causes the terminal device 100 to execute the provision process described above. An example of the functional configuration of the second application 142 will be described below with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the second application according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the second application 142 according to the embodiment has an acquisition unit 1421, a prediction unit 1422, a reception unit 1423, a notification unit 1424, an identification unit 1425, a proposal unit 1426, a search unit 1427, and a provision unit 1428, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of the information processing described below.

(Regarding the Acquisition Unit 1421)
The acquisition unit 1421 acquires detection information indicating information regarding excretion by a wearer of the absorbent article, which is information detected by a predetermined detection device. For example, in the example of Fig. 1, the acquisition unit 1421 acquires a result of an estimation process performed by the detection device SN1 to estimate the presence or absence of an excretory action at a predetermined timing as detection information, and transmits it to the server device 10 together with the position information of the user U. The acquisition unit 1421 may store the detection information indicating the presence or absence of an excretory action, the date and time of the excretory action, the excretory object, etc. in the storage unit 120 in association with the wearer of the absorbent article.

The acquisition unit 1421 may also acquire detection information detected by a detection device attached to the absorbent article. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the acquisition unit 1421 acquires detection information detected by a detection device attached to the absorbent article worn by the wearer B.

(Regarding the prediction unit 1422)
Here, it is conceivable that there is a demand not only to notify the user of the wearer's excretion in real time, but also to notify the user in advance of the timing of the wearer's excretion, so that the user can prepare in advance for the wearer's excretion while out and reduce trouble while out. Therefore, the prediction unit 1422 predicts the timing when the wearer will excrete based on the detection information. For example, the prediction unit 1422 predicts the timing when the wearer will excrete based on the history of detection information stored in the storage unit 120 or a detection information database 32 of the server device 10 described later.

The information used by the prediction unit 1422 to predict the timing of excretion may be information input by the user, in addition to information detected by the detection device.

(Regarding the reception unit 1423)
Here, for example, there may be a desire to improve the accuracy of information provided to the user by using information about the user's future travel and collecting information about facilities on the route the user will use for travel. Therefore, the reception unit 1423 receives travel information indicating the user's future travel. For example, the reception unit 1423 receives input of information such as the user's departure point, destination, departure time, arrival time, the user's means of transportation, and the wearer's means of transportation (e.g., a stroller) from the user via the app AP1 or the like.

The reception unit 1423 may also receive, as travel information, the user's usage history for various services such as a route search service, a map provision service, a travel service, a restaurant introduction service, a facility reservation service, a weather forecast service, and a social networking service (SNS) service.

(Regarding the notification unit 1424)
The notification unit 1424 notifies the user of the movement information accepted by the acceptance unit 1423 and the area in which the user will be located at the timing predicted by the prediction unit 1422 when moving based on the movement information. For example, the notification unit 1424 displays on the touch panel 130 a notification indicating the date and time indicating the timing predicted by the prediction unit 1422 and the area in which the user is estimated to be located on the movement route indicated by the movement information at the date and time. As a specific example, the notification unit 1424 identifies the area in which the user will be located at the timing predicted by the prediction unit 1422 from the map information corresponding to the movement information, and displays content that highlights the identified area.

The notification unit 1424 may issue a notification at any timing. For example, the notification unit 1424 may issue a notification at the timing when the reception unit 1423 receives the movement information. The notification unit 1424 may also issue a notification at a time point a predetermined period before the timing predicted by the prediction unit 1422.

(Regarding the identification unit 1425)
The identification unit 1425 identifies a facility for exchanging absorbent articles based on the detection information acquired by the acquisition unit 1421. For example, in the example of Fig. 1, the identification unit 1425 transmits the detection information and location information of the user U to the server device 10, and identifies the facility indicated by the information transmitted from the server device 10 as an exchange facility in accordance with the transmitted information. The identification unit 1425 may also acquire information regarding facilities stored in a facility database 31 of the server device 10 described below, and identify the exchange facility from the information acquired from the server device 10 based on the location information of the user.

The identification unit 1425 may also identify a facility based on the user's location when detection information indicating that the wearer has excreted is acquired. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, when detection information indicating that an excretory act has occurred is acquired, the identification unit 1425 transmits the detection information and location information indicating the location of the user U to the server device 10, and performs processing to identify an exchange facility.

The identification unit 1425 may also determine whether the user is out or not based on the user's location, and identify the facility if it is determined that the user is out. For example, the identification unit 1425 performs processing to identify an exchange facility if the user's location information at the time when detection information indicating an excretory act is acquired indicates a location other than the user's base (e.g., home).

The identification unit 1425 may also identify a facility based on the area in which the user is located at the time predicted by the prediction unit 1422. For example, the identification unit 1425 identifies an exchange facility located within the area in which the user is located at the time predicted by the prediction unit 1422, or an exchange facility located within a predetermined range from the area.

The identification unit 1425 may perform identification processing of an exchange facility based on the user's means of transportation and travel route estimated based on the user's location information, etc. For example, the identification unit 1425 identifies an exchange facility based on a route corresponding to the user's means of transportation. As a specific example, if the user's means of transportation is estimated to be a train, the identification unit 1425 identifies an exchange facility from a station located in the direction of travel of the train (e.g., a station having a toilet equipped with an absorbent article exchange table on the premises) or a facility located in the area around the station. Furthermore, if the user's means of transportation is estimated to be a car, the identification unit 1425 identifies an exchange facility from a facility located around the road in the direction of travel of the car (e.g., a service area).

(Regarding the proposal unit 1426)
Here, for example, there may be a case where an exchange facility does not exist on a route that the user will use in the future, or where it is difficult to move to the exchange facility from the route, and the absorbent article cannot be exchanged quickly. Therefore, the suggestion unit 1426 suggests a route to the user based on the travel information and the location of the facility. For example, the suggestion unit 1426 may search for a route that can reach the destination indicated by the travel information and has an exchange facility within a predetermined range from the position of the user during the travel, and provide information indicating the searched route to the user.

(Regarding the search unit 1427)
Here, it is conceivable that there is a desire to improve convenience by providing navigation to the exchange facility to the user. Therefore, the search unit 1427 searches for a route that guides the user from the user's location to the facility. For example, the search unit 1427 searches for a route that guides the user from the user's current location to the exchange facility identified by the identification unit 1425.

The search unit 1427 may also search for a route that guides the user from the user's location to the facility, and where the facilities used by the user when traveling to the facility satisfy a predetermined condition. For example, the search unit 1427 searches for a route that does not include facilities that are estimated to make the user's travel difficult, and includes facilities that are estimated to make the user's travel easy. As a specific example, when the user travels to the exchange facility on foot, the search unit 1427 searches for a route that does not use stairs or a route where an elevator or escalator can be used.

The search unit 1427 may also search for a route that guides the user from their location to the facility and that satisfies conditions according to the wearer's means of transportation. For example, if the wearer's means of transportation is a stroller, the search unit 1427 searches for a route that does not include stairs and that has an elevator available.

(Regarding the providing unit 1428)
The providing unit 1428 provides facility information indicating the facility identified by the identification procedure to the user associated with the wearer. For example, in the example of Fig. 1, the providing unit 1428 provides the screen SC1 shown in Fig. 2 to the user U as facility information.

The providing unit 1428 may also provide facility information indicating the route searched for by the searching unit 1427. For example, the providing unit 1428 provides facility information indicating the route from the user's current location to the exchange facility, the time required to reach the exchange facility, etc.

When multiple exchange facilities are identified, the providing unit 1428 may provide the user with a route to the selected exchange facility. Explaining the example of FIG. 2, when a selection operation for contents C1 and C2 is received from user U, the providing unit 1428 superimposes information indicating a route from user U to the selected facility on the screen SC1.

Here, for example, there may be a desire to provide facility information indicating exchange facilities that have added value for users, rather than simply exchange facilities located close to the user. Therefore, the providing unit 1428 may provide facility information based on information associated with the exchange facilities (for example, information stored in a facility database 31 of the server device 10 described below). For example, the providing unit 1428 provides facility information based on a predetermined score associated with the facility. As a specific example, the providing unit 1428 provides facility information indicating exchange facilities that have a score indicating the degree of convenience or the degree to which users find the facility attractive (for example, evaluations in various services such as restaurant introduction services and facility reservation services) that is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, among the identified exchange facilities.

The providing unit 1428 may provide facility information based on a score based on at least one of an evaluation of facilities for exchanging absorbent articles, ease of movement to the facility, the presence or absence of facilities available for infants, and an evaluation by users who have used the facility. For example, the providing unit 1428 provides facility information indicating exchange facilities among the identified exchange facilities, whose scores calculated according to the presence or absence of various facilities, ease of movement to the exchange facility, and user evaluations are equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. As a specific example, the providing unit 1428 provides facility information using a score that is calculated higher the more the exchange facility has childcare support facilities such as a baby area, a kids' space, and a children's toilet. The providing unit 1428 provides facility information using a score that is calculated lower the longer the distance traveled using stairs on the route to the exchange facility or the route to the position of the absorbent article exchange facility. The providing unit 1428 also provides facility information using a score that is calculated so that the higher the evaluation indicated by the review posted by the user who used the exchange facility, the higher the score. Note that the review posted by the user may be about the convenience of the facility as a place to exchange absorbent articles, or may be a review indicating whether the facility is attractive as a place to go out.

The providing unit 1428 may also provide facility information based on information about the facility and the attributes of the user. For example, the providing unit 1428 provides facility information indicating exchange facilities that correspond to the demographic attributes, psychographic attributes, and the like of the user among the identified exchange facilities. As a specific example, when the user's hobby or preference is "fashion", the providing unit 1428 provides facility information indicating exchange facilities whose categories are "clothing stores" or "department stores". The providing unit 1428 also provides facility information indicating exchange facilities that have facilities that correspond to the family structure of the user. For example, when the user indicates that he or she is the parent of a preschool child, the providing unit 1428 provides facility information indicating exchange facilities that have facilities that can be used by preschool children (e.g., a kids' space, a children's toilet, etc.).

The providing unit 1428 may also provide facility information based on information about the facility and the gender of the user. For example, if the gender of the user is male, the providing unit 1428 provides facility information indicating exchange facilities available to men (for example, an exchange facility where an absorbent article exchange table is installed in a men's restroom).

The providing unit 1428 may provide facility information indicating an exchange facility among the identified exchange facilities that corresponds to the user's movement mode (for example, information based on the location information history or the movement information received by the receiving unit 1423). For example, the providing unit 1428 provides facility information indicating an exchange facility located in the user's traveling direction. Furthermore, if the user's means of transportation is a train, the providing unit 1428 provides facility information indicating an exchange facility that is a facility located in a station or in an area around a station. Furthermore, if the user's means of transportation is a car, the providing unit 1428 provides facility information indicating an exchange facility that has a parking lot.

3. Configuration of the Server Device
Next, the configuration of the server device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server device according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the server device 10 includes a communication unit 20, a storage unit 30, and a control unit 40.

(Regarding communication unit 20)
The communication unit 20 is realized by, for example, a NIC etc. The communication unit 20 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from the terminal device 100 etc.

(Regarding the storage unit 30)
The storage unit 30 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. As shown in FIG. 3, the storage unit 30 has a facility database 31 and a detection information database 32.

(Regarding facility database 31)
The facility database 31 stores various information related to facilities for exchanging absorbent articles (for example, information acquired from various server devices that provide open data). An example of information stored in the facility database 31 will now be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a facility database according to an embodiment. In the example of FIG. 6, the facility database 31 has items such as "facility ID", "facility name", "category", "location", "equipment information", and "score".

"Facility ID" indicates identification information for identifying a facility. "Facility name" indicates the name of the facility. "Category" indicates the category of the facility. "Location" indicates the location of the facility. "Facility information" indicates the facilities provided at the facility, and includes, for example, information on facilities related to the change of absorbent articles (e.g., the number of change tables for absorbent articles, whether change tables are installed in women's restrooms or men's restrooms, whether there are trash bins for absorbent articles, etc.) and information indicating the presence or absence of various facilities related to childcare support (e.g., baby areas, kids' spaces, nursing rooms, etc.). "Score" indicates the degree of convenience of the facility and the degree to which users find the facility attractive.

In other words, Figure 6 shows an example in which the name of the facility identified by the facility ID "Facility ID #1" is "Facility A," the category of the facility is "department store," the location is "Location #1," the facility information is "Facility Information #1," and the score is "3.5."

(Regarding the detection information database 32)
The detection information database 32 stores information detected by a detection device attached to an absorbent article worn by a wearer. An example of information stored in the detection information database 32 will now be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a detection information database according to an embodiment. In the example of Fig. 7, the detection information database 32 has items such as "user ID", "wearer ID", and "excretion information".

"User ID" indicates identification information for identifying a user who is linked to the wearer. "Wearer ID" indicates identification information for identifying the wearer. "Excretion information" indicates information related to excretion detected by the detection device, and includes, for example, the date and time when the excretion was detected and information indicating the excretion.

In other words, FIG. 7 shows an example in which a wearer identified by a wearer ID "BID#1" is linked to a user identified by a user ID "UID#1", and the excretion information detected by the detection device regarding the wearer is "excretion information #1".

(Regarding the control unit 40)
The control unit 40 is a controller, and is realized, for example, by a CPU, an MPU, or the like, executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the server device 10 using a RAM as a working area. The control unit 40 is also a controller, and is realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 40 according to the embodiment has an acquisition unit 41, a prediction unit 42, a reception unit 43, a notification unit 44, a specification unit 45, a proposal unit 46, a search unit 47, and a provision unit 48, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of information processing described below.

(Regarding the Acquisition Unit 41)
When the server device 10 executes the provision process according to the embodiment, the acquisition unit 41 has the same configuration as the acquisition unit 1421 of the terminal device 100, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The acquisition unit 41 may acquire detection information from either the terminal device 100 or the detection device, and store the detection information in the detection information database 32. The acquisition unit 41 may also acquire a position indicated by either the terminal device 100 or the detection device as position information of the user.

(Regarding the prediction unit 42)
When the server device 10 executes the providing process according to the embodiment, the prediction unit 42 has the same configuration as the prediction unit 1422 of the terminal device 100, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Regarding the reception unit 43)
When the server device 10 executes the provision process according to the embodiment, the reception unit 43 has the same configuration as the reception unit 1423 of the terminal device 100, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Regarding the notification unit 44)
When the server device 10 executes the provision process according to the embodiment, the notification unit 44 has the same configuration as the notification unit 1424 of the terminal device 100, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Regarding the identification unit 45)
When the server device 10 executes the provision process according to the embodiment, the identification unit 45 has a configuration similar to that of the identification unit 1425 of the terminal device 100, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Note that when the terminal device 100 executes the provision process according to the embodiment, the identification unit 45 may identify an exchange facility from the facility database 31 based on the detection information transmitted from the terminal device 100 and the user's location information, and transmit information on the identified exchange facility to the terminal device 100.

(Regarding the proposal unit 46)
When the server device 10 executes the provision process according to the embodiment, the proposal unit 46 has the same configuration as the proposal unit 1426 of the terminal device 100, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Regarding the search unit 47)
When the server device 10 executes the provision process according to the embodiment, the search unit 47 has the same configuration as the search unit 1427 of the terminal device 100, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Regarding the providing unit 48)
When the server device 10 executes the provision process according to the embodiment, the provision unit 48 has the same configuration as the provision unit 1428 of the terminal device 100, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[4. Provision Processing Procedure]
Next, a procedure of a provision process executed by the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the provision process executed by the terminal device according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, the terminal device 100 determines whether or not detection information indicating that the wearer has excreted has been acquired (step S101). If it is determined that detection information has not been acquired (step S101; No), the terminal device 100 waits until detection information is acquired.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the detection information has been acquired (step S101; Yes), the terminal device 100 identifies a facility for replacing the absorbent article (step S102). Next, the terminal device 100 searches for a route from the user's position to the identified facility (step S103). Next, the terminal device 100 provides the user with a notification that the wearer has excreted and facility information indicating the route to the facility (step S104), and ends the process.

5. Modifications
The above-described terminal device 100 may be implemented in various different forms other than the above embodiment.

[5-1. About the terminal device used by the user]
In the above embodiment, an example in which the terminal device 100 is a smartphone has been shown, but the terminal device 100 is not limited to such an example and may be any device. For example, the terminal device 100 may be an in-vehicle device (such as a car navigation system) installed in a vehicle in which a user is riding.

[5-2. Information provided by the Information Provider]
In the above embodiment, the providing unit 1428 provides facility information indicating an exchange facility, but the function of the providing unit 1428 is not limited to such an example. For example, the providing unit 1428 may provide information on an area within a predetermined range in which the exchange facility is located. As a specific example, when the user's means of transportation is a train, the providing unit 1428 calculates a score indicating the degree of convenience of each station in the travel direction and the degree to which the user feels attractive, according to information on the exchange facilities located within a predetermined range from the station (for example, the number of exchange facilities). Then, the providing unit 1428 determines a station at which the user is proposed to get off based on the calculated score, and provides information on the determined station and information on the exchange facilities around the station.

The providing unit 1428 may also provide facility information based on advertising content delivered from a specific advertising delivery server to the information providing service SA1. For example, the providing unit 1428 may preferentially provide facility information indicating an exchange facility (e.g., a facility managed by a provider of the advertising content) corresponding to the advertising content among the identified exchange facilities. In this case, the providing unit 1428 may provide facility information including benefit information regarding benefits (e.g., a discount coupon) that can be enjoyed by the user at the exchange facility corresponding to the advertising content.

[5-3. About the wearer of absorbent articles]
In the above-described embodiment, the wearer of the absorbent article is exemplified as an infant, but the wearer is not limited to this and may be a care recipient receiving care, a pet, etc. If the wearer is a care recipient receiving care, the providing unit 1428 may provide facility information indicating facilities available for the care recipient. If the wearer is a pet, the providing unit 1428 may provide facility information indicating facilities available for the pet.

[5-4. 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.

6. Hardware Configuration
Moreover, the providing device (terminal device 100 or server device 10) according to the above-described embodiment is realized by a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 9, for example. Fig. 9 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 terminal device 100, the arithmetic device 1030 of the computer 1000 realizes the functions of the control unit 140 by executing the program loaded onto the cache 1040.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 10 SERVER DEVICE 20 COMMUNICATION UNIT 30 MEMORY UNIT 31 FACILITY DATABASE 32 DETECTION INFORMATION DATABASE 40 CONTROL UNIT 41 ACQUISITION UNIT 42 PREDICTION UNIT 43 ACCEPTANCE UNIT 44 NOTIFICATION UNIT 45 IDENTIFICATION UNIT 46 PROPOSAL UNIT 47 SEARCH UNIT 48 PROVIDING UNIT 100 TERMINAL DEVICE 110 COMMUNICATION UNIT 120 MEMORY UNIT 130 TOUCH PANEL 140 CONTROL UNIT 141 FIRST APPLICATION 142 SECOND APPLICATION 1421 ACQUISITION UNIT 1422 PREDICTION UNIT 1423 ACCEPTANCE UNIT 1424 NOTIFICATION UNIT 1425 IDENTIFICATION UNIT 1426 PROPOSAL UNIT 1427 SEARCH UNIT 1428 PROVIDING UNIT

Claims (16)

an acquisition step of acquiring detection information indicating information related to excretion by a wearer of the absorbent article, the detection information being detected by a predetermined detection device , and a user's position associated with the wearer ;
an identification step of identifying a facility for exchanging the absorbent article based on the detection information acquired by the acquisition step and a location of the user ;
a provision step of providing facility information indicating the facility identified by the identification step to the user. The acquisition step includes:
The program according to claim 1 , further comprising: acquiring the detection information detected by a detection device attached to the absorbent article. The identification step includes:
The program according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: identifying the facility based on a location of the user when the detection information indicating that the wearer has excreted is acquired. The identification step includes:
The provision program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it determines whether the user is out or not based on the user's location, and identifies the facility when it is determined that the user is out. causing the computer to execute a search procedure for searching for a route from the user's location to the facility;
The providing step comprises:
5. The program according to claim 1, further comprising: providing the facility information indicating the route searched for by the search procedure. The search procedure includes:
The program according to claim 5, further comprising: searching for a route to guide the user from the user's location to the facility, the route including equipment used by the user when traveling to the facility, the equipment satisfying a predetermined condition. The search procedure includes:
The program according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising searching for a route from the user's location to the facility, the route satisfying a condition according to the means of transportation of the wearer. The providing step comprises:
The providing program according to claim 1 , further comprising: providing the facility information based on a predetermined score associated with the facility. The providing step comprises:
The provision program according to claim 8, characterized in that the facility information is provided based on a score based on at least one of an evaluation of facilities for changing the absorbent article, ease of transportation to the facility, the presence or absence of facilities available for infants and young children, and an evaluation by users who have used the facility. The providing step comprises:
10. The program according to claim 1, further comprising: providing the facility information based on information about the facility and attributes of the user. The providing step comprises:
11. The program according to claim 1, further comprising: providing the facility information based on information about the facility and a gender of the user. a prediction step of predicting a timing at which the wearer will excrete based on the detection information;
a receiving step of receiving movement information indicating future movements of the user;
The provision program according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the program causes the computer to execute travel information accepted by the acceptance procedure and a notification procedure of notifying the area in which the user is located at the timing predicted by the prediction procedure when moving based on the travel information. The identification step includes:
The program according to claim 12, further comprising: identifying the facility based on an area in which the user is located at the time predicted by the prediction step. The providing program according to claim 13, characterized in that the providing program causes the computer to execute a suggestion step of proposing to the user a route based on the travel information and the location of the facility. A provision system including a provision device and a terminal device used by a user,
The providing device comprises:
an acquisition unit that acquires detection information indicating information related to excretion by a wearer of the absorbent article, the detection information being information detected by a predetermined detection device, and a position of a user associated with the wearer ;
an identification unit that identifies a facility for exchanging the absorbent article based on the detection information acquired by the acquisition unit and a location of the user ;
a providing unit that provides facility information indicating the facility identified by the identifying unit to the user. an acquisition unit that acquires detection information indicating information related to excretion by a wearer of the absorbent article, the detection information being information detected by a predetermined detection device, and a position of a user associated with the wearer ;
an identification unit that identifies a facility for exchanging the absorbent article based on the detection information acquired by the acquisition unit and a location of the user ;
a providing unit that provides facility information indicating the facility identified by the identifying unit to the user.

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