Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

The objective is to provide an information processing device that accurately identifies the caregiver responsible for the care of a person receiving care, and automatically records the care recipient and the assigned caregiver in association with care items. [Solution] The information processing device includes an identification unit that identifies a caregiver and a person receiving care; a location acquisition unit that acquires location information of the caregiver and the person receiving care; a change acquisition unit that acquires changes in the care recipient's care items; a determination unit that determines whether the identified caregiver and the person receiving care are in the vicinity of each other based on the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit; and a storage unit that stores the changes that have occurred in the care recipient's care items in association with the person receiving care in which the change occurred and the caregiver who is in the vicinity of the person receiving care when the change occurred.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various industries have been digitized, and analog management has been reduced. The care industry is no exception, and the digital transformation of information on caregivers, care recipients, care content, care records of care recipients, information within care facilities, etc. is progressing.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a management device that can identify the location where a care recipient has excreted based on the excretion sensor worn by the care recipient and the position information of the relay terminal to which the excretion sensor has communicated the location of the care recipient, enabling the caregiver to immediately head to the excretion location.

[0004] Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which when a caregiver having a caregiver terminal enters the living room of a care recipient, the caregiver terminal and a life logger are paired, and the paired time and whether there is no detachment from the care schedule are confirmed.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a care support system that identifies the type of care work performed by a caregiver using the shooting data of a camera and then stores the type of the care work in association with the identification information of the caregiver and the identification information of the care recipient. For example, a camera arranged in a care support facility is used to identify the caregiver and the care recipient.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

[0007] However, while the device in Patent Document 1 can acquire detailed information about the location of the person receiving care and their toileting location, it cannot acquire information about the caregiver. Also, while the technology in Patent Document 2 can record the caregiver and person receiving care who are in the room at the same time, it does not record the type of care provided. Furthermore, while the system in Patent Document 3 can store the type of caregiving task along with the caregiver and the person receiving care, it is uncertain whether the caregiver and the person receiving care as captured by the camera, etc., are actually associated and stored in the memory. In other words, it is not possible to determine whether they are simply in the background or actually performing a caregiving task. In addition, the system in Patent Document 3 constantly performs image analysis, which places a heavy load on the server.

[0008] In nursing care facilities, it is desirable to accurately record who performed which caregiving tasks and what those tasks were. While manually entering care records is reliable, it is not preferable because it can be cumbersome to manage and time-consuming to input. Furthermore, there is a possibility of falsification of care records or neglect to create them at all.

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that accurately determine the caregiver responsible for the care of a person receiving care, and automatically record the person receiving care and the assigned caregiver in association with care items. Furthermore, the object is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that efficiently record the person receiving care and the assigned caregiver in association with care items. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] (1) A first aspect of the present invention relates to an information processing device including: an identification unit for identifying a caregiver and a person receiving care; a location acquisition unit for acquiring location information of the caregiver and the person receiving care; a change acquisition unit for acquiring changes in the care items of the person receiving care; a determination unit for determining whether the identified caregiver and the person receiving care are in the vicinity of each other based on the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit; and a storage unit for storing the changes that have occurred in the care items in association with the person receiving care in which the change occurred and the caregiver who is in the vicinity of the person receiving care at the time the change occurred.

[0011] (2) In the embodiment of (1) above, the determination unit may determine that the caregiver and the person being cared for are in the vicinity of each other if their positions are within a predetermined range.

[0012] (3) In the embodiment of (1) or (2) above, the determination unit may determine that the caregiver and the person being cared for are in the vicinity of each other if they are in the vicinity of each other for a predetermined period of time or longer.

[0013] (4) In the embodiment of (1) or (2) above, the position acquisition unit may further acquire captured images of the caregiver and the person being cared for. The determination unit may also determine that the caregiver and the person being cared for are in the vicinity if they are within a predetermined range in the captured images.

[0014] (5) In the embodiment of (1) or (2) above, the change acquisition unit may acquire changes in the care recipient item based on at least one change information from the output from the measuring instrument, the information input from the caregiver, the input from various sensors, and an image of the care recipient.

[0015] (6) In the embodiment of (5) above, if the change information is input from the caregiver, the information input may be voice input from the caregiver.

[0016] (7) In the embodiment of (1) or (2) above, if the identification unit is unable to identify the caregiver or the person being cared for, the storage unit may store an image of the caregiver or the person being cared for instead of the caregiver or the person being cared for.

[0017] (8) In the embodiment of (1) or (2) above, the memory unit may further store the degree to which it has determined whether or not the caregiver and the person to be cared for are in the vicinity, associating the care item from which the change has been acquired with the care item, the caregiver, and the person to be cared for.

[0018] (9) A second aspect of the present invention relates to an information processing method that includes: an identification step of identifying a caregiver and a person receiving care; a location acquisition step of acquiring location information of the caregiver and the person receiving care; a change acquisition step of acquiring changes in the care recipient's care items; a determination step of determining whether the identified caregiver and the person receiving care are in the vicinity of each other based on the location information acquired in the location acquisition step; and a storage step of storing the changes that have occurred in the care recipient's care items in association with the person receiving care in which the change occurred and the caregiver who is in the vicinity of the person receiving care at the time the change occurred.

[0019] (10) A third aspect of the present invention relates to an information processing program that causes a computer to execute an identification function for identifying a caregiver and a person receiving care; a location acquisition function for acquiring location information of the caregiver and the person receiving care; a change acquisition function for acquiring changes in the care items of the person receiving care; a determination function for determining whether the identified caregiver and the person receiving care are in the vicinity of each other based on the location information acquired by the location acquisition function; and a storage function for storing the changes that have occurred in the care items in association with the person receiving care in which the change occurred and the caregiver who is in the vicinity of the person receiving care at the time the change occurred. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately determine a caregiver in charge of caring for a care recipient, and to automatically record the care recipient and the caregiver in charge in association with care items. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently associate the care recipient and the caregiver in charge with care items and automatically record them.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of processing by an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a caregiver terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a fixed terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows an example of information transmitted from a caregiver terminal or a fixed terminal to a server. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of a series of processes until a caregiver terminal, a fixed terminal, and a server according to an embodiment of the present invention jointly associate care items acquired from the caregiver terminal and the fixed terminal with a caregiver and a care recipient and store them. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a table schematically showing a determination result as to whether to store care items received by a server processing unit.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] The following describes, with reference to the figures, an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program relating to one aspect of this disclosure. However, it should be noted that the technical scope of this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0023] An information processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0024] (Overview of processing by information processing device 1) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of processing performed by the information processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The information processing device 1 has multiple caregiver terminals 2, 2, 2..., multiple fixed terminals 3, 3, 3..., and a server 4. The server communication unit 417 of the server 4 acquires location information of caregivers and care recipients from the multiple caregiver terminals 2, 2, 2... or multiple fixed terminals 3, 3, 3.... The server communication unit 417 of the server 4 also acquires changes in the care recipient's care items from the multiple caregiver terminals 2, 2, 2... or multiple fixed terminals 3, 3, 3.... Changes include parameters for newly acquired care items. It is also possible that the care items are numerical values ​​and there is no change in the numerical values, but at least because the measurement date and measurement time are different, it can be assumed that there has been a change in the care items.

[0026] The server processing unit 412 of server 4 identifies caregivers and care recipients from information about caregivers and care recipients obtained from multiple caregiver terminals 2, 2, 2... or multiple fixed terminals 3, 3, 3.... The server processing unit 412 of server 4 then determines whether caregivers and care recipients are in the vicinity based on their location information.

[0027] The server storage unit 411 of server 4 stores changes that occur in the care recipient items, associating them with the care recipient in whom the change occurred and with caregivers who were in the vicinity of the care recipient at the time the change occurred. Specifically, the server storage unit 411 of server 4 stores the care recipient's care items and the history of the care recipient items, associating them with the care recipient's identification information. In other words, changes that occur in the care recipient items constitute the history of the care recipient items.

[0028] Furthermore, the server memory unit 411 stores the personal information of multiple care recipients, associating it with their identification information. This personal information includes not only the care recipient's name, date of birth, height, and weight, but also contract terms between the care recipient and the care facility, as well as care plans.

[0029] In this embodiment, "care recipient" refers to a person who requires care and resides in a care facility, and "caregiver" refers to an employee of the care facility who provides care to the care recipient. Note that "care facility" includes not only nursing homes, senior housing, group homes, care houses, elderly care health facilities, and long-term care medical facilities that primarily provide care, but also facilities that provide home care services and day care facilities. In other words, all cases where a caregiver provides care to a care recipient are included in the concept of a care facility.

[0030] (Outline configuration of information processing device 1) Figure 2 shows an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] The information processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of caregiver terminals 2, 2, 2..., a plurality of fixed terminals 3, 3, 3..., and a plurality of servers 4. Hereinafter, the plurality of caregiver terminals may be simply referred to as caregiver terminals 2, and the plurality of fixed terminals may be simply referred to as fixed terminals 3. The caregiver terminals 2, 2, 2..., the plurality of fixed terminals 3, 3, 3..., and the server 4 are interconnected via a communication network, such as the Internet 5. Here, one Internet 5 is given as an example, but if the Internet 5 consists of multiple networks, gateways (not shown) may be appropriately provided between each network. Programs executed on caregiver terminals 2 (e.g., browsing programs), programs executed on fixed terminals 3 (e.g., browsing programs), and programs executed on server 4 (e.g., management programs) communicate using a communication protocol such as the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

[0032] Since the information processing device 1 is located within a single care facility, the internet 5 may be a closed network such as an intranet. Also, the caregiver terminal 2, the fixed terminal 3, and the server 4 do not need to be different terminal devices, but may be a single terminal device.

[0033] (Outline configuration of caregiver terminal 2) Figure 3 shows an example of a schematic configuration of the caregiver terminal 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Caregiver terminal 2 performs tasks such as connecting to a wireless communication network and accessing the web. To this end, caregiver terminal 2 comprises a caregiver terminal communication unit 211, a caregiver terminal storage unit 212, a caregiver terminal input unit 213, a caregiver terminal display unit 214, and a caregiver terminal processing unit 215.

[0035] The caregiver terminal 2 is envisioned to be a multi-functional mobile phone (so-called "smartphone"), a tablet PC, or a notebook PC, but the present invention is not limited to these. The caregiver terminal 2 can be any device to which the present invention can be applied, such as a mobile phone (so-called "feature phone"), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable game console, a portable music player, a tablet device, etc. It may also be a very small terminal equipped only with the function of transmitting the caregiver's location information.

[0036] The caregiver terminal communication unit 211 is equipped with a communication interface circuit and connects the caregiver terminal 2 to the internet 5. The caregiver terminal communication unit 211 transmits data supplied from the caregiver terminal processing unit 215 to the server 4 and other devices via the network. The caregiver terminal communication unit 211 also supplies data received from the server 4 and other devices via the network to the caregiver terminal processing unit 215. The caregiver terminal communication unit 211 may also transmit its own terminal's location information. Specifically, it transmits its own terminal's location information to the server 4 using a beacon, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), GPS (Global Positioning System), etc. Alternatively, the caregiver terminal communication unit 211 may output a signal unique to its own terminal instead of its own terminal's location information. This signal unique to its own terminal can be received by other terminals to determine its location. If the caregiver terminal 2 consists of a system including a signal transmitting unit and a signal receiving unit, the system consisting of the caregiver terminal 2 can acquire the location information of the caregiver terminal 2 and transmit that location information.

[0037] The caregiver terminal storage unit 212 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory device. The caregiver terminal storage unit 212 stores operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, data, etc., used for processing in the caregiver terminal processing unit 215. For example, the caregiver terminal storage unit 212 stores driver programs such as an input device driver program that controls the caregiver terminal input unit 213 and an output device driver program that controls the caregiver terminal display unit 214. Various programs may be installed in the caregiver terminal storage unit 212 from a computer-readable portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM using a known setup program. The caregiver terminal storage unit 212 may also temporarily store temporary data related to predetermined processing.

[0038] The caregiver terminal input unit 213 can be any device that allows input from the caregiver terminal 2, such as a touch panel, microphone, camera, mouse, or key buttons. The caregiver on the caregiver terminal 2 can use the caregiver terminal input unit 213 to select or deselect information, and input characters, numbers, voice, images, etc. When the caregiver terminal input unit 213 is operated by the caregiver on the caregiver terminal 2, it generates a signal corresponding to that operation. The generated signal is then transmitted to the caregiver terminal processing unit 215. The caregiver terminal input unit 213 may also be an external device connected to the caregiver terminal 2. For example, a headset that enables voice input or an external keyboard that facilitates text input may be connected to the caregiver terminal 2. In this case, the caregiver terminal input unit 213 can use voice input from a microphone or other device to input care items and care items of the person being cared for by voice. The caregiver terminal input unit 213 can also use images captured by a camera as input information, such as images of the caregiver themselves, other caregivers, the person being cared for, or care items. The caregiver terminal input unit 213 may accept care items and care recipient items simultaneously from the caregiver. Specifically, it is conceivable that the caregiver terminal 2 may specify a care item and input the care recipient item corresponding to that care item, or that the care items and care recipient items may be input simultaneously verbally.

[0039] The caregiver terminal display unit 214 can be any device capable of displaying video or images, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The caregiver terminal display unit 214 displays video corresponding to video data supplied from the caregiver terminal processing unit 215, or images corresponding to image data.

[0040] The caregiver terminal processing unit 215 comprises one or more processors and their peripheral circuits. The caregiver terminal processing unit 215 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the caregiver terminal 2 and is, for example, a CPU. The caregiver terminal processing unit 215 controls the operation of the caregiver terminal communication unit 211, the caregiver terminal display unit 214, etc., so that various processes of the caregiver terminal 2 are executed in appropriate procedures based on programs stored in the caregiver terminal storage unit 212 and operations of the caregiver terminal input unit 213. The caregiver terminal processing unit 215 executes processes based on programs (operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, etc.) stored in the caregiver terminal storage unit 212. In addition, the caregiver terminal processing unit 215 can execute multiple programs (application programs, etc.) in parallel.

[0041] The caregiver terminal processing unit 215 has the function of processing screen display information received from outside the caregiver terminal 2 into a screen display viewable by the caregiver on the caregiver terminal 2, and the function of converting processing based on the operations of the caregiver terminal input unit 213 from the caregiver on the caregiver terminal 2 into a signal that can be transmitted to the outside of the caregiver terminal 2 and sending it to the caregiver terminal communication unit 211. These functions are functional modules realized by programs executed on the processor of the caregiver terminal processing unit 215. Alternatively, each of these parts may be implemented on the caregiver terminal 2 as an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, or firmware.

[0042] In this embodiment, some or all of the functions of the caregiver terminal 2 can be replaced by the fixed terminal 3 or the server 4. Similarly, some of the functions of the server 4 can be replaced by the caregiver terminal 2 or the fixed terminal 3.

[0043] (Processing at caregiver terminal 2) Caregivers use caregiver terminal 2 to input care items into the care records of the person being cared for at the care facility. Specifically, caregivers can input the care items of the person being cared for using text, voice, or images. Caregiver terminal 2 can also search and refer to the care records of the person being cared for. A care record consists of care items for multiple care items of the person being cared for. Here, care items are meals, fluids, excretion, or vital signs. Care items are parameters for each care item. For meals and fluids, this would be the amount of intake based on the difference before and after; for excretion, it would be the amount of excretion; and for vital signs, it would be numerical values ​​such as weight and blood pressure.

[0044] The caregiver terminal 2 can also acquire care recipient information by directly contacting the care recipient. Furthermore, a caregiver can hold multiple caregiver terminals 2. Specifically, this includes cases where a caregiver holds a wearable device or other terminal device together with other terminal devices. In this case, each device may communicate with the server 4 individually, or the information may be aggregated into one device before being sent to the server 4.

[0045] Furthermore, the caregiver terminal 2 transmits its own location information to the server 4 along with the care recipient information. Alternatively, the caregiver terminal 2 may transmit its own location information to the server 4 at regular intervals. Note that if the fixed terminal 3 obtains the location information of the caregiver or the person being cared for, transmission of location information by the caregiver terminal 2 is unnecessary.

[0046] The caregiver terminal display unit 214 of the caregiver terminal 2 displays the caregiver's care record based on the caregiver's request.

[0047] (Outline configuration of fixed terminal 3) Figure 4 shows an example of a schematic configuration of a fixed terminal 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Fixed terminal 3 performs tasks such as connecting to a wireless communication network and accessing the Web. To this end, fixed terminal 3 comprises a fixed terminal communication unit 311, a fixed terminal storage unit 312, a fixed terminal input unit 313, a fixed terminal display unit 314, and a fixed terminal processing unit 315.

[0049] The fixed terminal 3 is envisioned to be a multi-functional mobile phone (so-called "smartphone") or a tablet PC or notebook PC, but the present invention is not limited to these. The fixed terminal 3 can be any device to which the present invention can be applied, for example, a mobile phone (so-called "feature phone"), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable game console, a portable music player, a tablet terminal, etc. The fixed terminal 3 may also be a terminal device that has communication capabilities, such as a location information sensor, a small camera, a microphone, etc., and can communicate acquired care items to the server 4. Furthermore, the fixed terminal 3 may be configured to acquire location information such as IC tags held by the caregiver or the person being cared for. In other words, the fixed terminal 3 may consist of multiple devices.

[0050] The fixed terminal communication unit 311 is equipped with a communication interface circuit and connects the fixed terminal 3 to the internet 5. The fixed terminal communication unit 311 transmits data supplied from the fixed terminal processing unit 315 to the server 4 and other devices via the network. The fixed terminal communication unit 311 also supplies data received from the server 4 and other devices via the network to the fixed terminal processing unit 315. The fixed terminal communication unit 311 may also transmit its own terminal's location information. Specifically, it transmits its own terminal's location information to the server 4 using beacons, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), GPS (Global Positioning System), etc. Alternatively, the fixed terminal communication unit 311 may output a signal unique to its own terminal instead of its own terminal's location information. This signal unique to its own terminal can be received by other terminals to determine its location. If the fixed terminal 3 consists of a system including a signal transmitting unit and a signal receiving unit, the system consisting of the fixed terminal 3 can acquire the location information of the fixed terminal 3 and transmit that location information.

[0051] The fixed terminal storage unit 312 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory device. The fixed terminal storage unit 312 stores operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, data, etc., used for processing in the fixed terminal processing unit 315. For example, the fixed terminal storage unit 312 stores driver programs such as an input device driver program that controls the fixed terminal input unit 313 and an output device driver program that controls the fixed terminal display unit 314. Various programs may be installed in the fixed terminal storage unit 312 from a computer-readable portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM using a known setup program. The fixed terminal storage unit 312 may also temporarily store temporary data related to predetermined processing.

[0052] The fixed terminal input unit 313 can be any device that allows input from the fixed terminal 3, such as a touch panel, camera, mouse, or key buttons. The caregiver of the fixed terminal 3 can use the fixed terminal input unit 313 to select or deselect information, and input letters, numbers, etc. When the fixed terminal input unit 313 is operated by the caregiver of the fixed terminal 3, it generates a signal corresponding to that operation. The generated signal is then transmitted to the fixed terminal processing unit 315. The fixed terminal input unit 313 may also be an external device connected to the fixed terminal 3. For example, it may be a camera or sensor installed in a designated location within the care facility, and is configured to acquire the positions of the caregiver and the person being cared for. If the fixed terminal input unit 313 is a camera or sensor, it may detect care items. Specifically, it may detect and input numerical values ​​measured by a scale, height measuring device, or other vital data. If the fixed terminal input unit 313 is a voice input such as a microphone, the caregiver can input the care items and care items of the person being cared for by voice. The fixed terminal input unit 313 may accept care items and care recipient items simultaneously from the caregiver. Specifically, it is conceivable that the care item is specified on the fixed terminal 2 and the care recipient item corresponding to that care item is entered, or that the care item and care recipient item are entered simultaneously by verbal.

[0053] The fixed terminal display unit 314 can be any device capable of displaying video or images, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The fixed terminal display unit 314 displays video corresponding to video data supplied from the fixed terminal processing unit 315, or images corresponding to image data.

[0054] The fixed terminal processing unit 315 comprises one or more processors and their peripheral circuits. The fixed terminal processing unit 315 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the fixed terminal 3 and is, for example, a CPU. The fixed terminal processing unit 315 controls the operation of the fixed terminal communication unit 311, the fixed terminal display unit 314, etc., so that various processes of the fixed terminal 3 are executed in appropriate procedures based on programs stored in the fixed terminal storage unit 312 and operations of the fixed terminal input unit 313. The fixed terminal processing unit 315 executes processes based on programs (operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, etc.) stored in the fixed terminal storage unit 312. In addition, the fixed terminal processing unit 315 can execute multiple programs (application programs, etc.) in parallel.

[0055] The fixed terminal processing unit 315 has the function of processing screen display information received from outside the fixed terminal 3 into a screen display viewable by the caregiver of the fixed terminal 3, and the function of converting processing based on the operations of the fixed terminal input unit 313 from the caregiver of the fixed terminal 3 into a signal that can be transmitted to the outside of the fixed terminal 3 and sending it to the fixed terminal communication unit 311. These functions are functional modules realized by programs executed on the processor of the fixed terminal processing unit 315. Alternatively, each of these parts may be implemented in the fixed terminal 3 as an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, or firmware.

[0056] In this embodiment, some or all of the functions of the fixed terminal 3 can be substituted by the caregiver terminal 2 or the server 4. Similarly, some of the functions of the server 4 can be substituted by the caregiver terminal 2 or the fixed terminal 3.

[0057] (Processing of fixed terminal 3) The caregiver uses the fixed terminal 3 to record care items for the care recipient, which form the basis of the care record, at the care facility. For example, care items can be received through the caregiver's operation or voice input. Specifically, the caregiver can input care items for the care recipient using text, voice, or images. In other words, the fixed terminal 3 performs the same processing as the caregiver terminal 2, but the fixed terminal 3 is a terminal device installed at the care facility, such as a measuring instrument. Preferably, the fixed terminal 3 is a surveillance camera or sensors that measure care items, and preferably the caregiver terminal 2 is a terminal device held by the caregiver. Furthermore, the present invention can be realized using only the caregiver terminal 2 or the fixed terminal 3, but it can also be realized by dividing the roles or using them together as appropriate.

[0058] Furthermore, the fixed terminal 3 can search for and refer to the care recipient's past care records. Care records refer to the care recipient's care items for multiple care items. Here, care items are meals, fluids, excretion, or vital signs. Care items are parameters for each care item. For meals and fluids, this would be the amount of intake based on the difference before and after; for excretion, it would be the amount of excretion; and for vital signs, it would be numerical values ​​such as weight and blood pressure.

[0059] The fixed terminal 3 can also acquire care recipient information by directly contacting the care recipient. Furthermore, a caregiver can hold multiple fixed terminals 3. Specifically, this includes cases where a caregiver holds wearable devices or other terminal devices together. In this case, each device may communicate with the server 4 individually, or the information may be aggregated into one device before being sent to the server 4.

[0060] If the fixed terminal 3 is an imaging device installed in a nursing care facility, the captured image is input via the fixed terminal input unit 313, and the image is transmitted to the server 4 as a care recipient item via the fixed terminal communication unit 311. Alternatively, the fixed terminal 3 can have the fixed terminal processing unit 315 process the image and transmit the processing result to the server 4 as a care recipient item.

[0061] Furthermore, the fixed terminal 3 transmits its own location information to the server 4 along with the care recipient information. Alternatively, the fixed terminal 3 may transmit its own location information to the server 4 at regular intervals. Note that if the fixed terminal 3 obtains the location information of the caregiver or the person being cared for, transmission of location information by the fixed terminal 3 is unnecessary.

[0062] (Examples of care items and care recipient items) Figure 5 shows an example of information transmitted from caregiver terminal 2 or fixed terminal 3 to server 4.

[0063] Figure 5 is an excerpt from the daily care record of one care recipient. Above and below, there is also data from before 9:30 and after 15:45 on that day. Here, "Name" refers to the care recipient's identification information, which is either the care recipient's name or identification ID. The "Title" corresponds to the care item in this embodiment. The corresponding meals, fluids, excretion, vital signs, or recorded content also correspond to the care recipient item in this embodiment. The "Recorder" is the caregiver. In other words, Server 4 aggregates the information received from Caregiver Terminal 2 or Fixed Terminal 3 as a care record.

[0064] (Outline configuration of server 4 according to the embodiment) Figure 6 shows an example of a schematic configuration of server 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] As shown in Figure 6, the server 4 includes a server storage unit 411, which is the server 4's memory area. The server 4 also includes a server processing unit 412, which includes an identification unit 413, a location acquisition unit 414, a change acquisition unit 415, and a determination unit 416. Furthermore, the server 4 includes a server communication unit 417 for communicating with the caregiver terminal 2 and the fixed terminal 3.

[0066] The server storage unit 411 has, for example, at least one of semiconductor memory, magnetic disk drive, and optical disk drive, and is connected to the server 4 via a bus. The server storage unit 411 stores driver programs, operating system programs, application programs, data, etc., used for processing by the server processing unit 412. For example, the server storage unit 411 stores a communication device driver program that controls the server communication unit 417 as a driver program. Computer programs may be installed in the server storage unit 411 from a computer-readable portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM using a known setup program.

[0067] Furthermore, the server storage unit 411 stores the care items and care items of the person being cared for, associated with the care recipient's identification information. Specifically, when there is a change in the care items, the server storage unit 411 stores the information of that change, associated with the care recipient's identification information and the caregiver (caregiver identification information) who is in the vicinity of the care recipient. In other words, the server storage unit 411 stores the caregiver who provided care to the care recipient, associated with that information. The server storage unit 411 stores the personal information of multiple care recipients, associated with their identification information. This personal information includes not only the care recipient's name, date of birth, height, and weight, but also the contract terms between the care recipient and the care facility, care plans, etc. The server storage unit 411 also stores changes in the care items, associated with the care recipient who experienced the change and the caregiver who was in the vicinity of the care recipient at the time the change occurred. The acquisition of location information for caregivers and care recipients, and the acquisition of changes in care items, will be described later.

[0068] The functions of the server processing unit 412 are functional modules realized by programs executed on the processor of the server processing unit 412. Alternatively, each of these parts may be implemented in the server 4 as an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, or firmware. The processing details of the server processing unit 412 will be described later. Furthermore, the division of the components of the server processing unit 412 is just one example, and which component performs which processing is not limited to the description in this embodiment.

[0069] The identification unit 413 identifies the caregiver and the person being cared for based on information transmitted from at least one of the caregiver terminal 2 or the fixed terminal 3. The information transmitted from at least one of the caregiver terminal 2 or the fixed terminal 3 includes image information, audio information, location information obtained from sensors, etc. Specifically, when the identification unit 413 receives image information, it uses known image processing techniques to compare the image information with face information (contour and skeletal information) stored in the server storage unit 411 to identify the caregiver and the person being cared for.

[0070] Furthermore, when the identification unit 413 receives voice information, it compares it with voiceprint information stored in the server storage unit 411 to identify the caregiver and the person being cared for. The voice information includes information that expresses care items and care items in voice. Specifically, for excretion, the amount of excretion is recorded verbally. When the identification unit 413 receives location information, etc., from terminals held by the fixed caregiver or the person being cared for, it identifies the caregiver or the person being cared for that is stored in association with the identification information of the terminal held by the respective caregiver or the person being cared for. Alternatively, in order to identify the caregiver or the person being cared for, the identification information of the caregiver or the person being cared for may be determined first, and then the caregiver or the person being cared for that corresponds to that identification information may be extracted. In this embodiment, the identification unit 413 identifies the caregiver and the person being cared for, but the present invention also holds true if at least one of the caregiver terminal 2 or the fixed terminal 3 identifies the caregiver and the person being cared for.

[0071] The location acquisition unit 414 acquires location information of the caregiver and the person being cared for at the facility based on information transmitted from at least one of the caregiver terminal 2 or the fixed terminal 3. Specifically, the location acquisition unit 414 uses the captured images acquired by the caregiver terminal 2 or the fixed terminal 3, or the location information of the caregiver terminal 2 or the fixed terminal 3 itself acquired by sensors. In this embodiment, the location acquisition unit 414 acquires location information of the caregiver and the person being cared for based on information transmitted from at least one of the caregiver terminal 2 or the fixed terminal 3, but the present invention also works if at least one of the caregiver terminal 2 or the fixed terminal 3 determines the location of the caregiver and the person being cared for and then transmits only the location information to the server 4.

[0072] The change acquisition unit 415 acquires changes in the care recipient's care items. Care items are records related to care items. The change acquisition unit 415 may determine whether there is a change in the care items received from at least one of the caregiver terminal 2 and the fixed terminal 3, or it may receive changes in the care items from either the caregiver terminal 2 or the fixed terminal 3. Alternatively, the server processing unit 4 may determine the change in the care items as part of its processing.

[0073] In this embodiment, care items include, for example, observation of condition, bathing, vital signs, weight, meals (lunch, snacks, etc.), oral care, excretion, nursing procedures, training, nutritional care, accidents, recreation, photography, etc.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the care recipient item is a record of the care item. For example, for observation of condition, entries might include "dizziness present" or "pain and warmth in the right knee"; for bathing, "normal bath, partial assistance"; for vital signs, "15 breaths / min" or "SpO2 98%"; for weight, "49.8kg," "165cm," or "BMI 18.4"; for meals (lunch, snacks, etc.), "partial assistance," "location: dining room," or "amount consumed: half"; for oral care, "cleaning performed"; for excretion, "method: diaper" or "partial assistance"; for nursing procedures, "change gauze on the right arm" or "eye drops"; for training, "exercise therapy - motivated" or "muscle strength and function recovery"; for nutritional care, "check chewing motion"; for accidents, "fall in the toilet" or "bruise, internal bleeding"; for recreation, "flower arranging" or "karaoke"; and for photographs, images of the care recipient's food intake or images of the recreation atmosphere. Furthermore, in addition to numerical values ​​and answer choices, care recipients can also enter information in free text format, and sometimes original content is entered each time.

[0075] The change acquisition unit 415 may acquire changes in the care recipient items based on at least one change information from the output of the measuring instrument, the information input from the caregiver, the input from various sensors, and an image of the care recipient.

[0076] The determination unit 416 determines whether the identified caregiver and care recipient are nearby based on the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit 414. Specifically, the determination unit 416 determines that the caregiver and care recipient are nearby if they are within a predetermined range (such as a radius). The predetermined range is the distance at which it can be determined that the caregiver is responsible for the care recipient's care, and may be, for example, 2m, 1m, 50cm, or even zero. When the location acquisition unit 414 receives an image, the determination unit 416 determines that the caregiver and care recipient are nearby if they are within the predetermined range in the image. Alternatively, if the location acquisition unit 414 determines whether the caregiver and care recipient are nearby using the reception strength of the terminal-specific signals transmitted by the caregiver terminal 2 and the fixed terminal 3 held by the care recipient, it may determine that the caregiver and care recipient are nearby if the difference in the strength of the terminal-specific signals transmitted by the caregiver terminal 2 or the fixed terminal 3 is within a predetermined range.

[0077] The determination unit 416 determines that a caregiver and a person receiving care are in the vicinity of each other if they are in the vicinity of each other for a predetermined period of time or longer. For example, this prevents the system from associating a caregiver and a person receiving care when they pass each other or happen to be near each other. This predetermined period is the amount of time during which it can be determined that a caregiver is responsible for the person receiving care, and can be 1 minute, 30 seconds, 15 seconds, etc.

[0078] The server communication unit 417 has a communication interface circuit for connecting the server 4 to the internet 5. The server communication unit 417 communicates with the caregiver terminal 2 and the fixed terminal 3 via the internet 5. Here, communication includes receiving and transmitting, and receiving and transmitting may occur simultaneously. In this embodiment, either the caregiver terminal 2 or the fixed terminal 3 may be present alone.

[0079] (Processing on Server 4) Figure 7 shows an example of a series of operations sequence in which the caregiver terminal 2, fixed terminal 3, and server 4 of the information processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention work together to store care items acquired from the caregiver terminal 2 and fixed terminal 3, associating them with the caregiver and the person being cared for.

[0080] The operation sequence described below is executed primarily by the server processing unit 412 in cooperation with each element of the server 4, based on a program pre-stored in the server storage unit 411. In the operation sequence described below, the server 4 sends and receives various information with the caregiver terminal 2 and the fixed terminal 3 via the server communication unit 417. The order of the processes performed by the server processing unit 412 may be rearranged or performed simultaneously, as long as there is no inconsistency in the processing.

[0081] First, the server processing unit 412 waits for the reception of captured images from at least one of the caregiver terminal 2 and the fixed terminal 3 via the server communication unit 417 (step S101). This step S101 continues until captured images are received from the fixed terminal 3 (step S101 is NO). In this embodiment, the system is configured to receive captured images, but it is not particularly limited to any information that can identify the caregiver and the person being cared for instead of captured images.

[0082] When the server communication unit 417 receives an image (step S101 is YES), the server processing unit 412 identifies the caregiver and the person being cared for from the image (step S102). The server processing unit 412 may also identify the caregiver and the person being cared for from different images.

[0083] Next, the server processing unit 412 acquires location information of the caregiver and the person being cared for from at least one of the caregiver terminal 2 and the fixed terminal 3 (step S103). Alternatively, instead of acquiring location information, the server processing unit 412 may receive captured images or the like and analyze the location information of the caregiver and the person being cared for.

[0084] Next, the server processing unit 412 acquires changes to the care recipient items from at least one of the caregiver terminal 2 and the fixed terminal 3 (step S104). Alternatively, instead of directly acquiring changes to the care recipient items, the server processing unit 412 may receive the entire care record from either the caregiver terminal 2 or the fixed terminal 3 and acquire changes to the care recipient items from there.

[0085] Next, the server processing unit 412 uses the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit 414 to determine whether the caregiver and the person being cared for are in the vicinity of each other (step S105).

[0086] If the system determines that the caregiver and the person receiving care are in close proximity (step S105 is YES), the server processing unit 412 stores the care item for which a change has been acquired in the server storage unit 411, associating it with the care item, the caregiver, and the person receiving care (step S106). Here, the caregiver is the caregiver who measured the care item for which a change has occurred. This allows the caregiver who provided care to the person receiving care to be accurately recorded in the care record.

[0087] On the other hand, if it is determined that the caregiver and the person receiving care are not in the same vicinity (step S105 is NO), the server processing unit 412 terminates processing without storing the changed care item in the server storage unit 411. This makes it possible to exclude caregivers who are not certain whether they provided care to the person receiving care from the care record.

[0088] Although not shown in the diagram, the server processing unit 412 may include a generation unit that generates screen information from the care records stored in the server storage unit 411, and the server communication unit 417 transmits the generated display information to the caregiver terminal 2 or the like.

[0089] (Processing on Server 4) Figure 8 is a table that schematically shows the result of the server processing unit 412's determination of whether or not to store the care recipient items it has received.

[0090] As shown in the diagram, the items include date, time, care item, care recipient item, caregiver, nearby care recipient, distance between caregiver and care recipient, time spent in the vicinity of caregiver and care recipient, and whether or not the server storage unit 411 ultimately records it as a care record.

[0091] Here, the system is configured to determine that a caregiver and a person receiving care are in close proximity if the distance between them is 100 cm or more. It is also configured to determine that a caregiver and a person receiving care are in close proximity if they have been in close proximity for 1 minute or more. Therefore, even though the caregiver was in close proximity to person receiving care H0014 for 4 minutes and 55 seconds, the system determined that this was not recorded in the care record because the distance between them was 100 cm or more. Similarly, although the distance between person receiving care H0003 and the caregiver was 5 cm, which is very close, the system determined that this was not recorded in the care record because the time they were in close proximity was only 5 seconds, which is very short.

[0092] As described above, the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment can accurately associate changes in care items received by the caregiver terminal 2 or fixed terminal 3 with the caregiver and the person being cared for and store them in the server storage unit 411. Furthermore, if the server processing unit 412 determines that it is difficult to accurately associate the caregiver or the person being cared for with the caregiver and store them in the server storage unit 411, it can send error information to the caregiver terminal 2 or the like, allowing the caregiver to correct the care record accurately and store it in the server storage unit 411.

[0093] Furthermore, the present invention also functions as an information processing method comprising: an identification step of identifying a caregiver and a person receiving care; a location acquisition step of acquiring location information of the caregiver and the person receiving care; a change acquisition step of acquiring changes in the care recipient's care items; a determination step of determining whether the identified caregiver and the person receiving care are in the vicinity of each other based on the location information acquired in the location acquisition step; and a storage step of storing the changes that have occurred in the care recipient's care items in association with the person receiving care in whom the change occurred and the caregiver who is in the vicinity of the person receiving care at the time the change occurred.

[0094] Furthermore, the present invention also functions as an information processing program that causes a computer to execute an identification function to identify a caregiver and a person receiving care; a location acquisition function to acquire location information of the caregiver and the person receiving care; a change acquisition function to acquire changes in the care recipient's care items; a determination function to determine whether the identified caregiver and the person receiving care are in the vicinity of each other based on the location information acquired by the location acquisition function; and a storage function to store the changes that have occurred in the care recipient's care items in association with the person receiving care when the change occurred and the caregiver who is in the vicinity of the person receiving care when the change occurred.

[0095] Those skilled in the art should understand that various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0096] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, when the server communication unit 417 receives the captured image (step S101 is YES), the server processing unit 412 identifies the caregiver and the person being cared for from the captured image (step S102). However, if the server processing unit 412 cannot identify the caregiver or the person being cared for, the server processing unit 412 may store the captured image of the caregiver or the person being cared for, along with error information, in the server storage unit 411. The error information may be transmitted to the caregiver terminal 2.

[0097] (Modification 2) In the above embodiment, when the server processing unit 412 determines that the caregiver and the person receiving care are in close proximity (step S105 is YES), it stores the care items for which changes have been acquired in the server storage unit 411, associating them with the care items, the caregiver, and the person receiving care (step S106). However, the degree to which the determination of whether or not the caregiver and the person receiving care are in close proximity may also be stored in the server storage unit 411, associating the care items for which changes have been acquired with the care items, the caregiver, and the person receiving care. Here, the determination result is the distance between the caregiver and the person receiving care, or other information that can be used to determine the credibility of the caregiver and the person receiving care being in close proximity. This makes it possible to accurately store in the server storage unit 411 whether or not care was provided to the person receiving care as a care record. Furthermore, if there is information with low credibility, the care record can be corrected by the facility manager or the like.

[0098] (Variation 3) In the above embodiment, when the server processing unit 412 determined that the caregiver and the person being cared for were not in close proximity to each other (step S105 is NO), the processing was terminated without specifically storing the changed care items in the server storage unit 411. However, in this case, the server processing unit 412 may send an error to the caregiver terminal 2 when it determines that the caregiver and the person being cared for are not in close proximity to each other. This allows the caregiver to verify any inaccurate care records and then store them in the server storage unit 411 as care records. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0099] 1. Information Processing Device 2. Caregiver terminal 211 Caregiver Terminal Communication Department 212 Caregiver terminal storage unit 213 Caregiver terminal input section 214 Caregiver terminal display unit 215 Caregiver terminal processing unit 3 Fixed terminals 311 Fixed Terminal Communications Section 312 Fixed terminal storage unit 313 Fixed terminal input section 314 Fixed terminal display unit 315 Fixed terminal processing unit 4 servers 411 Server Storage 412 Server Processing Unit 413 Identification Unit 414 Position acquisition part 415 Change Acquisition Unit 416 Judgment section 417 Server Communication Unit 5. Internet

Claims

1. An identification unit for identifying the caregiver and the person being cared for, A location acquisition unit that acquires location information of the caregiver and the person being cared for, A change acquisition unit that acquires changes in the care items of the person being cared for, A determination unit determines, from the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit, whether the identified caregiver and the person being cared for are in the vicinity. A storage unit that stores the changes that occur in the care items in association with the care recipient in whom the change occurred, and the caregiver who was in the vicinity of the care recipient at the time the change occurred. An information processing device characterized by including

2. The determination unit determines that the caregiver and the person being cared for are in the vicinity of each other if their positions are within a predetermined range. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The determination unit determines that the caregiver and the person being cared for are in the vicinity of each other if they are in the vicinity of each other for a predetermined period of time or longer. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The position acquisition unit further acquires captured images of the caregiver and the person being cared for, The determination unit determines that the caregiver and the person being cared for are in the vicinity of each other if they are within a predetermined range in the captured image. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The change acquisition unit acquires changes in the care recipient items based on the output from the measuring instrument, the information input from the caregiver, the input from various sensors, and at least one change information from an image of the care recipient. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

6. If the change information is input from the caregiver, then the information input is voice input from the caregiver. The information processing apparatus according to feature 5.

7. If the identification unit cannot identify the caregiver or the person being cared for, the storage unit stores an image of the caregiver or the person being cared for in place of the actual person being cared for. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The memory unit further stores the degree to which it determines whether the caregiver and the person being cared for are nearby, associating the care item, the caregiver, and the person being cared for with the care item, the caregiver, and the person being cared for, based on the degree to which the caregiver and the person being cared for have changed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

9. An identification step to identify the caregiver and the person being cared for, A location acquisition step to acquire location information of the caregiver and the person being cared for, A change acquisition step to acquire changes in the care items of the person receiving care, A determination step is to determine whether the identified caregiver and the person being cared for are in the vicinity based on the location information obtained in the location acquisition step, A memory step of storing the changes that occurred in the care items in association with the care recipient in whom the change occurred and the caregiver who was in the vicinity of the care recipient at the time the change occurred. An information processing method characterized by including

10. On the computer, An identification function that identifies the caregiver and the person being cared for, A location acquisition function that acquires location information of the caregiver and the person being cared for, A change acquisition function that acquires changes in the care items of the person receiving care, A determination function that determines whether the identified caregiver and the person being cared for are in the vicinity based on the location information acquired by the location acquisition function, A memory function that stores the changes that occur in the care items in association with the care recipient in whom the change occurred, and the caregiver who was in the vicinity of the care recipient at the time the change occurred. An information processing program characterized by causing the execution of [a specific action].

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