Blood flow determination device, method, and program

Abstract

One embodiment of the present application relates to a blood flow determination device including: a measurement unit that measures skin temperatures at a plurality of positions of a user's face; a calculation unit that calculates unevenness of the skin temperatures at the plurality of positions; and a blood flow determination unit that determines blood flow of the user based on the unevenness. Thus, the accuracy of blood flow determination is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a blood flow determination device, method, and procedure. Background Technology

[0002] It has been known that blood flow is related to skin temperature (see Non-Patent Document 1). For example, in Patent Document 1, blood flow is estimated based on changes in skin temperature.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2010 / 143251

[0005] Non-patent literature 1: Masahiro Iriki, "Physiology of Body Surface Temperature", BME Vol.3, No.7, 1989, pp.9-15 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, skin temperature varies depending on the location on the skin. Therefore, in conventional methods, the estimated blood flow would differ depending on the location where the skin temperature was measured. As a result, it might be impossible to accurately determine blood flow.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to improve the accuracy of blood flow determination.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving the problem

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a blood flow determination device comprising: a measuring unit that measures skin temperature at multiple locations on a user's face; a calculation unit that calculates the unevenness of skin temperature at the multiple locations; and a blood flow determination unit that determines the user's blood flow based on the unevenness.

[0011] The effects of the invention

[0012] This invention can improve the accuracy of blood flow determination. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the overall system configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the functional blocks of a blood flow determination device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the blood flow determination process according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4This is a diagram used to illustrate a medical consultation according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a transformation diagram of the screen displayed by a blood flow determination device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the hardware structure of a blood flow determination device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in this specification and the accompanying drawings, constituent elements having substantially the same functional structure are given the same reference numerals to omit repeated descriptions.

[0020] <Explanation of Terminology>

[0021] • "Blood flow" refers to the movement of blood. It is also known as blood circulation.

[0022] • "Skin temperature" refers to the temperature of the body's surface. It is also known as skin temperature or skin surface temperature.

[0023] <System Composition>

[0024] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the overall system configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention. (See diagram for example.) Figure 1 As shown, the blood flow determination system 1 includes a blood flow determination device 10 and a user terminal 20. The blood flow determination device 10 can send and receive data with the user terminal 20 via any network. These will be described separately below.

[0025] The blood flow determination device 10 is a device for determining the blood flow of user 21. Specifically, the blood flow determination device 10 measures the skin temperature at multiple locations on user 21's face. Furthermore, the blood flow determination device 10 calculates the unevenness (deviation) of the skin temperature at these multiple locations. The blood flow determination device 10 determines user 21's blood flow based on this unevenness. For example, the blood flow determination device 10 is a smart mirror with built-in thermal imaging capabilities (specifically, a function to analyze infrared radiation emitted from user 21's face and generate an image representing the heat distribution). See below. Figure 2 A detailed description of the blood flow determination device 10 is provided.

[0026] User terminal 20 is a terminal used to obtain the determination result of blood flow. For example, user terminal 20 is a smartphone, etc.

[0027] Furthermore, this specification describes the case where the blood flow determination device 10 is a single device (such as a smart mirror), but the blood flow determination device 10 may also be composed of multiple devices (such as a thermal imaging camera and a tablet computer terminal).

[0028] For example, the blood flow determination device 10 is installed in a store selling cosmetics. A beauty technician 11 can guide a user 21 in using the blood flow determination device 10. The user 21's user terminal 20 can obtain the blood flow determination results via email or the like.

[0029] <Functional blocks of the blood flow determination device>

[0030] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the functional blocks of a blood flow determination device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The blood flow determination device 10 may include a measurement unit 101, a correction unit 102, a calculation unit 103, and a blood flow determination unit 104. Furthermore, the blood flow determination device 10 can function as the measurement unit 101, the correction unit 102, the calculation unit 103, and the blood flow determination unit 104 by executing a program.

[0031] The measuring unit 101 measures the skin temperature at multiple locations on the user 21's face (e.g., forehead, right cheek, left cheek, nose, chin, etc.).

[0032] The measuring unit 101 can measure the skin temperature at multiple locations on the face of user 21 after a period of time corresponding to the state of user 21, which directly or indirectly affects the skin temperature at multiple locations on the face. For example, if user 21 wears a mask before blood flow is assessed, the measuring unit 101 can measure the skin temperature after a period of time corresponding to the duration of mask-wearing (e.g., the longer the mask is worn, the longer the time). For example, the measuring unit 101 can measure the skin temperature after a period of time corresponding to user 21's heart rate (e.g., the higher the heart rate, the longer the time).

[0033] The correction unit 102 corrects the skin temperature measured by the measurement unit 101 based on the user 21's state, which directly or indirectly affects the skin temperature at multiple locations on the user 21's face. For example, if the user 21 wore a mask before blood flow was assessed, the correction unit 102 can correct the skin temperature based on the duration the user 21 wore the mask (e.g., the longer the mask was worn, the lower the skin temperature). Alternatively, the correction unit 102 can correct the skin temperature based on the user 21's heart rate (e.g., the higher the heart rate, the lower the skin temperature).

[0034] The calculation unit 103 calculates the unevenness of skin temperature at multiple locations on the user 21's face. Specifically, the calculation unit 103 calculates the unevenness of skin temperature after correction by the correction unit 102 (when the skin temperature is corrected), or the unevenness of skin temperature measured by the measurement unit 101 (when the skin temperature is not corrected).

[0035] <Calculation of uneven skin temperature>

[0036] Here, the method for calculating skin temperature unevenness is explained in detail. Furthermore, unevenness can be expressed as the magnitude of unevenness, the bias of unevenness, etc. The following sections explain the calculation of the magnitude and bias of skin temperature unevenness.

[0037] <Calculation of the magnitude of skin temperature unevenness>

[0038] For example, the calculation unit 103 can calculate the interquartile range of skin temperature at multiple locations on the face of user 21, and use the interquartile range as a score for the unevenness of skin temperature (that is, the more uneven the skin temperature, the higher the score).

[0039] For example, the calculation unit 103 can calculate the average deviation of skin temperature at multiple locations on the face of user 21, and use the average deviation as a score for the unevenness of skin temperature (that is, the more uneven the skin temperature, the higher the score).

[0040] For example, the calculation unit 103 can calculate the variance of skin temperature at multiple locations on the face of user 21 and use the variance as a score for the unevenness of skin temperature (that is, the more uneven the skin temperature, the higher the score).

[0041] For example, the calculation unit 103 can calculate the standard deviation of skin temperature at multiple locations on the face of user 21, and use the standard deviation as a score for the unevenness of skin temperature (that is, the more uneven the skin temperature, the higher the score).

[0042] For example, the calculation unit 103 can calculate the variation coefficient of skin temperature at multiple locations on the face of user 21, and use the variation coefficient as a score for the unevenness of skin temperature (that is, the more uneven the skin temperature, the higher the score).

[0043] For example, the calculation unit 103 can calculate the sum of the absolute values ​​of the differences in skin temperature at each location, and use this sum of absolute values ​​as a score for skin temperature unevenness (that is, the more uneven the skin temperature, the higher the score). For example, the calculation unit 103 can use the sum of the absolute values ​​of the differences between a certain location (e.g., a temperature-stable location such as the forehead) and other locations (e.g., temperature-unstable locations such as the right cheek, left cheek, nose, chin, etc.) as a score for skin temperature unevenness (e.g., "|forehead skin temperature - right cheek skin temperature| + |forehead skin temperature - left cheek skin temperature| + |forehead skin temperature - nose skin temperature| + |forehead skin temperature - chin skin temperature|") as a score for skin temperature unevenness.

[0044] For example, the calculation unit 103 can calculate the sum of the differences in skin temperature at each location and use this sum as a score for skin temperature unevenness. For example, the calculation unit 103 can use the sum of the differences between a certain location (e.g., the location with the highest temperature) and all other locations as a score for skin temperature unevenness.

[0045] For example, the calculation unit 103 can calculate the difference between the skin temperature at the location with the highest temperature and the skin temperature at the location with the lowest temperature, and use this difference as a score for the unevenness of skin temperature.

[0046] <Calculation of uneven skin temperature>

[0047] For example, the calculation unit 103 can calculate the deviation of skin temperature at multiple locations on the face of user 21 and use the deviation as a score for uneven skin temperature.

[0048] The blood flow determination unit 104 determines the blood flow of the user 21 (e.g., a score representing blood flow (blood volume, etc.) based on the unevenness (e.g., a score representing unevenness in skin temperature) calculated by the calculation unit 103. Furthermore, the blood flow determination unit 104 can display the determination result on the display device of the blood flow determination device 10, or send the determination result to the user terminal 20 via email or the like.

[0049] It is known that poor blood flow results in low skin temperature, while good blood flow results in high skin temperature. In other words, it is assumed that poor blood flow creates areas of low skin temperature, resulting in areas of both high and low skin temperature (creating uneven skin temperature). Therefore, the smaller the degree of unevenness, the better the blood flow determination unit 104 can determine that the user 21 has good blood flow. Conversely, the larger the degree of unevenness, the worse the blood flow determination unit 104 can determine that the user 21 has poor blood flow.

[0050] The blood flow determination unit 104 can further determine the blood flow of user 21 based on the state of user 21 that directly or indirectly affects the skin temperature at multiple locations on user 21's face. For example, the blood flow determination unit 104 can further determine the blood flow of user 21 based on the score of the consultation result. The score of the consultation result is based on the consultation (specifically, the state of user 21 that directly or indirectly affects the skin temperature at multiple locations on user 21's face, such as "feeling cold due to cooling equipment", "red cheeks", "recently tanned", etc.).

[0051] Here, the score representing blood flow will be explained. The score representing blood flow can be based solely on the score for uneven skin temperature, or it can be based on the sum of the score for uneven skin temperature and the score for the medical history. For example, the better the blood flow, the higher the score representing blood flow can be made by the blood flow determination unit 104; the worse the blood flow, the lower the score representing blood flow can be made by the blood flow determination unit 104. For example, the blood flow determination unit 104 can use variables to broaden the distribution range of the score representing blood flow. For example, "100 - variable × (score for uneven skin temperature + score for the medical history)" can be used as the score representing blood flow.

[0052] <Handling Method>

[0053] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the blood flow determination process according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] In step 1 (S1), the measuring unit 101 measures the skin temperature at multiple locations on the face of the user 21.

[0055] Furthermore, the measuring unit 101 can measure the skin temperature at multiple locations on the face of the user 21 after a period of time corresponding to the state of the user 21, which directly or indirectly affects the skin temperature at multiple locations on the face of the user 21.

[0056] In step 2 (S2), the correction unit 102 corrects the skin temperature measured in S1 based on the state of the user 21, which directly or indirectly affects the skin temperature at multiple locations on the user 21's face.

[0057] Furthermore, S2 can be omitted.

[0058] In step 3 (S3), the calculation unit 103 calculates the unevenness of skin temperature at multiple locations on the user 21's face. Specifically, the calculation unit 103 calculates the unevenness of skin temperature after correction in S2 (if S2 is executed), or the unevenness of skin temperature obtained in S1 (if S2 is not executed).

[0059] In step 4 (S4), the blood flow determination unit 104 determines the blood flow of user 21 based on the unevenness calculated in S3.

[0060] Furthermore, the blood flow determination unit 104 can further determine the blood flow of user 21 based on the state of user 21, which directly or indirectly affects the skin temperature at multiple locations on the face of user 21.

[0061] Figure 4 This is a diagram used to illustrate a medical consultation according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 4 The scores for skin temperature unevenness for each subject are shown, along with the sum of the scores for skin temperature unevenness and the scores for the medical history. Figure 4 The horizontal axis represents the score for uneven skin temperature (0-8 points). Figure 4 The vertical axis represents the sum of the score for uneven skin temperature and the score for the medical history (0-12 points). Figure 4 In the consultation, the questions asked included: "Feeling cold due to the cooling equipment (the colder you feel due to the cooling equipment, the higher your score)", "Red cheeks (the redder your cheeks, the higher your score)", and "Recently got a tan (the more recently you got a tan, the higher your score)".

[0062] like Figure 4 As shown, as the score for uneven skin temperature (score on the horizontal axis) increases (i.e., as blood flow deteriorates), the sum of the score for uneven skin temperature and the score for the medical history (score on the vertical axis) also increases (i.e., as blood flow deteriorates). Therefore, it can be concluded that... Figure 4 The consultation content shows the status of user 21, which directly or indirectly affects the skin temperature at multiple locations on user 21's face.

[0063] Figure 5 This is a transformation diagram of the screen displayed by the blood flow determination device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] In step 11 (S11), a screen is displayed to indicate when blood flow determination has begun. When the beauty technician 11 or user 21 selects the start button on the S11 screen, the process proceeds to step 12.

[0065] In step 12 (S12), a screen is displayed for inputting information about the diagnosis (specifically, the status of user 21 that directly or indirectly affects the skin temperature at multiple locations on user 21's face). When the beauty technician 11 or user 21 selects the OK button after inputting the diagnosis information on the screen in S12, the process proceeds to step 13.

[0066] In step 13 (S13), a screen is displayed to guide the face into the frame. When the user 21 aligns their face with the frame of the screen in S13, or when the beauty technician 11 or the user 21 selects the OK button, the process proceeds to step 14.

[0067] In step 14 (S14), a screen indicating that blood flow determination is in progress is displayed. When the blood flow determination is completed, proceed to step 15.

[0068] In step 15 (S15), a screen displaying the determination result of blood flow is shown. For example, the determination result of blood flow includes a score indicating blood flow.

[0069] <Effect>

[0070] Thus, in this invention, blood flow is determined based on the uneven skin temperature at multiple locations on the face, thereby improving the accuracy of blood flow determination.

[0071] <Hardware Structure>

[0072] Figure 6 This is a hardware structure diagram of a blood flow determination device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] The blood flow determination device 10 includes a thermal imaging camera 1009 and a CMOS camera 1010. The thermal imaging camera 1009 measures the skin temperature of the user 21. The CMOS camera 1010 takes a picture of the user 21.

[0074] The blood flow determination device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1001, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1002, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1003. The CPU 1001, ROM 1002, and RAM 1003 together form what is known as a computer.

[0075] In addition, the blood flow determination device 10 may include an auxiliary storage device 1004, a display device 1005, an operation device 1006, an I / F (Interface) device 1007, and a drive device 1008.

[0076] In addition, the hardware components of the blood flow determination device 10 are interconnected via bus B.

[0077] CPU 1001 is a computing device that executes various programs installed in auxiliary storage device 1004.

[0078] ROM 1002 is a non-volatile memory. ROM 1002 functions as a main storage device that stores various programs and data required for CPU 1001 to execute various programs installed in auxiliary storage device 1004. Specifically, ROM 1002 functions as a main storage device that stores boot programs such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) and EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface).

[0079] RAM1003 is a volatile memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). RAM1003 functions as the main storage device providing the working area for the CPU1001 to execute various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 1004.

[0080] Auxiliary storage device 1004 is an auxiliary storage device for storing various programs and information used when executing various programs.

[0081] The display device 1005 is a display device that displays the internal status of the blood flow determination device 10, etc.

[0082] The operating device 1006 is an input device for the person operating the blood flow determination device 10 to input various instructions into the blood flow determination device 10.

[0083] I / F device 1007 is a communication device used to connect to a network and communicate with other devices.

[0084] The drive device 1008 is a device for setting the storage medium 1011. The storage medium 1011 mentioned here includes media that record information optically, electrically, or magnetically, such as CD-ROMs, floppy disks, and optical discs. Alternatively, the storage medium 1011 may also include semiconductor memories that record information electrically, such as EPROMs (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and flash memory.

[0085] Furthermore, various programs installed on the auxiliary storage device 1004 can be installed, for example, by being set on the drive device 1008 via the distributed storage medium 1011, and by the drive device 1008 reading the various programs recorded on the storage medium 1011. Alternatively, various programs installed on the auxiliary storage device 1004 can also be installed by downloading them via a network through the I / F device 1007.

[0086] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the specific implementation methods described above, and various modifications and alterations can be made within the scope of the spirit of the present invention as set forth in the claims.

[0087] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-001054, filed on January 6, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0088] Label Explanation

[0089] 1. Blood Flow Determination System

[0090] 10. Blood Flow Determination Device

[0091] 11 Beauty staff

[0092] 20 User Terminals

[0093] 21 users

[0094] 101 Measurement Department

[0095] 102 Revision Department

[0096] 103 Calculation Department

[0097] 104 Blood Flow Assessment Department

[0098] 1001CPU

[0099] 1002ROM

[0100] 1003 RAM

[0101] 1004 Auxiliary storage device

[0102] 1005 Display Device

[0103] 1006 Operating Device

[0104] 1007I / F device

[0105] 1008 drive unit

[0106] 1009 Thermal Imaging Camera

[0107] 1010 CMOS camera

[0108] 1011 storage medium

Claims

1. A blood flow determination device, comprising: The measuring unit measures skin temperature at multiple locations on the user's face; The calculation unit calculates the sum of the absolute values ​​of the differences between the skin temperatures of the user's forehead and right cheek, the left cheek, nose, and chin as a score for skin temperature unevenness; and... The blood flow determination unit determines the user's blood flow based on the aforementioned unevenness.

2. The blood flow determination device according to claim 1, The blood flow determination unit further determines the user's blood flow based on the user's state-related medical history. The blood flow determination device displays the following screens in sequence: The screen used to initiate the blood flow detection; A consultation screen used to input the user's condition, which directly or indirectly affects the skin temperature at multiple locations on the user's face; Guide the user's face to enter the frame of the image; as well as The screen displays the results of the blood flow assessment.

3. The blood flow determination device according to claim 1, It also includes a correction unit that corrects the skin temperature based on the user's state, which directly or indirectly affects the skin temperature at multiple locations on the user's face. The calculation unit calculates the corrected unevenness of skin temperature.

4. The blood flow determination device according to claim 1, The measuring unit measures the skin temperature at multiple locations on the user's face after a period of time corresponding to the user's state, which directly or indirectly affects the skin temperature at multiple locations on the user's face.

5. The blood flow determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The non-uniformity refers to the size of the non-uniformity.

6. A method comprising: The steps for measuring skin temperature at multiple locations on a user's face; The step of calculating the absolute value of the difference between the skin temperature of the user's forehead and the skin temperature of the right cheek, the absolute value of the difference between the skin temperature of the forehead and the skin temperature of the left cheek, the absolute value of the difference between the skin temperature of the forehead and the skin temperature of the nose, and the absolute value of the difference between the skin temperature of the forehead and the skin temperature of the chin as the score of skin temperature unevenness. as well as The step of determining the user's blood flow based on the aforementioned unevenness.

7. A computer program product, comprising a computer program for enabling a blood flow determination device to function as a measuring unit, a calculation unit, and a blood flow determination unit. The measuring unit measures the skin temperature at multiple locations on the user's face. The calculation unit calculates the absolute values ​​of the differences between the skin temperature of the user's forehead and right cheek, the skin temperature of the forehead and left cheek, the skin temperature of the forehead and nose, and the skin temperature of the forehead and chin, and sums these as a score for skin temperature unevenness. The blood flow determination unit determines the user's blood flow based on the unevenness.

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