Management device

Abstract

To improve the body condition by utilizing the user's body water content information.SOLUTION: An interaction unit 51 conducts an interaction with a prescribed user and acquires interaction information. A body water content information acquisition unit 52 acquires the body water content information of the prescribed user. A body condition estimation unit 54 estimates the body condition of the prescribed user on the basis of the body water content information. A body condition improvement information generation unit 55 generates body condition improvement information for improving the body condition of the prescribed user on the basis of the estimated body condition of the prescribed user. The interaction unit 51 operates on the basis of the body condition improvement information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a management device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a technology related to a health management device that analyzes voice data measured by a healthcare device to generate mental data, associates it with the measurement data, and stores it (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is known that a person's physical condition deteriorates when the amount of water in the body is not within an appropriate range. However, in the conventional technology including the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, no mechanism has been proposed to improve the physical condition by utilizing the information on the amount of water in the user's body.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to improve the physical condition by utilizing information such as information on the amount of water in the user's body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, a management device according to an aspect of the present invention includes: dialogue means for having a dialogue with a predetermined user to obtain dialogue information; means for obtaining information on the amount of water in the body of the predetermined user; physical condition estimation means for estimating the physical condition of the predetermined user based on the information on the amount of water in the body; Based on the presumed physical condition of the predetermined user, physical condition improvement information generation means for generating physical condition improvement information for improving the physical condition of the predetermined user in the interaction means; comprising; The interaction means operates based on the physical condition improvement information.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the physical condition by utilizing the information on the amount of body water of the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] First, prior to the description of the embodiments of the present invention, the importance of water intake will be described. As described above, it is known that when the amount of water in the human body is not within an appropriate range, the physical condition deteriorates. For example, when the amount of water in the body decreases, the amount of water in the blood decreases, leading to deterioration of blood flow. Cells become dehydrated, their function deteriorates, and various disorders occur in the body composed of cells, resulting in a feeling of fatigue.

[0011] Furthermore, although details will be described later, the present inventor has pointed out that a decrease in the amount of water in the body contributes to the progression of dementia.

[0012] That is, although the present inventor has found that drinking water can improve physical discomfort including dementia, people are not practicing drinking water. Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve this problem. In particular, the relationship between insufficient body water content in the elderly and diseases will be described later.

[0013] Hereinafter, an explanation will be given on the assumption that the user of the management device according to an embodiment of the present invention is an elderly person. Generally, due to various factors in daily life such as temperature and exercise, the amount of water in the user's body decreases. Furthermore, it is said that elderly people are less likely to feel thirsty in their throats due to the decline of their sensory organs. As a result, it is assumed that the amount of water in the user's body has decreased.

[0014] In this case, as described above, for the user, a feeling of fatigue is felt more strongly than the actual activity level. Then, the user who feels fatigue will not engage in much activity during the day and will not move. As a result, the user's sleep will be shallow. A user with shallow sleep wakes up at night. Then, since the brain is active, the user is more likely to feel the urge to urinate. That is, even though there is room in the actual amount of urine stored in the bladder, the user feels the urge to urinate. As a result, the user will take the action of going to the toilet at night. In this way, a decrease in the amount of water in the body has a great impact on the user's physical condition and quality of life.

[0015] Furthermore, due to the experience of going to the toilet at night, the user will refrain from taking in water before going to bed. As a result, the above-mentioned effects become more prominent. It is considered that there are a certain number or more users in such a situation.

[0016] Here, it is said that the dehydrated state of the brain is the cause of dementia. That is, by eliminating the dehydrated state of the brain, the cause of dementia can be removed. In addition, water intake has a relaxing and stress-relieving effect. The relaxing and stress-relieving effects are also said to contribute to the prevention of dementia. Naturally, as long as the user takes in water, the dehydrated state of the brain will be eliminated. That is, taking in water contributes to improving dementia.

[0017] Furthermore, as described above, by taking in water, the feeling of fatigue is eliminated, daily activities during the day are carried out, sleep becomes deeper, and the urge to urinate at night is also suppressed, resulting in an improvement in the user's physical condition and quality of life. As a result, by taking in water, it is possible to further generate the motivation to take in more water.

[0018] Furthermore, it is said that the progression of dementia is greatly affected by various physical and mental activities. As described above, taking in water leads to the elimination of fatigue and the like, and as a result, it has the effect of promoting daily activities such as actions in daily life and activities for hobbies. Such daily activities also contribute to the prevention and improvement of dementia.

[0019] On the other hand, generally speaking, regardless of age, climate, physique, behavior, etc., it is said that water intake should be carried out with a target of around 2 liters per day. That is, in the above description, the user was described as an elderly person, but it goes without saying that even if the user is of other ages, for example, a young person, sufficient (appropriate) water intake is important because it affects the physical condition of the body's water content and the quality of life.

[0020] Thus, water intake is recommended. Therefore, the user receives advice such as to drink water when going to the hospital or during an interview. However, in daily life, it is difficult for users to notice that they should drink water when they are lacking it, or to remember and practice drinking water. Moreover, it goes without saying that it is even more difficult when the user is an elderly person, or when they are progressing from the early stages to the middle stages of dementia.

[0021] Furthermore, not limited to the relationship between the amount of body water and drinking water described above, it is also difficult for user U to notice or take action on their own in various parameters obtained by measuring the body. Specifically, for example, it is difficult for the user to notice on their own that the blood oxygen concentration is decreasing and to take corresponding action on their own. The inventor of the present invention arrived at the invention of the present invention in order to improve the above-described situation.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of information exchange in a service (hereinafter referred to as "this service") to which an information processing system including a management device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. This service supports eliminating the decrease in the amount of body water by causing user U with a decreased amount of body water to ingest water and improving the physical condition. The management device 1 shown in FIG. 1 can estimate the physical condition of user U and provide information for its improvement by exchanging various information with user U via user terminal 2.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the management device 1 has a function of interacting with user U via user terminal 2. That is, for example, user U can interact with the chatbot via user terminal 2.

[0024] A "chatbot" is an automatic dialogue program that can have a conversation with a natural person using natural language. The chatbot of the present embodiment enables various types of conversations including daily conversations. Although the chatbot can automatically interact with natural persons, it is not limited to fully automatic and may be able to interact semi-automatically. That is, for example, a predetermined operation of another natural person (e.g., a service provider) may be performed, and the chatbot may have a function of interacting with natural persons based on the predetermined operation.

[0025] Information regarding the content of the interaction between the user U and the chatbot (hereinafter referred to as "interaction information") is acquired by the management device 1. Also, although it will be described in detail later, the chatbot can provide the user U with information for improving the physical condition of the user U (hereinafter referred to as "physical condition improvement information").

[0026] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the management device 1 acquires information regarding the amount of body water measured by the user U using the body composition meter 3 (hereinafter referred to as "body water amount information"). That is, for example, the user U can measure his / her own body water amount using the body composition meter 3. The body composition meter 3 of the present embodiment transmits the body water amount information to the user terminal 2 using short-range wireless communication. The information on the body water amount transmitted to the user terminal 2 is transmitted to the management device 1. In this way, the body water amount information measured using the body composition meter 3 is acquired by the management device 1.

[0027] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the management device 1 acquires information regarding the blood oxygen concentration measured by the user U using the pulse oximeter 4 (hereinafter referred to as "blood oxygen concentration information"). That is, for example, the user U can measure his / her own blood oxygen concentration using the pulse oximeter 4. The pulse oximeter 4 of the present embodiment transmits the blood oxygen concentration information to the user terminal 2 using short-range wireless communication. The information on the blood oxygen concentration transmitted to the user terminal 2 is transmitted to the management device 1. In this way, the blood oxygen concentration information measured using the pulse oximeter 4 is acquired by the management device 1.

[0028] Note that the method by which the management device 1 acquires the dialogue information, body water volume information, and blood oxygen concentration information is not limited. That is, for example, the dialogue information may be acquired from a predetermined chat system provided by someone other than the service provider of this service. Also, for example, the body water volume information and blood oxygen concentration information may be acquired from a system that integratively manages predetermined healthcare information provided by someone other than the service provider of this service.

[0029] Then, the management device 1 estimates the physical condition of the user U based on at least one of the dialogue information, body water volume information, and blood oxygen concentration information. Specifically, for example, the following will explain on the assumption that when the body water volume of the user U is low, the user U is estimated to feel listless.

[0030] The management device 1 generates physical condition improvement information for improving the physical condition of the user U based on the estimated physical condition of the other user U. Specifically, for example, when it is estimated that the user U feels listless as a result of the low body water volume of the user U, the management device 1 generates information indicating that the user U should drink water as the physical condition improvement information in order to improve the physical condition of the user U.

[0031] The management device 1 can provide the physical condition improvement information to the user U using the dialogue function of a chatbot that utilizes AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology. That is, for example, the management device 1 provides the physical condition improvement information to the user U by conducting a dialogue with the user U via the user terminal 2, such as "Please drink water" as the physical condition improvement information. Through the dialogue "Please drink water", the user U can take an action to actually improve the physical condition, that is, the action of drinking water.

[0032] Also, for example, the following will explain on the assumption that when the blood oxygen concentration of the user U is low, the user U is estimated to feel sleepy.

[0033] The management device 1 generates physical condition improvement information for improving the physical condition of user U based on the presumed physical condition of other user U. Specifically, for example, when it is presumed that user U feels sleepy as a result of a low blood oxygen concentration of user U, the management device 1 generates, as the physical condition improvement information, information indicating that user U should take a deep breath in order to improve the physical condition of user U.

[0034] The management device 1 can provide the physical condition improvement information to user U by using the dialogue function of the chatbot. That is, for example, the management device 1 provides the physical condition improvement information to user U by conducting a dialogue with user U via the user terminal 2, such as "Please take a deep breath", as the physical condition improvement information. By the dialogue of "Please take a deep breath", user U can take an action for actually improving the physical condition, that is, an action of taking a deep breath.

[0035] In this way, the management device 1 can estimate the physical condition of user U based on the body water volume information and the blood oxygen concentration information, and provide the physical condition improvement information based on the presumed physical condition of user U.

[0036] In addition, when it is presumed that the physical condition of user U has improved as a result of user U acting based on the physical condition improvement information, the management device 1 can dialogue with user U to that effect. Specifically, for example, it is assumed that the body water volume of user U has increased by user U drinking water. In this case, the management device 1 estimates based on the body water volume information that user U does not feel sluggish due to a decrease in the body water volume. Then, the management device 1 conducts a dialogue such as "The body water volume is improving. Have you stopped feeling sluggish?" Thereby, user U can grasp that the physical condition has improved by taking an action for improving the physical condition based on the physical condition improvement information. That is, user U can grasp that there has been an effect due to practicing an action for improving the physical condition that is difficult for oneself to notice. Thereby, user U further practices an action for improving the physical condition in accordance with the physical condition improvement information. As a result, the health and physical condition of user U will be further improved.

[0037] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the information processing system for realizing the provision of the above-described service, that is, the information processing system including the management device according to an embodiment of the present invention, will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system including a management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] The information processing system shown in FIG. 2 is configured to include a management device 1, a user terminal 2, a body composition monitor 3, and a pulse oximeter 4. The management device 1, the user terminal 2, the body composition monitor 3, and the pulse oximeter 4 are interconnected via a predetermined network NW such as the Internet.

[0039] The management device 1 is an information processing device managed by the provider of this service. The management device 1 executes various processes for realizing this service while appropriately communicating with the user terminal 2, the body composition monitor 3, and the pulse oximeter 4. The user terminal 2 is an information processing device operated by the user U. The user terminal 2 is composed of a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, or the like. The body composition monitor 3 is an information processing device capable of acquiring information regarding the composition of the body used by the user U. The body composition monitor 3 in the present embodiment is configured to be able to transmit various information including body water content information to the management device 1 and the user terminal 2 via the network NW. The pulse oximeter 4 is an information processing device capable of acquiring information regarding arterial oxygen saturation (SpO 2 )(an example of blood oxygen concentration information) and pulse rate through the skin used by the user U. The pulse oximeter 4 in the present embodiment is configured to be able to transmit various information including blood oxygen concentration information to the management device 1 and the user terminal 2 via the network.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server in the information processing system shown in FIG. 2.

[0041] The management device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an input unit 16, an output unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20.

[0042] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to the programs recorded in the ROM 12 or the programs loaded from the storage unit 18 into the RAM 13. In the RAM 13, data and the like necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes are also appropriately stored.

[0043] The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are interconnected via the bus 14. The input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14. The input unit 16, output unit 17, storage unit 18, communication unit 19, and drive 20 are connected to the input / output interface 15.

[0044] The input unit 16 is composed of, for example, a keyboard or the like and inputs various information. The output unit 17 is composed of a display such as a liquid crystal display or a speaker and outputs various information as images or sounds. The storage unit 18 is composed of a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like and stores various data. The communication unit 19 communicates with other devices (for example, the user terminal 2, body composition monitor 3, pulse oximeter 4, etc. in FIG. 2) via a network NW including the Internet.

[0045] A removable medium 31 composed of a magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory is appropriately mounted on the drive 20. The program read from the removable medium 31 by the drive 20 is installed in the storage unit 18 as necessary. Further, the removable medium 31 can also store various data stored in the storage unit 18, just like the storage unit 18.

[0046] Although not shown in the drawings, the user terminal 2, the body composition monitor 3, and the pulse oximeter 4 in FIG. 2 can also have basically the same configuration as the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, the description of the hardware configuration of the user terminal 2, the body composition monitor 3, and the pulse oximeter 4 is omitted. However, the body composition monitor 3 is provided with a sensor or the like for measuring the amount of body water as the input unit 16. Further, the pulse oximeter 4 is provided with a sensor or the like for measuring the blood oxygen concentration as the input unit 16.

[0047] By the cooperation of various hardware and various software constituting the information processing system of FIG. 2 including the management device 1 of FIG. 3, it becomes possible to execute various processes for realizing the present service of FIG. 1 described above. As a result, the service provider can provide the above-described present service to the user.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management device of FIG. 3 included in the information processing system of FIG. 2.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, in the CPU 11 of the management device 1, an interaction unit 51, a body water amount information acquisition unit 52, a blood oxygen concentration information acquisition unit 53, a physical condition estimation unit 54, and a physical condition improvement information generation unit 55 function. In an area of the storage unit 18 of the management device 1, an interaction information DB 81, a body water amount information DB 82, a blood oxygen concentration information DB 83, a physical condition information DB 84, and a physical condition improvement information DB 85 are provided.

[0050] The interaction unit 51 has a chatbot function and interacts with a predetermined user to acquire interaction information. That is, the interaction unit 51 has an interaction control unit 61 and an interaction information acquisition unit 62.

[0051] The dialogue control unit 61 executes control for the user U to have a dialogue via dedicated application software that enables the use of this service pre-installed on the user terminal 2. That is, for example, the dialogue control unit 61 executes control for the user U to have a dialogue based on a model capable of outputting natural language for calling and responding to the user U created using AI technology. In other words, under the control of the dialogue control unit 61, the user U can have a dialogue with the AI via the user terminal 2 and the dedicated application software installed on the user terminal 2.

[0052] In this way, the dialogue control unit 61 functions as a so-called chatbot. Note that, although details will be described later, the dialogue control unit 61 operates based on the information in the physical condition improvement information DB85 described later.

[0053] The dialogue information acquisition unit 62 acquires information regarding the content of the dialogue between the user U and the chatbot, that is, dialogue information, which is performed under the control of the dialogue control unit 61. The dialogue information DB81 is a database that stores information regarding the content of the dialogue between the user U and the chatbot, that is, dialogue information, which is the result of the control of the dialogue control unit 61. The dialogue information is linked to the user U and stored in the dialogue information DB81.

[0054] The body water content information acquisition unit 52 acquires the body water content information of the user U. That is, for example, the body water content information acquisition unit 52 acquires the body water content information of the user U measured by the user U using the body composition meter 3. The body water content information DB82 is a database that stores the body water content information acquired by the body water content information acquisition unit 52. The body water content information is linked to the user U and stored in the body water content information DB82.

[0055] The blood oxygen concentration information acquisition unit 53 acquires the blood oxygen information of the user U. That is, for example, the blood oxygen concentration information acquisition unit 53 acquires the blood oxygen information of the user U measured by the user U using the pulse oximeter 4. The blood oxygen concentration information DB 83 is a database that stores the blood oxygen concentration information acquired by the blood oxygen concentration information acquisition unit 53. The blood oxygen concentration information is linked to the user U and stored in the blood oxygen concentration information DB 83.

[0056] The physical condition estimation unit 54 estimates the physical condition of the user U based on at least one of the user U interaction information, the body water content information, and the blood oxygen concentration information, and generates information regarding the physical condition (hereinafter referred to as "physical condition information").

[0057] That is, for example, the physical condition estimation unit 54 estimates the physical condition of the user U based on the interaction information. Specifically, for example, the physical condition of the user U is estimated based on the response content of the user U in the interaction with the chatbot. More specifically, when there is no report from the user U that they have drunk water based on the interaction information, the physical condition estimation unit 54 estimates that the user U is in a situation where the body water content is low. And because the user U is in a situation where the body water content is low, the physical condition estimation unit 54 estimates that the user U feels listless. In this way, the physical condition estimation unit 54 can estimate other information (here, the body water content information) based on the interaction information, and estimate the physical condition of the user U based on the other information (here, the body water content information).

[0058] Also, for example, the physical condition estimation unit 54 estimates the physical condition of the user U based on the body water content information. Specifically, for example, when the body water content of the user U is low, the physical condition estimation unit 54 estimates that the user U feels listless.

[0059] Also, for example, the physical condition estimation unit 54 estimates the physical condition of the user U based on the blood oxygen concentration information. Specifically, for example, when the blood oxygen concentration of the user U is low, the physical condition estimation unit 54 estimates that the user U feels sleepy.

[0060] For example, the physical condition estimation unit 54 can estimate the physical condition of the user U by comprehensively evaluating a plurality of information including dialogue information, body water content information, and blood oxygen concentration information. The physical condition information DB 84 is a database that stores the physical condition information generated by the physical condition estimation unit 54. The physical condition information is associated with the user U and stored in the physical condition information DB 84.

[0061] The physical condition improvement information generation unit 55 generates information for improving the physical condition of the user U, that is, physical condition improvement information, based on the physical condition information. Specifically, for example, when it is estimated that the user U feels listless as a result of a low body water content, the physical condition improvement information generation unit 55 generates information indicating that the user U should drink water as physical condition improvement information in order to improve the physical condition of the user U.

[0062] The physical condition improvement information DB 85 is a database that stores the physical condition improvement information generated by the physical condition improvement information generation unit 55. The physical condition improvement information is associated with the user U and stored in the physical condition improvement information DB 85.

[0063] The dialogue control unit 61 executes control for interacting with the user U based on the physical condition improvement information stored in the physical condition improvement information DB 85. That is, for example, the dialogue control unit 61 can execute control for a dialogue to provide the physical condition improvement information to the user U. Specifically, for example, the dialogue control unit 61 executes control for interacting with the user U by calling out "Let's drink water" based on the physical condition improvement information indicating that the user U should drink water.

[0064] With such a functional configuration, the management device 1 can estimate the physical condition based on at least one of the dialogue information, body water content information, and blood oxygen concentration information of the user U, and provide a dialogue based on the physical condition improvement information.

[0065] Also, with such a functional configuration, the following becomes possible. That is, when the user U actually drinks water based on the dialogue "Let's drink water" based on the above-mentioned physical condition improvement information, the amount of body water of the user U increases. In this case, the body water amount information acquisition unit 52 acquires body water amount information indicating that the body water amount of the user U has increased. Then, based on the body water amount information, the physical condition estimation unit 54 estimates that the user U does not feel sluggish due to a decrease in the body water amount, in other words, it is estimated that the sluggishness has been eliminated due to the increase in the body water amount. Then, the dialogue control unit 61 executes control to have a dialogue such as "Your body water amount is improving. Have you stopped feeling sluggish?" As a result, the user U can recognize that the physical condition has improved by taking actions to improve the physical condition.

[0066] Also, for example, assume that the user U speaks (has a dialogue) "I drank water" using the dedicated application software related to the above-mentioned service via the user terminal 2. Then, based on the user U's statement (dialogue) "I drank water", the physical condition estimation unit 54 can estimate that the sluggishness has been eliminated because the amount of body water of the user U has increased (or has increased).

[0067] That is, in response to the decrease in the amount of body water of the user U, the user U can be made aware of the physical condition (mood) at that time and prompted to drink water, and after drinking water and the body water amount increases, the user can be made aware of the physical condition at that time again. As a result, the user U himself / herself can be aware that there is a relationship with the body water amount both when the physical condition is good and when it is bad. By repeating this, the user U can naturally become aware of the correlation between the body water amount and the physical condition.

[0068] Furthermore, for example, as part of the dialogue, the content of the future schedule may be discussed. That is, for example, if a dialogue indicating that the user will go to a gym or rehabilitation is conducted, a dialogue such as "It is advisable to drink enough water before going there" can be carried out. Through such a dialogue, when the user U intakes water, the user can perform weight training, aerobic exercise, rehabilitation, etc. with a positive mood. Also, for example, after the training of the user U who is performing weight training or aerobic exercise, by promoting water intake, negative factors such as fatigue and muscle pain can be reduced, leading to the motivation to attend again next time. The dialogue control unit 61 can obtain information on the schedule of the user U (not shown in the figure) and conduct a dialogue based on the schedule information. Then, the dialogue control unit 61 can provide physical condition improvement information according to the content of the schedule of the user U.

[0069] The above effects are not limited to training and rehabilitation, and are also useful as countermeasures when the mood drops after Golden Week (a long consecutive holiday from April to May in Japan) or at the turn of seasons. That is, it has been said since ancient times that one should drink water even when excited. However, such a statement has not been scientifically induced, and thus recommendations based on such grounds have not been made. The present invention also contributes to the verification (bridging) of such matters.

[0070] That is, the physical condition estimation unit 54 can estimate the physical condition based on the dialogue information in addition to the information on the amount of body water. As a result, it is possible to estimate the physical condition even when the user U cannot measure the amount of body water using the body composition meter 3 at certain times or places. That is, the physical condition estimation unit 54 can complement the estimation of the physical condition using only a measuring instrument (here, the body composition meter 3) by also using the dialogue information to estimate the physical condition. Thereby, it becomes possible to transmit physical condition improvement information with more appropriate content at more appropriate timings.

[0071] Also, for example, the situation regarding blood oxygen concentration is basically the same as described above. That is, in response to a decrease in blood oxygen concentration, the user U can be made aware of their mood at that time, and through dialogue, the user U can be prompted to take a deep breath. Then, after the user U takes a deep breath and the blood oxygen concentration increases, by making the user U aware of their (improved) mood again, the user U can become aware that there is a relationship between their mood, whether good or bad, and the blood oxygen concentration.

[0072] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a dialogue screen among the user interfaces provided by the management device having the functional configuration of FIG. 4. Under the control of the dialogue control unit 61, a dialogue is made as shown in FIG. 5. Among the dialogue screens shown in FIG. 5, the utterances from the left side are the utterances from the chatbot (management device 1) side, and the utterances from the right side are the utterances from the user U side.

[0073] In the dialogue screen shown in FIG. 5, the user U is saying, "What's the weather today?" In response, the chatbot (management device 1) responds with, "The weather is sunny and the temperature is 25 degrees," and thus a dialogue is being made. In this way, the chatbot (management device 1) can engage in dialogue with the user U, including in daily conversations.

[0074] In the dialogue screen shown in FIG. 5, the chatbot (management device 1) is saying, "Let's measure with a body composition monitor and a pulse oximeter before going out." In response, the user U is saying, "I've measured." And in the dialogue screen of FIG. 5, there is a notation saying, "The measurement results have been shared." In this way, the dedicated application software that enables the use of this service is installed on the user terminal 2 and has the function of transmitting the measurement results measured by the body composition monitor 3 and the pulse oximeter 4 to the management device 1.

[0075] As a result, the body water volume information and blood oxygen concentration information of the user U are acquired by the management device 1. Then, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, when the body water volume of the user U is decreasing, it is estimated that the user U is in a state of feeling listless, and as physical condition improvement information for improving the physical condition, it is generated that the user should drink water, and a statement such as "Please drink water" is made.

[0076] Here, in particular, the relationship between insufficient body water volume in the elderly and diseases will be described below.

[0077] Water intake is very important for maintaining health. As follows, in particular, for the elderly, it also leads to the prevention of dementia and the improvement of the degree of care.

[0078] First, there is a relationship between cognitive function and water intake. About 75% of the human brain is composed of water. Therefore, if appropriate water intake is ensured, the health of the brain is maintained and cognitive functions such as thinking and memory work normally. Conversely, in a dehydrated state, the function of the brain decreases, and there is a possibility of confusion, headache, decreased concentration, and an increased risk of dementia in the long term. Second, there is a relationship between physical function and water intake. Water intake also affects physical functions such as body temperature regulation, transportation of nutrients, digestion, and excretion. If these functions do not work well, the health of the whole body deteriorates, and as a result, the degree of care may increase. Third, there is a risk of dehydration. The elderly are said to be more likely to become dehydrated than the young. This is because the ability to retain body water decreases and it becomes difficult to feel thirsty. Furthermore, due to the side effects of certain drugs or dementia, it may be difficult to voluntarily intake water.

[0079] By appropriately intaking water, it is possible to prevent dehydration and prevent the decline of physical and cognitive functions. However, in order to allow the elderly to appropriately intake water, it is necessary to increase the opportunity of water intake in daily life, provide water in the form of tea or soup, record the amount of water intake, and check whether an appropriate amount is being intaken.

[0080] However, there may be restrictions on water intake due to specific medical conditions or the use of certain medications. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a medical professional regarding the specific methods and amounts of water intake.

[0081] The adverse effects of insufficient body water volume in the elderly will be further explained below. Insufficient body water volume in the elderly is a major cause of dehydration and can lead to various problems. This is due to factors such as a decrease in the overall amount of food intake and a decrease in water intake due to dysphagia. There are three types of dehydration: hypertonic dehydration, isotonic dehydration, and hypotonic dehydration. These are defined by the differences in the balance of salts and water in the body. As the body water volume decreases with aging, the elderly are more prone to dehydration. In addition, the elderly are characterized by a lack of awareness of dehydration such as thirst. Therefore, it is important to consciously replenish water.

[0082] Dehydration may seem like a minor problem at first glance, but in fact, it can cause many health problems. These include a decrease in blood flow, an increased burden on the heart, a decline in kidney function, constipation, an increased risk of urinary tract infections, and ultimately, it may also cause confusion and lethargy. Therefore, appropriate water replenishment is very important in the health management of the elderly. In particular, during daily activities, on hot days, and during the recovery period from illness, it is necessary to be more conscious of water intake.

[0083] What diseases will these health problems lead to? Specific cases will be explained below. Insufficient body water volume and dehydration in the elderly may lead to the following specific diseases. First, it may lead to problems in the circulatory system. Dehydration can inhibit blood circulation and potentially place an excessive burden on the heart. This may ultimately cause heart disease. Second, it may lead to problems with kidney diseases. Without an appropriate amount of water, the kidneys cannot produce enough urine to excrete toxins and unnecessary substances. In the long term, kidney function may decline, potentially causing kidney disease. Third, it may lead to problems with constipation. Insufficient water in the body can cause the stool to harden, potentially leading to constipation. This can further cause more serious conditions such as intestinal obstruction. Fourth, it may lead to problems with urinary tract infections. Dehydration can reduce urine output and increase the risk of urinary tract infections. Fifth, it may lead to problems with the nervous system. Severe dehydration can cause confusion and lethargy, which may lead to brain dysfunction.

[0084] The above information shows some of the health problems that dehydration can cause. However, it is possible to significantly reduce these risks by ensuring that the elderly consume sufficient water. Additionally, by fully understanding medical and health information and choosing appropriate lifestyle habits, these risks can be further reduced.

[0085] Regarding the brain dysfunction caused by the decrease in body water volume in the elderly, based on specific diseases, it will be explained as follows.

[0086] One of the brain dysfunctions caused by the decrease in body water volume in the elderly is dehydration symptoms. The elderly have less water in their bodies and tend to feel less thirsty in their throats, and there may be cases where they cannot consume sufficient water. Also, due to a decrease in water intake through diet, they are prone to dehydration symptoms. Dehydration symptoms can potentially cause brain dysfunction by worsening blood circulation due to insufficient water in the body and reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain.

[0087] Brain dysfunction caused by dehydration symptoms may accelerate the progression of dementia. Dementia is a general term for symptoms of brain function decline commonly seen in the elderly. Dementia is a disease in which cognitive functions such as memory, thinking ability, judgment, and language ability decline, and its progression may interfere with daily life. Dehydration due to dehydration symptoms may prevent the supply of nutrients and oxygen necessary to maintain normal brain function and may worsen the symptoms of dementia.

[0088] In addition, dehydration symptoms in the elderly are also related to frailty. Frailty is a concept that refers to the decline and weakness of the physical functions of the elderly. With aging, a decrease in muscle strength, fatigue, a decrease in walking speed, and a decrease in physical activity are observed. A decrease in the amount of body water due to dehydration symptoms is cited as one of the causes of frailty. If dehydration symptoms persist, the decline in muscle strength and physical activity in the elderly may progress, and as a result, it may also affect brain function.

[0089] As mentioned above, specific diseases of brain dysfunction due to a decrease in the amount of body water in the elderly include dehydration symptoms, dementia, and frailty related to them. For maintaining the health of the elderly, sufficient water intake and appropriate physical activity are important, and it is crucial to prevent dehydration symptoms. Please explain the circulatory system problems caused by dehydration due to a decrease in the amount of body water by giving specific diseases. When the amount of body water decreases and a state of dehydration occurs, many health problems occur especially in the elderly. Among them, problems related to the circulatory system are particularly serious, and the following diseases are included.

[0090] First, low blood pressure is mentioned. Dehydration may reduce the volume of blood, which may lower blood pressure. This may cause problems such as dizziness, fainting, or falling. Second, myocardial infarction is mentioned. Dehydration may thicken the blood, and as a result, blood flow may deteriorate. This may reduce the ability to carry oxygen necessary for the heart and increase the risk of myocardial infarction. Thirdly, there is stroke. When the blood concentration rises, blood clots (thrombi) are likely to form in the blood, and if this flows into the brain, it may cause a stroke.

[0091] As described above, a dehydrated state has a great impact on the health of the circulatory system. In particular, the elderly have less water in their bodies, are less likely to feel thirsty in the throat, and do not drink much water, so they tend to be prone to dehydration symptoms. Furthermore, the decline in kidney function due to aging is also considered a cause of falling into dehydration. The kidneys play a role in regulating the amount of water in the body, but when their function declines, the ability to retain the necessary water and electrolytes in the body weakens. Therefore, it can be said that the importance of water intake in the elderly is very high.

[0092] Similarly, the problems of kidney diseases will be explained below by citing specific diseases. The kidneys play a very important role in the human body. However, when the function of the kidneys deteriorates due to various factors, many kidney diseases occur. Some of the main kidney diseases are listed below.

[0093] Firstly, there is chronic kidney disease (CKD). This is a state in which the function of the kidneys continuously deteriorates and there are various causes. Symptoms are hardly seen in the initial stage, but as it progresses, changes in urine volume, swelling, fatigue, etc. appear. Secondly, there is diabetic nephropathy. This is one of the complications of diabetes, where diabetes damages the kidneys over a long period, resulting in a decline in kidney function. Thirdly, there is IgA nephropathy. This is a disease in which immunoglobulin A (IgA) abnormally accumulates in the kidneys, causing inflammation. In many cases, there are no symptoms in the initial stage and it progresses over time. Fourthly, there is acute kidney injury. This is a state in which the kidneys rapidly lose their function in a short period. The causes are various, including low blood pressure, heart disease, dehydration, infections, etc.

[0094] There are many types of kidney diseases, each with different symptoms, courses, and treatment methods. Since early detection of the disease and appropriate treatment are important, it is advisable to undergo regular health checks and receive advice from experts.

[0095] Specifically, it will be explained below what diseases constipation caused by a decrease in the body's water volume may lead to. A decrease in the body's water volume in the elderly is one of the factors causing constipation. When the body lacks water, the feces become hard and difficult to excrete. This is one of the reasons why the elderly are prone to constipation, and it is considered that aging affects the change in the body's water volume. Constipation can be directly linked to various health problems that occur in the body. One of them is colorectal cancer. When constipation becomes chronic, the feces stay in the large intestine, and as a result, harmful substances come into contact with the wall of the large intestine for a long time. This may increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

[0096] Also, constipation can cause hemorrhoids (so-called "piles"). When excreting hard feces due to constipation, pressure is applied to the blood vessels in the anus, which may cause hemorrhoids. Furthermore, constipation may also cause other diseases of the digestive system, such as symptoms like abdominal discomfort, abdominal distension, and loss of appetite. These symptoms can significantly reduce the quality of life and may in some cases be signs of serious illnesses. Therefore, managing the body's water volume in the elderly is very important in preventing these diseases. By appropriately replenishing water, it is possible to prevent constipation and reduce the risk of these diseases.

[0097] Furthermore, the impact on cognitive function caused by a decrease in the body's water volume will be explained below.

[0098] When the body's water volume decreases, it causes dehydration symptoms. Especially in the case of the elderly, if the body does not have enough water, it is likely to cause physical discomfort and a decline in cognitive function. First, the amount of water in the body is very important for the body to function properly. This is because water is involved in the transportation of substances, the regulation of body temperature, and metabolism in each cell of the body. That is, if the amount of water in the body is insufficient, these important functions may not work properly, which can affect overall health.

[0099] Specifically, when it comes to cognitive function, about 85% of the brain is made up of water, and its water balance plays an important role. In a dehydrated state, blood flow may decrease, which may lead to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain. When this happens, each part of the brain, especially the parts that control cognitive functions such as memory, consciousness, and attention, may not function properly.

[0100] A dehydrated state can also inhibit the function of synapses (the connections that connect nerve cells) in the brain and delay information transmission. When this happens, cognitive functions such as memory, comprehension, decision-making ability, and attention decline. Therefore, especially in the case of the elderly, it is very important to consume sufficient water daily to maintain cognitive function.

[0101] How dehydration symptoms affect the progression of dementia and Alzheimer's disease will be explained below. When in a dehydrated state, it may affect the function of the brain. Specifically, in a dehydrated state, blood flow may decrease, which may lead to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain. This leads to a decline in the function of each part of the brain, especially the parts that control cognitive functions.

[0102] In addition, a dehydrated state may disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters and inhibit information transmission between nerve cells. This can cause a decline in cognitive ability and confusion in consciousness, which may exacerbate the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

[0103] Dehydration can sometimes cause a temporary decline in cognitive function, but if it persists, it may have long-term effects. Especially in the case of the elderly, it is said that it is difficult to maintain the body's water volume, so dehydration is likely to become chronic. This may accelerate the progression of dementia and Alzheimer's disease over the long term.

[0104] However, dehydration is not the direct cause of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Those conditions are caused and progress due to complex factors. However, dehydration can worsen the symptoms of those conditions and make management difficult. Therefore, even in the case of the elderly, appropriate hydration is important for maintaining cognitive function and also for managing the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

[0105] Figure 6 is a diagram that medically classifies diseases caused by a decrease in the body's water volume. As shown in Figure 6, a decrease in the body's water volume can cause diseases in various medical fields. The importance of hydration is particularly heightened in the elderly. Dehydration can have an adverse effect on the health of the elderly, especially on cognitive function. Therefore, appropriate hydration and observation of the health status of the elderly are important.

[0106] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are considered to be included in the present invention.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the chat by the chatbot (dialogue unit 51) is assumed to be in the form of text as shown in Figure 5, but it is not particularly limited. That is, for example, the chatbot (dialogue unit 51) may be conducted in other forms such as voice. Also, for example, the chat by the chatbot (dialogue unit 51) may be conducted in a combination of various forms such as text, voice, pictures, etc.

[0108] For example, the system configuration shown in FIG. 2 and the hardware configuration of the management device 1 shown in FIG. 3 are merely examples for achieving the object of the present invention and are not particularly limited.

[0109] Also, the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example and is not particularly limited. That is, it suffices that the information processing system of FIG. 2 is provided with a function capable of executing the various processes described above as a whole, and the functional blocks and databases used for realizing this function are not particularly limited to the example of FIG. 4.

[0110] Also, the location of the functional blocks and databases is not limited to FIG. 4 and may be arbitrary. For example, at least a part of the functional blocks and databases arranged on the management device 1 side may be transferred to the user terminal 2 side or another information processing device (not shown). For example, in the above-described embodiment, since the user interface is a web page of a predetermined website, the functional configuration as shown in FIG. 4 is adopted. For example, when the user interface is configured by application software installed in the user terminal 2, at least a part of the functional blocks existing in the management device 1 may be transferred to the user terminal 2.

[0111] Also, the above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or by software. Also, one functional block may be configured by hardware alone, by software alone, or by a combination thereof.

[0112] When the series of processes are executed by software, the program constituting the software is installed in a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium. The computer may be a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. In addition, the computer may be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs, such as a general-purpose smartphone or personal computer in addition to a server.

[0113] A recording medium containing such a program is not only composed of a removable medium (not shown) distributed separately from the apparatus main body to provide the program to the user, but also composed of a recording medium or the like provided to the user in a state pre-installed in the apparatus main body.

[0114] Note that in this specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium includes not only the processes performed in chronological order along the order, but also the processes executed in parallel or individually even if they are not necessarily processed in chronological order.

[0115] To summarize the above, the information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied only needs to have the following configuration, and can take various embodiments. That is, the management apparatus (for example, the management apparatus 1 in FIG. 4) to which the present invention is applied dialogue means (for example, the dialogue unit 51 in FIG. 4) for interacting with a predetermined user to obtain dialogue information, body moisture amount information acquisition means (for example, the body moisture amount information acquisition unit 52 in FIG. 4) for acquiring the body moisture amount information of the predetermined user, physical condition estimation means (for example, the physical condition estimation unit 54) for estimating the physical condition of the predetermined user based on the body moisture amount information, physical condition improvement information generation means (physical condition improvement information generation unit 55) for generating physical condition improvement information for improving the physical condition of the predetermined user based on the estimated physical condition of the predetermined user, and the dialogue means operates based on the physical condition improvement information.

[0116] Thereby, it is possible to improve the physical condition by utilizing information such as the body moisture amount information of the user.

[0117] The physical condition estimation means further estimates the physical condition of the predetermined user based on the dialogue information. It can be done.

[0118] It further includes a blood oxygen concentration information acquisition means (for example, a blood oxygen concentration information acquisition unit 53) for acquiring blood oxygen concentration information of the predetermined user. The physical condition estimation means estimates the physical condition of the predetermined user based on the blood oxygen concentration information. It can be done.

Explanation of Signs

[0119] 1 ··· Management device, 2 ··· User terminal, 3 ··· Body composition meter, 4 ··· Pulse oximeter, 11 ··· CPU, 18 ··· Storage unit, 20 ··· Drive, 31 ··· Removable media, 51 ··· Dialogue unit, 52 ··· Body water content information acquisition unit, 53 ··· Blood oxygen concentration information acquisition unit, 54 ··· Physical condition estimation unit, 55 ··· Physical condition improvement information generation unit, 61 ··· Dialogue control unit, 62 ··· Dialogue information acquisition unit, 81 ··· Dialogue information DB, 82 ··· Body water content information DB, 83 ··· Blood oxygen concentration information DB, 84 ··· Physical condition information DB, 85 ··· Physical condition improvement information DB

Claims

1. Dialogue means for interacting with a predetermined user to obtain dialogue information, Intracellular water content information acquisition means for acquiring intracellular water content information of the predetermined user, Physical condition estimation means for estimating the physical condition of the predetermined user based on the intracellular water content information, Physical condition improvement information generation means for generating physical condition improvement information for improving the physical condition of the predetermined user based on the estimated physical condition of the predetermined user, Comprising, The dialogue means operates based on the physical condition improvement information, Management device.

2. The physical condition estimation means further estimates the physical condition of the predetermined user based on the dialogue information, The management device according to claim 1.

3. Blood oxygen concentration information acquisition means for acquiring blood oxygen concentration information of the predetermined user, Further comprising, The physical condition estimation means estimates the physical condition of the predetermined user based on the blood oxygen concentration information, The management device according to claim 1 or 2.

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