Unmanned mobile vehicles, medical support systems, and transport methods

Abstract

The present invention provides an unmanned mobile vehicle, a medical support system, and a transportation method that provide appropriate medical care to patients in a designated area. [Solution] In a medical support system 100 used to provide telemedicine to isolated areas where transportation and communication functions are disrupted due to disasters, etc., an autonomously moving unmanned mobile body for transporting pharmaceuticals, AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators), life-saving devices, and multiple types of test kits necessary for examination to the isolated area includes a mobile device for moving the unmanned mobile body, a storage unit for storing medical supplies, and a mobile control unit that controls the mobile device to move the unmanned mobile body to a predetermined position. After the medical supplies have been provided to the first user, if the first user's specimen has been stored in the storage unit, the mobile control unit controls the mobile device to transport the specimen to the second user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an unmanned moving body, a medical support system, and a conveyance method.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, technologies for supporting telemedicine using devices equipped with communication functions such as smartphones and personal computers have been disclosed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for improving communication between an operator of a medical device and a telemedicine expert.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an isolated area where a disaster has occurred and transportation and communication functions are cut off, it is required to provide appropriate medical treatment to patients taking refuge in a shelter. In this case, it is desirable not only to transport medical supplies and pharmaceuticals to the patients, but also to enable communication between the patients and doctors or pharmacists.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an unmanned moving body, a medical support system, and a conveyance method that can provide appropriate medical treatment to patients in a predetermined area.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The unmanned mobile body of this disclosure is an autonomously mobile mobile body comprising a mobile device for moving the unmanned mobile body, a storage unit for storing medical supplies, and a mobile control unit for controlling the mobile device to move the unmanned mobile body to a predetermined position, wherein, after the medical supplies have been provided to a first user, the mobile control unit controls the mobile device to transport the sample to a second user when the first user's sample has been stored in the storage unit.

[0007] The medical support system of the present disclosure includes an unmanned mobile body of the present disclosure, a first information processing device connected to the unmanned mobile body in a voice-communication manner and used by the second user, and a second information processing device connected to the unmanned mobile body in a voice-communication manner and used by the third user, wherein the unmanned mobile body and the first information processing device are configured to enable voice communication between the first user and the second user, respectively, and the unmanned mobile body and the second information processing device are configured to enable voice communication between the first user and the third user, respectively.

[0008] The transport method of this disclosure is a method for transporting medical supplies using an autonomously moving unmanned mobile body, comprising the steps of: moving the unmanned mobile body; storing medical supplies; moving the unmanned mobile body to a predetermined position; and, after the medical supplies have been provided to a first user, if the first user's specimen has been stored in the storage compartment, controlling the mobile device to transport the specimen to a second user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, appropriate medical care can be provided to patients in a designated area. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a medical support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the processing of the medical support system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3]Figure 3 shows an example of destination information according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the processing flow of the medical support system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of an unmanned mobile body according to an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments relating to this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. However, this embodiment does not limit this disclosure, and in the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations.

[0012] [Embodiment] (Medical support system) The medical support system according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 1 and Figure 2. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the medical support system according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the processing of the medical support system according to the embodiment.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the medical support system 100 includes an unmanned mobile unit 10, a physician terminal 12, and a pharmacist terminal 14. The unmanned mobile unit 10, the physician terminal 12, and the pharmacist terminal 14 are communicated with each other via a network N.

[0014] The medical support system 100 is used, for example, to provide telemedicine to isolated areas where transportation and communication functions are disrupted due to a disaster. In this case, the unmanned mobile unit 10 transports medicines, an AED (Automated External Defibrillator), life-saving equipment, and various types of test kits necessary for examination to the isolated area. Patients in the isolated area can use the unmanned mobile unit 10 to communicate via voice with medical professionals such as doctors using the doctor terminal 12 or pharmacists using the pharmacist terminal 14. The communication may include video in addition to voice.

[0015] In this embodiment, the unmanned mobile body 10 is, for example, a drone equipped with a voice communication function. The doctor terminal 12 and the pharmacist terminal 14 are information processing devices having a communication function such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the unmanned mobile body 10, for example, conveys necessary pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to the patient 2, or conveys specimens of the patient 2 necessary for the doctor 1 to examine the patient 2 to the doctor 1. The doctor terminal 12 is communicably connected to the unmanned mobile body 10 via, for example, the base station 16. The doctor 1 can conduct a voice call with the patient 2 using the doctor terminal 12 when the patient 2 stores a specimen in the unmanned mobile body 10. In this embodiment, the patient 2 is a type of first user, and the doctor 1 is a type of second user.

[0017] (Unmanned Mobile Body) As shown in FIG. 1, the unmanned mobile body 10 includes a moving device 20, a storage unit 22, an operation unit 24, a microphone 26, a display unit 28, an audio output unit 30, a communication unit 32, a storage unit 34, and a control unit 36. Although not described, it may include a camera unit that photographs the surroundings of the unmanned mobile body 10.

[0018] The moving device 20 is a device for flying the unmanned mobile body 10. The unmanned mobile body 10 can be moved to a predetermined position by the moving device 20. The moving device 20 can be realized by, for example, a multi-rotor or the like.

[0019] The storage unit 22 stores various articles. The storage unit 22 stores medical supplies including, for example, an AED, a life-saving device, and a plurality of types of test kits necessary for examination. The storage unit 22 stores, for example, pharmaceuticals prescribed to a patient. The storage unit 22 stores, for example, a specimen of a patient necessary for a doctor to examine the patient.

[0020] The operation unit 24 receives various input operations for the unmanned mobile body 10. The operation unit 24 is composed of, for example, a touch panel, buttons, switches, etc. When a touch panel is used as the operation unit 24, the operation unit 24 is arranged on the display unit 28.

[0021] The microphone 26 detects the user's voice. The microphone 26 is used, for example, when the specimen is stored in the storage unit 22 or when receiving pharmaceuticals from the storage unit 22, for the patient to communicate with a doctor or pharmacist.

[0022] The display unit 28 displays various images. The display unit 28 is, for example, a display including a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence), etc.

[0023] The voice output unit 30 outputs various voices. The voice output unit 30 outputs the voices of, for example, doctors and pharmacists. The voice output unit 30 can be realized, for example, by a speaker.

[0024] The communication unit 32 is a communication interface that performs communication between the unmanned mobile body 10 and an external device. The communication unit 32 performs, for example, voice communication between the unmanned mobile body 10 and the doctor terminal 12. The communication unit 32 performs, for example, voice communication between the unmanned mobile body 10 and the pharmacist terminal 14.

[0025] The storage unit 34 stores various information. The storage unit 34 stores the calculation content of the control unit 36 and information such as programs. The storage unit 34 includes, for example, at least one of a main storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), and an external storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0026] The memory unit 34 stores, for example, map data. The memory unit 34 stores destination information that associates location information of multiple evacuation centers with resident information registered for each of the multiple evacuation centers. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of destination information according to the embodiment.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, destination information D1 includes items such as "shelter identifier," "location," "number of people," "number of people receiving medication," and "priority."

[0028] A "shelter identifier" is information used to uniquely identify a shelter.

[0029] "Location" refers to location information indicating the position of the evacuation shelter. "Location" can be expressed, for example, by longitude and latitude.

[0030] "Number of people" is information indicating the number of users by type and gender who have evacuated to the shelter. In this embodiment, the types are classified, for example, as "preschool children," "elderly people," and "others" who are not preschool children or elderly people. The types are not limited to "preschool children," "elderly people," and "others."

[0031] "Medication recipients" refers to the number of users who regularly take medication among those sheltering in evacuation centers. The information provided by "Preschool children," "elderly," "others," and "medication recipients" is collectively referred to as resident information.

[0032] "Priority" is information indicating the order in which the unmanned mobile unit 10 will proceed to each evacuation shelter. "Priority" is calculated, for example, when the unmanned mobile unit 10 moves to each evacuation shelter, so it can be left blank in the initial stages. For example, "Priority" indicates that evacuation shelters with smaller values ​​are given priority (higher priority) and the unmanned mobile unit 10 will proceed to them.

[0033] The control unit 36 ​​controls each part of the unmanned mobile body 10. The control unit 36 ​​includes, for example, an information processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a storage device such as RAM or ROM. The control unit 36 ​​executes a program that controls the operation of the unmanned mobile body 10 according to this disclosure. The control unit 36 ​​may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 36 ​​may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software.

[0034] The control unit 36 ​​of the unmanned mobile unit 10 comprises a movement control unit 40, a supply unit 42, an information acquisition unit 44, a region identification unit 46, an evacuation center identification unit 48, a priority determination unit 50, and a communication control unit 52.

[0035] The movement control unit 40 controls the movement device 20. The movement control unit 40 controls the movement device 20 to make the unmanned mobile body 10 fly to a predetermined position.

[0036] The supply unit 42 provides medical supplies and pharmaceuticals stored in the storage unit 22 to the user. For example, after a voice call between the patient and the doctor has started, the supply unit 42 associates the medical supplies stored in the storage unit 22 with the patient's authentication information and provides the medical supplies stored in the storage unit 22. The authentication information is information for identifying an individual and may be registered in advance and notified to the patient, or it may be presented to the patient when a voice call between the patient and the doctor has started. The authentication information may be, but is not limited to, text information (passcode), two-dimensional codes, biometric information, etc. The supply unit 42 provides pharmaceuticals stored in the storage unit to the patient, for example, if the patient's authentication is successful. The supply unit 42 provides a patient's specimen stored in the storage unit 22 to the doctor, for example.

[0037] The information acquisition unit 44 acquires various types of information. For example, the information acquisition unit 44 acquires disaster information from an external information server. Disaster information includes information on the type of disaster and location information where the disaster occurred. The external information server is not particularly limited and may include various types of information servers. The information server may be operated by an information center that provides weather information such as earthquakes and rainfall, or road traffic information (for example, a road information provision system operated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism).

[0038] The regional identification unit 46 identifies areas affected by a disaster when one occurs. For example, the regional identification unit 46 identifies areas affected by a disaster based on the type of disaster information included in the disaster information acquired by the information acquisition unit 44 and the location information where the disaster occurred. For example, the regional identification unit 46 identifies areas affected by a disaster as areas around roads that are closed and where there is no information on detours, based on the type of disaster information, the location information where the disaster occurred, and map data stored in the storage unit 34. For example, the identified areas are isolated areas where transportation routes are blocked and movement is difficult.

[0039] The shelter identification unit 48 identifies shelters located within the disaster-stricken area identified by the area identification unit 46. The shelter identification unit 48 identifies shelters located within the disaster-stricken area based on the "location" of each shelter contained in the destination information D1 stored in the memory unit 34.

[0040] If the shelter identification unit 48 identifies multiple shelters, the priority determination unit 50 determines the priority order in which the unmanned mobile unit 10 will proceed to each shelter. For example, suppose the shelter identification unit 48 identifies shelters A, C, and D as shelters in the disaster-stricken area. In this case, the priority determination unit 50 determines the priority order of shelters A, C, and D based on the number of "preschool children," "elderly people," "others," and "people receiving medication" for shelters A, C, and D, respectively, as contained in the destination information D1 stored in the memory unit 34.

[0041] The priority determination unit 50, for example, assigns higher priority to evacuation shelters in order of the number of "people receiving medication." In this case, the priority determination unit 50 determines that among evacuation shelters A, C, and D, evacuation shelter A has the most "people receiving medication," and therefore assigns a priority of "1" to evacuation shelter A.

[0042] The priority determination unit 50, for example, if the number of "people receiving medication" is the same in shelter C and shelter D, will give a higher priority to the shelter with a larger number of "elderly people aged 75 and over". In this case, since shelter D has more "elderly people aged 75 and over" than shelter C, the priority determination unit 50 will determine that shelter D has a priority of "2" and shelter C has a priority of "3".

[0043] The priority determination unit 50 may, for example, give higher priority to shelters with a large number of "elderly people" if the number of "elderly people" is the same, or to shelters with a large total number of people. The priority determination unit 50 may, for example, give higher priority to shelters that are located close to shelters that have already been given a higher priority. By giving higher priority to shelters that are located close by, shelters can be visited more efficiently.

[0044] The communication control unit 52 controls the communication unit 32. For example, when the unmanned mobile unit 10 is moved to an evacuation center by the mobile device 20, the communication control unit 52 initiates a call between the patient and the doctor via the communication unit 32 in response to the patient's operation. For example, after the medicine has been delivered to the patient and patient authentication is successful, the communication control unit 52 initiates a call between the patient and the pharmacist via the communication unit 32 in response to the patient's operation.

[0045] (Doctor's terminal) An example configuration of the physician terminal 12 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the physician terminal 12 comprises an operation unit 60, an output unit 62, a communication unit 64, a storage unit 66, and a control unit 68. The physician terminal 12 is a type of first information processing device.

[0046] The control unit 60 receives various input operations for the physician terminal 12. The control unit 60 is composed of, for example, a touch panel, buttons, switches, a microphone, etc. When a touch panel is used as the control unit 60, the control unit 60 is placed on the display, which serves as the output unit 62.

[0047] The output unit 62 outputs various types of information. The output unit 62 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display for displaying various types of information, and a speaker for outputting sound.

[0048] The communication unit 64 is a communication interface that facilitates communication between the physician terminal 12 and an external device. For example, the communication unit 64 performs voice communication between the physician terminal 12 and the unmanned mobile device 10. For example, the communication unit 64 transmits and receives various types of data between the physician terminal 12 and the pharmacist terminal 14.

[0049] The memory unit 66 stores various types of information. The memory unit 66 stores the calculation contents of the control unit 68 and information such as programs. The memory unit 66 includes, for example, RAM and at least one of the following: main memory such as ROM, or external storage device such as HDD.

[0050] The control unit 68 controls various parts of the physician terminal 12. The control unit 68 includes, for example, an information processing device such as a CPU or MPU and a storage device such as RAM or ROM. The control unit 68 executes a program that controls the operation of the physician terminal 12 according to this disclosure. The control unit 68 may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA. The control unit 68 may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software.

[0051] (Pharmacist terminal) An example configuration of the pharmacist terminal 14 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the pharmacist terminal 14 comprises an operation unit 70, an output unit 72, a communication unit 74, a storage unit 76, and a control unit 78. The pharmacist terminal 14 is a type of second information processing device.

[0052] The operation unit 70 receives various input operations for the pharmacist terminal 14. The operation unit 70 is composed of, for example, a touch panel, buttons, switches, a microphone, etc. When a touch panel is used as the operation unit 70, the operation unit 70 is placed on the display, which serves as the output unit 72.

[0053] The output unit 72 outputs various types of information. The output unit 72 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display for displaying various types of information, and a speaker for outputting sound.

[0054] The communication unit 74 is a communication interface that facilitates communication between the pharmacist terminal 14 and an external device. For example, the communication unit 74 performs voice communication between the pharmacist terminal 14 and the unmanned mobile device 10. For example, the communication unit 74 transmits and receives various types of data between the pharmacist terminal 14 and the physician terminal 12.

[0055] The memory unit 76 stores various types of information. The memory unit 76 stores the calculation contents of the control unit 78 and information such as programs. The memory unit 76 includes, for example, RAM and at least one of the following: a main memory such as ROM, or an external memory such as an HDD.

[0056] The control unit 78 controls each part of the pharmacist terminal 14. The control unit 78 includes, for example, an information processing device such as a CPU or MPU and a storage device such as RAM or ROM. The control unit 78 executes a program that controls the operation of the pharmacist terminal 14 according to this disclosure. The control unit 78 may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA. The control unit 78 may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software.

[0057] (Processing details of the medical support system) The processing flow of the medical support system according to the embodiment will be explained using Figure 4. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the processing flow of the medical support system according to the embodiment.

[0058] The unmanned mobile unit 10 moves to the evacuation center with the medical supplies stored in the storage compartment 22 (step S10). The unmanned mobile unit 10 and the doctor's terminal 12 initiate a call between patient 2 and doctor 1 (step S12). This allows doctor 1 to remotely interview and examine patient 2. If necessary, doctor 1 can communicate with people around patient 2 and instruct them to attempt to resuscitate patient 2 using the equipment included in the medical supplies, such as an AED.

[0059] The unmanned mobile device 10 stores the patient 2's sample in the storage unit 22, which is necessary for the doctor 1 to examine the patient 2 in more detail (step S14). The sample is collected by the patient 2 using a test kit stored in the storage unit 22, based on the remote monitoring and instructions of the doctor 1, and stored in the storage unit 22. The unmanned mobile device 10 transports the patient 2's sample stored in the storage unit 22 to the doctor 1 (step S16). The doctor's terminal 12 transmits prescription information regarding the prescription to the pharmacist's terminal 14 based on the examination results by the doctor 1 (step S18). The unmanned mobile device 10 moves to the pharmacist 3 (step S20). The pharmacist 3 is a type of third user.

[0060] The unmanned mobile unit 10 stores the medication prepared by the pharmacist 3 based on the prescription information into the storage unit 22 (step S22). The unmanned mobile unit 10 delivers the medication stored in the storage unit 22 to the patient 2 (step S24). The unmanned mobile unit 10 and the pharmacist terminal 14 initiate a call between the patient 2 and the pharmacist 3 (step S26). This allows the pharmacist 3 to remotely explain the medication to the patient 2.

[0061] The medical support system 100 can provide appropriate medical care to patient 2 through the processing flow shown in Figure 4.

[0062] (Processing details for unmanned mobile vehicles) The processing details of the unmanned mobile body according to the embodiment will be explained using Figure 5. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the unmanned mobile body according to the embodiment.

[0063] The information acquisition unit 44 acquires weather information from an external information server via the communication unit 32 (step S30). The area identification unit 46 identifies the area affected by the disaster based on the weather information acquired by the information acquisition unit 44 (step S32).

[0064] The shelter identification unit 48 determines whether or not there is a shelter in the disaster-stricken area identified by the area identification unit 46 (step S34). Specifically, the shelter identification unit 48 determines that there is a shelter in the disaster-stricken area identified by the area identification unit 46 if the "location" included in the destination information D1 stored in the memory unit 34 is included in the disaster-stricken area identified by the area identification unit 46. If it is determined that there is a shelter (step S34; Yes), the process proceeds to step S36. If it is not determined that there is a shelter (step S34; No), the process shown in Figure 5 is terminated.

[0065] If the result in step S34 is Yes, the shelter identification unit 48 determines whether there are multiple shelters (step S36). Specifically, the shelter identification unit 48 determines whether there are multiple shelters based on the destination information D1 stored in the memory unit 34. If it is determined that there are multiple shelters (step S36; Yes), the process proceeds to step S38. If it is not determined that there are multiple shelters (step S36; No), the process proceeds to step S44.

[0066] If the answer is Yes in step S36, the priority determination unit 50 determines the priority of each of the multiple evacuation shelters (step S38).

[0067] The movement control unit 40 controls the movement device 20 to move the unmanned mobile body 10 to the evacuation center according to priority (step S40).

[0068] The control unit 36 ​​determines whether or not there are patients who require a doctor's examination at the evacuation center to which the unmanned mobile unit 10 has moved (step S42). The control unit 36 ​​determines that there are patients who require a doctor's examination if, for example, there are patients receiving medication, sick people, injured people, elderly people, etc. The control unit 36 ​​also determines that there are patients who require a doctor's examination if, for example, a request for a doctor's examination is entered into the operation unit 24. If it is determined that there are patients who require a doctor's examination (step S42; Yes), the process proceeds to step S48. If it is not determined that there are patients who require a doctor's examination (step S42; No), the process proceeds to step S62.

[0069] If the result in step S36 is determined to be No, the movement control unit 40 controls the movement device 20 to move the unmanned mobile body 10 to one of the designated evacuation shelters (step S44).

[0070] The control unit 36 ​​determines whether or not there are patients who wish to be examined by a doctor at the evacuation center to which the unmanned mobile unit 10 has moved (step S46). If it is determined that there are patients who wish to be examined by a doctor (step S46; Yes), the process proceeds to step S48. If it is not determined that there are patients who wish to be examined by a doctor (step S46; No), the process shown in Figure 5 is terminated.

[0071] If the answer is Yes in step S42 or Yes in step S46, the communication control unit 52 performs voice communication between the unmanned mobile device 10 and the doctor's terminal 12 (step S48). There may be multiple patients who communicate with the doctor holding the doctor's terminal 12 through the unmanned mobile device 10. In that case, the doctor examines the multiple patients in order, setting passcodes for each.

[0072] The supply unit 42 provides the medical supplies stored in the storage unit 22 to the patient (step S50). Specifically, the supply unit 42 provides the medical supplies to the patient along with authentication information necessary for receiving the medicine. The authentication information is information used to determine whether the patient is the person in question when receiving the medicine. The authentication information may be, for example, a passcode. The patient uses the provided medical supplies to collect specimens necessary for the examination and stores the collected specimens in the storage unit 22.

[0073] The mobile control unit 40 controls the mobile device 20 to transport the specimen stored in the storage unit 22 to a medical institution where a doctor is located (step S52). In this case, the doctor receives the specimen from the unmanned mobile unit 10 and uses the specimen to perform an examination. If the transport of the specimen is not required, step S52 is omitted. The doctor then uses the doctor terminal 12 to transmit prescription information regarding the prescription to the pharmacist terminal 14, according to the examination results. The pharmacist prepares the medication according to the prescription information and stores it in the storage unit 22.

[0074] The mobile control unit 40 controls the mobile device 20 to transport the pharmaceuticals stored in the storage unit 22 to the patient (step S54).

[0075] The control unit 36 ​​determines whether or not patient authentication was successful (step S56). Specifically, the control unit 36 ​​determines that authentication was successful if the passcode entered by the patient into the operation unit 24 matches the passcode indicated by the authentication information provided with the medical device. If authentication is determined to be successful (step S56; Yes), the process proceeds to step S58. If authentication is not determined to be successful (step S56; No), the process proceeds to step S62.

[0076] If the answer in step S56 is determined to be Yes, the communication control unit 52 performs voice communication between the unmanned mobile device 10 and the pharmacist terminal 14 (step S58). There may be multiple patients who converse with the pharmacist holding the pharmacist terminal 14 through the unmanned mobile device 10. In that case, the pharmacist converses with the multiple patients in turn, authenticating each of them as they go.

[0077] The dispensing unit 42 provides the patient with the medicine stored in the storage unit 22 (step S60). If the provision of medicine is not required, steps S54 to S60 are omitted.

[0078] The control unit 36 ​​determines whether or not to terminate the process shown in Figure 5 (step S62). Specifically, the control unit 36 ​​determines to terminate the process, for example, if there are no evacuation shelters that the unmanned mobile unit 10 has not visited among the multiple evacuation shelters determined to be located in the disaster-stricken area. If it is determined to terminate the process (step S62; Yes), the process shown in Figure 5 is terminated. If it is not determined to terminate the process (step S62; No), the process proceeds to step S40, and the unit visits multiple evacuation shelters by moving to the next priority evacuation shelter.

[0079] As described above, this embodiment allows for the delivery of medicines and other items to patients using an unmanned mobile vehicle, and enables voice communication between the patient and a doctor or pharmacist. This enables the embodiment to provide appropriate medical care to users who have evacuated to isolated shelters in the event of a disaster.

[0080] (modified version) Modifications of the embodiment will now be described. In this embodiment, the unmanned mobile unit 10 is described as autonomously transporting medical supplies or pharmaceuticals between a patient, a doctor, and a pharmacist, and conducting voice communication, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0081] In a modified embodiment, for example, the determination of whether or not to transport medical supplies or pharmaceuticals between a patient, a doctor, and a pharmacist, and whether or not to conduct a voice call, may be performed by a management device that manages the unmanned mobile unit 10. In this case, the management device may transmit processing instructions to the unmanned mobile unit 10 based on the various determination results. In this case, the unmanned mobile unit 10 only needs to perform the processing according to the instructions transmitted from the management device.

[0082] Each component of the illustrated device is a functional concept and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific forms of distribution and integration of each device are not limited to those shown, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads and usage conditions. Furthermore, this distribution and integration configuration may be performed dynamically.

[0083] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited by the content of these embodiments. Furthermore, the aforementioned components include those that are readily conceivable to those skilled in the art, those that are substantially identical, and those that fall within the so-called equivalent range. Moreover, the aforementioned components can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the embodiments described above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 10 Unmanned Mobile Units 12. Doctor's terminal 14 Pharmacist terminal 16 base station 20 Mobile device 22 Storage compartment 24,60 Operation unit 26 Mike 28 Display section 30 Audio output section 32,64,74 Communications Department 34,66,76 Storage part 36,68,78 Control Unit 40 Movement Control Unit 42 Providing Department 44 Information Acquisition Department 46 Regional Specialized Department 48 Evacuation Shelter Identification Department 50 Priority judgment section 52 Communication Control Unit 62,72 Output section 100 Medical Support Systems

Claims

1. An autonomously moving unmanned mobile vehicle, A moving device for moving the aforementioned unmanned mobile body, A storage compartment for medical supplies, Includes a movement control unit that controls the moving device to move the unmanned mobile body to a predetermined position, The mobile control unit, after the medical product has been provided to the first user, controls the mobile device to transport the sample to the second user when the first user's sample has been stored in the storage unit. Unmanned mobile vehicle.

2. A communication unit that communicates with external devices via long-distance wireless communication, When the unmanned mobile body moves to a predetermined position by the moving device, a communication control unit initiates communication between the first user and the second user via the communication unit in response to an operation by the first user or the second user, A providing unit that, after a call between the first user and the second user has commenced, provides the medical product stored in the storage unit to the first user in association with authentication information, The unmanned mobile body according to claim 1.

3. The transport control unit, after the sample has been transported to the second user, controls the transport device to transport the pharmaceutical to the first user when the pharmaceutical is stored in the storage compartment by the third user. After the pharmaceutical product has been delivered to the first user, if the authentication of the first user is successful, the communication control unit initiates a call between the first user and the third user via the communication unit, in response to an operation by the first user or the third user. The supply unit provides the pharmaceutical product stored in the storage unit to the first user after a call has been initiated between the first user and the third user. The unmanned mobile body according to claim 2.

4. Information acquisition unit that acquires weather information, A storage unit that stores location information of multiple destinations and registered resident information for each of the said destinations in association with each of them, The system further comprises a priority determination unit that, when the information acquisition unit acquires weather information exceeding a predetermined threshold, determines the priority order of multiple destinations based on the location indicated by the weather information and the resident information, The movement control unit controls the movement device to make it visit multiple destinations according to priority. An unmanned mobile body according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The unmanned mobile body according to claim 3, The first information processing device, which is connected to the aforementioned unmanned mobile body in a voice communication manner and is used by the second user, It includes a second information processing device that is connected to the aforementioned unmanned mobile body in a voice communication manner and is used by the third user, The unmanned mobile body and the first information processing device are configured to enable voice communication between the first user and the second user, respectively. The unmanned mobile device and the second information processing device are configured to enable voice communication between the first user and the third user, respectively. Medical support system.

6. A method for transporting medical supplies using an autonomously moving unmanned mobile vehicle, The steps include moving the aforementioned unmanned mobile body, Steps for storing medical supplies, The steps include moving the unmanned mobile body to a predetermined position, After the medical product is provided to the first user, if the first user's specimen is stored in the storage compartment, the step of controlling the transport device to transport the specimen to the second user, A transport method that includes this.

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