Information provision device, information provision method, and computer program

Abstract

The aim is to provide technology that enables the detection of biological events occurring in the user's body at a more appropriate time. [Solution] The information providing device comprises: an information acquisition unit that acquires the user's biometric information; a statistical information acquisition unit that acquires biometric statistical information, which is statistical information based on multiple moving averages of different periods, with respect to the biometric information; and an information providing unit that provides the biometric information and the biometric statistical information to a terminal device relating to the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for detecting or providing a change in the health state of a user at an appropriate timing based on information regarding the physical condition of the user.

Background Art

[0002] With the aging of society, there has been a need for long-term care and support for the elderly. This has led to an increase in the burden of informal care in families, caregivers, neighboring communities, and local societies. In addition, for the elderly, there is a possibility that their physical and mental state may rapidly decline or they may cause self-neglect and die alone due to illness, fractures, deterioration of chronic diseases, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to detect and care for changes in the health state (hereinafter referred to as "biological events") at an early stage. Regarding such health management of users, for example, Patent Document 1 describes providing biological information of a user to a worker who performs a predetermined task for the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, there are cases where a biological event occurring in the user's body cannot be detected at an appropriate timing. In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables a biological event occurring in a user's body to be detected at a more appropriate timing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is an information providing device comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires a user's biometric information; a statistical information acquisition unit that acquires biometric statistical information, which is statistical information based on a plurality of moving averages of different periods, with respect to the biometric information; and an information providing unit that provides the biometric information and the biometric statistical information to a terminal device relating to the user.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is the above-described information providing device, wherein the statistical information acquisition unit acquires Bollinger Bands or MACD (Moving Average Convergence and Divergence) relating to fluctuations in the biological information as the biological statistical information.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is the above-described information providing device, wherein the statistical information acquisition unit detects the occurrence of a biological event that suggests a change in the user's health status based on the difference between the biological information and the biological statistical information, and provides the terminal device with information relating to the biological event as provided information.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is the above-described information providing device, wherein the statistical information acquisition unit detects measurement points among the measurement points of the biological information that are outside the range of the Bollinger Band as the biological events.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is the above-described information providing device, wherein the statistical information acquisition unit detects as a biological event the timing when the MACD of the biological information crosses the zero line from bottom to top, or the timing when the MACD of the biological information crosses the zero line from top to bottom.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is the above-described information providing device, wherein the statistical information acquisition unit determines a signal indicating a trend in changes in the user's health status based on a plurality of biostatistical pieces of information relating to a plurality of types of biological information, and provides the terminal device with information relating to the signal as provided information.

[0011] One aspect of the present invention is an information provision method comprising: an information acquisition step of acquiring a user's biometric information; a statistical information acquisition step of acquiring biometric statistical information, which is statistical information based on a plurality of moving averages of different periods, with respect to the biometric information; and an information provision step of providing the biometric information and the information provided based on the biometric statistical information to a terminal device relating to the user.

[0012] One aspect of the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to function as the above-mentioned information providing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] This invention makes it possible to detect biological events occurring in the user's body at a more appropriate timing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of the information provision system 100 of the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the information providing device 20 in this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the user terminal 30 in the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the worker terminal 40 in the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a sequence chart showing the process flow in which user biometric information is provided to the operator in the information provision system 100. [Figure 6] This figure shows a first example of the display of biometric information in the embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the results of detecting a biological event using a conventional detection method. [Figure 8] This figure shows a second example of the display of biometric information in the embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows a third example of how biometric information of the embodiment is displayed.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, specific configuration examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of the information providing system 100 according to the embodiment. The information providing system 100 is a system for providing information regarding the physical condition of a user. The information providing system 100 includes an information acquisition device 10, an information providing device 20, a user terminal 30, and an operator terminal 40. The information providing device 20, the user terminal 30, and the operator terminal 40 are communicably connected via a network 90. The information providing device 20 is an example of a "biological event detection device".

[0016] The information acquisition device 10 communicates with the information providing device 20 via the network 90. The information acquisition device 10 may be directly connected to the network 90 using, for example, a communication device provided in the device itself, or may communicate with the user terminal 30 and be connected to the network 90 via the user terminal 30. The network 90 may be a network using wireless communication or a network using wired communication. The network 90 may be configured by combining a plurality of networks.

[0017] The information acquisition device 10 acquires the biological information of the user and transmits it to the information providing device 20 via the network 90. The user is a person whose biological information is acquired by the information acquisition device 10. The user is a person who is the subject of work performed by an operator. The work performed by the operator may be, for example, a medical act on the user, a care act on the user, an act of watching over or monitoring the user, an act of responding to the user's consultation, an act of giving some advice to the user, an act of conducting some counseling on the user, or any other act on the user.

[0018] An operator is a person who performs predetermined operations for a user. For example, the operator may be a medical worker, a caregiver, a relative of the user, a person in charge of checking the user's condition (e.g., a person in the facility where the user lives), or a person having a relationship such as a guardian or a custodian of the user.

[0019] The information providing device 20 records the biological information received from the information acquisition device 10. The biological information transmitted from the information acquisition device 10 is the biological information of the user. The operator terminal 40 transmits the non-biological information input by the operator to the information providing device 20. The non-biological information is information about the user and is not biological information. The information providing device 20 records the non-biological information received from the operator terminal 40.

[0020] The information providing device 20 generates provision information of content corresponding to the destination device based on the recorded biological information and non-biological information. The provision information is information provided to the operator. The information providing device 20 transmits the generated provision information to the destination device. The destination of the provision information is, for example, the operator terminal 40 or an information processing device such as an analysis device that analyzes the biological information and non-biological information of the user. The user terminal 30 is a terminal device used by the user. The operator terminal 40 is a terminal device used by the operator. Hereinafter, the details of the information providing system 100 will be described.

[0021] The information acquisition device 10 is configured using one or more sensors and a communication device. The sensors of the information acquisition device 10 acquire the biological information of the user. A specific example of the acquired biological information is information related to the user's sleep (hereinafter referred to as "sleep information"). The sleep information may be any information as long as it is related to the user's sleep. For example, the user's biological information during the period from going to bed to waking up (hereinafter referred to as the "bedtime period") may be used as the sleep information.

[0022] More specifically, possible examples of sleep information include the total sleep time from when the user goes to bed until they wake up, the number of awakenings during the night (hereinafter referred to as "mid-night awakenings"), the total duration of mid-night awakenings, time-series information on heart rate during sleep, time-series information on respiratory rate during sleep, time-series information on blood pressure during sleep, and information on body movement during sleep. In addition to sleep information, biometric information acquired during periods when the user is active (such as respiratory rate, heart rate, electroencephalogram, and body movement) may also be acquired. The information acquisition device 10 transmits the acquired biometric information to the information provision device 20 via the network 90.

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the information providing device 20. The information providing device 20 is configured using information equipment such as a personal computer and a server device. The information providing device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0024] The communication unit 21 is a communication device. The communication unit 21 may be configured, for example, as a network interface. The communication unit 21 communicates data with other devices via the network 90 in accordance with the control of the control unit 23. The communication unit 21 may be a wireless communication device or a wired communication device.

[0025] The storage unit 22 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 22 stores data used by the control unit 23. For example, the storage unit 22 may function as a biometric information storage unit 221, a non-biometric information storage unit 222, a notification rule storage unit 223, a user information storage unit 224, and a worker information storage unit 225.

[0026] The biometric information storage unit 221 stores biometric information received from each information acquisition device 10. The biometric information storage unit 221 may store, for example, identification information assigned to each information acquisition device 10 in association with the biometric information received from that information acquisition device 10. The biometric information storage unit 221 may also store, for example, identification information assigned to each user in association with the biometric information received from the information acquisition device 10 used by that user. In this case, the user's identification information and the identification information of the information acquisition device 10 used by that user may be registered in the storage unit 22 in advance.

[0027] The non-biological information storage unit 222 stores non-biological information received from each worker terminal 40. The non-biological information storage unit 222 may store, for example, identification information assigned to each user in advance, non-biological information obtained regarding that user, and the date and time when that non-biological information was obtained, in association with each other. The non-biological information storage unit 222 may also store, for example, identification information assigned to each user in advance, non-biological information obtained regarding that user, the date and time when that non-biological information was obtained, and the identification information of the worker terminal 40 that is the source of that non-biological information, in association with each other.

[0028] The notification rule storage unit 223 stores information indicating the attribute type of worker and the content of the information provided to workers of that attribute. The attribute type of worker refers to the type of occupation of the worker, the classification type according to the content of the work performed by the worker, or the classification type according to the authority granted to the worker. Specific examples of attribute types include doctors, nurses, caregivers, helpers, pharmacists, and relatives. For example, it is desirable that the administrator or supervisor of the information provision system 100 predetermine what kind of information is provided to workers of each attribute type. It may also be defined so that only the minimum information necessary for each worker's work is provided to workers of each attribute type.

[0029] The user information storage unit 224 stores information about each user in the information provision system 100. The user information storage unit 224 may include, for example, attribute information of each user (name, address, age, gender, lifestyle, etc.), identification information of the information acquisition device 10 used by each user (e.g., device ID or address), and identification information of the user terminal 30 used by each user (e.g., device ID or address).

[0030] The user information storage unit 224 may further store information about some or all of the workers involved for each user. For example, the user information storage unit 224 may store information about the attending physician (e.g., a family doctor or a doctor currently receiving treatment) and information about the attending pharmacy (e.g., a family pharmacy or, if the hospital providing in-house prescriptions, the hospital). The user information storage unit 224 may further store information about medication (e.g., currently prescribed medications or medication history). This information may be registered by the user or worker, or it may be registered and updated at predetermined times by linking with an information system installed in a facility such as a hospital.

[0031] The worker information storage unit 225 stores information about workers who use the information provision system 100. The worker information storage unit 225 may include, for example, attribute information of each worker (name, address, age, gender, attribute type, etc.) and identification information of the worker terminal 40 used by each worker (for example, device ID and address, etc.). The worker information storage unit 225 may further store information about some or all of the users involved for each worker. This information may be registered by users or workers, or it may be registered and updated at predetermined times by linking with an information system installed in a facility such as a hospital.

[0032] The control unit 23 is composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory. The control unit 23 functions as an information acquisition unit 231, an information provision unit 232, and a statistical information acquisition unit 233 when the processor executes a program. Note that all or part of the functions of the control unit 23 may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include, for example, portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices (e.g., SSDs: Solid State Drives), as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0033] The information acquisition unit 231 receives biometric information from the information acquisition device 10 via the communication unit 21. The information acquisition unit 231 registers the received biometric information in the biometric information storage unit 221, associating it with information indicating the date and time the biometric information was obtained and the source information acquisition device 10 and its user. The information acquisition unit 231 also receives non-biometric information from the worker terminal 40 via the communication unit 21. The information acquisition unit 231 registers the received non-biometric information in the non-biometric information storage unit 222, associating it with information indicating the date and time the non-biometric information was obtained and the source worker terminal 40 and the user associated with the non-biometric information.

[0034] The information provision unit 232 generates information to be provided according to the notification rules and the information processing device, such as the worker terminal 40, that is the recipient. For example, if the worker terminal 40 requests information about a specific user, the information provision unit 232 determines which items to include in the information to be provided from the requested specific user's biometric and non-biometric information, based on the attribute type of the worker who is the user of the worker terminal 40. The information provision unit 232 generates information to be provided that includes the information of the determined items. In the information to be provided, biometric and non-biometric information about the same user may be associated based on the date and time. The information provision unit 232 transmits the generated information to the worker terminal 40 that made the request. The information provision unit 232 may generate the information to be provided at a predetermined time and transmit it to the information processing device, such as the worker terminal 40, rather than transmitting the information to be provided after a request is made. The information provision unit 232 may also transmit the information to the user terminal 30. In this case, the information provision unit 232 may transmit items predetermined as information to be provided to the user terminal 30 as information in a predetermined format to the user terminal 30.

[0035] The statistical information acquisition unit 233 acquires statistical information based on financial engineering regarding the user's biometric information. For example, the statistical information acquisition unit 233 calculates Bollinger Bands for time-series data of biometric information. Bollinger Bands are a technical analysis method devised in the financial field, and they probabilistically represent the range of price movements based on past price movements. Bollinger Bands provide probabilistic indications of the magnitude of past price movements, based on the assumption that market prices (such as stock prices) have a high probability of fluctuating within a range of ±2σ relative to the moving average. Specifically, Bollinger Bands assume that the dispersion of market prices follows a normal distribution, where the dispersion is evenly distributed in the ± direction around the mean, and represent the range of market price movements within a range of ±2σ using the standard deviation σ. Users (investors, marketing personnel, etc.) can infer price fluctuation trends and the momentum of trends by comparing Bollinger Bands with market prices. For example, when market prices move in a consistent direction along the ±σ or ±2σ lines of Bollinger Bands, this is called a "band walk" and is known as a fluctuation pattern that suggests the continuation of a trend.

[0036] In this embodiment, the statistical information acquisition unit 233 is configured to acquire statistical information based on financial engineering because the applicant has gained new insight that several technical analysis methods in financial engineering are useful as a method for detecting events (biological events) that suggest changes in the user's health status from the user's biometric information. More specifically, many technical indicators that are useful for detecting changes in trends have been introduced in the financial field, and this is common to the health management objective of detecting changes in health status at an earlier stage. The applicant has newly discovered this commonality of objectives and, focusing on this, has found that several technical analysis methods in financial engineering can be applied to the field of health management. The technical indicators used in this embodiment may be any indicator related to trend analysis and are not limited to the Bollinger Bands described above. For example, MACD (Moving Average Convergence and Divergence), which is represented by the difference between a short-term moving average and a medium- to long-term moving average, or crossovers of moving averages with different periods may be applied to the analysis of biometric information.

[0037] In the financial sector, Bollinger Bands, a technical indicator, typically use a moving average period of 5 days, corresponding to a week of trading days. In contrast, the information provision system 100 of this embodiment uses a moving average period of 7 days, as its purpose is to understand the user's health status. This is because people who lead social lives often use a week as their basic lifestyle pattern. This allows for the evaluation of the magnitude of fluctuations in the user's health status by comparing their biometric information with the average of their weekly lifestyle pattern. Thus, in this embodiment, the parameters of the statistical processing when acquiring biometric information are changed to values ​​appropriate to the characteristics of the biometric information, and a technical indicator from the financial sector is applied to the field of health management.

[0038] The statistical information acquisition unit 233 stores the statistical information acquired about the user's biometric information (hereinafter referred to as "biometric statistical information") in association with the user. For example, the biometric statistical information may be managed in the biometric information storage unit 221 or the user information storage unit 224, linked to the identification information of each user. Biometric information and biometric statistical information are examples of "provided information".

[0039] Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the user terminal 30. The user terminal 30 is configured using information devices such as a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, portable game console, home game console, or dedicated device. The user terminal 30 includes a first communication unit 311, a second communication unit 312, an input unit 32, an output unit 33, an audio input unit 341, an audio output unit 342, an imaging unit 35, a storage unit 36, and a control unit 37.

[0040] The first communication unit 311 is configured using a communication device. The first communication unit 311 communicates with the information acquisition device 10. The communication performed by the first communication unit 311 may be wireless communication or wired communication. The first communication unit 311 may communicate at a predetermined frequency according to, for example, the Bluetooth® protocol.

[0041] The second communication unit 312 is configured using a communication device. The second communication unit 312 communicates with other communication devices and information processing devices via the network 90. ​​The second communication unit 312 sends and receives data with, for example, the information providing device 20.

[0042] The input unit 32 is configured using existing input devices such as a keyboard, pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), buttons, or touch panel. The input unit 32 is operated by the user when inputting user instructions to the user terminal 30. The input unit 32 may also be an interface for connecting the input device to the user terminal 30. In this case, the input unit 32 inputs the input signal generated in the input device in response to the user's input to the user terminal 30.

[0043] The output unit 33 outputs data to the user of the user terminal 30 via an output device (not shown) connected to the user terminal 30. The output device may be configured using, for example, a device that outputs images or characters to a screen. For example, the output device can be configured using a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a liquid crystal display, or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescent) display. Alternatively, the output device may be configured using a device that prints (prints) images or characters onto a sheet. For example, the output device can be configured using an inkjet printer or a laser printer. The output unit 33 may transmit the information to other information processing devices via a communication device provided on the user terminal 30. The input unit 32 and the output unit 33 may be configured as an integrated touch panel.

[0044] The audio input unit 341 is configured using a microphone. The audio input unit 341 may be configured as the microphone itself, or as an interface for connecting a microphone as an external device to the user terminal 30. The microphone acquires sound from a predetermined space around the user terminal 30. Preferably, the microphone is provided to acquire, for example, the sound of the user's speech. The audio input unit 341 outputs the audio data acquired by the microphone to the control unit 37.

[0045] The audio output unit 342 is configured using an audio output device such as a speaker, headphones, or earphones. The audio output unit 342 may be configured as the audio output device itself, or as an interface for connecting the audio output device as an external device to the user terminal 30. The audio output device outputs sound to a predetermined space, such as around the user terminal 30. It is desirable that the predetermined space to which sound is output by the audio output device is a space in which the user can hear the sound. The audio output unit 342 outputs sound corresponding to the audio signal output by the control unit 37.

[0046] The imaging unit 35 is configured using a camera. The imaging unit 35 may be configured as the camera itself, or as an interface for connecting a camera as an external device to the user terminal 30. The camera captures an image of a predetermined space. Image capture by the camera may be implemented as a process that forms an image by receiving visible light, as a process that forms an image using radar, or by other implementation methods. The imaging unit 35 may be configured to capture still images, or as a process that captures moving images. The imaging unit 35 outputs the image data captured by the camera to the control unit 37.

[0047] The storage unit 36 ​​is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 36 ​​stores data used by the control unit 37. For example, the storage unit 36 ​​may function as a user information storage unit 361 and a notification information storage unit 362.

[0048] The user information storage unit 361 stores information about the user of its own device (user terminal 30). The user information storage unit 361 may include, for example, user attribute information (name, address, age, gender, lifestyle, etc.), identification information of the information acquisition device 10 used by the user (e.g., device ID and address), identification information of its own device (user terminal 30) (e.g., device ID and address), information indicating the worker performing the work for the user, and identification information of the worker terminal 40 used by the worker performing the work for the user (e.g., device ID and address). The notification information storage unit 362 stores the information provided by the information providing device 20.

[0049] The control unit 37 is configured using a processor such as a CPU and memory. The control unit 37 functions as an information acquisition unit 371, a notification unit 372, and a communication control unit 373 when the processor executes a program. Note that all or part of the functions of the control unit 37 may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include, for example, portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices (e.g., SSDs), as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0050] The information acquisition unit 371 receives information from the information providing device 20 via the second communication unit 312. The information acquisition unit 371 registers the received information in the notification information storage unit 362, associating it with information such as the date and time of receipt.

[0051] The notification unit 372 notifies the user of the information provided by the information acquisition unit 371 via the output unit 33. The notification unit 372 may output the information provided by, for example, displaying the characters or images contained in the information on a display device.

[0052] The communication control unit 373 communicates with other devices to provide the user with communication between the user and users of other devices (for example, workers using the worker terminal 40). For example, the communication control unit 373 may provide voice communication using the voice input unit 341 and the voice output unit 342. For example, the communication control unit 373 may provide screen communication using the input unit 32 and the output unit 33. A concrete example of screen communication is text-based chat. For example, the communication control unit 373 may provide video and audio communication using the input unit 32, the output unit 33, the voice input unit 341, and the voice output unit 342.

[0053] Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the worker terminal 40. The worker terminal 40 is configured using information devices such as a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, portable game console, home game console, or dedicated equipment. The worker terminal 40 includes a communication unit 41, an input unit 42, an output unit 43, an audio input unit 441, an audio output unit 442, an imaging unit 45, a storage unit 46, and a control unit 47.

[0054] The communication unit 41 is configured using communication equipment. The communication unit 41 communicates with other communication devices and information processing devices via the network 90. ​​The communication unit 41 sends and receives data to and from, for example, the information providing device 20.

[0055] The input unit 42 is configured using existing input devices such as a keyboard, pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), buttons, or touch panel. The input unit 42 is operated by the worker when inputting the worker's instructions into the worker terminal 40. The input unit 42 may also be an interface for connecting the input device to the worker terminal 40. In this case, the input unit 42 inputs the input signal generated in the input device in response to the worker's input to the worker terminal 40.

[0056] The output unit 43 outputs data to the worker on the worker terminal 40 via an output device (not shown) connected to the worker terminal 40. The output device may be configured using, for example, a device that outputs images or characters to a screen. For example, the output device can be configured using a CRT, liquid crystal display, or organic EL display. Alternatively, the output device may be configured using a device that prints (prints) images or characters onto a sheet. For example, the output device can be configured using an inkjet printer or laser printer. The output unit 43 may also transmit the information to other information processing devices via a communication device provided on the worker terminal 40. The input unit 42 and the output unit 43 may be configured as an integrated touch panel.

[0057] The audio input unit 441 is configured using a microphone. The audio input unit 441 may be configured as the microphone itself, or as an interface for connecting a microphone as an external device to the worker terminal 40. The microphone acquires sound from a predetermined space around the worker terminal 40. Preferably, the microphone is provided to acquire, for example, the voice of the worker speaking. The audio input unit 441 outputs the audio data acquired by the microphone to the control unit 47.

[0058] The audio output unit 442 is configured using an audio output device such as a speaker, headphones, or earphones. The audio output unit 442 may be configured as the audio output device itself, or as an interface for connecting the audio output device as an external device to the worker terminal 40. The audio output device outputs sound to a predetermined space around the worker terminal 40. It is desirable that the predetermined space to which the audio is output by the audio output device is a space in which the worker can hear the sound. The audio output unit 442 outputs sound corresponding to the audio signal output by the control unit 47.

[0059] The imaging unit 45 is configured using a camera. The imaging unit 45 may be configured as the camera itself, or as an interface for connecting a camera as an external device to the worker terminal 40. The camera captures an image of a predetermined space. Image capture by the camera may be implemented as a process that forms an image by receiving visible light, as a process that forms an image using radar, or by other implementation methods. The imaging unit 45 may be configured to capture still images, or as a process that captures moving images. The imaging unit 45 outputs the image data captured by the camera to the control unit 47.

[0060] The storage unit 46 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 46 stores data used by the control unit 47. For example, the storage unit 46 may function as a worker information storage unit 461, a user information storage unit 462, a notification information storage unit 463, an output information storage unit 464, and a tag information storage unit 465.

[0061] The worker information storage unit 461 stores information about workers who use the device (worker terminal 40). The worker information storage unit 461 may store, for example, worker attribute information (name, address, age, gender, attribute type, etc.). The worker information storage unit 461 may also include information indicating the user corresponding to the worker, and identification information of the information acquisition device 10 or user terminal 30 used by the user corresponding to the worker (for example, device ID or address, etc.). This information may be registered by the user or worker, or it may be registered and updated at predetermined times by linking with an information system installed in a facility such as a hospital.

[0062] The user information storage unit 462 stores information indicating the user corresponding to the worker using the device (worker terminal 40). This information may be registered by the user or worker, or it may be registered and updated at predetermined times by linking with an information system installed in a facility such as a hospital.

[0063] The notification information storage unit 463 stores the information provided by the information providing device 20. The output information storage unit 464 stores information output by the output unit 43 when an operator operates the operator terminal 40. For example, the output information storage unit 464 may store information related to the screen displayed on the image display device corresponding to the output unit 43.

[0064] The tag information storage unit 465 stores tag information that can be entered by the operator operating the operator terminal 40. For example, a string that is frequently entered as non-biological information may be defined as tag information. A string indicating that it is tag information (e.g., "#") may be attached to the tag information. Specific examples of such tag information include strings like "feces", "urine", "bathing", and "medication". Tag information may be defined individually for each user. Tag information may be defined by associating the actual tag information with the string displayed on the button used when entering that tag information. For example, the string "Medication 1" may be defined as associated with the tag information "#Medication ○○" (where ○○ is the name of the drug), and the string "Medication 2" may be defined as associated with the tag information "#Medication △△" (where △△ is the name of a different drug than ○○). Tag information related to medication may also include information indicating the amount of medication (e.g., "1 tablet", "1 bag"). The correspondence between such tag information and the displayed string may be defined individually for each user.

[0065] The control unit 47 is composed of a processor such as a CPU and memory. The control unit 47 functions as an information acquisition unit 471, a registration control unit 472, a notification unit 473, and a communication control unit 474 when the processor executes a program. Note that all or part of each function of the control unit 47 may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include, for example, portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices (e.g., SSDs), as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0066] The information acquisition unit 471 requests information from the information providing device 20 via the communication unit 41 in response to the operator's operation. The information acquisition unit 471 receives the information from the information providing device 20 via the communication unit 41. The information acquisition unit 471 registers the received information in the notification information storage unit 463, associating it with information such as the date and time of receipt.

[0067] The registration control unit 472 accepts input of non-biometric information about the user in response to the operator's operation. The registration control unit 472 generates registration information including the input non-biometric information and transmits it to the information providing device 20 via the communication unit 41. The registration information includes the non-biometric information, identification information indicating the user related to that non-biometric information, and information indicating the date and time when the non-biometric information was acquired (input). The registration information may further include identification information indicating the operator who entered the non-biometric information, and identification information indicating the device itself (operator terminal 40).

[0068] The registration control unit 472 may display a screen on the output unit 43 that accepts input of non-biometric information from the operator. In this case, the registration control unit 472 may generate the screen based on information stored in, for example, the output information storage unit 464. In this case, the registration control unit 472 may generate an image (for example, a button image) to be used for input based on tag information stored in the tag information storage unit 465.

[0069] The notification unit 473 notifies the worker of the information provided by the information acquisition unit 471 via the output unit 43. The notification unit 473 may output the information provided by, for example, displaying the characters or images contained in the information provided on the display device of the output unit 43.

[0070] [Provision of biometric information] Figure 5 is a sequence chart showing the process flow in which user biometric information is provided to an operator in the information provision system 100. First, the information acquisition device 10 acquires the user's biometric information (step S101). The information acquisition device 10 transmits the biometric information acquired in step S101 to the user's terminal 30 (step S102). The user terminal 30 transmits the received biometric information in step S102 to the information provision device 20 (step S103). The information provision device 20 generates biometric information by applying statistical processing to the biometric information received in step S103 to obtain technical indicators (step S104). The information provision device 20 transmits the biometric information received in step S103 and the biometric information generated in step S104 to the operator terminal 40 (step S105). The worker terminal 40 displays the biometric information acquired in step S105, correlating it with the biometric statistical information acquired in step S105 in a time series (step S106). Note that, as shown in Figure 1, if the information acquisition device 10 is directly connected to the network 90, step S103 may be omitted, and in step S102, the information acquisition device 10 may directly transmit the biometric information acquired in step S101 to the information providing device 20.

[0071] Figure 6 shows a first example of displaying biostatistical information in this embodiment. In Figure 6, the horizontal axis represents the date, and the vertical axis represents sleep duration. Figure 6 shows an example where Bollinger Bands are acquired as biostatistical information. Figure 6 shows an example where Bollinger Bands of ±1σ, ±2σ, and +3σ are displayed relative to the reference line for sleep duration. Figure 6 shows an example where the threshold line for detecting biological events is set to the ±2σ line, and measured values ​​exceeding the threshold line are detected as biological events.

[0072] In Bollinger Bands, the smaller the price fluctuation, the denser the band lines become, and the larger the price fluctuation, the sparser the band lines become. The densification of the band lines is called "squeeze," while the sparser band lines are called "expansion." As can be seen in Figure 6, in general, squeezes and expansions appear alternately in Bollinger Bands. In the example in Figure 6, we can see that squeezes and expansions appear alternately in the order of squeeze SQ1, expansion EX1, squeeze SQ2, and expansion EX2.

[0073] From a health management perspective, there is a need to appropriately detect biological events at the point when the trend of fluctuation in biological information changes from a small trend to a large trend. In other words, in this case, the timing to be detected as a biological event is recognized as an expansion, so by using Bollinger Bands as the detection threshold line, biological events can be detected at the appropriate timing (see biological event detection points in Figure 6).

[0074] Furthermore, in conventional detection methods, a predetermined range centered on a reference line (for example, ±20% of the reference value) was sometimes set as the threshold line. However, such threshold lines do not adequately consider the trends in fluctuations of biological information, and therefore, biological events may not always be detected at the appropriate time. For example, Figure 7 shows the results of detecting biological events using a conventional detection method for the same biological information as in Figure 6. As can be seen in Figure 7, with conventional detection methods, the timing of detection is often delayed, and the number of detected biological events is often higher compared to the case in Figure 6, resulting in lower reliability of the biological events.

[0075] In contrast, since the bandwidth of Bollinger Bands changes depending on the fluctuations in biological information, using Bollinger Bands as a detection threshold line allows for the detection of biological events at the appropriate timing according to the fluctuations in biological information. More specifically, it becomes easier to detect the expansion of biological information, allowing for more accurate detection of when the user's health condition is changing significantly.

[0076] The function for detecting biological events based on biometric information and biostatistical information may be implemented as a function of the worker terminal 40 or as a function of the information providing device 20. In either case, a biological event can be detected by comparing the values ​​of the biometric information and the values ​​of the biostatistical information. When the information providing device 20 detects a biological event, it should provide the detection result along with the biostatistical information to the worker terminal 40. In addition, the biometric information and biostatistical information may be provided to the user terminal 30. In this case, the user terminal 30 may be implemented with the same functions as the worker terminal 40 for displaying the biometric information and biostatistical information.

[0077] Furthermore, while Figure 7 shows an example of bio-event detection using sleep duration, the conditions for detecting bio-events may be determined by a combination of multiple types of measured values. For example, if sleep efficiency and daytime sleep duration are acquired as bio-information in addition to total sleep duration, bio-event detection may be attempted for each of these three types of measured values, and the detection of a bio-event may be confirmed only if a bio-event is detected for all three types of measured values ​​at the same time (or over the same period).

[0078] Figure 8 shows a second example of the biostatistical information in this embodiment. The second example shows the display when Bollinger Bands and MACD are used as biostatistical information. As mentioned above, MACD is represented by the difference between a short-term moving average and a medium- to long-term moving average, and like Bollinger Bands, it is one of the technical indicators used to grasp the trend of market price fluctuations. Generally, MACD is used together with the signal line, which is the moving average of MACD, and buying and selling timing is considered based on the comparison of the magnitudes of the two. Generally, the timing when MACD is below 0 and crosses the signal line from below to above (the so-called golden cross) is considered a suitable buying timing, and the timing when MACD is above 0 and crosses the signal line from above to below (the so-called dead cross) is considered a suitable selling timing.

[0079] Figure 8 shows an example of displaying a user's biometric information in a way that allows for comparison of MACD and Bollinger Bands. The upper figure in Figure 8 represents the biometric information and Bollinger Bands, while the lower figure represents the MACD. In the example in Figure 8, biometric events are detected at three different timings based on the Bollinger Bands. In this case, while the upper figure shows a clear indication that the sleep duration is decreasing, it is difficult to determine whether this decreasing trend is continuing or whether it is about to reverse into an increasing trend. Therefore, the second display example shows the MACD fluctuations in conjunction with the sleep duration and Bollinger Bands. By displaying the MACD in conjunction with the sleep duration and Bollinger Bands in this way, it becomes possible to recognize the timing of changes in the sleep duration trend and to judge the validity of the detected biometric events and changes in health status.

[0080] While this example illustrates the detection of biological events using a combination of MACD and Bollinger Bands, biological events may also be detected using MACD alone. For example, biological events could be detected when the MACD of biological information forms a golden cross or dead cross with respect to the signal.

[0081] Figure 9 shows a third example of the display of biostatistical information in this embodiment. The third example displays features (hereinafter referred to as "signals") for detecting specific biological events based on the trends of fluctuations in multiple types of biological information. Arrows A1 to A3 in the figure are examples of signal displays, visually showing the trends of fluctuations recognized based on various types of biological information. For example, arrow A1 represents the trend of fluctuations recognized based on the biological information of series L1 (in the example in Figure 9, it is "stable"). Also, for example, arrow A2 represents the trend of fluctuations recognized based on the biological information of series L2, L3, and L4 (in the example in Figure 9, it is "decrease"). Also, for example, arrow A3 represents the trend of fluctuations recognized based on the biological information of series L5, L6, and L7 (in the example in Figure 9, it is "increase").

[0082] Furthermore, arbitrary criteria and rules can be established for how to determine the trend of fluctuations based on biological information. For example, arrow A1 illustrates a trend determined based on the fluctuations of only one series, L1. Also, for example, arrow A2 illustrates a trend determined based on the fluctuations of three series, L2, L3, and L4, where "decrease" is determined because all three series are showing a decreasing trend. Also, for example, arrow A3 illustrates a trend determined based on the fluctuations of three series, L5, L6, and L7, where "increase" is determined because one of the three series (in this case, series L6) is showing an increasing trend.

[0083] For space limitations, Figure 9 only shows various biometric information and signals; however, each signal is determined based on biostatistical information that is not illustrated. Also, while Figure 9 shows three signals, the number of signals displayed can be two or fewer, or four or more. Furthermore, the user's health status may be estimated based on the type of signal or signal combination, and the estimated health status may be displayed instead of the signals. Alternatively, the signals may be displayed along with the estimated health status. Additionally, since detailed biometric values ​​are not necessarily required for the purpose of displaying signals, Figure 9 conveniently displays all biometric information series together on a single vertical axis; however, each type of biometric information may be displayed on a separate vertical axis corresponding to its respective value.

[0084] According to the information provision system 100 configured in this way, it becomes possible to detect biological events occurring in the user's body at a more appropriate timing.

[0085] Although embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 100...Information provision system, 10...Information acquisition device, 20...Information provision device, 21...Communication unit, 22...Storage unit, 221...Biometric information storage unit, 222...Non-biometric information storage unit, 223...Notification rule storage unit, 224...User information storage unit, 225...Worker information storage unit, 23...Control unit, 231...Information acquisition unit, 232...Information provision unit, 233...Statistical information acquisition unit, 30...User terminal, 311...First communication unit, 312...Second communication unit, 32...Input unit, 33...Output unit, 341...Voice input unit, 342...Voice output unit, 35...Imaging unit, 36...Storage unit, 361...User information storage unit, 362...Notification information storage unit, 37...Control unit, 371...Information acquisition unit, 372...Notification unit, 373...Communication control unit, 40...Worker terminal, 41...Communication unit, 42...Input unit, 43...Output unit, 441...Voice input unit, 442...Voice output unit, 45...Imaging unit, 46...Storage unit, 461...Worker information storage unit, 462...User information storage unit, 463...Notification information storage unit, 464...Output information storage unit, 465...Tag information storage unit, 47...Control unit, 471...Information acquisition unit, 472...Registration control unit, 473...Notification unit, 474...Communication control unit, 90...Network

Claims

1. An information acquisition unit that acquires the user's biometric information, A statistical information acquisition unit acquires biometric statistical information, which is statistical information based on multiple moving averages of different periods, with respect to the aforementioned biometric information. An information provision unit provides the information provided based on the aforementioned biometric information and biometric statistical information to the terminal device relating to the user, An information-providing device equipped with the following features.

2. The statistical information acquisition unit acquires Bollinger Bands or MACD (Moving Average Convergence and Divergence) related to the fluctuations of the biological information as the biological statistical information. The information providing device according to claim 1.

3. The statistical information acquisition unit detects the occurrence of a biological event that suggests a change in the user's health status based on the difference between the biological information and the biological statistical information, and provides the terminal device with information regarding the biological event as provided information. The information providing device according to claim 2.

4. The statistical information acquisition unit detects measurement points of the biological information that are outside the range of the Bollinger Band as biological events. The information providing device according to claim 3.

5. The statistical information acquisition unit detects the timing when the MACD of the biological information crosses the zero line from bottom to top, or when the MACD of the biological information crosses the zero line from top to bottom, as a biological event. The information providing device according to claim 3.

6. The statistical information acquisition unit determines a signal indicating a trend in changes in the user's health status based on multiple biostatistical information relating to multiple types of biometric information, and provides the terminal device with information relating to the signal as provided information. The information providing device according to claim 1.

7. An information acquisition step to obtain the user's biometric information, A statistical information acquisition step is to acquire biometric statistical information, which is statistical information based on multiple moving averages of different periods, with respect to the aforementioned biometric information. An information provision step of providing information based on the aforementioned biometric information and biometric statistical information to a terminal device relating to the user, A method of providing information that includes [a certain characteristic].

8. A computer program for causing a computer to function as an information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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