Urine testing system and urine testing method

Abstract

This invention provides a system and method that enables simple and accurate urine testing using the colorimetric method. [Solution] A urine testing system comprising smart glasses with an imaging function that can be worn by a subject, and a lighting control unit that controls the lighting in the room where the subject is located. When the smart glasses recognize a urine test strip used by the subject, the lighting control unit controls the lighting in the room, and the smart glasses take an image of the urine test strip.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a urine test system and a urine test method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for diagnosing and preventing diseases of a subject, a urine test method (colorimetric method) for obtaining biological information of the subject by the color reaction of a urine test strip is widely known.

[0003] Also, Patent Document 1 discloses a toilet device capable of appropriately performing indirect illumination and determining the state of the user's stool.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In order for a subject to accurately perform a urine test by the colorimetric method, there is a method of imaging a colored urine test strip with a smartphone or the like and analyzing and determining it. However, when a subject images a urine test strip in a toilet, there is a problem that color correction of the captured data needs to be performed in order to exclude the influence of ambient light (for example, the illumination in the toilet).

[0006] The inventor has conducted intensive research on the above problems. As a result, for example, it has been found that the accuracy of a urine test can be improved by automatically controlling the illumination in the toilet and imaging the urine test strip by using, as a trigger, a subject's viewing of the urine test strip with smart glasses.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method capable of easily and accurately performing a urine test by the colorimetric method.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is, Smart glasses that have imaging capabilities and can be worn by the subject, The system includes a lighting control unit that controls the lighting in the room where the subject is located, The urine testing system is such that when the smart glasses recognize the urine test strip used by the subject, the lighting control unit controls the lighting in the room, and the smart glasses take an image of the urine test strip.

[0009] Furthermore, other embodiments of the present invention include: The process involves bringing the subject's urine into contact with a urine test strip, The process involves the subject viewing the urine test strip through smart glasses, When the urine test strip is recognized by the smart glasses, the process involves controlling the lighting in the room where the subject is located. The method for performing a urine test includes the step of imaging the urine test strip using the smart glasses. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a system and method can be provided that enables simple and accurate urine testing using the colorimetric method. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of a urine testing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a urine test method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] <One Hundred Ideas> The following describes one embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] (1) Urine testing system First, the configuration of the urine testing system of this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a urine testing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the urine testing system of this embodiment includes, for example, smart glasses 10 and a lighting control unit 20. In this embodiment, the case in which a subject 100 performs a urine test in a toilet 200 will be described.

[0014] The smart glasses 10 have imaging functions such as a camera and are configured to be worn by the subject 100. In the urine testing system of this embodiment, the imaging function of the smart glasses 10 is used to image the urine test strip used by the subject 100.

[0015] The urine test strip is designed to show a color reaction depending on the components contained in the urine upon contact. Preferably, the urine test strip is portable and designed as a disposable item. This allows the test subject 100 to carry it by hand, improving ease of handling. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for washing, disinfection, or sterilization for reuse, which is effective in terms of hygiene and infection prevention. Additionally, it eliminates concerns about the presence of residues such as contamination during reuse, and suppresses the reduction in test accuracy caused by residues.

[0016] The lighting control unit 20 is configured to control the lighting 210 in the room where the subject 100 is located (for example, the toilet 200). Specifically, the lighting control unit 20 can turn the lighting 210 in the toilet 200 on or off, and adjust its brightness and color. The lighting control unit 20 may also be part of a lighting control system installed in the subject 100's home, for example.

[0017] The smart glasses 10 and the lighting control unit 20 are configured to be capable of wireless communication using, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi, or the like. When the smart glasses 10 recognize a urine test strip that the subject 100 has used for a urine test, the smart glasses 10 issue an instruction to the lighting control unit 20 to control the lighting 210 in the toilet 200, and the lighting control unit 20 controls the lighting 210 in the toilet 200 according to the instruction. After the lighting 210 in the toilet 200 is controlled, the smart glasses 10 are configured to capture an image of the urine test strip. With such a configuration, in the urine test system of this embodiment, since the lighting 210 in the toilet 200 is in a state suitable for capturing an image of the urine test strip, it is possible to perform a urine test by a colorimetric method simply and accurately.

[0018] The smart glasses 10 further have a lighting device such as an LED light that irradiates light in the line-of-sight direction of the subject 100. When the smart glasses 10 recognize a urine test strip, it is preferable that the lighting control unit 20 turns off the lighting 210 in the toilet 200 and the smart glasses 10 are configured to turn on the lighting device. Thereby, when capturing an image of the urine test strip, only the lighting device of the smart glasses 10 is lit, so that the influence of the lighting 210 in the toilet 200 can be eliminated and an image of the urine test strip can be captured under uniform conditions. In this case, when the smart glasses 10 finish capturing an image of the urine test strip, it is preferable that the lighting control unit 20 turns on the lighting 210 in the toilet 200 again and the smart glasses 10 turn off the lighting device. Thereby, the time when the lighting 210 in the toilet 200 is turned off is only during the imaging of the urine test strip, so that the psychological burden on the subject 100 can be reduced.

[0019] The smart glasses 10 preferably further have a guide display function that displays a guide for facilitating the recognition of the urine test strip so that the subject 100 can visually recognize it. In this case, "the urine test is recognized by the smart glasses 10" means, for example, a case where the urine test strip is stationary within the guide displayed on the smart glasses 10 for a predetermined time. Thereby, the subject 100 wearing the smart glasses 10 can, for example, cause the smart glasses 10 to recognize the urine test strip just by looking at the urine test strip. Further, the guide display makes it easier to keep the imaging distance and position of the urine test strip in an appropriate state.

[0020] The smart glasses 10 preferably have a position sensor such as an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor, and are configured to prevent imaging at an angle that would capture something inappropriate (for example, the genitals of the subject 100) that would be included in the captured data by measuring the horizontal. Alternatively, the smart glasses 10 are preferably configured to extract the range of the urine test strip and save only the extracted range as captured data (such as saving only the range within the above-mentioned guide), thereby preventing the capture of inappropriate things that would be included in the captured data.

[0021] The urine test strip used in this embodiment may be a known general-purpose product. In this case, the urine test strip may be an imaging object of the urine test system of this embodiment and not part of the urine test system.

[0022] Since many urine test strips change color significantly when they come into contact with a liquid (urine) from the dry state, the smart glasses 10 may read the color change and determine whether the urine test strip is in a state of being in contact with urine. Then, the smart glasses 10 may perform the recognition of the urine test strip only when it is determined that the urine test strip is in a state of being in contact with urine. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a case where the urine test strip is imaged before coming into contact with urine.

[0023] Furthermore, the urine test strip used in this embodiment may be a specially designed product with identification information, such as a two-dimensional code, printed on it. This makes it easier to recognize the urine test strip by reading the identification information with the smart glasses 10. When the urine test strip is a specially designed product in this way, the urine test strip may also be treated as part of the urine testing system of this embodiment. In addition, the urine test strip may have a discriminative section that changes color or displays a line when it comes into contact with liquid, separate from the color-changing section that shows a color reaction depending on the components contained in the urine. In this case, it becomes easier for the smart glasses 10 to determine whether or not the urine test strip has come into contact with urine. Furthermore, the discriminative section can also be used as an indicator of the elapsed time since the urine came into contact with the urine test strip.

[0024] With the above configuration, urine testing using the colorimetric method can be performed simply and accurately. Regarding specific configurations other than those mentioned above, any known technology is acceptable, and their explanation is omitted here.

[0025] (2) Method of urine test Next, the urine testing method of this embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a flowchart of an example of the urine testing method of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the urine testing method of this embodiment includes, for example, a urine contact step S1, a urine test strip recognition step S2, an illumination control step S3, and an imaging step S4.

[0026] The urine contact step S1 is, for example, the step of bringing the urine of subject 100 into contact with a urine test strip in a toilet 200. The urine test strip can be stored in a predetermined location in the toilet 200, for example. The urine test strip that comes into contact with subject 100's urine will show a color reaction depending on the components contained in the urine.

[0027] The urine test strip recognition step S2 is a step in which, for example, the subject 100 views the urine test strip through the smart glasses 10 and causes the smart glasses 10 to recognize the urine test strip. The subject 100 performs a predetermined operation on the smart glasses 10 that have been pre-installed, for example, to launch an application for the urine testing system. When the application for the urine testing system is launched, for example, a guide for recognizing the urine test strip is displayed on the display of the smart glasses 10. Specifically, the outline of the urine test strip and a message such as "Please align the urine test strip to this position" should be displayed in a way that is visible to the subject 100. By viewing the urine test strip in accordance with such a guide, the smart glasses 10 can more easily recognize the urine test strip.

[0028] The lighting control step S3 is a step in which, for example, when the urine test strip is recognized by the smart glasses 10, the lighting 210 in the room where the subject 100 is located (for example, the toilet 200) is controlled. Specifically, it is preferable to turn off the lighting 210 in the toilet 200 and turn on the lighting device of the smart glasses 10. As a result, when imaging the urine test strip, only the lighting device of the smart glasses 10 will be lit, eliminating the influence of the lighting 210 in the toilet 200 and making it possible to image the urine test strip under uniform conditions.

[0029] The imaging step S4 is, for example, the step of imaging the urine test strip using the imaging function of the smart glasses 10. After the smart glasses 10 have finished imaging the urine test strip, it is preferable to turn on the lights 210 inside the toilet 200 and turn off the lighting device of the smart glasses 10. Since the lights 210 inside the toilet 200 are off only when imaging the urine test strip, the psychological burden on the subject 100 can be reduced.

[0030] The image data of the urine test strip may be analyzed using known techniques. The measurement results after analysis may be displayed on the display unit of the smart glasses 10 so that the subject 100 can see them. The used urine test strip may be disposed of in the toilet 200.

[0031] By the above method, subject 100 can perform a colorimetric urine test easily and accurately.

[0032] (3) Effects of this embodiment According to this embodiment, one or more of the following effects are achieved.

[0033] (a) According to the urine testing system or urine testing method of this embodiment, the lighting 210 inside the toilet 200 can be appropriately controlled to a state suitable for imaging the urine test strip (for example, the lights off), making it possible to perform a urine test by colorimetric method simply and accurately.

[0034] (b) According to the urine testing system or method of this embodiment, the subject 100 can easily perform a urine test without any further preparation by entering the toilet 200 while wearing the smart glasses 10. In this embodiment, the smart glasses 10 have the functions of a trigger that recognizes the urine test strip and controls the lighting 210 inside the toilet 200, an imaging device that images the urine test strip, and an illumination device that ensures uniform imaging of the urine test strip, so that the subject 100 can complete the urine test with minimal operation. In addition, the lighting 210 inside the toilet 200 is only turned off when imaging the urine test strip, so the psychological burden on the subject 100 can be reduced.

[0035] (c) According to the urine testing system or urine testing method of this embodiment, since the smart glasses 10 have a guide display function, the subject 100 can recognize the urine test strip simply by performing the simple action of looking at the urine test strip while wearing the smart glasses 10. In addition, the guide display makes it easier to maintain the imaging distance and position of the urine test strip in an appropriate state.

[0036] (d) According to the urine testing system or urine testing method of this embodiment, the urine test strip used may be a known general-purpose product. In other words, the urine testing system and urine testing method of this embodiment are applicable regardless of the urine test strip used and are highly convenient for the subject 100.

[0037] (e) According to the urine testing system or urine testing method of this embodiment, the urine test strip used may be a dedicated product. For example, printing identification information such as a two-dimensional code on the urine test strip makes it easier for the smart glasses 10 to recognize the urine test strip. Also, by providing a discrimination section on the urine test strip that changes color or displays a line when it comes into contact with liquid, it becomes easier for the smart glasses 10 to determine whether or not the urine test strip has come into contact with urine. Furthermore, the discrimination section can also be used as an indicator of the elapsed time since the urine came into contact with the urine test strip.

[0038] <Other Embodiments> While embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited in any way to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0039] For example, in the above embodiment, a case was described in which the lighting control unit turns off the lights in the toilet and turns on the lighting device of the smart glasses, but the method of controlling the lights in the toilet is not limited to this. For example, the lights in the toilet may be controlled to a brightness and color suitable for imaging the urine test strip. In toilets in large hospitals or commercial facilities, where multiple people may use the toilet at once, it is necessary to consider the convenience of other users, and it is difficult to turn off all the lights in the toilet. Even in such cases, the accuracy of the urine test can be improved by controlling the lighting around the subject to a brightness and color suitable for imaging the urine test strip.

[0040] Furthermore, for example, in the urine testing system (urine testing method) of the present invention, color correction of the captured data may be performed. Specifically, if the specifications of the lighting device (LED light, etc.) of smart glasses differ from one smart glasses model to another, or if the lighting specifications differ from one toilet to another when adjusting the brightness and color of the lighting in the toilet, color correction of the captured data can reduce the influence of the lighting specifications. Even when color correction of the captured data is performed, the accuracy of the urine test can be improved by controlling the lighting using the urine testing system (urine testing method) of the present invention.

[0041] <Preferred aspects of this disclosure> Preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described below.

[0042] (Note 1) Smart glasses that have imaging capabilities and can be worn by the subject, The system includes a lighting control unit that controls the lighting in the room where the subject is located, A urine testing system comprising: when the smart glasses recognize a urine test strip used by the subject for a urine test, the lighting control unit controls the lighting in the room, and the smart glasses take an image of the urine test strip.

[0043] (Note 2) The smart glasses further include a lighting device, When the smart glasses recognize the urine test strip, the lighting control unit turns off the lights in the room, and the smart glasses turn on the lighting device. The urine testing system described in Appendix 1.

[0044] (Note 3) When the smart glasses have finished imaging the urine test strip, the lighting control unit turns on the lights in the room, and the smart glasses turn off the lighting device. See Appendix 2 for the urine testing system.

[0045] (Note 4) The smart glasses further have a guide display function that displays a guide in a way that is visible to the subject to make it easier to recognize the urine test strip. A urine testing system as described in any one of the appendices 1 through 3.

[0046] (Note 5) The process involves bringing the subject's urine into contact with a urine test strip, The process involves the subject viewing the urine test strip through smart glasses, When the urine test strip is recognized by the smart glasses, the process involves controlling the lighting in the room where the subject is located. A urine testing method comprising the step of imaging the urine test strip using the smart glasses. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 10 Smart Glasses 20 Lighting Control Unit 100 subjects 200 toilets 210 Lighting S1 Urine contact process S2 Urine test strip recognition process S3 Lighting control process S4 Imaging process

Claims

1. Smart glasses equipped with imaging capabilities and wearable by the subject, The system includes a lighting control unit that controls the lighting in the room where the subject is located, A urine testing system comprising: when the smart glasses recognize a urine test strip used by the subject for a urine test, the lighting control unit controls the lighting in the room, and the smart glasses take an image of the urine test strip.

2. The smart glasses further include a lighting device, The urine testing system according to claim 1, wherein when the urine test strip is recognized by the smart glasses, the lighting control unit turns off the lights in the room, and the smart glasses turn on the lighting device.

3. The urine testing system according to claim 2, wherein when the smart glasses have finished imaging the urine test strip, the lighting control unit turns on the lights in the room, and the smart glasses turn off the lighting device.

4. The urine testing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a guide display function that displays a guide for making the urine test strip easier to recognize in a manner visible to the subject.

5. The process involves bringing the subject's urine into contact with a urine test strip, The process involves the subject viewing the urine test strip through smart glasses, When the urine test strip is recognized by the smart glasses, the process involves controlling the lighting in the room where the subject is located. A urine testing method comprising the step of imaging the urine test strip using the smart glasses.

Images