Vascular condition information acquisition device, vascular condition information acquisition system, vascular condition information acquisition method, and vascular condition information acquisition program

Abstract

The objective is to provide a device for acquiring vascular condition information that can objectively and over time grasp vascular condition information, which is information related to blood flow and the degree of capillary dilation that affects coldness, etc. [Solution] The vascular state information acquisition device 1 includes an imaging processing unit 21 that acquires image information showing an image including a part of the user's body, an image processing unit 22 that analyzes the image and generates analyzed image information showing the analyzed image, a vascular state information generation unit 23 that generates vascular state information showing the state of blood vessels in the first region from a brightness difference value which is the difference between the brightness value of a first region extracted from the analyzed image and the brightness value of a second region that does not include the first region, and a vascular state signal output unit 24 that outputs a vascular state signal showing the state of blood vessels.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vascular status information acquisition apparatus, a vascular status information acquisition system, a vascular status information acquisition method, and a vascular status information acquisition program. [Background Art]

[0002] It is known that for symptoms of sensitivity to cold, also called intolerance to cold, and peripheral sensitivity to cold, compared with people without such symptoms, blood flow in capillaries of peripheral parts such as fingertips of hands and toes is stagnant, and blood warmed in the deep part of the body does not reach the peripheral parts, thereby decreasing the body surface temperature of the peripheral parts. It is known that the symptoms of sensitivity to cold and peripheral sensitivity to cold not only cause a feeling of cold but also induce unpleasant symptoms such as pain and numbness due to the decrease in body surface temperature of peripheral parts.

[0003] In research on sensitivity to cold and peripheral sensitivity to cold, the degree of a user's sensitivity to cold is evaluated by measuring the user's body surface temperature using a thermography camera, which is a non-contact temperature measurement apparatus that quantifies the degree of the user's sensitivity to cold. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a skin temperature measurement apparatus that detects infrared rays emitted from the skin and calculates the skin temperature from the detected infrared rays. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-247126 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] However, the skin temperature measuring device described in Patent Document 1 does not make it easy to objectively evaluate the state of blood flow to determine whether coldness is improving through continuous cold-relieving activities. Furthermore, since the skin temperature measuring device described in Patent Document 1 is affected by fluctuations in the amount of clothing worn and fluctuations in ambient temperature, it is not easy to measure the temporal changes in the body's coldness state alone in daily life.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a vascular condition information acquisition device that can objectively and over time grasp vascular condition information, which is information related to blood flow and the degree of capillary dilation that affects coldness, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vascular state information acquisition device according to the present invention includes an imaging processing unit that acquires image information showing an image including a body part of the user; an image processing unit that analyzes the image and generates analyzed image information showing the analyzed image; a vascular state information generation unit that generates vascular state information showing the state of blood vessels in a first region from a brightness difference value which is the difference between the brightness value of a first region extracted from the analyzed image and the brightness value of a second region that does not include the first region; and a vascular state signal output unit that outputs a vascular state signal showing the blood flow state.

[0008] Furthermore, in the vascular state information acquisition device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the vascular state information generation unit scans the calculation area, which does not include the first area, and sets the second area according to the respective brightness values ​​of the calculation area.

[0009] Furthermore, in the vascular state information acquisition device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the vascular state information generation unit determines whether or not the second region has already been set, and if the second region has already been set, it does not perform the process of setting the second region.

[0010] Furthermore, in the vascular state information acquisition device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the vascular state information generation unit generates vascular state information from the brightness value of the first region and the brightness value of the central region of the second region.

[0011] Furthermore, it is preferable that the vascular condition information acquisition device according to the present invention further includes an initial setting unit that calculates a first luminance difference value, which is the difference between the luminance value of the first region and the luminance value of the second region in a first cold state, and a second luminance difference value, which is the difference between the luminance value of the first region and the luminance value of the second region in a second cold state that is different from the first cold state.

[0012] Furthermore, in the vascular state information acquisition device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the vascular state signal output unit outputs a vascular state signal indicating a luminance difference value.

[0013] Furthermore, in the vascular state information acquisition device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the vascular state information generation unit uses the first luminance difference value and the second luminance difference value to convert the luminance difference value into a coldness index indicating the degree of coldness, and the vascular state signal output unit outputs a vascular state signal indicating the degree of coldness index.

[0014] Furthermore, the vascular state information acquisition device according to the present invention preferably further includes a time-dependent change information generation unit that generates time-dependent change information indicating changes in blood flow status over time, and the vascular state signal output unit outputs a vascular state signal corresponding to the time-dependent change information.

[0015] Furthermore, in the vascular state information acquisition device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the initial setting unit acquires first temperature information indicating the surface temperature of the first region in the first cold state, and second temperature information indicating the surface temperature of the first region in the second cold state, the vascular state information generation unit uses the first temperature and the second temperature to convert the brightness difference value into the temperature of the first region, and the vascular state signal output unit outputs a vascular state signal indicating the temperature of the first region.

[0016] Furthermore, in the vascular condition information acquisition device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the image processing unit generates differential image information, which indicates a differential image based on the difference between the green pixel value and the blue or red pixel value in the image, as analyzed image information.

[0017] Furthermore, the vascular state information acquisition system according to the present invention includes an imaging processing unit that acquires image information showing an image including a part of the user's body, an image processing unit that analyzes the image and generates analyzed image information showing the analyzed image, a vascular state information generation unit that generates vascular state information showing the state of blood vessels in a first region from a brightness difference value which is the difference between the brightness value of a first region extracted from the analyzed image and the brightness value of a second region that does not include the first region, and a vascular state signal output unit that outputs a vascular state signal showing the state of blood vessels.

[0018] The method for acquiring vascular condition information according to the present invention includes acquiring image information showing an image including a part of the user's body, analyzing the image, generating analyzed image information showing the analyzed image, generating vascular condition information showing the state of blood vessels in the first region from a brightness difference value which is the difference between the brightness value of a first region extracted from the analyzed image and the brightness value of a second region that does not include the first region, and outputting a vascular condition signal showing the state of blood vessels.

[0019] The vascular condition information acquisition program according to the present invention acquires image information showing an image including a part of the user's body, analyzes the image, generates analyzed image information showing the analyzed image, generates vascular condition information showing the state of blood vessels in the first region from a brightness difference value which is the difference between the brightness value of a first region extracted from the analyzed image and the brightness value of a second region that does not include the first region, and causes a computer to execute the process of outputting a vascular condition signal showing the state of blood vessels. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] The vascular condition information acquisition device according to the present invention can objectively and over time grasp vascular condition information, which is information related to blood flow and the degree of capillary dilation that affects coldness, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a functional block diagram showing the blood vessel state information acquisition device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a flowchart showing the blood vessel state information acquisition process according to the first embodiment executed by the blood vessel state information acquisition device shown in Fig. 1. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing guideline display and instructions displayed on the display unit shown in Fig. 1. [Figure 4] It is a diagram illustrating the process of acquiring a luminance difference value using the positional relationship between the first region and the second region and the respective luminance values of the first region and the second region. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of a blood vessel state image displayed on the display unit shown in Fig. 1. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing the blood vessel state information acquisition process according to the first modification executed by the blood vessel state information acquisition device shown in Fig. 1. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of the processes shown in S113 to S115 shown in Fig. 6. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart showing the blood vessel state information acquisition process according to the second modification executed by the blood vessel state information acquisition device shown in Fig. 1. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing a second central region, which is a region located at the center of the second region. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing the blood vessel state information acquisition process according to the third modification executed by the blood vessel state information acquisition device shown in Fig. 1. [Figure 11] It is a functional block diagram showing the blood vessel state information acquisition device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] (a) is a flowchart showing the initialization process executed by the blood vessel state information acquisition device shown in Fig. 11, (b) is a more detailed flowchart of the process shown in S201 in (a), and (c) is a more detailed flowchart of the process shown in S202 in (a). [Figure 13]This is a flowchart showing the vascular condition information acquisition process according to the second embodiment, which is performed by the vascular condition information acquisition device shown in Figure 11. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of a vascular condition image displayed on the display unit shown in Figure 11. [Figure 15] This is a flowchart showing the vascular condition information acquisition process related to the third modified example, which is performed by the vascular condition information acquisition device shown in Figure 11. [Figure 16] (a) is a diagram showing the relationship between the brightness difference value and the coldness index, (b) is a diagram showing the coldness index displayed as the vascular condition on the display unit shown in Figure 11, (c) is a diagram showing the first modified example of the coldness index displayed on the display unit shown in Figure 11, and (d) is a diagram showing the second modified example of the coldness index displayed on the display unit shown in Figure 11. [Figure 17] This is a functional block diagram showing a vascular condition information acquisition device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18] This is a flowchart showing the vascular condition information acquisition process according to the third embodiment, which is performed by the vascular condition information acquisition device shown in Figure 17. [Figure 19] (a) is a diagram showing an example of a vascular condition image displayed on the display unit shown in Figure 17, and (b) is a diagram showing another example of a vascular condition image displayed on the display unit shown in Figure 17. [Figure 20] This is a functional block diagram showing a vascular condition information acquisition device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 21] (a) is a flowchart showing the initial setup process performed by the vascular condition information acquisition device shown in Figure 20, (b) is a more detailed flowchart of the process indicated by S501 in (a), and (c) is a more detailed flowchart of the process indicated by S502 in (a). [Figure 22] This is a flowchart showing the vascular condition information acquisition process according to the fourth embodiment, which is performed by the vascular condition information acquisition device shown in Figure 20. [Figure 23] This is a functional block diagram showing a vascular condition information acquisition system according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 24]This is a sequence diagram showing the vascular state information acquisition process according to the fifth embodiment, which is performed by the vascular state information acquisition system shown in Figure 23. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, it should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0023] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing a vascular state information acquisition device according to the first embodiment. The vascular state information acquisition device 1 is a portable terminal device such as a smartphone having a communication unit 10, a storage unit 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, an imaging unit 14, and a processing unit 20. The vascular state information acquisition device 1 captures a color image of the user's body part with the imaging unit 14 and generates vascular state information indicating the vascular state included in the imaging area of ​​the color image with the processing unit 20. The vascular state information acquisition device 1 displays the vascular state image corresponding to the generated vascular state information on the display unit 13.

[0024] The communication unit 10 includes, for example, an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, and a wireless communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless communication line in accordance with a wireless communication protocol such as a wireless LAN, and connects to a communication network via an access point. Alternatively, the communication unit 10 has, for example, a communication interface circuit compliant with the W-CDMA or LTE system, and connects to a communication network via a communication network such as a base station and a mobile communication network. The communication unit 10 outputs data received from the communication network to the processing unit 20 and transmits data input from the processing unit 20 to the communication network.

[0025] The storage unit 11 includes, for example, one of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk device, and an optical disk device. The storage unit 11 stores operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, data, etc., used for processing in the processing unit 20. For example, the storage unit 11 stores driver programs such as an input device driver program that controls the operation unit 12 and an output device driver program that controls the display unit 13. The storage unit 11 also stores a vascular state information acquisition program as an application program that causes the processing unit 20 to execute a vascular state information acquisition process to acquire the vascular state. The vascular state information acquisition program may download the necessary data from an external device or a computer-readable portable storage medium via the communication unit 10 and install it in the storage unit 11.

[0026] The operation unit 12 is a device for performing operations necessary for the vascular condition information acquisition device, and is, for example, a touch sensor, button, keyboard, etc. Based on the information input by the operation unit 12, an input signal is generated and supplied to the processing unit 20.

[0027] The display unit 13 is a device that displays images, numerical values, graphs, etc., and can be a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The display unit 13 displays a vascular condition image showing the vascular condition processed by the processing unit 20. In addition, when the imaging unit 14 acquires an image, the display unit 13 may display instructions about the body part to help the user understand the imaging location of the body part. The operation unit 12 and the display unit 13 may be an integrated touch panel device.

[0028] The imaging unit 14 is configured to image the area surrounding the vascular condition information acquisition device 1 and includes a camera. The camera includes an imaging optical system for forming an image on a light-receiving surface, a photoelectric conversion element, and an image generation circuit that generates an image based on the output of the photoelectric conversion element. The photoelectric conversion elements in the camera are CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) and CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensors, etc., which are arranged in two dimensions on the light-receiving surface and output electrical signals corresponding to the amount of incident light.

[0029] The processing unit 20 is configured to control the operation of the vascular condition information acquisition device 1 and includes a processor and peripheral circuits. The processing unit 20 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processing unit 20 analyzes the color image acquired by the imaging unit 14 to determine the amount of reflected light from hemoglobin and performs various processes to acquire the vascular condition based on the analyzed image.

[0030] The processing unit 20 includes an imaging processing unit 21, an image processing unit 22, a vascular state information generation unit 23, and a vascular state signal output unit 24. Each of these units is a functional module realized by a program executed by the processor of the processing unit 20. Alternatively, each of these units may be implemented in the processing unit 20 as firmware.

[0031] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the vascular state information acquisition process according to the first embodiment, which is performed by the vascular state information acquisition device 1. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 2 includes the vascular state information acquisition method according to the first embodiment, and is performed mainly by the processing unit 20 in cooperation with each element of the vascular state information acquisition device 1, based on the vascular state information acquisition program stored in advance in the storage unit 11. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 2 is performed, for example, in response to an operation by the user instructing the start of the vascular state information acquisition process.

[0032] First, the imaging processing unit 21 acquires color image information indicating a color image of a body part captured via the imaging unit 14 based on the user's instructions (S101), and stores the acquired color image information in the storage unit 11. The imaging body part included in the color image corresponding to the color image information acquired by the imaging processing unit 21 is preferably the hands or feet, which include peripheral areas prone to cold extremities. When the imaging processing indicated in S101 is executed, the imaging processing unit 21 displays guidelines and instructions for imaging the body part on the display unit 13 so that the user can see them.

[0033] Figure 3 shows the guideline display and instructions shown on the display unit 13. The display unit 13 displays the first guideline G1, the second guideline G2, and the third guideline G3. The first guideline G1 is displayed as a guideline for the position of the first region A1, the second guideline G2 is displayed as a guideline for the position of the second region A2, and the third guideline G3 is displayed as a guideline for the position of the entire hand. It is desirable that the first guideline G1, the second guideline G2, and the third guideline G3 be displayed in a size appropriate to the body size of the subject being imaged. The first region A1 is the region where the vascular condition is acquired, and in the case of a person who feels cold, it corresponds to the peripheral part of the body where the coldness is felt. The first region A1 is particularly desirable to be located on the pads of the fingers of the hand, where there are many capillaries. The second region A2 is a reference region used to acquire the vascular condition with high accuracy from the first region where the vascular condition is acquired. The second region A2 is preferably selected from an area where changes in body surface temperature and vascular condition are small, regardless of whether or not there is coldness. In the case of the hand, the central part of the palm, where there are relatively few capillaries, and the part closer to the wrist are preferable. The first region A1 and the second region A2 may completely coincide with the first guideline G1 and the second guideline G2. Alternatively, the first region A1 and the second region A2 may be parts of the first guideline G1 and the second guideline G2, respectively. In the example shown in Figure 3, the first region A1 and the second region A2 are parts of the first guideline G1 and the second guideline G2, respectively. The first guideline G1 is elliptical and the second guideline G2 is circular, but these are just examples, and the shapes of the first guideline G1 and the second guideline G2 may be other shapes such as rectangles. By displaying the first guideline G1, the second guideline G2, and the third guideline G3 on the display unit 13, the user can easily image the body part including the first region A1 and the second region A2.

[0034] Next, the image processing unit 22 generates difference image information (S102) that shows a difference image based on the difference value, which is the difference between the green pixel value and the blue pixel value, as an analysis image, and stores the generated difference image information in the storage unit 11. The image processing unit 22 processes the color image captured by the imaging unit 14 to generate difference image information used to obtain information on the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. The image processing unit 22 obtains the green and blue pixel values ​​for each pixel included in the color image and calculates the difference value between the green pixel value and the blue pixel value. For example, the image processing unit 22 calculates the difference value by subtracting the blue pixel value from the green pixel value, and sets the calculated difference value to the value of the corresponding pixel in the difference image. The image processing unit 22 performs grayscale processing based on the pixel value set in the difference image. By performing grayscale processing based on the pixel value set in the difference image, the image processing unit 22 generates difference image information that shows a difference image between the green pixel value and the blue pixel value from the color image. In the generated difference image information, the brightness of the difference image between the grayscale green pixel value and the blue pixel value is represented by 256 gradations, with black being 0 and white being 255. Note that the difference image processing using green and blue pixel values ​​is just one example and is not limited to this method; a difference image using red and green pixel values ​​may also be used. Since difference image processing is conventionally known, a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0035] Furthermore, in the process shown in S102, if there are many pixels that deviate from the grayscale range of 0 to 255 when they are the difference between the green pixel value and the blue pixel value, the vascular state information generation unit 23 may perform calculation processing to bring them within the range of 0 to 255. For example, the vascular state information generation unit 23 may calculate the average value of the difference between the green pixel value and the blue pixel value for each pixel in the range of the first region A1 and the second region A2, and add an amount to shift the average value to the median of 0 to 255 to the difference between the green pixel value and the blue pixel value for each pixel.

[0036] Next, the vascular state information generation unit 23 extracts two regions, the first region A1 and the second region A2, from the difference image processed by the process shown in S102 (S103).

[0037] Figure 4 illustrates the positional relationship between the first region A1 and the second region A2, and the process of obtaining the luminance difference value using the respective luminance values ​​of the first region A1 and the second region A2.

[0038] The position, shape, and area of ​​the first region A1 and the second region A2, which are the areas from which brightness values ​​are obtained from the difference image, are set in advance, so the first region A1 and the second region A2 do not change each time the blood vessel state information acquisition process is executed. The sizes of the first region A1 and the second region A2 may be the same or different. However, since there are individual differences in the location of blood vessels in the hands and feet, it is desirable for the second region A2 to have a reasonably large area.

[0039] The first region A1 is preferably the pad of a finger, and may be any of the five fingers, the region of one finger, or the region of multiple fingers. However, it is desirable to avoid the thumb because, due to the body structure, it is difficult to orient the pad of the thumb in the same direction as the palm, and there is a risk that it will be positioned at an angle rather than parallel to the imaging unit 14.

[0040] The user adjusts the distance between their body and the imaging unit 14 by aligning their body parts with the guidelines displayed on the display unit 13 and translating the position of the body position and vascular condition information acquisition device 1. The user can position body parts within a predetermined imaging area by the guidelines displayed on the display unit 13. By positioning body parts within a predetermined imaging area, positional shifts of the imaging area are suppressed during the comparison of vascular conditions in each imaging step of the vascular condition information acquisition process, enabling comparison over time. Making it easier to position body parts appropriately eliminates the need for jigs or fixing structures to hold the user's body parts during imaging. Furthermore, two regions can be immediately extracted from the captured image without computationally intensive and time-consuming processes such as feature point extraction used to identify body parts contained in the captured image.

[0041] Next, the vascular state information generation unit 23 calculates an average luminance value, which is the average value of the luminance values ​​in the first region A1 and the second region A2 extracted by the process shown in S103 (S104), and stores the average luminance value information indicating the calculated average luminance value in the storage unit 11. The vascular state information generation unit 23 calculates an average luminance value from the luminance values ​​of all pixels included in the first region A1 as the first average luminance value, and stores the first average luminance value information indicating the calculated first average luminance value in the storage unit 11. The vascular state information generation unit 23 calculates an average luminance value from the luminance values ​​of all pixels included in the second region A2 as the second average luminance value, and stores the second average luminance value information indicating the calculated second average luminance value in the storage unit 11. Because hemoglobin present in blood vessels has the characteristic of high absorbance in the green wavelength band, when blood flow is good and the amount of hemoglobin is large, the reflected light in the green wavelength band decreases, and when blood flow is poor and the amount of hemoglobin is small, the reflected light in the green wavelength band increases. Comparing conditions with good and poor blood flow, when blood flow is good and capillary density is high, the amount of reflected light in the green wavelength band from hemoglobin decreases, resulting in a decrease in brightness and a darker color. On the other hand, when blood flow is poor and capillary density is low, the amount of reflected light in the green wavelength band from hemoglobin increases, resulting in an increase in brightness and a lighter color.

[0042] Next, the vascular state information generation unit 23 calculates a luminance difference value, which is the difference between the average luminance values ​​of the first region A1 and the second region A2 (S105). The vascular state information generation unit 23 stores the luminance difference value information, which is calculated by subtracting the second average luminance value from the first average luminance value, in the storage unit 11 as vascular state information indicating the state of the blood vessels. The two regions, the first region A1 and the second region A2, which are contained within the same image, are the body surface of the same user under almost the same ambient light environment, and the second region A2 is a region with a low capillary density. By taking the luminance difference between the two regions, the vascular state information generation unit 23 can acquire the vascular state of the first region A1 with higher accuracy regardless of differences in the shooting environment, including the ambient light environment.

[0043] The vascular condition signal output unit 24 then outputs a vascular condition signal to the display unit 13 (S106) that shows the luminance difference value calculated in the process shown in S105, the color image acquired in the process shown in S101, and the difference image processed in the process shown in S102. The display unit 13 displays a vascular condition image that shows the vascular condition in response to the input of the vascular condition signal. The vascular condition signal output unit 24 may also output a vascular condition signal that shows at least one of the luminance difference value calculated in the process shown in S106 and the difference image processed in the process shown in S102. The difference image corresponding to the vascular condition signal may include areas other than the first area A1 and the second area A2. By including areas other than the first area A1 and the second area A2 in the difference image corresponding to the vascular condition signal, the user can visually grasp the locations of good and bad blood flow, as well as the degree of blood flow, in the body parts included in the difference image.

[0044] Figure 5 shows an example of a vascular condition image displayed on the display unit 13. In Figure 5, the "original image" shows the color image captured by the process indicated in S101, and the "vascular image" shows the difference image processed by the process indicated in S102. In the example shown in Figure 5, the luminance values ​​of the first region A1 and the second region A2 are similar in the difference image, suggesting that the blood flow in the capillaries of the fingertips is insufficient. It has been found that in difference images of people who do not suffer from cold extremities, the capillary density of the fingertips is high, and the first region A1 is closer to black than the second region A2.

[0045] The image processing unit 22 may perform further image processing when generating the difference image and display it if there is a bias in the brightness values ​​of the entire image of the difference image, as this would make the image difficult to see. For example, the image processing unit 22 may calculate the maximum difference between the green pixel value and the blue pixel value of each pixel in the ranges of the first region A1 and the second region A2, calculate a coefficient such that the calculated maximum value is 255 or less, and multiply the difference between the green pixel value and the blue pixel value of each pixel by the calculated coefficient.

[0046] In this embodiment, an example was shown using the hands to determine the degree of coldness, but a similar evaluation is possible by selecting a location where blood flow to the capillaries is stagnant. Since the feet are the area where coldness symptoms occur most frequently in people who feel cold, the vascular condition information acquisition device 1 may perform a similar process using the feet.

[0047] Since the second region A2 is a reference region for the first region A1, it is desirable to select a region with few blood vessels and minimal fluctuations due to blood flow as the second region A2. However, the location of blood vessels in the palm of the hand, etc., differs from user to user, so it is not easy to determine an absolute location in advance. The vascular condition information acquisition device 1 can select the region with the most suitable blood vessels for each user from the color image captured by the imaging unit 14, thereby selecting the region with the most suitable blood vessels as the second region A2. By selecting the region with the most suitable blood vessels for each user as the second region A2, the vascular condition information acquisition device 1 can calculate the blood flow state, such as the brightness difference value of the first region, with greater accuracy.

[0048] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the vascular state information acquisition process according to the first modified example, which is performed by the vascular state information acquisition device 1. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 6 is performed mainly by the processing unit 20 in cooperation with each element of the vascular state information acquisition device 1, based on the vascular state information acquisition program that is stored in the storage unit 11 in advance. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 6 is performed, for example, in response to an operation by the user instructing the start of the vascular state information acquisition process. The processes shown in S111 to S112 are the same as the processes shown in S101 to S102, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0049] Following the process shown in S112, the vascular state information generation unit 23 extracts two regions, the first region A1 and the scanning region AS, from the difference image processed in the process shown in S112 (S113). Next, the vascular state information generation unit 23 scans the entire scanning region AS extracted in the scanning region AS in the process shown in S113, shifting it by a predetermined pitch while overlapping predetermined calculation regions AC, and calculates the average brightness value of each of the multiple calculation regions AC (S114). Next, the vascular state information generation unit 23 sets the calculation region AC with the largest average brightness value among the multiple calculation regions AC as the second region A2 (S115).

[0050] Figure 7 shows an example of the processing shown in S113 to S115. The vascular state information generation unit 23 divides the scanning region AS of the difference image processed in the processing shown in S112 into a predetermined number of matrices. In the example shown in Figure 7(a), the vascular state information generation unit 23 divides the scanning region AS into a 6x6 matrix. Next, the vascular state information generation unit 23 calculates the average brightness value of the calculation region AC while sequentially scanning the scanning region AS for each predetermined size of the calculation region AC (S114), and stores the calculated average brightness value in the storage unit 11. The arrows show the outline of the scanning. In the example shown in Figure 7(b), the vascular state information generation unit 23 calculates the average brightness value of each of the 20 calculation regions AC by shifting by one row or one column for each 3x3 matrix size, which is the size of the calculation region AC. The vascular state information generation unit 23 compares the average brightness of the 20 locations and determines the calculation region AC with the highest average brightness value, i.e., the calculation region AC with relatively few blood vessels, as the second region A2. In the example shown in Figure 7(c), the vascular state information generation unit 23 determines the calculation region AC, whose upper left end is located in the third row and third column and whose lower right end is located in the fifth row and fifth column, to be the second region A2.

[0051] The processes shown in S116 to S118 are the same as those shown in S104 to S106, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. The vascular condition information acquisition process related to the first modification makes it possible to calculate the vascular condition of the first region with high accuracy for each user by setting the second region A2 according to the user.

[0052] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the vascular state information acquisition process related to the second modified example performed by the vascular state information acquisition device 1. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 8 is performed mainly by the processing unit 20 in cooperation with each element of the vascular state information acquisition device 1, based on the vascular state information acquisition program stored in the storage unit 11 beforehand. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 8 is performed, for example, in response to an operation by the user instructing the start of the vascular state information acquisition process. The processes shown in S121 to S122 are the same as the processes shown in S101 to S102, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0053] Following the process shown in S122, the vascular state information generation unit 23 determines whether the second region A2 has been set or not (S123). If the vascular state information generation unit 23 determines that the second region A2 has not been set (S123-NO), it extracts two regions, the first region A1 and the scanning region AS, from the difference image processed in the process shown in S112 (S124). Next, the vascular state information generation unit 23 scans a predetermined calculation region AC at a predetermined pitch in the scanning region AS extracted in the process shown in S124 and calculates the average brightness value of each of the multiple calculation regions AC (S125). Next, the vascular state information generation unit 23 sets the calculation region AC with the largest average brightness value among the multiple calculation regions AC as the second region A2 (S126). The processes shown in S124 to S126 are the same as the processes shown in S113 to S115, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. When the vascular state information generation unit 23 determines that the second region A2 is already set (S123-YES), it extracts the two regions, the first region A1 and the second region A2, from the difference image processed by the process shown in S122 (S127). The processes shown in S128 to S130 are the same as the processes shown in S104 to S106, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. In the vascular state information acquisition process according to the second modified example, the second region A2 does not change each time the vascular state information acquisition process is performed, so it is possible to calculate the vascular state of the first region with high accuracy for each user.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the vascular condition information acquisition device 1 may select the second central region A2C, which is located in the center of the second region A2, as the reference region for the first region A1.

[0055] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the vascular state information acquisition process related to the third modified example performed by the vascular state information acquisition device 1. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 10 is performed mainly by the processing unit 20 in cooperation with each element of the vascular state information acquisition device 1, based on the vascular state information acquisition program stored in the storage unit 11 beforehand. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 10 is performed, for example, in response to an operation by the user instructing the start of the vascular state information acquisition process. The processes shown in S131 to S136 are the same as the processes shown in S121 to S126, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0056] Following the process shown in S126, the vascular state information generation unit 23 extracts the position of the second central region A2C, which is the central region of the second region A2 set in the process shown in S136 (S137), and stores the second central region information indicating the extracted position in the storage unit 11. The second central region A2C is a region that has the same size as the region located in the center of the second region A2, which is, for example, a 3x3 matrix.

[0057] The vascular state information generation unit 23 determines that the second region A2 is set (S133-YES), and extracts two regions, the first region A1 and the second central region A2C, from the difference image processed by the process shown in S132 (S138). Next, the vascular state information generation unit 23 calculates the average brightness value, which is the average value of the brightness values ​​in the first region A1 and the second central region A2C (S139). Next, the vascular state information generation unit 23 calculates the brightness difference value, which is the difference between the average brightness values ​​of the first region A1 and the second central region A2C (S140). Then, the vascular state signal output unit 24 outputs a vascular state signal to the display unit 13, which shows the brightness difference value calculated by the process shown in S140 and the difference image processed by the process shown in S132 (S141). The processes shown in S138 to S141 are the same as the processes shown in S103 to S106, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. The vascular condition information acquisition process in the third modified example uses the second central region A2C as a reference region for the first region A1. This suppresses fluctuations in blood flow caused by slight positional shifts that occur when the user photographs their hand each time the vascular condition information acquisition process is executed, enabling more accurate acquisition of the blood flow state in the first region A1.

[0058] Figure 11 is a functional block diagram showing a vascular state information acquisition device according to the second embodiment. The vascular state information acquisition device 2 differs from the vascular state information acquisition device 1 in that it has a processing unit 30 instead of a processing unit 20. The configuration and functions of the components of the vascular state information acquisition device 2 other than the processing unit 30 are the same as those of the components of the vascular state information acquisition device 1 which are given the same reference numerals, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. The processing unit 30 differs from the processing unit 20 in that it has an initial setting unit 31. The configuration and functions of the processing unit 30 other than the initial setting unit 31 are the same as those of the processing unit 20, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0059] Figure 12(a) is a flowchart of the initial setup process performed by the vascular condition information acquisition device 1. Figure 12(b) is a more detailed flowchart of the process indicated by S201 in Figure 12(a), and Figure 12(c) is a more detailed flowchart of the process indicated by S202 in Figure 12(a). The initial setup process shown in Figure 12(a) is performed mainly by the processing unit 20 in cooperation with each element of the vascular condition information acquisition device 2, based on an initial setup program stored in the storage unit 11 beforehand. The initial setup process shown in Figure 12(a) is performed before the vascular condition information acquisition process is executed, for example, in response to an operation by the user instructing the start of the initial setup process.

[0060] First, the initial setup unit 31 calculates a first luminance difference value in a first cold state, which is the cold state in which the user is least likely to perceive cold, such as after taking a bath (S201). In the process shown in S201, the initial setup unit 31 acquires color image information showing a color image of a body part captured via the imaging unit 14 based on the user's instructions (S211). Next, the initial setup unit 31 generates a difference image based on the difference value, which is the difference between the green pixel value and the blue pixel value (S212). Next, the initial setup unit 31 extracts two regions, the first region A1 and the second region A2, from the difference image processed in the process shown in S212 (S213). Next, the initial setup unit 31 calculates an average luminance value, which is the average value of the luminance values ​​in the first region A1 and the second region A2 extracted in the process shown in S233 (S214). Next, the initial setup unit 31 calculates a first luminance difference value, which is the difference between the average luminance values ​​of the first region A1 and the second region A2 (S215). The processes shown in S211 to S215 are the same as those shown in S101 to S105, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. Then, the initial setup unit 31 stores the first luminance difference value information, which is the luminance difference value calculated in the process shown in S215, in the storage unit 11 (S216).

[0061] Next, the initial setup unit 31 calculates a second luminance difference value in a second cold state, which is the cold state in which the user perceives the cold most, such as just before going to bed or immediately after waking up (S202). In the process shown in S201, the processes shown in S221 to S225 are the same as the processes shown in S211 to S215, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. Then, the initial setup unit 31 stores the second luminance difference value information, which is the luminance difference value calculated in the process shown in S225, in the storage unit 11 (S226).

[0062] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the vascular state information acquisition process according to the second embodiment, which is performed by the vascular state information acquisition device 2. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 13 is performed mainly by the processing unit 30 in cooperation with each element of the vascular state information acquisition device 2, based on the vascular state information acquisition program that is stored in the storage unit 11 in advance. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 13 is performed, for example, in response to an operation by the user instructing the start of the vascular state information acquisition process. The processes shown in S301 to S305 are the same as the processes shown in S101 to S105, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0063] The vascular state signal output unit 24 outputs a vascular state signal to the display unit 13 (S306) that shows the luminance difference value, color image, and difference image, as well as the first luminance difference value and the second luminance difference value calculated by the processing shown in S201 and S201. The display unit 13 displays a vascular state image that shows the vascular state in response to the input of the vascular state signal. Figure 14 shows an example of a vascular state image displayed on the display unit 13. In the example shown in Figure 14, in addition to the current luminance difference value calculated by the processing shown in S305, the first luminance difference value, which is the luminance difference value of the first cold state in which the user perceives the least coldness, and the second luminance difference value, which is the luminance difference value of the second cold state in which the user perceives the most coldness, are displayed. With the vascular state information acquisition device 2, the user can relatively recognize the current blood flow state when a luminance difference value obtained by any measurement is acquired by understanding the maximum and minimum values ​​of the luminance difference value. The vascular condition information acquisition device 2 prevents underestimation and overestimation of the degree of coldness by the user when the vascular condition information acquisition process is executed, allowing the user to more accurately perceive the current situation.

[0064] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the vascular state information acquisition process related to the third modified example performed by the vascular state information acquisition device 2. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 15 is performed mainly by the processing unit 30 in cooperation with each element of the vascular state information acquisition device 2, based on the vascular state information acquisition program stored in the storage unit 11 beforehand. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 15 is performed, for example, in response to an operation by the user instructing the start of the vascular state information acquisition process. The processes shown in S311 to S315 are the same as the processes shown in S301 to S305, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0065] Following the process shown in S315, the vascular state information generation unit 23 uses the first and second luminance difference values ​​calculated in the processes shown in S201 and S202 to convert the luminance difference value calculated in the process shown in S315 into a coldness index indicating the degree of coldness (S316). As shown in Figure 16(a), the vascular state information generation unit 23 calculates the coldness index as the percentage of the luminance difference value calculated in the process shown in S315 when the first luminance difference value is set to "0%" and the second luminance difference value is set to "100%". The vascular state information generation unit 23 stores the calculated coldness index information in the storage unit 11. Then, the vascular state signal output unit 24 outputs the vascular state signal indicating the coldness index converted in the process shown in S316 to the display unit 13 (S317).

[0066] Figure 16(b) shows a coldness index displayed as a blood flow status on the display unit 13, Figure 16(c) shows a first modified example of the coldness index displayed on the display unit 13, and Figure 16(d) shows a second modified example of the coldness index displayed on the display unit 13. The coldness index may be displayed as a percentage as shown in Figure 16(b), as a level as shown in Figure 16(c), or as a bar as shown in Figure 16(d). When the coldness index is displayed as a bar as shown in Figure 16(d), the current state can be visualized relatively, showing where it is located within the upper and lower limits of the user's own changes.

[0067] Figure 17 is a functional block diagram showing a vascular state information acquisition device according to the third embodiment. The vascular state information acquisition device 3 differs from the vascular state information acquisition device 2 in that it has a processing unit 40 instead of a processing unit 30. The configuration and functions of the components of the vascular state information acquisition device 3 other than the processing unit 40 are the same as those of the components of the vascular state information acquisition device 2 which are given the same reference numerals, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. The processing unit 40 differs from the processing unit 30 in that it has a time-dependent change information generation unit 41. The configuration and functions of the processing unit 40 other than the time-dependent change information generation unit 41 are the same as those of the processing unit 30, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. The vascular state information acquisition device 3 displays the vascular state, which indicates the time-dependent change in the vascular state, on the display unit 13.

[0068] Figure 18 is a flowchart showing the vascular state information acquisition process according to the third embodiment, which is performed by the vascular state information acquisition device 3. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 18 is performed mainly by the processing unit 40 in cooperation with each element of the vascular state information acquisition device 3, based on a vascular state information acquisition program that is stored in advance in the storage unit 11. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 18 is performed, for example, in response to an operation by the user instructing the start of the vascular state information acquisition process.

[0069] First, the imaging processing unit 21 acquires color image information indicating a color image of a body part captured via the imaging unit 14 based on the user's instructions (S401), and stores the acquired color image information in the storage unit 11, associating it with the time the color image information was acquired. The processes shown in S402 to S405 are the same as the processes shown in S312 to S315, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0070] Following the process shown in S405, the vascular state information generation unit 23 uses the first and second luminance difference values ​​calculated in the processes shown in S201 and S202 to convert the luminance difference value calculated in the process shown in S315 into a coldness index indicating the degree of coldness (S406). The vascular state information generation unit 23 stores the converted coldness index information in the storage unit 11 in association with the time the color image information was acquired.

[0071] Next, the time-series change information generation unit 41 retrieves the coldness index information stored in the previous vascular condition information acquisition process (S407). The time-series change information generation unit 41 retrieves the coldness index information stored in the previous vascular condition information acquisition process by referring to the time at which the color image information associated with the coldness index information stored in the storage unit 11 was acquired.

[0072] Next, the time-series change information generation unit 41 generates time-series change information showing the coldness index converted in the previous vascular state information acquisition process and the coldness index converted in the current vascular state information acquisition process (S408), and stores the generated time-series change information in the storage unit 11. The time-series change information generation unit 41 compares the coldness index converted in the previous vascular state information acquisition process with the coldness index converted in the current vascular state information acquisition process. If the time-series change information generation unit 41 determines that the coldness index converted in the current vascular state information acquisition process has increased from the coldness index converted in the previous vascular state information acquisition process, it adds information indicating the increase to the time-series change information. If the time-series change information generation unit 41 determines that the coldness index converted in the current vascular state information acquisition process has decreased from the coldness index converted in the previous vascular state information acquisition process, it adds information indicating the decrease to the time-series change information. The vascular condition signal output unit 24 then outputs a vascular condition signal corresponding to the time-dependent change information generated by the process shown in S408 to the display unit 13 (S409). The display unit 13 displays a vascular condition image indicating the vascular condition in response to the input of the vascular condition signal.

[0073] Figure 19(a) shows an example of a vascular condition image displayed on the display unit 13. In the example shown in Figure 19(a), the display unit 13 displays the coldness index converted in the previous vascular condition information acquisition process and the coldness index converted in the current vascular condition information acquisition process, along with the word "UP" indicating an increase, and an upward arrow. The vascular condition information acquisition device 3 displays the coldness index converted in the previous vascular condition information acquisition process and the coldness index converted in the current vascular condition information acquisition process, allowing the user to visually observe changes in the vascular condition over time.

[0074] The vascular condition information acquisition device 3 displays the coldness index converted in the previous vascular condition information acquisition process and the coldness index converted in the current vascular condition information acquisition process on the display unit 13. However, the vascular condition information acquisition device according to the embodiment may display the coldness index converted in multiple vascular condition information acquisition processes on the display unit 13 according to the change over time. The time-series change information generation unit 41 acquires coldness index information stored in past vascular condition information acquisition processes over a predetermined number of times (S407). The time-series change information generation unit 41 acquires coldness index information stored in past vascular condition information acquisition processes over a predetermined number of times by referring to the time at which the color image information associated with the coldness index information stored in the storage unit 11 was acquired. Next, the time-series change information generation unit 41 generates time-series change information showing the coldness index converted in past vascular condition information acquisition processes over a predetermined number of times and the coldness index converted in the current vascular condition information acquisition process (S408). The time-series change information generation unit 41 stores the generated time-series change information in the storage unit 11. The time-series change information generation unit 41 estimates the time-series change of the coldness index corresponding to the time-series change information. For example, the time-series change information generation unit 41 calculates the moving average value of the coldness index corresponding to the time-series change information and estimates the time-series change of the coldness index from the calculated moving average value of the coldness index. When the coldness index is on an upward trend, the time-series change information generation unit 41 adds text information indicating an upward trend to the coldness index information. Also, when the coldness index is on a downward trend, the time-series change information generation unit 41 adds text information indicating a downward trend to the coldness index information.

[0075] Figure 19(b) shows another example of a vascular condition image displayed on the display unit 13. In the example shown in Figure 19(b), the display unit 13 displays the coldness index converted by a predetermined number of past vascular condition information acquisition processes, as well as the coldness index converted by the current vascular condition information acquisition process, along with the text "Blood flow is improving." Since the vascular condition information acquisition device 3 displays the coldness index converted by a predetermined number of past vascular condition information acquisition processes, as well as the coldness index converted by the current vascular condition information acquisition process, the user can more clearly visualize the changes in blood flow status over time. The vascular condition information acquisition device according to this embodiment may also display images showing changes over time other than those shown in Figures 19(a) and 19(b) on the display unit 13.

[0076] Figure 20 is a functional block diagram showing a vascular state information acquisition device according to the fourth embodiment. The vascular state information acquisition device 4 differs from the vascular state information acquisition device 2 in that it has a processing unit 50 instead of a processing unit 30. The configuration and functions of the components of the vascular state information acquisition device 4 other than the processing unit 50 are the same as those of the components of the vascular state information acquisition device 2 which are given the same reference numerals, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. The processing unit 50 differs from the processing unit 30 in that it has a temperature information acquisition unit 51. The configuration and functions of the processing unit 50 other than the temperature information acquisition unit 51 are the same as those of the processing unit 30, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0077] Figure 21(a) is a flowchart of the initial setup process performed by the vascular condition information acquisition device 4. Figure 21(b) is a more detailed flowchart of the process indicated by S501 in Figure 21(a), and Figure 21(c) is a more detailed flowchart of the process indicated by S502 in Figure 21(a). The initial setup process shown in Figure 21(a) is performed mainly by the processing unit 20 in cooperation with each element of the vascular condition information acquisition device 2, based on an initial setup program stored in the storage unit 11 beforehand. The initial setup process shown in Figure 21(a) is performed before the vascular condition information acquisition process is executed, for example, in response to an operation by the user instructing the start of the initial setup process.

[0078] First, the initial setup unit 31 calculates a first brightness difference value in a first cold state, which is the coldest state in which the user perceives the coldest, such as after taking a bath (S501). Next, the initial setup unit 31 calculates a second brightness difference value in a second cold state, which is the coldest state in which the user perceives the coldest, such as just before going to bed and just after waking up (S502). The processes shown in S501 and S502, as well as S511 to S516 and S521 to S526, are the same as the processes shown in S201 and S202, as well as S211 to S216 and S221 to S226, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0079] Next, the temperature information acquisition unit 51 acquires first temperature information, which is the surface temperature of the first region A1 in the first cold state when the color image information used to calculate the first luminance difference value is acquired in the process shown in S501 (S503). Then, the temperature information acquisition unit 51 acquires second temperature information, which is the surface temperature of the first region A1 in the process shown in S502 when the color image information used to calculate the second luminance difference value is acquired (S504). The first and second temperatures are measured using temperature sensors such as a non-contact surface thermometer and an analog thermometer owned by the user. The temperature information acquisition unit 51 acquires the first temperature information and the second temperature information when the measured first and second temperatures are input to the operation unit 12 by the user. The temperature information acquisition unit 51 stores the acquired first temperature information in the storage unit 11 in association with the first luminance difference value, and stores the second temperature information in the storage unit 11 in association with the second luminance difference value.

[0080] Figure 22 is a flowchart showing the vascular state information acquisition process according to the fourth embodiment, which is performed by the vascular state information acquisition device 4. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 22 is performed mainly by the processing unit 50 in cooperation with each element of the vascular state information acquisition device 4, based on a vascular state information acquisition program that is stored in the storage unit 11 in advance. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 22 is performed, for example, in response to an operation by the user instructing the start of the vascular state information acquisition process. The processes shown in S601 to S605 are the same as the processes shown in S311 to S315, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0081] Following the process shown in S605, the vascular state information generation unit 23 converts the luminance difference value calculated in the process shown in S605 into the temperature of the first region A1 (S606). The vascular state information generation unit 23 converts the luminance difference value into the temperature of the first region A1 using the first and second luminance difference values ​​calculated in the initial setup process shown in Figure 21(a) and the first and second temperatures corresponding to the acquired first and second temperature information. The vascular state information generation unit 23 stores the temperature information indicating the converted temperature in the storage unit 11. Then, the vascular state signal output unit 24 outputs the vascular state signal indicating the temperature of the first region A1 converted in the process shown in S606 to the display unit 13 (S607). The display unit 13 displays a temperature image indicating the temperature of the first region A1 in response to the input of the vascular state signal.

[0082] The vascular condition information acquisition device 4 estimates the body surface temperature of the first region A1, which corresponds to the peripheral parts of the body that are cold, based on the correlation between body surface temperature and blood flow status, thereby enabling the user to understand the degree of coldness in terms of temperature.

[0083] Figure 23 is a functional block diagram showing a vascular state information acquisition system according to the fifth embodiment. The vascular state information acquisition system 100 includes a vascular state information acquisition device 5 and a server 101. The vascular state information acquisition device 5 differs from the vascular state information acquisition device 1 in that it has a processing unit 60 instead of a processing unit 20. The configuration and functions of the components of the vascular state information acquisition device 5 other than the processing unit 60 are the same as those of the components of the vascular state information acquisition device 1 which are given the same reference numerals, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. The processing unit 60 differs from the processing unit 20 in that it does not have an image processing unit 22 and a vascular state information generation unit 23. Also, the processing unit 60 differs from the processing unit 30 in that it has a signal input / output unit 61. The configuration and functions of the processing unit 60 other than the signal input / output unit 61 are the same as those of the processing unit 20, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0084] Server 101 is a computer comprising a server communication unit 110, a server storage unit 111, a server operation unit 112, a server display unit 113, and a server processing unit 120. The server communication unit 110 has, for example, an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals and a wireless communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals through a wireless communication line in accordance with a wireless communication protocol such as wireless LAN, and connects to a communication network via an access point. Alternatively, the server communication unit 110 has, for example, a communication interface circuit compliant with the W-CDMA or LTE method, and connects to a communication network via a communication network such as a base station and a mobile communication network. The server communication unit 110 outputs data received from the communication network to the server processing unit 120 and transmits data input from the server processing unit 120 to the communication network.

[0085] The server storage unit 111 includes, for example, one of semiconductor memory, magnetic disk drive, and optical disk drive. The server storage unit 111 stores operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, data, etc., used for processing in the server processing unit 120. For example, the server storage unit 111 stores driver programs such as an input device driver program that controls the server operation unit 112 and an output device driver program that controls the server display unit 113. The server storage unit 111 also stores a vascular state information acquisition program as an application program that causes the processing unit 20 to execute a vascular state information acquisition process to acquire vascular state information indicating the blood flow state. The vascular state information acquisition program may be installed in the server storage unit 111 from a computer-readable portable storage medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM using a known setup program.

[0086] The server operation unit 112 can be any device that can operate the server 101, such as a keyboard or touchpad. The user can input characters, numbers, etc., via the server operation unit 112. When the server operation unit 112 is operated by the user, it generates a signal corresponding to that operation. The server operation unit 112 supplies the generated signal to the server processing unit 120 as a user instruction.

[0087] The server display unit 113 is a device that displays images, numerical data, graphs, etc., and is an LCD display, an organic EL display, or the like. The server display unit 113 displays images processed by the server processing unit 120. The server operation unit 112 and the server display unit 113 may be an integrated touch panel device.

[0088] The server processing unit 120 is configured to control the operation of the server 101 and includes a processor and peripheral circuits. The server processing unit 120 includes, for example, a CPU. The server processing unit 120 has a server signal input / output unit 121, an image processing unit 122, and a vascular state information generation unit 123. Each of these units is a functional module realized by a program executed on the processor of the server processing unit 120. Alternatively, each of these units may be implemented in the server processing unit 120 as firmware.

[0089] Figure 24 is a sequence diagram showing the vascular state information acquisition process according to the fifth embodiment, which is performed by the vascular state information acquisition system 100. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 24 is performed mainly by the processing unit 60 and the server processing unit 120 in cooperation with each element of the vascular state information acquisition system 100, based on the vascular state information acquisition program that is stored in advance in the storage unit 11 and the server storage unit 111. The vascular state information acquisition process shown in Figure 24 is performed, for example, in response to an operation by the user instructing the start of the vascular state information acquisition process.

[0090] First, the imaging processing unit 21 acquires color image information indicating a color image of a body part captured via the imaging unit 14 based on the user's instructions, similar to the process shown in S101 (S701). Next, the signal input / output unit 61 outputs a color image signal indicating a color image to the server 101 (S702). Then, the server signal input / output unit 121 acquires color image information indicating a color image in response to the input of a color image signal (S703), and stores the acquired color image information in the server storage unit 111.

[0091] Next, the image processing unit 122 generates difference image information (S704) that shows the difference image based on the difference value, which is the difference between the green pixel value and the blue pixel value, as the analyzed image, and stores the generated difference image information in the server storage unit 111. Next, the vascular state information generation unit 123 extracts two regions, the first region A1 and the second region A2, from the difference image processed in the process shown in S704 (S705). Next, the vascular state information generation unit 123 calculates the average brightness value, which is the average value of the brightness values ​​in the first region A1 and the second region A2 extracted in the process shown in S705 (S706), and stores the average brightness value information (S706) that shows the calculated average brightness value in the server storage unit 111. Next, the vascular state information generation unit 123 calculates the brightness difference value (S707) that is the difference between the average brightness values ​​of the first region A1 and the second region A2, and stores the brightness difference value information (S707) that shows the calculated brightness difference value in the server storage unit 111. The processes shown in S704-S707 are the same as those shown in S102-S105, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0092] Next, the server signal input / output unit 121 outputs a luminance difference signal indicating the luminance difference value to the vascular state information acquisition device 6 (S708). Then, the signal input / output unit 61 acquires luminance difference information indicating the luminance difference value in response to the input of the luminance difference signal (S709), and stores the acquired luminance difference information in the storage unit 11. Then, the vascular state signal output unit 24 outputs a vascular state signal to the display unit 13, indicating the luminance difference value calculated in the process shown in S105, the color image acquired in the process shown in S101, and the difference image processed in the process shown in S102 (S710).

[0093] The vascular condition information acquisition system 100 performs some or all of the processing, such as image processing, extraction of the first region A1 and the second region A2, generation of differential image information, and comparison of accumulated past data and storage of values, on the server 101, thereby enabling faster blood flow condition acquisition processing.

[0094] In the described vascular status information acquisition process, the server 101 executes the processes indicated in S704 to S707, but the server 101 only needs to execute at least one of the processes indicated in S704 to S707. For example, the process indicated in S704 may be executed by the vascular status information acquisition device 5, and the processes indicated in S705 to S707 may be executed by the server 101. Alternatively, the processes indicated in S704 and S705 may be executed by the vascular status information acquisition device 5, and the processes indicated in S706 and S707 may be executed by the server 101. Alternatively, the processes indicated in S704 to S706 may be executed by the vascular status information acquisition device 5, and the process indicated in S707 may be executed by the server 101. Alternatively, the process indicated in S704 may be executed by the server 101, and the processes indicated in S705 to S707 may be executed by the vascular status information acquisition device 5. Furthermore, the processes indicated in S704 and S705 may be executed by the server 101, and the processes indicated in S706 and S707 may be executed by the vascular condition information acquisition device 5.

[0095] Furthermore, the server 101 may be able to communicate with external information systems via a network, for example, to acquire healthcare-related information such as muscle mass, basal metabolic rate, exercise volume, and medication information from its own information systems. The vascular condition information acquisition system 100 can perform a more detailed analysis of blood flow using the vascular condition information acquired by the vascular condition information acquisition device 5 and the healthcare-related information acquired via the network.

[0096] Regarding image processing, we have explained the difference image between green and blue pixel values. However, by shifting the wavelength band used, the difference image between red and green pixel values ​​can obtain information about arteries and veins in the deeper subcutaneous tissue layer. In the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, there are arteriovenous anastomoses that connect veins and arteries, which are located deeper than the capillaries. The degree of opening of these arteriovenous anastomoses controls the blood flow to the peripheral capillaries. Therefore, in addition to the difference image between green and blue pixel values, the difference image between red and green pixel values ​​can also be used to obtain information about blood flow conditions related to coldness, etc.

[0097] Furthermore, while the explanation has described how the image processing units 22 and 122 generate a difference image based on the difference between the green pixel value and the blue or red pixel value in the image, other methods for generating analysis images may also be used. When using an analysis image, the vascular condition information acquisition device according to the embodiment generates analysis image information indicating the analysis image and stores the generated analysis image information in the storage unit.

[0098] It is desirable that the color image captured by the imaging unit 14 be a moving image of 1 second or longer. By making the color image captured by the imaging unit 14 a moving image of 1 second or longer, it becomes possible to eliminate the effect of blood vessels pulsating due to the pulse. When the color image captured by the imaging unit 14 is a single still image, it captures one of the timings in which blood vessels contract or expand, so when compared with a color image at a different point in time, the effect of pulsation is included, and the accuracy of detecting the vascular state decreases. A moving image of 1 second or longer captured by the imaging unit 14 as a color image is composed of multiple still images, and by using the integrated value or average value of the brightness values ​​contained in each still image, it is possible to acquire the vascular state while suppressing the effect of pulse rate fluctuations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1-5 Vascular condition information acquisition device Processing Units 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 21 Imaging Processing Unit 22, 122 Image Processing Unit 23, 123 Vascular State Information Generation Unit 24. Vascular status signal output unit 31 Initial setting section 41 Time-series change information generation unit 51 Temperature information acquisition section 61 Signal Input / Output Section 100 Vascular Condition Information Acquisition System

Claims

[

1. ] an imaging processing unit that acquires image information representing an image including a body part of a user; an image processing unit that analyzes said image and generates analyzed image information representing the analyzed analyzed image; a blood vessel state information generating unit that generates blood vessel state information indicating a blood flow state, which is a state of blood flow in a first region, from a luminance difference value that is a difference between a luminance value of the first region extracted from the analyzed image and a luminance value of a second region that does not include said first region; a blood vessel state signal output unit that outputs a blood vessel state signal indicating said blood flow state; A blood vessel state information acquisition device comprising: [

2. ] The blood vessel state information acquisition device according to claim 1, wherein said blood vessel state information generating unit scans a calculation region within a scanning region that does not include said first region, and sets said second region in accordance with a respective luminance value of said calculation region. [

3. ] The blood vessel state information generating unit determines whether or not said second region has already been set, The blood vessel state information acquisition device according to claim 2, wherein when said second region has already been set, the process of setting said second region is not executed. [

4. ] The blood vessel state information acquisition device according to claim 2, wherein said blood vessel state information generating unit generates said blood vessel state information from the luminance value of said first region and the luminance value of a central region of said second region. [

5. ] The blood vessel state information acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an initialization unit that calculates a first luminance difference value which is a difference between the luminance value of said first region and the luminance value of said second region in a first cold state, and a second luminance difference value which is a difference between the luminance value of said first region and the luminance value of said second region in a second cold state different from the first cold state. [

6. ] The blood vessel state information acquisition device according to claim 5, wherein said blood vessel state signal output unit outputs said blood vessel state signal indicating said luminance difference value. [

7. ] The blood vessel state information generating unit converts said luminance difference value into a coldness degree index indicating a degree of coldness using said first luminance difference value and said second luminance difference value, The blood vessel state information acquisition device according to claim 5, wherein said blood vessel state signal output unit outputs said blood vessel state signal indicating said coldness degree index. [

8. ] further comprising a temporal change information generating unit that generates temporal change information indicating a temporal change of said blood flow state, The blood vessel state information acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said blood vessel state signal output unit outputs said blood vessel state signal corresponding to said temporal change information. [

9. ] The initial setting unit acquires first temperature information indicating a first temperature which is the surface temperature of the first region in the first cold state, and also acquires second temperature information indicating a second temperature which is the surface temperature of the first region in the second cold state. The vascular state information generation unit uses the first temperature information and the second temperature information to convert the brightness difference value into the temperature of the first region. The vascular state information acquisition device according to claim 5, wherein the vascular state signal output unit outputs the vascular state signal indicating the temperature of the first region.

10. The vascular state information acquisition device according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit generates difference image information indicating a difference image based on the difference between the green pixel value and the blue or red pixel value in the image, as the analyzed image information.

11. An imaging processing unit that acquires image information showing an image including a part of the user's body, An image processing unit analyzes the aforementioned image and generates analysis image information showing the analyzed image, A vascular state information generation unit generates vascular state information indicating the blood flow state, which is the state of blood flow in the first region, from a brightness difference value, which is the difference between the brightness value of the first region extracted from the aforementioned analysis image and the brightness value of the second region that does not include the first region. A vascular state signal output unit that outputs a vascular state signal indicating the blood flow state, A vascular condition information acquisition system characterized by having the following features.

12. Obtain image information that includes images of the user's body parts, The aforementioned image is analyzed, and analysis image information showing the analyzed image is generated. From the brightness difference value, which is the difference between the brightness value of the first region extracted from the aforementioned analysis image and the brightness value of the second region that does not include the first region, vascular state information indicating the blood flow state, which is the state of blood flow in the first region, is generated. Outputs a vascular state signal indicating the blood flow state. A method for acquiring vascular condition information, characterized by including the following:

13. Obtain image information that includes images of the user's body parts, The aforementioned image is analyzed, and analysis image information showing the analyzed image is generated. From the brightness difference value, which is the difference between the brightness value of the first region extracted from the aforementioned analysis image and the brightness value of the second region that does not include the first region, vascular state information indicating the blood flow state, which is the state of blood flow in the first region, is generated. Outputs a vascular state signal indicating the blood flow state. A program for acquiring vascular condition information, characterized by having a computer perform the processing.

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