Image processing device and image processing system

Abstract

To provide a technique that can generate data on measured results without requiring user's input.SOLUTION: An image processing device comprises a format data obtaining part, a measurement data obtaining part, a generating part, and a record processing part. The format data obtaining part obtains format data including a measurement item. The measurement data obtaining part obtains measurement data on a living body related to the measurement item from an electronic instrument, on the basis of communication with the electronic instrument related to the measurement item. The generating part generates data on measurement results including biological information based on the measurement item and the measurement data. The recording processing part records the data on measurement results.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing device and an image processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus having a scanner function, a technique is known in which scanner data is analyzed and processing is performed based on the analyzed data.

[0003] Incidentally, it is common for measurement values ​​to be manually input into test formats for health checkups, etc. Manually inputting measurement values ​​for each item in a test format is time-consuming and can lead to input errors. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-54394 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, there is a need for a technique that makes it easy to input measurement values ​​of an inspection format in an image forming apparatus.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can generate measurement result data without requiring user input. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one embodiment, the image processing device includes a format data acquisition unit, a measurement data acquisition unit, a generation unit, and a recording processing unit. The format data acquisition unit acquires format data including measurement items. The measurement data acquisition unit acquires biological measurement data related to the measurement items from the electronic device based on communication with the electronic device related to measurement of the measurement items. The generation unit generates measurement result data including biological information based on the measurement items and the measurement data. The recording processing unit records the measurement result data. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a form including measurement items according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of measurement result data according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing another example of measurement result data according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of the image processing operation in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals whenever possible, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0010] [System Configuration] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an image processing system S including an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. The image processing system S includes an image forming apparatus 1, an external device 2, and a user terminal 3. The image forming apparatus 1, the external device 2, and the user terminal 3 are connected to each other via a network NW, either wired or wirelessly, for free communication. For example, the network NW may include at least one of the Internet, a mobile network, and a local area network (LAN). The image processing system S may also refer to a system having two of the image forming apparatus 1, the external device 2, and the user terminal 3. In the image processing system S, the image forming apparatus 1 acquires an examination format for a medical checkup or the like. The image forming apparatus 1 acquires measurement data from the external device 2 corresponding to unmeasured measurement items included in the examination format. The image forming apparatus 1 performs processing to fill the examination format with biometric information based on the measurement data. The examination format refers to a form including at least one measurement item related to a medical checkup or the like. The examination format may be printed paper or data. The examination format is also referred to as a form. The measurement items are items that can be measured by the external device 2. The paper is an example of a sheet.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 1 is an electronic device equipped with an electrophotographic printing function. The image forming apparatus 1 will be described as a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) equipped with functions such as a copy function, a print function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function. An example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described later. The image forming apparatus 1 is an example of an image processing apparatus.

[0012] The external device 2 is an electronic device that measures the user's biometrics, acquires biometric measurement data, and outputs the measurement data to the image forming apparatus 1. The electronic device includes a computer. The external device 2 may be configured, for example, as a wearable device such as a smart watch or smart glasses, a camera built into a smartphone, or a camera provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The camera measures the user's biometrics. The external device 2 may be configured with sensors capable of acquiring biometric data, such as a vital sign sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a sound sensor, a motion sensor, a vibration sensor, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, a position sensor, a switch sensor, or a gyro sensor. The biometric data is an example of measurement data. The sensor measures the user's biometrics. The external device 2 may be one of the above-mentioned external devices, or a combination of multiple types. The external device 2 includes a control unit, a communication circuit, and an input / output interface similar to the control unit 10, communication circuit 40, and input / output interface 50, which are provided in the image forming apparatus 1 and will be described later. The control unit includes a control circuit, main memory, and storage similar to the control circuit 11, main memory 12, and storage 13, which are described later and are included in the image forming apparatus 1. The control circuit loads a program stored in advance in the main memory or the storage into the main memory. The control circuit executes the program loaded in the main memory to perform various operations. The control circuit acquires biological measurement data and outputs the acquired measurement data to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network NW. The control circuit may also output the acquired measurement data to the user terminal 3 via the network NW. The communication circuit is an interface that connects the external device 2 and devices such as the image forming apparatus 1 to communicate with each other via the network NW. The input / output interface is an interface that connects the external device 2 and devices such as the image forming apparatus 1 via a wired connection. The external device 2 is an example of a sensing device that acquires measurement data.

[0013] The user terminal 3 is an electronic device capable of processing information. For example, the user terminal 3 is a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like, but is not limited to these. The user terminal 3 transmits print data to the image forming apparatus 1. The print data is job data related to printing requested from the user terminal 3 to the image forming apparatus 1. The print data includes print settings input by the user on the user terminal 3. The print settings include various settings related to printing, such as color mode, paper type, print mode, number of copies to be printed, and paper size. Paper is an example of a medium. The print data includes data to be printed specified by the user on the user terminal 3. The print data includes user identification information.

[0014] [Device configuration] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a control panel 20, a scanner unit 30, a communication circuit 40, an input / output interface 50, a power supply circuit 60, and a printer unit 70.

[0015] The control unit 10 controls the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 10 includes a control circuit 11, a main memory 12, and a storage 13. The control unit 10 constitutes a computer of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0016] The control circuit 11 corresponds to the central part of the image forming apparatus 1. The control circuit 11 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). In addition to or instead of the CPU, the control circuit 11 may include an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The control circuit 11 loads a program stored in advance in the main memory 12 or the storage 13 into the main memory 12. The control circuit 11 executes the program loaded into the main memory 12 to perform various operations.

[0017] The main memory 12 corresponds to the main storage portion of the image forming apparatus 1. The main memory 12 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores an operating system or a program in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten as appropriate by the control circuit 11. For example, the main memory 12 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) as a nonvolatile memory area. For example, the main memory 12 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a volatile memory area.

[0018] The storage 13 corresponds to an auxiliary storage portion of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the storage 13 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage 13 may include a semiconductor storage medium such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) in addition to or instead of the HDD. The storage 13 stores the above-mentioned programs, data used by the control circuit 11 when performing various processes, and data generated by the processes of the control circuit 11. The storage 13 may also store print data.

[0019] The storage 13 includes a user information storage area 130. The user information storage area 130 stores user information for each user. The user information includes user identification information, user attribute information, identification information of the user terminal 3 used by the user, identification information of the external device 2 used by the user, the user's biometric information history, information indicating whether or not an abnormal value notification is required, and information on the destination of abnormal value notification. The user identification information is unique identification information assigned to each user to identify the user. The user attribute information includes information such as gender and age. The identification information of the user terminal 3 is unique identification information assigned to each user terminal 3 to identify each user terminal 3. The identification information of the user terminal 3 includes the IP address of the user terminal 3, etc. The identification information of the external device 2 is unique identification information assigned to each external device 2 to identify each external device 2. The identification information of the external device 2 includes the IP address of the external device 2, etc. The biometric information history indicates a record of the history of past biometric information based on measurement data previously acquired by the external device 2. The biometric information is information generated based on measurement data acquired by the external device 2. Biological information is, for example, information generated from measurement data according to the measurement unit or measurement level for each measurement item. Measurement units include, for example, "°C," "mmHg," "%," etc., according to the measurement item. Measurement levels include, for example, "good, normal, poor," "high, medium, low," etc., according to the measurement item. In the following description, "generate" may be read as "convert."

[0020] The information indicating whether or not to notify an abnormal value includes information indicating whether to issue a predetermined notification when biological information based on measurement data acquired by the external device 2 indicates an abnormal value. An abnormal value is a value determined based on the degree of deviation from a reference value for a measurement item. In the following description, "value" includes both a numerical value and a level. An abnormal value may be, for example, a value exceeding a reference value or a value below a reference value. For example, a case will be described in which the measurement item is blood pressure. If the reference value for systolic blood pressure is 129 or less, the abnormal value is a value exceeding 129. An abnormal value may be a value exceeding a predetermined range from the reference value or a value below the predetermined range from the reference value. For example, a case will be described in which the measurement item is stress level. If the reference value for stress level is 50 or less and the predetermined range is "10 above the reference value," the abnormal value is a value exceeding 60. An abnormal value may be a value determined based on the degree of deviation from biological information at a certain point in time in the past, based on the user's biological information history.

[0021] The information on the recipient of the abnormal value notification includes the email address, fax number, etc. of the institution to which the abnormal value is to be notified. The institution to which the abnormal value is to be notified includes a contact person designated by the user or a medical institution related to the measurement item.

[0022] The storage 13 includes a reference value storage area 131. The reference value storage area 131 stores reference values ​​associated with measurement items. The reference values ​​are values ​​set for each measurement item to determine whether a value is normal or abnormal. The reference values ​​may be predetermined values ​​or values ​​indicating a predetermined range. The reference values ​​include, for example, values ​​such as "XX or more," "YY or less," or "XXX to YYY."

[0023] The storage 13 includes a measurement result data storage area 132. The measurement result data storage area 132 stores measurement result data including measurement items and biological information based on the measurement data.

[0024] The measurement result data is data indicating biological information for each measurement item. The measurement result data may be, for example, a table showing numerical values ​​or levels indicated by the biological information for each measurement item. The measurement result data may include time series data of the biological information described below. The measurement result data may include, as time series data, a graph showing the biological information for each measurement item. The measurement result data may include both a table and a graph. The measurement result data may include abnormality information indicating an abnormality in the biological information.

[0025] The control panel 20 includes a display element 21, a touch panel 22, and input buttons 23.

[0026] The display element 21 is a display element that displays an image. The display element 21 is, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, or the like. The touch panel 22 is a device that is laminated on the display element 21 to form a touch screen together with the display element 21. The touch panel 22 detects a user's contact with the display element 21. The touch panel 22 is an example of an input interface that inputs user instructions. The input button 23 is a button that can be pressed, such as a print start button. The input button 23 is an example of an input interface that inputs user instructions.

[0027] The scanner unit 30 is a device that reads images such as characters, figures, and photographs drawn on paper placed at a predetermined position. The scanner unit 30 includes a line sensor. The line sensor may be a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type or a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) type. The scanner unit 30 generates image data based on an image read using the line sensor. The scanner unit 30 transmits the generated image data to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 stores the received image data in the storage 13 or transmits it to the printer unit 70.

[0028] The communication circuit 40 is an interface for communicating with devices external to the image forming apparatus 1. The communication circuit 40 connects the image forming apparatus 1 and the user terminal 3 so that they can communicate with each other via the network NW. The communication circuit 40 connects the image forming apparatus 1 and the external device 2 so that they can communicate with each other via the network NW.

[0029] The input / output interface 50 is an interface for connecting an external device 2 mounted on the image forming apparatus 1. The input / output interface 50 includes a connector for a wired cable for connecting the image forming apparatus 1 and the external device 2.

[0030] The power supply circuit 60 converts AC power supplied from a commercial power source into DC power and supplies the power to each part of the image forming apparatus 1. The power supply circuit 60 can be controlled by the control circuit 11.

[0031] The printer unit 70 is a unit that forms an image on paper. For example, the printer unit 70 forms an image on paper based on image data generated by the scanner unit 30 or print data transmitted from the user terminal 3 via the network NW. The printer unit 70 forms a measurement result image on paper based on measurement result data. Here, an example of the printer unit 70 using a tandem toner image transfer unit will be described. The printer unit 70 includes a storage section 71, a conveying section 72, an image forming section 73, and a fixing section 74.

[0032] The storage unit 71 stores paper. The storage unit 71 includes a paper feed cassette and a pickup roller. The paper feed cassette stores paper. The pickup roller picks up paper one sheet at a time from the paper feed cassette. The pickup roller supplies the picked-up paper to the transport unit 72.

[0033] The transport section 72 transports paper in the printer unit 70. The transport section 72 includes a plurality of rollers and a registration roller. The plurality of rollers includes a roller that transports paper supplied by a pickup roller to the registration roller. The plurality of rollers includes a roller that is provided downstream of a fixing section 74 (described later) and discharges the paper to a paper discharge section. The registration roller transports the paper to the transfer section in accordance with the timing at which the transfer section of the image forming section 73 (described later) transfers a toner image onto the paper.

[0034] The image forming unit 73 forms a toner image on paper and includes an intermediate transfer belt, multiple developing units, an exposure unit, a transfer unit, and the like.

[0035] The intermediate transfer belt is an endless belt.

[0036] The multiple developing units correspond to the number of toner types. The multiple developing units include a black developing unit, a cyan developing unit, a magenta developing unit, and a yellow developing unit. Each developing unit includes a photosensitive drum. Each developing unit includes a charger, a developing device, a primary transfer roller, a cleaning unit, and a static eliminator around the photosensitive drum. The photosensitive drum is a drum with a photosensitive layer on its surface. The charger uniformly charges the photosensitive layer on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum with toner. The developing device forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The primary transfer roller faces the photosensitive drum, sandwiching an intermediate transfer belt between them. The primary transfer roller transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum onto the intermediate transfer belt. The cleaning unit removes untransferred toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum. The static eliminator irradiates light onto the surface of the photosensitive drum. The static eliminator irradiates light to eliminate static electricity from the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum.

[0037] The exposure unit irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum of each developing unit with laser light via an optical system such as a polygon mirror, forming a static electricity pattern on the surface of the photosensitive drum as an electrostatic latent image.

[0038] The transfer unit transfers the charged toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt to paper. The transfer unit includes a support roller and a secondary transfer roller configured to sandwich the intermediate transfer belt and paper from both sides in the thickness direction.

[0039] The fixing unit 74 applies heat and pressure to the paper on which the toner image is formed and which is supplied from the image forming unit 73. The fixing unit 74 fixes the toner image formed on the paper by the heat and pressure.

[0040] The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to the above configuration. The image forming apparatus 1 allows the above components to be omitted or changed, and new components to be added, as appropriate.

[0041] Each unit realized in the above-mentioned control circuit 11 will be described. The control circuit 11 realizes a format data acquisition unit 110, a user information acquisition unit 111, a measurement data acquisition unit 112, a generation unit 113, a recording processing unit 114, an abnormality detection unit 115, and an output unit 116. Each unit realized in the control circuit 11 can also be referred to as each function. Each unit realized in the control circuit 11 can also be referred to as being realized in a control unit including the control circuit 11 and the main memory 12.

[0042] The format data acquisition unit 110 acquires format data such as an inspection format including measurement items. The format data includes image data of the inspection format or text data of the inspection format. The format data acquisition unit 110 may acquire format data generated via the scanner unit 30, or may acquire format data from the user terminal 3 as data to be printed. In the following description, "acquire" may be read as "receive."

[0043] The format data acquisition unit 110 analyzes the acquired format data and acquires the measurement items included in the format data. The format data acquisition unit 110 determines whether there are any unmeasured measurement items among the measurement items. An unmeasured measurement item refers to a measurement item for which no biological information has been recorded. An unmeasured measurement item is also called an unmeasured item.

[0044] The user information acquisition unit 111 acquires user information from the user information storage area 130. The user information acquisition unit 111 may identify a user from information included in the format data acquired by the format data acquisition unit 110. The user information acquisition unit 111 may acquire user identification information using a contactless card reader or the like provided in the image forming apparatus 1 to identify the user. The user identification information is information that can identify each user. The user identification information is information used for user authentication by the image forming apparatus 1. The user information acquisition unit 111 acquires user information associated with the user identification information from the user information storage area 130 based on the acquired user identification information.

[0045] The measurement data acquiring unit 112 acquires user measurement data from the external device 2 related to the measurement of the measurement item via the communication circuit 40 or the input / output interface 50. The measurement data acquiring unit 112 acquires measurement data based on unmeasured items included in the format data acquired by the format data acquiring unit 110. The measurement data acquiring unit 112 selects an external device 2 related to the unmeasured item based on user information and acquires measurement data from the selected external device 2. The measurement data acquiring unit 112 may acquire measurement data from an external device 2 pre-associated with the measurement item. If the external device 2 is a camera, the external device 2 captures vital signs such as changes in skin color and lung movement. The measurement data in this case includes measurement results such as body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, level of consciousness, and complexion information. If the external device 2 is a wearable device, the external device 2 measures height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, blood pressure, etc. The measurement data in this case includes measurement results such as height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, blood pressure, and sleep level. The measurement data acquisition unit 112 may periodically access the external device 2 to acquire the measurement data.

[0046] The generation unit 113 generates biometric information based on the measurement data. The generation unit 113 generates time series data of biometric information based on the user's biometric information history included in the user information and biometric information based on newly acquired measurement data. The biometric information based on newly acquired measurement data is also referred to as current biometric information. The time series data may be data that displays past biometric information and current biometric information side by side in chronological order. The time series data may be a graph showing biometric information generated from the past biometric information and current biometric information. The time series data may include the measurement date of the measurement data. The time series data may include a comparison result between the most recent biometric information and the current biometric information. The time series data may be generated as data in any display format.

[0047] The generating unit 113 generates measurement result data including measurement items and biological information. The generating unit 113 may generate measurement result data including time-series data. The generating unit 113 may generate measurement result data including abnormality information. The generating unit 113 may generate image data indicating the measurement results as the measurement result data.

[0048] The recording processing unit 114 records the measurement result data. The recording processing unit 114 may control the printer unit 70 to print the measurement result data as a record of the measurement result data. The recording processing unit 114 may save the measurement result data in the measurement result data memory area 132 of the storage 13 as a record of the measurement result data.

[0049] The abnormality detection unit 115 detects an abnormality in the current biological information based on the reference value of the biological information. The abnormality detection unit 115 acquires the reference value of the biological information for each measurement item from the reference value storage area 131. The abnormality detection unit 115 compares the reference value of the biological information for each measurement item with the current biological information to detect an abnormal value. The abnormality detection unit 115 may detect an abnormal value based on the user's biological information history. The abnormality detection unit 115 determines whether or not to notify the abnormal value based on the user information.

[0050] The output unit 116 outputs a notification of the abnormal value based on the result of the determination by the abnormality detection unit 115 as to whether or not notification of the abnormal value is necessary. The output unit 116 outputs the notification of the abnormal value to the notification destination institution based on the user information. The output unit 116 may output the notification of the abnormal value and the time-series data of the biometric information to the notification destination institution. In the following description, "output" may be read as "send."

[0051] The test format including measurement items will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a form including measurement items according to an embodiment. The test format shown in Figure 3 includes multiple measurement items used in health checkups. The measurement items include, for example, body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen concentration, sleep level, and stress level. In the test format shown in Figure 3, all measurement items are blank. Blank measurement items indicate unmeasured items for which no measurement data has been recorded.

[0052] The measurement result data will now be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of measurement result data according to the embodiment. The measurement result data shown in FIG. 4 is an example of data in which measurement data is acquired for the test format shown in FIG. 3 and biological information is recorded. For example, for the measurement items of body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and blood oxygen concentration, information is recorded that is generated from the measurement results indicated in the measurement data according to the measurement unit for each measurement item. For the measurement items of sleep level and stress level, information is recorded that is generated from the measurement results indicated in the measurement data according to the measurement level for each measurement item. For the measurement item "sleep level," for example, the measurement results indicated in the measurement data are classified into "good," "normal," or "poor," and the classification results are recorded as biological information. For the measurement item "stress level," for example, the measurement results indicated in the measurement data are classified into "high," "medium," or "low," and the classification results are recorded as biological information. The measurement results indicated in the measurement data may be classified according to a preset value or by a known method.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing another example of measurement result data according to the embodiment. The measurement result data shown in FIG. 5 is another example of an image in which measurement data is acquired for the test format shown in FIG. 3 and biological information is recorded. The measurement result data shown in FIG. 5 is a graph showing time-series data of biological information for each measurement item. FIG. 5 shows a graph generated based on biological information based on measurement data acquired from July 11 to July 18 for the measurement items "body temperature," "sleep level," and "stress level" of a certain user. The graph may be generated for all measurement items, or may be generated for measurement items preset by the user or administrator, etc. The graph may be generated for a measurement item of biological information in which an abnormality was detected. The user can visually check the measurement results by viewing the graph.

[0054] The processing procedure by the image processing system S will be described. In the following process, it is assumed that a user of the image forming apparatus 1 scans an examination format for a medical checkup as shown in FIG. 3 via the scanner unit 30. The image processing system S performs the following process in response to the user scanning the examination format. Note that the data of the examination format for a medical checkup may be output to the image forming apparatus 1 via the user terminal 3 used by the user. In this case, the image processing system S performs the following process in response to the data of the examination format being output to the image forming apparatus 1 by the user.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the image processing operation in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. The processing procedures described below are merely examples, and each process may be modified as much as possible. Furthermore, steps may be omitted, replaced, or added as appropriate depending on the embodiment.

[0056] The format data acquisition unit 110 acquires format data such as an inspection format including measurement items (ACT 1). In ACT 1, for example, the format data acquisition unit 110 acquires format data generated via the scanner unit 30. In this case, the format data acquisition unit 110 acquires image data of the inspection format. The format data acquisition unit 110 may also acquire format data that is to be printed and is included in print data output via the user terminal 3. In this case, the format data acquisition unit 110 acquires text data or image data of the inspection format.

[0057] The user information acquisition unit 111 acquires user information from the user information storage area 130 (ACT2). In ACT2, for example, the user information acquisition unit 111 identifies the user based on the format data. When the format data is included in the print data, the user information acquisition unit 111 may identify the user based on user identification information included in the print data. The user information acquisition unit 111 may identify the user based on user identification information associated with the format data. The user identification information associated with the format data includes, for example, identification information of the user terminal 3. The user information acquisition unit 111 may acquire the user identification information using a contactless card reader or the like provided in the image forming apparatus 1 and identify the user. The user information acquisition unit 111 acquires user information associated with the identified user from the user information storage area 130.

[0058] The format data acquisition unit 110 analyzes the format data (ACT3). In ACT3, for example, if the format data is image data, the format data acquisition unit 110 analyzes the image data using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) or the like. The format data acquisition unit 110 acquires measurement items using a keyword search or the like based on the analyzed data. If the format data is text data, the format data acquisition unit 110 acquires measurement items using keywords or the like included in the text data. The format data acquisition unit 110 may acquire measurement items based on format data registered in advance in the image forming apparatus 1. The measurement items may be acquired using known techniques.

[0059] The format data acquisition unit 110 determines whether there are any unmeasured measurement items (ACT4). In ACT4, for example, the format data acquisition unit 110 determines whether biometric information is recorded in the biometric information input field corresponding to the measurement item. A measurement item for which biometric information is not recorded in the biometric information input field is an example of an unmeasured item. If the format data acquisition unit 110 determines that there are any unmeasured items (ACT4: YES), the process transitions from ACT4 to ACT5. If the format data acquisition unit 110 determines that there are no unmeasured items (ACT4: NO), the process transitions from ACT4 to ACT6.

[0060] The measurement data acquisition unit 112 acquires biological measurement data related to the measurement item from the external device 2 based on communication with the external device 2 related to the measurement of the measurement item (ACT 5). In ACT 5, for example, the measurement data acquisition unit 112 acquires unmeasured items. The measurement data acquisition unit 112 accesses at least one external device 2 associated with the unmeasured items based on user information. The measurement data acquisition unit 112 outputs a measurement data acquisition instruction to the external device 2. The measurement data acquisition instruction includes, for example, an instruction to start the external device 2, an instruction to take a photograph, an instruction to measure, etc. The measurement data acquisition unit 112 acquires the user's measurement data from the external device 2. The measurement data acquisition unit 112 may acquire measurement data from an external device 2 that is pre-associated with the measurement item, regardless of the user information. The measurement data acquisition unit 112 may acquire measurement data from multiple different external devices 2. In this case, measurement data from multiple external devices 2 can be collected and recorded collectively.

[0061] The generating unit 113 generates time series data based on the biometric information history and biometric information included in the user information (ACT6). In ACT6, for example, the generating unit 113 generates current biometric information based on measurement data. The generating unit 113 acquires the biometric information history from the user information. The generating unit 113 generates time series data based on the biometric information history and the generated current biometric information.

[0062] The abnormality detection unit 115 detects an abnormality in the biological information based on the measurement data, based on the reference value of the biological information (ACT 7). In ACT 7, for example, the abnormality detection unit 115 acquires the reference value of the biological information for each unmeasured item from the reference value storage area 131. The abnormality detection unit 115 determines whether the current biological information indicates an abnormal value, based on the reference value of the biological information for each unmeasured item and the current biological information. Determining that the current biological information indicates an abnormal value is an example of detecting an abnormality in the biological information.

[0063] In one example, the anomaly detection unit 115 compares the reference value of the biological information for each unmeasured item with the current biological information. When the current biological information indicates a value that exceeds the reference value or a value that is below the reference value, the anomaly detection unit 115 detects an anomaly in the biological information. In another example, the anomaly detection unit 115 may detect an anomaly in the biological information when the current biological information indicates a value that exceeds a predetermined range from the reference value or a value that is below the predetermined range from the reference value. The predetermined range may be a range set in advance or may be a range set as appropriate by an administrator or the like.

[0064] The anomaly detection unit 115 may detect an anomaly in the biometric information based on the degree of deviation from biometric information at a certain point in time in the past, based on the user's biometric information history. In this case, the anomaly detection unit 115 acquires the user's biometric information history for each unmeasured item from the user information. The anomaly detection unit 115 compares the biometric information at a certain point in time in the past with the current biometric information for each unmeasured item. The anomaly detection unit 115 detects an anomaly in the biometric information when the degree of deviation between the biometric information at a certain point in time in the past and the current biometric information for each unmeasured item exceeds a predetermined value. The predetermined value may be a range set in advance or may be a range set appropriately by an administrator or the like. The biometric information at a certain point in the past may be the most recent biometric information or may be the average value of biometric information at multiple points in the past.

[0065] The anomaly detection unit 115 may detect anomalies in the biometric information for all measurement items included in the test format. In this case, the current biometric information includes the biometric information recorded in the test format and biometric information based on newly measured measurement data. The anomaly detection unit 115 acquires reference values ​​of the biometric information for all measurement items. The anomaly detection unit 115 determines whether the current biometric information indicates an abnormal value based on the reference value of the biometric information for each measurement item and the current biometric information. The anomaly detection unit 115 may acquire the user's biometric information history for each measurement item from the user information. The anomaly detection unit 115 may detect anomalies in the biometric information by comparing the biometric information for each measurement item at a certain point in the past with the current biometric information.

[0066] If the abnormality detection unit 115 detects an abnormality in the biological information (ACT7: YES), the process proceeds from ACT7 to ACT8. If the abnormality detection unit 115 does not detect an abnormality in the biological information (ACT7: NO), the process proceeds from ACT7 to ACT10.

[0067] The abnormality detection unit 115 determines whether or not an abnormal value notification is required based on the user information (ACT8). In ACT8, for example, the abnormality detection unit 115 acquires information indicating whether or not an abnormal value notification is required from the user information. If the abnormality detection unit 115 determines that an abnormal value notification is required (ACT8: YES), the process transitions from ACT8 to ACT9. If the abnormality detection unit 115 determines that an abnormal value notification is not required (ACT8: NO), the process transitions from ACT8 to ACT10.

[0068] In response to the detection of an abnormality by the abnormality detection unit 115, the output unit 116 outputs a notification of the abnormal value based on the result of the determination of whether or not a notification of the abnormal value is required (ACT 9). In ACT 9, for example, if the result of the determination of whether or not a notification of the abnormal value is required by the abnormality detection unit 115 is that an abnormal value notification is required, the output unit 116 acquires information about the notification destination institution based on the user information. The output unit 116 outputs the notification of the abnormal value to the notification destination institution. In one example, the output unit 116 outputs the notification of the abnormal value to the email address of the notification destination institution. In another example, the output unit 116 outputs the notification of the abnormal value to the fax number of the notification destination institution. Note that the output unit 116 may output the user's biometric information or time-series data along with the notification of the abnormal value. The output unit 116 may control the printer unit 70 to print the notification of the abnormal value. In the following description, "in response" may be read as "based on."

[0069] The generating unit 113 generates measurement result data including biological information based on the measurement items and measurement data (ACT10). In ACT10, for example, the generating unit 113 generates measurement result data in which current biological information is associated with each measurement item. The generating unit 113 may generate measurement result data including time series data. The generating unit 113 may generate measurement result data including abnormality information indicating an abnormality in the biological information. The generating unit 113 may generate the measurement result data in any format such as text data, graph data, or image data. The abnormality information is information that indicates an abnormal value in an identifiable manner. The abnormality information may be data in any display format such as text data, an icon, a symbol, or an image.

[0070] The recording processing unit 114 records the measurement result data (ACT11). In one example, the recording processing unit 114 controls the printer unit 70 to print the measurement result data. In another example, the recording processing unit 114 saves the measurement result data in the measurement result data memory area 132 of the storage 13.

[0071] Although an example in which the generation unit 113 generates time-series data has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. The generation unit 113 does not necessarily have to generate time-series data. In this example, the generation unit 113 omits the processing of ACT6.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, the examination format for a medical checkup has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The embodiment can be applied to various formats including measurement items that can be measured by the external device 2. The various formats include, for example, a format for inspecting a device.

[0073] (effect) An image processing device according to an embodiment acquires format data including measurement items. The image processing device acquires biological measurement data related to the measurement items from an electronic device based on communication with the electronic device related to measurement of the measurement items. The image processing device generates measurement result data including biological information based on the measurement items and the measurement data. The image processing device records the measurement result data. This allows the image processing device to acquire measurement data from the electronic device for the measurement items included in the format data and record the measurement result data. Therefore, the image processing device can create measurement result data without requiring user input. In this way, the image processing device can eliminate the hassle of inputting measurement data and generate measurement result data without input errors.

[0074] An image processing device according to an embodiment acquires user information including a biometric information history. The image processing device generates time-series data of the biometric information based on the biometric information history and the biometric information included in the user information. Measurement result data includes the time-series data. This allows the image processing device to provide the user with a history of measurement results for each user. This allows the user to visually grasp fluctuations in the measurement results. In this way, by providing the user with a history of measurement results, the image processing device can generate measurement result data that can encourage the user to notice changes in the measurement results.

[0075] An image processing device according to an embodiment detects an abnormality in biological information based on measurement data, based on a reference value of the biological information, and outputs a notification in response to the detection of the abnormality. This allows the image processing device to immediately notify the user of an abnormality, enabling timely and appropriate action to be taken regarding the abnormality in the measurement results. In this way, the image processing device can prompt the user to notice changes in the measurement results by notifying the user of an abnormality based on the user's settings.

[0076] The image processing apparatus according to the embodiment generates measurement result data including abnormality information indicating an abnormality. This allows the image processing device to generate measurement result data that can prompt the user to notice changes in the measurement results.

[0077] The image processing apparatus may be realized by a single device such as the image forming apparatus 1, or may be realized by a plurality of devices with distributed functions.

[0078] The program may be transferred in a state where it is stored in an electronic device, or in a state where it is not stored in an electronic device. In the latter case, the program may be transferred via a network, or in a state where it is recorded on a recording medium. The recording medium is a non-transitory tangible medium. The recording medium is a computer-readable medium. The form of the recording medium is not important as long as it is a medium that can store the program and is computer-readable, such as a CD-ROM or a memory card.

[0079] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1...image forming apparatus, 2...external device, 3...user terminal, 10...control unit, 11...control circuit, 12...main memory, 13...storage, 20...control panel, 21...display element, 22...touch panel, 23...input button, 30...scanner unit, 40...communication circuit, 50...input / output interface, 60...power supply circuit, 70...printer unit, 71...accommodation section, 72...conveyor section, 73...image forming section, 74...fixing section, 110...format data acquisition section, 111...user information acquisition section, 112...measurement data acquisition section, 113...generation section, 114...recording processing section, 115...abnormality detection section, 116...output section, 130...user information storage area, 131...reference value storage area, 132...measurement result data storage area, S...image processing system.

Claims

1. a format data acquisition unit that acquires format data including measurement items; a measurement data acquisition unit that determines whether the measurement items include unmeasured items, and if so, accesses an electronic device associated with the unmeasured items, outputs a measurement instruction to the electronic device to acquire biological measurement data related to the unmeasured items, and acquires the biological measurement data related to the unmeasured items from the electronic device; a generation unit that generates measurement result data including biological information based on the measurement items and the measurement data; a recording processing unit that records the measurement result data; An image processing device comprising:

2. a user information acquisition unit that acquires user information including a biometric information history; Equipped with the generating unit generates time-series data of biometric information based on the biometric information history and the biometric information included in the user information; The measurement result data includes the time series data. The image processing device according to claim 1 .

3. an abnormality detection unit that detects abnormality in the biological information based on a reference value of the biological information; an output unit that outputs a notification in response to the abnormality being detected by the abnormality detection unit; The image processing device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

4. The measurement result data includes abnormality information indicating the abnormality. The image processing device according to claim 3 .

5. In an image processing system including an electronic device and an image processing device, the electronic device is a device that acquires measurement data of a living body and outputs the measurement data to the image processing device, The image processing device includes: a format data acquisition unit that acquires format data including measurement items; a measurement data acquisition unit that determines whether the measurement items include unmeasured items, and if there are unmeasured items, accesses the electronic device associated with the unmeasured items, outputs a measurement instruction to the electronic device to acquire the measurement data related to the unmeasured items, and acquires the measurement data related to the unmeasured items from the electronic device; a generation unit that generates measurement result data including biological information based on the measurement items and the measurement data; a recording processing unit that records the measurement result data; Equipped with Information processing system.

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