Information processing device, control method, and program

Abstract

To allow patient information to be acquired at necessary timing.SOLUTION: A physician-side information processing apparatus communicably connected to a patient-side information processing apparatus includes: setting means for setting patient information to be acquired from a patient and acquisition conditions for acquiring the patient information; transmitting means for transmitting, to the patient-side information processing apparatus, the patient information and the acquisition conditions that have been set by the setting means; and receiving means for receiving, from the patient-side information processing apparatus, the patient information acquired by the patient-side information processing apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for supporting remote medical treatment.

Background Art

[0002] In conventional remote medical treatment systems, it is assumed that correct diagnosis cannot be made because palpation, percussion, etc. cannot be performed. Therefore, for example, inspection kits such as thermometers and stethoscopes that wirelessly communicate with a patient's smartphone or tablet and transmit measurement results to a doctor's PC are commercially available. Further, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for causing a patient to measure necessary biological information based on the patient's interview results.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A doctor may want to obtain patient information when the patient's symptoms change or when the environment affecting the patient changes. In this case, if the doctor can specify appropriate conditions for obtaining patient information according to the patient's symptoms, etc., and can obtain patient information when the specified conditions are satisfied, the patient information can be obtained at the necessary timing.

[0005] However, conventionally, a doctor cannot specify appropriate conditions for obtaining patient information.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to realize a technique capable of obtaining patient information at a necessary timing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems and achieve the objective, the present invention provides a physician-side information processing device that is communicatively connected to a patient-side information processing device, comprising: setting means for setting patient information to be obtained from the patient and acquisition conditions for obtaining the patient information; transmission means for transmitting the patient information and acquisition conditions set by the setting means to the patient-side information processing device; and the patient-side information processing device. to The system includes a receiving means for receiving patient information acquired at the location from the patient's information processing device.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention is a patient-side information processing device that is communicably connected to a physician-side information processing device, comprising: a receiving means for receiving patient information to be obtained from the patient and acquisition conditions for obtaining the patient information from the physician-side information processing device, and when the acquisition conditions are met ,before It has means for acquiring recorded patient information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, patient information can be acquired at the necessary timing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] System configuration diagram of Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing the device configuration of Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] A diagram illustrating the UI provided in the system of Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] A flowchart illustrating the operation of the physician-side information processing device and the patient-side information processing device in the system of Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] System configuration diagram of Embodiment 2. [Figure 6] A diagram illustrating the UI provided in the system of Embodiment 2. [Figure 7] A flowchart illustrating the operation of the patient-side information processing device in the system of Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. While the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any way. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, identical or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0012] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in which the present invention is applied to a system that supports telemedicine (online medical consultation) in which a physician's information processing device and a patient's information processing device are connected to communicate via a network.

[0013] <System Configuration> First, the system configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1.

[0014] The system of this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the telemedicine system) is configured such that a physician-side information processing device used by a physician in a medical facility such as a hospital and a patient-side information processing device used by a patient in a residential facility such as a home or nursing home are connected via a network such as the Internet, and communication is possible via voice or chat using the functions of an application running on the information processing device.

[0015] Furthermore, the telemedicine system of this embodiment includes a physician-side imaging device that generates images from the physician's side and a patient-side imaging device that captures images from the patient's side. Communication can be made smoother by having the physician-side information processing device and the patient-side information processing device send and receive images from the physician's side and the patient's side via a network.

[0016] Note that the telemedicine system of this embodiment will describe an example of a configuration in which the doctor-side imaging device and the patient-side imaging device generate images, and the doctor-side information processing device and the patient-side information processing device distribute the images, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the doctor-side information processing device and the patient-side information processing device may have the functions of the imaging device. The communication form may be either wired or wireless. Also, although an example of connecting a medical facility and a residential facility will be described for the network, it may be a closed intranet inside the medical facility.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the telemedicine system 100 of this embodiment includes a doctor-side information processing device 101, a doctor-side imaging device 102, a patient-side information processing device 103, and a patient-side imaging device 104, and the doctor-side information processing device 101 and the patient-side information processing device 103 are communicably connected via a network 105.

[0018] The doctor-side information processing device 101 is, for example, a desktop or notebook PC (Personal Computer), or a tablet PC. The patient-side information processing device 103 is, for example, a desktop or notebook PC (Personal Computer), a tablet PC, a stick PC, or a smartphone. The doctor-side and patient-side imaging devices 102, 104 are, for example, web cameras, compact cameras, or smartphones. The network 105 is, for example, the Internet, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), or a public wireless communication network such as 4G or 5G. The communication method between the doctor-side information processing device 101 and the patient-side information processing device 103 is, for example, a P2P (Peer to Peer) type communication method, and communication is performed by wire or wirelessly. The communication method between the doctor-side information processing device 101 and the doctor-side imaging device 102 is a wireless communication method such as wireless LAN, infrared communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wireless USB, etc., a public wireless communication method such as 4G or 5G, or a wired communication method such as a USB cable, HDMI (registered trademark), IEEE1394, etc. The communication method between the patient-side information processing device 103 and the patient-side imaging device 104 is a wireless communication method such as wireless LAN, infrared communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wireless USB, etc., a public wireless communication method such as 4G or 5G, or a wired communication method such as a USB cable, HDMI (registered trademark), IEEE1394, etc.

[0019] The doctor-side information processing device 101 transmits doctor-side data to the patient-side information processing device 103 via the network 105. The doctor-side imaging device 102 generates image data including a doctor-side live view and other videos and still images, and transmits it to the doctor-side information processing device 101. Also, the doctor-side information processing device 101 receives patient-side data from the patient-side information processing device 103 via the network 105.

[0020] The doctor-side data is, for example, data such as characters and voices generated by the doctor-side information processing device 101, or image data generated by the doctor-side imaging device 102.

[0021] The patient-side information processing device 103 transmits patient-side data to the physician-side information processing device 101 via the network 105. The patient-side imaging device 104 generates image data, including live views and other videos and still images of the patient, and transmits it to the patient-side information processing device 103. The patient-side information processing device 103 also receives physician-side data from the physician-side information processing device 101 via the network 105.

[0022] Patient-side data includes, for example, data such as text and voice generated by the patient-side information processing device 103, and image data generated by the patient-side imaging device 104.

[0023] With the above configuration, doctors and patients can send and receive data to each other, enabling telemedicine.

[0024] The remote medical assistance system of this embodiment is further provided with at least one first patient information acquisition device 106 and a second patient information acquisition device 107. The patient information acquisition devices 106 and 107 are communicateable to the patient-side information processing device 103. The communication method between the patient-side information processing device 103 and the patient information acquisition devices 106 and 107 is a wireless communication method such as wireless LAN, infrared communication, Bluetooth®, WirelessUSB, public wireless communication methods such as 4G and 5G, or a wired communication method such as USB cable, HDMI®, or IEEE1394.

[0025] The first patient information acquisition device 106 is a camera, microphone, nasal speculum / otoscope, dermoscopy, thermography, stethoscope, thermometer or deep body temperature sensor, blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter, ultrasound machine, electrocardiograph, bot or AI (artificial intelligence)-based medical interview device, etc., for acquiring the first patient information. The first patient information is at least one of the following: the results of the patient's medical interview, images of the patient or affected area, or the patient's biological information.

[0026] The method for acquiring patient information may also be, for example, by having the patient-side information processing device 103 or the patient-side imaging device 104 read the test results displayed on the first patient information acquisition device 106, or by having the first patient information acquisition device 106 read out the test results aloud, which are then acquired by the microphones of the patient-side information processing device 103 or the patient-side imaging device 104.

[0027] Furthermore, the first patient information acquisition device 106 may be provided in the patient-side information processing device 103 or the patient-side imaging device 104.

[0028] The second patient information acquisition device 107 is a wearable terminal or smartphone carried by the patient, a medical device such as a blood pressure monitor attached to the patient or a pacemaker implanted in the patient's body, or a surveillance camera installed in the common area of ​​the facility where the patient resides, for acquiring the second patient information. These devices are used to continuously acquire the patient's step count, distance traveled, wake / bedtime, pulse rate, body temperature, measurements from medical devices, and the patient's behavior (such as unsteadiness while walking) captured by surveillance cameras, as well as the second patient information, from normal times. The second patient information is information that indicates changes in the patient's symptoms, excluding the first patient information. Examples of the second patient information include time, weather, atmospheric pressure, vital signs (pulse rate, body temperature), wake-up time, sleep-on time, step count exceeding a predetermined number, a state in which a pacemaker or other device has detected an abnormality, and a state in which cameras or microphones within the facility have detected an abnormality in the patient's behavior.

[0029] Furthermore, if the patient-side information processing device 103 is a portable device such as a smartphone, the first patient information acquisition device 106 and the second patient information acquisition device 107 may be provided on the patient-side information processing device 103.

[0030] The first patient information is transmitted from the patient-side information processing device 103 to the physician-side information processing device 101, and the physician can perform medical treatment by referring to the first patient information obtained from the patient-side information processing device 103. <Device Configuration> Next, with reference to Figure 2, the configuration of the information processing device and imaging device that constitute the telemedicine system of this embodiment will be described.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the physician-side information processing device 101, the patient-side information processing device 103, the physician-side imaging device 102, and the patient-side imaging device 104 each have a display unit 201, VRAM 202, BMU 203, keyboard 204, PD 205, CPU 206, ROM 207, RAM 208, HDD 209, memory I / F 210, microphone 211, speaker 212, communication I / F 213, and bus 214.

[0032] The display unit 201 displays, for example, live view and other images, icons, messages, menus and other user interface information.

[0033] VRAM202 is a video memory where data for display on the display unit 201 is drawn. The data generated in VRAM202 is transferred to the display unit 201 according to predetermined rules, thereby displaying an image on the display unit 201.

[0034] The BMU (Bit Move Unit) 203 is a circuit that controls, for example, data transfer between memories (e.g., between VRAM 202 and other memories) and data transfer between memory and each I / O device (e.g., communication interface 213).

[0035] The keyboard 204 is an operating unit that has various keys for inputting characters and other information.

[0036] The PD (pointing device) 205 is used, for example, to point to icons, menus, or other content displayed on the display unit 201, or for dragging and dropping objects.

[0037] The CPU206 is a control unit that controls each device based on the OS (operating system) and control programs (applications) stored in the ROM207 and HDD209.

[0038] ROM207 is a non-volatile memory that stores control programs and data executed by CPU206.

[0039] RAM208 is a work memory that contains the work area for CPU206, a data storage area for error handling, and a control program load area.

[0040] HDD209 is an auxiliary storage device that stores control programs, content, and data executed by CPU206.

[0041] The memory interface 210 is a memory control unit that controls the reading and writing of data to an external storage medium such as a memory card.

[0042] The audio input unit 211 is one or more microphones built into the device or connected via an audio input terminal, which collect sounds (voices) from the surrounding area of ​​the device and generate an audio signal.

[0043] The audio output unit 212 is one or more speakers built into the device or connected via an audio output terminal, which emit voices for the doctor and the patient, and sound electronic sounds or other sounds according to the operating status or instructions of the device.

[0044] Communication I / F213 is a communication unit that communicates with external devices such as information processing devices, imaging devices, patient information acquisition devices, and environmental information provision devices (described later). Furthermore, if the external device is a communication device such as a smartphone, communication I / F213 can perform public wireless communication such as 4G or 5G.

[0045] Bus 214 includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus.

[0046] The control program executed by CPU206 can be provided via ROM207, HDD209, memory card, or external devices connected via communication I / F213.

[0047] The control program includes an OS (operating system), which is the basic software executed by the CPU 206, and applications that cooperate with this OS to realize application functions. The applications include applications for the doctor-side information processing device 101 and the patient-side information processing device 103 of the present embodiment to execute the processes of the flowchart described later.

[0048] The processing of the flowchart of the present embodiment is realized by loading the software provided by the application. It is assumed that the application has software for utilizing the basic functions of the OS installed in the doctor-side information processing device 101 and the patient-side information processing device 103. Note that the OS of the doctor-side information processing device 101 and the patient-side information processing device 103 may have software for realizing the processing in the present embodiment.

[0049] <UI Explanation>Next, referring to FIG. 3, the UI provided by the doctor-side information processing device 101 and the patient-side information processing device 103 in the telemedicine system of the present embodiment will be described.

[0050] FIG. 3(A) illustrates the doctor-side UI 300 provided by the doctor-side information processing device 101. The doctor-side UI 300 can set the first patient information that the doctor wants to acquire, the second patient information associated as the acquisition condition of the first patient information, the threshold value of the second patient information, and the operation instruction.

[0051] In the display area 301, a list of the first patient information that the doctor wants to acquire is displayed so that it can be selected.

[0052] In the display area 302, a list of the second patient information, which is the acquisition condition of the first patient information, is displayed so that it can be selected.

[0053] The display area 303 is a text box for inputting the threshold value of the second patient information, which is the acquisition condition of the first patient information.

[0054] In the example shown in Figure 3(A), the first patient information is a photograph of the patient's throat, the second patient information is the patient's body temperature, and the threshold is set to a patient's body temperature of 37.3 degrees Celsius or higher. In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the acquisition condition for the first patient information is that the second patient information is above the threshold. However, this is not the only option; for example, the condition could be that the patient's image is analyzed using AI machine learning and it is determined that there are signs of danger.

[0055] Tab 304 displays a selectable list of tabs categorized by conditions set by the physician, consisting of first patient information, second patient information, thresholds, and operational instructions.

[0056] The scroll bar 305 is used to scroll the UI screen. Figure 3(B) illustrates the UI screen when a doctor scrolls the UI screen in Figure 3(A) using the scroll bar 305.

[0057] The display area 306 displays a selectable list of actions to instruct the patient to perform when acquiring the first patient information. The action instructions are the patient actions required when acquiring the first patient information, and the doctor can select the necessary action from the list of action instructions displayed in the display area 306.

[0058] Furthermore, for each unique piece of information such as the patient's age, gender, and case, the first patient information, second patient information, threshold, and operation instructions may be stored in advance in the physician-side information processing device 101. Based on the unique piece of information such as the patient's age, gender, and case entered by the physician, or the unique piece of information such as the patient's age, gender, and case obtained from the electronic medical record system, at least one of the first patient information, second patient information, threshold, and operation instructions may be automatically entered into the UI and presented. This allows physicians to efficiently set conditions by simply checking the patient information displayed in the UI and making corrections as needed, without having to input patient information themselves.

[0059] Figure 3(C) illustrates the patient-side UI 350 provided by the patient-side information processing device 103. The patient-side UI 350 displays the necessary operation instructions and explanations for acquiring the first patient information set by the physician. In the example in Figure 3(C), when the patient's body temperature, which is the second patient information acquired by the second patient information acquisition device 107, reaches 37.3 degrees Celsius or higher, according to the first patient information, second patient information, threshold, and operation instructions set by the physician in the physician-side UI 300 in Figure 3(A), a message and video are displayed to the patient instructing them to take a picture of their throat using a throat imaging camera. To alert the patient, instructions may be given using the patient's smartphone or via voice from the voice output unit 212 of the patient-side information processing device 103.

[0060] If it is necessary to activate the first patient information acquisition device 106 in order to acquire the first patient information, the patient-side information processing device 103 instructs the patient to turn on the power to the first patient information acquisition device 106, connect it to the patient-side information processing device 103, and attach it to the patient's body. In the example in Figure 3(C), the patient-side information processing device 103 instructs the patient to use a throat imaging camera as the first patient information acquisition device 106 to take images. Furthermore, if the process of the patient acquiring the first patient information is to be recorded as a video, the patient is instructed to enter the field of view of the patient-side imaging device 104. In addition, when acquiring the first patient information, the patient is instructed to perform actions according to the operation instructions set by the physician in the display area 306 in Figure 3(B). This allows the patient to use medical devices correctly and acquire the first patient information appropriately without the physician having to give direct instructions to the patient.

[0061] <Operation Flow> Next, the operation of the telemedicine system of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4.

[0062] In the following explanation, the physician-side information processing device 101 or the patient-side information processing device 103 will be described as the main processing unit. However, in reality, this is achieved by the CPU 206 of the physician-side information processing device 101 or the patient-side information processing device 103 executing a program of the telemedicine application (or the function of the application, or the OS or OS services, etc.) stored in the memory unit. The same applies to Figure 7, which will be described later. The memory unit includes ROM 207, HDD 209, memory card, and external devices connected via communication I / F 213.

[0063] Figure 4(A) is a flowchart showing the operation of the physician-side information processing device 101.

[0064] In S401, the physician-side information processing device 101 accepts the physician's setting operation for the first patient information in the physician-side UI 300 shown in Figure 3(A).

[0065] In S402, the physician-side information processing device 101 accepts the physician's setting operations for second patient information, thresholds, and operation instructions in the physician-side UI 300 shown in Figure 3(A).

[0066] In S403, the physician-side information processing device 101 transmits the first patient information, second patient information, threshold, and operation instructions set in S401 and S402 to the patient-side information processing device 103 via the communication I / F 213 as an information acquisition request.

[0067] Figure 4(B) is a flowchart showing the operation of the patient-side information processing device 103.

[0068] In S411, the patient-side information processing device 103 determines whether or not it has received an information acquisition request from the physician-side information processing device 101 via the communication I / F 213. If it determines that it has received the request, it proceeds to S412; if it determines that it has not received the request, it proceeds to S413.

[0069] In S412, the patient-side information processing device 103 stores the first patient information, second patient information, threshold, and operation instructions received from the physician-side information processing device 101 in its storage unit.

[0070] In S413, the patient-side information processing device 103 acquires second patient information from the second patient information acquisition device 107 based on the information acquisition request received in S411.

[0071] In S414, the patient-side information processing device 103 determines whether the second patient information acquired in S413 meets the threshold stored in S412. If it determines that the threshold is met, it proceeds to S415; otherwise, it returns to S411.

[0072] In S415, the patient-side information processing device 103, based on the operation instructions saved in S412, instructs the patient to perform the necessary actions to acquire the first patient information, as shown in Figure 3(C).

[0073] In S416, the patient-side information processing device 103 determines whether the patient is following the instructions given to the patient in S415. If it determines that the patient is following the instructions, the process proceeds to S417; if it determines that the patient is not following the instructions, the process returns to S415. For example, if in S415 the patient was instructed to connect the first patient information acquisition device 106, the patient-side information processing device 103 attempts to communicate with the first patient information acquisition device 106 and confirms that it is properly connected. Alternatively, the patient-side information processing device 103 may use the patient-side imaging device 104 to photograph the patient and confirm that the first patient information acquisition device 106 is correctly positioned on the patient's body, or it may use the patient's breathing sounds to confirm that actions such as deep breathing are being performed as instructed. This allows for the appropriate acquisition of the first patient information. Furthermore, at least one of the patient's image and / or audio may be saved to the HDD 209 and transmitted to the physician-side information processing device 101 so that the physician can confirm that the patient is following the instructions. This will allow doctors to easily determine whether or not the initial patient information has been properly obtained.

[0074] In S417, the patient-side information processing device 103 acquires the first patient information from the first patient information acquisition device 106 and stores it in the storage unit based on the information acquisition request received in S411. In this case, the time when the second patient information met the threshold in S414 or the time when instructions were given to the patient in S415 may be associated with the time when the first patient information was acquired and stored in the storage unit, or the difference between these times may be stored. This allows the physician to compare the time when a specific symptom appeared in the patient with the time when the first patient information was acquired and determine whether the first patient information was acquired at an appropriate time.

[0075] In S418, the patient-side information processing device 103 determines whether the acquisition of the first patient information in S417 is complete. If it determines that it is complete, it proceeds to S419; if it determines that it is not complete, it returns to S415. For example, when acquiring multiple first patient information, the patient-side information processing device 103 determines whether it is necessary to acquire other first patient information after acquiring one first patient information.

[0076] In S419, the patient-side information processing device 103 transmits the first patient information acquired in S417 to the physician-side information processing device 101 via the communication I / F 213. This allows the physician to refer to the first patient information before or during the consultation and provide medical care. If an image of the patient is taken in S416, or if the time of instruction given to the patient and the time of acquisition of the first patient information are saved in S417, these images and times may also be transmitted to the physician-side information processing device 101. Furthermore, the physician-side UI 300 in Figure 3(A) may be configured to set the transmission timing of the first patient information, so that the patient-side information processing device 103 transmits the first patient information in S419 according to the transmission timing of the first patient information received from the physician-side information processing device 101 in S411. This makes it possible to transmit the first patient information promptly after acquisition if an urgent response is required based on the content of the first patient information, and to transmit it all at once before the consultation if no urgent response is required, thus achieving both the urgent transmission of important information and a reduction in the number of communications.

[0077] Figure 4(C) is a flowchart showing the operation of the physician-side information processing device 101.

[0078] In S421, the physician-side information processing device 101 receives first patient information from the patient-side information processing device 103 via the communication I / F 213.

[0079] In S422, the physician-side information processing device 101 stores the first patient information received from the patient-side information processing device 103 in its storage unit.

[0080] As described above, according to this embodiment, when it is necessary to obtain patient information due to a change in the patient's symptoms, the patient-side information processing device 103 determines that the acquisition conditions specified by the physician have been met, and can instruct the patient to acquire the patient information as needed. This allows the physician to acquire patient information at the necessary time.

[0081] [Embodiment 2] In Embodiment 1, the condition for acquiring first patient information was to determine whether or not the second patient information met a threshold. In contrast, Embodiment 2 describes an example in which the condition for acquiring first patient information is to determine information indicating environmental changes affecting the patient.

[0082] Figure 5 is a system configuration diagram of Embodiment 2, where components identical to those in Figure 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. Furthermore, the configurations of the physician-side information processing device 101, physician-side imaging device 102, patient-side information processing device 103, patient-side imaging device 104, network 105, and first patient information acquisition device 106 in Embodiment 2 are the same as in Embodiment 1, so their descriptions are omitted.

[0083] In this embodiment, the telemedicine system 500 is equipped with an environmental information provider 501 instead of the second patient information acquisition device 107. The environmental information provider 501 is a server, such as a site, that provides environmental information that may affect the patient. The communication method between the patient-side information processing device 103 and the environmental information provider 501 is, for example, a client-server type communication method, and communication is performed by wired or wireless connection.

[0084] Environmental information includes, for example, weather information such as weather, temperature, and atmospheric pressure, pollen dispersal information, and PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) distribution information. The patient-side information processing device 103 accesses the environmental information providing device 501 to acquire environmental information. Multiple environmental information providing devices 501 may exist for each type of environmental information to be provided.

[0085] Figure 6 illustrates the UI of the physician-side information processing device 101 in the telemedicine system of Embodiment 2. In the UI 600 of Figure 6, components identical to those in Figure 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0086] In the display area 601, a list of environmental information is displayed as a selectable condition for acquiring the first patient information. Similar to Embodiment 1, the first patient information and environmental information may be pre-stored in the physician-side information processing device 101 for each basic piece of information such as the patient's age, gender, and case, and based on the basic information such as the patient's age, gender, and case entered by the physician, or the basic information such as the patient's age, gender, and case obtained from an electronic medical record system, at least one of the first patient information, environmental information, thresholds, and operation instructions may be automatically entered into the UI and presented. This allows the physician to check the patient information displayed in the UI without having to enter the patient information, and only need to make corrections as needed, enabling efficient setting of conditions.

[0087] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the patient-side information processing device 103 in the telemedicine system of Embodiment 2.

[0088] Note that the operation of the physician-side information processing device 101 is the same as in Figures 4(A) and (B) of Embodiment 1, so the explanation is omitted. Also, in Figure 7, the same steps as in Figure 4(B) are given the same step numbers and the explanation is omitted.

[0089] In S701, the patient-side information processing device 103 acquires environmental information from the environmental information providing device 501 via the communication I / F 213.

[0090] In S702, the patient-side information processing device 103 determines whether the environmental information acquired in S701 meets the threshold stored in S412. If it determines that the threshold is met, the process proceeds to S415; otherwise, the process returns to S411.

[0091] As described above, according to this embodiment, when it is necessary to acquire patient information due to a change in the environment affecting the patient, the patient-side information processing device 103 can determine that the acquisition conditions specified by the physician have been met and, if necessary, instruct the patient to acquire the patient information. This allows the physician to acquire patient information at the necessary time.

[0092] [Other embodiments] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more functions of each embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0093] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 101...Physician-side information processing device, 102...Physician-side imaging device, 103...Patient-side information processing device, 104...Patient-side imaging device, 105...Network

Claims

1. A physician's information processing device that is communicatively connected to a patient's information processing device, A setting means for setting patient information to be obtained from the patient and the conditions for obtaining the patient information, A transmission means for transmitting the patient information and acquisition conditions set by the setting means to the patient-side information processing device, An information processing device characterized by having a receiving means for receiving patient information acquired by the patient-side information processing device from the patient-side information processing device.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition conditions are information indicating a change in the patient's symptoms.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition conditions are information indicating environmental changes affecting the patient.

4. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the patient information is at least one of the results of the patient's medical interview, an image of the patient or the affected area, or the patient's biological information.

5. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the setting means presents at least one of the patient information and the acquisition conditions based on the patient's unique information.

6. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the setting means can set the timing for receiving the patient information from the patient-side information processing device.

7. A patient-side information processing device that is communicatively connected to a physician-side information processing device, A receiving means that receives patient information to be obtained from the patient and the conditions for obtaining said patient information from the physician's information processing device, An information processing apparatus characterized by having an acquisition means for acquiring the patient information when the acquisition conditions described above are met.

8. The information processing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the acquisition conditions are information indicating a change in the patient's symptoms.

9. The information processing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the acquisition conditions are information indicating environmental changes affecting the patient.

10. The information processing device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the patient information is at least one of the results of the patient's medical interview, an image of the patient or the affected area, or the patient's biological information.

11. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the acquisition means acquires the patient information from a device for acquiring patient information that is communicably connected to the patient-side information processing apparatus.

12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the acquisition means gives at least one of the following instructions to the patient: an instruction to perform an action necessary for acquiring the patient information and an instruction to operate a device.

13. It has a means for determining whether or not the patient is following instructions, The information processing device according to claim 12, characterized in that, if it is determined that the instructions have been followed, the acquisition means acquires the patient information.

14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the determination means determines whether or not the patient is following the instructions based on at least one of an image of the patient taken when acquiring the patient information and the patient's voice.

15. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 14, characterized in that the acquisition means stores the time the patient information was acquired and the time the acquisition conditions were met in a storage unit.

16. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the acquisition means stores the time the instruction was given and the time the patient information was acquired in a storage unit.

17. The information processing device according to any one of claims 7 to 14, characterized in that it has a transmission means for transmitting the patient information to the information processing device on the physician's side.

18. The information processing apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the transmitting means transmits the patient information and at least one of the patient's image and / or voice when the acquiring means acquires the patient information.

19. The information processing device according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the transmission means transmits the patient information based on the timing set by the physician's information processing device.

20. A control method performed by a physician's information processing device that is communicatively connected to a patient's information processing device, A step of setting patient information to be obtained from the patient and the conditions for obtaining the said patient information, The steps include transmitting the set patient information and acquisition conditions to the patient's information processing device, A method characterized by comprising the step of receiving patient information acquired by the patient-side information processing device from the patient-side information processing device.

21. A control method performed by a patient-side information processing device that is communicatively connected to a physician-side information processing device, The steps include receiving patient information to be obtained from the patient and the conditions for obtaining the patient information from the physician's information processing device, A method characterized by comprising the step of acquiring the patient information when the acquisition conditions described above are met.

22. A program for causing a computer to function as one of the means of an information processing apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 19.

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