Meeting support system

Abstract

To improve accuracy in detecting a pulse wave or the like.SOLUTION: A biometric device comprises: light irradiation parts for irradiating a subject with light; a light detection part for detecting the light reflected inside the subject; a control part for calculating information related to the pulse wave of the subject based on the light detected by the light detection part; and a flexible substrate including a first surface where the light irradiation part and the light detection part are arranged, and wiring for connecting the light irradiation part to the control part and connecting the light detection part to the control part; a light shielding part arranged on the first surface and arranged between the light irradiation part and the light detection part so as to be further projected in the vertical direction of the first surface than the light irradiation part and the light detection part; and an adhesion part for allowing the light shielding part to be brought into close contact with the subject.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention , meeting relates to a conference support system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique has been proposed for measuring a pulse wave or the like of a subject by irradiating the subject (living body) with light and detecting the light reflected within the subject.

[0003] In the conventionally used technique (for example, Patent Document 1), there are many cases where there is nothing to block the light between the light irradiation element and the light detection element, and the light irradiated from the light irradiation element may directly enter the light detection element. The directly incident light is often stronger than the light reflected from the detection object, which has caused deterioration in the accuracy of detecting the pulse wave by the light reflected from the detection object.

[0004] Therefore, Patent Document 2 proposes a technique of providing a shielding portion between the light irradiation element and the light detection element. By providing the shielding object, it is possible to suppress the direct incidence of the light irradiated from the light irradiation element on the light detection element, so that deterioration in the detection accuracy of the pulse wave can be suppressed.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, Patent Document 2 has a configuration using an aluminum base material or the like. The technique described in such Patent Document 2 is considered to be an apparatus such as a watch, and is considered to be repeatedly wearable on a subject (living body) with a band or the like. The technique described in such Patent Document 2 is difficult to deform in accordance with fluctuations in the surface of the subject due to body movement or the like.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention aims to improve the detection accuracy of biological information such as a pulse wave and blood pressure of a subject.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a conference support system comprising: a light irradiation unit for irradiating a subject with light; a light detection unit for detecting light reflected within the subject; a control unit for calculating information regarding the subject's pulse wave based on the light detected by the light detection unit; a flexible substrate having a first surface on which the light irradiation unit and the light detection unit are provided, and wiring connecting the light irradiation unit and the control unit, and the light detection unit and the control unit; a light shielding unit provided on the first surface, between the light irradiation unit and the light detection unit, projecting vertically from the light irradiation unit and the light detection unit, and molded to surround the light detection unit; and an adhesive unit for close contact with the subject. The system comprises: a biometric measurement device attached to each participant participating in a meeting of a predetermined project as the subject; an acquisition unit that acquires information on the participant's pulse wave from the biometric measurement device; an evaluation value calculation unit that calculates evaluation information indicating the evaluation of the project for each meeting based on the fluctuations in the pulse wave acquired from the participant during the meeting; a generation unit that generates project evaluation information to evaluate the project based on the result of comparing the cumulative information of the evaluation information calculated for each meeting by the evaluation value calculation unit with the cumulative information of the evaluation information calculated for each meeting in past projects; and an output unit that outputs the project evaluation information. The light-shielding portion has an end face that is in close contact with the subject, which is formed as the adhesive portion. The conference support system comprises a light irradiation unit that irradiates light onto a subject, a light detection unit that detects light reflected within the subject, a control unit that calculates information regarding the subject's pulse wave based on the light detected by the light detection unit, a flexible substrate having a first surface on which the light irradiation unit and the light detection unit are provided, and wiring connecting the light irradiation unit and the control unit and the light detection unit and the control unit, a light shielding unit provided on the first surface and positioned between the light irradiation unit and the light detection unit, protruding vertically from the first surface from the light irradiation unit and the light detection unit, and molded to surround the light detection unit, and an adhesive unit for close contact with the subject, and the subject is a biometric measurement device attached to each participant participating in a meeting of a predetermined project. The apparatus comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires information on the pulse wave of the participant from the biometric measurement device; an evaluation value calculation unit that calculates evaluation information indicating the evaluation of the project for each meeting based on the fluctuation of the pulse wave acquired from the participant participating in the meeting between meetings; a generation unit that generates project evaluation information to evaluate the project based on the result of comparing the cumulative information of the evaluation information calculated for each meeting by the evaluation value calculation unit with the cumulative information of the evaluation information calculated for each meeting in past projects; and an output unit that outputs the project evaluation information. The biometric measurement device further comprises a member provided between the light detection unit and the light shielding unit, the end face on the side in close contact with the subject is formed to reflect light. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a light-shielding section is provided between the light-irradiating section and the light-detecting section on a flexible substrate, thereby improving the detection accuracy of biological information such as pulse waves. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the block configuration of a seal-type pulse wave sensor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical system of a seal-type pulse wave sensor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a front view of the optical system of the seal-type pulse wave sensor according to the first embodiment, shown from the side that is in close contact with the subject. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the optical propagation path of a seal-type pulse wave sensor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of the optical propagation path of a seal-type pulse wave sensor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration implemented by the control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical system of a seal-type pulse wave sensor according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a front view of the optical system of the seal-type pulse wave sensor according to the second embodiment, shown from the side that is in close contact with the subject. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of the optical propagation path of a seal-type pulse wave sensor according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of the optical propagation path of a seal-type pulse wave sensor according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an example of the optical propagation path of a seal-type pulse wave sensor according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows an example of a seal-type pulse wave sensor according to the third embodiment being attached to the upper arm of a subject. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows an example of a seal-type pulse wave sensor according to the third embodiment being attached to the area around the clavicle of a subject. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration executed by the control device included in the seal-type pulse wave sensor according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a conceptual diagram showing the fifth embodiment of the seal-type pulse wave sensor attached to the upper arm. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a conceptual diagram showing the fifth embodiment of the sticker-type pulse wave sensor attached to the foot. [Figure 17]FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram when a plurality of seal-type pulse sensors according to the sixth embodiment are attached to the upper arm. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram when a seal-type pulse sensor and an electrocardiogram electrode according to the seventh embodiment are attached to the sole of the foot. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration executed by a control device included in the seal-type pulse sensor according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the procedure of a diagnostic service according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a diagnostic system used in the diagnostic service according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram showing the processing performed by the diagnostic system according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical system of the seal-type pulse sensor according to the ninth embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a diagnostic system used in the diagnostic service according to the ninth embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical system of the seal-type pulse sensor according to the tenth embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the block configuration of the seal-type pulse sensor according to the tenth embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the time-series information of blood pressure measured by the seal-type pulse sensor according to the tenth embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating the classification result by pattern matching for the time-series information of blood pressure according to the tenth embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical system of the seal-type pulse sensor according to the eleventh embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example in which the seal-type pulse sensor according to the eleventh embodiment is attached behind the ear of the subject's head. [Figure 31]Figure 31 shows an example in which a sticker-type pulse wave sensor according to the 11th embodiment is attached to the left temple of a subject. [Figure 32] Figure 32 shows an example in which a sticker-type pulse wave sensor according to the 11th embodiment is attached to the glabella of a subject. [Figure 33] Figure 33 shows the results of measuring changes in the subject's blood pressure and examples of events that occurred in the subject. [Figure 34] Figure 34 shows an example of extracting only the events in which the subject conversed on the cloud server according to the 11th embodiment. [Figure 35] Figure 35 is an example of a personality model of the test subject. [Figure 36] Figure 36 is a flowchart showing the processes performed in the diagnostic system according to the 11th embodiment. [Figure 37] Figure 37 is an example of a diagnostic system used in the diagnostic service according to the 12th embodiment. [Figure 38] Figure 38 is a flowchart showing the processes performed in the diagnostic system according to the 12th embodiment. [Figure 39] Figure 39 is a flowchart showing the processing related to the alarm function of the diagnostic system according to the 12th embodiment. [Figure 40] Figure 40 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a project support system according to the 13th embodiment. [Figure 41] Figure 41 is a sequence diagram showing the processes performed in the project support system according to the 13th embodiment. [Figure 42] Figure 42 is a flowchart showing the method for calculating evaluation values ​​for each participant in the participant evaluation server according to the 13th embodiment. [Figure 43] Figure 43 shows the time-series changes in blood pressure at designated measurement sites for two participants during a meeting. [Figure 44] Figure 44 illustrates the method for calculating the correlation coefficient between two participants by the correlation calculation unit of the participant evaluation server according to the 13th embodiment. [Figure 45] Figure 45 is a matrix showing the correlation coefficients between two participants for each measurement site, calculated by the correlation calculation unit of the participant evaluation server according to the 13th embodiment. [Figure 46] Figure 46 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying the evaluation value for each participant, as displayed by the evaluation value calculation unit of the participant evaluation server according to the 13th embodiment. [Figure 47] Figure 47 is a flowchart showing the method for calculating project evaluation values ​​in the project evaluation server according to the 13th embodiment. [Figure 48] Figure 48 shows the evaluation values ​​for each meeting (regular meeting) calculated by the calculation unit of the project evaluation server according to the 13th embodiment. [Figure 49] Figure 49 is a matrix showing the evaluation values ​​of past projects stored in the project evaluation server according to the 13th embodiment. [Figure 50] Figure 50 shows an example of a screen displaying improvement advice output by the project evaluation server according to the 13th embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the pulse wave sensor, blood pressure monitor, and diagnostic system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0011] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 is a diagram showing the block configuration of a sealed pulse wave sensor according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the sealed pulse wave sensor 100 has various components mounted on a flexible printed circuit board 101. The flexible printed circuit board 101 according to this embodiment is equipped with a battery 111, a control device 112, four LEDs 113_1 to 113_4, and a PD 114.

[0012] The sticker-type pulse wave sensor 100 according to this embodiment is used to measure the pulse wave of a subject (for example, a person). The sticker-type pulse wave sensor 100 according to this embodiment has an adhesive layer (not shown). The person to be the subject peels the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 100 from the release paper (not shown) and attaches it to the area where the pulse wave is to be measured.

[0013] The size of the adhesive pulse wave sensor 100 can be any size as long as the above configuration can be mounted, but for example, a rectangular shape of 3 cm in height and 5 cm in width is conceivable. However, the size of the adhesive pulse wave sensor 100 is not limited to this shape, and may be an appropriate size and shape depending on the location where it is attached.

[0014] The adhesive pulse wave sensor 100 is designed to be disposable (i.e., single-use) after pulse wave measurement is complete. In other words, the person being measured can attach the adhesive pulse wave sensor 100 to a body part, measure for a predetermined time, and then peel off and dispose of the adhesive pulse wave sensor 100.

[0015] The seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 according to this embodiment does not need to be designed for multiple uses and only needs to have sufficient durability for measuring a pulse wave once. For this reason, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 is made of a thin film.

[0016] The flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 101 is a type of printed circuit board and includes a flexible cable (an example of wiring) connecting the control device 112 and LEDs 113_1 to 113_4, and a flexible cable (an example of wiring) connecting the control device 112 and PD 114.

[0017] The flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 101 is a substrate that is flexible enough to deform in response to changes in the surface of a subject, such as the movement of the subject, and can maintain its electrical properties even when deformed.

[0018] The battery 111 is a power source that supplies power to the control device 112, LEDs 113_1 to 113_4, and PD 114, etc., while measuring the pulse wave. For example, a button battery is conceivable. The sealed pulse wave sensor 100 according to this embodiment can, for example, measure the pulse wave of a subject over a day. In this case, the battery 111 according to this embodiment only needs to be able to supply power to the control device 112, LEDs 113_1 to 113_4, and PD 114, etc., for more than a day.

[0019] Furthermore, since the sealed pulse wave sensor 100 is disposable, the battery 111 does not need to be rechargeable. Therefore, the sealed pulse wave sensor 100 does not have external terminals for charging, and can be sealed with resin to provide water resistance.

[0020] The control device 112 comprises a wireless communication unit 115 and a memory unit 116, and controls the entire sealed pulse wave sensor 100. For example, the control device 112 controls each of the four LEDs 113_1 to 113_4 to emit light.

[0021] The wireless communication unit 115 is configured to perform wireless communication with an external device. In this embodiment, the wireless communication method used by the wireless communication unit 115 could be, for example, Wi-Fi® or Bluetooth®. The external device with which the wireless communication unit 115 communicates could be a communication device owned by the subject.

[0022] In addition to storing the program executed by the control device 112, the storage unit 116 is used to store detection information indicating the detection result transmitted from the PD 114. The storage unit 116 can be any non-volatile read / write storage medium.

[0023] The four LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 113_1 to 113_4 irradiate the subject with light at a wavelength of approximately 520 nm and a luminous intensity of approximately 100 cd, according to control from the control device 112. Note that the wavelength and luminous intensity of the light emitted by LEDs 113_1 to 113_4 are shown as examples and are not limited to those wavelengths and intensities; any wavelength and luminous intensity that allows for the measurement of the subject's pulse wave, etc., is acceptable. In this embodiment, an example using LEDs is described as an example of a light irradiation unit, but it is not limited to LEDs; any configuration capable of irradiating light is acceptable.

[0024] PD114 (an example of a photodetector) detects light reflected (propagated) within the subject. In this embodiment, PD114 uses a control IC, such as a preamplifier, A / D converter, and memory unit, which is integrated onto the same board. This is because if there is wiring between the photodiode and the amplifier, noise generated by that wiring may reduce the accuracy of pulse wave detection. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control IC is included and referred to as PD114.

[0025] In this embodiment, the PD114 transmits the detection value, which indicates the detection result, as a digital signal to the control device 112. Any transmission method may be used, but for example, transmission based on a standard such as I2C is conceivable.

[0026] The control device 112 also functions as an LED driver by controlling each of the four LEDs 113_1 to 113_4 to light up periodically in a time-division manner using power supplied from the battery 111.

[0027] The light emitted from each of the LEDs 113_1 to 113_4 enters the measurement area of ​​the detection object, undergoes repeated reflection and scattering within the measurement area, and is then emitted towards the sealed pulse wave sensor 100. The PD 114 then measures the emitted light and outputs a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 112.

[0028] Incidentally, oxyhemoglobin is present in the arterial blood of the subject, and oxyhemoglobin has the property of absorbing incident light. Therefore, the control device 112 according to this embodiment measures the pulse wave signal by measuring the blood flow rate (change in blood vessel volume) that changes with the heart's pulsation in a time series, based on the light detected by PD114.

[0029] As described above, since PD114 needs to detect light reflected within the subject, in this embodiment, a light-shielding layer 121 is provided between PD114 and LEDs 113_1 to 113_4.

[0030] The light-shielding layer 121 is a shielding member formed to block light in order to prevent light irradiated from LEDs 113_1 to 113_4 from directly entering the PD 114. For example, a silicon resin mixed with black carbon may be used. Next, the optical system of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 will be described.

[0031] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical system of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a front view showing the optical system of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 according to this embodiment, from the side that is in close contact with the subject.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the device is positioned on both the first surface 101A of the flexible printed circuit board 101 of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100, which is in close contact with the subject (negative Z-axis direction side), and the second surface 101B, which is on the opposite side (positive Z-axis direction side).

[0033] The second surface 101B is the surface opposite to the side in close contact with the specimen (the side in the positive Z-axis direction), and is provided with the battery 111 and the control device 112. A silicone resin layer 211 is also provided to flatten the irregularities caused by the battery 111 and the control device 112.

[0034] Furthermore, a cover layer 212 is provided on the outside of the silicone resin layer 211. The cover layer 212 is a flexible material that suppresses light from entering the inside of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100. For example, an aluminum vapor-deposited film could be used as the cover layer 212.

[0035] The first surface 101A is the side that is in close contact with the subject (the side in the negative Z-axis direction). On the first surface 101A, the other components are arranged around the PD114.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the PD attachment 201 is positioned in contact with the PD 114. A light-shielding layer 121 is positioned on the outside of the PD attachment 201. LEDs 103_1, 103_2, 103_3, and 103_4 are positioned on the outside of the light-shielding layer 121.

[0037] In the example shown in Figure 3, each of the LEDs 103_1 to 103_4 is positioned at an equidistant distance of 10 mm from the PD114. Note that the distance between LEDs 103_1 to 103_4 and the PD114 is shown as an example and may be varied depending on the measurement site of the subject.

[0038] Furthermore, attachment 202 is positioned on the outside of LEDs 103_1 and 103_2.

[0039] The PD attachments 201 and 202 are provided to flatten the irregularities caused by the placement of the PD 114 and LEDs 103_1 and 103_2 on the first surface 101A. The PD attachments 201 and 202 can be made of any flexible material, for example, silicone resin. A commonly used opaque silicone resin can be used. This will suppress light absorption as much as possible.

[0040] Furthermore, each side of the PD attachment 201 is processed to have a mirror function. Possible processing methods include, for example, depositing an aluminum vapor-deposited film. The aluminum film deposition is not limited to vapor deposition; low-cost methods such as plating are also acceptable.

[0041] In this embodiment, the PD attachment 201 has a mirror function (it can reflect light), so that the light that reaches the PD attachment 201 is not absorbed but reflected back to the subject. The light incident on the subject is reflected again within the subject. In other words, the incident light on the subject and the reflection by the PD attachment 201 are repeated before it reaches the PD 114. In other words, the amount of light that reaches the PD 114 can be increased. As a result, the amount of light detected by the PD 114 can be increased, and the accuracy of pulse wave measurement can be improved.

[0042] The PD attachment 201 according to this embodiment has a mirror function, which increases the amount of light incident on the PD 114, thereby reducing the setting of the electrical amplifier (amplifier) ​​of the PD 114. This reduces the noise generated when detecting the signal of the PD 114.

[0043] Note that the mirror function of the PD attachment 201 according to this embodiment is shown as an example, and the PD attachment does not necessarily have to have a mirror function.

[0044] Furthermore, an adhesive layer 203 is provided on the subject side so as to cover the PD114, LED103_1, 103_2, PD attachment 201, and attachment 202, which are located on the first surface 101A.

[0045] The adhesive layer 203 is a component for closely adhering the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 to the subject. An acrylic adhesive is a possible material for the adhesive layer. Since the adhesive function is to adhere closely to the skin, it also needs to have a function that does not damage the skin. For the adhesive layer 203, a material that is breathable and does not irritate the skin should be selected, similar to a general-purpose bandage. The adhesive layer thickness should be about 10 μm to function properly, but a thickness of about 100 μm should be used to accommodate surface irregularities.

[0046] The adhesive layer 203 is made of a transparent material that allows light irradiated from LEDs 103_1 and 103_2 to pass through. Note that the adhesive layer 203 is not limited to a transparent material; it may be a cloudy material, but it is preferable that the light absorption coefficient is as small as possible. This allows the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 according to this embodiment to suppress a reduction in the amount of light incident on the PD 114, thereby improving the accuracy of pulse wave detection.

[0047] The light-shielding layer 121 is provided on the first surface 101A and is positioned between the PD 114 and the LEDs 113_1 to 113_4, so as to protrude from the PD 114 and LEDs 113_1 to 113_4 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) of the first surface 101A. Specifically, the length of the light-shielding layer 121 in the Z-axis direction is approximately the same as the length of the PD 114 and LEDs 113_1 to 113_4 in the Z-axis direction plus the thickness of the adhesive layer 203. This prevents light irradiated from LEDs 113_1 to 113_4 from entering the PD 114 via the adhesive layer 203 without passing through the test subject.

[0048] Furthermore, the light-shielding layer 121 has a width in the X-axis and Y-axis directions such that light incident from LEDs 113_1 to 113_4 does not reach PD 114. For example, the width LW of the light-shielding layer 121 can be set to 2 mm to 3 mm.

[0049] Figure 4 shows an example of the optical propagation path of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 according to this embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 4, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 is in close contact with the skin (measurement site P1) of the subject, without any change in shape due to body movement or the like from the time the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 is attached to the skin (measurement site P1).

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, when the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 is in close contact, the light-shielding layer 121 has the above-described configuration, which suppresses the direct propagation of light from LED 113_1 to PD 114.

[0051] Therefore, the light emitted from LED113_1 enters the subject's measurement site P1 via path 401. The incident light is reflected within the subject's measurement site P1. Then, PD114 receives the light that has followed path 402 after being reflected within the subject's measurement site P.

[0052] Figure 5 shows an example of the optical propagation path of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 according to this embodiment. The example shown in Figure 5 illustrates a case where the shape of the subject's skin (measurement site P2) changes due to body movement or the like from the time the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 is attached.

[0053] As described above, the flexible printed circuit board 101, PD attachment 201, attachment 202, and adhesive layer 203 of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 are flexible. Furthermore, the adhesive layer 203 of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 is attached to the entire surface except for the light-shielding layer 121. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, the shape of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 changes to follow the movement of the subject's skin (measurement site P2) as its shape changes.

[0054] Figure 5 shows an example where the subject's skin (measurement site P2) moves towards the arrow 501. In such a case, with a conventional pulse wave sensor that does not have flexibility, a gap is created between the skin and the pulse wave sensor. As a result, light from the LED directly enters the PD through this gap.

[0055] In contrast, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 according to this embodiment is shaped to be convex towards the arrow 502 side so as to follow the skin (measurement site P2) of the subject, in order to prevent a gap from forming between the light-shielding layer 121 and the subject's skin (measurement site P2). This suppresses the direct propagation of light from LED 113_1 to PD 114.

[0056] Therefore, the light emitted from LED113_1 enters the subject's measurement site P2 via path 511. The incident light is reflected within the subject's measurement site P2. Then, PD114 receives the light that has followed path 512 after being reflected within the subject's measurement site P2.

[0057] The seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 according to this embodiment has the above-described configuration, so that the light emitted from the LED 113_1 is reflected at the measurement site of the subject, and the reflected light can be received by the PD 114. The control device 112 then measures the pulse wave based on the received light.

[0058] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration implemented in the control device 112. As shown in Figure 6, the control device 112 comprises a wireless communication unit 115, a storage unit 116, and a control unit 602.

[0059] The memory unit 116 stores programs and other data that are executed by the control unit 602. The control unit 602 realizes various configurations by executing the programs and other data stored in the memory unit 116.

[0060] The control unit 602, by executing a program stored in the memory unit 116, comprises an LED driver 611, a waveform pre-processing unit 612, a waveform post-processing unit 613, and a pulse wave calculation unit 614.

[0061] The LED driver 611 is a driver for controlling LEDs 113_1 to 113_4. The LED driver 611 controls each of the four LEDs 113_1 to 113_4 to light up periodically in a time-division multiplexing manner.

[0062] The LED driver 611 repeatedly switches LEDs 113_1 to 113_4 on and off at a timing of approximately 1kHz.

[0063] Furthermore, the PD114 amplifier employs a method of taking the difference in detected values ​​at a timing synchronized with the repetition, a method known as a lock-in amplifier.

[0064] The waveform preprocessing unit 612 generates signals to control LEDs 113_1 to 113_4 using the LED driver 611, and performs preprocessing on the generated signals. Preprocessing includes, for example, filtering such as noise reduction and smoothing.

[0065] The waveform post-processing unit 613 performs post-processing on the detection information input from the PD114 and then stores the detection information in the storage unit 116. Post-processing may include, for example, filtering such as noise reduction or smoothing.

[0066] The pulse wave calculation unit 614 calculates a pulse wave (an example of information related to pulse waves) by detecting the volume of the subject's blood vessels, which changes with pulsation, based on the detection information stored in the memory unit 116.

[0067] This embodiment describes an example in which a pulse wave is calculated using a seal-type pulse wave sensor 100, but the pulse wave may also be calculated on an external device connected to the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100. In this case, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 may extract feature quantities (an example of information related to the pulse wave) necessary for the external device to calculate the pulse wave, and transmit these feature quantities to the external device (for example, the subject's mobile terminal). In this case, the external device stores a program that calculates biological information such as the subject's pulse wave from these feature quantities.

[0068] The sealed pulse wave sensor 100 according to this embodiment, by having the above-described configuration, can suppress light from directly entering the PD114 from LEDs 113_1 to 113_4, thereby improving the accuracy of pulse wave measurement.

[0069] In this embodiment, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 has a flexible printed circuit board 101, etc., so that the optical system (e.g., PD114 and LEDs 103_1~103_4) can always be in close contact with the skin via the adhesive layer 203. As a result, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 can suppress the influence of fluctuations occurring at the skin-air interface. Therefore, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 can improve the accuracy of pulse wave detection.

[0070] Since the light detected by the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 according to this embodiment is only the light that has propagated within the subject's body, the influence of the external environment can be suppressed, making it possible to detect minute changes in the detected light. As a result, the light detected by the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 can detect the waveform of the pulse wave with high precision.

[0071] The seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 according to this embodiment is intended for continuous measurement over long periods of time, such as 24 hours. In the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100, a light-shielding layer 121 is arranged to surround the PD 114. The light-shielding layer 121 is thicker than the flexible printed circuit board 101 and has a high elastic modulus. Furthermore, the light-shielding layer 121 has enough elasticity to conform to the shape of the subject. In the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 according to this embodiment, even if a depression is created due to the subject's body movement, the light-shielding layer 121 can maintain contact with the skin. As a result, the measurement accuracy of the pulse wave can be maintained even when body movement occurs.

[0072] In the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 according to this embodiment, a light-shielding layer 121 is provided between the LEDs 113_1 to 113_4 and the PD 114, and the surfaces that come into contact with the subject are made of the same side. In addition, an adhesive layer 203 is provided in the area other than the light-shielding layer 121. Therefore, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 can be prevented from peeling off the subject's skin.

[0073] Furthermore, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 according to this embodiment has the above-described configuration, making it disposable. In other words, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 can use a very soft material, although it has low durability. As a result, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 can conform to the shape of the subject, thus minimizing discomfort to the subject.

[0074] Furthermore, in the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100, assuming that the adhesive layer 203 is used only once, a material with strong adhesive force can be used so that it is not a problem if skin cells or debris from the subject adhere to the adhesive surface.

[0075] (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, an example was described in which an adhesive layer 203 with the smallest possible light absorption coefficient was used. However, the adhesive layer may also have light-shielding properties. Therefore, in the second embodiment, an example will be described in which the light-shielding layer also functions as an adhesive layer.

[0076] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical system of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 according to this embodiment. Figure 8 is a front view of the optical system of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 according to this embodiment, shown from the side that is in close contact with the subject. Components identical to those in the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0077] On the first surface, 101A, the other components are arranged around PD114.

[0078] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a light-shielding layer 701 is placed around the PD114. Four voids are provided in the light-shielding layer 701, and LEDs 103_1, 103_2, 103_3, and 103_4 are placed in these four voids.

[0079] The light-shielding layer 701 is a shielding member formed to block light in order to prevent light irradiated from LEDs 113_1 to 113_4 from directly entering the PD 114. For example, it could be made of a silicone resin mixed with black carbon. Furthermore, the end face of the light-shielding layer 701 that is in close contact with the subject is formed as an adhesive portion. In this embodiment, the entire surface of the light-shielding layer 701 in Figure 8 functions as an adhesive portion. As a result, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 can be attached to the subject.

[0080] In this embodiment, the case in which the end face of the light-shielding layer 701 that is in close contact with the specimen is formed as an adhesive portion is described, but an adhesive layer may also be provided on the end face of the light-shielding layer 701. In this case, the adhesive layer is given a light-shielding function by mixing in black carbon or the like to block light. In other words, the adhesive layer also functions as a light-shielding layer.

[0081] Figure 9 shows an example of the optical propagation path of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 according to this embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 9, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 is in close contact with the skin (measurement site P3) of the subject (measurement site P3) without any change in shape due to body movement or the like from the time the seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 is attached to the skin (measurement site P3).

[0082] As shown in Figure 9, when the seal-type pulse wave sensors 100 are in close contact, each of the light-shielding layers 701 is in close contact with the skin (measurement site P3), so that a gap 901 exists on the surface of the LED 113_1 and a gap 902 exists on the surface of the PD 114. As shown in Figure 9, since the light-shielding layer 701 is in close contact with the skin, the configuration prevents light from directly reaching the PD 114 from the LED 113_1.

[0083] Therefore, the light emitted from LED113_1 enters the subject's measurement site P3 via path 911. The incident light is reflected within the subject's measurement site P3. Then, PD114 receives the light that has followed path 912 after being reflected within the subject's measurement site P3.

[0084] Figure 10 shows an example of the optical propagation path of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 according to this embodiment. The example shown in Figure 10 illustrates a case where the shape of the subject's skin (measurement site P4) changes due to body movement or the like from the time the seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 is attached.

[0085] As described above, the flexible printed circuit board 101 and light-shielding layer 701 of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 are flexible. Furthermore, the light-shielding layer 701 of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 is attached to the entire surface except for PD114 and LED113_1~113_4. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10, the shape of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 changes to follow the shape of the subject's skin (measurement site P4) as it changes shape. Note that the void 1101 on the surface of LED113_1 and the void 1102 on the surface of PD114 are almost the same as in Figure 9.

[0086] The seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 according to this embodiment changes shape to conform to the subject's skin (measurement site P4) so ​​as not to create a gap between the light-shielding layer 701 and the subject's skin (measurement site P4). This suppresses the direct propagation of light from LED 113_1 to PD 114.

[0087] Therefore, the light emitted from LED113_1 enters the subject's measurement site P4 via path 1011. The incident light is reflected within the subject's measurement site P4. Then, PD114 receives the light that has followed path 1011 after being reflected within the subject's measurement site P4.

[0088] Figure 11 shows an example of the optical propagation path of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 according to this embodiment. The example shown in Figure 11 shows the case where the seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 is attached to the concave skin (measurement site P5) of the subject. An example of a concave area on the subject's skin is the vicinity of the clavicle.

[0089] As described above, the flexible printed circuit board 101 and light-shielding layer 701 of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 are flexible. Furthermore, the light-shielding layer 701 of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 is attached to the entire surface except for PD114 and LEDs 113_1 to 113_4. For this reason, as shown in Figure 11, even if the subject's skin (measurement site P5) has a concave shape, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 can be attached to conform to that shape. Note that the void 1101 on the surface of LED 113_1 and the void 1102 on the surface of PD114 are almost the same as in the case of Figure 9.

[0090] The seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 according to this embodiment changes shape to conform to the subject's skin (measurement site P4) so ​​as not to create a gap between the light-shielding layer 701 and the subject's skin (measurement site P5). This suppresses the direct propagation of light from LED 113_1 to PD 114.

[0091] Therefore, the light emitted from LED113_1 enters the subject's measurement site P5 via path 1111. The incident light is reflected within the subject's measurement site P5. Then, PD114 receives the light that has followed path 1111 after being reflected within the subject's measurement site P5.

[0092] In this embodiment, by having the above-described configuration, the same effects as in the first embodiment are obtained, and the light-shielding portion also comes into close contact with the subject's skin. Therefore, even if the measurement site has a concave shape, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 700 comes into close contact with that shape, enabling highly accurate measurement of the pulse wave.

[0093] (Third embodiment) The above-described embodiment explained the case in which a pulse wave is measured using a seal-type pulse wave sensor. However, the method is not limited to measuring only pulse waves. Therefore, the third embodiment will describe the case in which blood pressure is measured based on pulse waves.

[0094] The sealed pulse wave sensor according to the third embodiment has the same shape and optical system as the sealed pulse wave sensor according to the first or second embodiment, so its description is omitted. The difference between the sealed pulse wave sensor according to the third embodiment and the sealed pulse wave sensor according to the first or second embodiment is the program executed within the control device.

[0095] Incidentally, in recent years, wristwatch-type biomedical measurement devices have become common. These devices also have a blood pressure estimation function. These devices often use the pulse wave propagation time method for blood pressure estimation. Because these devices are worn on the wrist, the relative height relationship with the heart is unstable. Therefore, errors in blood pressure measurement are likely to occur with these devices because the height relationship with the heart is unstable. To suppress these errors, measurement methods such as raising the arm to chest height (where the biomedical measurement device is attached) are often used.

[0096] In contrast, the sticker-type pulse wave sensor according to this embodiment is attached to the measurement site of the subject. Therefore, in order to measure blood pressure with the sticker-type pulse wave sensor according to this embodiment, it is easy to attach it at approximately the same height as the heart. Hereinafter, an example of the attachment position of the sticker-type pulse wave sensor according to the third embodiment will be described.

[0097] Figure 12 shows an example of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 1200 according to this embodiment being attached to the upper arm of a subject. As shown in Figure 12, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 1200 is attached to the upper arm P6 of the subject. Since the height of the upper arm and the heart are approximately the same, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 1200 according to this embodiment enables blood pressure measurement with small estimation errors without restricting the subject's movements. In other words, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 1200 functions as a blood pressure monitor.

[0098] Furthermore, in the seal-type pulse wave sensor 1200 according to this embodiment, the attachment position when measuring blood pressure is not limited to the upper arm, but may be other parts of the body.

[0099] Figure 13 shows an example of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 1200 according to this embodiment being attached to the area around the clavicle of a subject. As shown in Figure 13, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 1200 is attached to the area P7 around the clavicle of the subject. Thus, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 1200 is molded to a size (for example, 3 cm x 5 cm) that can be set near the subclavian artery of the subject (person).

[0100] Since the height of the clavicle area and the heart area are roughly the same, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 1200 according to this embodiment enables blood pressure measurement with small estimation errors without restricting the subject's movements.

[0101] Incidentally, the subclavian artery is located above the clavicle. The subclavian aorta is the artery that originates from the heart, located below the ribs, and emerges above the skin surface. As a result, the arterial pulse wave appears clearly in this location. Furthermore, it is less affected by body movements such as those of the legs, hips, and upper arms. Therefore, by attaching the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 1200 to the surface of the clavicle, a pulse wave with less noise can be detected, improving the accuracy of blood pressure estimation.

[0102] Because the seal-type pulse wave sensor 1200 according to this embodiment is flexible, it can be attached to a part of the subject's body, such as the area around the clavicle, even if the area has a concave shape, so as to conform to that shape. Since there is little body movement around the clavicle, it is possible to detect a signal with low noise and high accuracy, thus enabling accurate pulse wave and blood pressure estimation.

[0103] Next, the configuration of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 1200 according to this embodiment for measuring blood pressure, etc., will be described.

[0104] Figure 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration executed by the control device 1400 included in the sealed pulse wave sensor 1200 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the sealed pulse wave sensor 1200 is an example in which the control device 1400 is included instead of the control device 112 according to the above embodiment. Other configurations are the same as in the above embodiment and are therefore omitted from description. Also, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations as in the above embodiment and their description is omitted.

[0105] The control device 1400 differs from the control device 112 according to the above-described embodiment in that it has a control unit 1401 that performs different processing from the control unit 602.

[0106] Compared to the control unit 602, the control unit 1401 includes an additional feature extraction unit 1411, a propagation time calculation unit 1412, a blood pressure conversion unit 1413, and an individual difference correction unit 1414.

[0107] The feature extraction unit 1411 extracts features for estimating blood pressure from the pulse wave. The pulse wave contains peaks for PW (Percussion Wave) and TW (Tidal Wave). PW represents the peak of the wave generated from the heart. TW represents the peak reflected from the peripheral blood vessels in the legs. Furthermore, the pulse wave has characteristic irregularities, such as dips (ND) that occur when the aortic valve closes. Therefore, the feature extraction unit 1411 extracts the peaks of PW and TW, as well as characteristic irregularities such as dips, as features.

[0108] The propagation time calculation unit 1412 calculates the pulse wave propagation time from the pulse wave features extracted by the feature extraction unit 1411. The pulse wave propagation time is the time required for the pulse pressure waveform to propagate along the length of the arterial tree.

[0109] The blood pressure conversion unit 1413 converts the calculated pulse wave propagation time into blood pressure. There is a correlation between pulse wave propagation time and blood pressure. Therefore, the blood pressure conversion unit 1413 in this embodiment converts the pulse wave propagation time into blood pressure.

[0110] Any method can be used to convert blood pressure, but for example, the method shown in "Satomi Suzuki, Koji Oguri; Transactions of the Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan (Electronics, Information and Systems Division), Vol. 130, No. 2, 2010, pp. 261-266, 'Cuffless blood pressure estimation using photoplethysmography signals by class classification considering cardiovascular characteristics of the elderly'" is a possible approach.

[0111] The individual difference correction unit 1414 performs an individual difference correction on the blood pressure converted by the blood pressure conversion unit 1413. Any correction method can be used; for example, correction can be performed using an AI learning model that has been trained based on parameters that identify the individual (e.g., age, height, weight, etc.).

[0112] (Modified version of the third embodiment) In the third embodiment, a case where correction for individual differences is performed was described. However, in blood pressure measurement, correction is not limited to individual differences alone, and correction for other factors may also be performed. Therefore, the seal-type pulse wave sensor according to this modified example is an example in which an acceleration sensor is built in.

[0113] The acceleration sensor included in the seal-type pulse wave sensor according to this modified example transmits the measurement results to the control device 1400. The control device 1400 then calculates the relative positional relationship between the position of the seal-type pulse wave sensor and the heart based on the measurement results of the acceleration sensor, and corrects the blood pressure based on this positional relationship. The method for correcting blood pressure based on the relative positional relationship may be any method, not limited to well-known methods.

[0114] It is believed that errors in blood pressure measurement occur when the relative positional relationship between the seal-type pulse wave sensor and the heart changes. In contrast, the control device 1400 according to this modified example can improve the accuracy of blood pressure estimation by calculating the relative positional relationship based on the acceleration sensor and correcting the blood pressure based on that positional relationship.

[0115] Furthermore, this modification is not limited to methods using acceleration sensors; for example, the relative position of the arm to which the adhesive pulse wave sensor is attached may be calculated using other sensors, such as a level sensor that detects the angular deviation from the direction of gravity. Also, as the acceleration sensor, it is conceivable to use an acceleration sensor of MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems), which are mass-produced and cost-effective in smartphones.

[0116] Furthermore, the subject may set initial settings regarding the relative positional relationship between the seal-type pulse wave sensor and the heart via a portable terminal capable of communicating with the seal-type pulse wave sensor.

[0117] One possible setup method is to instruct the sticker-type pulse wave sensor via a mobile device to set the initial state to having the arm hanging vertically down.

[0118] The method for calculating the relative position of an arm, etc., will be explained. For example, a sticker-type pulse wave sensor integrates the acceleration received from an accelerometer for each of the three axes of the accelerometer. Then, the sticker-type pulse wave sensor calculates how far the part to which the accelerometer is attached, such as the arm, has moved by converting the integrated values ​​for each of the three axes into the distance traveled for each of the three axes.

[0119] In other words, in this modified version, the subject's upper arm can move to various angles, but a 3-axis acceleration sensor is used. This makes it possible to distinguish between raising and lowering the arm and actions such as walking and standing. Therefore, the control device for the seal-type pulse wave sensor in this modified version can detect the raising and lowering of the arm based on the signal from the acceleration sensor, and can detect and correct the difference in height from the heart.

[0120] (Fourth Embodiment) In the above-described embodiment of the seal-type pulse wave sensor, an example was given in which LEDs are arranged in four directions around the PD114. However, the arrangement is not limited to this example. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, we assume that there is a one-to-one relationship between the PD114 and the LED113. In the seal-type pulse wave sensor according to this embodiment, the sensor is attached such that the line segment connecting the PD114 and the LED113 unit is perpendicular to the direction of arterial course of the subject.

[0121] Incidentally, the main purpose of general pulse wave measurement is to provide information such as oxygen saturation and pulse wave frequency. In contrast, estimating blood pressure from a pulse wave sensor requires extremely high-precision measurement of the pulse wave waveform on the order of 1 msec. If the relative position of the characteristic peak of the pulse wave is off by as much as 10 msec, the blood pressure estimation will result in an error of ±10 mmHg or more. Thus, blood pressure monitors using pulse wave sensors require highly accurate pulse wave waveform measurement.

[0122] Pulse waves propagate along arteries. When a PD (detection element) and an LED (light irradiation element) are arranged parallel to the direction of artery travel, the light propagation path also becomes parallel, encompassing both locations close to and far from the heart. The time of the pulse wave propagating between the parts close to and far from the heart will differ by the propagation speed. This difference is approximately 1 msec for every 10 mm of artery length, but when this difference occurs, it results in a blood pressure estimation error of several mmHg for high-precision pulse wave time measurement.

[0123] Therefore, in the seal-type pulse wave sensor according to this embodiment, the propagation path is arranged such that the PD (detection element) 114 and the LED (light irradiation element) 113 are perpendicular to the direction of artery course. In other words, since the light propagation path and the direction of artery course are perpendicular, the PD (detection element) 114 and the LED (light irradiation element) 113 are at approximately the same distance from the heart, thus suppressing errors.

[0124] The seal-type pulse wave sensor according to this embodiment can be attached to the upper arm, for example. Similar to the embodiment described above, the seal-type pulse wave sensor can be fixed in place for more than one day (for example, two to three days) by the adhesive layer. The inner side of the upper arm is a suitable attachment location for the seal-type pulse wave sensor because it is closer to the course of the artery and muscle artifacts are smaller.

[0125] (Fifth embodiment) In the above-described embodiment of the seal-type pulse wave sensor, a method for measuring pulse waves or blood pressure using a single PD was explained. However, measurements may also be performed using multiple PDs. Therefore, the fourth embodiment will describe the case in which multiple PDs are used.

[0126] Figure 15 is a conceptual diagram showing the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 1500 (which also functions as a blood pressure monitor) according to this embodiment attached to the upper arm. The sticker-type pulse wave sensor 1500 shown in Figure 15 is equipped with two PD-LED units 1501 and 1502, which combine a PD and an LED.

[0127] The PD-LED unit 1501 is a combination of PD1511 and LED1512, where PD1511 detects the light output from LED1512. In this embodiment, as in the embodiment described above, a light-shielding layer (not shown) is provided between PD1511 and LED1512.

[0128] The PD-LED unit 1502 is a combination of PD1521 and LED1522, where PD1521 detects the light output from LED1522. In this embodiment, as in the embodiment described above, a light-shielding layer (not shown) is provided between PD1521 and LED1522.

[0129] In this embodiment, the sealed pulse wave sensor 1500 is arranged such that, similar to the fourth embodiment, the line segments connecting the PD and LED of each PD-LED unit 1501 and 1502 are perpendicular to the arterial direction of the subject P8.

[0130] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance L1 between the PD-LED unit 1501 and the PD-LED unit 1502 is predetermined. The distance L1 may be any distance depending on the embodiment, for example, 10 cm.

[0131] The control device 1503 measures pulse waves and blood pressure based on signals from PD-LED units 1501 and 1502.

[0132] In this embodiment, the control device 1503 measures pulse waves and the like using multiple PDs 1511 and 1521. The control device 1503 detects identical pulse waves from the multiple PDs 1511 and 1521 that have a phase shift corresponding to a time (a delay in pulse wave propagation time) equivalent to the distance L1 between the multiple PDs 1511 and 1521.

[0133] In other words, the control device 1503 calculates the pulse wave propagation time by considering the characteristic quantities of the pulse wave calculated from each of the PD1511 and 1521, and the quantified phase shift. In this embodiment, by considering the measurement results of multiple PD1511 and 1521, and the distance between the PD1511 and 1521, it is possible to calculate the pulse wave propagation time with higher accuracy.

[0134] Furthermore, the control device 1503 converts the calculated pulse wave propagation time into blood pressure. This enables highly accurate blood pressure measurement.

[0135] Furthermore, this embodiment does not limit the attachment of the adhesive pulse wave sensor 1500 to the upper arm.

[0136] Figure 16 is a conceptual diagram showing the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 1500 according to this embodiment attached to the foot. As shown in Figure 16, it can be attached to any part of the body as long as it can be attached along the direction of artery course.

[0137] (Sixth Embodiment) The configuration is not limited to one in which multiple PD-LED units are combined onto a single sheet, as in the sealed pulse wave sensor 1500 of the fifth embodiment. Therefore, the sixth embodiment will describe a case in which measurement is performed using two sealed pulse wave sensors.

[0138] Figure 17 is a conceptual diagram showing the case where multiple seal-type pulse wave sensors 1701 and 1702 according to this embodiment are attached to the upper arm. Figure 17 shows an example where multiple seal-type pulse wave sensors 1701 and 1702 are attached along the direction of arterial course. The distance L1 between the multiple seal-type pulse wave sensors 1701 and 1702 is also set to a predetermined distance, similar to the fifth embodiment.

[0139] In other words, in this embodiment, two seal-type pulse wave sensors 1701 and 1702 are attached to the upper and lower parts of the upper arm, respectively. Since the distance between the two seal-type pulse wave sensors 1701 and 1702 is set, the pulse wave propagation time can be calculated with greater accuracy based on the phase difference between the two seal-type pulse wave sensors 1701 and 1702.

[0140] The sealed pulse wave sensor 1702 comprises an LED 1721, a PD 1722, and a communication device 1723. The PD 1722 detects the light output from the LED 1721. In this embodiment, as in the embodiment described above, a light-shielding layer (not shown) is provided between the LED 1721 and the PD 1722. The communication device 1723 transmits the detection result of the PD 1722 to the control device 1713.

[0141] The sealed pulse wave sensor 1701 comprises an LED 1711, a PD 1712, and a control device 1713. The PD 1712 detects the light output from the LED 1711. In this embodiment, as in the embodiment described above, a light-shielding layer (not shown) is provided between the PD 1712 and the LED 1711. The control device 1713 then measures blood pressure based on the detection result received from the communication device 1723 and the detection result from the PD 1712. The blood pressure measurement method is the same as in the fifth embodiment and will not be described further.

[0142] (Seventh Embodiment) The embodiments described above describe a method for measuring blood pressure based on pulse waves. However, the method is not limited to using only pulse waves when measuring blood pressure. Therefore, the seventh embodiment describes a case in which blood pressure is measured using both pulse waves and an electrocardiogram.

[0143] Figure 18 is a conceptual diagram showing the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 1800 and electrocardiogram electrodes 1851 and 1852 according to this embodiment attached to the soles of the feet. Figure 18 shows an example where the electrocardiogram electrode (-) 1851 is attached to the underside of the right foot P9R and the electrocardiogram electrode (+) 1852 is attached to the underside of the left foot P9L. The electrocardiogram electrode (-) 1851 and the electrocardiogram electrode (+) 1852 are connected by wiring 1853. Furthermore, the electrocardiogram electrode (+) 1852 is connected to the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 1800 so as to be able to transmit signals.

[0144] The sealed pulse wave sensor 1800 comprises a PD1811, an LED1812, and a control device 1813. The PD1811 detects the light output from the LED1812. In this embodiment, as in the embodiment described above, a light-shielding layer (not shown) is provided between the PD1811 and the LED1812.

[0145] The control device 1813 of the sealed pulse wave sensor 1800 receives the detection results from the electrocardiogram electrode (-) 1851 and the electrocardiogram electrode (+) 1852. The control device 1813 then measures blood pressure based on the detection results received from the electrocardiogram electrode (-) 1851 and the electrocardiogram electrode (+), as well as the detection results from PD811. In this way, the sealed pulse wave sensor 1800 also functions as a blood pressure monitor using pulse waves and electrocardiograms.

[0146] By the way, a typical electrocardiogram (ECG) is a method of detecting electrical signals generated in conjunction with the contraction of the heart muscle. ECG electrodes detect the potential difference between a positive electrode and a negative electrode. Generally, the potential can be detected by attaching electrodes to the left and right sides of the heart.

[0147] Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, electrodes are placed on the right foot and the left foot, respectively. With this placement, the current path crosses the heart, allowing for the detection of a highly accurate electrocardiogram (ECG waveform).

[0148] Furthermore, in order to improve the accuracy of blood pressure measurement, it is necessary to accurately detect the pulse wave propagation time. The pulse wave propagation time is the time it takes for the pulse wave generated by the heartbeat to propagate. Therefore, in this embodiment, the pulse wave propagation time is calculated by combining an electrocardiogram that detects the heartbeat and the pulse wave.

[0149] Furthermore, possible attachment locations for the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 1800 include, for example, the heel of the foot. The foot (e.g., the heel) has a high concentration of peripheral nerves, which can improve the accuracy of pulse wave measurement.

[0150] For example, in patients in intensive care units, access to the feet is easy, as other sensors are not installed. Since these patients do not stand up often, the 1800 adhesive pulse wave sensor can be placed on the soles of their feet. In patients who spend most of their time lying down, measurements are easy because the location is easily accessible to medical personnel. This makes it possible to easily and continuously measure blood pressure 24 hours a day.

[0151] Figure 19 is a block diagram showing the configuration executed by the control device 1813 according to this embodiment. This embodiment is an example in which the control device 1813 is provided instead of the control device 1400 according to the embodiment described above. Other configurations are the same as in the embodiment described above and are therefore omitted from description. Also, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as in the embodiment described above and their descriptions are omitted.

[0152] The control device 1813 differs from the control device 1400 according to the above embodiment in that it has a control unit 1901 that performs different processing from the control unit 1401.

[0153] Compared to the control unit 1401, the control unit 1901 has an added electrocardiogram peak detection unit 1911 and the processing of the propagation time calculation unit 1912 has been modified.

[0154] The electrocardiogram peak detection unit 1911 measures the electrocardiogram from the potential difference between the right and left feet, which is the detection result of the electrocardiogram electrodes (-) 1851 and (+) 1852. Furthermore, the electrocardiogram peak detection unit 1911 detects the R peak, which is the heartbeat, from the electrocardiogram.

[0155] The propagation time calculation unit 1412 calculates the pulse wave propagation time based on the pulse wave features extracted by the feature extraction unit 1411 and the R peak detected by the electrocardiogram peak detection unit 1911. Specifically, the propagation time calculation unit 1412 calculates the pulse wave propagation time by measuring the time delay between the R peak and the position of the rising edge of the pulse wave. Subsequent processing is the same as in the embodiment described above and will not be explained further.

[0156] In this embodiment, by measuring biological information such as blood pressure in combination with an electrocardiogram, it is possible to reduce the influence of noise from body movement and achieve highly accurate blood pressure estimation.

[0157] (Eighth embodiment) The embodiments described above illustrate application examples of a seal-type pulse wave sensor. In contrast, this embodiment describes a diagnostic service using a seal-type pulse wave sensor. As mentioned above, the seal-type pulse wave sensor also functions as a blood pressure monitor. Therefore, in other words, it can also be called a diagnostic service using a blood pressure monitor.

[0158] Traditionally, 24-hour continuous blood pressure monitoring required a nurse to set up a cuff-type blood pressure monitor, necessitating a nurse's home visit or hospital visit. Furthermore, a diagnosis based on the measurements could not be made without a follow-up visit to the hospital for a doctor to review the results. Correcting issues such as cuff detachment or measurement errors during monitoring was also difficult.

[0159] Therefore, the diagnostic service according to this embodiment achieves simpler long-term measurement by following the procedure shown below.

[0160] Figure 20 illustrates the procedure of the diagnostic service according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 20, the person undergoing the diagnostic service (the subject) is equipped with a mobile terminal 2011. The cloud system 2012 manages the information of the diagnostic service. The health examination facility is equipped with an information processing device 2013 for displaying the information from the cloud system 2012. Next, the specific procedure will be described.

[0161] Health checkup facilities send blood pressure testing kits, including a sticker-type pulse wave sensor, to patients undergoing health checkups in advance (S2001).

[0162] Patients undergoing the health checkup attach the adhesive pulse wave sensor (which also functions as a blood pressure monitor) to the area to be examined and wear it for 24 hours (for measurement) (S2002). At that time, the patient sets up communication between the adhesive pulse wave sensor and the mobile terminal 2011.

[0163] A sealed pulse wave sensor (an example of the first transmitting unit) transmits the estimated blood pressure result and the PD2112 detection result (an example of information based on the subject's pulse wave) to a mobile terminal 2011 (an example of the first communication device) (S2003: Example of the first transmission process). The mobile terminal 2011 (an example of the second transmitting unit) then transmits the measurement data showing the measurement results regarding blood pressure (including the estimated blood pressure result and the PD2112 detection result) to a cloud system 2012 (an example of the second communication device) via a public network (S2004: Example of the second transmission process).

[0164] Cloud System 2012 manages measurement data showing blood pressure estimation results and PD2112 detection results. Based on the received measurement data, Cloud System 2012 continuously checks for malfunctions and false detections of the seal-type pulse wave sensor, and estimates the blood pressure values ​​of the health checkup participant based on the received measurement data. This estimation takes various parameters into account, enabling highly accurate estimation compared to the estimation results of the seal-type pulse wave sensor.

[0165] The cloud system 2012 transmits information regarding the estimated blood pressure values ​​to the health checkup facility's information processing device 2013 (S2005). The health checkup facility's information processing device 2013 (an example of a display unit) displays the information regarding the estimated blood pressure values, and the doctor makes a diagnosis of the patient undergoing the health checkup, for example, a diagnosis of hypertension, based on the information regarding the estimated blood pressure values ​​(S2006: an example of a display process).

[0166] The information processing device 2013 (an example of a third transmission unit) transmits the diagnostic results, such as hypertension, to the patient's mobile terminal 2011 upon operation by a physician (S2007: an example of a third transmission process).

[0167] Patients undergoing the health check check their diagnosis results, such as hypertension, on their mobile device 2011 (S2008). Afterwards, patients discard the blood pressure test kit, which includes a sticker-type pulse wave sensor (S2009).

[0168] Figure 21 is a diagram illustrating a diagnostic system used in the diagnostic service according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 21, it includes at least a mobile terminal 2011, a cloud system 2012, and a seal-type pulse wave sensor 2014.

[0169] The sealed pulse wave sensor 2014 comprises an LED 2111, a PD 2112, a control device 2113, and a battery 2114. The sealed pulse wave sensor 2014 is powered by electricity supplied from the battery 2114, and the PD 2112 detects the light emitted from the LED 2111 that is reflected from the body part of the person undergoing the medical examination. The sealed pulse wave sensor 2014 according to this embodiment also has a light-shielding layer, similar to the embodiment described above. The control unit 2015 of the control device 2113 measures blood pressure and the like from the detection result of the PD 2112, and transmits the measurement result and the detection result of the PD 2112 to the mobile terminal 2011 using the wireless communication unit 115. The blood pressure estimation method is the same as in the embodiment described above, so the explanation is omitted.

[0170] The mobile terminal 2011 comprises an interface 2121, a control unit 2122, a storage unit 2123, a display unit 2124, and a wireless communication unit 2125. The control unit 2122 executes a program that performs the following processing.

[0171] The wireless communication unit 2125 stores the detection results received from the sealed pulse wave sensor 2014 in the storage unit 2123 and transmits the detection results to the cloud system 2012.

[0172] Furthermore, the mobile terminal 2011 displays the blood pressure estimation result based on the detection results on the display unit 2124, according to the operation received by the patient from the interface 2121.

[0173] Figure 22 is a sequence diagram showing the processes performed by the diagnostic system according to this embodiment.

[0174] The adhesive pulse wave sensor 2014 is attached to the area of ​​the patient undergoing the medical examination, and then the timer starts (S2201).

[0175] The PD2112 of the sealed pulse wave sensor 2014 starts detection (S2202). The detection interval for PD2112 is, for example, 1 kHz.

[0176] The LED2111 of the sealed pulse wave sensor 2014 starts detection (S2203). The illumination interval of LED2111 is set to, for example, 100Hz.

[0177] The pulse wave calculation unit 614 calculates a pulse wave (an example of information related to the pulse wave) based on the detection information which is the detection result of PD2112 (S2204).

[0178] The feature extraction unit 1411 extracts features (e.g., peaks of PW and TW) for estimating blood pressure from the pulse wave (S2205).

[0179] The propagation time calculation unit 1412 calculates the pulse wave propagation time from the characteristic quantities of the pulse wave (S2206).

[0180] The blood pressure conversion unit 1413 estimates blood pressure from the calculated pulse wave propagation time (S2207). Corrections may be made based on individual differences, etc.

[0181] The wireless communication unit 115 transmits the estimated blood pressure result based on the pulse wave and the detection result of PD2112 (an example of information based on the subject's pulse wave) to the mobile terminal 2011 (an example of the first communication device) (S2208).

[0182] The wireless communication unit 2125 of the mobile terminal 2011 receives the estimated blood pressure result and the detection result of PD2112 (S2011).

[0183] The control unit 2122 of the mobile terminal 2011 stores the received blood pressure estimation result and the PD2112 detection result in the storage unit 2123, and displays the blood pressure estimation result on the display unit 2124 in response to user input (S2112).

[0184] The wireless communication unit 2125 of the mobile terminal 2011 transmits the estimated blood pressure result and the detection result of PD2112 to the cloud system 2012 (an example of a second communication device) via the public network (S2213).

[0185] The cloud system 2012 receives the estimated blood pressure results and the PD2112 detection results from the mobile terminal 2011 (S2221).

[0186] Cloud System 2012 stores information showing estimated blood pressure results and PD2112 detection results (S2222).

[0187] The cloud system 2012 estimates blood pressure based on accumulated information (S2223). Because the cloud system 2012 stores various parameters, it can achieve more accurate blood pressure estimation compared to the sealed pulse wave sensor 2014.

[0188] The diagnostic system according to this embodiment, having the above-described configuration, allows for easy acquisition of a doctor's diagnosis without requiring the patient to visit a hospital or for medical professionals to visit the patient's home.

[0189] In the diagnostic system according to this embodiment, the cloud system 2012 can determine whether or not it is functioning correctly based on information transmitted in real time from the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2014. Furthermore, since a third party, such as a medical professional, can check the measurement results, blood pressure estimation errors due to malfunctions can be suppressed.

[0190] With the advancement of IoT in recent years, the cost of general-purpose semiconductors has been decreasing. As a result, even if seal-type pulse wave sensors are used only once and then discarded, they can be realized at a low cost. Disposability offers various advantages, such as eliminating the need to consider reusing the adhesive layer, enabling the use of simple waterproof packaging that does not require charging, reducing the hassle of mailing back the sensors, and minimizing hygiene concerns.

[0191] The seal-type pulse wave sensor can estimate blood pressure from the detected pulse wave waveform and record changes in that blood pressure value in a cloud system 2012, etc. For example, blood pressure fluctuations between day and night are important information, and in this embodiment, the above-described configuration allows this information to be stored in the cloud system 2012. Furthermore, medical professionals can review this information. This makes it easier to determine subtypes of hypertension, such as masked hypertension and white-coat hypertension. Moreover, it makes it easier for people undergoing health checkups to receive these results.

[0192] (Ninth Embodiment) The configuration of the seal-type pulse wave sensor is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various configurations are possible. Therefore, in the ninth embodiment, another configuration of the seal-type pulse wave sensor is shown, and processing using this seal-type pulse wave sensor is described.

[0193] Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical system of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2300 according to this embodiment. Note that components similar to those in the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100 described above are assigned the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0194] The seal-type pulse wave sensor 2300 according to this embodiment further comprises a first electrode 2301 and a second electrode 2302 compared to the seal-type pulse wave sensor 100. In addition, before the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2300 is installed on the subject, a protective sheet 2303 is attached to the adhesive layer 203.

[0195] The protective sheet 2303 is manufactured, for example, to contain carbon black in a predetermined proportion or higher. As a result, the protective sheet 2303 has conductivity.

[0196] In other words, the electrical conductivity between the first electrode 2301 and the second electrode 2302 changes depending on whether or not the protective sheet 2303 is present. A signal indicating the change in electrical conductivity between the first electrode 2301 and the second electrode 2302 is output to the control device 112. This allows the control device 112 to recognize that the protective sheet 2303 has been removed. Once it is confirmed that it has been removed, the control device 112 can start measuring biological information about the subject.

[0197] Furthermore, the storage unit 116 of the control device 112 may store a sensor ID for identifying the sealed pulse wave sensor 2300. This sensor ID may be disposable identification information.

[0198] The seal-type pulse wave sensor 2300 according to this embodiment is used, for example, in the diagnostic system according to this embodiment to determine subtypes of hypertension such as masked hypertension and white-coat hypertension.

[0199] For example, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2300 may be a disposable measuring device, similar to the embodiment described above. Therefore, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2300 may be delivered to the subject's home. This allows the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2300 to be easily used for measurement at the subject's home. Furthermore, the diagnostic system according to this embodiment can obtain a medical institution's judgment based on the measurement results of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2300.

[0200] In the diagnostic service according to this embodiment, a diagnosis can be performed for each individual subject. Figure 24 is a diagram illustrating a diagnostic system used in the diagnostic service according to this embodiment. In the diagnostic system according to this embodiment, a unique (disposable) sensor ID is assigned to each of the disposable seal-type pulse wave sensors 2300 described above.

[0201] As shown in Figure 24, the diagnostic system consists of a production facility, a medical institution, a subject, and a cloud server 2401.

[0202] The production machine according to this embodiment produces sealed pulse wave sensors 2300 to which a sensor ID has been assigned. The sensor ID is registered, for example, in the storage unit 116 of the control device 112 of the sealed pulse wave sensor 2300.

[0203] Furthermore, the production facility prints a sensor ID on the package when manufacturing the sealed pulse wave sensor 2300. The production facility then stores the sealed pulse wave sensor 2300 in the package. In this embodiment, one sealed pulse wave sensor 2300 is stored in one package. The sensor ID printed on the package is used to identify the stored sealed pulse wave sensor 2300. The production facility then sends the packaged sealed pulse wave sensors 2300 to the medical institution.

[0204] A medical institution is an institution for diagnosing a subject and includes medical personnel and terminals 2402 used by medical personnel.

[0205] The medical institution sends the sealed pulse wave sensor 2300, which was sent from the manufacturing institution, to the subject to be diagnosed. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the medical institution sends the sealed pulse wave sensor 2300 to the subject, but this does not limit the method of sending to the subject. For example, the manufacturing institution may send it directly to the subject, or it may be sent to the subject through another institution such as a pharmacist.

[0206] The subject possesses a communication terminal 2411. The communication terminal 2411 has the same configuration as the mobile terminal 2011 described above. The communication terminal 2411 can communicate with various communication devices (e.g., cloud server 2401) connected to a public network (not shown).

[0207] The cloud server 2401 manages patient information necessary for diagnosis using the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2300. In this embodiment, the cloud server 2401 is composed of one or more communication device (including information processing device) terminals and can provide various services.

[0208] The subject accesses the address provided by the medical institution along with the adhesive pulse wave sensor 2300 using the communication terminal 2411. The communication terminal 2411 then downloads and installs the application for measurement. Afterward, the communication terminal 2411 runs the application, displaying an input screen for entering the subject's attributes.

[0209] The communication terminal 2411 accepts input of the sensor ID and information identifying the subject (e.g., subject ID) as written on the package via the input screen. The communication terminal 2411 transmits the received sensor ID and subject ID to the cloud server 2401.

[0210] As a result, the cloud server 2401 registers the sensor ID and subject ID in association. Table 1 illustrates the correspondence between sensor IDs and subject IDs registered on the cloud server 2401.

[0211] [Table 1]

[0212] Furthermore, the communication terminal 2411 may accept input of the subject's attributes via the input screen. Attributes accepted for input include, for example, the subject's name, address, and the telephone number of the communication device (e.g., smartphone) used by the subject (an example of communication device identification information). However, attributes are not limited to this information and may include various other pieces of information such as password, age, gender, weight, presence or absence of underlying medical conditions, type of underlying medical condition, physical condition, and body temperature. The communication terminal 2411 then transmits the sensor ID, subject ID, and attributes to the cloud server 2401, associating them with each other. This allows the cloud server 2401 to manage the subject ID and the subject's attributes in association.

[0213] In this embodiment, the process corresponding to the above-described input is performed to prepare the subject for measurement using the sealed pulse wave sensor 2300. The subject's measurement may be, for example, a 24-hour blood pressure measurement.

[0214] Furthermore, medical institutions may transmit information about the subjects (dataset) along with the subject ID to the cloud server 2401. This allows the cloud server 2401 to manage the information about the subjects in association with the subject ID. The information about the subjects (dataset) may include, for example, other measurement data such as health checkup data held by the medical institution. This enables detailed diagnosis.

[0215] The subject places the adhesive pulse wave sensor 2300 on their upper arm, clavicle, or other location, following the guidance of the installed application.

[0216] At this point, the subject peels off the protective sheet 2303 from the sealed pulse wave sensor 2300. The control device 112 of the sealed pulse wave sensor 2300 can recognize that the protective sheet 2303 has been peeled off from a signal indicating a change in electrical conductivity between the first electrode 2301 and the second electrode 2302. The control device 112 then starts the control process for measurement.

[0217] The communication terminal 2411 and the sealed pulse wave sensor 2300 are connected by wireless communication. This allows the application on the communication terminal 2411 to verify that the sensor ID received as input matches the sensor ID included in the information transmitted from the sealed pulse wave sensor 2300. The application on the communication terminal 2411 then sends the verification result to the cloud server 2401. This allows the cloud server 2401 to determine whether the associated information is correct.

[0218] Subsequently, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2300 transmits information indicating the measurement results (hereinafter referred to as measurement information) to the communication terminal 2411 after starting measurement. The communication terminal 2411 then transmits the measurement information along with the sensor ID to the cloud server 2401. The cloud server 2401 stores the received measurement information along with the sensor ID, linking it to the subject ID corresponding to the sensor ID.

[0219] The medical institution's terminal 2402 then acquires and displays measurement information and subject information from the cloud server 2401. The medical institution's terminal 2402 receives input of the subject's diagnosis results from the doctor. Subsequently, the medical institution's terminal 2402 transmits the diagnosis results to the subject's communication terminal 2411. The measurement information used for diagnosis may include, for example, the subject's blood pressure changes over 24 hours, but the diagnosis is not limited to blood pressure and other information may also be used.

[0220] In this embodiment, an example was described in which the communication terminal 2411 transmits the sensor ID and the subject ID. However, the transmission of the sensor ID and subject ID is not limited to the communication terminal 2411. For example, the terminal 2402 of the medical institution may transmit the sensor ID of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2300 and the subject information (including the subject ID) to which the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2300 is sent to the cloud server 2401.

[0221] Furthermore, the cloud server 2401 manages the sensor IDs of the seal-type pulse wave sensors 2300, making it possible to reissue the same sensor ID. Although countless IDs are needed for disposable seal-type pulse wave sensors, IDs will never run out due to the reuse of IDs.

[0222] <Correction through modeling> In this embodiment, the medical institution is not limited to a method of diagnosing a patient by referring to measurement information (for example, changes in blood pressure over 24 hours) received from the cloud server 2401.

[0223] In other words, the cloud server 2401 according to this embodiment may correct the measurement information to facilitate diagnosis before transmitting it to the terminal 2402 of the medical institution. In this embodiment, the cloud server 2401 stores, for example, the patient information shown in Table 2. The patient information shown in Table 2 is stored in association with the patient ID (for example, patient ID: A000001). For the cloud server 2401 to store the patient information shown in Table 2 (for example, age, sex, weight, height, blood test values ​​(cholesterol level), blood glucose level, underlying disease (optional)), for example, the communication terminal 2411 may accept input of such information on an input screen. Note that the patient information used for correction is not limited to the information entered by the patient, and for example, the results of blood tests performed at the same or other medical institutions may be used after obtaining the patient's consent.

[0224] [Table 2]

[0225] The cloud server 2401 then extracts the subject's features from the subject's information and models the subject based on the extracted features. Subsequently, the cloud server 2401 corrects the measurement information based on the subject's model. Finally, the cloud server 2401 transmits the corrected measurement information to the medical institution's terminal 2402. This process allows the medical institution to make a diagnosis that takes into account various factors such as age and body type, thereby achieving a highly accurate diagnosis.

[0226] (Tenth embodiment) In the embodiments described above, an example was explained in which a judgment was made based on the measurement results of the subject, such as blood pressure. However, when making a diagnosis of a subject, it is preferable to consider the events that the subject is actually experiencing. Therefore, in the diagnostic system according to the tenth embodiment, a case in which events that the subject is experiencing are input will be described.

[0227] Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical system of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 according to this embodiment. Figure 26 is a diagram showing the block configuration of the seal-type pulse wave sensor according to this embodiment. Components similar to those of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2300 described above are assigned the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0228] The control device 112 according to this embodiment may include an MPU 112A as a configuration for executing a program. The MPU 112A can perform measurements of the subject by executing a program stored in the storage unit 116.

[0229] As shown in Figure 26, LED 113 may include an LED that outputs a wavelength of 780 nm and an LED that outputs a wavelength of 850 nm. By enabling the sealed pulse wave sensor 2500 to output two different wavelengths, it becomes possible to calculate the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin.

[0230] As shown in Figure 25, the sealed pulse wave sensor 2500 according to this embodiment further includes an acceleration sensor 2501, a microphone 2502, a first thermocouple 2503, and a second thermocouple 2504, compared to the sealed pulse wave sensor 2300.

[0231] The acceleration sensor 2501 detects the subject's acceleration and outputs the detection result to the control device 112. The microphone 2502 detects sounds around the subject (including conversations with the subject, etc.) and outputs the detection result to the control device 112.

[0232] The control device 112 detects the subject's body temperature and the ambient temperature (or room temperature) around the subject based on signals input from the first thermocouple 2503 and the second thermocouple 2504. In this embodiment, an example of detecting the subject's body temperature and the ambient temperature (or room temperature) around the subject is described, but it is also possible to detect only one or more of the subject's body temperature and ambient temperature (or room temperature).

[0233] <Event detection function> The control device 112 determines the state of the subject (hereinafter referred to as event information) from the acceleration sensor 2501, the microphone 2502, and the first thermocouple 2503 and the second thermocouple 2504. Event information may include items such as those shown in Table 3 below.

[0234] [Table 3]

[0235] In this way, the control device 112 acquires an event number (an example of event information) indicating whether the subject is waking up, going to bed, using the toilet, bathing, standing, sitting, taking medication, eating, drinking alcohol, or exercising, based on the detection results of the sensors described above. Table 3 shows an example of event numbers and may include other events. Preferably, the event numbers are information categorized by items that affect blood pressure.

[0236] The control device 112 then transmits the acquired event number, associated with the time it was acquired, to the communication terminal 2411.

[0237] The communication terminal 2411 can display event numbers in chronological order, associated with blood pressure. The subject can then refer to the event numbers displayed on the communication terminal 2411 to confirm whether they match their actual actions. If they determine that they do not match, the subject may correct the event numbers on the communication terminal 2411.

[0238] The communication terminal 2411 transmits the event number and measurement information (including blood pressure) along with the measurement time, associated with the sensor ID, to the cloud server 2401.

[0239] The cloud server 2401 receives measurement information in chronological order. The measurement information includes information for identifying blood pressure. In other words, the cloud server 2401 receives changes in blood pressure (e.g., waveforms) representing the subject's blood pressure in chronological order, acquired by the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500.

[0240] Cloud server 2401 receives measurement information along with event numbers indicating events that occurred to the subject in chronological order.

[0241] The cloud server 2401 then stores the received information in chronological order (measurement information and event numbers), associating it with the subject ID.

[0242] Furthermore, the acquisition of event information is not limited to the method used by the control device 112 of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500. For example, the subject's communication terminal 2411 may identify the event number (an example of event information) based on the information input from the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500. Any method may be used to acquire the event number; for example, it may be done using a learning model trained on AI using events and sensor detection results.

[0243] <Event Input> In this embodiment, the example is not limited to the case where the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 acquires an event number (an example of event information). For example, the subject's communication terminal 2411 may have an event input function.

[0244] The communication terminal 2411 can, for example, accept input of event information performed by the subject. Enterable event numbers include those valuable to a doctor's diagnosis, such as taking medication, eating, using the toilet, and bathing. For example, the communication terminal 2411 can accept the selection of an event number from the application's display screen. Upon receiving an event number, the communication terminal 2411 applies a timestamp, associates it with vital sign measurement information including blood pressure, and sends it to the cloud server 2401.

[0245] This allows the cloud server 2401 to receive and store measurement and event information in chronological order. Medical institutions can then evaluate drug efficacy and other factors based on the information stored on the cloud server 2401.

[0246] Selectable event information may include, for example, taking medication, eating (bread, rice, one bowl, two bowls, one slice, two slices, etc.), drinking alcohol (type, amount), using the toilet, sleeping, and exercising (running, cycling, etc.). Furthermore, the communication terminal 2411 may allow the user to input detailed information they wish to convey to the doctor, such as the contents of their meals, their body temperature at the time of temperature measurement, their physical condition, or their mood, via voice or text.

[0247] Based on the accumulated information, the cloud server 2401 generates a graph that overlays the subject's blood pressure changes (changes in measurement information) with time-series events that occurred during the subject's measurement, in chronological order. The cloud server 2401 then transmits this graph, which overlays blood pressure changes and time-series events, to the medical institution's terminal.

[0248] The medical institution's terminal 2402 displays a graph that overlays blood pressure changes and events. The graph, which overlays the subject's blood pressure changes and events in chronological order, is not limited to being generated by the cloud server 2401; it may also be generated by the medical institution's terminal 2402. For example, the medical institution's terminal 2402 is equipped with an MPU (Multi-Purpose Processing Unit) for program execution, and the MPU executes a program stored in a memory unit (not shown) to generate graphs and display information necessary for diagnosis.

[0249] This allows, for example, the medical institution's terminal 2402 to display the patient's blood pressure in chronological order based on the measurement information acquired from the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500.

[0250] If the graph displayed on terminal 2402 at the medical institution shows, for example, a sudden increase in blood pressure coinciding with the timing of bathing, then medical professionals at the medical institution may diagnose that the sudden increase in blood pressure is not a problem. In this way, by displaying measurement information in association with events, noise components displayed on the graph can be visually removed, improving diagnostic accuracy.

[0251] <Diagnosis> Next, the display in the medical institution will be described. The terminal of the medical institution can display the time-series information (blood pressure waveform) of the blood pressure measured by the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500, which is stored on the cloud server 2401. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the time-series information of the blood pressure measured by the seal-type pulse wave sensor according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 27, waveform data 2701 showing the change in blood pressure over time is shown. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 27, event information indicating waking up and starting to sleep is superimposed on the blood pressure waveform. That is, in the time-series information shown in FIG. 27, the times t1 and t2 when the event information was registered are shown. Time t1 is the time when sleep started, and time t2 is the time when waking up occurred. The time from time t1 to time t2 is the sleep time.

[0252] The terminal 2402 of the medical institution can recognize the blood pressure during sleep by superimposing and displaying event information (icons indicating sleep, waking up, etc.) and the time-series information of the continuous blood pressure (waveform data 2701). Therefore, it becomes easy for medical staff to determine whether the blood pressure during sleep is higher or lower than the blood pressure during the day. Thus, the present embodiment can improve the accuracy of diagnosing 24-hour blood pressure by medical staff.

[0253] Furthermore, the diagnosis system according to the present embodiment has a function of performing pattern matching.

[0254] The cloud server 2401 according to the present embodiment stores, in a storage unit (not shown), waveform models (an example of a change model) representing predetermined blood pressure waveforms (time-series changes in blood pressure) for each classification representing the characteristics of the subject's sleep during the sleep time.

[0255] Then, the cloud server 2401 extracts the time-series change in blood pressure based on the acquired measurement information. Then, the cloud server 2401 superimposes an event (e.g., sleep start, waking up) indicated by the event information on the time-series change in blood pressure, and extracts the time-series change in blood pressure during sleep based on the event.

[0256] The cloud server 2401 then identifies the subject's classification by performing pattern matching between the time-series changes in blood pressure extracted during sleep and a time-series change model for blood pressure. The subject classification identified by the cloud server 2401 is output to the medical institution's terminal 2402. This allows the medical institution's terminal 2402 to display the pattern matching results on the cloud server 2401.

[0257] Figure 28 illustrates the classification results obtained by pattern matching for time-series blood pressure information according to this embodiment. The pattern matching shown in Figure 28 may be performed on the terminal 2402 of the medical institution. The results of the pattern matching may also be displayed on the terminal 2402 of the medical institution.

[0258] The pattern matching shown in Figure 28 stores four types of time-series change models for blood pressure. For example, the cloud server 2401 stores a riser-type change model S1, a non-dipper-type change model S2, a dipper-type change model S3, and an extreme-dipper-type change model S4. Note that the four change models shown are just examples, and other change models may also be included.

[0259] Next, the consistency rate between the time-series changes in the subject's blood pressure (waveform data 2701) from the cloud server 2401 and four types of change models is calculated. The calculated consistency rates are shown in Table 4.

[0260] [Table 4]

[0261] Generally, a slightly lower blood pressure during sleep indicates a healthy state, but patterns such as a slight increase (riser type) or a significant decrease (extreme-dipper type) may indicate health problems. The correlation rate shown in Table 4 is calculated by the cloud server 2401, but it may also be calculated by other terminals such as the medical institution's terminal 2402. Any method may be used to calculate the correlation rate; for example, it may be calculated using a correlation coefficient with a typical waveform.

[0262] Furthermore, pattern matching is not limited to the time-series changes in blood pressure during sleep. For example, in cases of early morning hypertension, the timing of waking up can be patterned and pattern matching can be performed. When performing pattern matching, blood pressure fluctuations caused by toileting, early morning walks, or exercise may affect the calculation of the matching rate. Therefore, when the cloud server 2401 calculates pattern matching and the matching rate, it may remove blood pressure fluctuations that occur at the same time as the event information that affects pattern matching, based on the event information mentioned above, from the time-series changes in the subject's blood pressure.

[0263] (11th embodiment) The above-described method for measuring blood pressure was explained in relation to the implemented fluid. However, the system described above may be used for purposes other than measuring blood pressure. Therefore, in the 11th embodiment, for example, the stress level of the subject may be measured. For example, by having multiple subjects wear the above-described seal-type pulse wave sensors and take measurements simultaneously while a meeting or similar event is held, it becomes possible to objectively identify stressors and take interventions such as encouraging corrective actions.

[0264] <Measurement Method> The method for measuring stress, etc., is achieved by attaching a 24-hour pulse wave sensor to the subject, similar to the 24-hour blood pressure measurement described earlier. The differences in measuring stress, etc., from the blood pressure measurement in the above-described embodiment will be explained. These differences include the measurement of cerebral blood flow, subject modeling, event input function, and speaker identification function.

[0265] In the diagnostic system according to this embodiment, measurements are taken while the subject is carrying out their normal daily life. This is because the diagnostic system according to this embodiment aims to capture data on a disease in which blood pressure fluctuates due to psychological effects from external stimuli, such as workplace hypertension. In the diagnostic system according to this embodiment, the diagnostic results from the cloud server 2401 may be transmitted to a communication terminal installed in the workplace in order to perform diagnoses other than medical ones.

[0266] The diagnostic system according to this embodiment makes a judgment using factors that cause changes in the autonomic nervous system and fluctuations in blood pressure due to psychological influences on the subject. The diagnostic system according to this embodiment makes it possible to optimize the medication prescribed for hypertension to the subject, and when the subject's blood pressure rises, it notifies the subject or others that the blood pressure has risen, making the subject aware of the increase in blood pressure, thereby enabling intervention in blood pressure control.

[0267] <Brain blood flow measurement> In this embodiment, a seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 is installed on the upper arm, and at the same time, another seal-type pulse wave sensor is attached to the head.

[0268] Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical system of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2900 according to this embodiment. Note that components similar to those of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 described above are assigned the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. The seal-type pulse wave sensor 2900 according to this embodiment is intended to measure cerebral blood flow located inside the skull of the subject's head.

[0269] In the sealed pulse sensor 2900, instead of the LED 113, vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) 2902 and 2903 are provided. The VCSELs 2902 and 2903 output short-pulse laser light. Further, the sealed pulse sensor 2900 includes a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) 2901 as a detector. Note that the sealed pulse sensor 2900 may be configured to include the LED 113 together with the VCSELs 2902 and 2903.

[0270] The distance from the VCSELs 2902 and 2903 to the SPAD 2901 is, for example, 30 mm. With this configuration, the light returning from the skin from the VCSELs 2902 and 2903 to the SPAD 2901 is minimized, facilitating the detection of cerebral blood flow occurring on the cerebral surface inside the skull. Therefore, light shielding layers 2911 and 121 are provided between the VCSELs 2902 and 2903 and the SPAD 2901.

[0271] As the VCSELs 2902 and 2903 according to this embodiment, for example, those with a thin oxidation constriction layer are used to keep the light confinement factor, called "gamma switch", low. Specifically, the VCSELs 2902 and 2903 have a low refractive index region formed by oxidation constriction, and the thickness of the non-oxidized high refractive index region is 35 nm or less, and the thickness of the low refractive index region at a position 3 μm from the tip of the boundary between the low refractive index region and the high refractive index region is twice or less the thickness of the high refractive index region. By having this feature, the VCSELs 2902 and 2903 can stabilize the emission of short pulses of sub-nanoseconds. The wavelength of the light emitted by the VCSELs 2902 and 2903 is selected to be a wavelength with little light absorption by water, such as 780 nm or 805 nm, and absorption by hemoglobin. Further, as the wavelength of the light emitted by the VCSELs 2902 and 2903, 940 nm with little light absorption by water or 870 nm with high detection sensitivity of the SPAD 2901 may be selected.

[0272] SPAD2901 is a light-receiving unit having a sensor that is a single-photon detection element. SPAD2901 comprises a photoelectric conversion unit (not shown) having a photoelectric conversion element that receives light, a pulse generation unit (not shown) that generates a pulse signal according to the amount of light received by the photoelectric conversion element, and a bit counter unit (not shown) that counts the pulse signal. The bit counter unit is provided distributed among the photoelectric conversion units. By increasing the aperture ratio of the light-receiving area of ​​each photoelectric conversion unit, the sensitivity of SPAD2901 can be increased, enabling the detection of minute amounts of light that have diffused inside the brain.

[0273] The sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2900 according to this embodiment is attached to three locations on the subject's head.

[0274] Figure 30 shows an example of attaching the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2900 according to this embodiment to the back of the ear on the subject's head (first attachment position P10). As shown in Figure 30, the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2900 is attached to the back of the ear on the subject's head, specifically to a part of the temporal lobe where measurement is possible. By attaching it to the first attachment position P10 shown in Figure 30, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of discomfort even in a workplace environment.

[0275] The temporal lobe shown in Figure 30 is the area involved in "language," which is the area that people pay the most attention to during meetings. When this area is activated, it is thought that the person is concentrating on the meeting.

[0276] Figure 31 shows an example of attaching the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2900 according to this embodiment to the left temple (second attachment position P11) of a subject. The left temple, which is the second attachment position P11, is a brain region related to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and has brain functions that are highly correlated with depression or motivation. For this reason, it is a powerful tool when a diagnostic system determines the subject's depression or motivation based on measurement information from the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2900 attached to the second attachment position P11 (for example, Yukiyo Ozawa, Kazuo Kai, "Control of Unpleasant Emotions by Working Memory Task and Tapping Task - Neurological Study by NIRS," Proceedings of the Japanese Cognitive Science Society Annual Meeting (CD-ROM)). (Japanese Cognitive Science Society Annual Meeting Program and Abstracts (CD-ROM)), 2014, Vol. 31, pp. 1-4). If the diagnostic system determines that the relevant area of ​​the subject is activated, it can be inferred that the subject is actively trying to come up with solutions to a stressful task based on past memories. In other words, the diagnostic system can conclude that the subject is committed to the meeting agenda and is concentrating on considering the issues related to the agenda.

[0277] Figure 32 shows an example of attaching the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2900 according to this embodiment to the glabella (third attachment position P11) of the subject. The glabella, which is the third attachment position P12, is a region that reflects the entire frontal lobe, in particular the OFC (Orbitofrontal Cortex) and DMPFC (Dorsomedial prefrontal Cortex). Therefore, the diagnostic system can determine the degree of the subject's social cognition based on the measurement information from the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2900 attached to the third attachment position P12. For example, during times when social cognition is high, it can be determined that feelings of valuing teamwork are heightened. The measurement information from the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2900 attached to the third attachment position P12 is useful for the diagnostic system in understanding the subject's state, including the subject's emotions, along with pulse rate and blood pressure, which reflect the subject's autonomic nervous system.

[0278] In the diagnostic system according to this embodiment, the attachment position of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2900 is illustrated as an example, and the system is not limited to this attachment position. Furthermore, although this embodiment describes an example in which three seal-type pulse wave sensors 2900 are attached, the number of seal-type pulse wave sensors 2900 to be attached is not limited, and it may be two or fewer, or four or more.

[0279] <Event Detection> The sealed pulse wave sensor 2900 according to this embodiment includes a microphone 2502. The microphone 2502 may be configured as a package of a few millimeters in size, for example, using MEMS technology. Such a very small microphone 2502 is mounted on a flexible printed circuit board 101. The audio collected by the microphone 2502 may be stored in the memory unit 116, or it may be stored in the communication terminal 2411 or cloud server 2401 via the wireless communication unit 115. This makes it easy to check what happened when the subject's condition (e.g., blood pressure) suddenly changes.

[0280] The cloud server 2401 stores audio data collected by the microphone 2502 via the communication terminal 2411 from the seal-type pulse wave sensors 2900 equipped on each of the multiple subjects, and analyzes the stored audio data. In this analysis, for example, it determines which of the multiple subjects the speaker of the voice contained in the audio data is. Any method can be used to associate the voice with the subject, not limited to well-known methods. For example, the speaker may be identified by performing a similarity check with audio data that has been registered in advance for each subject.

[0281] In this embodiment, the cloud server 2401 identifies an event number related to the conversation based on the received measurement information and various information from the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2900. However, this embodiment does not limit the method of identifying the event number to the method used by the cloud server 2401; it may also be input by the subject or others via the communication terminal 2411.

[0282] The cloud server 2401 then identifies the subject's event number based on the subject's voice and measurement information. Some of the identified event numbers are shown in Table 5. As shown in Table 5, even if it is determined to be a meeting, the event number corresponding to the subject may be identified from among Meeting A (lots of speaking), Meeting B (little speaking), and Meeting C (no speaking) depending on the amount of speaking. In addition, the cloud server 2401 also identifies event numbers corresponding to the content of the work, such as administrative tasks.

[0283] [Table 5]

[0284] Figure 33 shows the results of measuring changes in the subject's blood pressure and an example of an event that occurred in the subject. In the example shown in Figure 33, the cloud server 2401 identifies the event number (see Tables 3 and 5) corresponding to the event that occurred in the subject, based on the voice data and measurement results, along with the subject's 24-hour blood pressure fluctuation 3301.

[0285] Figure 34 shows an example in which only events in which the subject conversed are extracted in the cloud server 2401 according to this embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 34, the cloud server 2401 corrects for blood pressure fluctuations that occurred in events other than conversation in order to identify and extract conversational events, and then graphs them. This makes it easy to make relative comparisons between multiple speakers.

[0286] Then, a communication terminal installed in the workplace displays a screen showing the judgment result from the cloud server 2401. This screen may display the event, the blood pressure fluctuation shown in Figure 34, and a score calculated from the range of blood pressure fluctuation. For example, this screen may display a score showing the percentage increase from the mean blood pressure. For example, if a person's mean blood pressure (compressed blood pressure) rises to 125 mmHg due to conversation, the percentage increase is approximately 4%, so the score would be 0.04. This score is calculated by the cloud server 2401.

[0287] In other words, the cloud server 2401 acquires multiple blood pressure waveforms for each subject (test subject) in chronological order from the measurement information obtained by the seal-type pulse wave sensors 2500 and 2900. Furthermore, the cloud server 2401 acquires an event number (example of conversation event information) for each subject from the audio data acquired along with the measurement information, indicating when they were conversing with other people.

[0288] The cloud server 2401 then calculates a score for each user (e.g., a test subject) shown in Figure 34, based on the changes in blood pressure that occurred at the time of conversation with another user (e.g., another test subject), indicated by an event number (example of conversation event information). Table 6 shows examples of the scores calculated for each user shown in Figure 34.

[0289] [Table 6]

[0290] In this embodiment, when measuring blood pressure fluctuations during conversation, the conversation is assumed to be one-on-one. Furthermore, while it is preferable for the subject to be at rest before and during the conversation, this does not restrict the subject's or the state of the conversation, and any state is acceptable.

[0291] By calculating a score, it is possible to objectively determine which conversations with which subjects have an impact on blood pressure elevation. In this embodiment, a similar method can be used to compare and verify the degree of stress associated with events such as meetings or interviews.

[0292] In this embodiment, each of the multiple subjects wears a seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 or 2900. For example, one supervisor and several of their subordinates may wear the sensors simultaneously. In this case, the supervisor may conduct one-on-one individual interviews with each of the subordinates. In this embodiment, the blood pressure fluctuations of each interviewee are calculated as a score. The calculation results are shown in Table 7.

[0293] [Table 7]

[0294] In the example shown in Table 7, a terminal installed in the workplace can display the calculation results shown in Table 7. Since conversation scores can be compared for each subordinate, supervisors can understand who is prone to stress. This allows supervisors to assign tasks that are appropriate for each subordinate. Furthermore, subordinates can objectively recognize whether they are causing or receiving stress by comparing themselves to the average of other colleagues. This can also encourage behavioral changes in supervisors, leading to an improvement in the well-being indicators of the workplace environment.

[0295] [Table 7]

[0296] Furthermore, the diagnostic system according to this embodiment can quantify stress occurring in the workplace environment, such as through conversation scores, even in flat relationships rather than superior-subordinate relationships. For example, all five test subjects working in the workplace wear the same sticker-type pulse wave sensors 2500 and 2900. The diagnostic system then measures all five individuals for 24 hours. During measurement, the subjects are allowed to converse appropriately while performing their normal work. The diagnostic system acquires blood pressure fluctuations during conversations. As a result, a score for each speaker, as shown in Table 6, is generated for each subject. The cloud server 2401 can then quantify which of the five subjects is causing stress to the other subjects based on the scores of the five subjects. For example, after adding up the scores calculated for each interviewer and averaging them, the interviewer with the highest score can be identified as the one causing stress. Table 8 shows the scores calculated for each subject. In the example shown in Table 8, User B has the highest score, so they can be identified as the one causing stress.

[0297] [Table 8]

[0298] <Correction> The score described above is a numerical value representing the rate of increase in the subject's blood pressure. However, the rate of increase in blood pressure may not always perfectly correspond to the level of stress. Therefore, the cloud server 2401 according to this embodiment may correct the score by also referring to the measurement results of the subject's cerebral blood flow. Any method may be used as the correction method.

[0299] For example, the DLPFC located in the temples is known to work to suppress stress. Therefore, if the cloud server 2401 determines that the subject is experiencing stress, and there is an increase in cerebral blood flow near the temples, it assumes that stress-induced suppression is at work and adjusts the score to account for stress. For example, the cloud server 2401 adjusts the calculated score by dividing it by 0.9.

[0300] In another example, if cerebral blood flow is increased in the prefrontal cortex, such as between the eyebrows, it is highly likely that concentration has improved and blood pressure has risen. Therefore, cloud server 2401 assumes that this rise in blood pressure is likely not solely due to the interviewer's influence and corrects the calculated score by multiplying it by 0.9.

[0301] The method for correcting the score is not limited to the methods described above; for example, machine learning may be used. Also, if the interviewer holds a high position in the company, the interviewee will inevitably feel more stressed. In such cases, the cloud server 2401 may perform corrections according to a pre-entered model. For example, the cloud server 2401 may perform corrections according to a personality model based on pre-entered personnel information. Next, we will explain corrections according to the model.

[0302] <Correction through modeling> The cloud server 2401 accepts input from a communication terminal installed in the workplace, providing information indicating the supervisor's position and social status as a model for the supervisor and the subject to be corrected. The cloud server 2401 may also store the supervisor's and the subject's work details in a database. The cloud server 2401 may then accept selections from the subject from a list of work details stored in the database via a communication terminal installed in the workplace.

[0303] In the diagnostic system according to this embodiment, profiling and modeling of the subject and their supervisor is facilitated by the format of selecting from options. Various information such as company position, job duties, and the composition of colleagues is input for model generation. The cloud server 2401 then models the subject from the input information. In this embodiment, a biological model (hereinafter referred to as the biological model) and a social model (hereinafter referred to as the social model) are generated. However, the diagnostic system according to this embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned models for modeling, and a personality model (personality model) may also be generated.

[0304] <Biological Model> In the biological model, the subject's biological parameters, such as age, sex, weight, height, blood test values ​​(cholesterol levels), uric acid levels, and underlying diseases (optional), are each quantified.

[0305] <Social Model> In the social model, company information, job title, position, number of theme members, people involved, voice information, and personnel information are appropriately processed and modeled as social parameters for the subject and their supervisor. The social model may also utilize jobs defined as job types.

[0306] <Personality Model> The personality model is generated by referencing subjective information based on questionnaire surveys as personality parameters for the subject and their supervisor. Figure 35 is an example of a subject's personality model. Figure 35 shows the subject's personality model 3502 and an average personality model 3501. In the example shown in Figure 35, the parameters indicating personality are innovativeness, activity, emotionality, cooperativeness, sensitivity, assertiveness, sociability, and adaptability, but other parameters may be used to indicate personality. In the diagnostic system according to this embodiment, the personalities of the subject and their supervisor may be classified by comparison with the average values ​​shown in Figure 35.

[0307] The cloud server 2401 then corrects the score of the subject who conversed with the supervisor according to the supervisor's applicable model (e.g., social model or personality model). For this reason, the cloud server 2401 maintains correction values ​​or correction formulas corresponding to the supervisor's social model and the personality model on the form. Furthermore, the cloud server 2401 corrects the score calculated by the subject's model (e.g., biological model, social model, and personality model). For this reason, the cloud server 2401 maintains correction values ​​or correction formulas corresponding to the subject's biological model, social model, and personality model on the form. Note that the specific correction values ​​and correction formulas are determined according to the embodiment and will not be explained here.

[0308] The calculation of scores, score correction, and personality classification described here are examples performed by cloud server 2401, but the methods are not limited to those used by cloud server 2401. For example, a communication terminal installed in the workplace may perform the calculation and correction of scores.

[0309] <Intervention> This embodiment describes an example of measuring a subject's health status, including stress, in a workplace environment. In a workplace environment, a person's physical condition may change due to stress, etc. In such cases, the diagnostic system according to this embodiment may alert the subject to changes in their physical condition. For example, workplace hypertension can be corrected through the individual's awareness. Therefore, the diagnostic system according to this embodiment detects the subject's stress or changes in blood pressure using seal-type pulse wave sensors 2500 and 2900, and prompts the subject to change their behavior to improve the situation at the time of detection.

[0310] Figure 36 is a flowchart showing the processes performed in the diagnostic system according to this embodiment. The diagnostic system shown in Figure 36 shows the processes to encourage behavioral change in the subject. In the example shown in Figure 36, it is assumed that the subject has already been fitted with seal-type pulse wave sensors 2500 and 2900.

[0311] First, the communication terminal 2411 acquires the subject's measurement information from the seal-type pulse wave sensors 2500 and 2900 (S3601). Then, the communication terminal 2411 transmits the acquired measurement information to the cloud server 2401 (S3602).

[0312] Then, the cloud server 2401 receives the subject's measurement information from the communication terminal 2411 (S3611). The cloud server 2401 then stores the received subject's measurement information in a storage device owned by the cloud server 2401 (S3612).

[0313] The cloud server 2401 then determines from the accumulated measurement information of the subject whether the blood pressure has changed by more than a predetermined threshold (S3613). If it determines that the blood pressure has not changed by more than a predetermined threshold (S3613: NO), it determines whether the subject's measurement has ended (24 hours have passed since the start of measurement) (S3614). If the cloud server 2401 determines that the measurement has not ended (S3614: NO), it processes again from S3611.

[0314] Meanwhile, if the cloud server 2401 determines that the measurement is complete (S3614:YES), it proceeds to process S3620.

[0315] In S3613, if the cloud server 2401 determines from the accumulated patient measurement information that the blood pressure has changed by more than a predetermined threshold (S3613: YES), it sends a message to the communication terminal 2411 instructing the patient to take a deep breath (S3615).

[0316] Then, the communication terminal 2411 determines whether or not it has received a message instructing it to take a deep breath (S3603). If it determines that it has not received the message (S3603: NO), it proceeds to process S3607.

[0317] On the other hand, if the communication terminal 2411 determines that it has received a message instructing the subject to take a deep breath (S3603: YES), it outputs a message instructing the subject to take a deep breath (S3604). The method of outputting the message can be any manner that is recognizable to the subject, for example, it may be displayed on the screen of the communication terminal 2411 or output as audio.

[0318] Subsequently, the communication terminal 2411 acquires the subject's measurement information from the seal-type pulse wave sensors 2500 and 2900 (S3605), and transmits the acquired measurement information to the cloud server 2401 (S3606).

[0319] The cloud server 2401 receives the subject's measurement information from the communication terminal 2411 (S3616), and stores the received subject's measurement information in the storage device of the cloud server 2401 (S3617).

[0320] Then, the cloud server 2401 determines whether or not the message had an effect based on the accumulated measurement information of the subject (S3618). If it determines that no effect occurred (S3618: NO), the process returns to S3615.

[0321] Meanwhile, if the cloud server 2401 determines from the accumulated subject measurement information that the message has had an effect (S3618: YES), it determines whether the subject's measurement has ended (24 hours have passed since the start of measurement) (S3619). If the cloud server 2401 determines that the measurement has not ended (S3619: NO), it resumes processing from S3611.

[0322] Meanwhile, if the cloud server 2401 determines that the measurement is complete (S3619:YES), it proceeds to process S3620.

[0323] Then, after the measurement is complete, the cloud server 2401 sends the accumulated measurement information to the medical institution's terminal 2402 and terminates processing (S3620). When sending the measurement information, the cloud server 2401 performs the corrections and other adjustments described above on the measurement information.

[0324] Then, the medical institution's terminal 2402 receives measurement information from the cloud server 2401 (S3641). The medical institution's terminal 2402 displays the received measurement information (S3642).

[0325] Then, terminal 2402 at the medical institution receives input of the diagnostic results for the subject from medical personnel (S3643).

[0326] Then, the medical institution's terminal 2402 transmits the diagnosis results to the communication terminal 2411 (S3644).

[0327] In S3607, the communication terminal 2411 determines whether the measurement of the subject has been completed (24 hours have passed since the start of the measurement) (S3607). If the communication terminal 2411 determines that the measurement has not been completed (S3607: NO), it proceeds to process again from S3601.

[0328] Meanwhile, if the communication terminal 2411 determines that the measurement of the subject has been completed (24 hours have passed since the start of the measurement) (S3607: YES), it receives the diagnostic results from the medical institution's terminal 2402 (S3608).

[0329] Then, the communication terminal 2411 displays the received diagnostic results (S3609).

[0330] In this embodiment, by performing the above-described process, the subject's physical condition can be improved by prompting them to take deep breaths when their blood pressure changes. Furthermore, by having medical personnel at a medical institution understand these changes in blood pressure, they can encourage more appropriate action from the subject after the measurement is complete.

[0331] (12th embodiment) The embodiments described above describe an example in which a medical institution transmits a seal-type pulse wave sensor to a subject. However, the source of the seal-type pulse wave sensor is not limited to medical institutions. Therefore, the twelfth embodiment describes an example in which a pharmacist transmits a seal-type pulse wave sensor to a subject.

[0332] In this embodiment, the oxygen saturation level of hemoglobin can be measured from the measurement information of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500. This enables the realization of services related to home healthcare.

[0333] As shown in Figure 26, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 according to this embodiment includes an LED 113 that outputs a wavelength of 780 nm and an LED that outputs a wavelength of 850 nm. By making the light emission timing of the 780 nm LED and the 850 nm LED different, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 can detect the light absorption coefficient of the living organism at each wavelength.

[0334] Incidentally, it is well known that the two wavelengths of 850 nm and 780 nm clearly show differences in the spectra of the redox reaction of hemoglobin. Therefore, in the diagnostic system according to this embodiment, the oxygen saturation of the subject's hemoglobin can be detected from the absorption coefficients of the two wavelengths by inversely calculating the absorption coefficients of the known redox reaction.

[0335] Incidentally, for example, if a subject may have a highly contagious viral disease such as COVID-19, online diagnosis and home isolation are desirable because people who come into contact with the subject may become infected. In this case, in order to perform specific measurements of the subject, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 may be used as an oxygen saturation meter at the doctor's discretion through online diagnosis.

[0336] In other words, by hospitalizing a subject who may have a disease, medical professionals (e.g., doctors or nurses) can assess the subject's condition or provide advanced medical care. However, this requires advanced virus protection measures, which incurs significant costs. Therefore, it is desirable to create a situation where detailed assessment of the current situation is possible in online diagnosis and home care. Accordingly, the diagnostic system according to this embodiment uses a seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500. This allows for continuous 24-hour monitoring of at least one vital sign from the subject's body temperature, pulse rate, pulse waveform, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. Furthermore, the cloud server 2401 transmits the subject's vital signs to the medical institution's terminal 2402, enabling doctors at the medical institution to appropriately assess the subject's condition based on these vital signs.

[0337] In particular, in the case of COVID-19, hemoglobin oxygen saturation is considered an important indicator for accurately assessing the progression of pneumonia in a patient. The diagnostic system according to this embodiment monitors the patient's hemoglobin oxygen saturation 24 hours a day. This allows medical personnel at a medical institution to appropriately assess the patient's lung condition from the vital signs transmitted from the cloud server 2401. Furthermore, if medical personnel determine that the patient is in a dangerous condition, the patient can take action such as hospitalization, even if the patient is unable to make an appropriate decision. As a result, the diagnostic system according to this embodiment reduces the risks of home care for patients and enables safe home care.

[0338] The diagnostic system according to this embodiment is effective not only in home healthcare but also in providing safe medical care in facilities where doctors and nurses are not permanently stationed, such as nursing homes. Because the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 according to this embodiment is disposable, there is no problem with viral infection from reusing blood pressure monitors, and the risks and costs associated with cleaning to prevent viral infection are reduced. In addition, the measurement information detected by the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 is stored in the cloud server 2401, and diagnosis is performed at the medical institution's terminal 2402. Thus, in this embodiment, there is no need to return sensors or diagnostic devices to medical institutions, reducing the effort of shipping and the risk of malfunction during use.

[0339] Figure 37 is a diagram illustrating a diagnostic system used in the diagnostic service according to this embodiment. The diagnostic system according to this embodiment uses a (disposable) sensor ID that is uniquely assigned to each of the disposable seal-type pulse wave sensors 2500 described above.

[0340] As shown in Figure 37, the diagnostic system consists of a production facility, a pharmacist, a medical institution, a test subject, and a cloud server 2401.

[0341] <Manufacturing of sealed pulse wave sensors> In this embodiment, the production machine produces a sealed pulse wave sensor 2500 to which a sensor ID has been assigned. Specifically, the production machine uses an external connection terminal (not shown) formed on the flexible printed circuit board 101 of the sealed pulse wave sensor 2500 to write a sensor ID that uniquely identifies the sealed pulse wave sensor 2500 when writing a program to the storage unit 116 of the control device 112.

[0342] Furthermore, the manufacturing facility prints the sensor ID on the package when producing the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500. The manufacturing facility then stores the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 in the package. The sensor ID on the package is printed in a position that can be read by pharmacists and other inventory managers.

[0343] The production facility then sends the sealed pulse wave sensor 2500, which is housed in a package, to the pharmacist.

[0344] A doctor affiliated with a medical institution conducts an online diagnosis with the subject. If the doctor determines that an examination is necessary based on the online diagnosis, they send a prescription containing the subject's information, including the information of the person to whom the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2500 will be sent, to the pharmacist. In the case of an online diagnosis as in this embodiment, the medical institution's terminal 2402 may also transmit the prescription as electronic information to the pharmacist's (pharmacy's) terminal 2403.

[0345] (Pharmacy inventory management) The pharmacist provides medication to the patient according to the prescription from the medical institution. The pharmacist also processes the prescription to send the 2500 adhesive pulse wave sensor to the patient.

[0346] The prescription received by the pharmacist contains information about the patient. This patient information includes the patient ID and the patient's address. Furthermore, the ID of the medical institution or physician may also be included. Therefore, terminal 2403 can display the prescription input screen from the search screen on the diagnostic system according to this embodiment, using the ID of the medical institution or physician as the search key. On that prescription input screen, the sensor ID of the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2500 can be entered. This allows the patient ID to be associated with the sensor ID of the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2500.

[0347] The pharmacy manages the inventory of the seal-type pulse wave sensors 2500 sent from the manufacturing facility. Inventory management is usually handled by qualified personnel such as pharmacists, but there are no restrictions on who is responsible for inventory management. In this embodiment, we describe a case where a pharmacist at a prescription pharmacy performs the work of sending the sensors to the test subjects, but retailers such as convenience stores and drugstores may also sell the seal-type pulse wave sensors 2500, as in the case of self-medication.

[0348] For example, a communication terminal (an example of a communication device) sends a message to the cloud server 2401 indicating that it will register the subject ID, which indicates the recipient of the test, and the sensor ID of the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2500 to be sent to that subject, in accordance with the instructions of a qualified person such as a pharmacist. When a doctor's prescription includes an order for a sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2500, the cloud server 2401 can register the subject ID of the test recipient and the sensor ID of the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2500 to be sent to that subject in association. This ensures that the registration of the sensor ID is carried out reliably and securely under the responsibility of the pharmacist, similar to the prescription of medication. Therefore, it can lead to a safer and more reliable diagnosis.

[0349] In this embodiment, it is preferable that an application is installed on the terminal 2403 used by the pharmacist that allows for the simultaneous reception of prescriptions from medical institutions and input of the subject ID and the sensor ID of the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2500, in order to facilitate the handling of electronic information by the pharmacist.

[0350] Subsequently, the pharmacist removes the subject ID, which identifies the recipient of the sample, and the sensor ID, which is printed on the package of the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2500 to be sent to that subject, from the communication terminal. This prevents others from misusing the sensor ID.

[0351] The pharmacist then sends the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2500, with the sensor ID removed, to the subject via a delivery person.

[0352] <Delivery person> Online diagnosis has the advantage of allowing patients to obtain medication without infecting them with a virus. In this embodiment, a seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 is delivered using a delivery system similar to that used for online diagnosis. In this delivery system as well, it is desirable for a delivery person to be involved to reduce the risk of viral infection and the burden on the patient. The delivery person carries out the delivery according to the instructions of the pharmacist.

[0353] Delivery instructions may be issued from the pharmacist's terminal 2403. Furthermore, it is desirable that the delivery person be a qualified individual stationed in the community, such as a staff member of a regional medical center, a public health center staff member, a pharmacist, or a public health nurse. Delivery by a qualified individual ensures responsible delivery of the adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500 and, if possible, allows for assistance in attaching the sensor to the subject. This is particularly desirable for elderly subjects requiring care or subjects who are unwell.

[0354] <Response of the subject> The subject has previously downloaded and installed an application for measuring with the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 on the communication terminal 2411. Afterward, the communication terminal 2411 may display an input screen for entering the subject's attributes, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0355] The subject receives a patch-type pulse wave sensor 2500 from a pharmacist. When the subject receives the patch-type pulse wave sensor 2500 from a delivery person who has taken measures to prevent virus infection, they input confirmation information indicating that the sensor was handed over into an application running on a communication terminal 2411. This allows doctors, pharmacists, etc., to confirm that the patch-type pulse wave sensor 2500 has been handed over.

[0356] The subject peels off the protective sheet 2303 from the adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500. The first electrode 2301 and the second electrode 2302 are in contact with the protective sheet 2303. Therefore, when the subject peels off the protective sheet 2303, the first electrode 2301 and the second electrode 2302 become insulated. As a result, the control device 112 of the adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500 can detect that the protective sheet 2303 has been peeled off. Consequently, the control device 112 begins preparations to start measurement. In other words, the adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500 according to this embodiment can reduce battery consumption by maintaining a sleep state until the protective sheet 2303 is peeled off. As a result, the adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500 can reduce battery consumption until measurement starts and can be made smaller with a smaller battery capacity. Furthermore, by making the battery 111 of the adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500 smaller, comfort during wear can be improved.

[0357] The subject then launches an application installed on the communication terminal 2411. Wireless communication is then established between the communication terminal 2411 and the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500. Any wireless communication standard can be used; for example, Bluetooth® may be used. When communication is established, the application may display a message to that effect. This allows the subject to recognize that communication has been established.

[0358] The application on the communication terminal 2411 reads the sensor ID stored in the memory unit 116 of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500. The application associates the already entered subject ID with the sensor ID of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500. The communication terminal 2411 requests the cloud server 2401 to check whether the correspondence is consistent. The cloud server 2401 then determines whether it matches an already registered correspondence and sends the result to the communication terminal 2411. The communication terminal 2411 then displays the result.

[0359] The application on the communication terminal 2411 displays guidance on the placement of the adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500. For example, the subject places the adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500 on their upper arm or clavicle according to the guidance. This ensures that the subject places the sensor correctly, enabling accurate measurements.

[0360] For example, the subject attaches the adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500 to a location such as the upper arm, following the guidance. The adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500 detects the resistance value of the skin using the first electrode 2301 and the second electrode 2302, and can recognize that it has been attached to the subject's skin.

[0361] The adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500 starts illuminating the LED 113 and reading the PD 114 in accordance with the recognition. The adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500 starts measuring the subject's body and, when it begins to detect an appropriate pulse, transmits the measurement information to the cloud server 2401 via the communication terminal 2411. This allows a doctor, pharmacist, or delivery person to confirm that the measurement has been reliably started. If the start of the measurement cannot be confirmed, the doctor, pharmacist, or delivery person may issue a confirmation alarm. In this case, the application on the subject's communication terminal 2411 will output an alarm sound and display a message prompting the measurement to be started. Furthermore, if the subject's pulse wave is not properly detected due to reasons such as an inappropriate installation location, the application on the communication terminal 2411 may output an alarm sound. In this case, the communication terminal 2411 may also transmit alarm information to the medical institution's terminal 2402 or the pharmacist's terminal, etc. If necessary, the communication terminal 2411 may work in conjunction with the video conferencing system to provide guidance on attaching the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2500 via the screen. In this way, accurate measurement becomes possible when the application of the communication terminal 2411 outputs the appropriate instructions at the appropriate time.

[0362] <Applications on the subject's device> The application on the subject's communication terminal 2411 includes functions for sending and receiving information between the communication terminal 2411 and the cloud server 2401, and functions for controlling the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500, etc.

[0363] When the application is launched for the first time, it accepts input of the subject's information. Specifically, the application accepts input of the subject's ID sent from the medical institution. Furthermore, the application may accept input of the subject's name, the name of the medical institution visited, the subject's address, and the phone number of the communication device 2411 being used (e.g., a smartphone). In addition, the application may accept input of various other information such as password, age, gender, weight, presence or absence of underlying diseases, type of underlying disease, physical condition, and body temperature. For example, the subject's address is important because it allows the application to know the subject's current location. Therefore, considering locations such as hotel stays, the application may process information based on GPS data. Alternatively, a method of collecting the model information of the communication device 2411 may be adopted through an opt-in system.

[0364] The communication terminal 2411 and the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 are connected by wireless communication.

[0365] Subsequently, the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 transmits information indicating the measurement results (hereinafter referred to as measurement information) to the communication terminal 2411 after starting measurement.

[0366] The communication terminal 2411 (an example of a communication device) transmits measurement information, including information about the subject's pulse wave calculated by the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500, to the cloud server 2401, along with the sensor ID of the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500. The cloud server 2401 stores the measurement information received along with the sensor ID, linking it to the subject ID corresponding to the sensor ID.

[0367] The cloud server 2401 transmits the received measurement information (information about the subject's pulse wave) and the subject ID (associated with the sensor ID transmitted along with the measurement information) to the medical institution's terminal 2402.

[0368] The medical institution's terminal 2402 receives measurement information and subject information from the cloud server 2401 and displays the information of the subject, indicated by the received subject ID, based on the received measurement information. The medical institution's physician makes a diagnosis of the subject based on the measurement information displayed on the terminal. Subsequently, the medical institution's terminal 2402 transmits the diagnosis result to the subject's communication terminal 2411. The measurement information used for diagnosis is the same as in the embodiment described above, and therefore its explanation is omitted.

[0369] <Terminals in medical institutions> Terminal 2402 at the medical institution has an application installed to implement the diagnostic system. When terminal 2402 receives measurement information from the cloud server 2401, it displays the measurement information along with an alarm sound, prompting the doctor to make a diagnosis.

[0370] Furthermore, the medical institution's terminal 2402 may receive notifications, depending on the functions of the installed application, such as notifications that the subject has completed attaching the adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500 and notifications that the adhesive pulse wave sensor 250 has started transmitting measurement information. In addition, the medical institution's terminal 2402 can send a dataset containing the subject's biometric information to the cloud server 2401, which enables correction of the measurement information based on that biometric information.

[0371] The medical institution's terminal 2402 can receive measurement information, including analysis results, from the cloud server 2401. In this case, the doctor can make a diagnosis of the subject based on judgments that take the analysis results into consideration.

[0372] In the example shown in Figure 37, the pharmacist registers the sensor ID and patient ID with the cloud server 2401 based on the prescription. This allows the measurement information transmitted from the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2500 to be linked to the patient ID without the patient having to perform any registration process.

[0373] Furthermore, pharmacists remove the sensor ID and send the 2500 sticker-type pulse wave sensor to the patient. This ensures that only the pharmacist knows the sensor ID, thus suppressing tampering using the sensor ID and improving safety. It also allows for simultaneous checking of prescription errors by physicians, similar to general medications.

[0374] <Measurement> Figure 38 is a flowchart showing the processes performed in the diagnostic system according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 38, first, an online remote diagnosis is performed between the patient's communication terminal 2411 and the medical institution's terminal 2402 (S3801, S3811). The remote diagnosis may be a video conference using an imaging device, or it may be audio only.

[0375] A physician using terminal 2402 at a medical institution can determine through remote diagnosis whether a subject is suspected of having COVID-19 or the like. The flowchart shown in Figure 38 illustrates an example of remote diagnosis to determine whether a subject is suspected of having COVID-19 or the like, but it may also be applied to the remote diagnosis of other viral diseases. Furthermore, the remote diagnosis according to this embodiment is not limited to viral diseases, but may also be applied to the diagnosis of patients with underlying conditions such as cardiac dysfunction, or patients living far away.

[0376] Then, if a doctor or other medical professional determines that continuous 24-hour monitoring of the subject's vital signs is necessary, the medical institution's terminal 2402 transmits a prescription containing the subject's address and subject ID to the pharmacist's terminal (S3812).

[0377] The pharmacist's terminal 2403 then receives a prescription that includes the address of the subject to whom the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2500 will be sent, and the subject ID that identifies the subject to whom the sensor will be sent (S3821). The pharmacist has already received the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2500 from the manufacturing facility.

[0378] Then, the pharmacist's terminal 2403, in accordance with the pharmacist's instructions, associates the subject's subject ID with the sensor ID of the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2500 to be sent to the subject, and transmits this information to the cloud server 2401 (S3822).

[0379] The medical institution's terminal 2402 sends the patient ID to the patient's communication terminal 2411 according to the instructions of the doctor or other medical professional (S3813). Subsequently, the medical institution's terminal 2402 sends the patient's patient ID and a dataset containing the patient's biometric data (e.g., past medical examination results) to the cloud server 2401 according to the instructions of the doctor or other medical professional (S3814).

[0380] The cloud server 2401 receives the subject ID and sensor ID of the subject from the pharmacist's terminal 2403 (S3831). Furthermore, the cloud server 2401 receives the subject ID and dataset of the subject from the medical institution's terminal 2402 (S3832).

[0381] The cloud server 2401 registers the subject's subject ID, sensor ID, and dataset in association (S3833).

[0382] After the pharmacist sends the information to the cloud server 2401, the pharmacist removes the sensor ID printed on the package of the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2500 (S3823). Then the pharmacist sends the sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2500 to the subject (S3824).

[0383] After the remote diagnosis, the subject's communication terminal 2411 receives the subject ID (S3802). Subsequently, the communication terminal 2411 downloads and installs an application for 24-hour measurement according to the subject's instructions (S3803). To download the application, the doctor or other medical professional provides the address of the website where the application can be downloaded. This instruction may be sent via email or other means. The subject then accesses this address using the communication terminal 2411. This allows them to download the application.

[0384] The subject's communication terminal 2411 accepts the input of the subject's ID for the installed application (S3804).

[0385] Subsequently, the subject receives the adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500 from the pharmacist (S3805). The subject then peels off the protective sheet 2303 from the adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500. This establishes communication between the adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500 and the communication terminal 2411. The communication terminal 2411 then receives the sensor ID from the adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500.

[0386] Then, the subject's communication terminal 2411 verifies the consistency between the subject ID and the sensor ID with the cloud server 2401 (S3806, S3834). The flowchart shown in Figure 38 assumes that consistency has been achieved. Then, measurement by the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 begins.

[0387] The subject's communication terminal 2411 acquires measurement information from the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 (S3807). Subsequently, the communication terminal 2411 transmits the acquired measurement information to the cloud server 2401 (S3808). The process from S3807 to S3808 is repeated every 24 hours.

[0388] The cloud server 2401 then receives measurement information from the communication terminal 2411 24 hours a day (S3835). The received measurement information is stored in the memory unit.

[0389] Subsequently, the cloud server 2401 performs analysis such as matching on the accumulated measurement information (S3836). Specifically, the cloud server 2401 may model the subject based on the input subject dataset and correct the accumulated measurement information according to the model. Furthermore, the cloud server 2401 may perform pattern matching between the time-series changes due to the measurement information and the time-series change model. The cloud server 2401 may also identify the classification corresponding to the subject through pattern matching. The time-series change model is a pre-stored model that classifies the characteristics of the subject. In this embodiment, a time-series change model that classifies the subject's disease, etc., may be prepared as the characteristics of the subject.

[0390] Then, the cloud server 2401 transmits the measurement information, including the analyzed information, to the medical institution's terminal 2402 (S3837).

[0391] The medical institution's terminal 2402 receives measurement information, including analyzed information, from the cloud server 2401 (S3815). The medical institution's terminal 2402 displays the received measurement information, etc. This allows doctors and other medical personnel to make a diagnosis of the patient.

[0392] Then, terminal 2402 at the medical institution receives input of diagnostic results from doctors, etc. (S3816).

[0393] Subsequently, the medical institution's terminal 2402 transmits the diagnosis results from the doctor or other medical professional to the communication terminal 2411 (S3817).

[0394] Then, the subject's communication terminal 2411 receives the diagnostic results from the medical institution's terminal 2402 (S3809). This allows the subject to refer to the diagnostic results and recognize the disease they have.

[0395] The remote diagnosis shown in Figure 38 assumes an online diagnosis using a communication terminal, but it may also be a voice-based diagnosis via telephone, or an online diagnosis using an existing cloud service. If an online diagnosis using an existing cloud service is used, the online diagnosis service may have an application download function.

[0396] The diagnostic system according to this embodiment is equipped with an alarm function for physicians. For example, this function allows physicians to respond immediately if the patient's condition deteriorates.

[0397] Figure 39 is a flowchart showing the processing related to the alarm function of the diagnostic system according to this embodiment.

[0398] Measurement begins in the subject using the attached adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500 (S3901). The subject's communication terminal 2411 then begins transmitting the measurement information acquired from the adhesive pulse wave sensor 2500 to the cloud server 2401 (S3902).

[0399] When measurement of the subject begins, as described above, measurement information such as the subject's pulse waveform, oxygen saturation, pulse rate, and blood pressure is transmitted to the cloud server 2401. Since the waveform data, such as the pulse waveform, is large in volume, it may be transmitted in a reduced state, for example, by transmitting only 10 seconds of waveform data per minute. Other measurement information is transmitted at a frequency that allows for the recognition of dynamic changes in the subject's condition, for example, once per second.

[0400] Accordingly, the cloud server 2401 (an example of a communication device) begins receiving measurement information from the subject's communication terminal 2411 (S3911). Consequently, the cloud server 2401 begins measuring the elapsed time.

[0401] The cloud server 2401 determines whether the elapsed time has exceeded a predetermined time (S3912). If it determines that the elapsed time has not exceeded the predetermined time (S3912: NO), the cloud server 2401 determines whether the oxygen saturation included in the measurement information is lower than a threshold (S3913). The predetermined time may be 24 hours, or it may be an examination time determined by a physician, etc.

[0402] In this embodiment, a physician or other healthcare professional needs to configure the settings for activating the alarm function. For example, the physician configures the alarm function based on the patient's condition, using online diagnoses or other information obtained before the measurement begins. For instance, the physician sets an oxygen saturation threshold for activating the alarm function. Specifically, if the patient's initial oxygen saturation is 98%, the physician configures the device to sound an alarm when the oxygen saturation drops below 95%.

[0403] Since oxygen saturation levels vary from person to person, setting the alarm function according to a doctor's judgment will allow it to activate at a more appropriate time. Furthermore, for example, if the subject has an underlying heart condition, it is desirable to prioritize hospitalization and oxygen therapy over a decrease in oxygen saturation caused by general pneumonia.

[0404] If the cloud server 2401 determines that the oxygen saturation included in the measurement information is above the threshold (S3913:NO), it will resume processing from S3912.

[0405] On the other hand, if the cloud server 2401 determines that the oxygen saturation included in the measurement information is lower than a threshold (S3913: YES), the cloud server 2401 sends a low notification to the medical institution's terminal 2402 (S3914). The low notification according to this embodiment is information indicating that the subject's oxygen saturation has decreased (an example of information regarding the subject's oxygen saturation).

[0406] When the medical institution's terminal 2402 (an example of a communication device) receives a notification of a decrease (S3921), it activates its alarm function (S3922). As part of its alarm function, the medical institution's terminal 2402 displays the received notification of the decrease on its display device (not shown) and also emits a warning sound. This allows medical personnel to recognize that the patient's oxygen saturation has decreased.

[0407] Then, a doctor belonging to the medical institution performs a remote diagnosis of the subject from the medical institution's terminal 2402 via the subject's communication terminal 2411 (S3923, S3903). As a result, necessary treatment is performed on the subject, and the subject's communication terminal 2411 stops transmitting the subject's measurement information from the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 (S3904).

[0408] On the other hand, in S3912, if the cloud server 2401 determines that the elapsed time has exceeded a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) (S3912: Yes), it notifies the subject's communication terminal 2411 of the termination (S3915).

[0409] The subject's communication terminal 2411 terminates the transmission of the subject's measurement information from the seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 in accordance with the notification (S3904).

[0410] In this embodiment, medical personnel, including doctors, can monitor the subject 24 hours a day by keeping the terminal on hand, for example, on a rotating basis. Furthermore, since the terminal has an alarm function, medical personnel can check the subject's condition even when they are napping or working from home. When an alarm indicating a decrease in the subject's oxygen saturation is transmitted, the terminal can connect to the subject's communication terminal via 1411, allowing the subject to directly check their condition.

[0411] In this embodiment, the cloud server 2401 can recognize when measurement by the sealed pulse wave sensor 2500 has been completed. The cloud server 2401 then notifies the production facility of the sensor ID of the sealed pulse wave sensor 2500 that has completed measurement. This allows the production facility to assign the notified sensor ID to the sealed pulse wave sensors 2500 that it will produce from now on. In other words, in this embodiment, the sensor ID can be recycled, so even if there is a limit to the number of digits in the sensor ID, it is possible to prevent the depletion of sensor IDs that can be assigned to the sealed pulse wave sensors 2500.

[0412] (13th embodiment) The above-described embodiments mainly focused on the case of a diagnostic system. However, detecting the subject's condition is useful for purposes other than diagnosis. Therefore, the 13th embodiment will describe the case of a project support system (an example of a meeting support system).

[0413] Figure 40 is a diagram showing an example configuration of the project support system according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 40, the project support system (hereinafter also referred to as the meeting support system that supports project meetings) comprises a project management device 4001, a participant evaluation server 4002, and a project evaluation server 4003.

[0414] Furthermore, each of the users A through F (test subjects) participating in the meeting is equipped with a first communication terminal 4011 through a sixth communication terminal 4016.

[0415] Furthermore, the project management device 4001, the participant evaluation server 4002, the project evaluation server 4003, and the first communication terminals 4011 to the sixth communication terminals 4016 are connected by a public network 4050.

[0416] In this embodiment, users A to F have the seal-type pulse wave sensors 2500 and 2900 attached to the four locations mentioned above. Users A to F are participants in the meeting. In this embodiment, the people participating in the meeting are users A to F. In other words, everyone participating in the meeting is wearing the seal-type pulse wave sensors 2500 and 2900. That is, in this embodiment, participants are measured at four locations.

[0417] As a specific example, three sticker-type pulse wave sensors 2900 measure pulse waves in three locations on the conference participant's temporal lobe, DLPFC, and DMPFC (see, for example, Figures 29 to 31). In addition, a sticker-type pulse wave sensor 2500 measures pulse waves in the conference participant's upper arm.

[0418] The first to sixth communication terminals 4011 to 4016 can then transmit the measurement information detected by the seal-type pulse wave sensors 2500 and 2900 to the participant evaluation server 4002, etc.

[0419] The participant evaluation server 4002 comprises a receiving control unit 4021, a correlation calculation unit 4022, an evaluation value calculation unit 4023, a transmission control unit 4024, an input processing unit 4025, and a storage unit 4026, and performs evaluations for each participant (e.g., User A to User F) based on measurement information measured for each participant who participated in the project meeting.

[0420] The receiving control unit 4021 receives information from an external communication device. For example, if each participant in the project meeting is wearing a seal-type pulse wave sensor 2500 or 2900, the receiving control unit 4021 (an example of an acquisition unit) receives the participant's measurement information (information about pulse waves) acquired from the seal-type pulse wave sensors 2500 or 2900 installed on each participant.

[0421] The correlation calculation unit 4022 calculates a correlation coefficient for each combination of two participants from among the multiple participants in the meeting, showing the correlation between the changes in blood pressure during the meeting.

[0422] The evaluation value calculation unit 4023 calculates and outputs an evaluation value for each participant, indicating their evaluation of the meeting, based on the correlation coefficient calculated for each combination of two participants.

[0423] The transmission control unit 4024 transmits information to an external communication device. The input processing unit 4025 receives information input via the input interface.

[0424] The storage unit 4026 is a read / write non-volatile storage medium. The storage unit 4026 may be composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0425] The project evaluation server 4003 comprises a receiving control unit 4041, a calculation unit 4042, a generation unit 4043, a transmission control unit 4044, an input processing unit 4045, and a storage unit 4046, and evaluates the project based on evaluations from each participant who attended the project meetings. Specifically, the project evaluation server 4003 evaluates the project based on the commitment level of all participants.

[0426] The receiving control unit 4041 receives information from an external communication device.

[0427] The calculation unit 4042 calculates an evaluation value (an example of evaluation information) for each meeting, which indicates the project's evaluation, based on the participants' evaluation values ​​calculated based on the changes in the participants' blood pressure (an example of pulse wave fluctuations) obtained during the meeting.

[0428] The generation unit 4043 generates and outputs improvement advice that shows project evaluation information to evaluate the current project by comparing the current meeting with past meetings, and by comparing the cumulative value of the evaluation value calculated for each meeting with the cumulative value of the evaluation value calculated for each meeting in past projects.

[0429] The transmission control unit 4044 transmits information to an external communication device. The input processing unit 4045 receives information input via the input interface.

[0430] The storage unit 4046 is a read / write non-volatile storage medium. The storage unit 4046 may be composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0431] The project management device 4001 comprises a receiving control unit 4031, a transmitting control unit 4032, a storage control unit 4033, and a storage unit 4034, and manages the evaluation of each participant and the evaluation of the project.

[0432] The receiving control unit 4031 receives information from an external communication device. The transmitting control unit 4032 transmits information to an external communication device. The storage control unit 4033 stores project-related information in the storage unit 4034.

[0433] The storage unit 4034 is a read / write non-volatile storage medium. The storage unit 4034 may be composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0434] In the meeting support system according to this embodiment, it is possible to select appropriate meeting participants based on evaluations of each participant and the project. Furthermore, by setting appropriate meeting participants, the meeting support system can improve the probability of leading a project to success.

[0435] Figure 41 is a sequence diagram showing the processes performed by the project support system (also referred to as the meeting support system) according to this embodiment.

[0436] Each of the first communication terminal 4011, the second communication terminal 4012, and the third communication terminal 4013 acquires measurement information detected by the sticker-type pulse wave sensors 2500 and 2900 attached to the conference participants (e.g., users A to C) (S4101, S4111, S4121). The acquisition of measurement information takes place during conference 4171. Note that the acquisition of measurement information is not limited to the first communication terminal 4011, the second communication terminal 4012, and the third communication terminal 4013, but is performed by all communication terminals of participants in the conference.

[0437] Then, after the meeting ends, the first communication terminal 4011, the second communication terminal 4012, and the third communication terminal 4013 each transmit measurement information showing the measurement results to the participant evaluation server 4002 (S4102, S4112, S4122).

[0438] Then, the receiving control unit 4021 of the participant evaluation server 4002 receives measurement information indicating the measurement results of each user's communication terminal (for example, the first communication terminal 4011, the second communication terminal 4012, and the third communication terminal 4013) (S4131). The receiving control unit 4021 stores the received measurement information in the storage unit 4026.

[0439] Then, the correlation calculation unit 4022 and the evaluation value calculation unit 4023 of the participant evaluation server 4002 calculate an evaluation value for each participant participating in the meeting based on the stored measurement information (S4132). The information necessary for calculating the evaluation value may be received as input from an input interface (not shown) or the like. The correlation calculation unit 4022 and the evaluation value calculation unit 4023 may store the calculated evaluation value for each participant in the storage unit 4026. The specific method for calculating the evaluation value will be described later.

[0440] Subsequently, the transmission control unit 4024 of the participant evaluation server 4002 transmits the evaluation value for each participant to the project management device 4001 (S4133).

[0441] Then, the receiving control unit 4031 of the project management device 4001 receives the evaluation values ​​for each participant (S4141). The receiving control unit 4031 then stores the received evaluation values ​​for each participant in the storage unit 4034.

[0442] Subsequently, the transmission control unit 4032 of the project management device 4001 transmits the evaluation value for each participant to the project evaluation server 4003 (S4142).

[0443] The receiving control unit 4041 of the project evaluation server 4003 receives evaluation values ​​for each participant (S4151).

[0444] The calculation unit 4042 of the project evaluation server 4003 calculates the project evaluation value based on the evaluation values ​​for each participant (S4152). The specific method for calculating the project evaluation value will be described later. The project evaluation value calculated by the calculation unit 4042 may be stored in the storage unit 4046.

[0445] Then, the transmission control unit 4044 of the project evaluation server 4003 transmits the project evaluation values ​​to the project management device 4001 (S4153).

[0446] The receiving control unit 4031 of the project management device 4001 receives the project evaluation value (S4143).

[0447] Then, the storage control unit 4033 of the project management device 4001 stores the project evaluation value and the evaluation value for each participant in the storage unit 4034, associating them with the project name (S4144).

[0448] Furthermore, the transmission control unit 4032 of the project management device 4001 instructs the participants' communication terminals 4011 to 4013 to display the evaluation values ​​(S4045).

[0449] As a result, the first communication terminal 4011, the second communication terminal 4012, and the third communication terminal 4013 each display the project evaluation value and the evaluation value for each participant (S4103, S4113, S4123).

[0450] Next, the method for calculating the evaluation value for each participant in the participant evaluation server 4002, as shown in S4132, will be explained. Figure 42 is a flowchart showing the method for calculating the evaluation value for each participant in the participant evaluation server 4002. In this flowchart, (as shown in S4131 of Figure 41) measurement information for each participant has already been received.

[0451] First, the input processing unit 4025 processes the number of participants in the project (S4201).

[0452] Next, the input processing unit 4025 processes information to identify each participant in the project (for example, the participant's name) (S4202).

[0453] Furthermore, the input processing unit 4025 processes information about the body part to be measured (for example, the name of the body part) for the participants in the project (S4203).

[0454] Then, the input processing unit 4025 performs a process to associate the participant and the body part being measured with each piece of measurement information (S4204).

[0455] The correlation calculation unit 4022 calculates the correlation coefficient (an example of correlation information) for any combination of any two participants from among the multiple participants in the meeting, for any part of the blood pressure change during the meeting (an example of pulse wave fluctuation) (S4205).

[0456] Figure 43 shows the time-series changes in blood pressure at designated measurement sites for two participants (User A and User B) during a meeting. Line 4301 in Figure 43 represents the change in User A's blood pressure, and line 4302 represents the change in User B's blood pressure.

[0457] In the example shown in Figure 43, the timing of participants' statements is plotted as indicated by arrows during a meeting lasting approximately one hour. It can be seen that blood pressure fluctuates at the time a participant speaks. Furthermore, the fluctuation in blood pressure is influenced by how a participant perceives the statements of other participants. In other words, the amount of blood pressure fluctuation increases or decreases depending on the degree of influence of the statements of other participants. If the blood pressure fluctuations of two participants are similar, it can be determined that the two participants are reacting similarly to the statements of other participants. In other words, the correlation calculation unit 4022 calculates a coefficient (hereinafter referred to as the correlation coefficient) that represents the correlation between the two participants based on whether or not the fluctuations in blood pressure values ​​are similar.

[0458] In other words, in this embodiment, if there is a correlation in the blood pressure fluctuations associated with the statements of two participants, it is assumed that they have similar feelings about the meeting, and the correlation of their feelings towards the meeting is estimated. In recent years, there has been a trend to use the correlation of brain activity as an evaluation function to visualize the mental state of subjects (Ryuta Kawashima, "Making it possible to measure the quality of communication: A breakthrough with the 'empathetic brain'", Nikkei Electronics, Nikkei BP Corporation, January 21, 2013, pp. 35-37). Cerebral blood flow and blood pressure are thought to have a high correlation in the autonomic nervous system. Therefore, in this embodiment, the correlation of feelings towards the meeting between two participants is derived from the correlation of blood pressure fluctuations.

[0459] Figure 44 illustrates the method used by the correlation calculation unit 4022 to calculate the correlation coefficient between two participants. In the example shown in Figure 44, the blood pressure of user A and the blood pressure of user B are plotted every 30 seconds during the meeting. Figure 23 plots user A's blood pressure on the vertical axis and user B's blood pressure on the horizontal axis. For example, in a 60-minute meeting, a total of 120 points are plotted for each combination of user A's and user B's blood pressure.

[0460] Figure 44 shows a high correlation when blood pressure combinations are plotted proportionally (in other words, when user A's blood pressure rises, user B's blood pressure rises, and when user A's blood pressure falls, user B's blood pressure falls). The correlation calculation unit 4022 according to this embodiment calculates the correlation coefficient between the two participants based on this plot. Any method can be used to calculate the correlation coefficient; for example, Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient calculation method may be used.

[0461] Returning to Figure 42, the correlation calculation unit 4022 determines whether or not it has calculated the correlation coefficients for all combinations of two participants for any given region (S4206). If the correlation coefficients have not been calculated for all combinations of two participants (S4206: NO), the process returns to S4205, and the correlation calculation unit 4022 calculates the correlation coefficients for the combinations of two participants for which the calculations have not been performed.

[0462] This allows for the calculation of correlation coefficients for any given body part and any combination of two participants. Table 9 shows the correlations for each combination of two participants and any given body part (e.g., left temple).

[0463] [Table 9]

[0464] On the other hand, if it is determined that the correlation coefficients for all combinations of two participants have been calculated for any given body part (S4206: YES), the correlation calculation unit 4022 determines whether or not the correlation coefficients have been calculated for all body parts (S4207). If it is determined that the correlation coefficients have not been calculated for all body parts (S4207: NO), the process returns to S4205, and the correlation calculation unit 4022 calculates the correlation coefficients between the two participants for the body parts for which the coefficients have not been calculated.

[0465] On the other hand, if the correlation calculation unit 4022 determines that it has calculated correlation coefficients for all body parts (S4207: YES), it integrates the correlations calculated for each body part and calculates the correlation between the two participants for all combinations of two participants (S4208).

[0466] Figure 45 is a matrix showing the correlation coefficients between two individuals for each measurement site, calculated by the correlation calculation unit 4022. The matrix evaluation results shown in Figure 45 indicate that correlations were calculated for each measurement site to which the sticker-type pulse wave sensors 2500 and 2900 were attached (for example, the temporal lobe (behind the ear), DLPFC (left temple), DMPFC (between the eyebrows), and upper arm of the meeting participant). Each part of the head has different evaluation indices depending on its function. Therefore, the correlation coefficient between two participants may be calculated considering the evaluation indices. For example, when the correlation calculation unit 4022 calculates the participant's evaluation value for tasks requiring social cognition and teamwork, it may multiply the correlation coefficient calculated from the head DMPFC by a predetermined coefficient and then evaluate the amount of commitment to the meeting. In this way, the correlation calculation unit 4022 calculates the correlation coefficient between two participants by performing corrections such as those for the head, adding up the correlation coefficients of all measurement sites between the two participants and averaging them.

[0467] Subsequently, the evaluation value calculation unit 4023 calculates the average value for each participant based on the correlation coefficient calculated for each combination of two participants, and uses this as evaluation information indicating the participant's evaluation of the meeting (S4209).

[0468] The evaluation value calculation unit 4023 (an example of an output unit) displays the calculated evaluation value for each participant on a display device (not shown) (S4210).

[0469] Figure 46 shows an example screen displaying the evaluation values ​​for each participant, as shown by the evaluation value calculation unit 4023. The screen shown in Figure 46 includes Table 4601, which displays the evaluation values ​​for each participant, and a display area 4602 for recommended members. Table 4601 shows the evaluation values ​​obtained by averaging the correlation coefficients for each participant. The display area 4602 shows the members recommended for the next meeting, in descending order of each participant's evaluation value. In other words, participants with low evaluation values ​​are judged to have low commitment to the meeting, while participants with high evaluation values ​​are judged to have high commitment to the meeting. Therefore, by displaying recommended members in descending order of commitment, the evaluation value calculation unit 4023 can make the next meeting more meaningful and increase the probability of leading the project to success.

[0470] The evaluation value calculation unit 4023 then stores the calculated evaluation value for each participant in the storage unit 4026 (S4211).

[0471] In this embodiment, the processing procedure described above allows for the calculation of an evaluation score for each participant in the meeting. The meeting organizer can then use this evaluation score as a reference when conducting the next meeting to make it more meaningful. In other words, by changing the participants in the next meeting to include those with a high correlation, it becomes possible to share feelings and other aspects related to the purpose of the meeting. This makes the meeting more meaningful.

[0472] Next, the method for calculating the project evaluation value in the project evaluation server 4003, as shown in S4152, will be explained. Figure 47 is a flowchart showing the method for calculating the project evaluation value in the project evaluation server 4003. In this flowchart, (as shown in S4152 of Figure 41) the evaluation values ​​for each participant in the meeting have already been received.

[0473] First, the input processing unit 4045 obtains the number of participants in the project (S4701). The number of participants may be obtained from the project management device 4001, or it may be entered via the input interface.

[0474] Furthermore, the input processing unit 4045 acquires information identifying each participant in the project (for example, the participant's name) (S4702). The information identifying the participant may be obtained from, for example, the project management device 4001, or it may be received as input via the input interface. This allows the information identifying the participant (the participant's name) to be displayed when outputting improvement advice.

[0475] Subsequently, the calculation unit 4042 calculates the average of the evaluation values ​​for each participant received in S4152 of Figure 41 to calculate the evaluation value of the meeting (S4703). The storage unit 4046 of the project evaluation server 4003 stores all the evaluation values ​​for the meeting calculated by the calculation unit 4042. The evaluation value of the meeting is the average of the evaluation values ​​for each participant. In other words, a high evaluation value for a participant indicates a high level of commitment to the meeting, so a high average evaluation value for the participants who attended the meeting suggests that the meeting was meaningful.

[0476] Figure 48 shows the evaluation values ​​for each meeting (regular meeting) calculated by the calculation unit 4042. By maintaining evaluation values ​​for each meeting in this way, it is possible to compare and analyze the evaluation of each meeting.

[0477] Returning to Figure 47, the calculation unit 4042 generates the current evaluation value for the project (S4704). Table 10 shows an example of the evaluation results generated by the calculation unit 4042. In the example shown in Table 10, the current overall evaluation shows the evaluation value of the meeting calculated this time.

[0478] [Table 10]

[0479] The generation unit 4043 compares the evaluation value of the current meeting with the evaluation value of past meetings for the same project (S4705). By comparing it with the evaluation value of past meetings as shown in Figure 48, the generation unit 4043 can recognize whether the evaluation value has increased or not.

[0480] Furthermore, the generation unit 4043 compares the cumulative evaluation value of the meetings in the current project with the cumulative evaluation value of past projects (S4706). Figure 49 is a matrix showing the evaluation values ​​of past projects stored by the project evaluation server 4003 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 49, the information for each meeting in past projects allows for recognition of how the evaluation value has changed due to the narrowing down of participants.

[0481] In other words, by referring to the changes in evaluation values ​​for each meeting in past projects, it is possible to predict how evaluation values ​​will change depending on the participants. Furthermore, past projects include evaluations from external evaluators or project leaders after the project was evaluated. This means that information indicating whether the project was successful or not is included. Therefore, by comparing the current project with past projects, it is possible to predict whether it is being carried out appropriately. Moreover, by considering the differences in changes in participants and evaluation values ​​between successful and unsuccessful projects, it may be possible to narrow down the participants. This can improve the probability of the project succeeding.

[0482] In this way, the generation unit 4043 can recognize what kind of participant selection led to an increase in the evaluation score by referring to past projects with similar circumstances to the current meeting. For example, the generation unit 4043 extracts past projects with evaluation scores close to the current evaluation score. Then, based on the participant changes of successful projects among the extracted past projects, it identifies participant changes for the current project (for example, participant changes that match the number of participants in successful projects and subsequent projects, or participant changes that follow the evaluation scores of successful projects and subsequent projects). The generation unit 4043 then generates improvement advice that presents the identified participant changes.

[0483] The generation unit 4043 then generates improvement advice based on past meetings and past projects, and outputs the generated improvement advice (an example of project evaluation information) (S4707).

[0484] Figure 50 shows an example of the improvement advice screen output by the project evaluation server 4003. Figure 50 displays Table 5001, which shows the evaluation for each meeting of the current project, Table 5002, which shows the evaluation for each participant of the current regular meeting, and the improvement advice message field 5003. As shown in the message field 5003, if the evaluation value of the current meeting is lower than the evaluation values ​​of past project meetings, advice will be displayed strongly urging a reduction in the number of participating members.

[0485] Returning to Figure 47, the input processing unit 4045 determines whether or not the participant change has been accepted (S4708). If it determines that the participant change has been accepted (S4708: YES), and if the evaluation values ​​for each participant of the next meeting have been received, processing will proceed from S4701.

[0486] On the other hand, if the input processing unit 4045 determines that it has not accepted any changes to the participants (S4708: NO), it determines whether or not the current project has ended (S4709).

[0487] If the input processing unit 4045 determines that the current project is not yet completed (S4709: NO), and receives evaluation values ​​for each participant of the next meeting, it proceeds from S4703.

[0488] If the input processing unit 4045 determines that the current project has been completed (S4709: NO), it analyzes the results of the current project and records them in the storage unit 4046 (S4710). At that time, the input processing unit 4045 may also process an evaluation of the current project from an external source and record it in the storage unit 4046.

[0489] In this embodiment, when evaluating a project meeting by performing the processing described above, an evaluation value for the meeting is derived from the measurement information of all participants in the meeting. Therefore, an appropriate evaluation of the meeting can be performed. Furthermore, by changing the participants of the next meeting based on the evaluation value for each participant, the meeting can be made more meaningful, thereby increasing the probability of project success.

[0490] In the meeting according to this embodiment, subprojects may be established within the project to solve the problems that the project has. In this case, the project management device 4001 may manage the subprojects as information belonging to the project. Furthermore, the project evaluation server 4003 may manage the evaluation values ​​of meetings conducted in subprojects separately from the evaluation values ​​conducted in the project.

[0491] In this embodiment, the project management device 4001 manages information related to a new subproject. The project management device 4001 may also set agenda items related to the subproject.

[0492] The selection of members for the subproject can be done using any method. For example, the project evaluation server 4003 may select participants recommended in the improvement advice shown in the message field 5003 as members of the subproject. In this embodiment, the method of selecting members is not limited to such methods. For example, the project evaluation server 4003 may, after considering the participants recommended in the improvement advice as member candidates, select members by considering scores based on changes in emotions extracted from participants during the meeting, or scores for actions (e.g., comments) that occurred during the meeting.

[0493] In this embodiment, by performing the above-described process, participants and other elements can be changed to make project meetings more productive. This can improve the probability of project success.

[0494] The embodiments described above described disposable pulse wave sensors and disposable blood pressure monitors. However, the embodiments described above are not limited to disposable pulse wave sensors and disposable blood pressure monitors, but can be applied to any biometric measurement device that measures the subject (person undergoing a health checkup).

[0495] (modified version) In the above-described embodiments of the systems (for example, a diagnostic system or a conference system), an example was described in which the subject or conference participant attaches a disposable sticker-type pulse wave sensor. However, the above-described embodiments are merely examples of biometric measurement devices worn by the subject or conference participant, and are not limited to the method of attaching the biometric measurement device described above. In particular, when conference participants wear a biometric measurement device, instead of attaching a sticker-type pulse wave sensor each time a conference is held, they may wear a wearable device. The shape of the wearable device can be any shape; for example, it may be a band type that can be worn on the upper arm of the conference participant, or a cap type that can be worn on the head of the conference participant.

[0496] Although several embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited in any way to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0497] Examples of the present invention are as follows: <1> A light irradiation unit that irradiates light onto the subject, A light detection unit for detecting light reflected within the subject, A control unit that calculates information regarding the pulse wave of the subject based on the light detected by the light detection unit, A flexible substrate having a first surface on which the light irradiation unit and the light detection unit are provided, and wiring connecting the light irradiation unit and the control unit and the light detection unit and the control unit, A light-shielding portion is provided on the first surface, and between the light-irradiating portion and the light-detecting portion, protruding vertically from the light-irradiating portion and the light-detecting portion on the first surface, The adhesive portion for adhering closely to the subject, A biomedical measurement device equipped with the following features. <2> The light-shielding portion is formed on the first surface so as to surround the light-detecting portion. <1> The biomedical measurement device described above. <3> The light-shielding portion has an end face that is in close contact with the subject, which is formed as the adhesive portion. <1> or <2> The biomedical measurement device described above. <4> A member provided between the light detection unit and the light shielding unit, the end face on the side in close contact with the subject, is formed to reflect light, Further preparation <1> ~ <3> A biomedical measurement device as described in any one of the following. <5> <1> ~ <4> A biometric measurement device comprising any one of the following: Pulse wave sensor. <6> <1> ~ <4> A biometric measurement device comprising any one of the following: Blood pressure monitor. <7> The aforementioned light detection unit comprises multiple units to detect at different positions along the direction of arterial course of the subject, The light irradiation section is provided with respect to each of the light detection sections, sandwiching the light shielding section between them. <6> The blood pressure monitor described above. <8> Equipped with an accelerometer, <6> or <7> The blood pressure monitor described above. <9> It is molded to a size that can be set near the subclavian artery of a person. <6> ~ <8> A blood pressure monitor listed in one of the following descriptions.

[0498] <14> The information processing device receives the changes in the blood pressure of the subject in a time series, which are acquired by a biomedical measurement device that the subject can wear. The information processing device receives event information obtained by the biomedical measurement device, which shows events that occurred in the subject in chronological order. An information processing device performs an extraction step of extracting the changes in blood pressure according to the time series, based on the event indicated in the event information, The information processing device performs a selection step to identify the classification of the acquired blood pressure change by matching the blood pressure change extracted based on the event with a change model that represents the blood pressure change, which is predetermined for each classification that represents the characteristics of the subject. The information processing device outputs the classification identified by the specified step, A diagnostic method for the veterinary tract. (effect) The information processing device stores event information indicating specific events based on vital data (pulse wave, blood pressure, hemoglobin oxygen saturation, cerebral blood flow values ​​in the DLPFC brain region, cerebral blood flow values ​​in the DMPFC brain region, etc.) obtained from biometric measurement devices that can be worn by the subject, such as wearable sensors, and information obtained from an acceleration sensor, temperature sensor, or microphone built into the wearable sensor. By displaying the events indicated in the event information along with vital values, physicians can determine the factors behind sudden fluctuations in vital values. For example, if the information processing device records bedtime, medication, and early morning toilet visits and displays this information overlaid on changes in blood pressure, physicians can improve diagnostic accuracy by excluding blood pressure changes that are unrelated to the diagnostic target, such as early morning hypertension. Furthermore, the information processing device can calculate subtypes of hypertension by performing pattern matching using a change model. This can assist physicians in their diagnoses. <15> The steps include acquiring the time-series changes in the blood pressure of each subject, obtained using a wearable biomedical measurement device, and The steps include receiving conversation event information indicating the timing of the conversation for each subject, according to the aforementioned time series, and A calculation step for each subject, which calculates a score based on the change in blood pressure that occurred at the time of conversation with another subject, as indicated in the conversation event information, An output step that outputs the score calculated for each subject, A program that causes a computer to execute something. (effect) The information processing device running the program analyzes a score based on vital data (pulse wave, blood pressure, hemoglobin oxygen saturation, cerebral blood flow values ​​in the DLPFC brain region, cerebral blood flow values ​​in the DMPFC brain region, etc.) obtained from wearable biometric measurement devices such as wearable sensors, and conversation event information obtained from a microphone built into the biometric measurement device. Specifically, it measures vital values, infers the person the user was talking to in the event, and records the vital values ​​in association with the person. This allows for the objective recording of what vital values ​​occur when talking to someone. By accumulating this data, insights can be gained into the factors causing blood pressure increases in individuals diagnosed with workplace hypertension. Understanding these factors can lead to improvements in workplace hypertension. Multiple subjects wear biometric measurement devices and are measured simultaneously. The information processing device quantifies the measured vital values ​​as a percentage change relative to the average, thereby correcting for individual differences. This enables standardization that allows for comparison among multiple subjects. Microphone audio is processed using AI to classify who is talking to whom. This allows for identification of who causes the greatest increase in vital values ​​during conversations. By performing this with multiple people, it is possible to quantify and rank individuals who are prone to stress, such as those whose blood pressure rises, and those who cause stress to others. The information processing device calculates such scores, making it possible to visualize the perceived stress levels among subjects and reducing the overall stress level of the group. <16> When each participant in a meeting is wearing a wearable biometric measurement device, an acquisition unit acquires information regarding the pulse wave of each participant from the biometric measurement device provided on each participant. A correlation calculation unit calculates correlation information showing the correlation between pulse wave fluctuations during the meeting for each combination of two of the multiple participants attending the meeting. An evaluation calculation unit calculates evaluation information for each participant, based on the correlation information calculated for each combination of the two participants, which indicates the participant's evaluation at the meeting. An output unit that outputs the evaluation information for each participant calculated by the evaluation calculation unit, A conference support system equipped with the following features. (effect) By having all conference participants wear a pulse wave meter, a type of biometric measurement device, the level of commitment of each participant to the conference can be evaluated based on information about their pulse waves. Conference organizers can then use this information to carefully select participants for future conferences, thereby ensuring the smooth operation of the meetings. <17> When each participant in a meeting for a predetermined project is wearing a wearable biometric measurement device, an acquisition unit acquires information regarding the pulse wave of each participant from the biometric measurement device provided on each participant. An evaluation value calculation unit calculates evaluation information indicating the evaluation of the project for each meeting, based on the fluctuations of pulse waves obtained from the participants of the meeting during the meeting; A generation unit generates project evaluation information to evaluate the project based on the results of comparing the cumulative evaluation information calculated for each meeting by the evaluation value calculation unit with the cumulative evaluation information calculated for each meeting in past projects. An output unit that outputs the aforementioned project evaluation information, A conference support system equipped with the following features. (effect) By having everyone participating in the meeting wear biometric measurement devices, it becomes possible to evaluate all aspects of their participation in the project. This increases the probability of leading the project to success. [Explanation of symbols]

[0499] 100, 700, 1200, 1500, 1701, 1702, 1800, 2300, 2500, 2900 Seal-type pulse wave sensor 101 Flexible Printed Circuit Board 111 Batteries 112, 1400, 1503, 1713, 1813 Control devices 113_1~113_4, 1512, 1522, 1721, 1711, 1812 LED 114, 1511, 1521, 1722, 1712, 1811 PD 115 Wireless Communication Section 116 Memory section 121, 701 Light shielding layer Attachment for 201 PD 202 Attachments 203 Adhesive layer 211 Silicone resin layer 212 Cover layer 602, 1401, 1901 Control Unit 611 LED Driver 612 Waveform preprocessing unit 613 Waveform Post-processing Unit 614 Pulse wave calculation unit 1411 Feature Extraction Unit 1412, 1912 Propagation time calculation unit 1413 Blood pressure conversion unit 1414 Individual Difference Correction Section 1501, 1502 PD-LED Unit 1723 Communication equipment 1851, 1852 Electrodes for electrocardiogram 1911 ECG peak detection unit 2401 Cloud Server 2411, 4011~4016 Communication terminals 4001 Project Management System 4031 Receiving Control Unit 4032 Transmission Control Unit 4033 Storage Control Unit 4034 Storage section 4002 Participant Evaluation Server 4021 Receiving Control Unit 4022 Correlation Calculation Unit 4023 Evaluation Value Calculation Unit 4024 Transmission Control Unit 4025 Input Processing Unit 4026 Storage section 4003 Project Evaluation Server 4041 Receiving Control Unit 4042 Calculation Unit 4043 Generation part 4044 Transmission Control Unit 4045 Input Processing Unit 4046 Storage section [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0500] [Patent Document 1] Special table 2018-518323 publication [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-061675

Claims

1. A biomedical measurement device comprising: a light irradiation unit for irradiating a subject with light; a light detection unit for detecting light reflected within the subject; a control unit for calculating information regarding the subject's pulse wave based on the light detected by the light detection unit; a flexible substrate having a first surface on which the light irradiation unit and the light detection unit are provided, and wiring connecting the light irradiation unit and the control unit, and the light detection unit and the control unit; a light shielding unit provided on the first surface, protruding vertically from the light irradiation unit and the light detection unit between the first surface and molded to surround the light detection unit; and an adhesive unit for close contact with the subject, wherein the subject is to be attached to each participant participating in a meeting of a predetermined project. An acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the participant's pulse wave from the aforementioned biomedical measurement device, An evaluation value calculation unit calculates evaluation information indicating the evaluation of the project for each meeting, based on the fluctuations of pulse waves obtained from the participants of the meeting during the meeting; A generation unit generates project evaluation information to evaluate the project based on the results of comparing the cumulative evaluation information calculated for each meeting by the evaluation value calculation unit with the cumulative evaluation information calculated for each meeting in past projects. It comprises an output unit that outputs the aforementioned project evaluation information, The light-shielding portion has an end face that is in close contact with the subject, which is formed as the adhesive portion. Meeting support system.

2. A biomedical measurement device comprising: a light irradiation unit for irradiating a subject with light; a light detection unit for detecting light reflected within the subject; a control unit for calculating information relating to the pulse wave of the subject based on the light detected by the light detection unit; a flexible substrate having a first surface on which the light irradiation unit and the light detection unit are provided, and wiring connecting the light irradiation unit and the control unit and the light detection unit and the control unit; a light shielding unit provided on the first surface, protruding vertically from the light irradiation unit and the light detection unit between the first surface and molded to surround the light detection unit; and an adhesive unit for close contact with the subject, wherein the subject is to be attached to each participant participating in a meeting of a predetermined project, An acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the participant's pulse wave from the aforementioned biomedical measurement device, An evaluation value calculation unit calculates evaluation information indicating the evaluation of the project for each meeting, based on the fluctuations of pulse waves obtained from the participants of the meeting during the meeting; A generation unit generates project evaluation information to evaluate the project based on the results of comparing the cumulative evaluation information calculated for each meeting by the evaluation value calculation unit with the cumulative evaluation information calculated for each meeting in past projects. It comprises an output unit that outputs the aforementioned project evaluation information, The biomedical measurement device further comprises a member provided between the light detection unit and the light shielding unit, the end face on the side in close contact with the subject being formed to reflect light. Meeting support system.

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