Disease prevention systems, disease prevention methods and programs

Abstract

To provide a disease prevention system, a method for preventing a disease, and a program which functions as at least one of a control unit and a presentation unit which can prevent a disease of a support target person even if the support target person is not carrying such a device as a sensor with the support target person.SOLUTION: In a disease prevention system 80, a disease prevention device 10 includes: a metabolism amount information acquisition unit 11D for acquiring metabolism information of a support target person from positional information of the support target person in a building; an environmental information acquisition unit 11A for acquiring environmental information showing environmental situations around the support target person; a blood pressure value estimation unit 11E for estimating the blood pressure of the support target person from the metabolism information and the environmental information; and at least one of a control unit 11F for controlling a warm environment of a room on the basis of the blood pressure estimated by the blood pressure value estimation unit 11E and a presentation unit 11G for presenting predetermined information to suppress generation of a disease.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a disease prevention system, a disease prevention method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1 below, from continuously acquired pulse wave information, information such as blood pressure fluctuations and fluctuations in the pulse wave waveform, for example, arrhythmia information, is obtained, and based on the fluctuations, a disease onset risk prediction system for predicting the risk of onset of a disease, particularly a cerebrovascular disease, is described.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the cerebrovascular disease onset risk prediction system in Patent Document 1 above, a sensor for continuously acquiring pulse wave information is attached to a site suitable for acquiring the pulsation of the blood vessels of the subject, and the pulse wave is continuously acquired. That is, the subject needs to always carry the sensor. In such a case, if the sensor is not carried, the onset risk of cerebrovascular disease of the subject (the person to be supported) cannot be predicted.

[0005] In consideration of the above fact, an object of the present invention is to provide a disease prevention system, a disease prevention method, and a program that can prevent the diseases of the person to be supported without the person to be supported carrying a device such as a sensor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The disease prevention system according to claim 1 includes: a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information of a person to be supported within a building; an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating the environmental state, including at least the temperature around the person to be supported, from an environmental sensor installed at a location identified by the location information; a metabolic information acquisition unit that estimates the physical activity intensity of the person to be supported using a calculation formula stored in a memory unit from the location information, and acquires metabolic amount information by reading the metabolic amount corresponding to the estimated physical activity intensity from a database in the memory unit, or acquires metabolic amount information from a database that associates the location information, the physical activity intensity of the person to be supported, and the metabolic amount; a blood pressure value estimation unit that estimates the blood pressure value of the person to be supported using a calculation formula stored in the memory unit from the metabolic amount information and the environmental information; and a control unit that controls the thermal environment of the room when the blood pressure value estimated by the blood pressure value estimation unit is higher than a predetermined threshold, or a system that provides the person to be supported with cardiovascular / cerebrovascular disease The illness It has at least one of the following: a display unit that presents at least one of sound, vibration, and image as information to encourage preventive actions to prevent the onset of the disease.

[0007] In the disease prevention system of claim 1, blood pressure is estimated from metabolic rate information obtained from the location information of the person being supported and environmental information indicating the environmental conditions around the person. Therefore, blood pressure can be estimated without having to wear a blood pressure monitor at all times.

[0008] Furthermore, in this disease prevention system, at least the control unit controls the room's thermal environment based on the estimated blood pressure value, or at least the display unit presents predetermined information to suppress the onset of disease. This makes it possible to prevent diseases caused by abnormal blood pressure.

[0009] One embodiment of a disease prevention system is: The system includes a memory unit that stores correspondence information between physical activity intensity and metabolic rate. The metabolic rate information acquisition unit estimates the physical activity intensity of the person being supported from the location information and acquires the metabolic rate information using the estimated physical activity intensity and the correspondence information stored in the memory unit.

[0010] One aspectIn this disease prevention system, metabolic rate information is estimated from physical activity intensity estimated from location information. Within a building, it is easier to correlate location information with physical activity intensity. For example... For example, it can be assumed that the person is lying down in the bedroom and sitting up in the living room. In this way, the metabolic rate of the person receiving support can be easily estimated within the building.

[0011] Claim 2 The disease prevention system is Claim 1 In the disease prevention system described above, the memory unit further stores the personal information of the person to be supported, and the blood pressure value estimation unit stores the personal information from the above calculation formula The blood pressure value is estimated using the above method.

[0012] Claim 2 In this disease prevention system, the blood pressure estimation unit estimates the blood pressure value using the personal information of the person being supported. Since the blood pressure value can be estimated according to the individual characteristics of the person being supported, disease prevention can be performed with high accuracy for each person being supported.

[0013] Claim 3 The disease prevention system is Claim 1 The disease prevention system described above further comprises a clothing amount information acquisition unit that acquires clothing amount information indicating the amount of clothing worn by the person to be supported, and the blood pressure value estimation unit acquires the clothing amount information from the above calculation formula The blood pressure value is estimated using the above method.

[0014] Claim 3 This disease prevention system uses the amount of clothing worn by the subject to estimate blood pressure. This improves the accuracy of blood pressure estimation.

[0015] Claim 4 The disease prevention system is Claim 1 In the disease prevention system described above, the memory unit stores historical information that associates blood pressure measurements obtained from a blood pressure monitor worn by the person being supported with metabolic rate information and environmental information at the time the blood pressure measurements were obtained, and the blood pressure value estimation unit estimates the blood pressure value from the historical information and the newly acquired metabolic rate information and environmental information.

[0016] Claim 4 In the disease prevention system, blood pressure measurement values are acquired from the blood pressure monitor worn by the person to be supported. Further, the storage unit stores history information in which the metabolic amount information and environmental information at the time when the blood pressure measurement values are acquired are associated with each other.

[0017] Then, the blood pressure estimation unit estimates the blood pressure value from the history information, the newly acquired metabolic amount information, and the environmental information.

[0018] In this way, by using past blood pressure measurement values, the blood pressure can be estimated without constantly wearing the blood pressure monitor. Further, the blood pressure estimation unit can estimate the blood pressure without using complicated calculations.

[0019] The disease prevention method according to claim 5 is a disease prevention method executed by computer software, including a step of acquiring position information of a person to be supported within a building, a step of acquiring environmental information indicating an environmental state including at least the temperature around the person to be supported from an environmental sensor installed at a location specified by the position information, a step of estimating the physical activity intensity of the person to be supported from the position information by using an arithmetic expression stored in a storage unit, and reading out a metabolic amount corresponding to the estimated physical activity intensity from a database in the storage unit to acquire metabolic amount information, or a step of acquiring metabolic amount information from a database associating the position information, the physical activity intensity of the person to be supported, and the metabolic amount, a step of estimating the blood pressure value of the person to be supported from the metabolic amount information and the environmental information by using an arithmetic expression stored in the storage unit, and when the estimated blood pressure value is higher than a predetermined threshold value, a step of controlling the thermal environment of the room, or a step of presenting at least one of sound, vibration, and an image as information for prompting a preventive action for preventing the onset of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases to the person to be supported. The illness It has at least one of the above steps.

[0020] The program according to claim 6 causes a computer to function as at least one of: a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of a support target person in a building; an environment information acquisition unit that acquires environment information indicating an environmental state including at least the temperature around the support target person from an environmental sensor installed at a location specified by the position information; a metabolic amount information acquisition unit that estimates the physical activity intensity of the support target person from the position information using an arithmetic expression stored in a storage unit, and reads out a metabolic amount corresponding to the estimated physical activity intensity from a database in the storage unit to acquire metabolic amount information, or acquires metabolic amount information from a database associating the position information, the physical activity intensity of the support target person, and the metabolic amount; a blood pressure value estimation unit that estimates a blood pressure value of the support target person from the metabolic amount information and the environment information using an arithmetic expression stored in the storage unit; and a control unit that controls the thermal environment of a room when the blood pressure value estimated by the blood pressure value estimation unit is higher than a predetermined threshold value, or presents at least one of sound, vibration, and an image as information for prompting a preventive action to prevent the support target person from developing a cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. The illness function as at least one of a presentation unit that presents at least one of sound, vibration, and an image as information for prompting a preventive action to prevent the support target person from developing a disease. [Advantages of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a disease of a support target person without the support target person carrying a device such as a sensor. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a disease prevention device in a disease prevention system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of a disease prevention device in a disease prevention system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] (A) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a personal information database according to an embodiment, (B) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a correspondence information database, and (C) is a schematic diagram showing another example of a configuration of the correspondence information database. [Figure 4] FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of a disease prevention process according to an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] Hereinafter, a disease prevention system, disease prevention method, and program according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Components indicated by the same reference numerals in each drawing are considered to be the same component. In addition, descriptions of redundant components and reference numerals in each drawing may be omitted. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications, such as omitting components or replacing them with different components, within the scope of the object of the present invention.

[0024] <Disease Prevention System> Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of a disease prevention system 80 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The disease prevention system 80 is a system for preventing elderly people (people who are the target of support for disease prevention; hereinafter referred to as "target persons") residing in a house, for example, from developing diseases caused by blood pressure fluctuations, such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

[0025] Furthermore, the disease prevention system 80 is not limited to elderly people as a means of preventing the onset of disease. Also, the disease prevention system 80 can be applied not only to homes but also to various facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes. This specification primarily describes the disease prevention system 80 applied to homes, mainly targeting elderly people living alone.

[0026] The disease prevention system 80 comprises a disease prevention device 10, an environmental sensor 20, a clothing amount sensor 30, a human presence sensor 50, an air conditioning device 60, and a display device 70.

[0027] (Disease prevention device) The disease prevention device 10 predicts the "blood pressure value," which will be described later, based on various information acquired from the environmental sensor 20, the clothing amount sensor 30, and the human presence sensor 50, as well as information input via the input unit 14 and information stored in the storage unit 13. Then, the disease prevention device 10 controls the air conditioning unit 60 and the display device 70 based on the predicted blood pressure value. Details of the configuration of the disease prevention device 10 will be described later.

[0028] (Environmental sensor) The environmental sensor 20 is a general term for detection devices that detect various information about the environmental conditions in the area where the person receiving assistance is located (hereinafter, this information is collectively referred to as "environmental information"). The environmental sensor 20 can be installed in bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, etc. in buildings (houses), as well as in bathrooms, changing rooms, toilets, etc. In other words, the environmental sensor 20 can be installed anywhere in a building.

[0029] The environmental sensor 20 detects various types of information, including, for example, temperature (air temperature) (°C), globe temperature (°C), relative humidity (%RH), and airflow velocity (m / s). The environmental sensor 20 detects this environmental information intermittently (every predetermined time interval (e.g., every second)). The sensor that detects temperature is a thermometer. The sensor that detects relative humidity is a hygrometer. The sensor that detects airflow velocity is an anemometer. The "environmental information" detected by the environmental sensor 20 is transmitted to the disease prevention device 10.

[0030] (Clothing amount sensor) The clothing amount sensor 30 is a detection device that detects "clothing amount information" indicating the amount of clothing (clo) worn by the person receiving support. The clothing amount sensor 30 is composed of, for example, a thermal camera. When this thermal camera photographs the person receiving support, an estimation device built into the clothing amount sensor 30 estimates the amount of clothing worn by the person receiving support from the captured thermal image.

[0031] The "clothing amount information" detected by the clothing amount sensor 30 is transmitted to the disease prevention device 10. The clothing amount sensor 30 is installed in a position where it can photograph the person being supported, within the area where the environmental sensor 20 can acquire environmental information.

[0032] The clothing amount sensor 30 can be omitted. If the clothing amount sensor 30 is omitted, the disease prevention device 10 can acquire the separately measured "clothing amount information" by inputting it via the input unit 14, which will be described later.

[0033] (Motion sensor) The motion sensor 50 is a detection device that detects the "location information" of the person receiving support. The motion sensor 50 is formed, for example, by an infrared sensor. The "location information" of the person receiving support includes not only information about the "place" where the person is located, but also information about the person's "movement". The person's "movement" is detected by detecting the "place" multiple times at predetermined intervals (for example, every second). Note that "location information" can also be referred to as "activity information," etc.

[0034] The "location information" detected by the motion sensor 50 is transmitted to the disease prevention device 10. The motion sensor 50 is installed in a position where it can detect the person to be supported, within the area where the environmental sensor 20 can acquire environmental information. The motion sensor 50 and the clothing amount sensor 30 can also be used interchangeably.

[0035] (Air conditioner) The air conditioning unit 60 is a heating and cooling system installed in each room of the building, controlling the thermal environment of each room. Similar to the environmental sensor 20, the air conditioning unit 60 can be installed in bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, etc., as well as in bathrooms, changing rooms, toilets, etc. The air conditioning unit 60 can be installed anywhere within the building. Furthermore, the air conditioning unit 60 may function as a central air conditioning system for the building.

[0036] (presentation device) The presentation device 70 is a device that presents predetermined information to the person being supported in order to encourage preventive behaviors to prevent the onset of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and other diseases. Various forms can be adopted for the presentation device 70.

[0037] For example, the display device 70 may be a mobile terminal (smartphone) owned by the person receiving support, and may generate an alarm sound, voice, or vibration as "predetermined information." In addition, in conjunction with the alarm sound or voice, an image (text information, etc.) that prompts the person receiving support to take a predetermined preventive action may be displayed on the notification screen of the display device 70 as "predetermined information."

[0038] As another example, the display device 70 could be a speaker installed in the building that generates an alarm sound or voice message as a warning. Such a display device 70 can be installed at any location within the building.

[0039] <Electrical configuration of disease prevention device> Figure 1 shows a block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the disease prevention device 10. The disease prevention device 10 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit: processor) 11, memory 12 as a temporary storage area, a non-volatile storage unit 13, an input unit 14 such as a keyboard and mouse, a display unit 15 such as a liquid crystal display, a media read / write device (R / W) 16, and a communication interface (I / F) unit 18. The CPU 11, memory 12, storage unit 13, input unit 14, display unit 15, media read / write device 16, and communication I / F unit 18 are connected to each other via bus B1. The media read / write device 16 reads information written on the recording medium 17 and writes information to the recording medium 17.

[0040] (Storage part) The storage unit 13 is implemented by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, etc. The storage unit 13, as a storage medium, stores the disease prevention program 13A. The disease prevention program 13A is stored in the storage unit 13 when the recording medium 17 on which the disease prevention program 13A is written is set in the media read / write device 16, and the media read / write device 16 reads the disease prevention program 13A from the recording medium 17. The CPU 11 reads the disease prevention program 13A from the storage unit 13, loads it into memory 12, and sequentially executes the processes contained in the disease prevention program 13A.

[0041] The memory unit 13 stores various calculation formulas for calculating the blood pressure values ​​("systolic blood pressure" and "diastolic blood pressure") of the person being supported. The memory unit 13 also stores various calculation formulas for estimating the physical activity intensity from the person being supported's location information. Furthermore, the memory unit 13 stores the personal information database 13B and the corresponding information database 13C. Details regarding the personal information database 13B, the corresponding information database 13C, and the various calculation formulas will be described later.

[0042] Furthermore, the memory unit 13 stores map information of the building where the disease prevention system 80 is constructed, in order to identify the "location" of the person being supported as "location information." This map information also includes the arrangement of furniture such as beds and tables.

[0043] (Input section) In the input unit 14, the user performs operations to start and stop the disease prevention program 13A. The user is, for example, the administrator or person receiving support from the disease prevention system 80.

[0044] Furthermore, the user inputs the "personal information" of the person being supported into the input unit 14. The personal information entered via the input unit 14 is stored in the personal information database 13B in the storage unit 13 (see Figure 3(A)). Examples of personal information entered into the input unit include age (years), gender, height (cm), weight (kg), body composition (body fat percentage (%)), and mean blood pressure.

[0045] Personal information may be entered via a computer other than the disease prevention device 10. Personal information entered via a computer other than the disease prevention device 10 will be transmitted to the disease prevention device 10.

[0046] (Display) The display unit 15 displays information for starting and ending the disease prevention program 13A (for example, input buttons). The display unit 15 can also display personal information entered into the input unit. Furthermore, the display unit 15 can also display the content shown on the notification screen of the presentation device 70.

[0047] <Functional configuration of a preventive behavior support device> Next, with reference to Figure 2, the functional configuration of the disease prevention device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the disease prevention device 10 includes an environmental information acquisition unit 11A, a clothing amount information acquisition unit 11B, a location information acquisition unit 11C, a metabolic rate information acquisition unit 11D, a blood pressure value estimation unit 11E, a control unit 11F, and a presentation unit 11G. When the CPU 11 of the disease prevention device 10 executes the disease prevention program 13A, the CPU 11 functions as the environmental information acquisition unit 11A, the clothing amount information acquisition unit 11B, the location information acquisition unit 11C, the metabolic rate information acquisition unit 11D, the blood pressure value estimation unit 11E, the control unit 11F, and the presentation unit 11G.

[0048] (Environmental Information Acquisition Department) The environmental information acquisition unit 11A acquires "environmental information" that indicates the environmental conditions around the person being supported. In this embodiment, the environmental information acquisition unit 11A acquires environmental information such as temperature (°C), relative humidity (%RH), and airflow velocity (m / s) transmitted from the environmental sensor 20. The environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit 11A is then acquired by the blood pressure value estimation unit 11E.

[0049] (Clothing amount information acquisition department) The clothing amount information acquisition unit 11B acquires "clothing amount information" indicating the amount of clothing worn by the person being supported. In this embodiment, the clothing amount information acquisition unit 11B acquires clothing amount information transmitted from the clothing amount sensor 30. The clothing amount information acquired by the clothing amount information acquisition unit 11B is then acquired by the blood pressure value estimation unit 11E.

[0050] (Location information acquisition unit) The location information acquisition unit 11C acquires "location information" indicating the location and movement of the person receiving support. In this embodiment, the location information acquisition unit 11C acquires location information transmitted from the human presence sensor 50. The location information acquisition unit 11C links the map information stored in the memory unit 13 with the location information of the person receiving support acquired by the human presence sensor 50 to identify the person's "location" (for example, on the bed). The location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 11C is acquired by the metabolic rate information acquisition unit 11D.

[0051] (Metabolic amount information acquisition department) The metabolic rate information acquisition unit 11D acquires metabolic rate information of the person being supported from the person's location information within the building. More specifically, the metabolic rate information acquisition unit 11D first estimates the person's "physical activity intensity" from the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 11C, using a calculation formula stored in the memory unit 13.

[0052] Next, the metabolic rate information acquisition unit 11D acquires "metabolic rate information" using the estimated physical activity intensity and the corresponding information stored in the "corresponding information database" in the memory unit 13. The metabolic rate information acquired by the metabolic rate information acquisition unit 11D is then acquired by the blood pressure value estimation unit 11E.

[0053] (Blood pressure estimation unit) The blood pressure estimation unit 11E estimates (in other words, calculates) the blood pressure values ​​("systolic blood pressure" and "diastolic blood pressure") of the person being supported, using calculation formulas stored in the storage unit 13, based on metabolic rate information acquired by the metabolic rate information acquisition unit 11D, environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit 11A, clothing amount information acquired by the clothing amount information acquisition unit 11B, and personal information stored in the personal information database 13B in the storage unit 13.

[0054] Furthermore, the blood pressure value estimation unit 11E estimates the "blood pressure trend," that is, "whether the blood pressure value will rise or fall" and the "displacement" (increasing displacement or decreasing displacement) from the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 11C, the environmental information acquisition unit 11A, the clothing amount information acquired by the clothing amount information acquisition unit 11B, and the personal information stored in the personal information database 13B.

[0055] For example, if the "location information" of the person being supported indicates that they are motionless on their bed in their bedroom (sleeping), and "environmental information" indicates that the bedroom temperature is low (below a specified temperature), then it is assumed that the person being supported will be exposed to low temperatures after waking up. In such a case, it is estimated that "blood pressure will rise." The "blood pressure increase" (how many mmHg it will rise) is also estimated (calculated).

[0056] For example, if the "location information" of a person receiving support, whose "personal information" includes having an underlying medical condition, is stored in the personal information database 13B, and the person is motionless on a sofa in the living room (at rest), and "environmental information" is obtained indicating that the bedroom temperature is high (above a specified temperature), then it is anticipated that the person receiving support may experience dizziness after standing up. In such a case, it is estimated that "blood pressure will decrease." The "decrease displacement" (how many mmHg it will decrease) is also estimated (calculated).

[0057] (Control Unit) The control unit 11F controls the air conditioning unit 60 based on the blood pressure values ​​estimated by the blood pressure estimation unit 11E to control the thermal environment of each room.

[0058] (Presentation part) The presentation unit 11G controls the presentation device 70 based on the blood pressure value estimated by the blood pressure value estimation unit 11E, and presents predetermined information to the person being supported to encourage preventive actions to prevent the onset of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, etc.

[0059] (Database) As shown in Figure 3(A), the personal information database 13B stores the name (or identification number) of the person receiving support, along with various personal information. In this embodiment, the various personal information stored in the personal information database 13B includes age (years), gender, height (cm), weight (kg), body composition (body fat percentage (%)), and underlying medical conditions.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3(B), the correspondence information database 13C stores correspondence information, which is information that associates physical activity intensity with metabolic rate (met).

[0061] "Physical activity intensity" refers to the intensity of physical activity that affects the metabolic rate of the person receiving support (e.g., rest, sitting, very light work, light work, moderate work, heavy work, etc.), and the metabolic rate corresponding to each physical activity intensity is stored in the corresponding information database 13C. Note that the classification of "physical activity intensity" shown in Figure 3(B) is just one example, and any known classification method can be used.

[0062] Furthermore, the "correspondence information" stored in the correspondence information database 13C may be a combination of metabolic rate (met) and "activity content" instead of physical activity intensity. "Activity content" refers to various physical activities that affect the metabolic rate of the person receiving support (for example, wiping, vacuuming, washing dishes, tidying up a room, playing with children while sitting, etc.), and the metabolic rate can be associated with each of these activities and stored in the correspondence information database 13C.

[0063] (Formula for estimating blood pressure) As described above, in the disease prevention device 10, the blood pressure value estimation unit 11E estimates the blood pressure values ​​("systolic blood pressure" and "diastolic blood pressure") of the person to be supported, using calculation formulas stored in the storage unit 13, based on metabolic rate information acquired by the metabolic rate information acquisition unit 11D, environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit 11A, clothing amount information acquired by the clothing amount information acquisition unit 11B, and personal information stored in the personal information database 13B in the storage unit 13.

[0064] Of these, "systolic blood pressure" and "diastolic blood pressure" are calculated using parameters for calculating "heat exchange by blood flow," metabolic rate, and clothing load. Furthermore, "heat exchange by blood flow" is calculated by a known method from the product of "blood flow," which is calculated as the sum of basal blood flow, skin blood flow, muscle blood flow, etc., "specific heat of blood," and "temperature difference from the thermal neutral state."

[0065] Of the "blood flow," basal blood flow can be calculated from the total body surface area and cardiac index (calculated from "personal information" (age)). Skin blood flow can be calculated from the basal blood flow in each part of the body and the temperature difference between the temperature at exposure to the target environment and the temperature at thermal neutrality in each part of the body. Muscle blood flow is expressed as a function of activity level and is calculated by known methods (for example, equation (9) in "Study on a 65-segment thermoregulation model for thermal environment evaluation," Journal of Architecture and Planning, Architectural Institute of Japan, No. 541, 9-16, March 2001, pp. 9-15).

[0066] (Formula for estimating physical activity intensity) As described above, in the disease prevention device 10, the metabolic rate information acquisition unit 11D estimates the "physical activity intensity" of the person to be supported using a calculation formula stored in the memory unit 13, based on the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 11C.

[0067] For example, if the metabolic information acquisition unit 11D acquires location information indicating that the "location" is on a bed in a bedroom and the "movement" is fixed, it uses a calculation formula to estimate that the physical activity level is in a "resting state" (e.g., during sleep).

[0068] As another example, if the metabolic rate information acquisition unit 11D acquires location information that the "location" is on a dining chair and the "movement" is fixed, it estimates the physical activity intensity to be "very light work" (for example, while eating) using a calculation formula.

[0069] As another example, if the metabolic information acquisition unit 11D acquires location information indicating that the "location" is the living room and the "movement" is at a predetermined speed, it estimates the physical activity intensity to be "light work" (for example, while cleaning) using a calculation formula.

[0070] <effect> Next, the operation of the disease prevention system 80 according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 4. In response to execution instructions from the user via the input unit 14, the CPU 11 of the disease prevention device 10 executes the disease prevention program 13A, thereby executing the disease prevention process shown in Figure 4. To avoid confusion, this explanation will focus on the case where the personal information database 13B has been pre-constructed.

[0071] When the execution of disease prevention program 13A begins, in step 200, the CPU 11 reads the "personal information" stored in the personal information database 13B.

[0072] In step 202, the CPU 11 obtains the "location information" of the person being assisted from the human presence sensor 50. The CPU 11 also obtains "environmental information" of the area where the person being assisted is located from the environmental sensor 20. Furthermore, the CPU 11 obtains "clothing information" of the person being assisted from the clothing amount sensor 30.

[0073] In step 204, the CPU 11 determines whether the location information, environmental information, and clothing amount information have been measured a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times). If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 206. On the other hand, if the determination in step 204 is negative, the process returns to step 202.

[0074] In step 206, the CPU 11 uses various calculation formulas stored in the memory unit 13 to perform a process that estimates the "physical activity intensity" from the acquired location information.

[0075] In step 208, the CPU 11 uses the "correspondence information" stored in the correspondence information database 13C stored in the memory unit 13 and the "physical activity intensity" estimated in step 206 to obtain the "metabolic rate information" of the person to be supported.

[0076] In step 210, the CPU 11 uses various calculation formulas stored in the memory unit 13 to perform a process that estimates "blood pressure values" and "blood pressure value trends" from the acquired environmental information, clothing amount information, and metabolic rate information.

[0077] In step 212, the CPU 11 determines whether an upward change has been calculated as the "blood pressure value trend." If the determination is positive, the system proceeds to step 220. On the other hand, if the determination in step 212 is negative, the system proceeds to step 214.

[0078] In step 220, the CPU 11 determines whether the "blood pressure value" estimated in step 210 is higher than a predetermined threshold K1 (mmHg). Here, the "blood pressure value" is, for example, the "systolic blood pressure," and the threshold K1 is, for example, 140 (mmHg). If the determination in step 220 is positive, the process proceeds to step 222. On the other hand, if the determination in step 220 is negative, the process proceeds to step 224.

[0079] In step 222, the CPU 11 controls the air conditioning unit 60 in the room where the person being assisted is located. For example, the CPU 11 starts the heating operation of the air conditioning unit 60. In another example, the CPU increases the set temperature of the air conditioning unit while it is heating. When the person being assisted's body temperature rises due to the heating, their blood pressure can be lowered.

[0080] Furthermore, in step 222, the CPU 11 controls the presentation device 70. At this time, the CPU 11 causes the presentation device 70 to present appropriate "predetermined information" based on the location information, environmental information, and clothing amount information obtained in step 202, as well as the blood pressure value and blood pressure value trend obtained in step 210.

[0081] As an example, CPU 11 generates an audio message on the presentation device 70 recommending that the amount of clothing be increased. In another example, CPU 11 displays an image (such as text information) on the notification screen of the presentation device 70 recommending that the amount of clothing be increased. After step 222, the process proceeds to step 240.

[0082] In step 222, the CPU 11 controls both the air conditioning unit 60 and the display device 70. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this, and it is sufficient to control at least one of the air conditioning unit 60 and the display device 70.

[0083] In step 224, the CPU 11 controls the air conditioning unit 60. As an example, the CPU 11 stops the operation of the air conditioning unit 60. As another example, the CPU 11 starts the heating operation of the air conditioning unit 60. As yet another example, the CPU 11 increases the set temperature of the air conditioning unit while it is in heating operation. The set temperature of the air conditioning unit 60 in step 224 is lower than the set temperature in step 222. After step 224, the process proceeds to step 240.

[0084] In step 224, the CPU 11 may control the presentation device 70 as needed. Furthermore, the CPU 11 does not have to control the air conditioning unit 60. That is, if the air conditioning unit 60 is operating, it may maintain that operating state. Also, if the air conditioning unit 60 is stopped, it may maintain that stopped state.

[0085] In step 214, CPU 11 determines whether a decrease in blood pressure has been calculated as a "blood pressure trend." If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 230. On the other hand, if the determination in step 214 is negative, the process returns to step 202.

[0086] In step 230, the CPU 11 determines whether the "decrease in blood pressure" value, which is the "blood pressure trend" estimated in step 210, is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold K2 (mmHg). Here, "blood pressure" is, for example, "systolic blood pressure," in which case the threshold K2 is, for example, 20 (mmHg). In another example, "blood pressure" is "diastolic blood pressure," in which case the threshold K2 is, for example, 10 (mmHg).

[0087] If the result in step 230 is positive, proceed to step 232. On the other hand, if the result in step 230 is negative, proceed to step 234.

[0088] In step 230, the CPU 11 may determine whether the absolute value of the "blood pressure value" estimated in step 210 is less than a predetermined threshold K3 (mmHg). Here, "blood pressure value" is, for example, "systolic blood pressure," and the threshold K3 is, for example, 90 (mmHg).

[0089] Furthermore, in step 230, the CPU 11 may determine "all" of the following: (1) whether the "decrease in systolic blood pressure" is above a predetermined threshold, (2) whether the "decrease in diastolic blood pressure" is above a predetermined threshold, and (3) whether the absolute value of the "systolic blood pressure" is below a predetermined threshold. In this case, the CPU 11 may proceed to step 232 if "at least one" of (1) to (3) is determined to be positive, or it may proceed to step 232 if "all" of (1) to (3) are determined to be positive.

[0090] In step 232, the CPU 11 controls the presentation device 70. At this time, the CPU 11 causes the presentation device 70 to present appropriate "predetermined information" based on the location information, environmental information, and clothing amount information obtained in step 202, as well as the blood pressure value and blood pressure value trend obtained in step 210.

[0091] As an example, the CPU 11 generates an audio alert on the display device 70 warning people to refrain from standing up. In another example, the CPU 11 displays an image (such as text information) on the notification screen of the display device 70 warning people to refrain from standing up suddenly. After step 232, the process proceeds to step 240. In step 232, the CPU 11 may control the air conditioning unit 60 as needed.

[0092] In step 234, the CPU 11 controls the presentation device 70. At this time, the CPU 11 causes the presentation device 70 to present appropriate "predetermined information" based on the location information, environmental information, and clothing amount information obtained in step 202, as well as the blood pressure value and blood pressure value trend obtained in step 210.

[0093] As an example, CPU 11 generates an audio message on the display device 70 informing the user that it is safe to stand up. In another example, CPU 11 displays an image (such as text information) on the notification screen of the display device 70 informing the user that it is safe to stand up. After step 234, the process proceeds to step 240.

[0094] In step 234, the CPU 11 may control the air conditioning unit 60 as needed. Also, in step 234, the CPU 11 does not have to control the presentation device 70.

[0095] In step 240, the CPU 11 determines whether the timing for ending the disease prevention process has arrived. If the determination is positive, the disease prevention process is terminated. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 202. This termination timing can occur, for example, when the user inputs the termination of the disease prevention process via the input unit 14.

[0096] As described above, according to the disease prevention system 80, disease prevention method, and disease prevention program 13A of this embodiment, blood pressure values ​​are estimated from metabolic rate information obtained from the location information of the person to be supported and environmental information indicating the environmental conditions around the person. Therefore, blood pressure can be estimated even without wearing a blood pressure monitor at all times.

[0097] Furthermore, in this disease prevention system 80, at least the control unit 11F controls the room's thermal environment based on the estimated blood pressure value, or at least the display unit 11G presents predetermined information to suppress the onset of disease. This makes it possible to prevent diseases caused by abnormal blood pressure.

[0098] Furthermore, in the disease prevention system 80 according to this embodiment, metabolic rate information is estimated from the physical activity intensity estimated from location information using the corresponding information database shown in Figure 3(B).

[0099] Within a building, it is easy to correlate location information with the intensity of physical activity. For example, it can be assumed that a person is lying down on a bed in a bedroom, or sitting on a sofa in the living room. In this way, the metabolic rate of the person being supported can be easily estimated within a building.

[0100] Furthermore, in the disease prevention system 80 according to this embodiment, the blood pressure estimation unit 11E estimates blood pressure values ​​using the personal information of the person being supported. Since blood pressure values ​​can be estimated according to the individual characteristics of the person being supported, diseases can be prevented with high accuracy for each person being supported.

[0101] Furthermore, the disease prevention system 80 according to this embodiment also uses the amount of clothing worn by the subject to estimate blood pressure. This improves the accuracy of blood pressure estimation.

[0102] <Other Embodiments> In the above embodiment, the metabolic rate information acquisition unit 11D estimates the "physical activity intensity" from the location information of the person being supported using a calculation formula stored in the memory unit 13. The metabolic rate information acquisition unit 11D then acquires "metabolic rate information" using the estimated physical activity intensity and the corresponding information database 13C shown in Figure 3(B).

[0103] However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these. For example, as shown in Figure 3(C), location information and physical activity intensity may be stored in the corresponding information database 13C in the storage unit 13 in advance, associated with each other.

[0104] According to the correspondence information database 13C shown in Figure 3(C), the metabolic rate information acquisition unit 11D can estimate the "metabolic rate information" of the person being supported without using calculation formulas, using location information and the correspondence information database 13C.

[0105] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the blood pressure estimation unit 11E estimates the blood pressure of the person being supported from metabolic rate information, environmental information, clothing amount information, and personal information. This provides the effect of being able to estimate blood pressure even if the person being supported does not wear a blood pressure monitor at all times.

[0106] However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these. For example, the person receiving support may wear a blood pressure monitor for a certain period of time. In this case, the memory unit 13 stores a "history information database." The history information database stores "history information" which associates "blood pressure measurements" obtained by the disease prevention device 10 from the blood pressure monitor with "metabolic rate information," "environmental information," and "clothing amount information" at the time the blood pressure measurements were obtained.

[0107] Then, after the person being supported has been wearing the blood pressure monitor for a certain period of time and has removed the blood pressure monitor, the blood pressure value estimation unit 11E estimates the "blood pressure value" from the "history information" as well as the newly acquired "metabolic rate information," "environmental information," and "clothing amount information."

[0108] In other words, the blood pressure estimation unit 11E compares the newly acquired "metabolic rate information," "environmental information," and "clothing amount information" with the "metabolic rate information," "environmental information," and "clothing amount information" stored in the "history information."

[0109] The blood pressure estimation unit 11E then estimates the current blood pressure value by using the "blood pressure value" associated with the "metabolic rate information," "environmental information," and "clothing amount information" stored in the "history information" that is closest to the newly acquired "metabolic rate information," "environmental information," and "clothing amount information."

[0110] In this way, blood pressure can also be estimated using historical information. Furthermore, by using historical information, the blood pressure estimation unit 11E can estimate blood pressure without using complex calculations. Moreover, if calculations are unnecessary, personal information is also unnecessary.

[0111] Furthermore, while the above description described a disease prevention system 80 applied to a residence with elderly people living alone as the target of support, the disease prevention system 80 of the present invention can also be used when there are multiple people to be supported, or when one of the multiple people is the target of support.

[0112] In this case, to identify the person receiving support, a device with image recognition capabilities can be used as a detection device to detect the person's "location information," for example. Individuals can be identified through image recognition. In addition, in hospitals and other settings, tags or other identification devices may be attached to the clothing or body of the person receiving support.

[0113] Furthermore, in this embodiment, for example, the hardware structure of the processing unit that executes the environmental information acquisition unit 11A, the clothing amount information acquisition unit 11B, the location information acquisition unit 11C, the metabolic rate information acquisition unit 11D, the blood pressure value estimation unit 11E, the control unit 11F, and the presentation unit 11G can be any of the following types of processors. As mentioned above, these types of processors include a CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (programs) and functions as a processing unit, as well as a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), which is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, and a dedicated electrical circuit, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), which is a processor with a circuit configuration specifically designed to execute a particular process.

[0114] The processing unit may consist of one of these various processors, or it may consist of a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, a combination of multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Alternatively, the processing unit may consist of a single processor.

[0115] Examples of configuring a processing unit with a single processor include, firstly, a configuration where one or more CPUs and software combine to form a single processor, as is common in client and server computers, and this processor functions as the processing unit. Secondly, a configuration using a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system, including the processing unit, on a single IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, as is common in System-on-a-Chip (SoC) systems. Thus, the processing unit is configured, in terms of hardware structure, using one or more of the above-mentioned types of processors.

[0116] Furthermore, the hardware structure of these various processors can more specifically utilize an electrical circuit (circuitry) that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements. Thus, the present invention can be implemented in various forms. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0117] 10 Disease prevention devices 11A Environmental Information Acquisition Department 11B Clothing amount information acquisition part 11C Location information acquisition section 11D Metabolic amount information acquisition section 11E Blood pressure estimation unit 11F Control Unit 11G presentation section 13A Disease Prevention Program 80 Disease Prevention Systems

Claims

1. A location information acquisition unit that acquires location information of the person receiving support within the building, An environmental information acquisition unit acquires environmental information indicating the environmental conditions, including at least the temperature, around the person being supported, from an environmental sensor installed at a location identified by the aforementioned location information. A metabolic rate information acquisition unit that estimates the physical activity intensity of the person being supported using a calculation formula stored in the memory unit from the location information, reads the metabolic rate corresponding to the estimated physical activity intensity from the database in the memory unit to obtain metabolic rate information, or acquires metabolic rate information from a database that associates the location information, the physical activity intensity of the person being supported, and the metabolic rate. A blood pressure value estimation unit that estimates the blood pressure value of the person to be supported using a calculation formula stored in the storage unit based on the metabolic rate information and the environmental information, When the blood pressure value estimated by the blood pressure value estimation unit is higher than a predetermined threshold, the system includes at least one of the following: a control unit that controls the thermal environment of the room, or a presentation unit that presents at least one of sound, vibration, and image as information to encourage preventive behaviors to prevent the onset of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease to the person being supported; A disease prevention system that has the following features.

2. The aforementioned memory unit further stores the personal information of the person being supported. The disease prevention system according to claim 1, wherein the blood pressure value estimation unit estimates the blood pressure value from the personal information using the calculation formula.

3. The system further includes a clothing quantity information acquisition unit that acquires clothing quantity information indicating the amount of clothing worn by the person receiving support, The disease prevention system according to claim 1, wherein the blood pressure value estimation unit estimates the blood pressure value from the clothing amount information using the calculation formula.

4. The memory unit stores historical information that associates blood pressure measurements obtained from a blood pressure monitor worn by the person being supported with metabolic rate information and environmental information at the time the blood pressure measurements were obtained. The disease prevention system according to claim 1, wherein the blood pressure value estimation unit estimates the blood pressure value from the historical information, the newly acquired metabolic rate information and the environmental information.

5. A disease prevention method performed by computer software, The process of obtaining location information of the person receiving support within the building, A step of acquiring environmental information from an environmental sensor installed at a location identified by the aforementioned location information, which indicates the environmental conditions including at least the temperature around the person to be assisted, The process involves estimating the physical activity intensity of the person being supported using a calculation formula stored in the memory unit based on the location information, reading the metabolic rate corresponding to the estimated physical activity intensity from the database in the memory unit to obtain metabolic rate information, or obtaining metabolic rate information from a database that associates the location information, the physical activity intensity of the person being supported, and the metabolic rate. A step of estimating the blood pressure value of the person to be supported using a calculation formula stored in the memory unit based on the metabolic rate information and the environmental information, The process includes, at least one of the following steps: controlling the room's thermal environment when the estimated blood pressure value is higher than a predetermined threshold, or presenting the person being supported with at least one of sound, vibration, and image as information to encourage preventive behaviors to prevent the onset of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. A disease prevention method that has the following characteristics.

6. Computers, A location information acquisition unit that acquires location information of the person receiving support within the building, An environmental information acquisition unit acquires environmental information indicating the environmental conditions, including at least the temperature, around the person being supported, from an environmental sensor installed at a location identified by the aforementioned location information. A metabolic rate information acquisition unit that estimates the physical activity intensity of the person being supported using a calculation formula stored in the memory unit from the location information, reads the metabolic rate corresponding to the estimated physical activity intensity from the database in the memory unit to obtain metabolic rate information, or acquires metabolic rate information from a database that associates the location information, the physical activity intensity of the person being supported, and the metabolic rate. A blood pressure value estimation unit that estimates the blood pressure value of the person to be supported using a calculation formula stored in the storage unit based on the metabolic rate information and the environmental information, A program for causing a control unit to function as at least one of the following: a control unit that controls the thermal environment of a room when the blood pressure value estimated by the blood pressure value estimation unit is higher than a predetermined threshold, or a presentation unit that presents at least one of sound, vibration, and image as information to encourage preventive behaviors to prevent the onset of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease to the person being supported.

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