Life support systems and methods for supporting those receiving life support.

Abstract

To provide a life support system that allows even a life support object person poor at computer handling to easily perform video calls with a supporter, and a method for supporting a life support object person.SOLUTION: A life support system 100 includes an object person terminal 2 through which a life support object person uses video calls, a supporter terminal 3 through which a supporter who supports the life support object person uses video calls, and a video call management part 31 for starting a program to make the object person terminal 2 execute a video call, and transmitting a call start instruction to enable a video call between the object person terminal 2 and the supporter terminal 3, to the object person terminal 2 in response to the operation of the supporter terminal 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a life support system and a support method for a life support target person. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for checking the safety of a target person from a remote location are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique of this type. Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic notification system which, when a lifesaving information relay device determines that an abnormality has occurred based on vital signs received from a vital sensor or a biometric sensor and the presence, position and movement of a user, transmits a signal in a predetermined format to notify a medical institution of the abnormality. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-103116 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] The increasing proportion of elderly people aged 65 or over, the expansion of single-person households and the progress of the declining birthrate are important issues in local communities. The declining birthrate and aging population cause the outflow of young people to areas outside the prefecture, promote depopulation, and also lead to the decline of life infrastructure. In addition, due to the expansion of autonomous government areas such as municipal mergers, shopping, transportation, medical care, life support, disaster prevention, autonomous communication, application procedures for various local governments, etc., impose a heavy burden on local communities, and an increase in autonomous government costs is expected.

[0005] Furthermore, the caregivers themselves who provide support to those receiving assistance are also facing the problem of aging. To reduce the burden on caregivers and cut costs, the use of video calls via communication networks such as the internet could be considered. The use of video calls could improve convenience, alleviate loneliness, and reduce the burden on aging support organizations. In addition, the use of video calls would make it easier for caregivers in the community to participate in support organizations, leading to job creation at local support centers. However, there is also the problem of the digital divide, as many elderly people are not comfortable using computers such as tablets. Even if tablets are lent to such elderly people, starting a video call itself would be a difficult task.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a life support system and a method for supporting life support recipients that allows even those who are not proficient in using computers to easily make video calls with their supporters. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, one aspect of the present invention is a life support system comprising: a target call means used by a person receiving life support to make a video call; a supporter call means used by a supporter who provides support to the person receiving life support to make a video call; and a video call management means that activates a program to cause the target call means to make the video call, and transmits a call start instruction to the supporter call means in response to an operation of the supporter call means, making the video call between the target call means and the supporter call means available.

[0008] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a method for supporting a person receiving life support using a computer, comprising: a start instruction step in which a supporter's call means, which is used by the person receiving life support, issues a call start instruction to a person's call means, which is used by the person receiving life support, from a supporter's call means, which is used by the supporter's call means, and a video call step in which, upon receiving the call start instruction, the person's call means activates a program for executing the video call, thereby making the video call between the person's call means and the supporter's call means available. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a life support system and a method for supporting life support recipients that enable them to easily make video calls with supporters, even if they are not proficient in using computers. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows a life support system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server applied to the life support system according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a server applied to the life support system according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is an example display showing a video call between a user and a support worker, as displayed on the user's device. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of the video call management process flow by the life support system of this embodiment. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the process flow for registering recorded video information using the life support system of this embodiment. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of the information sharing process for stakeholders using the life support system of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] <System Configuration> One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, let's explain the overall system configuration. Figure 1 shows a life support system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The life support system 100 enables remote support by supporters to individuals receiving life support via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0012] The life support system 100 is implemented by a server 1 that transmits and receives various information with the target terminal 2, the supporter terminal 3, and the related party terminal 4 via a communication network. Server 1 is an information processing device (computer) that provides various information regarding the support of the person receiving life support to the target terminal 2, the supporter terminal 3, and the related party terminal 4.

[0013] Target Terminal 2 is a means of communication for users receiving life support, allowing them to make video calls. For example, if the person receiving life support is elderly, Target Terminal 2 is placed in the person's residence. Target Terminal 2 consists of a tablet, smartphone, personal computer, etc. Target Terminal 2 may exchange various information with Server 1 using a pre-installed program, or it may exchange various information through a web browser.

[0014] Furthermore, the user terminal 2 of this embodiment may be provided with a button for calling the supporter terminal 3 in case of emergency. The button may be a physical switch or an operation section displayed on the screen.

[0015] The supporter terminal 3 is a supporter calling means that uses video calls by a supporter (support organization) that provides support for life support targets. For example, the supporter may be a welfare commissioner corresponding to the area where the life support target resides, a person in charge of the National Council of Social Welfare, or a private operator that provides support for the life support target based on a contract or the like. The supporter terminal 3 is configured of a personal computer, a tablet, a smartphone, or the like. The supporter terminal 3 may exchange various types of information with the server 1 via a pre-installed program, or may exchange various types of information via a web browser.

[0016] The related person terminal 4 is a related person cooperation means used by related persons such as family members and relatives who have connections with the life support target. The related persons reside in a location different from that of the life support target, and recognize the support provided by the supporter based on information provided to the related person terminal 4. The related person terminal 4 is configured of a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, or the like. The related person terminal 4 may exchange various types of information with the server 1 via a pre-installed program, or may exchange various types of information via a web browser.

[0017] <Hardware Configuration> Next, an example of hardware configuring the server 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server 1 applied to the life support system 100 according to the present embodiment. The server 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 serving as a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20.

[0018] The CPU 11 executes various processes in accordance with programs recorded in the ROM 12 or programs loaded from the storage unit 18 to the RAM 13. The RAM 13 also appropriately stores data and the like required when the CPU 11 executes various processes. The CPU 11, the ROM 12 and the RAM 13 are mutually connected via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14.

[0019] An output unit 16, an input unit 17, the storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20 are connected to the input / output interface 15. The output unit 16 is configured of a display, a speaker, or the like, and outputs various information as images and sound. The input unit 17 is configured of a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like, and inputs various information. The storage unit 18 is configured of a hard disk, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), or the like, and stores various data. The communication unit 19 communicates with other devices via a network including the Internet.

[0020] A removable medium 21 composed of a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like is appropriately loaded into the drive 20. A program read from the removable medium 21 by the drive 20 is installed into the storage unit 18 as necessary. Furthermore, the removable medium 21 can also store various data stored in the storage unit 18, similarly to the storage unit 18.

[0021] The hardware configuration described here is merely an example. The computer described in the present embodiment, which includes the server 1, may have a configuration that is common with the configuration of FIG. 2, or may have a different configuration. Furthermore, the computer may be configured by two or more computers. The subject terminal 2, the supporter terminal 3, and the related party terminal 4 in FIG. 1 are, for example, a tablet, a smartphone, or a personal computer having the same configuration as the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 2.

[0022] <Functional Configuration> Next, the functional configuration of Server 1 will be described. Figure 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of Server 1 applied to the life support system 100 according to this embodiment.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, Server 1 includes a video call management unit 31, a purchase information registration unit 32, a call recording unit 33, a recording location identification unit 34, a medical service management unit 35, and a support information sharing unit 36, all of which are functional units implemented on the processor (CPU 11). Furthermore, a database 90 is constructed on Server 1 where various types of information are registered. Note that the database 90 may be located outside of Server 1, and various types of information may be read via a communication network.

[0024] The video call management unit 31 is a video call means that launches a program to execute a video call on the target terminal 2 based on a call initiation instruction from the support terminal 3 to the target terminal 2. The program is, for example, a video call application pre-installed on the target terminal 2. The video call function itself may be provided by a video call provisioning server (not shown) different from server 1.

[0025] The database 90 stores video call information, which includes various information necessary for video calls between the person receiving support and the supporter. The video call management unit 31 manages the video calls using the destination information of the person receiving support and the destination information of the supporter included in the video call information.

[0026] In this embodiment, a video call is initiated after the recipient of life support is verified on the recipient terminal 2. Verification of the recipient of life support is performed, for example, by a call selection operation on the recipient terminal 2. Call selection operations include permission for video calls, permission for voice calls, etc. A video call is initiated when the support worker performs a call selection operation to select permission for video calls or permission for voice calls. If the recipient of life support performs a disallowance operation to disallow video calls, the video call will not be initiated. In this case, the server 1 notifies the support worker terminal 3 that the recipient of life support has performed a disallowance operation.

[0027] Typically, the life support system 100 is a three-party contract involving the person receiving life support, the support provider, and related parties. The person receiving life support and related parties can set the frequency and duration of video calls according to the contract, such as the frequency of video calls (from once to five times a week) and the duration of each video call. They may also specify the time of day for video calls. Furthermore, they can set whether or not to redial if a call selection operation is not performed when sending the call initiation command, and if so, how often they redial. The frequency of redials can be set as appropriate by the person receiving life support and related parties, for example, by redialing a predetermined number of times (e.g., twice) at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every 15 minutes) if a call selection operation is not performed. This information is also stored in the database 90, associated with the person receiving life support.

[0028] Figure 4 shows an example of a video call between the user and a supporter, as displayed on the user's terminal 2. The output unit 16 of the user's terminal 2 displays the video image of the supporter using the supporter's terminal 3. During the video call, the supporter conducts interviews with the user regarding their current situation, and the user requests the supporter to purchase goods or services. The supporter records the details of the interview and the requests for goods or services from the user.

[0029] The purchase information registration unit 32 is a means for registering purchase information in the database 90 that indicates the purchase request for goods or services made by the person receiving life support to the supporter via video call. The purchase information may include, for example, brand name, quantity, price, delivery date, and whether or not approval has been granted. The purchase information may also include payment methods such as credit card payment, billing (direct debit), and cash on delivery. Furthermore, the purchase request for services may include an application for telemedicine from the person receiving life support.

[0030] Purchase information is entered by the supporter on the supporter terminal 3. The video call screen shown in the example in Figure 4 displays a purchase item display unit 51 that shows the text of the purchase information entered by the supporter. The purchase item display unit 51 displays the surname of the person receiving support (e.g., Mr. / Ms. Suzuki), a list of purchased items (e.g., toilet paper, milk, bread), etc.

[0031] Alternatively, a confirmation button may be displayed on the screen of the recipient's terminal 2 for the recipient to confirm the contents of the purchase item display unit 51 in Figure 4, and the purchase information registration unit 32 may be configured to register information indicating that the confirmation button has been pressed, along with the purchase information, in the database 90. This effectively prevents inappropriate purchases made on behalf of others due to input errors or communication errors by the support worker.

[0032] Supporters act as intermediaries, purchasing goods and services based on purchase information. This purchasing can be done, for example, through e-commerce. The purchase process may also be conducted by showing the e-commerce purchase screen to the person receiving support via video call. It is preferable to select an e-commerce platform from a pre-configured list. By setting up an e-commerce platform operated by a local company, it can also contribute to local production and consumption.

[0033] Purchase information is recorded on the supporter terminal 3 or on server 1. The purchase information recorded on server 1 may be received by an application installed on supporter terminal 3, or it may be sent to server 1 via an input page displayed in a web browser. The method of recording purchase information on server 1 is not particularly limited.

[0034] The call recording unit 33 is a call recording means that acquires recorded information of a video call conducted between the target terminal 2 and the supporter terminal 3. The video call screen shown in the example display in Figure 4 shows a recording display unit 52 indicating that recording is in progress. The recorded information includes interviews from the supporter to the person receiving support and purchase requests from the person receiving support to the supporter. The recording targets are the video image and audio displayed on the supporter terminal 3, the video image and audio displayed on the target terminal 2, or both. The call recording unit 33 may also acquire only audio information.

[0035] The recording location identification unit 34 is a recording location identification means that acquires recording location identification information from video calls in the recorded information to identify conversations, text information, etc., related to the purchase of goods or services requested by the person receiving life support from the supporter.

[0036] The recording location identification unit 34 acquires recording location identification information, for example, by voice analysis, indicating the recording portion of the relevant conversation. The recording location identification information may also be the recording of the relevant conversation portion. Voice analysis may be performed by setting keywords such as "purchase," "shopping," or "want to buy" in advance, and using these keywords to acquire recording location identification information. Alternatively, the recording location identification unit 34 may acquire recording location identification information when the supporter operates a specific button set on the supporter terminal 3 during a video call. In this case, the recording time while the supporter is pressing the specific button is acquired as recording location identification information.

[0037] The call recording unit 33 may also be configured to save only the recording portion corresponding to the recording location identification information identified by the recording location identification unit 34.

[0038] The medical service management unit 35 activates a program on the target terminal 2 (target communication device) to perform a predetermined medical service, and sends a medical service commencement instruction to the target terminal 2 in response to an operation on the supporter terminal 3 (supporter communication device) to make the person receiving life support available to use the predetermined medical service. Medical services are not limited to these, but examples include applications for conducting online medical consultations.

[0039] The support information sharing unit 36 ​​is a means of sharing support information with related parties of the person receiving life support via the related party terminal 4. The support information may include the results of interviews with supporters, purchase information, recording information, recording location identification information, etc. When the support information sharing unit 36 ​​receives a request to view support information from the related party terminal 4, it transmits the requested support information to the related party terminal 4.

[0040] Furthermore, the support information sharing unit 36 ​​may have a function to notify relevant parties of information regarding video calls. For example, the support information sharing unit 36 ​​sends information to the relevant terminal 4 indicating that a video call is taking place when it receives a call start instruction or when a call selection operation is performed. In addition, when the relevant terminal 4 receives the video call information, it can also choose whether or not to participate in the video call. In this case, the video call information may include link information such as an address for participating in the video call, and relevant parties can participate in the video call between the person receiving support and the supporter based on this link information. This makes it possible for relevant parties to participate in the video call themselves when it starts at a time convenient for them.

[0041] Furthermore, the support information sharing unit 36 ​​may have a function to notify relevant parties of purchase information. For example, the support information sharing unit 36 ​​transmits purchase information entered by the supporter on the supporter terminal 3, or purchase notification information indicating that purchase information has been entered, to the relevant party terminal 4.

[0042] Furthermore, notification conditions may be set in advance for the transmission of this purchase information. These notification conditions are various conditions related to purchases, such as purchases exceeding a predetermined amount or purchases exceeding a predetermined quantity. The notification conditions may also be that the same goods or services are purchased multiple times within a predetermined period. In this case, the support information sharing unit 36 ​​can determine whether the notification conditions are met based on past purchase information and a predetermined limit. This allows relevant parties to be aware of situations where a person receiving support for dementia is attempting to purchase an amount of consumables that they cannot consume (for example, milk with an expiration date). In addition, the support information sharing unit 36 ​​may be configured to notify supporter terminals 3 and the recipient terminal 2, other than the relevant party terminal 4, that the notification conditions have been met. This allows supporters and people receiving support to be aware that unnecessary purchases are about to be made during a video call. It is also possible to simply set the notification condition as the input of purchase information.

[0043] <Processing flow> Next, referring to Figure 5, we will explain the management process for managing video calls between the person receiving life support and the supporter. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the video call management process by the life support system 100 of this embodiment.

[0044] In step S1, the video call management unit 31 sends a call start instruction to the target terminal 2 in response to the operation of the supporter on the supporter terminal 3.

[0045] In step S2, the subject terminal 2 starts a program for making a video call based on the received call initiation instruction, and determines whether the person receiving support has made a call selection operation to answer the call. If a call selection operation to answer the call has been made, the process proceeds to step S3 (step S2; Yes). If a disallowance operation to not answer the call has been made, the process proceeds to step S8 (step S2; No), and in step S8, the subject terminal 2 sends disallowance information to the supporter terminal 3 indicating that the call was disallowed.

[0046] In step S3, the target terminal 2 initiates a video call with the supporter terminal 3 via the launched program. As described above, the video call is used for interviews between the supporter and the person receiving support, as well as requests from the person receiving support to the supporter for purchasing items on their behalf.

[0047] In step S4, the supporter terminal 3 records the video call with the person receiving support and saves the recording information. This saving of the recording information may be performed directly by the server 1.

[0048] In step S5, the purchase information registration unit 32 determines whether or not purchase information has been entered through the input unit 17 of the supporter terminal 3. If the purchase information registration unit 32 detects that purchase information has been entered, it proceeds to step S6 (step S5; Yes), and if purchase information has not been entered, it proceeds to step S7 (step S5; No).

[0049] In step S6, the purchase information registration unit 32 registers the entered purchase information in the database 90, associating it with the person receiving life support. The purchase information registered in the database 90 may include information about the support worker in charge, in addition to the person receiving life support.

[0050] In step S7, the video call management unit 31 monitors whether the video call has ended, and terminates the process when it detects that the video call has ended.

[0051] Next, the recording information registration process will be explained with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the recording information registration process by the life support system 100 of this embodiment. Note that the recording information registration process shown in Figure 6 may be started at the timing of the recording process in step S4, or it may be performed in parallel with the management process in Figure 5 based on a predetermined schedule or the operation of the support worker.

[0052] In step S11, the call recording unit 33 acquires video call recording information and registers the acquired recording information in the database 90 in association with the information of the person receiving life support. The call recording unit 33 acquires, for example, information stored on the supporter terminal 3 via a communication network. Alternatively, the call recording unit 33 may acquire video call recording information directly without going through the supporter terminal 3. There are no particular restrictions on the method of acquiring the recording information.

[0053] In step S12, the recording location identification unit 34 analyzes the recording information and performs a process to identify the portion of the video call that relates to purchase information. The identification of the portion related to purchase information is performed based on audio analysis and operation information of the supporter terminal 3 during the video call, as described above. The analysis result may be time information indicating the recording time of the target portion during the recording, or it may be a video extracted from the recording that shows the target portion.

[0054] In step S13, the recording location identification unit 34 registers the recording location identification information, which is the result of analyzing the recording information, in the database 90, associating it with the information of the person receiving life support and the original recording information. Through this series of processes, the recording information of the video call between the person receiving life support and the supporter, as well as the recording location identification information, are registered in the database 90.

[0055] Next, referring to Figure 7, we will explain the information sharing process for sharing information with those involved with the person receiving life support. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the information sharing process by the life support system 100 of this embodiment.

[0056] In step S21, the support information sharing unit 36 ​​monitors whether there has been a request from the relevant terminal 4 to view support information related to the person receiving life support. If there is a request to view support information, the support information sharing unit 36 ​​proceeds to step S22 (step S21: Yes), and if no request to view support information is confirmed, it proceeds to step S23 (step S21: No).

[0057] In step S22, the support information sharing unit 36 ​​refers to the database 90 and obtains support information for the person receiving life support associated with the relevant terminal 4. The support information sharing unit 36 ​​then sends the support information to the relevant terminal 4 that made the viewing request. This support information may only include the information specified by the relevant terminal 4. For example, if the relevant party selects only purchase information from purchase information and recording information, the support information sharing unit 36 ​​will send only the purchase information to the relevant terminal 4. Alternatively, the support information sharing unit 36 ​​may output a screen in which the relevant terminal 4 can select the support information it wishes to view, and then send the support information to the relevant terminal 4 based on the selection result on that screen.

[0058] In step S23, the support information sharing unit 36 ​​monitors whether a video call has started between the person receiving life support and the supporter. If the video call has started, the support information sharing unit 36 ​​proceeds to step S24 (step S23: Yes), and if the start of the video call cannot be confirmed, it proceeds to step S25 (step S23: No).

[0059] In step S24, the support information sharing unit 36 ​​sends information to the relevant terminal 4 indicating that a video call has started between the person receiving life support and the supporter. The information indicating that a video call has started may include a link for the relevant party to join the video call. The relevant party can join the video call based on the link information when it is convenient for them. Note that the information indicating that a video call has started can also be configured to be sent only if the relevant terminal 4 requests it.

[0060] In step S25, the support information sharing unit 36 ​​determines whether the notification conditions for the purchase are met. As described above, the notification conditions may be that a purchase of an amount exceeding a predetermined amount has been made, or that only the input of purchase information is the notification condition. Whether or not the notification conditions are met can be determined based on the purchase information registered in the database 90 and the notification conditions.

[0061] The support information sharing unit 36 ​​proceeds to step S26 if it determines that the purchase information meets the notification conditions (step S25: Yes), and returns to step S21 if it determines that the notification conditions are not met (step S25: No).

[0062] In step S26, the support information sharing unit 36 ​​sends warning information to the relevant terminal 4 indicating that a purchase meeting the notification conditions has been made. The warning information may include purchase information. After the processing in step S26, the process returns to step S21. Through this series of processes, support information for the person receiving life support is shared with the relevant parties. Although the processes related to support information are grouped into a single flowchart, the groupings of steps S21 and S22, steps S23 and S24, and steps S25 and S26 may be performed in parallel.

[0063] <Advantageous effects of this embodiment> As described above, the life support system 100 of this embodiment comprises a target terminal 2 as a target call means used by the person receiving life support to make video calls, a supporter terminal 3 as a supporter call means used by the supporter who provides support to the person receiving life support to make video calls, and a video call management unit 31 as a video call management means that starts a program to cause the target terminal 2 to make a video call and sends a call start instruction to the target terminal 2 in response to an operation of the supporter terminal 3 to make a video call between the target terminal 2 and the supporter terminal 3 available. The means of communication with the target party is not limited to the target party terminal 2 described above, but may also be, for example, a functional unit within the server 1 that is executed in response to a request from the target party terminal 2.

[0064] Furthermore, the computer-based support method for a person receiving life support in this embodiment includes a start instruction step in which a supporter terminal 3, which is used for video calls by the supporter providing support to the person receiving life support, issues a call start instruction to the person terminal 2, which is used for video calls by the person receiving life support; and a video call step in which, upon receiving the call start instruction from the person terminal 2, a program for executing a video call on the person terminal 2 is launched, and a video call between the person terminal 2 and the supporter terminal 3 is made available.

[0065] By adopting the above configuration for the life support system 100 and the support methods for those receiving life support, even those receiving life support who are not proficient with computers can easily start video calls based on the supporter's operation, provided the power is on. This solves the problem of the digital divide, improves convenience, alleviates loneliness, and reduces the burden on aging support organizations. Furthermore, even in areas where travel is a burden, remote participation in support organizations becomes easier, leading to job creation at local support centers. In addition, by setting up e-commerce that handles purchasing on behalf of others with local companies, local production and consumption can also be realized.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a video call is initiated when the recipient's terminal 2 performs a call selection operation indicating permission for the recipient to respond to the call initiation command. This means that initiating a video call requires the person receiving support to operate the system, thus preventing situations where a video call is started without consent when the person receiving support is unable to do so, such as after bathing, and protecting the privacy of the person receiving support.

[0067] Furthermore, the life support system 100 of this embodiment further includes a purchase information registration unit 32 for registering purchase information of goods or services received by the supporter from the person receiving life support via video call. This allows you to verify your purchase information, effectively reducing the risk of making a purchase mistake. Furthermore, even if misunderstandings occur, the cause can be identified by checking the purchase information, thus preventing the situation from escalating into a problem. Furthermore, as shown in the purchase item display section 51 in Figure 4, the purchase list can be displayed via video call, allowing for confirmation of purchase details between the person receiving support and the support provider.

[0068] Furthermore, the life support system 100 of this embodiment further includes a call recording unit 33 that acquires recorded video call information and registers the recorded information in association with purchase information. This allows for the reliable identification of the cause of input errors or misunderstandings by reviewing the recording.

[0069] Furthermore, the life support system 100 of this embodiment further includes a recording location identification unit 34 that identifies the portion of the recorded information relating to purchase information in the video call. This allows the analysis results of the recording location identification unit 34 to be used to identify the purchase-related portion of the recording, effectively shortening the time required to determine the cause.

[0070] Furthermore, the life support system 100 of this embodiment may further include a medical service management means that activates a program on the target terminal 2 (target communication means) to perform a predetermined medical service, and transmits a medical service commencement instruction to the target terminal 2 in response to an operation of the supporter terminal 3 (supporter communication means) to make the person receiving life support available to use the predetermined medical service. This allows for the provision of not only the shopping assistance mentioned above, but also support for those providing assistance in accessing medical services such as online medical consultations. Furthermore, since the system is designed to launch applications downloaded to the recipient's terminal 2 in response to the operation of the supporter's terminal 3, the supporter can provide only the aforementioned assistance without accessing the personal information of the person receiving assistance.

[0071] Furthermore, the life support system 100 of this embodiment further includes a support information sharing unit 36 ​​that shares support information indicating the details of the support provided to the person receiving life support with those related to the person receiving life support. This allows family members, relatives, and other related parties who live separately from the person receiving support to confirm the details of the support provided by the supporter. For the person receiving support, the information about the support is shared with those involved, allowing them to receive support with greater peace of mind.

[0072] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, by remotely operating (controlling) the recipient's terminal 2, the supporter can improve efficiency through digitalization (saving the time and effort of visiting the recipient's home directly), while also incorporating analog elements through video calls (for example, everyday conversations) (integrating digital and analog), thereby providing mental care for the recipient (maintaining their mental motivation). Ultimately, this can contribute to alleviating feelings of loneliness among the recipient.

[0073] <Other> Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and any modifications, improvements, etc. that can achieve the objectives of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0074] Furthermore, the series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or by software. In other words, the functional configuration described above is merely an example and is not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient for Server 1 to have the functionality to execute the series of processes described above as a whole, and the type of functional block used to realize this functionality is not particularly limited to the example above. Also, the location of the functional block is not particularly limited and can be arbitrary. For example, the functional block of Server 1 may be transferred to another device, etc. Conversely, the functional block of another device may be transferred to the server, etc. Also, a single functional block may be composed of hardware alone, software alone, or a combination of both.

[0075] When a series of processes are executed by software, the programs that make up that software are installed on a computer or other device from a network or storage medium. The computer may be a computer built into dedicated hardware. Alternatively, the computer may be a computer capable of performing various functions by installing various programs, such as a server, a general-purpose smartphone, or a personal computer.

[0076] Such recording media containing programs may consist not only of removable media (not shown) distributed separately from the main device to provide the programs, but also of recording media provided pre-installed in the main device. Since programs can be distributed via a network, the recording media may be installed on or accessible from a computer connected to or capable of connecting to a network.

[0077] In this specification, the step of describing a program to be recorded on a recording medium includes not only processes that are performed chronologically in that order, but also processes that are not necessarily performed chronologically, but are executed in parallel or individually. Furthermore, in this specification, the term "system" refers to an overall system composed of multiple devices, means, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 server 2. Target user's device 3. Supporter terminal 31 Video Call Management Department 32 Purchase Information Registration Section 33. Call Recording Section 34. Identifying the recording location 35. Medical Services Management Department 36 Support Information Sharing Department 100 Life Support Systems

Claims

1. A terminal for a person receiving life support, which is placed in the residence of the person receiving life support and is used by the person receiving life support to make video calls, A supporter's terminal used for video calls by a supporter who provides support to the person receiving the aforementioned life support, A life support system including a server connected via a communication network to each of the aforementioned target terminal and supporter terminal, The aforementioned server, A video call management means that, in response to the operation of the supporter's terminal, transmits a call start instruction to the target person's terminal, thereby activating a program on the target person's terminal to perform the video call without requiring the target person to activate the program, and initiating the video call between the target person's terminal and the supporter's terminal. Purchase information registration means registers purchase information indicating a request for the purchase of goods or services received by the supporter from the person receiving life support during the video call in the server's database, and also registers information indicating that a confirmation button on the person's terminal was operated in the database along with the purchase information. A call recording means that acquires recording information of the video call and registers the recording information in the database in association with the purchase information, A recording location identification means that acquires recording location identification information by identifying the portion of the video call in the recorded information that relates to the purchase information through voice analysis, A support information sharing means that shares support information indicating the support provided to the person receiving support with a terminal used by a person related to the person receiving support, and transmits warning information to the terminal when the purchase information meets predetermined notification conditions, A life support system equipped with these features.

2. The video call is initiated when the recipient's terminal performs a call selection operation indicating permission for the recipient to respond to the call initiation command. The life support system according to claim 1.

3. The system further includes a medical service management means that activates a program on the target person's terminal to perform a predetermined medical service, and transmits a medical service commencement instruction to the target person's terminal in response to an operation on the supporter's terminal, thereby enabling the person receiving life support to use the predetermined medical service. A life support system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A terminal for a person receiving life support, which is placed in the residence of the person receiving life support and is used by the person receiving life support to make video calls, A supporter's terminal used for video calls by a supporter who provides support to the person receiving the aforementioned life support, A method of supporting a person receiving life support, using a server connected via a communication network to the aforementioned person terminal and the aforementioned supporter terminal, A video call management step in which, in response to the operation of the supporter's terminal, a call start instruction is sent to the target terminal, thereby activating a program on the target terminal that allows the person receiving life support to perform the video call without requiring the person receiving life support to activate the program, and the video call between the target terminal and the supporter's terminal is initiated. A purchase information registration step in which the supporter registers purchase information indicating a request for the purchase of goods or services received from the person receiving life support during the video call in the server's database, and also registers information indicating that a confirmation button on the person's terminal was operated, along with the purchase information, in the database; A call recording step includes obtaining recording information of the video call, associating the recording information with the purchase information, and registering it in the database. A recording location identification step that obtains recording location identification information by identifying the portion of the video call in the recorded information that relates to the purchase information through voice analysis, A support information sharing step involves sharing support information indicating the support provided to the person receiving support with a terminal used by a person related to the person receiving support, and sending a warning message to the terminal when the purchase information meets predetermined notification conditions. Support methods for individuals receiving life support, including those eligible for such support.

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