Health support apparatus, health support system, and health support method

Abstract

A health support apparatus (100) comprises a target information acquisition unit (111) that acquires target information corresponding to the health needs of a user, and a measurement device selection unit (112) that selects a biological information acquisition device to be used by the user in accordance with the target information. The health support device (100) also comprises a use device notification unit (113) that notifies a user terminal used by the user of information relating to the selected biological information acquisition device. The health support device (100) also comprises a device information acquisition unit (114) that acquires the biological information of the user acquired by the biological information acquisition device used by the user. Furthermore, the health assistance device (100) comprises a health state determination unit (115) that determines the health state of the user on the basis of the biological information, and a determination result notification unit (116) that notifies the user terminal of the result determined by the health state determination unit (115).

Description

Health support device, health support system, and health support method

[0001] The present invention relates to a health support device, a health support system, and a health support method.

[0002] Conventionally, devices have been proposed that acquire biometric information of a user and manage and support the user's health condition. Patent Document 1 discloses a biometric information providing device that understands the relationship between the subject's daily activities and biometric information and supports the subject's self-management of the subject's health condition. The biometric status providing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 supports the user's health management based on information acquired from measuring devices such as a blood pressure monitor and a blood glucose meter, and information acquired from an environmental sensor that acquires information about the user's surrounding environment, for self-health management.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-11919

[0004] Generally, when health management is performed using a device that acquires biometric information, the period for which the health management is performed is often not fixed, which can make it difficult to maintain motivation for health management. Furthermore, when health management is performed vaguely without narrowing down the management target, it is necessary to use multiple devices that acquire biometric information, and measuring with unnecessary devices or multiple devices is time-consuming. Therefore, in user health management, a device is needed that maintains the user's motivation and supports appropriate health management for the user.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a health support device that can support appropriate health management according to the user's purpose.

[0006] A health support device according to an aspect of the present invention is a health support device for supporting a user's health, and includes an objective information acquisition unit that acquires objective information corresponding to the user's health needs, a measurement device selection unit that selects a biometric information acquisition device to be used by the user in accordance with the objective information, a device usage notification unit that notifies a user terminal used by the user of information related to the selected biometric information acquisition device, a device information acquisition unit that acquires the user's biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition device used by the user, a health condition determination unit that determines the user's health condition based on the biometric information, and a determination result notification unit that notifies the user terminal of the results determined by the health condition determination unit.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention provides a health support system for supporting the health of a user, comprising a user terminal used by the user, a biometric information acquisition device, and a health support device, wherein the health support device comprises an objective information acquisition unit that acquires objective information corresponding to the user's health needs, a measurement device selection unit that selects a biometric information acquisition device to be used by the user in accordance with the objective information, a device usage notification unit that notifies the user terminal used by the user of information related to the selected biometric information acquisition device, a device information acquisition unit that acquires the user's biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition device used by the user, a health condition determination unit that determines the user's health condition based on the biometric information, and a determination result notification unit that notifies the user terminal of the results determined by the health condition determination unit.

[0008] A health support method according to another aspect of the present invention is a health support method executed by a computer for supporting a user's health, which method acquires objective information corresponding to the user's health needs, selects a biometric information acquisition device to be used by the user in accordance with the objective information, notifies a user terminal used by the user of information relating to the selected biometric information acquisition device, acquires the user's biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition device used by the user, determines the user's health condition based on the biometric information, and notifies the user terminal of the determination result of the user's health condition.

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a health support device that can support appropriate health management according to the purpose of the user.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a health support system according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a health support device according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the health support device according to this embodiment. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining user information used in the health support device according to this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the health support device according to this embodiment.

[0011] The health support device 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions. In addition, in the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

[0012] (Outline of health support system 10) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a health support system 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the health support system 10 includes a health support apparatus 100, a biometric information acquisition device 20, a user terminal 30, and a network 40.

[0013] Health support system 10 is a system for providing health support according to a user's objectives. In this embodiment, the user's objectives include, for example, weight loss, muscle strength gain, blood pressure improvement, blood sugar improvement, increased activity, and improved sleep quality.

[0014] The biometric information acquisition device 20 includes, for example, a wearable terminal 20a, a body composition monitor 20b, a blood pressure monitor 20c, a camera 20d, a millimeter-wave radar 20e, etc. Note that the biometric information acquisition device 20 is not limited to the wearable terminal 20a, the body composition monitor 20b, and the blood pressure monitor 20c shown in FIG. 1 , but also includes an ultrasonic measuring device for measuring body fat, etc., and a Libre for measuring blood glucose levels. Note that the camera 20d and the millimeter-wave radar 20e correspond to wearable terminals. Furthermore, the biometric information acquisition device 20 may exchange data with a user terminal 30 (described below) or a health support device 100 via an auxiliary terminal 21. Furthermore, data exchange between the auxiliary terminal 21 and the user terminal 30 may be performed via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0015] User terminal 30 is a terminal used by user 31. User terminal 30 is configured as, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) or a mobile terminal. User 31 uses user terminal 30 to input objective information to health support system 10, acquire information about the biometric information acquisition device 20 they are using, and check information about their health condition sent from health support apparatus 100.

[0016] In the health support system 10, the health support apparatus 100 selects an appropriate biometric information acquisition device 20 in accordance with user objective information input by the user 31 via the user terminal 30. The health support apparatus 100 also notifies the user 31 via the user terminal 30 of information relating to the selected biometric information acquisition device 20.

[0017] Furthermore, the user 31 starts using the biological information acquisition device 20 based on the information about the biological information acquisition device 20 notified by the health support apparatus 100 .

[0018] Health support device 100 acquires biometric information from biometric information acquisition device 20 used by user 31, and determines the condition of user 31 based on the acquired biometric information. Health support device 100 also notifies user 31 of the determined condition of user 31 via user terminal 30.

[0019] The user 31 checks the status notified by the health support device 100 and uses it to improve their lifestyle, etc. As a result, the health support system 10 according to this embodiment can provide health support according to the purpose of the user 31, and can more effectively maintain the motivation of the user 31 and improve their health.

[0020] (Configuration of health support device 100) Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of health support device 100 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, health support device 100 is configured by a general computer such as a server that includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, an input / output IF 130 (Interface), and a communication IF 140. Details of control unit 110 and storage unit 120 will be described later.

[0021] Furthermore, when the user terminal 30 is realized by a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, or the like, its configuration may be the configuration shown in the block diagram in Fig. 2. Furthermore, when the biometric information acquisition device 20 is a system LSI including a microcomputer, or the like, it may also include the configuration shown in the block diagram in Fig. 2.

[0022] The input / output IF 130 is, for example, a component (interface) for the user to exchange data with the health support device 100. The input / output IF 130 includes, for example, an input IF and an output IF (not shown).

[0023] The input IF in input / output IF 130 has an interface function for the user to input various information, and information is input from outside health support device 100. Information is input to the input IF by the user via, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, trackball, or voice recognition device connected to health support device 100. The input IF can also input information as a data input terminal for inputting data from an external storage device (not shown) or the like.

[0024] The output IF in the input / output IF 130 displays user information and device information (described below) on a display device (not shown) connected to the health support device 100. The display device is, for example, a display device or a projector device.

[0025] The communication IF 140 is an interface that enables mutual communication between the health support apparatus 100 and the biometric information acquisition device 20 and the user terminal 30 via the network 40 .

[0026] 3 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the health support device 100 according to this embodiment. The control unit 110 of the health support device 100 has, as its functions, an objective information acquisition unit 111, a measurement device selection unit 112, a device use notification unit 113, a device information acquisition unit 114, a health condition determination unit 115, and a determination result notification unit 116.

[0027] The control unit 110, for example, runs an operating system to control the entire health support device 100. Furthermore, the control unit 110 operates based on a program stored in the storage unit 120 to execute the above-mentioned functions. Note that the program is not limited to being stored in the storage unit 120, and may be stored in, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown) within the health support device 100.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, the storage unit 120 stores information contained in a user information DB 121 (DB: Database) and a device information DB 122 as data. Note that there may be one or more storage units 120 for storing these pieces of data. For example, a single storage unit 120 may be configured to store data in separate areas. Alternatively, data may be distributed and stored in multiple storage devices installed in physically separate locations.

[0029] The objective information acquisition unit 111 acquires objective information corresponding to the health needs of the user 31. Specifically, the objective information acquired by the user 31 via the user terminal 30 is stored in the user information DB 121.

[0030] 4 is a diagram for explaining user information used in the health support device 100 according to this embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 4, items related to "user ID," "objective information," "period," "status," and "measurement device" are stored as user information in the user information DB 121.

[0031] "User ID" is information for identifying user 31. "Objective information" stores what user 31 wants to do. In the example shown in FIG. 4, examples of "objective information" are listed as "weight loss," "muscle strength increase," "blood pressure improvement," "blood sugar improvement," "increase in activity level," and "improve sleep quality." "Period" describes the period during which user 31 will use health support system 10. In this way, by determining the period during which health support system 10 will be used, it is possible to maintain the motivation of user 31. "Status" stores the results of the assessment made by health condition assessment unit 115, which will be described later.

[0032] The information in the "measurement device" section indicates which health management item indicated in the objective information corresponds to the biometric information acquisition device 20 applied to the health support system 10. In this embodiment, examples of the "measurement device" include the body composition monitor 20b, the wearable device 20a, the blood pressure monitor 20c, the Libre, and an ultrasonic measuring device. Note that in this embodiment, the measurement device is not limited to these examples, and biometric information acquisition devices 20 other than those shown in FIG. 4 may also be used. For example, the measurement device may be a camera 20d or a millimeter-wave radar 20e. The measurement device may also be a sensor that uses radio waves such as millimeter waves, or a sensor that uses sound or vibration. The acquired biometric information may also include heart rate. The acquired biometric information may also be determined based on a visual pulse wave or facial color that can be acquired by the camera 20d.

[0033] The measuring device selection unit 112 selects the biometric information acquisition device 20 to be used by the user 31 according to the objective information. Specifically, in the example shown in Fig. 4, the measuring device selection unit 112 selects a measuring device corresponding to the objective information (a measuring device marked with "○").

[0034] The device-in-use notification unit 113 notifies the user terminal 30 used by the user 31 of information related to the selected biometric information acquisition device 20. Specifically, the device-in-use notification unit 113 notifies the user terminal 30 of the information related to the selected biometric information acquisition device 20 via the network 40. The user 31 acquires the information related to the biometric information acquisition device 20 via the user terminal 30 and starts using the corresponding biometric information acquisition device 20.

[0035] The device information acquisition unit 114 acquires biometric information of the user 31 acquired by the biometric information acquisition device 20 used by the user 31. The device information acquisition unit 114 also stores the acquired biometric information in the device information DB 122.

[0036] The health condition determination unit 115 determines the health condition of the user based on the biometric information. Specifically, the health condition determination unit 115 determines the health condition of the user based on the biometric information stored in the device information DB 122, using, for example, a predetermined threshold value. This predetermined threshold value may be a value used in general health checkups, etc.

[0037] The determination result notification unit 116 notifies the user terminal 30 of the result of the determination made by the health condition determination unit 115. The user 31 obtains the determination result via the user terminal 30 and performs his / her own health management.

[0038] (Outline of processing flow of health support device 100) Next, the processing flow in health support device 100 will be shown using the flowchart shown in Figure 5. The series of operations of health support device 100 shown in the flowchart of Figure 5 starts when health support device 100 is started up, and ends when work is completed. The processing in the flowchart shown in Figure 5 also ends when the power is turned off or an interrupt occurs to end the processing. In addition, in the following explanation of the flowchart, content that is the same as that described in the above explanation of health support system 10 and health support device 100 will be omitted or simplified.

[0039] In step S501, the objective information acquisition unit 111 acquires objective information corresponding to the health needs of the user 31. Specifically, the objective information input by the user 31 via the user terminal 30 is acquired and stored in the user information DB 121. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S502.

[0040] In step S502, the measuring device selection unit 112 selects the biometric information acquisition device 20 to be used by the user 31 according to the objective information. Specifically, in the example shown in Fig. 4, the measuring device selection unit 112 selects the measuring device corresponding to the objective information (the measuring device marked with "○"). Then, the process proceeds to step S503.

[0041] In step S503, the device-in-use notification unit 113 notifies the user terminal 30 used by the user 31 of information related to the selected biometric information acquisition device 20. Specifically, the device-in-use notification unit 113 notifies the user terminal 30 of information related to the selected biometric information acquisition device 20 via the network 40. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S504.

[0042] In step S504, the device information acquisition unit 114 acquires biometric information of the user 31 acquired by the biometric information acquisition device 20 used by the user 31. The device information acquisition unit 114 also stores the acquired biometric information in the device information DB 122. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S505.

[0043] In step S505, the health condition determination unit 115 determines the user's health condition based on the biometric information. Specifically, the health condition determination unit 115 determines the health condition of the user based on the biometric information stored in the device information DB 122, using, for example, a predetermined threshold value. This predetermined threshold value may be a value used in general health checkups, etc. Then, the process proceeds to step S506.

[0044] In step S506, the determination result notification unit 116 notifies the user terminal 30 of the result determined by the health condition determination unit 115. The user 31 obtains the determination result via the user terminal 30 and performs his / her own health management. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S507.

[0045] In step S507, the control unit 110 determines whether the support period has ended. Specifically, the control unit 110 determines whether the support period has ended, for example, based on the "period" shown in FIG. 4. In step S507, if the control unit 110 determines that the support period has ended (step S507: YES), the process ends. On the other hand, in step S507, if the control unit 110 determines that the support period has not ended (step S507: NO), the process returns to step S504, and the process from step S504 is repeated.

[0046] As described above, the health support device 100 according to this embodiment is a health support device 100 for supporting the health of a user 31. The health support device 100 includes an objective information acquisition unit 111 that acquires objective information corresponding to the health needs of the user 31, and a measurement device selection unit 112 that selects a biometric information acquisition device 20 to be used by the user in accordance with the objective information. The health support device 100 also includes a device-used notification unit 113 that notifies a user terminal 30 used by the user 31 of information related to the selected biometric information acquisition device 20. The health support device 100 also includes a device information acquisition unit 114 that acquires biometric information of the user 31 acquired by the biometric information acquisition device 20 used by the user 31. The health support device 100 also includes a health condition determination unit 115 that determines the health condition of the user 31 based on the biometric information, and a determination result notification unit 116 that notifies the user terminal 30 of the result determined by the health condition determination unit 115.

[0047] As a result, health support apparatus 100 selects a biometric information acquisition device 20 according to the purpose of user 31, and user 31 acquires biometric information using this selected biometric information acquisition device 20. Therefore, health support apparatus 100 can support appropriate health management according to the purpose of user 31.

[0048] Furthermore, the biometric information acquisition device 20 of the health support apparatus 100 may be a wearable terminal 20a. This allows the user 31 using the health support apparatus 100 to acquire biometric information without having to operate the biometric information acquisition device 20 each time the biometric information is acquired, enabling continuous health management.

[0049] (Other Embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the present embodiments are not limited to the contents described in the above embodiments. Furthermore, the components described above include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the configurations described above can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the configurations can be made without departing from the spirit of the embodiments.

[0050] Furthermore, a computer program (health support program) that causes a computer to execute the processing (health support method) in the health support device 100 described above, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded, are included within the scope of this embodiment. Any type of computer-readable recording medium may be used. Furthermore, the computer program is not limited to being recorded on the recording medium, and may be transmitted via a telecommunications line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network such as the Internet, or the like.

[0051] The features of the health support device 100, the health support system 10, and the health support method will be described below.

[0052] A health support apparatus 100 according to a first aspect is a health support apparatus 100 for supporting the health of a user 31. The health support apparatus 100 includes an objective information acquisition unit 111 that acquires objective information corresponding to the health needs of the user 31, and a measurement device selection unit 112 that selects a biometric information acquisition device 20 to be used by the user 31 in accordance with the objective information. The health support apparatus 100 also includes a device-used notification unit 113 that notifies a user terminal 30 used by the user 31 of information related to the selected biometric information acquisition device 20. The health support apparatus 100 also includes a device information acquisition unit 114 that acquires biometric information of the user 31 acquired by the biometric information acquisition device 20 used by the user 31. The health support apparatus 100 also includes a health condition determination unit 115 that determines the health condition of the user 31 based on the biometric information, and a determination result notification unit 116 that notifies the user terminal 30 of the result determined by the health condition determination unit 115.

[0053] According to the above configuration, health support apparatus 100 selects a biometric information acquisition device 20 according to the purpose of user 31, and user 31 acquires biometric information using this selected biometric information acquisition device 20. Therefore, health support apparatus 100 can support appropriate health management according to the purpose of user 31.

[0054] The biological information acquisition device 20 of the health support apparatus 100 according to the second aspect may be a wearable terminal 20a or a wearless terminal.

[0055] According to the above configuration, user 31 using health support apparatus 100 can acquire biometric information without operating biometric information acquisition device 20 each time the biometric information is acquired, enabling continuous health management. Furthermore, by using a wearable terminal, user 31 can acquire biometric information without being aware of the device.

[0056] A health support system 10 according to a third aspect includes a user terminal 30 used by a user 31, a biometric information acquisition device 20, and a health support apparatus 100, and is for supporting the health of the user 31. The health support apparatus 100 has an objective information acquisition unit 111 that acquires objective information corresponding to the health needs of the user 31, and a measurement device selection unit 112 that selects a biometric information acquisition device 20 to be used by the user 31 in accordance with the objective information. The health support apparatus 100 also has a device usage notification unit 113 that notifies the user terminal 30 used by the user 31 of information related to the selected biometric information acquisition device 20. The health support apparatus 100 also has a device information acquisition unit 114 that acquires biometric information of the user 31 acquired by the biometric information acquisition device 20 used by the user 31. Furthermore, the health support device 100 has a health condition determination unit 115 that determines the health condition of the user 31 based on biometric information, and a determination result notification unit 116 that notifies the user terminal 30 of the result determined by the health condition determination unit 115.

[0057] According to the above configuration, health support system 10 selects a biometric information acquisition device 20 according to the purpose of user 31, and user 31 acquires biometric information using this selected biometric information acquisition device 20. Therefore, health support system 10 can support appropriate health management according to the purpose of user 31.

[0058] A health support method according to a fourth aspect is a health support method executed by a computer for supporting the health of a user. The health support method acquires objective information corresponding to the health needs of a user (31), selects a biometric information acquisition device (20) to be used by the user (31) in accordance with the objective information, and notifies a user terminal (30) used by the user (31) of information related to the selected biometric information acquisition device (20). The health support method also acquires biometric information of the user acquired by the biometric information acquisition device (20) used by the user (31), determines the health condition of the user (31) based on the biometric information, and notifies the user terminal (30) of the determination result of the health condition of the user (31).

[0059] According to the above configuration, the health support method selects a biometric information acquisition device 20 according to the purpose of the user 31, and the user 31 acquires biometric information using the selected biometric information acquisition device 20. Therefore, the health support method makes it possible to support appropriate health management according to the purpose of the user 31.

[0060] The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-124191 (filing date: July 31, 2023) are incorporated herein by reference.

[0061] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0062] 10 Health support system 20 Biometric information acquisition device 20a Wearable terminal 20b Body composition monitor 20c Sphygmomanometer 20d Camera 20e Millimeter wave radar 21 Auxiliary terminal 30 User terminal 31 User 100 Health support device 110 Control unit 111 Objective information acquisition unit 112 Measurement device selection unit 113 Used device notification unit 114 Device information acquisition unit 115 Health condition determination unit 116 Determination result notification unit 130 Input / output IF 140 Communication IF 120 Storage unit 121 User information DB 122 Device information DB

Claims

1. A health support device for supporting the health of a user, comprising: an objective information acquisition unit that acquires objective information corresponding to the health needs of the user; a measurement device selection unit that selects a biometric information acquisition device to be used by the user in accordance with the objective information; a device usage notification unit that notifies a user terminal used by the user of information related to the selected biometric information acquisition device; a device information acquisition unit that acquires the user's biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition device used by the user; a health condition determination unit that determines the user's health condition based on the biometric information; and a determination result notification unit that notifies the user terminal of the result determined by the health condition determination unit.

2. The health support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the biometric information acquisition device includes a wearable terminal or a wearless terminal.

3. A health support system comprising a user terminal used by a user, a biometric information acquisition device, and a health support device for supporting the health of the user, wherein the health support device has: an objective information acquisition unit that acquires objective information corresponding to the health needs of the user; a measurement device selection unit that selects the biometric information acquisition device to be used by the user in accordance with the objective information; a device usage notification unit that notifies the user terminal used by the user of information related to the selected biometric information acquisition device; a device information acquisition unit that acquires the user's biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition device used by the user; a health condition determination unit that determines the user's health condition based on the biometric information; and a determination result notification unit that notifies the user terminal of the result determined by the health condition determination unit.

4. A health support method executed by a computer for supporting a user's health, comprising: acquiring objective information corresponding to the health needs of the user; selecting a biometric information acquisition device to be used by the user in accordance with the objective information; notifying a user terminal used by the user of information relating to the selected biometric information acquisition device; acquiring biometric information of the user acquired by the biometric information acquisition device used by the user; determining a health condition of the user based on the biometric information; and notifying the user terminal of the determination result of the user's health condition.

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