Advice transmission device and advice transmission method

Abstract

This advice transmission device (2) comprises: a sensing data collection unit (22) that collects sensing data of a sensor for monitoring the situation of a care recipient; an advice determination unit (23) that uses the sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit (22) to determine advice to a care provider who provides a care service to the care recipient; and an advice transmission unit (24) that transmits the advice determined by the advice determination unit (23).

Description

Advice sending device and advice sending method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an advice transmission device and an advice transmission method.

[0002] There is an advice transmitting device that transmits advice to a user or the like. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an advice transmitting device that generates advice and transmits the advice to a user's mobile terminal. The advice transmitting device acquires location information indicating the location of the mobile terminal from the user's mobile terminal. The advice transmitting device then generates advice by referencing a region table that records information about a region including the location indicated by the location information, and transmits the advice to the user's mobile terminal. The user is, for example, a care recipient such as an elderly person.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-99442

[0004] The advice transmitting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it cannot provide advice to a care provider when the condition of the care recipient, for example, when the vital signs of the care recipient change. The care provider is, for example, a staff member of a facility who provides care services to the care recipient.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an advice transmission device that can provide advice to a care provider when the condition of a care recipient changes.

[0006] The advice sending device of the present disclosure includes a sensing data collection unit that collects sensing data from a sensor that monitors the condition of the care recipient, an advice determination unit that determines advice to a care provider who provides care services to the care recipient based on the sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit, and an advice sending unit that transmits the advice determined by the advice determination unit.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, advice can be provided to the care provider when the condition of the care recipient changes.

[0008] 1 is a configuration diagram showing a system including an advice transmitting device 2 according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the hardware of the advice transmitting device 2 according to embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer in the case where the advice transmitting device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or the like. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an advice transmitting method which is a processing procedure of the advice transmitting device 2. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of advice to staff who are care providers. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a system including an advice transmitting device 2 according to embodiment 2. FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the hardware of the advice transmitting device 2 according to embodiment 2. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a system including an advice transmitting device 2 according to embodiment 3. FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the hardware of the advice transmitting device 2 according to embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of determination of re-advice by the advice determination unit 26. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a system including an advice transmitting device 2 according to embodiment 4. FIG. 12 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the hardware of the advice transmitting device 2 according to embodiment 4.

[0009] In order to explain the present disclosure in more detail, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a system including an advice transmitting device 2 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the hardware of the advice transmitting device 2 according to embodiment 1.

[0011] The chatbot 1 includes a voice recognition unit 11, a voice database 12, a chatbot engine unit 13, a display unit 14, and a voice output unit 15. The chatbot 1 recognizes the user's voice and outputs text data indicating the user's voice to the advice sending device 2. In the system shown in Figure 1, the text data indicates a request for advice notification, and the text data is output to the advice sending device 2. The chatbot 1 outputs the advice returned from the advice sending device 2 to both the display unit 14 and the voice output unit 15.

[0012] The speech recognition unit 11 recognizes the user's speech and creates text data representing the user's speech based on the speech data recorded in the speech database 12. The speech data recorded in the speech database 12 is, for example, speech unit data representing speech units. The speech recognition unit 11 outputs the text data to the chatbot engine unit 13. The speech database 12 stores, for example, speech unit data and text data corresponding to the speech unit data.

[0013] When the chatbot engine unit 13 acquires text data from the voice recognition unit 11, it outputs the text data to the advice sending device 2, and when text data is provided from a keyboard or the like (not shown), it outputs the text data to the advice sending device 2. The chatbot engine unit 13 acquires advice from the advice sending device 2. The chatbot engine unit 13 displays the advice on the display unit 14. The chatbot engine unit 13 outputs the advice by voice from the voice output unit 15.

[0014] The display unit 14 displays the advice output from the chatbot engine unit 13 on a display (not shown). The audio output unit 15 outputs the advice output from the chatbot engine unit 13 as audio from a speaker (not shown).

[0015] The advice sending device 2 includes a text data acquisition unit 21, a sensing data collection unit 22, an advice determination unit 23, and an advice sending unit 24. The text data acquisition unit 21 is realized, for example, by the text data acquisition circuit 31 shown in FIG. 2. The text data acquisition unit 21 acquires text data indicating an advice notification request from the chatbot engine unit 13 of the chatbot 1. The text data acquisition unit 21 outputs the text data to the advice determination unit 23.

[0016] The sensing data collection unit 22 is realized by, for example, the sensing data collection circuit 32 shown in FIG. 2 . The sensing data collection unit 22 collects sensing data from various sensors included in the sensing device 3. The various sensors are sensors that monitor the condition of the care recipient. The condition of the care recipient may, for example, be the vital signs of the care recipient, the behavior of the care recipient, or the situation in which the care recipient is placed. The situation of the care recipient may, for example, be the temperature, humidity, or ambient noise in the care recipient's room. The sensing data collection unit 22 outputs the sensing data to the advice determination unit 23.

[0017] The advice determination unit 23 is realized by, for example, the advice determination circuit 33 shown in Fig. 2. When the advice determination unit 23 acquires text data indicating a request for notification of advice from the text data acquisition unit 21, the advice determination unit 23 determines advice to a care provider who provides care service to the care recipient based on the sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit 22. The advice determination unit 23 outputs the determined advice to the advice transmission unit 24.

[0018] Specifically, the advice determination unit 23 provides sensing data to the learning model 41 and acquires advice corresponding to the sensing data from the learning model 41. The learning model 41 is realized by, for example, a neural network. During learning, the learning model 41 is provided with sensing data related to the care recipient and advice to the care provider corresponding to the sensing data, and learns advice to the care provider. The advice to the care provider is training data. During inference, when sensing data is provided from the advice determination unit 23, the learning model 41 outputs advice corresponding to the sensing data. In the system shown in FIG. 1 , the learning model 41 is provided outside the advice transmitting device 2. However, this is merely an example, and the learning model 41 may be provided inside the advice transmitting device 2.

[0019] The advice sending unit 24 is realized by, for example, the advice sending circuit 34 shown in Figure 2. The advice sending unit 24 obtains advice for the care provider from the advice determination unit 23. The advice sending unit 24 sends the advice to the chatbot engine unit 13 of the chatbot 1.

[0020] 1, it is assumed that each of the components of the advice sending device 2, namely, the text data acquisition unit 21, the sensing data collection unit 22, the advice determination unit 23, and the advice sending unit 24, is realized by dedicated hardware as shown in Fig. 2. That is, it is assumed that the advice sending device 2 is realized by a text data acquisition circuit 31, a sensing data collection circuit 32, an advice determination circuit 33, and an advice sending circuit 34. Each of the text data acquisition circuit 31, the sensing data collection circuit 32, the advice determination circuit 33, and the advice sending circuit 34 corresponds to, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

[0021] The components of the advice sending device 2 are not limited to those realized by dedicated hardware, and the advice sending device 2 may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. Software or firmware is stored as a program in the memory of a computer. A computer refers to hardware that executes a program, and includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a processor, or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

[0022] 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer when the advice transmitting device 2 is realized by software, firmware, etc. When the advice transmitting device 2 is realized by software, firmware, etc., programs for causing a computer to execute the processing procedures of the text data acquiring unit 21, the sensing data collecting unit 22, the advice determining unit 23, and the advice transmitting unit 24 are stored in a memory 51. Then, a processor 52 of the computer executes the programs stored in the memory 51.

[0023] 2 shows an example in which each of the components of the advice transmitting device 2 is realized by dedicated hardware, and Fig. 3 shows an example in which the advice transmitting device 2 is realized by software, firmware, etc. However, this is merely an example, and some of the components in the advice transmitting device 2 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the remaining components may be realized by software, firmware, etc.

[0024] The sensing device 3 includes sensors for monitoring the condition of the care recipient, such as a bed sensor 61, a room sensor 62, an appliance sensor 63, a human presence sensor 64, a vital sign sensor 65, and an ingestion detection sensor 66, and also includes a sensing data recording unit 67. The bed sensor 61 is a sensor attached to the bed used by the care recipient and monitors, for example, the state of the care recipient turning over in bed. The room sensor 62 is a sensor installed in the care recipient's room and monitors, for example, the care recipient's sleep, falls, or body movements.

[0025] The home appliance sensor 63 is, for example, a sensor attached to an air conditioner in the care recipient's room and monitors, for example, the room temperature of the care recipient's room. The human presence sensor 64 is, for example, a sensor attached to an entrance or exit of the care recipient's room and detects, for example, when the care recipient leaves the room. The vital sign sensor 65 is, for example, a sensor attached to a wall, ceiling, furniture, or the care recipient's room and monitors, for example, the care recipient's vital signs. The intake detection sensor 66 is, for example, a sensor including a camera attached to the wall of the care recipient's room and monitors, for example, the care recipient's water intake behavior or food intake behavior. The sensing data recording unit 67 is a database that records sensing data from the bed sensor 61, the room sensor 62, the home appliance sensor 63, the human presence sensor 64, the vital sign sensor 65, and the intake detection sensor 66.

[0026] Next, we will explain the operation of the advice transmitting device 2 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an advice transmitting method, which is a processing procedure of the advice transmitting device 2. In the system shown in Fig. 1, the care recipient is, for example, a person hospitalized in a nursing home or a medical hospital, and the care provider is, for example, a staff member of the nursing home or the medical hospital.

[0027] When the voice of, for example, a staff member is provided to the voice recognition unit 11 of the chatbot 1 via a microphone (not shown), the voice recognition unit 11 breaks down the voice of the staff member into, for example, multiple speech segments. The voice recognition unit 11 acquires text data corresponding to each speech segment from the voice database 12. The voice recognition unit 11 connects the text data corresponding to each speech segment and outputs the connected text data to the chatbot engine unit 13. Examples of the text data include a notification request for advice such as "Please give me some advice on providing nursing care services for Mr. / Ms. X", or a notification request for advice such as "Please give me some advice on nursing care services".

[0028] Here, the staff member's voice is provided to the voice recognition unit 11, and text data is output from the voice recognition unit 11 to the chatbot engine unit 13. However, this is merely an example, and the staff member may operate a keyboard or the like (not shown) to provide text data to the chatbot engine unit 13 from the keyboard or the like.

[0029] The chatbot engine unit 13 acquires text data indicating an advice notification request from the voice recognition unit 11. The chatbot engine unit 13 outputs the text data to the text data acquisition unit 21 of the advice sending device 2.

[0030] The text data acquisition unit 21 acquires text data indicating a request for notification of advice from the chatbot engine unit 13 of the chatbot 1 (step ST1 in FIG. 4 ). The text data acquisition unit 21 outputs the text data to the advice determination unit 23. The text data acquisition unit 21 also identifies the care recipient by performing a care recipient identification process. An example of the care recipient identification process is a well-known process of identifying the care recipient by searching for the care recipient's name included in the text data. If the advice notification request is for nursing care service advice for Mr. / Ms. X of one or more care recipients, the text data acquisition unit 21 outputs a collection command for sensing data related to Mr. / Ms. X to the sensing data collection unit 22. If the advice notification request is for nursing care service advice for Mr. / Ms. YY of one or more care recipients, the text data acquisition unit 21 outputs a collection command for sensing data related to Mr. / Ms. YY to the sensing data collection unit 22. If the care recipient is not specified, the text data acquiring unit 21 does not limit the sensing data and outputs a command to collect sensing data to the sensing data collecting unit 22.

[0031] When the sensing data collection unit 22 receives a command to collect sensing data related to the care recipient from the text data acquisition unit 21, it collects sensing data related to the care recipient from the sensing data recorded in the sensing data recording unit 67 of the sensing device 3 (step ST2 in FIG. 4 ). If the care recipient is Mr. / Ms. XX, the sensing data collection unit 22 collects sensing data related to Mr. / Ms. XX, and if the care recipient is Mr. / Ms. △△, the sensing data collection unit 22 collects sensing data related to Mr. / Ms. △△. If the care recipient is not specified, the sensing data collection unit 22 collects all sensing data recorded in the sensing data recording unit 67. The sensing data collection unit 22 outputs the sensing data to the advice determination unit 23.

[0032] When the advice determination unit 23 acquires text data indicating a request for notification of advice from the text data acquisition unit 21, it determines advice to a care provider who provides care services to the care recipient based on the sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit 22 (step ST3 in FIG. 4 ). The advice determination unit 23 outputs the determined advice to the advice transmission unit 24. The advice determination process by the advice determination unit 23 will be specifically described below.

[0033] The advice determination unit 23 provides the sensing data to the learning model 41 and obtains advice corresponding to the sensing data from the learning model 41. If the sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit 22 is, for example, sensing data from the vital sensor 65, and the sensing data is, for example, Mr. / Ms. XX's body temperature and indicates that Mr. / Ms. XX's body temperature is higher than normal, the learning model 41 outputs advice such as the following (1) to (5): (1) Check Mr. / Ms. XX's fluid intake. (2) Check the room temperature. (3) There is a suspicion of a urinary tract infection. (4) Apply cooling to reduce Mr. / Ms. XX's fever. (5) Check for chills.

[0034] If the sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit 22 is, for example, from the intake detection sensor 66 and the sensing data indicates that, for example, Mr. / Ms. XX's food intake behavior has decreased, the learning model 41 outputs advice such as the following (1) to (4): (1) Mr. / Ms. XX's appetite may have decreased. (2) Please check Mr. / Ms. XX's medication status. (3) Please check Mr. / Ms. XX's vital signs. (4) Please check whether or not he / she is snacking.

[0035] If the sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit 22 is, for example, from the bed sensor 61 and the sensing data indicates that, for example, Mr. / Ms. XX's sleep behavior is deteriorating, the learning model 41 outputs advice such as the following (1) to (4): (1) Mr. / Ms. XX may not be getting enough sleep. (2) Please check the amount of sleeping pills that Mr. / Ms. XX is taking. (3) Please ask Mr. / Ms. XX if he / she has any concerns. (4) Please ask Mr. / Ms. XX if he / she has any areas of pain.

[0036] If the sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit 22 is, for example, from the room sensor 62 and the sensing data indicates, for example, an abnormality in Mr. / Ms. XX's body movement behavior, the learning model 41 outputs advice such as the following (1) to (3): (1) Check Mr. / Ms. XX's cognitive function. (2) Ask Mr. / Ms. XX if he / she has any concerns. (3) Check Mr. / Ms. XX's medication status.

[0037] The advice sending unit 24 obtains advice for the care provider from the advice determination unit 23. The advice sending unit 24 sends the advice to the chatbot engine unit 13 of the chatbot 1 (step ST4 in FIG. 4 ). When multiple pieces of advice are output from the advice determination unit 23, the advice sending unit 24 may send all of the multiple pieces of advice to the chatbot engine unit 13, or may send one or more pieces of advice to the chatbot engine unit 13.

[0038] The chatbot engine unit 13 obtains advice from the advice sending unit 24. As shown in FIG. 5, the chatbot engine unit 13 displays the advice on the display of the display unit 14. The chatbot engine unit 13 also outputs the advice as voice from the speaker of the voice output unit 15. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of advice to a staff member who is a care provider. In FIG. 5, □□□□ is the name of the staff member. In the example of FIG. 5, the advice displayed is, "Check whether or not the patient has chills."

[0039] In the above-described first embodiment, the advice transmitting device 2 is configured to include a sensing data collecting unit 22 that collects sensing data from sensors that monitor the condition of the care recipient, an advice determining unit 23 that determines advice to a care provider who provides care services to the care recipient based on the sensing data collected by the sensing data collecting unit 22, and an advice transmitting unit 24 that transmits the advice determined by the advice determining unit 23. Therefore, the advice transmitting device 2 can provide advice to the care provider when the condition of the care recipient changes.

[0040] 1 , when the text data acquisition unit 21 acquires text data indicating a request for notification of advice from the chatbot 1, the advice determination unit 23 determines advice for the care provider, and the advice sending unit 24 sends the advice to the chatbot 1. However, this is merely an example, and the advice determination unit 23 may determine advice for the care provider and the advice sending unit 24 may send the advice to the chatbot 1, regardless of whether the text data acquisition unit 21 acquires text data indicating a request for notification of advice from the chatbot 1 or not.

[0041] 1, the advice determination unit 23 provides sensing data to a learning model 41 and acquires advice corresponding to the sensing data from the learning model 41. However, this is merely an example, and the advice determination unit 23 may determine advice corresponding to the sensing data based on a rule base, for example.

[0042] In the advice transmitting device 2 shown in FIG. 1 , text data indicating an advice notification request includes information indicating that the care recipient is, for example, “Mr. / Ms. XX” or “Mr. / Ms. △△.” However, this is merely an example, and the text data does not necessarily include information indicating that the care recipient is, for example, “Mr. / Ms. XX” or “Mr. / Ms. △△.” In this case, for example, when a staff member at a nursing home or the like speaks to the voice recognition unit 11 of the chatbot 1, the staff member provides the chatbot engine unit 13 with their ID (IDentification). The chatbot engine unit 13 then displays information indicating one or more care recipients for which the staff member is responsible on the display unit 14. The chatbot engine unit 13 then accepts a selection operation by the staff member to select a care recipient related to the advice notification request from among one or more care recipients, and outputs care recipient information indicating the care recipient related to the advice notification request to the advice transmitting device 2. The text data acquiring unit 21 outputs a command to collect sensing data related to the care recipient indicated by the care recipient information to the sensing data collecting unit 22.

[0043] Second Embodiment In a second embodiment, an advice transmitting device 2 in which an advice determining unit 25 determines the necessity of advice based on sensing data collected by a sensing data collecting unit 22 will be described.

[0044] Fig. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a system including an advice transmitting device 2 according to embodiment 2. In Fig. 6, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Fig. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the hardware of the advice transmitting device 2 according to embodiment 2. In Fig. 7, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 2 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The advice transmitting device 2 includes a text data acquiring unit 21, a sensing data collecting unit 22, an advice determining unit 25, and an advice transmitting unit 24.

[0045] The advice determination unit 25 is realized by, for example, an advice determination circuit 35 shown in FIG. 7 . When the advice determination unit 25 acquires text data indicating a request for notification of advice from the text data acquisition unit 21, it determines the necessity of advice based on the sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit 22. If there is a necessity of advice, the advice determination unit 25 determines advice to the care provider based on the sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit 22. The advice determination unit 25 outputs the determined advice to the advice transmission unit 24.

[0046] Specifically, the advice determination unit 25 provides the sensing data to the learning model 42 and acquires a determination result of the necessity of advice from the learning model 42. If the determination result of the necessity indicates that advice is necessary, the advice determination unit 25 provides the sensing data to the learning model 41 and acquires advice corresponding to the sensing data from the learning model 41. The learning model 42 is realized, for example, by a neural network. During learning, the learning model 42 is provided with sensing data related to the care recipient and information indicating whether or not advice is necessary, and learns whether or not advice is necessary. The information indicating whether or not advice is necessary is training data. During inference, when the learning model 42 receives sensing data from the advice determination unit 23, it outputs a determination result of the necessity of advice. In the system shown in FIG. 6 , the learning model 42 is provided outside the advice transmitting device 2. However, this is merely an example, and the learning model 42 may be provided inside the advice transmitting device 2.

[0047] In Fig. 6, it is assumed that each of the components of the advice sending device 2, namely the text data acquisition unit 21, the sensing data collection unit 22, the advice determination unit 25, and the advice sending unit 24, is realized by dedicated hardware such as that shown in Fig. 7. In other words, it is assumed that the advice sending device 2 is realized by a text data acquisition circuit 31, a sensing data collection circuit 32, an advice determination circuit 35, and an advice sending circuit 34. Each of the text data acquisition circuit 31, the sensing data collection circuit 32, the advice determination circuit 35, and the advice sending circuit 34 corresponds to, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination of these.

[0048] The components of the advice transmitting device 2 are not limited to those realized by dedicated hardware, and the advice transmitting device 2 may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. When the advice transmitting device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or the like, programs for causing a computer to execute the processing procedures of the text data acquiring unit 21, the sensing data collecting unit 22, the advice determining unit 25, and the advice transmitting unit 24 are stored in a memory 51 shown in Fig. 3. Then, a processor 52 shown in Fig. 3 executes the programs stored in the memory 51.

[0049] 7 shows an example in which each of the components of the advice transmitting device 2 is realized by dedicated hardware, while Fig. 3 shows an example in which the advice transmitting device 2 is realized by software, firmware, etc. However, this is merely an example, and some of the components in the advice transmitting device 2 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the remaining components may be realized by software, firmware, etc.

[0050] Next, the operation of the advice transmitting device 2 shown in Fig. 6 will be described. However, apart from the advice determining unit 25, the advice transmitting device 2 is the same as that shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, the operation of the advice determining unit 25 will mainly be described here.

[0051] When the advice determination unit 25 acquires text data indicating a request for notification of advice from the text data acquisition unit 21, it acquires sensing data related to the care recipient from the sensing data collection unit 22. The advice determination unit 25 provides the sensing data related to the care recipient to the learning model 42 and acquires a determination result of the necessity of advice from the learning model 42. When the determination result output from the learning model 42 indicates that advice is necessary, the advice determination unit 25 provides the sensing data to the learning model 41 and acquires advice from the learning model 41. The advice determination unit 25 outputs the acquired advice to the advice sending unit 24. When the determination result output from the learning model 42 indicates that advice is not necessary, the advice determination unit 25 does not perform advice determination processing.

[0052] In the above-described second embodiment, the advice transmitting device 2 is configured so that the advice determining unit 25 determines the need for advice based on the sensing data collected by the sensing data collecting unit 22, and if there is a need for advice, determines the advice based on the sensing data. Therefore, even if the condition of the care recipient changes, the advice transmitting device 2 can provide advice to the care provider only when the need for advice is recognized.

[0053] 6, the advice determination unit 25 provides sensing data related to the care recipient to the learning model 42 and acquires a determination result of the necessity of advice from the learning model 42. However, this is merely an example, and the advice determination unit 25 may determine the necessity of advice based on a rule base, for example.

[0054] Embodiment 3 In embodiment 3, an advice transmitting device 2 will be described in which the advice determining unit 26 determines the necessity of advice based on not only the sensing data collected by the sensing data collecting unit but also the care record of the care recipient or the medication information of the care recipient.

[0055] Fig. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a system including an advice transmitting device 2 according to embodiment 3. In Fig. 8, the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1 and 6 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Fig. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the hardware of the advice transmitting device 2 according to embodiment 3. In Fig. 9, the same reference numerals as in Figs. 2 and 7 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The advice transmitting device 2 includes a text data acquiring unit 21, a sensing data collecting unit 22, an advice determining unit 26, and an advice transmitting unit 24.

[0056] The advice determination unit 26 is realized by, for example, an advice determination circuit 36 ​​shown in FIG. 9 . When the advice determination unit 26 acquires text data indicating a request for notification of advice from the text data acquisition unit 21, it determines the need for advice based on the sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit 22 and the care record of the care recipient stored in the care record database 45. If there is a need for advice, the advice determination unit 26 determines advice to the care provider based on the sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit 22 and the care record of the care recipient. The advice determination unit 26 outputs the determined advice to the advice transmission unit 24.

[0057] Specifically, the advice determination unit 26 provides the sensing data and the care record of the care recipient to the learning model 44, and acquires the determination result of the necessity of advice from the learning model 44. If the determination result of the necessity indicates that advice is necessary, the advice determination unit 26 provides the sensing data and the care record of the care recipient to the learning model 43, and acquires, from the learning model 43, advice corresponding to both the sensing data and the care record.

[0058] The learning model 43 is realized by, for example, a neural network. During learning, the learning model 43 is provided with sensing data related to the care recipient, the care record of the care recipient, and advice to the care provider that corresponds to both the sensing data and the care record, and learns advice to the care provider. The advice to the care provider is training data. During inference, when the learning model 43 is provided with sensing data and the care record of the care recipient from the advice determination unit 26, it outputs advice that corresponds to both the sensing data and the care record.

[0059] The learning model 44 is realized by, for example, a neural network. During learning, the learning model 44 is provided with sensing data related to the care recipient, care records of the care recipient, and information indicating whether or not advice is necessary, and learns whether or not advice is necessary. The information indicating whether or not advice is necessary is training data. During inference, the learning model 44 is provided with sensing data and care records of the care recipient from the advice determination unit 26, and outputs a determination result of whether or not advice is necessary. In the system shown in FIG. 8 , the learning models 43 and 44 are provided outside the advice transmitting device 2. However, this is merely an example, and the learning models 43 and 44 may be provided inside the advice transmitting device 2.

[0060] Here, the advice determination unit 26 determines the need for advice based on the sensing data and the care record of the care recipient. However, this is merely an example, and the advice determination unit 26 may also determine the need for advice based on the sensing data and the medication information of the care recipient stored in the care record database 45. In this case, the advice determination unit 26 determines advice to the care provider based on the sensing data and the medication information of the care recipient. Alternatively, the advice determination unit 26 may determine the need for advice based on the sensing data, the care record of the care recipient, and the medication information of the care recipient. In this case, the advice determination unit 26 determines advice to the care provider based on the sensing data, the care record of the care recipient, and the medication information of the care recipient. Alternatively, the advice determination unit 26 may determine the need for advice based on the sensing data, the care record of the care recipient, and the medication information of the care recipient.

[0061] The care record database 45 stores the care records of the care recipients. The care record database 45 also stores, as the care records of the care recipients, information indicating the medical history of the care recipients, information about the care recipients recorded on face sheets, or schedules of the care recipients. Examples of the information about the care recipients recorded on face sheets include the care recipients' names, ages, addresses, family members, hobbies, favorite things, and work history. Examples of the care recipients' schedules include schedules for visiting the hospital, schedules for attending hobby classes, and schedules for going to the bank. The care record database 45 also stores the care recipients' medical visit histories as well as medication information. The medication information indicates which care recipients took which medications and at what times. The medical and care information database 46 stores medical information and care information. The medical information is information similar to that contained in general medical textbooks, and indicates, for example, symptoms, medications, or medical procedures. The nursing care information is information that is contained in nursing care textbooks, and indicates, for example, care related to nursing care or nursing care treatment. In the system shown in Figure 1, the learning models 43, 44, the nursing care record database 45, and the medical and nursing care information database 46 are each provided outside the advice transmitting device 2. However, this is just one example, and the learning models 43, 44, the nursing care record database 45, and the medical and nursing care information database 46 may each be provided inside the advice transmitting device 2.

[0062] In Fig. 8, it is assumed that each of the components of the advice sending device 2, namely the text data acquisition unit 21, the sensing data collection unit 22, the advice determination unit 26, and the advice sending unit 24, is realized by dedicated hardware such as that shown in Fig. 9. In other words, it is assumed that the advice sending device 2 is realized by a text data acquisition circuit 31, a sensing data collection circuit 32, an advice determination circuit 36, and an advice sending circuit 34. Each of the text data acquisition circuit 31, the sensing data collection circuit 32, the advice determination circuit 36, and the advice sending circuit 34 corresponds to, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination of these.

[0063] The components of the advice transmitting device 2 are not limited to those realized by dedicated hardware, and the advice transmitting device 2 may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. When the advice transmitting device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or the like, programs for causing a computer to execute the processing procedures of the text data acquiring unit 21, the sensing data collecting unit 22, the advice determining unit 26, and the advice transmitting unit 24 are stored in a memory 51 shown in Fig. 3. Then, a processor 52 shown in Fig. 3 executes the programs stored in the memory 51.

[0064] 9 shows an example in which each of the components of the advice transmitting device 2 is realized by dedicated hardware, while Fig. 3 shows an example in which the advice transmitting device 2 is realized by software, firmware, etc. However, this is merely an example, and some of the components in the advice transmitting device 2 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the remaining components may be realized by software, firmware, etc.

[0065] Next, the operation of the advice transmitting device 2 shown in Fig. 8 will be described. However, apart from the advice determining unit 26, the advice transmitting device 2 is the same as that shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, the operation of the advice determining unit 26 will mainly be described here.

[0066] When the advice determination unit 26 acquires text data indicating a request for notification of advice from the text data acquisition unit 21, it acquires sensing data related to the care recipient from the sensing data collection unit 22. Furthermore, the advice determination unit 26 acquires the care record of the care recipient and the medication information of the care recipient from the care record database 45. Here, the advice determination unit 26 acquires the care record of the care recipient and the medication information of the care recipient. However, this is merely an example, and the advice determination unit 26 may acquire either the care record of the care recipient or the medication information of the care recipient.

[0067] The advice determination unit 26 provides the sensing data related to the care recipient, the care record of the care recipient, and the medication information of the care recipient to the learning model 44, and obtains a determination result of the need for advice from the learning model 44. Assume that the sensing data related to the care recipient is, for example, sensing data from the bed sensor 61, and the sensing data indicates, for example, that Mr. / Ms. XX is not sleeping well. In this case, if mental symptoms are recorded in Mr. / Ms. XX's care record or if medication for depression is recorded in Mr. / Ms. XX's medication information, the learning model 44 outputs a determination result that advice is necessary. On the other hand, if mental symptoms are not recorded in Mr. / Ms. XX's care record and medication for depression is not recorded in Mr. / Ms. XX's medication information, the learning model 44 outputs a determination result that advice is not necessary.

[0068] Assume that the sensing data related to the care recipient is, for example, from the room sensor 62, and the sensing data indicates, for example, that Mr. / Ms. XX is moving around. In this case, if there is a description about dementia recorded in Mr. / Ms. XX's care record, or if there is a medication for dementia recorded in Mr. / Ms. XX's medication information, the learning model 44 outputs a determination result that advice is necessary. On the other hand, if there is no description about dementia recorded in Mr. / Ms. XX's care record, and there is no medication for dementia recorded in Mr. / Ms. XX's medication information, the learning model 44 outputs a determination result that advice is not necessary.

[0069] If the determination result output from the learning model 44 indicates that advice is necessary, the advice determination unit 26 provides the sensing data, the care record of the care recipient, and the medication information of the care recipient to the learning model 43 and obtains advice from the learning model 43. For example, if the sensing data indicates that Mr. / Ms. XX is not sleeping well, if mental symptoms are recorded in Mr. / Ms. XX's care record, or if medication for depression is recorded in Mr. / Ms. XX's medication information, the learning model 43 outputs advice such as the following (1) to (3): (1) Ask Mr. / Ms. XX if he / she has any worries. (2) Ask Mr. / Ms. XX if he / she is taking his / her medication. (3) Ask Mr. / Ms. XX if he / she is taking his / her medication.

[0070] For example, when the sensing data indicates that Mr. / Ms. XX is moving around, when there is a description about dementia recorded in Mr. / Ms. XX's nursing care record, or when there is a record of dementia-related medication in Mr. / Ms. XX's medication information, the learning model 43 outputs advice such as the following (1) to (3): (1) Check Mr. / Ms. XX's cognitive function. (2) Ask Mr. / Ms. XX if he / she has any concerns. (3) Check Mr. / Ms. XX's medication status.

[0071] The advice determination unit 26 outputs the acquired advice to the advice transmission unit 24. If the determination result output from the learning model 43 indicates that there is no need for advice, the advice determination unit 26 does not perform the advice determination process.

[0072] In the above-described third embodiment, the advice transmitting device 2 shown in Fig. 8 is configured so that the advice determining unit 26 determines the need for advice based on the sensing data collected by the sensing data collecting unit 22 and the care records of the care recipient, and if advice is needed, determines the advice based on the sensing data and the care records. Therefore, the advice transmitting device 2 shown in Fig. 8 can provide more appropriate advice than the advice transmitting device 2 shown in Fig. 1.

[0073] In addition, in the third embodiment, the advice transmitting device 2 shown in Fig. 8 is configured so that the advice determining unit 26 determines the need for advice based on the sensing data collected by the sensing data collecting unit 22 and the medication information of the care recipient, and if advice is needed, determines the advice based on the sensing data and the medication information. Therefore, the advice transmitting device 2 shown in Fig. 8 can provide more appropriate advice than the advice transmitting device 2 shown in Fig. 1.

[0074] In the advice transmitting device 2 according to the first to third embodiments, the advice determining units 23, 25, and 26 provide one type of sensing data to the learning models 41 and 43, and acquire advice corresponding to the sensing data from the learning models 41 and 43. However, this is merely an example, and the advice determining units 23, etc. may provide multiple pieces of sensing data to the learning models 41, etc., and acquire advice corresponding to the multiple pieces of sensing data from the learning models 41, etc. Below, specific examples showing the relationship between abnormalities based on sensing data, care records, medication information, and advice are listed.

[0075] (1) Specific example (1) Abnormalities based on sensing data → Abnormality (1) + Abnormality (2) Abnormality (1) = Not sleeping at all: An abnormality detected from sensing data of the bed sensor 61, etc. Abnormality (2) = Fluctuations in blood pressure: An abnormality detected from sensing data of the vital sensor 65 Nursing care records → Contains a description of mental symptoms. Medication information → Contains information on taking tranquilizers. Advice → Ask if there is anything that is making them anxious about their daily life. Check if they have a fever. Check if they are drinking fluids. Check if they are taking their medicine.

[0076] (2) Specific example (2) Abnormalities based on sensing data → Abnormality (1) + Abnormality (2) Abnormality (1) = High body temperature: An abnormality detected from sensing data of the vital sensor 65 Abnormality (2) = Low fluid intake: An abnormality detected from sensing data of the intake detection sensor 66 Nursing care records → There are descriptions of cold symptoms, urinary tract infection, pneumonia, a reluctance to drink fluids, or sleeping in thick clothing. Medication information → None in particular Advice → Check the amount of fluid intake. Check the room temperature. A urinary tract infection is suspected. Cool the patient to reduce the fever.

[0077] (3) Specific example (3) Abnormalities based on sensing data → Abnormality (1) + Abnormality (2) + Abnormality (3) Abnormality (1) = Restless: An abnormality detected from sensing data of the room sensor 62 Abnormality (2) = Small amount of food eaten: An abnormality detected from sensing data of the intake detection sensor 66 Abnormality (3) = Leaving the room multiple times: An abnormality detected from sensing data of the human presence sensor 64 Nursing care records → There are descriptions of dementia or cold symptoms. Medication information → None in particular Advice → Check for decline in cognitive function. Consult with your supervisor. Speak to the person. Check the medication history.

[0078] (4) Specific example (4) Abnormalities based on sensing data → Abnormality (1) + Abnormality (2) + Abnormality (3) Abnormality (1) = Decreased food intake: An abnormality detected from sensing data of the intake detection sensor 66 Abnormality (2) = Decreased water intake: An abnormality detected from sensing data of the intake detection sensor 66 Abnormality (3) = Loss of skin firmness: An abnormality detected from sensing data of the vital sensor 65 Nursing care records → There is a description of elderly age or a state of malnutrition. Medication information → None in particular Advice → Check fluid intake. Consult your doctor.

[0079] As described above, by configuring the advice sending device 2 so that the advice determination unit 23 etc. determines advice to the care provider based on multiple sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit 22, it is possible to optimize the advice when multiple abnormalities occur.

[0080] In the third embodiment, the advice transmitting device 2 shown in FIG. 8 is configured so that the advice determination unit 26 determines advice based on sensing data, etc., if advice is necessary. When the care provider who has confirmed the advice acts in accordance with the advice and text data indicating the results of the action is provided to the text data acquisition unit 21 (step ST11 in FIG. 10 : YES), the advice determination unit 26 may further determine advice for the results of the action (steps ST12 to ST14 in FIG. 10 ). Below, a specific example of advice determined when the advice determined by the advice determination unit 26 is, for example, "Check if the care recipient has a fever" will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of how the advice determination unit 26 determines a second piece of advice. Here, it is assumed that after the advice determination unit 26 determines the advice "Check if the care recipient has a fever," the care provider measures the temperature of the care recipient in accordance with the advice and provides text data indicating the body temperature of the care recipient to the text data acquisition unit 21. In this case, if the care recipient's body temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold (step ST12 in FIG. 10 : YES), the advice determination unit 26 determines advice for when the care recipient's body temperature is high (step ST13 in FIG. 10 ). Examples of such advice include advice such as "This person may have a specific illness, so please have them examined" or advice such as "This person may be dehydrated, so please have them replenish with fluids." The threshold may be stored in the internal memory of the advice determination unit 26 or may be provided externally to the advice transmitting device 2. If the care recipient's body temperature is lower than the threshold (step ST12 in FIG. 10 : NO), the advice determination unit 26 determines advice for when the care recipient's body temperature is not high (step ST14 in FIG. 10 ). Examples of such advice include advice such as "Observe the condition and check the fever again in one hour." The advice determination unit 26 outputs the determined advice to the advice transmitting unit 24.

[0081] Fourth Embodiment In a fourth embodiment, an advice transmitting device 2 in which the advice transmitting unit 27 determines the timing of transmitting advice based on the advice determined by the advice determining unit 26 will be described.

[0082] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a system including an advice transmitting device 2 according to embodiment 4. In FIG. 11, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1, 6, and 8 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 12 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the hardware of the advice transmitting device 2 according to embodiment 4. In FIG. 12, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 2, 7, and 9 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The advice transmitting device 2 includes a text data acquiring unit 21, a sensing data collecting unit 22, an advice determining unit 23, and an advice transmitting unit 27.

[0083] The advice sending unit 27 is realized by, for example, the advice sending circuit 37 shown in Fig. 12. The advice sending unit 27 acquires advice for the care provider from the advice determination unit 23. The advice sending unit 27 determines the timing to send the advice based on the advice determined by the advice determination unit 26. Specifically, the advice sending unit 27 provides the advice determined by the advice determination unit 26 to the learning model 47 and acquires information indicating the timing to send the advice from the learning model 47. The advice sending unit 27 transmits the advice to the chatbot engine unit 13 of the chatbot 1 at the determined timing.

[0084] The learning model 47 is realized by, for example, a neural network. During learning, the learning model 47 is given advice and information indicating the timing of transmitting the advice, and learns the timing of transmitting the advice. The information indicating the timing of transmitting the advice is training data. During inference, when advice is given from the advice transmitting unit 27, the learning model 47 outputs information indicating the timing of transmitting the advice. In the system shown in FIG. 11 , the learning model 47 is provided outside the advice transmitting device 2. However, this is merely an example, and the learning model 47 may also be provided inside the advice transmitting device 2.

[0085] In the system shown in Fig. 11, the advice sending unit 27 and the learning model 47 are each applied to the system shown in Fig. 1. However, this is merely an example, and the advice sending unit 27 and the learning model 47 may each be applied to the system shown in Fig. 6 or the system shown in Fig. 8.

[0086] Next, the operation of the advice transmitting device 2 shown in Fig. 11 will be described. However, apart from the advice transmitting unit 27, the advice transmitting device 2 is the same as that shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, only the operation of the advice transmitting unit 27 will be described here.

[0087] The advice sending unit 27 obtains advice for the care provider from the advice determination unit 23. The advice sending unit 27 provides the advice to the learning model 47 and obtains, from the learning model 47, information indicating the timing of sending the advice. If the advice is urgent, such as "Please cool down Mr. / Ms. X's temperature so that it goes down" or "Check for chills," the advice sending unit 27 obtains, from the learning model 47, information indicating the timing of sending, such as information indicating that the advice will be sent immediately. If the advice is not urgent, such as "Mr. / Ms. X's sleep may be insufficient" or "Ask Mr. / Ms. X if he / she has any concerns," the advice sending unit 27 obtains, from the learning model 47, information indicating the timing of sending, such as information indicating that the advice will be sent within one hour. The advice sending unit 27 transmits the advice to the chatbot engine unit 13 of the chatbot 1 at the determined timing.

[0088] In the above-described fourth embodiment, the advice transmitting device 2 is configured so that the advice transmitting unit 27 determines the timing to transmit the advice based on the advice determined by the advice determining unit 23, and transmits the advice at the determined timing. Therefore, the advice transmitting device 2 can provide advice to the care provider at an appropriate timing when the condition of the care recipient changes.

[0089] 1, the advice sending unit 27 provides advice to the learning model 47 and obtains information indicating the timing of sending the advice from the learning model 47. However, this is merely an example, and the advice sending unit 27 may also determine the timing of sending the advice based on, for example, a rule base.

[0090] In addition, the present disclosure allows for free combination of the respective embodiments, modification of any of the components of the respective embodiments, or omission of any of the components of the respective embodiments.

[0091] The present disclosure is suitable for an advice transmission device and an advice transmission method.

[0092] 1 Chatbot, 2 Advice sending device, 3 Sensing device, 11 Speech recognition unit, 12 Speech database, 13 Chatbot engine unit, 14 Display unit, 15 Speech output unit, 21 Text data acquisition unit, 22 Sensing data collection unit, 23 Advice determination unit, 24 Advice sending unit, 25, 26 Advice determination unit, 27 Advice sending unit, 31 Text data acquisition circuit, 32 Sensing data collection circuit, 33 Advice determination circuit, 34 Advice sending circuit, 35, 36 Advice determination circuit, 37 Advice sending circuit, 41, 42, 43, 44 Learning model, 45 Care record database, 46 Medical care information database, 47 Learning model, 51 Memory, 52 Processor, 61 Bed sensor, 62 Room sensor, 63 Home appliance sensor, 64 Human presence sensor, 65 Vital sign sensor, 66 Intake detection sensor, 67 Sensing data recording unit.

Claims

1. An advice transmitting device comprising: a sensing data collection unit that collects sensing data from a sensor that monitors the condition of a care recipient; an advice determination unit that determines advice to a care provider who provides care services to the care recipient based on the sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit; and an advice transmitting unit that transmits the advice determined by the advice determination unit.

2. The advice sending device of claim 1, characterized in that the advice determination unit determines the need for the advice based on the sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit, and if there is a need for the advice, determines the advice based on the sensing data.

3. The advice sending device of claim 1, characterized in that the advice decision unit determines the need for the advice based on the sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit and the care records of the care recipient, and if there is a need for the advice, decides on the advice based on the sensing data and the care records.

4. The advice sending device of claim 1, characterized in that the advice determination unit determines the need for the advice based on the sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit and the medication information of the care recipient, and if there is a need for the advice, determines the advice based on the sensing data and the medication information.

5. The advice transmitting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the advice determining unit determines advice to the care provider based on a plurality of sensing data collected by the sensing data collecting unit.

6. The advice sending device according to claim 1, characterized in that the advice sending unit determines the timing of sending the advice based on the advice determined by the advice determination unit, and sends the advice at the determined timing.

7. An advice sending method, in which a sensing data collection unit collects sensing data from a sensor that monitors the condition of a care recipient, an advice determination unit determines advice to a care provider providing care services to the care recipient based on the sensing data collected by the sensing data collection unit, and an advice sending unit sends the advice determined by the advice determination unit.

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