Health management system, method, and program

Abstract

A health management system (100) is connected to a network and comprises: a refrigerator (10); and an information accumulation unit (20) in which personal health records including my-number information of a user and medical checkup information and medical information of the user are accumulated.

Description

Health management system, method, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to health management systems and the like.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a health information management system in which an individual user registers information about their own hospital visits and medication in advance in a database at a health information management center, and when an emergency occurs, an operator at the health information management center looks at the individual's registered information and informs passersby around the individual and paramedics who arrive at the scene about how to respond.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a health and medical information sharing system that has the function of storing health and medical information related to individuals, and further allows third parties to access the stored health and medical information via a network, and allows accessors to change the access requirements depending on whether their purpose is non-profit or for-profit.

[0004] Additionally, the Otsu City Social Welfare Council's website (https: / / www.otsu-shakyo.or.jp / town / baton-of-life / ) discloses a system in which individuals can obtain an emergency medical information kit, fill in their emergency medical information (their name, age, chronic illnesses, family doctor, and emergency contact information), and then place the kit in a refrigerator door pocket.

[0005] JP 2014-153725 A JP 2023-094815 A

[0006] However, there is room for improvement in the above conventional techniques.

[0007] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a health management system that can be further improved.

[0008] A health management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a health management system connected to a network, and includes a refrigerator and an information storage unit that stores a personal health record including a user's My Number information, health checkup information, and medical information.

[0009] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. The recording medium may also be a non-transitory recording medium.

[0010] The health management system of the present disclosure can be further improved.

[0011] Further advantages and effects of one aspect of the present disclosure will become apparent from the specification and drawings. Such advantages and / or effects are provided by some of the embodiments and configurations described in the specification and drawings, but not all of the configurations are necessarily required to obtain the advantages and effects.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a health management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of how the health management system according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in emergency medical care.

[0013] (Findings Obtained by the Inventors) In modern society, personal health management is an important issue. Properly understanding and maintaining one's health status is essential for improving quality of life over the long term. However, personal health and medical information is dispersed across various locations, making centralized management difficult. Integrating and efficiently managing this dispersed information is a major challenge in maximizing the effectiveness of health management.

[0014] The inventors of the present invention have focused on the fact that refrigerators are home appliances that people frequently come into contact with in their daily lives. They have come to the realization that refrigerators should not simply be regarded as places for storing food, but as central locations for managing the energy and information necessary for human life. Therefore, they believe that by linking the refrigerator with information necessary for a user's health management and managing it in an integrated manner, users will be able to easily manage their own health and medical information through their daily use of the refrigerator, and will also be able to quickly provide important information in the event of a medical emergency.

[0015] The present invention was discovered based on the above findings.

[0016] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concepts are described as optional components.

[0018] In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily an exact illustration. In addition, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals in each drawing.

[0019] (Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the concept of a health management system 100 of the present disclosure.

[0020] 1, the health management system 100 of the present disclosure includes a refrigerator 10 and an information storage unit 20. The refrigerator 10 may include at least one of a refrigerator compartment, a vegetable compartment, and a freezer compartment, or may include other compartments.

[0021] The information storage unit 20 stores a personal health record including the user's My Number information, health checkup information, and medical information.

[0022] This allows users to centrally manage their own personal health records (hereinafter also referred to as PHRs) through the information storage unit 20. This allows users to manage their own personal health records hassle-free, facilitating health management in daily life. Furthermore, by using the information stored in the information storage unit 20, emergency information necessary for the user's emergency medical care can be easily created, thereby enabling, for example, rapid provision of information in situations where emergency medical care is required.

[0023] Information storage unit 20 may be configured as, but is not limited to, a server capable of storing information. The location where information storage unit 20 is installed does not matter. For example, information storage unit 20 may be installed in the house where the first user resides, or may be installed in refrigerator 10.

[0024] A personal health record includes an individual's lifetime health and medical information, such as medical checkup information, screening information, vaccination history, medication information, test results, and other medical information, as well as vital signs measured by the individual on a daily basis.

[0025] 1, the health management system 100 according to the present embodiment is further connected to an external information source 30, including an external cloud and an IoT (Internet of Things) device, via a network. The personal health record is automatically updated based on information acquired from the external cloud and / or information acquired from the IoT device.

[0026] This allows the health management system 100 to link with an external cloud and / or IoT devices and automatically update the personal health record. This allows the latest information to be constantly updated in response to changes in the user's health condition, enabling more accurate health management. Furthermore, by acquiring real-time data from IoT devices, changes in health condition in daily life can be more quickly identified and health measures can be taken as needed.

[0027] The external information source 30 may be, for example, MynaPortal (registered trademark). The IoT device may be a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, a thermometer, a blood glucose sensor, an activity monitor, a biosensor, etc. Furthermore, the IoT device may be an information terminal such as a smartphone or a smartwatch, or a ring, necklace, or bio-implanted chip that has the function of the biosensor.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of use of the health management system 100 of the present disclosure during emergency medical care, illustrating a situation in which a paramedic obtains emergency information via the refrigerator 10 at a user's home. When the paramedic arrives at the user's home, the paramedic uses an information terminal 40 to scan a QR code (registered trademark) displayed as a two-dimensional code on the display 11 of the refrigerator 10. The paramedic can then access the user's emergency information or personal health record via the QR code (registered trademark). The display of the information terminal 40 displays emergency information based on the user's latest health and medical information. This allows the paramedic to provide appropriate treatment to the user. The user's emergency information is generated based on the PHR stored in the information storage unit 20. The information stored as the PHR in the information storage unit 20 is, for example, continuously acquired via an external information source 30 and automatically updated. Information obtained from external information source 30 includes, for example, daily vital signs information managed by a personal device, the results of past health checkups taken at school or work (i.e., health checkup information), vaccination records administered by local governments, medical information held by medical institutions, and prescription information.

[0029] As described above, refrigerator 10 in health management system 100 of the present disclosure has information sharing unit 12 configured to be able to share the personal health record stored in information storage unit 20 with external information terminal 40. In the example of FIG. 2 , information sharing unit 12 is a QR code (registered trademark).

[0030] This allows the personal health record stored in the information storage unit 20 to be shared with an external information terminal 40 via the information sharing unit 12. This makes it easier for not only the user but also third parties who need it, such as family members, medical professionals, or emergency rescue teams, to access the user's personal health record, thereby supporting appropriate medical responses through rapid information sharing.

[0031] The information sharing unit 12 may be realized in any form as long as it can share information. For example, the information sharing unit 12 may be realized using a short-range wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or NFC (Near Field Communication). Alternatively, the information sharing unit 12 may be realized by displaying predetermined information on a display.

[0032] As described above, in the health management system 100 of the present disclosure, the refrigerator 10 is equipped with a display 11, and the information sharing unit 12 is a two-dimensional code displayed on the display 11, which is a code that can be used to access the user's emergency information generated based on the personal health record.

[0033] According to this system, a two-dimensional code that allows the user to access emergency information is displayed on the display 11 installed on the refrigerator 10. Therefore, the user or emergency personnel can quickly access the emergency information by simply scanning the two-dimensional code with a reading device such as a smartphone. This allows necessary emergency information to be quickly provided to emergency personnel in an emergency.

[0034] The emergency information may include the user's name, gender, blood type, date of birth, name of family doctor, doctor in charge, location, telephone number, emergency contact, name, relationship to the user, address, etc. Furthermore, information that may be acquired from the personal health record may include blood pressure, pulse, weight / body composition, activity level, blood glucose level, allergy information, medical history, current medications, etc. The emergency information may be automatically updated based on the personal health record. For example, if there is a change in the medical history or if the user is prescribed a new medication, the emergency information is updated to reflect this information in real time.

[0035] Additionally, when emergency personnel scan the 2D code, they may be required to go through an appropriate authentication process to access the information.

[0036] Here, we will explain below the advantages of the health management system 100 of the present disclosure illustrated in Figure 2 over the technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, and the technology disclosed on the website of the Otsu City Social Welfare Council mentioned above.

[0037] In Patent Document 1, for example, in order to obtain emergency medical information, personnel of the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications must contact an operator at a medical information management center, and they cannot directly access the emergency medical information. Thus, the procedure for accessing emergency medical information is complicated. Furthermore, when operators are busy with inquiries, it may take a long time to obtain the emergency medical information. Furthermore, emergency medical information is limited to information held by the user, and users must update the information each time.

[0038] Patent Document 2 does not mention the use of personal health records as health and medical information, and the health and medical information available to individuals and personnel of the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is limited.

[0039] The technology disclosed on the Otsu City Social Welfare Council website mentioned above requires individuals to obtain a medical information kit. However, obtaining a medical information kit is a hassle and has not become a habit. Furthermore, because analog management is required, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications cannot directly monitor the installation status of the kit on a daily basis. Furthermore, because of analog management, the information written on the kit may be outdated or necessary information may not be included. Furthermore, because of analog management, the scope of emergency medical information that individuals can grasp is limited, making it difficult to systematically manage personal health records and in-hospital medical information.

[0040] In contrast, in the health management system 100 of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG. 2, for example, personnel from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications can directly access emergency information. Furthermore, because emergency information is generated based on personal health records, there are fewer limitations on the health and medical information that can be used. Furthermore, because personal health records are managed as digital information and are automatically updated as needed, the problems associated with analog management are less likely to occur. In other words, while analog management on paper media was traditionally performed, the health management system 100 of the present disclosure realizes digital information management. Therefore, it is possible to constantly manage new information. In at least these respects, the health management system 100 of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG. 2 is superior to these technologies.

[0041] Furthermore, in the health management system 100 of the present disclosure, the content of the disclosed emergency information may be changed by the accessor or the accessor's information terminal 40. The accessor may be, for example, the above-mentioned emergency personnel, medical personnel, or security guards from a home security company. Specifically, when the information terminal 40 scans a QR code (registered trademark) to access the information storage unit 20, it transmits identification information of the accessor or the information terminal 40 to the information storage unit 20. The information terminal 40 then acquires and presents emergency information including content permitted by the information storage unit 20 for that identification information. This ensures the security of the emergency information.

[0042] (Other embodiments) In the health management system 100 of the present disclosure, the information storage unit 20 includes an emergency information storage unit that stores emergency information generated based on the personal health record, and the emergency information storage unit may be installed in the refrigerator 10.

[0043] According to this, because the emergency information storage unit is installed in refrigerator 10, emergency information can be displayed on display 11 of refrigerator 10 regardless of the network connection status. Therefore, in an emergency, even if the network is unstable or disconnected, necessary emergency information can be quickly provided to emergency personnel. This ensures reliable transmission of emergency information and contributes to prompt medical response.

[0044] The emergency information storage unit may be configured using, for example, non-volatile memory or other data storage technology.

[0045] The method for the health management system 100 disclosed herein is a method for the health management system 100 that includes a home appliance such as a refrigerator 10, and acquires a personal health record including a user's health checkup information and medical information via a network, and generates a two-dimensional code to be displayed on the display 11 of the home appliance based on the personal health record. Note that while the home appliance is a refrigerator 10 in the above example, it is not limited to the refrigerator 10 and may be other home appliances such as a television, air conditioner, or lighting fixture.

[0046] The two-dimensional code may be a code that can access the user's emergency information generated based on the personal health record.

[0047] This allows a two-dimensional code to be generated on the display 11 installed on the refrigerator 10 as information that allows the user to access emergency information. The user or emergency personnel can then quickly access the emergency information by simply scanning the two-dimensional code with a reading device such as a smartphone. Therefore, the above method makes it possible to generate a two-dimensional code that quickly provides necessary emergency information to emergency personnel in an emergency.

[0048] The program in the health management system 100 of the present disclosure may be a program for causing a computer to execute the above method.

[0049] (Note) The present disclosure will be described below.

[0050] [Item 1] A health management system connected to a network, comprising: a refrigerator; and an information storage unit that stores a personal health record including a user's My Number information, health checkup information, and medical information of the user.

[0051] [Item 2] The health management system according to Item 1, further connected to an external cloud and / or an IoT device via the network, wherein the personal health record is automatically updated based on information acquired from the external cloud and / or information acquired from the IoT device.

[0052] [Item 3] The health management system according to Item 1, wherein the refrigerator includes an information sharing unit configured to be able to share the personal health record stored in the information storage unit with an external information terminal.

[0053] [Item 4] The health management system according to Item 3, wherein the refrigerator further includes a display, the information sharing unit is a two-dimensional code displayed on the display, and the two-dimensional code is a code that enables access to emergency information for the user generated based on the personal health record.

[0054] [Item 5] The health management system according to Item 1, wherein the information storage unit includes an emergency information storage unit that stores emergency information generated based on the personal health record, and the emergency information storage unit is installed in the refrigerator.

[0055] [Item 6] A method in a health management system including a home appliance, comprising: acquiring a personal health record including a user's health checkup information and medical information via a network; generating a two-dimensional code to be displayed on a display of the home appliance based on the personal health record; and the two-dimensional code being a code that can access emergency information for the user generated based on the personal health record.

[0056] [Item 7] A program for causing a computer to execute the method described in Item 6.

[0057] Each of the above items may be subordinate to any other item.

[0058] (Other Aspects) In the above-described embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0059] The following cases are also included in this disclosure:

[0060] (1) The at least one device or system is specifically a computer system comprising a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, hard disk unit, display unit, keyboard, mouse, etc. A computer program is stored in the RAM or hard disk unit. The at least one device or system achieves its function when the microprocessor operates in accordance with the computer program. Here, the computer program is composed of a combination of multiple instruction codes that indicate commands for a computer to achieve a predetermined function.

[0061] (2) Some or all of the components constituting at least one of the above devices or systems may be configured as a single system LSI (Large Scale Integration). A system LSI is an ultra-multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating multiple components on a single chip, and specifically, is a computer system configured to include a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, etc. A computer program is stored in the RAM. The system LSI achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating in accordance with the computer program.

[0062] (3) Some or all of the components constituting at least one of the above devices or systems may be configured as an IC card or a standalone module that can be attached to or detached from the device or system. The IC card or module is a computer system configured with a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, etc. The IC card or module may include the above-mentioned ultra-multifunctional LSI. The IC card or module achieves its functions when the microprocessor operates in accordance with a computer program. This IC card or module may be tamper-resistant.

[0063] (4) The present disclosure may be embodied as the methods described above, a computer program that implements these methods on a computer, or a digital signal that includes the computer program.

[0064] The present disclosure may also be a computer program or a digital signal recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM, a DVD, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, a BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), a semiconductor memory, etc. Alternatively, the present disclosure may be a digital signal recorded on such a recording medium.

[0065] The present disclosure may also be applied to transmitting a computer program or digital signal via a telecommunications line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network such as the Internet, data broadcasting, or the like.

[0066] Furthermore, the program or digital signal may be recorded on a recording medium and transferred, or the program or digital signal may be transferred via a network or the like, so that the program or digital signal may be implemented by another independent computer system.

[0067] The example of the health management system disclosed herein is useful in a service that allows centralized management of personal health records.

[0068] REFRIGERATED SYMBOLS 10 Refrigerator 11 Display 12 Information sharing unit 20 Information storage unit 30 External information source 40 Information terminal 100 Health management system

Claims

1. A health management system connected to a network, comprising: a refrigerator; and an information storage unit that stores a personal health record including a user's My Number information, health checkup information, and medical information of the user.

2. The health management system of claim 1, further connected to an external cloud and / or an IoT (Internet of Things) device via the network, and wherein the personal health record is automatically updated based on information obtained from the external cloud and / or information obtained from the IoT device.

3. The health management system according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator has an information sharing unit configured to be able to share the personal health record stored in the information storage unit with an external information terminal.

4. The health management system of claim 3, wherein the refrigerator further comprises a display, the information sharing unit is a two-dimensional code displayed on the display, and the two-dimensional code is a code that can access emergency information for the user generated based on the personal health record.

5. The health management system according to claim 1, wherein the information storage unit includes an emergency information storage unit that stores emergency information generated based on the personal health record, and the emergency information storage unit is installed in the refrigerator.

6. A method in a health management system including a home appliance, comprising: acquiring a personal health record including a user's health checkup information and medical information via a network; generating a two-dimensional code to be displayed on a display of the home appliance based on the personal health record; and the two-dimensional code being a code that can access emergency information for the user generated based on the personal health record.

7. A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 6.

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