JP2005278765A - Monitoring device for posture, breathing, heart rate and action, and physical abnormality judging method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for supporting the safe life of elderly people by using a simple device and an information communication means of recent years by solving various problems in a conventional single elderly people safe life supporting device and system. <P>SOLUTION: The system is constituted of a physical condition monitoring / diagnosing means by a physical condition monitoring device, a position detection means utilizing GPS, an abnormality reporting means utilizing a cellular phone with an Internet function, and their integration / management means utilizing a computer system. The physical condition of a single elderly person is recognized by the physical condition monitoring device carried by the single elderly person at all times. When an emergency arises, the abnormality judged result, its type and a location are reported to a family member or a care center or the like set beforehand through the computer system by the cellular phone with the Internet function. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to a system applicable to support of active social life of healthy elderly people, nursing care activities in special elderly nursing facilities, welfare facilities, and the like.

Along with the aging of society, the number of elderly people living alone is expected to increase in conjunction with the phenomenon of nuclear families, and a system that allows elderly people living alone to live safely and safely, family members who live away, nursing centers, etc. Realization of a system that can reliably grasp the living conditions of the elderly is desired.
Many proposals related to support systems and devices have been made for this purpose. For example, as for relatively healthy elderly people living alone, A. Toilets used in daily life, systems for monitoring the use of water (for example, Shimura, Tateishi "Home "Technology and effects related to telecare", Journal of the ME Society of Japan BME14-2, 24-29, 2000), B. Self-communication system that asks for help with a wireless pendant carried by the solitary elderly person himself (for example, Sato “Current Status and Future of Application of ME Technology to Business Related to Home Health Care”, Journal of ME Society of Japan BME7-10, 34-41, 1993).

In addition, for bedridden elderly people and inpatients who cannot move by themselves, C. Beds equipped with a device that detects, displays, records, and reports signals such as weight, heart rate, respiratory rate, and weight in a non-invasive and non-constrained manner (For example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3), D. Related to a system configured to compare and recognize respiratory patterns and report the occurrence of an abnormality (for example, Patent Document 4).
As a biological signal detection method of a person to be monitored, E. a method of detecting a pulse using a polymer piezoelectric film (for example, Patent Document 3), F. a device incorporating a breath monitor function in a belt type (for example, Patent Document) 5) etc. have been reported.

On the other hand, with the spread of mobile phones, the Internet, GPS systems, etc., various information services for general users have become popular, G.GPS function acquires current location information, station names and roads related to the acquired current location A system that can automatically acquire information on facilities, etc. via the Internet (for example, Patent Document 6) has been proposed. The thing (for example, patent document 7) etc. regarding a search system is proposed.

However, these conventional methods and systems are not well suited for elderly people who are unable to respond to sudden emergencies (A, B) and can act relatively freely (C, D). However, it cannot be said that it has a sufficient physical condition diagnosis function (E, F).
In addition, G and H are promising methods for applying recent IT technology to aging society problems, but from the viewpoint of supporting the safe life of the elderly, the physical condition diagnosis function of the target elderly is missing. ing.

JP 62-164435 A JP-A-63-238502 JP-A-10-14889 JP-A-9-276238 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-4315 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-264101 Japanese Patent Publication No. 11-64482

The present invention solves the problems associated with the conventional safe living support system for the elderly living alone, and provides a system for supporting the safe living of the elderly using simple devices and recent information communication means. There is a thing.

  In order to achieve such an object, the “posture, respiration, heart rate, behavior monitoring device and physical abnormality determination method” of the present invention includes: a. Physical condition monitoring / diagnostic means using a physical condition monitoring device; b. Position detection using GPS Means, c. Anomaly reporting means using a mobile phone with internet function, d. These integrated and managing means using a computer device, and the physical condition monitoring device that is always carried by the solitary elderly, It is characterized in that, when an emergency situation occurs, the abnormality determination result, its type, and location are reported to a preset family, care center, etc. via a computer device by a mobile phone with an Internet function.

  More specifically, body movement monitoring, breathing, heartbeat, posture, and fall are detected by a physical condition monitoring device worn by an elderly person living alone, and a normal / abnormal health condition of the elderly person living alone is constantly determined from the obtained signals. If it is determined that there is an abnormality, the location information of the elderly living alone using the GPS and the control of the computer device that integrates the whole system, the mobile phone with the Internet function, the family via the Internet server It is characterized by notifying a predetermined administrator such as a center.

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention makes it possible to detect a reliable, low-cost posture, before getting out of bed, getting out of bed, body movement, breathing, and heartbeat.
The “posture, breathing, heartbeat, behavior monitoring device and physical abnormality determination method” of the present invention can automatically monitor the physical condition for 24 hours regardless of where the elderly are living alone (inside / outside of the house, indoors / outdoors). When it is determined that it has occurred, it is possible to construct a safe life support system that can notify a family member and the like including their location.

  With this system, elderly people living alone can get a sense of security in the event of an emergency, helping them to enjoy a safe social life, and gaining a sense of security that families living separately can respond quickly to emergencies. I can do it.

Furthermore, this system can be applied not only to elderly people at home but also to monitoring the behavior and status of residents in nursing homes, etc. It is also possible to build a system that can respond quickly to cases.

In FIG. 1, the physical condition monitoring device 1 can continuously monitor the physical condition of the subject for 24 hours, has a function of measuring the physical condition and outputting a normal / abnormal determination signal based on the result, Always carry. The mobile phone 2 with the Internet / GPS function receives the body condition signal and normality / abnormality determination signal from the body condition monitoring device 1, and immediately sends the information to the Internet server 3 immediately when an abnormality occurs and regularly in the normal state. The computer outputs the information to the computer device 4 managed by the operator of the “posture, respiration, heartbeat, behavior monitoring device and physical abnormality determination method” of the present invention. The subject's body condition signal, normal / abnormal judgment signal, and subject position signal output from the mobile phone 2 with the Internet / GPS function to the computer device 4 are input to the input unit 4A, which is a component inside the computer device 4. The information is received and output to the control unit 4B that controls the operation of the entire computer device 4, the health management information storage unit 4C that stores information, and the like. For example, a body condition signal when the subject is normal is sent to the health management information storage unit 4C, and a determination signal, a position signal, and the like when an abnormality occurs are sent to the control unit 4B. In the control unit 4B, according to the received signal information, the control signal to the health management information storage unit 4C, the confirmation signal to the target person via the output unit 4D, the preset family, the care center 5 etc. Disseminate information. For example, for the health management information storage unit 4C, the storage information is read and updated, and the target person is sent a signal for confirming the occurrence of an abnormality, the family, the care center 5 etc. Transmits the normal / abnormal information, position information, etc. of the subject person.

    In other words, the “posture, breathing, heartbeat, behavior monitoring device and physical abnormality determination method” of the present invention operates as follows, and reports the presence or absence of abnormalities in the subject's physical condition and the location of the occurrence to the family, care center, etc. To help the elderly live a safe life.

    -The subject's movement, breathing, heartbeat, etc. are constantly monitored by the body condition monitoring device 1 that is always carried by the subject to determine normality / abnormality.

・ If it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, the operator of the support system immediately receives the type of abnormality, the location information of the subject, etc. via the Internet, mobile phone with GPS function 2 and internet server 3 that the subject carries. To the computer device 4 managed by
(When it is determined to be normal, for example, the subject's physical information is transmitted regularly.)

-The computer device 4 receives this information, sends back an abnormality confirmation signal to the subject, and determines that an abnormality has occurred if the subject does not receive an abnormality judgment release signal that is manually returned within a predetermined time. Report the type of abnormality and the location of the target person to the family, care center, etc. 5 via the Internet server 3.

As described above, this system has a function for canceling an abnormality determination result by using an abnormality determination cancellation signal that is manually returned by the subject person in response to a confirmation signal from the computer device 4 as an erroneous determination / malfunction cancellation function. In addition, the family and the care center 5 also have an information provision function using an inquiry signal sent manually.

In addition, the body condition signal stored in the health management information storage unit 4C at the normal time can be used as information for daily health management / diagnosis.

In FIG. 2, the acceleration detected from the acceleration sensor 6 is input to the microcomputer 9 by the filter 7 and the amplifier 8. The microcomputer 9 calculates the motion of the human body, breathing, heartbeat, posture, and falls from the input acceleration, and determines whether it is normal or abnormal.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a procedure for determining whether it is normal or abnormal. Determine whether the input acceleration is greater than or equal to the maximum acceleration that occurs in daily life. If the acceleration is less than the maximum acceleration, determine whether a person is moving. If it is moving, it is normal. Measure the time from, and if it does not move for more than the normal set time, determine that it is abnormal and report. When the input acceleration exceeds the maximum speed that occurs in daily life, it is judged that the person has fallen, and it is judged whether a person is moving.When it is moving, it is in a normal state. Measure the time from, and if it does not move for more than the set time at the time of a fall, it is judged as abnormal and a report is made.

FIG. 4 shows X and Y axis acceleration waveforms recorded continuously for 24 hours. From this waveform, it can be seen that the acceleration changes between -0.5 g and 0.5 g when a normal life is taken.

FIG. 5 is an acceleration waveform in the fall. From this waveform, it can be seen that the acceleration exceeds 1.5g in absolute value when falling.

Hereinafter, examples of the “posture, respiration, heartbeat, behavior monitoring apparatus and body abnormality determination method” of the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

Examples of application to relatively healthy elderly persons Hereinafter, the “posture, breathing, heart rate, behavior monitoring device and physical abnormality determination method” of the present invention is applied to life support for relatively healthy elderly persons who can live alone. An example will be described.

  Elderly people do not know when physical abnormalities occur even if they look healthy. For example, physical abnormalities such as myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction often occur suddenly. In this case, it is necessary to treat early. By using the apparatus of the present invention, even if such a situation occurs when no one is around, the alarm and the current position are automatically notified, so that early protection / treatment is possible. Similarly, when a person becomes unable to move due to a fall or the like, the alarm and the current position are automatically notified, so that a safe life can always be provided.

Examples of application to facilities in special nursing homes, welfare care centers, etc. Hereinafter, the `` posture, breathing, heart rate, behavior monitoring device and physical abnormality determination method '' of the present invention will be referred to An example of application to facility equipment will be described.

    Special terms When applied to facilities such as facilities for the elderly and welfare care centers, not only managing physical abnormalities when living indoors, but also when taking actions outside the facility such as walking or shopping Physical anomalies can always be monitored, and if an abnormality occurs, an alarm is immediately issued to the staff, and positional information for protecting the body is also notified, so that early protection is possible.

    The “posture, breathing, heartbeat, behavior monitoring device and physical abnormality determination method” of the present invention automatically monitors the body's organized state for 24 hours regardless of where the elderly are living alone (inside / outside of the house or outside / inside). If it is determined, the system has a function of notifying family members, including their whereabouts, so that it is possible to provide a system that supports the safe living of elderly people living alone. Furthermore, by applying this system to a nursing facility or the like, the caregiver can easily monitor and grasp the resident's behavior and state, and the care activity can be improved.

The figure which shows the best embodiment of the "posture, respiration, heartbeat, behavior monitoring device and physical abnormality determination method" of the present invention The figure which shows the function of “physical condition monitoring device” which is a core component of “posture, breathing, heart rate, behavior monitoring device and physical abnormality determination method” The figure which shows the outline | summary of an effect | action of "the body condition monitoring apparatus" which is a core component of "posture, respiration, heart rate, behavior monitoring apparatus, and physical abnormality determination method" X and Y axis acceleration waveforms recorded continuously for 24 hours Acceleration waveform during a fall

Explanation of symbols

1 Body condition monitoring device
2 Mobile phone with internet and GPS function
3 Internet server
4 Computer equipment
4A input
4B controller (Built-in map information)
4C Health management information storage
4D output
5 Family, care center, etc.
6 Accelerometer
7 High-pass filter
8 amplifiers
9 Microcomputer

Claims (3)

      Posture composed of a physical condition monitoring device for a support target person such as an elderly person living alone, a mobile phone with Internet / GPS function, an Internet server, and a computer device comprising a health management information storage unit, a control unit, an input unit, an output unit, etc. In the breathing, heartbeat, behavior monitoring device and body abnormality determination method, the body condition monitoring device that is always carried by the support target person constantly monitors the body state signals such as movement, breathing, and heartbeat of the target person. Determine normal / abnormal physical condition, and immediately determine the type of abnormality and the location information of the subject via the Internet / GSP function mobile phone carried by the subject via the Internet server. To the computer device, and the computer device receives this information. An abnormality confirmation signal is returned to the subject, and if an abnormality judgment release signal manually sent by the subject within a predetermined time is not received, it is judged as “abnormal”, and the type of abnormality and the location of the subject are determined. A posture, respiration, heart rate, behavior monitoring device, and body abnormality determination method, characterized in that a notification is made to a predetermined family, a care center, or the like via the Internet server. The posture, respiration, heart rate, behavior monitoring apparatus and physical abnormality determination method according to claim 1, wherein the physical condition information of the support target person is provided by an inquiry signal transmitted by a predetermined family, a care center or the like. Posture, breathing, heartbeat, behavior monitoring device and body abnormality determination method.
2. The posture, respiration, heart rate, behavior monitoring device and body abnormality determination method according to claim 1, wherein the body condition monitoring device is composed of an acceleration sensor, a microcomputer, an amplifier, a filter, etc., and the posture, respiration is determined from a signal from the acceleration sensor. A posture, respiration, heart rate, behavior monitoring device, and body abnormality determination method, characterized in that heart rate, behavior, and fall are determined, body information of a supporter is constantly monitored, and the presence or absence of the abnormality is determined.

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