JP2003038450A - Home care support device and home care support system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a video mail transmittable and receivable by using a home care support device. SOLUTION: When a video mail button 60 is operated, a menu of video mail operation is displayed on a screen 12a of a television set 12. When the item of video photographing is selected from the menu by operating a select button 62 and a decision button 64, it enters a video photographing standby state. When the video mail button 60 is operated, video photographing is started by a camera 14 and a microphone 16, and video photographing is performed until the video mail button 60 is again operated. When a transmit item for the video mail is selected from the menu items, the list of transmission destinations is displayed. When the transmission destination is selected by operating the select button 62 and the decision button 64, the video mail is transmitted to the transmission destination. When a reproduction item for the video mail is selected from the menu, an image of the-video mail is displayed on the screen 12a and voice is output from a speaker 12b.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a home care support device and a home care support system, and more particularly to real-time conversation using a videophone, blood pressure, body temperature, pulse, electrocardiogram, etc. of a cared person. The present invention relates to a home care support device and a home care support system for notifying the management center of the physical information of the person.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional home care support device system of this kind, between a care receiver and a care receiver, and between a care receiver and a management center for managing the health of the care receiver,
There is known a home care support device having a function capable of real-time conversation by video and audio using a videophone.

An example of this type of home care support device having other functions is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-9561 (A61B 5/0), which was published on January 19, 1999.
0G06F 13/00 17/60 19/00]. According to this conventional technique, a function of transmitting a standard e-mail determined for each destination to a preset destination is realized.

[0004]

However, there is no home care support device having a function of transmitting a video mail to another care receiver or a management center.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a home care support device capable of transmitting and receiving a video mail.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The first invention is to carry out a real-time conversation using a videophone, and to notify a management center of physical information such as the blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and electrocardiogram of a cared person. In a home-care support device for doing so, a video signal input interface to which a video signal from a camera is input, an audio signal input interface to which an audio signal from a microphone is input, and a video signal and an audio signal input to the video signal input interface A storage unit that stores the audio signal input to the input interface, a first button that outputs a first operation signal by pressing down, and a video center and an audio signal that are stored in the storage unit according to the first operation signal. It is a home care support device including a transmission means for transmitting to the terminal or another home care support device.

A second invention is a home-care support system using the home-care support device according to claim 4, wherein the home-care support is installed in a plurality of care receiver's homes and connected to a communication network. A home care support system including a device and a terminal installed in a management center and connected to a communication network.

[0008]

In the present invention, the video signal output from the camera is input to the video signal input interface and stored in the storage means. The voice signal output from the microphone is input to the voice signal input interface and stored in the storage means. Then, when the first button is pushed down, the first operation signal is output, and the transmitting means outputs the video signal and the audio signal stored in the storage means according to the first operation signal to the terminal of the management center or other home care. Send to the support device.

Further, the receiving means receives the video signal and the audio signal transmitted from the terminal of the management center or another home care support device. Then, the recording means records the video signal and the audio signal received by the receiving means in the storage means. Second
When the button is pressed down, the second operation signal is output, and the reproduction means reproduces the video signal and the audio signal stored in the storage means according to the second operation signal. The video signal reproduced by the reproducing means is displayed on the monitor via the video signal output interface. Further, the audio signal reproduced by the reproducing means is output to the speaker via the audio signal output interface.

[0010]

According to the present invention, it is possible to send and receive a video mail using the home care support device. Therefore, it is possible to send and receive video mail using video and audio as a medium, not just e-mail, so it is possible to convey the appearance and tone of voice to the management center and other care recipients, and to maintain their health condition. They can provide more information to make judgments and can communicate more densely. Further, since it is not a real-time conversation using a videophone or the like, information can be transmitted at a convenient time without worrying about the presence or absence of a communication partner.

The above-mentioned objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, home care support device 10 of this embodiment is installed in each of a plurality of care recipient homes 82, and each home care support device 10 is connected to Internet 100. A computer (not shown) installed in the management center 80 that manages the health of the care receiver is also connected to the Internet 100. Therefore, communication can be performed between the care receiver home 82 and another care receiver home 82 and between the care receiver home 82 and the management center 80 through the Internet 100.

The computer installed in the management center 80 and the home care support device 10 installed in each of the plurality of care receiver homes 82 constitute the home care support system of this embodiment.

The method of connecting the home care support device 10 installed in each care recipient's home 82 and the computer installed in the management center 80 is not limited to the Internet 100, and may be a CATV-LAN or the like. Good.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the care recipient home 82, the home care support device 10 includes a television 12 and a camera 1.
4 and ISDN router 18 are connected. And I
The home care support device 10 is connected to the Internet 100 via the SDN router 18. Further, the home care support device 10 is connected to the vital sensor 20 via a serial cable. The vital sensor 20 is a sensor for measuring the blood pressure, body temperature, pulse, electrocardiogram, arterial oxygen saturation concentration, etc. of the care receiver. In addition, home care support device 1
The entire configuration shown in FIG. 2 including the television 12, the camera 14, the ISDN router 18, and the vital sensor 20 can be regarded as a home care support device.

The home care support device 10 of this embodiment has a function provided in a conventional device such as transmitting each measured value by the vital sensor 20 to the management center 80, as well as a video mail for the computer of the management center 80 and other devices. It has a function of transmitting to the home care support device 10 of the care receiver home 82. The home care support device 10 also has a function of conducting a real-time conversation with the management center 80 and another care-receiver's home 82 using video and audio.

This home care support device 10 is specifically constructed as shown in FIG. Home care support device 1
0 includes the CPU 30 as shown in FIG.
The U30 receives a video input I / F via the video processing circuit 32.
36, a video output I / F 38, a voice input I / F 40 and a voice output I / F 42 via a voice processing circuit, a first storage device 44, a second storage device 46, a communication circuit 48, a serial communication circuit 50, a lamp 52, And the clock 54 is connected. A microphone 66 is connected to the voice input I / F 40, and a speaker 68 is connected to the voice output I / F 42. In addition, the home care support device 10 has an emergency button 5
6, a measurement button 58, a video mail button 60, a selection button 62 and an enter button 64 are provided, and these buttons are also connected to the CPU 30.

In this embodiment, the home care support device 10 having the structure shown in FIG. 3 is used, but the one including the microphone 66 and the speaker 68, the ISDN router 18 and the vital sensor 20 is referred to as the home care support device 10. You can catch it.

The video output terminal of the camera 14 is a video input I /
The video input terminal of the TV 12 is connected to the video output I / F 38. Therefore, the image captured by the camera 14 and the sound picked up by the microphone 66 are input to the home care support device 10. This video and audio is second
It is recorded in the storage device 46. In addition, the video and audio recorded in the second storage device 46 are reproduced, and the video is displayed on the television 12.
The sound is displayed on the screen 12a of FIG.

The serial communication circuit 50 is connected to the vital sensor 20 by a serial cable and receives each measured value of the care-receiver measured by the vital sensor 20. Each received measurement value is stored in the second storage device 46.

The communication circuit 48 is connected to the ISDN router 18 and transmits the video mail stored in the second storage device 46 and each measurement value measured by the vital sensor 20, and the other care recipient home 82. Receives a video mail transmitted from the home care support device 10.

The operation of the CPU 30 of the home care support device 10 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 12. When the care receiver operates any of the emergency button 56, the measurement button 58, and the video mail button 60 provided in the home care support device 10, the CPU 30 causes the CPU 30 to
In step S1, step S5, and step S13 of FIG. 9, it is determined which button has been operated.

When the cared person feels an abnormality in his or her body and needs urgent help, an emergency button 56
To operate. Then, the CPU 30 determines in step S1 that the emergency button 56 has been operated. Then, in step S3, notification is made to a preset destination. When the report recipient receives the report, it starts a real-time conversation using video and audio. The destination of the notification is the management center 80 or another care-receiver home 82, and the destination setting is stored in the first storage device 44 in advance. The operation of the home care support device 10 is
The person to be cared for is not limited to the person himself / herself, but may be a caregiver. The same applies below.

When transmitting measured values such as blood pressure, body temperature, pulse, electrocardiogram, and oxygen saturation level of arterial blood to the management center 80, first, a caregiver or the like uses the sensors provided in the vital sensor 20 by the caregiver's body. Then, the vital sensor 20 is operated and data is measured. Then, the measurement button 58 is operated. Then, the CPU 30 determines in step S5 that the measurement button 58 is operated. Then, in step S7, the vital sensor 20 starts transmitting measurement data to the home care support device 10. At this time, the CPU 30 transmits a serial signal from the serial communication circuit 50 and gives the vital sensor 20 an instruction to start measurement data transmission. The vital sensor 20 is a CPU
Upon receiving an instruction to start the transmission of the measurement data from 30, the transmission of the measurement data of each measurement value is started. Home care support device 10
Each measurement value transmitted to the second storage device 46 is stored in the second storage device 46. In step S9, the CPU 30 transmits each measurement value stored in the second storage device 46 to the destination IP address of the management center 80 stored in the first storage device 44 in advance. The measurement data is saved in the second storage device 46 and a history is left. In addition, if the measurement button 58 is not pressed down after the measurement is performed by the vital sensor 20 and the measurement button 58 is pressed down independently, the previously measured electrocardiogram data and the measured data other than the electrocardiogram data for the past week are displayed. It is displayed on the screen 12a of the television 12.

Then, when the user wishes to carry out an operation concerning the video mail, the video mail button 60 is operated. Then, the CPU 30 determines in step S13 that the video mail button 60 has been operated. Here, the image displayed on the screen 12a of the television 12 by the home care support device 10 is divided into an image displayed on the main display unit 22 and an image displayed on the sub display unit 24, as shown in FIG.

When it is determined in step S13 that the video mail button 60 has been operated, the CPU 30 displays a menu screen as shown in FIG. 5 on the main display section 22 in step S15. And step S1
7, the sub display unit 24 displays operation guides of “selection button: menu selection” and “enter button: menu execution”.

As shown in FIG. 5, on the menu display screen, there are menu items of "shoot video", "send video mail", "play video mail", "delete video mail" and "end". Is displayed.

When the select button 62 is operated, step S
In 19, it is determined that the selection button 62 has been operated,
In step S21, the cursor 70 (the portion in which the characters of the menu item are reversed) is moved to the next lower menu item. By repeatedly operating the selection button 62, the cursor 70 is moved to the menu item to be executed. If the selection button 62 is further operated while the cursor 70 is placed on the last menu item "end", the cursor 70 moves to the first menu item "video shooting". Cursor 7 to the menu item you want to execute
When 0 is set and the enter button 64 is operated, the CPU 30
Determines in step S23 that the OK button 64 has been operated, and determines the selected menu item in steps S25, S37, S77, S83 and S89.

When the "video shooting" menu item is selected, the CPU 30 determines in step S25 that the "video shooting" menu item has been selected, and in step S27, the "video mail button" is displayed on the sub-display section 24. : Start shooting after 5 seconds "is displayed. Then, when the video mail button 60 is operated, the CPU 30 determines in step S29 that the video mail button 60 has been operated, and in step S31.
At, the operation guide “Video mail button: end of shooting” is displayed on the sub-display section 24. When 5 seconds have elapsed from the first operation of the video mail button 60, in step S33, video shooting (recording) is started.

When the video shooting is started, the video signal output from the camera 14 is given to the CPU 30 via the video input I / F 36 and the video processing circuit 32, and the microphone 6
The audio signal output from 6 is applied to the CPU 30 via the audio input I / F 40 and the audio processing circuit 34. C
The PU 30 outputs the supplied video signal and audio signal to the second
The video signal is output to the video input terminal of the television 12 via the video processing circuit 32 and the video output I / F 38, and the audio signal is output to the audio input terminal of the television 12 while being recorded in the storage device. The video signal input to the television 12 is
The image is displayed on the main display unit 22 of the screen 12a as an image, and the audio signal is output as audio from the speaker 68. Therefore, the cared person can perform video shooting while checking his / her appearance and voice.

Immediately after it is determined in step S29 that the first operation of the video mail button 60 has been performed, the image captured by the camera 14 is displayed on the screen 12a of the television 12 and the sound picked up by the microphone 66. The output from the speaker 68 is started. Then, when 5 seconds elapse after the first operation of the video mail button 60, that is, after the output of the video and audio from the television 12 and the speaker 68 is started, the second storage of the video and audio is performed in step S31. Recording on the device 46 is started. Simultaneously with the start of this recording, an icon indicating that the recording is in progress is displayed, for example, in the upper left corner of the main display portion 22, as shown in FIG.

When the video mail button 60 is operated again after the video shooting is started, the CPU 30 determines in step S35 that the video mail button 60 has been operated, and ends the video shooting. A video mail will be created immediately after the video shooting is completed. Then, returning to step S15 of FIG. 9, the menu screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed again.

When transmitting the captured video, the menu item "send video mail" is selected on the menu screen shown in FIG. Then, CPU 30 determines in step S37 that the "send video mail" menu item has been selected. And step S3
9, the video mail list as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the main display unit 22, and in step S41, the sub-display unit 24 displays “Select button: Select video mail”.
And the operation guide of "OK button: OK" is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the video mail list, all the titles of the video mails that have been shot and the video mails that have been received so far are displayed, and at the end of the list, "Select video mail" is displayed. A menu item "end" for ending the menu is displayed. In the title of the video mail, the date and time when the video mail was photographed or received and the name of the photographer (sender) are displayed. The name of the photographer is registered in the first storage device 44 in advance, and is automatically recorded in the title when the video mail is created. Further, the date and time information acquired from the clock 54 (see FIG. 3) when the video mail is created is also recorded in the title.

When the select button 62 is operated, step S
In 43, it is determined that the selection button 62 is operated,
In step S45, the cursor 72 is moved to the title below. By repeatedly operating the selection button 62, the cursor 72 is moved to the title of the video mail to be transmitted. If the selection button 62 is further operated with the cursor 72 placed on the menu item “end” at the end, the cursor 72 returns to the title at the beginning. If you cannot display all the titles of the video mail, move the cursor to the last title displayed.
When the selection button 62 is operated in the state where is placed, one undisplayed title is scroll-displayed.

As shown in FIG. 6, an image display section 74 is provided on the left side of the video mail list, and the cursor 7
A part of the video of the video mail in which 2 is placed is displayed on the video display unit 74 as a still image. Therefore,
The content of the video mail can be confirmed by the image displayed on the image display unit 74.

When the cursor 72 is moved to the title of the video mail to be transmitted or the menu item "end" and the enter button 64 is operated, the CPU 30 causes the step S47.
In, it is determined that the decision button 64 has been operated. Then, in step S49, it is determined whether or not the selected item is the menu item "end". If it is determined that the menu item "end" is selected, the menu item "send video mail" is ended and step S1 in FIG.
5, the menu items shown in FIG. 5 are displayed again on the main display unit 22.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the menu item "end" is not selected, the destination list as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the main display section 22 in step S51, and the sub-display section 24 is displayed in step S53. "Select button: Select destination" and "Enter button: Enter"
Is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first destination is included in the destination list.
The name of the mail destination, which is registered in advance in the storage device 44, and the menu item "end" for ending the "send video mail" menu are displayed.

When the select button 62 is operated, step S
At 55, it is determined that the selection button 62 has been operated,
In step S57, the cursor 76 is moved to the next lower destination. By repeatedly operating the selection button 62, the cursor 76 is moved to the destination to which the video mail is to be transmitted or the menu item “end”. Then, the enter button 64 is operated. Then, step S5
In 9, it is determined that the decision button 64 has been operated, and in step S61, it is determined whether or not the menu item "end" is selected.

When it is determined that the menu item "end" is selected, the process returns to step S15 in FIG. 9 to display the menu item shown in FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the menu item “end” is not selected, the transmission confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the main display unit 22 in step S63 of FIG. 11, and the sub display unit 24 is displayed in step S65. The operation guides of "Select button: Yes / No selection" and "Enter button: Enter" are displayed.

When the select button 62 is operated, step S
In 67, it is determined that the selection button 62 is operated,
In step S69, the position of the cursor 78 is moved to "yes" or "no". If the enter button 64 is operated with the cursor 78 being set to either "yes" or "no", it is determined in step S71 that the enter button 64 has been operated. Then, the CPU 30 returns “Yes” in step S73.
Determine if was selected.

When it is determined that "Yes" is selected, the selected video mail is transmitted to the designated destination in step S75, and the process returns to step S15 in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the selected item is not “Yes”, the video mail transmission process in step S75 is skipped and the process returns to step S15 in FIG. In step S15, the menu screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the main display unit 22.

When playing back a video mail that has been taken or a video mail that has been received, the menu item "Play video mail" is selected on the menu screen shown in FIG. When receiving the video mail, the lamp 52
(See FIG. 2) is lit to inform that effect. When the menu item "playback of video mail" is selected, it is determined that "playback of video mail" is selected in step S77 of FIG. 12, and the video mail to be played back is selected in step S79. At this time, a list of video mails is displayed on the main display unit 22. The video mail to be reproduced is selected by operating the select button 62 and the enter button 64 while referring to the video mail list. When the selection of the video mail is completed, the designated video mail is reproduced in step S81. When the reproduction of the video mail is completed, the process returns to step S15 of FIG. 9 to display the menu screen shown in FIG.

To delete the video mail, the menu item "Delete video mail" is selected on the menu screen shown in FIG. If the "Delete Video Mail" menu item is selected, it is determined in step S83 that "Delete Video Mail" has been selected,
In step S85, the video mail to be deleted is selected. At this time, the list of video mails is displayed on the main display 2
It is displayed in 2. By operating the select button 62 and the enter button 64 while referring to the video mail list, the video mail to be deleted is selected. When the selection of the video mail is completed, the selected video mail is erased from the second storage device 46 in step S87. When the deletion of the video mail is completed, the process returns to step S15 of FIG. 9 to display the menu screen shown in FIG.

When the operation for the video mail is finished, the menu item "end" is selected on the menu screen shown in FIG. When the "end" menu item is selected, it is determined in step S89 that the "end" menu item has been selected, the routine for video mail operation is exited, and the process returns to step S1 in FIG.

As described above, according to the home care support device 10 of this embodiment, a video mail can be photographed and transmitted to the management center 80 or another care recipient's home 82 by a simple operation.

Since it is not a real-time conversation using a videophone, even if the communication partner is not at home, sending the video mail allows the communication partner to watch the video mail after returning home. it can. Therefore,
The convenience of communication is improved.

Further, since it is not just an e-mail but a video mail that uses video and audio as a medium, it enables more dense communication, and it is also judged by the appearance of the cared person's health condition and the tone of voice. can do.

The home care support device 10 does not necessarily have to send the video mail to another home care support device 10, but may be a personal computer having a function of receiving and playing the video mail. It may be.

The embodiment described above can be modified in various ways. For example, the home care support device 10 arranged in each care recipient's home 82 uses the Internet 100.
Management center 8 in addition to other care recipient home 82
Although it is assumed that the computer is connected to the computer of No. 0, it may be connected to the computer of the caregiver or the doctor in charge instead of or in addition to this.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing one example of use of a home care support device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a home care support device.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing a screen display configuration by a home care support device.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing a screen display example by a home-care support device.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative view showing a screen display example by a home-care support device.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative view showing a screen display example by a home-care support device.

FIG. 8 is an illustrative view showing a screen display example by the home-care support device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the home-care support device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the home care support device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the home care support device.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the home-care support device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10… Home care support device 12a ... screen 14 ... Camera 30 ... CPU 36 ... Video input I / F 38 ... Video output I / F 40 ... Voice input I / F 42 ... Voice output I / F 46 ... Second storage device 48 ... Communication circuit 32 ... Image processing circuit 34 ... Voice processing circuit 66 microphone 68 speakers

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A home care support device for carrying out a real-time conversation using a videophone, and notifying a management center of physical information such as blood pressure, body temperature, pulse, and electrocardiogram of a cared person. A video signal input interface to which a video signal from is input, an audio signal input interface to which an audio signal from a microphone is input, the video signal input to the video signal input interface and the input to the audio signal input interface Storage means for storing a voice signal, a first button for outputting a first operation signal by pressing down, and the video signal and the voice signal stored in the storage means according to the first operation signal An in-home care support device, comprising a transmission unit for transmitting to a terminal or another in-home care support device. 2. A receiving means for receiving a video signal and an audio signal transmitted from a terminal of the management center or another home-supporting device, and recording the video signal and the audio signal received by the receiving means in the storage means. Recording means, a second button for outputting a second operation signal by pressing down, a reproducing means for reproducing the audio signal and the video signal stored in the storage means according to the second operation signal, and the reproducing means. The home care support device according to claim 1, further comprising a video signal output interface for outputting the reproduced video signal to a monitor and an audio signal output interface for outputting the audio signal reproduced by the reproducing means to a speaker. 3. The home care support apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a microphone that outputs the voice signal, and a speaker that outputs the voice signal reproduced by the reproducing means. 4. The home care support device according to claim 2, further comprising a camera for outputting the video signal, and a monitor for displaying the video signal reproduced by the reproducing means. 5. A home care support system using the home care support device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of home care support devices are respectively installed in a plurality of care receiver homes and are connected to a communication network, and A home care support system comprising a terminal installed in the management center and connected to the communication network.