JP2006127161A - Health care system and method for collecting information in the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a health care system in which user's load for introduction is reduced and security measures are taken. <P>SOLUTION: An IC tag (IC tag 2 with a pedometer) enters measured information concerned with personal health care and a management apparatus (constituted of a network connection PC 4 including an IC tag reader 3) installed in a place around which people gather receives and stores the measured information and generates and outputs information for personal health care. In transmitting the IC tag wirelessly to the management apparatus, a radio wave is transmitted while changing ID attached to the IC tag to secure the security of the IC tag. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a health care system and an information collection method in the system suitable for collecting various personal information related to health care.

  Each company provides a health care system that collects personal data for health management (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). According to the above-described health care system, the user needs to purchase a set of a receiver and a health planet CD-ROM together with a pedometer, blood pressure monitor, and body fat scale. The health planet CD-ROM contains special software that is installed on a personal computer owned by the user. The personal computer is connected to the Internet and connected to the health planet homepage. The data of the pedometer is sent to the receiver by infrared communication, and the measurement data of the sphygmomanometer and body fat meter are sent to the receiver by radio wave communication. Then, each measurement data is sent from the receiver to the personal computer by USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection, and further sent to the homepage of the health planet via the Internet (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, Non-Patent Literature 2 and Non-Patent Literature 3 are disclosed as other healthcare systems.
According to this health care system, measurement data of a pedometer and a body composition meter (measuring body weight, fat, etc.) can be managed by a personal computer. The pedometer is set at a predetermined position of the body composition meter, and the measurement data of the body composition meter is once passed to the pedometer. This pedometer combines the measurement data of the body composition meter and the step count data, and sends it to the personal computer via the USB connection that is the interface. Personal computer data can be stored and displayed with dedicated software. In addition, you can connect to the Internet and send information to a dedicated homepage for analysis and advice.
“New Health Habits Health Planet”, Tanita Corporation, “online”, “October 20, 2004 Search”, Internet <URL: http://www.tanita.co.jp/products/planet /index2-l.html> “OMRON Body Composition Monitor“ Karada Scan PC Control ”/ HBF-354IT”, OMRON Healthcare Corporation, “online”, “October 20, 2004 search”, Internet <URL: http://www.healthcare .omron.co.jp / corp / news2004 / 0421.html> “OMRON Body Composition Monitor“ Karada Scan PC Control ”/ HBF-354IT”, OMRON Healthcare Corporation, “online”, “October 20, 2004 search”, Internet <URL: http://www.healthcare .omron.co.jp / product / hbf354it_2.html>

According to the above-described health care system, each user owns a personal computer for management, and preparation for an Internet connection or the like is required in order to access a designated homepage. For this reason, it is necessary for the user to consider the burden of purchasing a personal computer and connecting to the Internet, and the burden is greater than the purchase of this system (service including a scale and a pedometer).
Further, the above-described healthcare system of Non-Patent Document 1 assumes a limited number of users such as in the home. As a result, it asks them to self-manage personal information such as weight and daily behavior (steps). If it is assumed that a plurality of users share and use this healthcare system, it cannot be said that security measures are taken into consideration for personal information sent wirelessly.
Furthermore, neither of the above-mentioned techniques provides a special security measure for transmitting personal data by connecting a personal computer to the Internet.

  The present invention has been made in view of the various circumstances described above, and provides a healthcare system and an information collection method in the system that reduce the burden on the user for introduction and implement security measures. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the health care system of the present invention includes an IC tag that captures and wirelessly transmits measurement information related to personal health management, and is installed at a place where people gather, receives and stores the measurement information. And a management device that generates and outputs information for personal health management.

  In the present invention, the IC tag wirelessly transmits while changing the identification information given to itself in addition to the measurement information.

  Further, in the present invention, the IC tag receives measurement information from a measurement device portable with the IC tag by wire, and wirelessly receives measurement information transmitted from a measurement device that cannot be carried. .

  In the present invention, the IC tag is characterized in that when wirelessly receiving measurement information transmitted from the measurement device that cannot be carried, the individual is specified by limiting the wireless reachable distance.

  In the present invention, the measurement information is transmitted only when it is detected that there is a user in the vicinity of the management apparatus.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the identification information of the IC tag as the transmission destination is added to the measurement information transmitted wirelessly from the measurement device that cannot be carried and transmitted, and the IC tag to be received is specified.

  In the present invention, the IC tag encrypts the measurement information.

  In the present invention, the IC tag holds an internal clock and stores the measurement information in association with the time when the measurement information is received or taken in.

  The present invention is also an information collecting method in a health care system comprising an IC tag managed by an individual and a management device including an IC tag reader that is installed at a place where people gather and reads information stored in the IC tag. A first step in which the IC tag captures and wirelessly transmits measurement information related to personal health management, and the management device receives and stores the measurement information to generate information for personal health management. And a second step of outputting.

  Also, in the present invention, the first step includes a sub-step in which the IC tag captures measurement information from a measurement device portable with the IC tag by wire, and measurement information transmitted from a measurement device that cannot be carried wirelessly. Sub-steps received by

According to the present invention, an IC tag captures and wirelessly transmits measurement information related to personal health management, and a management device installed at a place where people gather gathers and stores the measurement information for personal health management. By generating and outputting this information, each home does not require a radio wave receiver or a personal computer, so the cost of introduction and maintenance can be reduced, and measurement information can be easily recorded on a daily basis. Can see.
Further, according to the present invention, personal information is transmitted to a third party by wirelessly transmitting the identification information given to the IC tag while changing it or by encrypting the measurement information captured by the IC tag. It can be prevented from being tracked and security can be increased.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the IC tag captures measurement information from a measurement device that can be carried with itself, such as a pedometer, and wirelessly transmits measurement information transmitted from a measurement device that cannot be carried, such as a weight scale. By receiving, and limiting the wireless reach, and taking care that individual measurement information is transmitted to and stored in a specific IC tag, the IC tag has multiple types of measurement information related to the individual. Can be stored, and at that time, it is transmitted to a specific IC tag according to the wireless reach distance, so that it can be isolated from others.
Furthermore, by transmitting measurement information only when it is detected that there is a user in the vicinity of the management device, the power consumption of the IC tag can be greatly reduced, and the battery life can be extended. In addition, by adding the identification information of the IC tag that is the transmission destination to the measurement information transmitted wirelessly from a measurement device that cannot be carried, it is possible to identify the IC tag to be received. The measurer can share a measuring device that cannot be carried, such as a scale.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a health care system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Here, it is assumed that a general user performs his / her own health management using the scale 1 and the IC tag 2 with a pedometer. The IC tag 2 with a pedometer is carried by the user and is wirelessly connected to an IC tag reader 3 installed in a place such as an office where the user works or a convenience store frequently used, and the IC tag reader 3 Is connected to the PC 4 for network connection by wire. The weight scale 1 has a transmission function for transmitting measured data. Here, the magnetic coil (LF signal transmission part 11) which transmits LF (low frequency) signal is incorporated. The measurement data of the scale is once sent to the IC tag 2 with a pedometer carried by the user and stored therein. For this purpose, the IC tag 2 incorporates a magnetic coil for receiving an LF signal (LF signal receiving unit 21) in addition to the RF signal transmitting unit 22 for wireless transmission.

In the embodiment of the present invention that transmits and receives data by mutual coupling of the magnetic coils described above, the distance between the scale 1 and the IC tag 2 with a pedometer is limited so that the data is stored in the specific IC tag 2 with a pedometer. Is provided. For example, only when the IC tag 2 with a pedometer receives a radio wave having a predetermined reception intensity, information held in the radio wave is read. Thereby, it is possible to prevent another person from reading the personal (weight) information.
Further, the IC tag 2 with a pedometer transmits individual health management data, which is a combination of the stored weight data and the measurement data of the steps counted by the built-in pedometer 23, via an RF signal transmission unit 22 by radio waves. Send.
Further, the IC tag 2 with a pedometer has an internal clock 25 and an encryption processing unit 26. The internal clock 25 is provided for detecting time when information is received by radio waves from the scale 1 or the like. The encryption processing unit 26 is provided to encrypt the received information when the LF signal receiving unit 21 receives the information.

On the other hand, an IC tag reader 3 that receives radio waves and a PC 4 that handles received data and connects to the network 5 are installed in public facilities and places where many people come and go. Public facilities and places are offices if they are office workers or OLs, offices or offices for students and students, places such as schools and universities, and convenience stores for the general public such as housewives and elderly people. Say. Measurement data for personal health management is collected through these installed devices.
As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since a large number of people share the same IC tag reader 3 and the PC 4, the introduction cost borne by the individual can be reduced. In other words, the equipment that an individual has to purchase mainly at an expense may be the IC tag 2 with a pedometer and one scale 1 shared by the family.

Also, the low cost burden is due to the fact that many people share the IC tag reader 3, PC 4 and network connection, but security measures are also taken to handle personal information such as the weight and steps of each user. Must be considered.
Here, for this purpose, the encryption processing unit 26 encrypts information included in the signal transmitted from the LF signal transmission unit 11 of the scale 1, and changes the ID transmitted by radio waves from the IC tag 2 with a pedometer. It was. That is, when user information is transmitted by radio waves, the ID is sequentially changed, so that it is difficult to specify information for each individual user, and the information received from the scale 1 is encrypted. Therefore, it is a means for effective tracking prevention.

In order to change the transmitted ID, several methods are conceivable as follows. First, there is a method of giving a plurality of IDs to one IC tag 2 with a pedometer. This gives a plurality of IDs to the memory built in the IC tag 2 with a pedometer. The plurality of IDs may be used by changing in order at the time of transmission, or may be randomly selected and used. In any case, this method of changing the transmitted ID requires only a simple function in which the IC tag side selects and uses one ID sequentially from the built-in memory or randomly. Then, the tag is specified from the list of IDs used on the reader side.
Another possible method is to create and use an ID from a numerical value as a key with the IC tag 2 with a pedometer. For example, as a simple calculation, the key value is divided by the date and time, and the remainder is used as the ID. The IC tag 2 with the pedometer only holds the key, and the ID is different every time it is transmitted. At this time, the IC tag reader 3 can identify the tag by executing the same calculation and confirming the ID match.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a health care system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Here, it comprises a health care meter 10 that measures body weight, a health care supporter 20 that counts the number of steps, a health care reader 30 that receives measurement data, and a health care gate 40 that urges transmission of measurement data.
The health care meter 10 which is a weight scale with an LF transmission function described above has a function of transmitting weight measurement data using an LF signal in addition to the weight scale. This LF signal is generated by using magnetic flux mutual coupling by coils on the transmitting side (health care meter 10) and the receiving side (health care supporter 20). The health care meter 10 can be used at one individual home or shared with a family at each home.

In addition to the function as a pedometer, the health care supporter 20 which is an IC tag with a pedometer has a function as an IC tag main body for sending measurement data by an RF signal, an LF signal for weight data and RF transmission activation control. Is provided with an internal clock and an encryption processing unit for encrypting and storing data. It also has a function of storing the received weight data and the step count data counted by the pedometer built in the health care supporter 10. The health care supporter 10 is carried by each individual and used.
The health care gate 40 is shaped like a security sensor installed at the doorway of a bookstore or a store selling videos, CDs, and DVDs. The health care gate 40 has a function of issuing an activation command so as to transmit the measurement data stored in the health care supporter 20 using an RF signal.

Further, the health care reader 30 serving as the parent device receives the measurement data transmitted from the health care supporter 20. The received data is sent to the PC 4 and collected by a server or the like (not shown) through an internet connection or the like.
Here, together with the above-described health care gate 40, the health care reader 30 and the PC 4 are installed in an office or a convenience store where people gather.

The operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is shown as an operation sequence diagram in FIG. The operation of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 will be described below with reference to FIG.
First, the weight data measured by the health care meter 10 is sent to the health care supporter 20 using the LF signal (S31). Further, the user carries the health care supporter 20, and the number of steps the user has walked is counted by a pedometer built in the health care supporter 20, and is stored together with the weight data described above. At this time, the weight data and the reception time of the signal holding the weight data are associated with each other, and the number of steps counted by the built-in pedometer and the counted time are associated with each other and stored in a memory or the like. In this way, the health care supporter 20 receives measurement information transmitted from a measurement device that cannot be carried, such as a weight scale, by radio, and at that time, limits the wireless reachable distance and specifies individual measurement information. It is possible to memorize a plurality of types of measurement information related to an individual by considering that it is transmitted to and stored in the healthcare supporter 20 of the individual, and at that time, it is transmitted according to the wireless reach, Can be isolated. The encryption processing unit of the health care supporter 20 encrypts the measurement information including the weight data, the number of steps information, and the time information corresponding to the weight data, and stores it in the internal memory. At this time, the encryption processing unit performs an encryption process using an encryption key unique to the health care supporter 20. Note that the routine of encryption processing in each of the plurality of health care supporters 20 is common.

  On the other hand, when the user enters the office or store, the user passes the healthcare gate 40 while carrying the healthcare supporter 20. At this time, an activation control command (activation signal) is issued from the health care gate 40 to transmit the stored data using the LF signal (S32). When the health care supporter 20 receives this control command, the health care supporter 20 receives the control command in the built-in memory. The stored encrypted measurement information is transmitted by an RF signal (S33). The transmitted measurement information (encrypted) is received by the health care reader 30 and collected by the connected PC 4. Also, it is sent from the PC 4 to the network. The PC 4 decrypts the measurement information encrypted with the decryption key unique to the health care supporter 20, and reads and stores the weight data + the weight measurement time + the step count data.

In addition, according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, it has been described that the activation signal is generated from the health care gate 40 so that the measurement data stored in the health care supporter 20 is transmitted by the RF signal. It has been described that the LF signal is used as the activation signal. As described above, the health care supporter 20 transmits the measurement data only when the activation signal is received (the transmission is stopped at other times), thereby greatly reducing the power consumption of the health supporter 20. In addition, the battery life can be extended.
In addition, by providing a human sensor (pyroelectric) sensor 400 so that a start signal from the health care gate 40 that emits the LF signal to the health care supporter 20 is detected only when it is detected that there is a user nearby, the health care game The power consumption of the G40 can be reduced. That is, when the human sensor 400 is OFF, the health care gate 40 stops the transmission of the LF signal, and the LF signal is generated only when the human sensor 400 is ON. Thus, it is possible to suppress the state where the LF signal is always emitted and to effectively use the LF signal.
In addition, since the health care gate 40 and the health care reader 30 are installed in the vicinity, receiving the request signal from the health care gate 40 means that the health care supporter 20 exists in the vicinity of the health care reader 30.
Moreover, it can suppress that a request signal is transmitted continuously by combining the health care gate 40 and the human sensitive sensor 400.

  It should be noted that setting or changing parameters related to wireless transmission set in the health care supporter 20, such as transmission interval, number of transmissions, presence / absence of ID change, is executed using the LF signal by the health care gate 40 or an externally connected control device. Is done.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a health care system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
Here, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a general user uses the scale 1 and the IC doug 2 with a pedometer. In addition, an IC tag reader 3 and a PC 4 connected to a network are installed in an office where a user works or a convenience store that is frequently used. However, the scale 1 is provided with a button 14 for designating a measurer number. There are as many buttons 14 as the number of users to be distinguished, and when a measurer number is designated according to which button 14 is pressed, only one button 14 is provided, and the measurer is determined according to the number of times the button 14 is pressed. Two cases are possible when a number is specified.

The scale 1 has a table that associates a measurer number with a destination IC tag designation ID, as shown as a table memory 12 in FIG. 5, and has entries corresponding to the number of measurers to be distinguished. . Each entry is composed of a pair of a measurer number and a destination IC tag designation ID.
The scale 1 has a transmission function for transmitting measured data as in the above embodiments. Here, an RF transmitter 13 is provided to transmit using an RF signal. The weight data measured by the weight scale 1 is once sent to and stored in the IC tag 2 with a pedometer that is carried by the user. For this purpose, the IC tag 2 with a pedometer includes an RF signal receiving unit 23.

  In the IC tag 2 with the pedometer, the transmission destination IC tag designation ID is written in the built-in memory 24 in order to selectively receive the RF signal transmitted from the weight scale 1. A different transmission destination IC tag designation ID is written in each IC tag 2 with a pedometer used in combination with one scale. In that case, the transmission destination IC tag designation ID written in the IC tag 2 with a pedometer used in combination is set in the table memory 12 of the scale 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the IC tag 2 with a pedometer. First, when transmitting the weight data to the IC tag 2 with the pedometer, the weight scale 1 transmits the RF signal including the destination IC tag designation ID in addition to the measured weight data. The transmission destination IC tag designation ID is obtained by searching a table (table memory 12) provided in the scale based on the measurer number designated at the time of weight measurement.
In FIG. 6, the IC tag 2 with a pedometer receives the RF signal transmitted via the RF signal receiving unit 23 (S61). Here, the destination IC tag designation D included in the RF signal and the IC tag 2 are automatically registered. The destination IC tag designation IDs written in the memory are compared (S62). If they are different (S62 “NO”), the received RF signal is discarded (S64), and if they are equal (S62 “Yes”). ), Accepting the RF signal as a signal directed to its own IC tag. Weight data is extracted from the received RF signal and stored in the built-in memory 24 in association with the time recorded by the internal clock 25 (S63). At the time of accumulation, the encryption processing unit 26 encrypts the weight data, the time when the weight data is accumulated, the number of steps counted by the built-in pedometer, and the information of the counted time.

Then, the RF signal transmitting unit 22 transmits the individual person's healthcare data to the IC tag reader 3 using the RF signal (S65). For this purpose, the IC tag 2 with a pedometer includes an RF signal transmission unit 22.
The IC tag reader 3 is installed in an office or a convenience store, receives an RF signal transmitted from the IC tag 2 with a pedometer, transmits it to a server (not shown) via the PC 4 and the network 5, and sends it to the server. The encrypted measurement information is decrypted, and individual measurement data is collected and managed. By searching through the PC 4 as necessary, the individual data can be obtained, and further, such as weight transition, trend, exercise amount, etc. It is also possible to obtain processed data.

As described above, according to the present invention, an IC tag (here, IC tag 2 with a pedometer) captures measurement information related to personal health management, wirelessly transmits it to the IC tag reader 3, and is installed at a place where people gather. The device (here, composed of the network connection PC 4 including the IC tag reader 3) receives and stores the measurement information, and generates and outputs information for personal health management. Each home does not require a radio wave receiver or a personal computer. Therefore, the cost of introduction and maintenance can be suppressed, and measurement information can be easily recorded daily, or its transition and trend can be seen.
However, since the IC tag reader 3 and the PC are shared as described above and personal data is transmitted by radio waves, there is a risk of being tracked, but the ID assigned to the IC tag 2 is changed. However, security is ensured by transmitting radio waves from the IC tag.

In addition, according to the present invention, measurement data from a health care device such as a scale 1 that cannot be normally carried is temporarily transmitted to an IC tag (here, a portable health care device such as a pedometer is built-in). However, the scale is shared by family members.
In addition, an LF signal is used as an activation signal for transmitting measurement data from a portable pedometer using radio waves from an IC tag. This greatly reduces the power consumption of the IC tag and extends the battery life. Furthermore, when the human sensor 400 installed in the vicinity of the health care gate 40 is “OFF”, the transmission of the LF signal is stopped, and the LF signal is generated only when the sensor 400 is “ON”. This prevents harmful effects such as electromagnetic waves generated by always emitting the LF signal.

It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration | structure of the healthcare system concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the healthcare system concerning other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement sequence of embodiment shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the health care system concerning further another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the table memory used in embodiment shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the IC tag with a pedometer used in embodiment shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Weight scale, 2 ... IC tag with pedometer, 3 ... IC tag reader, 4 ... PC, 5 ... Network, 10 ... Health care meter, 20 ... Health care supporter, 30 ... Health care reader, 40 ... Health care gate, 400 ... Human sensor

Claims (10)

An IC tag that captures and transmits wirelessly measurement information related to personal health management;
A management device installed at a place where people gather, receiving and storing the measurement information, and generating and outputting information for personal health management;
A health care system characterized by comprising: The IC tag is
The healthcare system according to claim 1, wherein in addition to the measurement information, wireless transmission is performed while changing identification information given to itself. The IC tag is
2. The healthcare system according to claim 1, wherein measurement information is taken in from a measurement device portable with the IC tag by wire and measurement information transmitted from a measurement device that cannot be carried is received wirelessly. The IC tag is
The health care system according to claim 3, wherein when wirelessly receiving measurement information transmitted from the non-portable measuring device, the individual is specified by limiting the reachable range of the wireless.   The health care system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the measurement information is transmitted only when it is detected that there is a user in the vicinity of the management device.   The identification information of the IC tag which becomes a transmission destination is added to the measurement information transmitted by radio from the measurement device that cannot be carried and transmitted, and the IC tag to be received is specified. The health care system according to item 1.   The healthcare system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the IC tag encrypts the measurement information.   The health care according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the IC tag holds an internal clock and stores the measurement information in association with the time when the measurement information is received or captured. system. An information collection method in a healthcare system comprising an IC tag managed by an individual and a management device including an IC tag reader that is installed at a place where people gather and reads information stored in the IC tag,
A first step in which the IC tag captures and wirelessly transmits measurement information related to personal health management;
A second step in which the management device receives and stores the measurement information, and generates and outputs information for personal health management;
A method for collecting information in a healthcare system, characterized by comprising: The first step includes
A sub-step in which the IC tag captures measurement information in a wired manner from a measurement device portable with the IC tag;
The information collection method in the health care system according to claim 9, further comprising a sub-step of wirelessly receiving measurement information transmitted from a measurement device that cannot be carried.

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