JP2006254949A - Health data collecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To very easily add or change a sensor with the minimum remodeling of a subject side terminal or without remodeling the terminal in a health management support system. <P>SOLUTION: A connection adaptor 4 comprises interface parts 41A-41C to which data including biological information are inputted from a sensor 3 and which converts the mode of communication of the inputted data to a specific mode of communication, and an infrared communication part 43 for transmitting the data including the biological information in the specific mode of communication. The subject side terminal 5 comprises an infrared communication part 51 which executes the communication with the infrared communication part 43 of the connection adaptor 4 in the specific mode of communication and receives the data including the biological information, and a communication part 53 for transmitting the biological information received by the infrared communication part 51 to a server device 1 via a communication network 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a health data collection device used in a health management support system that collects biological information of a subject using a sensor, transmits the collected information to a server, and browses the biological information stored in the server device with a doctor terminal.

  A conventional sensor for measuring biological information used in this type of health management support system and a health data collecting apparatus that collects biological information from the sensor and transmits the collected biological information to the server device are as shown in Patent Document 1. Was common. FIG. 4 shows a system diagram of a conventional health management support system using the device described in Patent Document 1 (hereinafter referred to as an electronic first aid kit). The electronic first aid kit 21 accommodates a blood pressure monitor 22, an electrocardiograph 23, an ear hole thermometer 24, a blood glucose meter 25, an electronic scope 26, and the like as sensors. The electronic first aid kit 21 also incorporates a display 27, a speaker 28, a microphone 29, and the like. Biological information such as body temperature and blood pressure measured by the user with sensors such as the ear hole thermometer 24 and the sphygmomanometer 22 is collected in this dedicated electronic first aid kit 21. The biometric information 10 is transmitted to the server device 1 installed in a medical institution or the like connected to the electronic first aid kit 21 via the communication network 2 such as a telephone line. Health advice information 11 such as a user's health condition and recommended meal content created by a medical institution or the like based on the biometric information transmitted to the server 1 is transmitted to a user's pre-registered electronic first aid kit 21 Is done. Alternatively, advice information is notified to the subject by calling a user's telephone number registered in advance or sending a letter to a registered address.

JP 2000-83907 A

  However, in such a health management support system, there is no standard for the interface between each sensor and the electronic first aid kit or the subject's terminal, and the communication method varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. The method may be different. For this reason, even if a new sensor is added or a sensor is changed to another sensor with the same function after the health management support system has been installed, the subject's side will be matched to the interface of the sensor to be added or changed. The terminal interface needs to be modified. Since sensors that are medical devices have strict regulations regarding safety, adjustments including reacquisition of standards are necessary to add sensors. Therefore, the addition of the sensor is practically very difficult due to the necessary cost and time.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and it is an object of the present invention to make it possible to add or change a sensor very easily without minimizing or remodeling the subject terminal. Yes.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the health data collection device of the present invention includes a sensor that measures and outputs biological information of a human body, data including the biological information is input from the sensor, and A connection adapter comprising: an interface unit that converts a communication method into a predetermined specific communication method; a communication unit that transmits data including the biological information in the specific communication method; a communication unit of the connection adapter; A first communication unit that executes communication by a specific communication method and receives data including the biological information; a second communication unit that transmits the biological information received by the first communication unit to a communication network; And a subject-side terminal provided with.

  In the health data collection device of the present invention, the subject terminal does not collect data such as biological information directly from the sensor, but collects data from the sensor via a connection adapter. As a result, even if the sensor is added or changed, the modification of the terminal on the subject side, which is one of the central devices of the health management support system, is minimized or does not need to be modified. Therefore, it is possible to realize a health management support system with extremely high expandability. In particular, strict laws and regulations relating to safety are defined for sensors that are medical devices, but sensors can be added or changed at a realistic cost and time. In addition, when the sensor becomes a disused product and the same sensor is not newly supplied, another alternative sensor having a similar function must be used. Even in such a case, remodeling of the terminal on the subject side is kept to a minimum or no remodeling is required, so that very flexible measures can be taken.

  The data transmitted from the connection adapter to the subject side terminal preferably includes sensor information that is information for identifying the sensor in addition to the biological information. As a result, even if there are a plurality of sensors that collect data at one subject-side terminal, the subject-side terminal is one interface in terms of hardware, and individual data is transmitted from any sensor. Can be recognized. In other words, even when there are a plurality of sensors, the subject-side terminal can cope with one interface in terms of hardware. Therefore, the hardware of the subject side terminal can be simplified, and the subject side terminal can be reduced in size, weight and cost.

  The connection adapter preferably includes a plurality of the interface units. It is possible to collect data from many types of sensors having different interfaces to the subject terminal. Specifically, the differences in the communication methods of multiple sensors are absorbed by the individual interface units, and the communication unit from the connection adapter to the first communication unit of the subject side terminal collects from the individual sensors using a common communication method. Transmitted data is transmitted.

  The connection adapter is preferably supplied with power from the subject side terminal. As a result, an AC power source dedicated to the connection adapter is provided, and the overall hardware configuration including the connection adapter and the subject-side terminal can be greatly simplified as compared with the case where power is supplied from the AC power source to the connection adapter. Therefore, it is easy to respond to the requirements of safety laws and regulations. Moreover, since the external shape of the connection adapter can be made very small, the connection adapter can be reduced in size and weight.

  As an alternative, a battery may be built in the connection adapter. Also in this case, compared to the case where an AC power source dedicated to the connection adapter is provided, the hardware configuration can be greatly simplified, and the connection adapter can be reduced in size and weight.

  It is preferable that the communication unit of the connection adapter and the first communication unit of the subject terminal perform data transmission / reception by wireless communication. As a result, it is not necessary to dispose a signal transmission electrode or the like outside the subject side terminal, so that safety is improved and the structure of the subject side terminal can be simplified. Examples of wireless communication include infrared communication and radio wave communication.

  The health data collection device of the present invention includes an interface unit that receives data including biological information from a sensor and converts the communication method of the input data to a predetermined communication method, and the specific communication method. A connection adapter having a communication unit that transmits data including the biological information. In addition, data including biological information is transmitted from the communication unit of the connection adapter to the first communication unit of the subject side terminal by a specific communication method. Therefore, a new sensor can be added or a sensor can be added without minimal modification to the patient terminal, which is one of the core devices of the health management support system, or without modifying the patient terminal. It is possible to exchange, and it becomes possible to realize a health management support system that is highly scalable and flexible. In particular, it is possible to easily take measures to meet the requirements of laws and regulations relating to safety and to introduce alternative sensors when the sensors become disused products.

  A sensor that collects data at the subject-side terminal includes data transmitted from the connection adapter to the subject-side terminal including sensor information that is information for identifying the sensor in addition to the biological information. Even when there are a plurality of terminals, the subject terminal can be handled by a single interface in terms of hardware. As a result, the hardware of the subject side terminal can be simplified, and the subject side terminal can be reduced in size, weight and cost.

  Furthermore, since the connection adapter includes a plurality of interface units, data can be collected from many types of sensors having different interfaces to the subject side terminal.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a health management support system including a health data collection device according to a first embodiment of this invention.

  This health network system includes a server device 1, the Internet 2 as an example of a communication network, a sensor 3, a connection adapter 4, a subject-side terminal 5, and a doctor-side terminal 6. The sensor 3, the connection adapter 4, and the subject side terminal 5 constitute the health data collection device of the present invention.

  The biological information of the subject measured by the sensor 3 is collected by the subject side terminal 5 via the connection adapter 4. The subject-side terminal 5 transmits the stored biological information to the server device 1 via the Internet 2.

  The server device 1 receives biological information from the subject side terminal 4. Further, the server device 1 stores the received biological information.

  Biological information stored in the server device 1 can be browsed by the doctor side terminal 6. A doctor, a nurse, or the like can determine the health status of the subject who is the user of the subject-side terminal 5 based on the biological information viewed on the doctor-side terminal 6. The doctor side terminal 6 has a function of creating advice for the subject. The created advice is transmitted to the subject-side terminal 5 via the server device 1 and used for viewing the subject.

  FIG. 2 shows details of the sensor 3, the connection adapter 4, and the subject-side terminal 5.

  In this example, a sphygmomanometer 3a, a blood glucose meter 3b, and a blood oxygen saturation meter 3c are provided as the sensors 3. These sensors 3 output sensor information that is information for identifying each sensor 3 together with the measured biological information (blood pressure, blood glucose level, and blood saturated oxygen concentration). The sensor information includes, for example, the type of sensor, the manufacturer name that manufactured the sensor, the model of the sensor, and the like.

  The blood pressure monitor 3a performs serial signal transmission of ± 12V, the blood glucose meter 3b performs serial transmission of 0 to 5V, and the blood oxygen saturation meter 3c performs serial signal transmission of 0 to -5V. Each of these three sensors 3 includes stereo mini jacks 31A, 31B, and 31C as signal transmission terminals in the sensor body. The connection adapter 4 includes three stereo minijacks 41A, 41B, and 41C as signal transmission terminals corresponding to the sensors 3. The stereo mini jacks 31A to 31C of each sensor 3 and the stereo mini jacks 41A to 41C of the corresponding connection adapter 4 are connected by cables 9A, 9B, and 9C having stereo mini plugs 8 at both ends, respectively.

  Of the three types of poles or pins of the stereo mini jacks 31 </ b> A to 31 </ b> C, each sensor 3 uses two types of pins, and the pins to be used are different for each sensor 3. Specifically, the sphygmomanometer 3a uses the first and second pins 31a and 31b, the blood glucose meter 3b uses the second and third pins 31b and 31c, and the blood oxygen saturation meter 3c is the first. The third pins 31a and 31c are used. Correspondingly, stereo minijacks 41A to 41C included in the connection adapter 4 are also used for transmission of signals to the interface units 42A to 42C described later, of the three types of pins. Specifically, the first and second pins 41a and 41b of the stereo mini jack 41A to which the sphygmomanometer 3a is connected are connected to the corresponding interface unit 42A, and the second of the stereo mini jack 41B to which the blood glucose meter 3b is connected. And the third pins 41b and 41b are connected to the interface unit 42B, and the first and third pins 41a and 41c of the stereo mini jack 41C to which the blood oxygen saturation meter 3c is connected are connected to the corresponding interface unit 42C. Has been. When each sensor 3 is connected to the correct stereo pin jack 41A to 41C on the connection adapter 4 side by using the poles or pins of the stereo mini jacks 31A to 31C and 41A to 41C in different combinations in this way. Only in this case, data can be transmitted from the sensor 3 to the connection adapter 4.

  The connection adapter 4 includes three conversion circuits or interface units 42A, 42B, and 42C corresponding to the blood pressure monitor 3a, blood glucose meter 3b, and blood oxygen saturation meter 3c, respectively. The communication method or protocol for data including the biological information and sensor information input from each sensor 3 to the connection adapter 4 is different from each other. Each of the interface units 42A to 42C has a function of converting a protocol of data input from these different sensors 3 into a common protocol. In other words, the interface units 42A to 42C have a function of absorbing differences in communication methods or protocols when the sensors 3 transmit data. Assume that the protocols of the sphygmomanometer 3a, the blood glucose meter 3b, and the blood oxygen saturation meter 3c are protocols A, B, and C, respectively. In this case, the interface unit 42A converts the protocol of data input from the sphygmomanometer 3a from the protocol A to a specific protocol X. The interface unit 42B converts the protocol of the data input from the blood glucose meter 3b from the protocol B to a specific protocol X. Further, the interface unit 42C converts the protocol of the data input from the blood oxygen saturation meter 3c from the protocol C to the protocol X.

  Further, the connection adapter 4 includes an infrared communication unit 43 for transmitting the biological information collected from each sensor 3 and data including the sensor information to the subject terminal 5. The infrared communication unit 43 performs infrared communication with the infrared communication unit 51 of the subject-side terminal 5, thereby transmitting data collected from the sensor 3 to the subject-side terminal 51. The protocol of the infrared communication between the infrared communication unit 43 of the connection adapter 4 and the infrared communication unit 51 of the subject-side terminal 5 is a common protocol (protocol X in the above example) converted by the interface units 42A to 42C. It is.

  The subject-side terminal 5 includes a storage unit 52, a communication unit 53, a display unit 54, an operation unit 55, a control unit 56, and a power supply device 57 in addition to the infrared communication unit 51 described above. The storage unit 52 stores the biological information and sensor information received by the infrared communication unit 51. The communication unit 53 transmits the biological information and sensor information stored in the storage unit 52 to the server device 1 via the Internet 2. The display unit 54 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and displays an operation state, biological information, and the like of the subject side terminal 5. The operation unit 55 is, for example, a touch panel disposed on the display unit 54 and is used by the user of the subject-side terminal 5 to input an operation command. The control unit 56 controls operations of the infrared communication unit 51, the storage unit 52, the communication unit 53, the display unit 54, and the like based on the operation command input from the operation unit 55.

  Here, the data transmission path will be described. First, the biological information measured by each sensor 3 is output together with the sensor information. Data output from each sensor 3 is input to the interface units 42A to 42C via the cables 9A to 9C. In the interface units 42A to 42C, the data protocol from each sensor 3 is unified to a common or specific protocol (the protocol of each data is unified from protocol A, B, C to protocol X). Thereafter, the infrared communication unit 43 of the connection adapter 4 and the infrared communication unit 51 of the subject-side terminal 5 perform infrared communication using the above-described specific protocol (protocol X), so that data is transferred from the connection adapter 4 to the subject side. It is transmitted to the terminal 5. The biological information once stored in the storage unit 52 is transmitted from the subject terminal 53 to the server device 1 via the Internet 2 by the communication unit 53.

  In this health care support system, the subject terminal 5 does not directly collect data such as biological information from the sensor 3 but collects data from the sensor 3 via the connection adapter 4. Therefore, even if the sensor 3 is added or changed, the modification of the terminal 3 on the subject side which is one of the central devices of the health management support system is kept to a minimum, or no modification is necessary. For example, only the sphygmomanometer 3a is initially used, and when a blood glucose meter 3b or a blood oxygen saturation meter 3c is added later, if there is no connection adapter 4, an interface with the sensor 3 to be added is secured. Therefore, the subject-side terminal 5 has to be significantly modified. However, by newly supplying the connection adapter 4 corresponding to the blood glucose meter 3b and the blood oxygen saturation meter 3c, the subject terminal 5 does not need to be modified at all. Specifically, if a connection adapter 4 having an interface unit corresponding to the sensor 3 to be added or changed and having the same protocol as the subject side terminal 5 (protocol X) is manufactured, the subject side terminal 5 is used. Data collection from the added or changed sensor 3 to the subject-side terminal 5 becomes possible without remodeling. Therefore, it is possible to realize a health management support system with extremely high expandability. In particular, strict laws and regulations relating to safety are defined for sensors that are medical devices, but sensors can be added or changed at a realistic cost and time. In addition, when the sensor becomes a disused product and the same sensor is not newly supplied, another alternative sensor having a similar function must be used. Even in such a case, remodeling of the terminal 5 on the subject side can be kept to a minimum, or no remodeling is necessary, so that a very flexible response is possible. If the connection terminal 4 is newly supplied without remodeling the subject-side terminal 5, the added or changed sensor 3 can be used, so that the reliability is very high. In addition, the biometric information can be continuously measured without interrupting the collection of the biometric information due to the modification of the terminal 5 on the subject side.

  As described above, the data transmitted from the connection adapter 4 to the subject-side terminal 5 includes sensor information in addition to biological information. Thus, the subject terminal 5 has only one interface in hardware, that is, an infrared communication unit 51, but each data is stored in a plurality of sensors 3 (blood pressure monitor 3a, blood glucose meter 3b, blood It can be recognized from which of the saturation clocks 3c). In other words, the subject-side terminal 5 supports the collection of data from a plurality of sensors with a single hardware interface. In this respect, the hardware of the subject-side terminal 5 is simplified, and the subject-side terminal 5 can be reduced in size, weight, and cost.

  In the present embodiment, the connection adapter 4 includes a plurality (three) of interface units 42A to 42C, thereby enabling data collection from the sensor 3 having three different communication methods to the subject side terminal 5. . There is a possibility that other sensors can be used by using the existing interface units 42A to 42C.

  As described above, the connection adapter 4 and the subject-side terminal 5 transmit and receive data by infrared communication between the infrared communication units 43 and 51. Accordingly, since it is not necessary to provide an electrode for signal transmission or the like outside the subject side terminal 5, safety is improved and the structure of the subject side terminal 5 can be further simplified. Radio wave communication may be employed as communication between the connection adapter 4 and the subject-side terminal 5. In this case as well, safety is improved and the structure of the subject-side terminal 5 is simplified.

  Since the Internet is employed as a communication network for connecting the subject terminal 5 and the server device 1, a highly reliable health management support system can be constructed at a very low cost. Even if the subject side terminal 5 and the server device 1 are connected by a general communication line such as a telephone line, a highly reliable health management support system can be constructed at a very low cost.

  Next, power supply to the connection adapter 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the power supply device 57 of the subject terminal 5 is connected to the power supply terminal 44 of the connection adapter 4 via the lead wire 61, and the connection adapter is connected via the power supply terminal 44. Power is supplied to each of the four circuits. As a result, it is not necessary to connect the connection adapter 4 to an AC power source or the like, and the hardware configuration is greatly simplified, so that the connection adapter 4 can be reduced in size and weight.

  As described above, the health data collection apparatus according to the first embodiment receives data including biological information from the sensor 3 and converts the communication method of the input data to a predetermined specific communication method. The connection adapter 4 which has the part 42A-42C and the infrared communication part 43 which transmits the data containing biometric information by this specific communication system is provided. In addition, data including biological information is transmitted from the infrared communication unit 43 of the connection adapter 4 to the infrared communication unit 51 of the subject-side terminal 5 by a specific communication method. Therefore, the addition of a new sensor can be performed only by performing a minimum remodeling on the subject-side terminal 5 which is one of the central devices of the health management support system, or without modifying the subject-side terminal 5. Sensor replacement is possible, and it becomes possible to realize a health management support system that is highly scalable and flexible. In particular, it is possible to easily take measures to meet the requirements of laws and regulations relating to safety and to introduce alternative sensors when the sensors become disused products.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the connection adapter 4 includes a battery 62, and power is supplied to each circuit of the connection adapter 4 by the battery 62. Even when the battery 62 is built in the connection adapter 4, it is not necessary to connect the connection adapter 4 to an AC power source or the like, and the hardware configuration is greatly simplified, so that the connection adapter 4 can be reduced in size and weight. Can do.

  Since other configurations and operations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, the health data collection device according to the present invention can add a new sensor with minimal or no modification of the subject terminal that is one of the central devices of the health management support system. It becomes possible to realize a health management support system that is very scalable. In particular, when a sensor becomes a disused product and cannot be supplied, a new alternative sensor must be supported. Even in such a case, it can respond very flexibly.

  In addition, the data transmitted from the connection adapter to the patient terminal includes sensor information such as sensor type, manufacturer name, model, etc. in addition to biometric information, so that the interface of the subject side terminal is one piece of hardware. In such a case, a great effect can be obtained such that the burden on the hardware is reduced and the terminal on the subject side can be reduced in size, weight and cost.

1 is a system diagram of a health management support system including a health data collection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a connection adapter and a subject-side terminal of a health management support system including a health data collection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram of the connection adapter of a health care support system including the health data collection device of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and a subject side terminal. A system diagram of a conventional health management support system.

Explanation of symbols

1 Server device 2 Internet (communication network)
3 sensor 3a sphygmomanometer 3b blood glucose meter 3c blood oxygen saturation meter 4 connection adapter 5 subject side terminal 6 doctor side terminal 8 stereo mini plug 9A, 9B, 9C code 31A, 31B, 31C, 41A, 41B, 41C stereo Mini jack 42A, 42B, 42C Interface unit 43, 51 Infrared communication unit 44 Power supply terminal 52 Storage unit 53 Communication unit 54 Display unit 55 Operation unit 56 Control unit 57 Power supply device 61 Lead wire 62 Battery

Claims (6)

A sensor that measures and outputs biological information of the human body;
An interface unit that receives data including the biological information from the sensor and converts a communication method of the input data to a predetermined specific communication method; and data including the biological information in the specific communication method. A connection adapter comprising a communication unit for transmitting;
A communication unit of the connection adapter performs communication using the specific communication method to receive data including the biological information, and the biological information received by the first communication unit is transmitted to a communication network. A health data collection device comprising: a subject-side terminal comprising a second communication unit for transmission.   The health data collection device according to claim 1, wherein the data transmitted from the connection adapter to the subject terminal includes sensor information that is information for identifying a sensor in addition to the biological information. .   The health data collection device according to claim 1, wherein the connection adapter includes a plurality of the interface units.   The health data collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connection adapter is supplied with power from the terminal on the subject side.   The health data collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connection adapter includes a battery.   The health according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication unit of the connection adapter and the first communication unit of the subject-side terminal transmit and receive data by wireless communication. Data collection device.

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