JP2007521030A6 - Method and system for capturing and observing physiological parameters and movement within a region of at least one person - Google Patents

Abstract

  A method is provided for capturing and observing at least one physiological parameter and movement within an area of at least one person. The region is divided into cells with respective location identifiers. Each person is provided with their own instrument and at least one physiological parameter of the person is measured. The physiological parameter indicates whether the person is in a certain state of health. Each instrument has an instrument identifier. Instruments are used to at least completely measure the physiological parameters of the person using each instrument to obtain physiological parameter measurements for each measurement. The physiological parameter measurements are associated with each instrument identifier of the instrument by the cell identifier and time from which the physiological parameter measurement is obtained. Associated information is stored at a remote location. A system and physiological parameter instrument are also disclosed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and system for tracking the movement of a group of people within an area and indicating the position of the person when one of the group is detected to have a health condition. .

  Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a contagious disease. People who are suspected of having SARS need to be urgently identified, identified, and quarantined to prevent the disease from spreading to others. One of the symptoms of SARS is fever. Therefore, it has become important to observe people's body temperature to determine whether they generate heat, that is, whether they are fever.

  Thus, people visiting a building such as an office building or a hospital are required to measure their body temperature at the entrance of the building. If a particular person's body temperature is above a predetermined threshold, the person may be banned from entering the building and may be required to see a doctor instead. Such a single body temperature measurement may not be ideal.

  For example, one person may be hot when entering a building. However, the person may generate heat after entering the building. And if the person has SARS virus and stays in the building for hours, the person can infect other people in the building and get sick. Such a situation may cause a large population of people infected with SARS and pose a serious health threat.

  Another reason why a single body temperature measurement is not ideal is because not everyone has exactly the same body temperature. A person's normal fever varies depending on age, gender, recent activity, food and water consumption, time of day, and, for women, the stage of the menstrual cycle. Similarly, the temperature of a person at a particular time varies when measured at various parts of the body. Normal heat varies from 36.5 ° C to 37.2 ° C. However, a threshold of 37.8 ° C. is often used to determine whether a person has heat. It is not ideal to use such a fixed threshold, as it is known that about 5% of the population has a body temperature that deviates from the normal range. Using a single fixed threshold that measures whether a person has fever will cause a false diagnosis that people with a body temperature higher than that range of fever have a fever and are therefore unnecessary for those people Will cause nuisance and pain. Worse is that using such a fixed threshold may not be able to detect the heat of people who have a normal heat lower than the heat within that range. In other words, the true case of fever may not be detectable.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for capturing and observing at least one physiological parameter and movement within an area of at least one person. The method includes dividing the region into cells each having a location identifier and providing each person with their own instrument for measuring at least one physiological parameter of each person. The physiological parameter indicates whether the person is in a certain health state. Each instrument has an instrument identifier. The method further includes the step of at least intermittently measuring each person's physiological parameters using their own instrument to obtain physiological parameter measurements for each measurement. The method also includes each of the selected number of the physiological parameter measurements at least a selected number of the respective device identifiers of the device according to the respective location identifier and time of the cell from which the physiological parameter is obtained. Including an associating step. The method further includes storing the associated physiological parameter measurement, instrument identifier, location identifier, and time.

  The observation may be performed from a remote location. The method may then further comprise the step of transmitting the associated physiological parameter measurement, instrument identifier, location identifier and time to the remote location for storage there.

  According to one embodiment, dividing an area into cells includes placing access stations at various locations in the building. Each access station has a respective station identifier that functions as a location identifier. When the instrument obtains a physiological parameter measurement, the instrument transmits the measurement along with the respective instrument identifier. If the instrument is in a cell, the access station of the cell can receive the measurement and the instrument identifier and associate them with the respective station identifier. The access station then sends the associated measurement, instrument identifier, and station identifier to a remote control device for storage there. The remote control further correlates time with the measurement, instrument identifier and station identifier received from the access station. The time may also include a date. This embodiment of the invention will be described in detail later.

  The method may further comprise the step of comparing the physiological parameter measurement with a first predetermined physiological parameter threshold to determine whether the person is wearing the device appropriately. In such a case, the method determines the person using the device identifier and the location identifier associated with the physiological parameter measurement if it is determined that the person is not wearing the device properly. The method may further include a step of identifying and indicating the position.

  The method may also further include comparing the physiological parameter measurement with a second predetermined physiological parameter threshold to determine whether the person is in a certain state of health. . In such a case, the method identifies a person using the device identifier and the location identifier associated with the physiological parameter measurement when the person is determined to be in the healthy state. A step of indicating a position. The second predetermined physiological parameter threshold may be predetermined individually.

  The method adjusts the physiological parameter measurement value according to a physiological parameter correction factor individually determined for the person, and then adjusts the adjusted physiological parameter measurement value to the first or second pre-set value. Comparing to a defined physiological parameter threshold may be included.

  The method includes a time and location identifier associated with at least one physiological parameter measurement measured from a respective instrument of at least one other person and the time and location identifier of the identified and located person. And, when matched, identifying the other person as being in physical proximity to the identified and located person.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a system for performing the method according to the above-described embodiments is provided. The system includes a remote control and two or more access stations provided in a spatial arrangement within the area. Such a configuration thereby divides the region into respective cells. Each access station has a respective station identifier, which is connected to the controller and receives physiological parameter measurements and respective instrument identifiers from at least one physiological parameter measurement instrument attached to the first person. It is made to receive. The access station transmits the received physiological parameter measurement and the instrument identifier along with the station identifier to the controller. The time at which the relevant information and physiological parameter measurements are acquired by the instrument is stored in a first record at the remote control device.

  The control device is used to compare the physiological parameter measurement with a first predetermined physiological parameter threshold to determine whether the first person is wearing the device appropriately. Good. The controller is further used to provide information corresponding to the instrument identifier and the location identifier associated with the physiological parameter measurement, and determining that the first person is not wearing the instrument properly If so, the first person may be identified and indicated.

  The controller may further be used to compare the physiological parameter measurement with a second predetermined threshold to determine whether the first person is in a certain state of health. The controller is further used to provide information corresponding to the instrument identifier and the location identifier associated with the physiological parameter, and the first person when the first person is determined to be in the healthy state. One person may be identified to indicate the position. The second predetermined physiological parameter threshold may be predetermined individually for the first person.

  The controller is used to match the time and location identifier of the first record to the time and location identifier of at least one other record obtained from another respective instrument of at least one other person; If there is a match, it may be identified that the other person is in physical vicinity of the first person.

  The physiological parameter measurements are adjusted to individually determine the physiology for the first person before comparing the physiological parameter measurements with either the first or second physiological parameter thresholds. May include a parameter correction factor.

  The controller may be used to generate a warning message when the first person determines that either the appliance is not properly worn or is in a healthy state. The warning message includes information corresponding to the station identifier and the appliance identifier. The warning message may be sent to a predetermined recipient via a communication network to which the control device can be connected. The communication network may be a public communication network.

  The controller may further be used to instruct the instrument to transmit the instrument identifier and the physiological parameter measurements measured therewith. The controller may instruct the instrument by broadcasting a corresponding instruction via at least one selected access station. The indication can then be received by all appliances in the service area of at least one selected access station.

  The system may further include at least one physiological parameter measurement instrument attached to the first person and observing at least one physiological parameter of the first person. Each instrument has an instrument identifier and is connected to the respective access station of the cell when it is in the cell.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a physiological parameter measuring instrument is provided. The instrument includes a transducer, a transmitter, and a processor. The processor is connected to the converter and the transmitter. The processor is used to control the transducer to measure at least intermittent human physiological parameters when it is determined that the measured value deviates from at least a predetermined threshold; The transmitter is controlled to transmit a measured value corresponding to the measured physiological parameter.

  Measurements may be transmitted as well when the instrument further includes a receiver connected to the processor and the processor receives an indication to transmit via the receiver.

  The instrument may further include a housing including a first portion, a second portion, and a flexible intermediate portion connected between the first portion and the second portion. The appliance may be a thermometer that measures a human body temperature. The processor, the transmitter, and the receiver may be housed in the first housing portion, and the transducer may be supported by the second housing portion.

  The first and second portions are bendable toward each other to define a U-shaped device that hooks onto a piece of clothing and the transducer contacts the person's abdomen where body temperature is measured. Also good.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

  The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings.

  In the following, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in the context of a system for observing the temperature of people who are movable in a building. However, the present invention can be applied to other physiological parameters of a group of people in a predetermined area, such as pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and blood glucose level, and other physiological parameter observation systems for observing an electrocardiogram signal. It should be understood that it can be used.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 2 for constantly observing the temperature of a group of people in a building according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system 2 includes a remote control device 4 and a number of access stations 6 connected to the control device 4. The control device 4 may be a server computer. The access station 6 may be connected to the control device 4 via a dedicated line network or a local area network (LAN). The network may be a wired network or a wireless network. An example of a wireless network is a network according to the IEEE 802.11b specification. Each access station 6 of the system 2 has a unique station identifier (ID).

  The access station 6 is arranged to cover various places of the building. The access station 6 may be installed on each ceiling in various places. Each access station 6 has an operating range area, which is defined by a service area or cell 8 as a range. Each access station 6 has a first interface (not shown) that allows the access station 6 to connect to the network, and one or more temperature sensing devices within which the access station 6 is within its cell 8. Or a second interface (not shown) that allows communication with the thermometer 10. The first interface depends on the network type. The second interface may be for supporting a wireless type communication protocol that allows the access station 6 to communicate with multiple thermometers 10 simultaneously. Examples of such wireless types of communication protocols are the existing Bluetooth, wireless LAN, and IEEE 802.11b protocols.

  Alternatively, there may be a self-defined wireless protocol that uses amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, phase modulation, diffuse infrared signal modulation or infrared signal modulation. For example, using the Bluetooth protocol, the access station 6 can communicate with at most seven thermometers 10 at the same time. An access station 6 using such a protocol has a service area 8 with a radius of about 10 meters around the access station 6. In Bluetooth terminology, the access station 6 is a master device and the thermometer 10 is a slave device.

  Each thermometer 10 can at least intermittently transmit or broadcast a unique instrument identifier (ID) and measurement value corresponding to the body temperature measured as transmitted data. The access station 6 can retrieve or receive the data to be transmitted and add the station ID to the data to form a data packet that is forwarded to the controller 4. A thermometer 10 within each access station 6 and its service area 8 may be considered to form a piconet. When the thermometer 10 moves from the first cell 8 to the second cell 8, the thermometer's transmitted data is received by the access station 6 of the first cell 8, and then the second cell 8 's Received by another access station 6. The access station 6 in the second cell 8 then sends another data packet to the control device 4. Thus, as the person moves around in the building, the location of thermometer 10 may be tracked based on the station ID of the access station that receives the thermometer 10 transmission.

  In the control device 4, each received data packet is stored as a record of the body temperature information table 12 as shown in FIG. 2A. In addition to the instrument ID, station ID, and body temperature measurement, the time at which the packet is received is also included in the record 14. The time may also include a date. Such a body temperature information table 12 is shown in FIG. 2A. The body temperature information table 12 may be stored in the control device 4 in any storage device (not shown) such as a hard disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, or a tape. The controller 4 can process, analyze, organize and present these records using a software application. Examples thereof will be described later.

  Next, the thermometer 10 will be described in more detail. Each thermometer 10 includes a wireless communication module 22 connected to a temperature sensor 20 and a processor 24 as shown in FIG. 3A. The communication module 22 may include a transmitter (not shown) or a transceiver (not shown). The transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver. Each thermometer 10 also includes a device ID that can be read by the processor. The instrument ID may be connected by wiring in the thermometer 10 or may be programmed therein. The thermometer 10 may or may not include a display (not shown). A thermometer 10 without a display would be smaller and therefore more comfortable to wear on a person's body. For such a thermometer without a display, the temperature reading may be sent to and displayed on a Bluetooth enabled cell phone or PDA carried by a person. Alternatively, the measured value may simply be displayed on the display screen (not shown) of the control device 4 when the control device 4 receives a data packet transmitted by the thermometer 10.

  The temperature sensor 20 is any converter that can convert body temperature into a corresponding electrical signal. An example of such a transducer is a thermistor assembly. The processor 24 includes a built-in analog-to-digital (A / D) converter with associated software (not shown) that converts the electrical signal into a body temperature measurement. Under the control or instruction of the processor 24, the wireless communication module 22 can transmit the body temperature measurement and its appliance ID in the data packet. The thermometer 10 measures a body temperature at least intermittently and transmits a body temperature measurement value. In other words, the thermometer can continuously transmit data at intermittent or periodic intervals. In some embodiments, the thermometer 10 measures body temperature periodically, for example, every 10 seconds, and transmits a body temperature measurement value.

  FIG. 3B shows a plan view of the housing 25 of the thermometer 10. 3C and 3D are side views of the housing 25 of the thermometer 10 and are shown in a straight position and a bent position, respectively. The housing 25 has a first body portion 26 that houses the processor 24 and the wireless communication module 22. The housing 25 has a second temperature measuring portion 28 that supports the temperature sensor 20. The temperature measuring portion 28 is connected to the main body portion 26 via the flexible intermediate portion 30 and allows the thermometer 10 to be bent at the flexible intermediate portion 30. The flexible intermediate portion 30 may be a resilient material such as thermoplastic rubber, for example, and may allow the temperature measuring portion 28 to bend toward the body portion 26 to form a U-shape. In this position of the thermometer 10, the temperature sensor 20 faces outward.

  A holder 32 made of a hard material, such as hard plastic, for example, is provided to support the thermometer 10 during use for measuring temperature in a person's abdomen. FIG. 3E is a diagram of the holder 32. The holder 32 includes a clip 34 having two panels 36. On one panel 36 of the clip 34 are two projecting members 38 that define a pocket 40 and receive the body portion 26 of the thermometer 10. On the other panel 36 of the clip is a clasp (not shown) that receives and holds the temperature sensing end 28 in place when the thermometer 10 is bent and placed in the holder 32. Conveniently, the clip 34 is attached to the waist portion of a single pant so that the temperature sensor 20 contacts the person's abdomen. In this position, the thermometer body part 26 faces outward as viewed from a person.

  The arrangement of the system 2 used in a building that tracks the movement of a group of people in the building and observes the body temperature to indicate the position of a person who is detected to be in a healthy state such as fever is shown in FIG. Will be described next. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart consisting of the steps of the main procedure 50. The main procedure 50 begins at a “start” step 52 and proceeds to a “divide region” step 54. Therefore, access stations 6 are arranged at various locations in the building. With each access station 6 defining a cell 8, this arrangement helps to divide the building into identifiable cells 8. The operator enters a location where each access station 6 is located as a record 56 in the station location table 58 as shown in FIG. 2B. Each record 56 thus includes two fields, a station ID field and a location field. The station ID of the access station 6 serves as the location ID for the cell 8.

  The main procedure 50 then proceeds to a “provide a thermometer” step 60 where each person arriving at the entrance to the building is provided or provided with a thermometer 10. The instrument ID, the name of the person who received the thermometer 10 and the details of the contact are entered as a record 62 in the name table 64 shown in FIG. 2C. Each record 62 of this name table 64 thus includes an instrument ID field, a name field, and a contact details field. The person is caused to wear the thermometer 10 supplied so that the body temperature can be measured at least intermittently using the thermometer 10.

  The main procedure 50 then proceeds to the step 66 of “measure and send body temperature”. Therefore, the thermometer 10 measures the person's body temperature at least intermittently, and transmits a measurement value corresponding to the body temperature together with the instrument ID.

  If the person wearing the thermometer 10 enters the cell 8 adjacent to the entrance, the main procedure 50 then proceeds to a “receive and forward” step 68. The access station 6 that covers the cell 8 receives the transmission data of the thermometer 10. As described above, the access station 6 then transfers the data together with its position ID in the data packet to the control device 4. In this way, the readout and instrument ID are associated with the position ID.

  When the controller 4 receives the data packet transferred by the access station 6, the main procedure 50 then proceeds to the “Process Information” step 70. Using the information obtained in the data packet, the control device 4 can know the position of the person in the building at the cell level.

  Details of how the information is processed in the control device 4 will now be described. As soon as the “process information” step 70 is entered, the main procedure 50 proceeds to a “body temperature measurement is low?” Determination step 72. Therefore, the control device 4 determines whether the body temperature measurement value of the data packet is less than the low threshold. If it is determined that the temperature reading is below the low threshold, the main procedure 50 proceeds to a “generate warning message” step 74. Therefore, the control device 4 generates a first warning message based on the information collected from the various tables 12, 58, 64. The control device 4 displays a first warning message on the display screen of the control device 4. The controller 4 may also send a first warning message to a selected recipient, such as an operator, via a communication network such as public paging or a mobile communication network (not shown).

  A “body temperature measurement is low?” Determination step 72 may be used to detect whether the thermometer 10 is properly worn by a person. In this case, the low threshold value may be set to a body temperature of 32 ° C., which is lower than the normal heat range of 36.5 to 37.2 ° C. If the thermometer 10 is not properly worn or will be removed from a person, the temperature reading will be below the low threshold. For such a condition, the first warning message is, for example, “Usage warning: Mr. A's body temperature is 31.9 ° C. on April 2, 2003 at 1:25 pm. You may be in conference room B. " Alternatively, it may simply be “Usage warning: Mr. A in conference room B may not have his thermometer properly worn”. The operator receiving such a message may then approach Mr. A to ensure that he is properly wearing his thermometer. The main procedure 50 then proceeds to the “input record” step 76, which will be described immediately.

  If it is determined in the determination step 72 that the measured body temperature is low ?, the main procedure 50 proceeds to the determination step 78 in which the measured body temperature is high? Therefore, the control device 4 compares the thermometer 10 with a high threshold value and determines whether or not the measured body temperature value is above the high threshold value. The high threshold may be set to 38 ° C. If it is determined that the temperature reading is above the high threshold value, the main procedure 50 proceeds again to the “Generate warning message” step 74. In step 74, the control device 4 recognizes from the station ID that the cell 8 is adjacent to the entrance of the building, and sends a second warning message to the security personnel stationed at the entrance. Indicates that the person wearing 10 has a body temperature higher than the acceptable body temperature. This second warning message may be “reject entry: Mr. A has a body temperature of 38.5 ° C.”. The security personnel may respond to the second warning message by, for example, attending to a person who is to be examined more fully by a doctor.

  If it is determined in the determination step 78 that the measured temperature value of the thermometer 10 is equal to or lower than the high threshold value, the control device 4 does not send a warning message to the guard. The main procedure 50 then proceeds to the “input record” step 76. Therefore, the control device 4 generates a record of the body temperature information table 12 from the received data packet. The control device 4 updates the time field of the record with the reception time of the data packet by the control device 4 and associates the time with the other fields of the record 14. That is, each record of the body temperature information table includes an instrument ID, a body temperature measurement value, a station ID, and time information. In this way, the control device 4 captures the data packet in the record.

  As determined by steps 72, 78, if the second warning message is not received by security personnel at the entrance, the person is allowed to enter the building and move. The thermometer 10 transmits the measured temperature value and the device ID at least intermittently. For each transmission of the thermometer 10 received by one of the access stations 6, the main procedure 50 consists of a “measure and transmit” step 66, a “receive and forward” step 68 and a “process information”. Loop step 70. Over time, the control device 4 generates a number of records in the body temperature information table 12 for each thermometer 10. In this way, these records are available at the center position.

  One scenario for a person moving to conference room B in the building will now be described. Suppose a person's body temperature rises to 38.1 ° C while in conference room B. The access station 6 that covers the conference room B receives the temperature measurement value and the appliance ID of the human thermometer 10 as described above and transfers them to the control device 4. The control device 4 detects that the body temperature of the person is above the high threshold value in the determination step 78 of “the measured body temperature value is high?”. Next, the control device 4 determines from the data obtained from Tables 12, 58, 64, for example, “Fever warning: Mr. A has a body temperature of 38.1 ° C. at 1:25 pm on April 2, 2003. Is in conference room B. "generates a third warning message. Similar to the first warning message, a third warning message may be displayed on the display screen and / or sent to the operator. Upon receipt of this third warning message, the operator may inform security personnel or healthcare personnel to go to conference room B, accompany him to the designated area and isolate him. In this way, a person with heat may be identified and indicated in position.

  After the “Enter Record” step 76, the main procedure 50 proceeds to a “contact detection activated?” Determination step 80 where the controller 4 determines whether the operator has started a contact detection application or function. judge. This contact detection application may be automatically activated when it is assumed that the thermometer measurement received by the control device 4 has exceeded the high threshold. Alternatively, the function may be activated for the record selected by the operator. If it is determined in this step 80 that the contact detection function is activated, the main procedure 50 proceeds to a “perform contact detection” step 82. Therefore, the control device 8 performs the contact detection according to the contact detection procedure 84 as shown in FIG.

  The contact detection procedure 84 will now be described with reference to FIG. The contact detection procedure 84 begins at a “start” step 86. Therefore, the control device 4 extracts records in the body temperature information table 12 collected over a certain period. The period may be the past 10 days. The contact detection procedure 84 then proceeds to a “read record” step 88. Therefore, the control device 4 reads one record from the extracted records. The contact detection procedure 84 then proceeds to the “IDs match?” Determination step 90. Therefore, the control device 4 determines whether or not the instrument ID of the read record is equal to the instrument ID of the selected record. If it is determined that the IDs of the two records match, the contact detection procedure 84 proceeds to a determination step 92 for “additional recording available?”. If it is determined in the “ID match?” Determination step 90 that the instrument ID of the read record is not equal to the instrument ID of the selected record, the contact detection procedure 84 determines the “close ID?” Determination step 94. Proceed to Thus, the control device 4 determines whether the thermometer 10 having the instrument ID of the read record is in the vicinity or in physical proximity of the thermometer 10 having the instrument ID of the selected record. In one embodiment, if the read record is the same station ID and approximately the same time as the selected record, the thermometer 10 having the instrument ID of the read record has the instrument ID in the selected record. It is considered to be around 10. In another embodiment, a read record is recorded when the read record has approximately the same time as any one of all extracted records having the same location ID and the same instrument ID as the selected record. The thermometer 10 having the instrument ID is considered to be in the vicinity of the thermometer 10 having the instrument ID of the selected record.

  In this “close ID?” Determination step 94, if it is determined that the thermometer 10 from which the read record is obtained is not in physical vicinity of the thermometer 10 having the instrument ID of the selected record, the contact detection sequence. 84 proceeds to a decision step 92 for "additional recording available?" If it is determined that the two thermometers were in the same vicinity, the contact detection procedure 84 proceeds to a “make record” step 96. Therefore, the control device 4 keeps the read record in a contact detection table (not shown). The contact detection procedure 84 then proceeds to the “additional recording available?” Determination step 92. The control device 4 then determines whether there are more records to be read in the extracted records. If it is determined that there are additional records to be processed, the touch detection procedure 84 returns to the “read records” step 88. On the other hand, the contact detection procedure 84 ends at an “END” step 98.

  The control device 4 uses the record in the contact record table, more specifically, the device ID in the record, to access the name table 64 and generate a contact detection list (not shown). If the selected record is to be processed to cause the generation of the third warning message described above, the contact detection list will also appear on the display screen as “Detected contact: Mr. C It may be displayed as a message such as “I was with Mr. A in the meeting room B at 1:25 pm on April 2, 2003”. The operator reading the message may then act accordingly to contact or handle people whose name appears in the contact detection list in an quarantine order.

  In the system 2 described above, it is described that the thermometer 10 transmits data acquired by the access station 6 intermittently or periodically. Such intermittent or periodic data transmission, particularly including radio frequency transmission, may consume a valid battery and run out of battery in a short period of time. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize the number of transmissions by the thermometer 10 and save battery power.

  One method for minimizing the number of transmissions will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6A and 6B showing the main procedure 110 and the subordinate procedure 112 implemented in the controller 4 and the thermometer 10, respectively.

  The sub-procedure 112 of the thermometer 10 begins at a “start” step 114 where a temperature reading is obtained. Next, the subordinate procedure 112 proceeds to a determination step 116 for transmitting a measurement value? Therefore, the processor 24 determines whether or not the measurement value transmission instruction from the control device 4 has been received by the thermometer 10 before. If it is determined that a measurement value transmission instruction has been received, the subordinate procedure 112 proceeds to a “send data” step 118 where the thermometer 10 transmits data as described above.

  However, when it is determined that the measurement value transmission instruction has not been received, the subordinate procedure 112 proceeds to the “body temperature measurement value is high?” Determination step 120. The processor 24 then compares the body temperature measurement with the transmission threshold. If it is determined that the temperature reading is above the transmission threshold, the dependent procedure proceeds to “Send Data” step 118 to send the data as described above. Following the “send data” step 118, the dependent procedure 112 ends at an “end” step 122. If it is determined that the temperature reading is equal to or less than the transmission threshold, the subordinate procedure 112 proceeds to the “END” step 122 without using the thermometer 10 transmitting any data. Using such a series of operations, the thermometer 10 transmits data only when the person is suspected of producing heat, that is, when there is heat. The transmission threshold may be set to be less than or equal to the high threshold. For simplicity, the transmission threshold may be set to a fixed value for all people. For example, when the high threshold is set to 38 ° C., the transmission threshold may be set to 37.5 ° C.

  The corresponding main procedure 110 of the control device 4 will now be described. The main procedure begins at “Start” step 124. Therefore, the control device 4 receives the body temperature measurement value, the instrument ID, and the station ID from the access station 6 as described above. Next, the main procedure 110 proceeds to the “body temperature measurement value is high?” Step 126. Therefore, the control device 4 compares the measured body temperature value with the transmission threshold value. If it is determined that the body temperature measurement does not exceed the transmitted measurement, the main procedure 110 ends at an “END” step 128.

  However, if it is determined in the determination step 126 that the measured body temperature is high? That the measured temperature value exceeds the transmission threshold value, the main procedure 110 proceeds to the step 130 that issues a measurement value transmission instruction. Therefore, the control device 4 broadcasts a measurement value transmission instruction that can be received by the thermometer 10 in the cell 8 to the access station 6 from which the temperature measurement value is received. Alternatively, the control device 4 may instruct the other access station 6 or all the access stations 6 to transmit the measurement value transmission instruction. The main procedure 110 then proceeds to end step 128. Thus, the thermometer 10 in the cell 8 can receive the transmission measurement value instruction and transmit data.

  Next, a scenario will be described, and operations of the main procedure 110 and the subordinate procedure 112 will be described in detail. Suppose that Mr. A is with Mr. X, Mr. Y and Mr. Z in conference room B. At 1 pm, their body temperatures are all below the transmission threshold set at 37.5 ° C. Accordingly, their thermometer 10 and access station 6 in conference room B do not transmit any data. Next, at 1:25 pm, Mr. A's body temperature is detected by his thermometer 10 to be 37.6 ° C., which is above the transmission threshold of 37.5 ° C. Mr. A's thermometer 10 then transmits data including the temperature reading and its device ID according to the subordinate procedure 112. The access station 6 extracts the transmission as described above and transfers the transmission data together with the station ID to the control device 4. In accordance with the main procedure 110, the control device 4 detects that Mr. A's body temperature is above the transmission threshold value, and sends a measurement value transmission instruction to one or more access stations 6 that cover the conference room B. Mr. X, Mr. Y and Mr. Z thermometers 10 in the conference room B receive the measurement value transmission instructions, and they start transmitting their respective temperature measurement values and device IDs. One or more access stations 6 receive these transmissions and forward them to the controller 4. Using these transmission data, the control device 4 can capture data indicating who is in the vicinity of Mr. A or in the physical vicinity when it is detected that Mr. A's body temperature exceeds the transmission threshold.

  If the system 2 is simply suspected of producing heat, i.e., if it is fever or indicates the position of a person who is not properly wearing his / her thermometer 10, then the main procedure 110 and the subordinate procedure 112 described above are Not necessary. In such a case, after obtaining the temperature reading, the thermometer compares it with the TH1 threshold and the TH2 threshold. When it is determined that the measured body temperature value is higher than the TH1 threshold value or lower than the TH2 threshold value, the thermometer 10 transmits data and the control device 4 is in a standby state. On the other hand, the thermometer 10 does not transmit any data. The TH1 threshold may be the same as the high threshold of 38 ° C., and the TH2 threshold may be the same as the low threshold of 32 ° C.

  Other aspects of the system 2 described above may be improved. This aspect relates to the accuracy of body temperature measurements obtained from a person's abdomen. It is known that body temperature measured by placing the temperature measuring end 28 of the thermometer 10 in the oral cavity, ie, under the tongue of a person, provides a reasonably accurate indicator of the person's core body temperature. However, the oral method is not suitable for continuous body temperature observation. This is because it is uncomfortable and inconvenient to put the thermometer 10 in the mouth for a long period of time. There are certain parts of the human body that are more comfortable and convenient for continuous body temperature observation, such as the armpit, abdomen or wrist. However, measurements from these body parts usually do not give measurements that reflect core body temperature. The body temperature measured from these parts may be significantly lower (eg, 0.5 to 3 ° C.) than the body temperature measured from the oral cavity. One conventional means is to add a correction factor, which is an average value obtained from the population, to the measured body temperature obtained from a part of the body. For example, a correction factor of 0.5 ° C. may be added to the body temperature measured under the arm of 36.5 ° C. to give a temperature reading of 37 ° C. that is closer to the actual core body temperature. Since the difference in body temperature measured under the armpit and in the mouth varies from person to person, an accurate determination of core body temperature may not occur by using a single common correction factor. Therefore, it is desirable to determine the body temperature correction factor for each individual.

  FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a calibration procedure 132 for obtaining correction factors for use in thermometer 10 provided to a person. The calibration procedure 132 is started in a “start” step 134 when a calibration mode of the thermometer 10 is activated, for example by a person pressing a button (not shown) of the thermometer 10. The calibration procedure 132 then proceeds to “Measure oral body temperature” step 136. Therefore, the thermometer 10 instructs the thermometer 10 to be placed under the tongue of its mouth for the oral body temperature to be measured. The indication may be in the form of a pointed LED (not shown). The thermometer 10 may generate either an audible or visible warning signal to indicate that the oral body temperature is to be measured and prompt the person to place the thermometer 10 on their abdomen for the abdominal body temperature to be measured. Next, the person puts the thermometer 10 into the holder 32 and holds the holder 32 on his / her pants as described above. At this point, the calibration procedure 132 proceeds to the “Measure Abdominal Body Temperature” step 138 where the thermometer 10 measures the abdominal body temperature. The calibration procedure 132 then proceeds to a “calculate correction factor” step 140 where the thermometer 10 calculates a correction factor based on the oral body temperature and the abdominal body temperature. The correction factor may simply be the difference between the oral temperature and the abdominal temperature. The correction factor is stored in the thermometer 10.

  The calibration procedure 132 ends at an “end” step 142 where the thermometer 10 ends the calibration mode and switches to the body temperature observation mode. In the body temperature observation mode, after taking a body temperature measurement, the thermometer 10 adjusts it by including a correction factor, such as by adding it, before sending it. Thus, the adjusted body temperature measurements that are transmitted are closer to the core body temperature of the person. Such a calibration procedure 132 may be performed when a person is provided with the thermometer 10 at the entrance of the building, or when the person is allowed to enter the building after it is first determined that there is no heat. .

  Further aspects of the system 2 may be improved. This further aspect relates to the high threshold used to determine whether a person has a fever. System 2 is described above and has a single common high threshold for all people. Since normal heat differs from person to person, it may be desirable to determine a high threshold for each individual.

  One way to determine a person's high threshold is by statistically calculating the high threshold using the person's recently obtained temperature measurements. These most recently measured body temperature measurements may be stored in either the thermometer 10 or the control device 4.

  A threshold determination procedure 150 in the thermometer 10 that statistically calculates a high threshold for a person will now be described using FIG. The threshold determination procedure 150 begins at a “start” step 152. At that time, the person presses a button (not shown) on the thermometer 10 and then wears the thermometer 10. The method proceeds to a “periodic measurement” step 154 where the thermometer 10 measures and stores a person's temperature reading periodically, for example, every 10 seconds. Next, the procedure 150 proceeds to a “sufficient data collected?” Decision step 156. Therefore, the thermometer 10 determines whether or not the number of measured body temperature values has reached a predetermined number. If it is determined in step 156 that the number of measured body temperature values is less than the predetermined number, the procedure 150 determines that the measured number of measured values reaches a predetermined number, such as 100 measured values. Loop around waiting “sufficient data collected?” Decision step 156. When the number of measurements reaches a predetermined number, the procedure 150 ends the “sufficient data collected?” Determination step 156 and proceeds to the “calculate high threshold” step 158. In this step 158, the processor 24 of the thermometer 10 may calculate the person's high threshold using the following equation:

High threshold = μ + kσ
Here, μ is an average value, σ is a standard deviation of a predetermined number of measured values, and k is a positive number.

  The collected temperature readings are normally distributed and if k = 3, 99.9% of the temperature readings will then be lower than the high threshold calculated by the above equation.

  Alternatively, the high threshold value may be set so as to be simply the sum of the maximum values of the body temperature measurement value, for example, a margin value of 0.5 ° C. As an example, the maximum of the predetermined number of body temperature measurements is 37.5 ° C., and the resulting high threshold is 38 ° C. A single body temperature measurement may be used as well to determine the high threshold.

  The high threshold value may be input to the control device 4 by an operator, or may be transmitted to the control device 4 via the access station 6 using a designated data packet. If the control device 4 receives such a high threshold from the thermometer 10, the control device 4 uses this high threshold for further comparison in the main procedure 50 “body temperature measurement is high?” Determination step 78. Otherwise, the control device 4 simply uses the default common high threshold available at the control device 4. The threshold determination sequence 150 ends with an end step 160.

  It should be noted that the method of determining the high threshold just described is equally applicable for determining other above thresholds such as low threshold, transmission threshold, TH1 and TH2 thresholds, for example. .

  It should also be noted that the method for determining the high threshold may be implemented in the control device 4 instead of the thermometer 10. In such a case, the high threshold may be a single common high threshold that is determined based on temperature measurements received from all thermometers 10 whose measurements are captured by the control device 4. .

  Although the invention is described as being implemented in the above-described embodiments, it should not be construed as limited in this way. For example, it is not necessary for the system to include multiple access stations 6. A system that includes only a single access station 6 functions similarly. In such a case, the access station 6 may be integrated with the control device 4. That is, the access station 6 communicates with the controller 4 via an internal bus rather than via a physical communication link. Such systems may be deployed, for example, at buildings, bureaus, hospital entrances, and airport immigration checkpoints or border checkpoints. When so deployed, the system is used to simply “scan” the body temperature of people passing through these checkpoints, rather than detecting their location. A person who passes one of these checkpoints is required to measure his / her temperature using a thermometer as described above. The thermometer reading is transmitted to the access station. The control device sequentially receives body temperature measurements via the access station. If the controller determines that the measured value is above a predetermined high threshold, then the person is denied entry, and a therapeutic measure is taken, such as having the person consult a doctor and remain in isolation. May be.

  As another example, a system for home use may include a mobile phone or personal digital personal digital assistant (PDA) that can use Bluetooth as a control device. In such a case, a Bluetooth repeater may be used as an access station. A Bluetooth repeater is an instrument that simply retransmits the signal received by the Bluetooth repeater. The thermometer of such a system includes a Bluetooth transceiver.

  As yet another example, the thermometer may further include an emergency button that may be activated for the thermometer and send an emergency request for medical attention including the instrument ID of the thermometer. The access station near the thermometer receives the transmitted emergency request and forwards it along with its station ID to the controller. As soon as the controller receives the emergency request, it displays a message on the display screen. The message may be “Warning: Mr. A in conference room B needs immediate attention. Message was recorded at 1:25 pm on April 2, 2003.” The operator can then convene health care personnel immediately to take care of Mr. A.

  As another example, the thermometer includes a unique device ID and doubles as a security access device. For example, when a person carrying a thermometer approaches the entrance to the security area, the access station at the entrance authenticates the instrument ID and thus allows or does not allow the person to approach.

  As yet another example, dividing an area into cells may include placing transmitters at each of several locations in the building. Each transmitter is used to transmit a respective location identifier as a beacon. As each instrument moves to a location, the instrument can receive the transmitted location identifier and correlate with the measurement and the time at which the measurement is obtained using the instrument. Each time a measurement is taken, the associated measurement, time and location identifier may be transmitted by the instrument to the remote location. Alternatively, the associated measurement, time and location identifier along with the instrument identifier may be stored on the instrument and uploaded at a remote location at a later time. Despite the fact that the latter implementation does not allow for immediate detection, identification and location of a person in a certain health state, the data collected and stored in the instrument is the exact one that the person has that health condition. Sometimes people who were in physical proximity to the person can then be identified. The data may also be used to identify people who have been in physical proximity with the person for a selected period of time before being subsequently detected as having the health condition. The location identifier may also be information recorded on the tag at each location of the building. In such cases, a thermometer may be used to read the tag. When a thermometer is used as a security access device as described above, a location identifier may be sent to the thermometer as it is used to access each location.

1 is a schematic diagram of a system that includes multiple access stations that capture at least one physiological parameter and movement within an area of at least one person and are connected to a controller, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. . It is a figure which shows the recording table memorize | stored in the control apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows another recording table memorize | stored in the control apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows another recording table memorize | stored in the control apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a block diagram of a thermometer that allows the access station of FIG. 1 to receive its data transmission. It is a figure which shows the top view of the housing | casing for thermometers of FIG. 3A. It is a figure which shows the side view of the housing | casing of FIG. 3A. It is a figure which shows another side view of the housing | casing of FIG. 3A. 3B is an isometric view of the thermometer holder shown in FIGS. 3B, 3C and 3D. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the main procedure of the step which operate | moves the system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the contact detection procedure implemented in the control apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure implemented in a control apparatus in order to reduce the data transmission of a thermometer. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure performed in a thermometer in order to reduce the data transmission of a thermometer. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which determines a physical advantage correction factor. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which determines the individual threshold value about a certain person.

Claims (29)

A method for capturing and observing at least one physiological parameter of at least one person and movement within a region, comprising:
Dividing the region into cells each having a location identifier;
Providing each person with their own instrument for measuring at least one physiological parameter of each person, said physiological parameter indicating whether said person is in a certain health state, each instrument having an instrument identifier; ,
Measuring at least intermittently each person's physiological parameters using their own instrument to obtain physiological parameter measurements for each measurement;
Associating each selected number of physiological parameter measurements with at least a selected number of instrument identifiers of each of the instruments by a respective location identifier and time of the cell from which the physiological parameters are obtained;
Storing the associated physiological parameter measurement, instrument identifier, location identifier and time;
A method comprising the steps of: The observation is performed from a remote location,
The method comprises
The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the associated physiological parameter measurement, instrument identifier, location identifier, and time to the remote location for storage there.   3. The method of claims 1 and 2, further comprising the step of comparing the physiological parameter measurement with a first predetermined physiological parameter threshold to determine whether the person is properly wearing the device.   Further comprising identifying and indicating a location of the person using the device identifier and the location identifier associated with a physiological parameter measurement if it is determined that the person is not properly wearing the device. Item 4. The method according to Item 3.   5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of comparing the physiological parameter measurement with a second predetermined physiological parameter threshold to determine whether the person is in a state of health.   The method further comprising identifying and indicating the location of the person using the instrument identifier and the location identifier associated with the physiological parameter measurement when the person is determined to be in the health condition. 5. The method according to 5.   7. A method according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the second predetermined physiological parameter threshold is individually predetermined.   The physiological parameter measurement value is adjusted according to a physiological parameter correction factor individually determined for the person, and then the adjusted physiological parameter measurement value is used as the first or second predetermined physiological period. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of comparing with a dynamic parameter threshold. Matching a time and location identifier associated with at least one physiological parameter measurement measured from a respective instrument of at least one other person with the time and location identifier of the identified and indicated person When,
Identifying, if there is a match, that the other person was in the physical vicinity of the person previously identified and located;
The method according to claim 6, comprising: A system for capturing and observing at least one physiological parameter and movement within an area of at least one person,
A remote control device;
At least one installed in a spatial arrangement within the region and dividing the region into respective cells, each having a respective station identifier, connected to the controller and attached to the first person Receiving physiological parameter measurements and respective instrument identifiers from one physiological parameter measuring instrument, and using the received physiological parameter measurements and instrument identifiers together with their station identifiers to the controller. Multiple access stations featuring; and
The system wherein the time at which the physiological parameter measurement, the instrument identifier, the station identifier, and the physiological parameter measurement were acquired by the instrument is stored in a first record in the controller.   Using the control device to compare the physiological parameter measurement with a first predetermined physiological parameter threshold to determine whether the first person is properly wearing the device; 11. A system according to claim 10, characterized in that   The controller is further used to provide information corresponding to the instrument identifier and the location identifier associated with the physiological parameter measurement, and determining that the first person is not wearing the instrument properly 12. The system of claim 11, wherein when identified, the first person is identified and located.   The controller is used to compare the physiological parameter measurement with a second predetermined threshold to determine whether the first person is in a certain health state. The system according to 10 to 12.   The controller is further used to provide information corresponding to the instrument identifier and the location identifier associated with the physiological parameter, and when the first person is determined to be in the healthy state, the first 14. The system of claim 13, wherein one person is identified and located.   15. The system of claims 13 and 14, wherein the second predetermined physiological parameter threshold is predetermined individually for the first person.   The physiological parameter measurement is adjusted and individually compared to the first person before comparing the adjusted physiological parameter measurement to either the first or second physiological parameter threshold. 16. The system according to claim 11, comprising a physiological parameter correction factor to be determined.   The control device is used to match the date, time and location identifier of at least another record obtained from each other instrument of at least one other person with the date, time and location identifier of the first record 17. A system according to any of claims 14 to 16, wherein if there is a match, it identifies that at least one other person is in physical vicinity of the first person.   If the control device is used to determine if the first person is not wearing the appliance properly or is in a healthy state, a warning message is generated and the warning message is 18. A system according to any one of claims 11 to 17, comprising information corresponding to the station identifier and the instrument identifier.   19. The system of claim 18, wherein the warning message is sent to a predetermined recipient via a communication network to which the controller is connectable.   The system of claim 19, wherein the communication network is a public communication network.   21. System according to claim 10-20, wherein the controller is used to instruct the instrument to transmit its instrument identifier and physiological parameter measurements measured with the instrument.   The controller is used to instruct the appliance by broadcasting a corresponding instruction via at least one selected access station, the instruction being within a service area of the at least one selected access station. The system according to claim 21, wherein reception is possible with all devices.   At least one physiological parameter measuring instrument attached to the first person and observing at least one physiological parameter of the first person, each instrument having an instrument identifier in the cell 23. A system according to any of claims 10 to 22, further comprising being connected to each access station of the cell at a time. A physiological parameter measuring instrument,
A converter,
A transmitter,
Connected to the transducer and the transmitter to control the transducer to measure a human physiological parameter at least intermittently and determine that the measured value is at least deviated from a predetermined threshold A processor for controlling the transmitter to transmit a measurement corresponding to the measured physiological parameter when
Including measuring instruments.   And further comprising a receiver connected to the processor, wherein the measurement is transmitted only when the measurement receives an indication that the processor does so via the receiver. 25. A device according to claim 24. A first part;
A second part;
A flexible intermediate portion connected between the first portion and the second portion;
26. The instrument of claims 24 and 25, further comprising a housing having a housing.   27. The appliance according to claim 24, wherein the appliance is a thermometer.   28. The instrument of claim 27, wherein the processor, the transmitter and the receiver are housed in the first housing portion and the transducer is supported by the second housing portion.   The first and second portions are bendable toward each other and define a U-shaped device that catches on a part of clothing, and the transducer contacts the person's abdomen and measures body temperature there 30. The device of claim 28.

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