JP2024055227A - Bedside table linked content distribution method, system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To more reliably identify a device to be used by a user at the bedside. [Solution] The present invention is a bedside table linked content distribution method executed by a computer system, comprising the following steps: The bedside table linking step obtains a correspondence A between a user ID and a bedside table ID in cooperation with another system. The device management step manages a correspondence B between the bedside table ID and a "device ID of a distribution device". The approval/rejection management step manages a correspondence C between a user ID and "approval/rejection information for content distribution". The information processing step queries the user ID against the correspondence A to obtain a bedside table ID, queries the bedside table ID against the correspondence B to obtain a device ID, queries the user ID against the correspondence C to obtain approval/rejection information, and determines the approval/rejection information corresponding to the device ID. The setting step sets usage rights for content distribution based on the approval/rejection information corresponding to the device ID, for the distribution device indicated by the device ID. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a bedside table linked content distribution method, a bedside table linked content distribution system, and a bedside table linked content distribution program.

Technology has been known in hospitals to control whether bedside devices can be used.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that "obtains the correspondence between patients and bed numbers from another system, identifies the beds being used by patients based on the obtained correspondence, and automatically sets the use/non-use of devices at the bedside of the identified bed for each patient."

JP 2021-77050 A

In the technology of Patent Document 1, a bedside device is identified based on a bed number. In order for such identification to be possible, the combination of a "bed" and a "bedside device" needs to be fixed.
However, in hospitals, both the "bed" and the "bedside equipment" are transported independently, so the combination of the two is not always consistent.
Therefore, with the technology of Patent Document 1, even if the bed number can be correctly traced from the correspondence between the patient and the bed number, there are cases in which the bedside device cannot be correctly identified from the bed number.
In this case, a problem occurs in that the usage rights of the device used by the patient at the bedside cannot be correctly set.

Patent document 1 does not disclose or suggest any of these problems, nor does it disclose any means of solving them.

The present invention aims to provide a technology that enables users to more reliably identify the devices they use at their bedside.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a bedside-linked content distribution method in which a computer system controls a content distribution device (hereinafter referred to as a "distribution device") used at a bedside table, and includes the following steps.
The bedside table linking step involves linking data with another system to obtain a correspondence relationship (hereinafter referred to as "correspondence relationship A") between "a user ID unique to a user" and "a bedside table ID unique to the bedside table."
The device management step manages a correspondence relationship between the bedside table ID and a "device ID unique to the distribution device" (hereinafter referred to as "correspondence relationship B").
The approval/rejection management step manages a correspondence relationship between the user ID of the user and the approval/rejection information regarding the content distribution by the distribution device by the user (hereinafter referred to as "correspondence relationship C").
The information processing step obtains the acceptance/rejection information corresponding to the device ID by querying the user ID against the correspondence relationship A to obtain the bedside table ID, querying the acquired bedside table ID against the correspondence relationship B to obtain the device ID, and querying the user ID against the correspondence relationship C to obtain the acceptance/rejection information.
The setting step sets, for the distribution device indicated by the device ID, usage authority for the content distribution based on the approval/denial information corresponding to the device ID.

The present invention allows users to more reliably identify the devices they use at their bedside.

Issues, configurations and effects other than those described here will be made clear in the description of the embodiments below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the bedside table linked content delivery system 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flow chart (first half) showing the processing for an inpatient upon admission. FIG. 4 is a flow chart (second half) showing the processing for an inpatient upon admission. FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of setting the usage authority for the device 92X. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the process for transferring a patient to another bed. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to authority setting of the distribution device 800. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of setting authority of the broadcasting device 800. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks related to channel selection of the distribution device 800. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen of the distribution device 800. As shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of viewing restriction by distribution device 800.

Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
In this explanation, in order to clarify the subject of the action, the action corresponding to "xx step" in the claim will be described as an action mainly performed by "xx part".

About the overall structure
The first embodiment is an embodiment in which the device is installed in medical institutions such as hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, nursing care institutions such as nursing homes, and recuperation spaces in private homes.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the first embodiment roughly comprises a bedside table linked content distribution system 100, a medical care support system 200, a distribution control unit 300, an automatic billing system 400, and a medical care area 900. Each of these components is connected for communication via a wired or wireless network NN as necessary.

Of these configurations, the treatment area 900 is equipped with a bed 910 and a bedside table 920.

Bed 910 is equipped with sensors, medical equipment, nursing care equipment, etc. (not shown). These bed-equipped devices are communicatively connected to medical care support system 200. By controlling the bed-equipped devices, medical care support system 200 realizes collaboration with medical institutions and medical care support for the user.

The bedside table 920 includes a distribution device 800, a refrigerator 922, a valuables storage unit 923, a media playback device 924, a remote power tap 925, and a communication adapter 926.

The distribution device 800 has a function of playing back the video and audio of the content being distributed.
The refrigerator 922 is primarily used by the user to refrigerate and freeze food and beverages.
The valuables storage section 923 is used by the user to store valuables and has a lock function.
The media playback device 924 is used to play video content and the like for children on the distribution device 800 .
The remote power tap 925 has multiple outlets and has a function of controlling the on/off switching of the power supply for each outlet via a communication connection.

The communication adapter 926 is equipped with a communication means capable of limiting the communication range, such as a wired LAN connection, BLUETOOTH (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), short-range wireless, or power line communication. The communication adapter 926 uses this communication means to mediate a communication connection between the bedside table linked content distribution system 100 and devices near the bedside table 920. In this mediation process, the communication adapter 926 functions as an "authentication unit" that authenticates nearby devices through communication.

In the following, for the sake of simplicity, the various devices placed on the bedside table 920 may be broadly divided into a distribution device 800 and other devices to be used 92X.

Configuration of the bedside table linked content delivery system 100
Next, the inside of the bedside table linked content delivery system 100 will be described by function.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the bedside table linked content delivery system 100. As shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the bedside table linked content distribution system 100 includes a bedside table linking unit 110, a device management unit 120, a consent management unit 130, an information processing unit 140, a setting unit 150, and a billing unit 160.

Of these, the bedside table linking unit 110 obtains a correspondence between the "user ID uniquely assigned to a user of the treatment area 900" and the "bedside table ID uniquely assigned to the bedside table 920 used by the user" (hereinafter referred to as "correspondence A") by data linking with other systems (e.g., the medical treatment support system 200). Such correspondence A may be obtained by data linking with systems such as the facility's admission and discharge management and electronic medical records, in addition to the medical treatment support system 200. The timing of data linking of correspondence A can be selected as appropriate, such as at regular intervals, for each event (admission, discharge, transfer, etc.), each time the data of correspondence A is changed, or constantly.

The device management unit 120 manages the correspondence between the "bedside table ID" and the "device ID uniquely assigned to each of the distribution device 800 and the utilization device 92X placed on the bedside table 920" (hereinafter referred to as "correspondence B").

Furthermore, the device management unit 120 includes a device authentication unit 121 and a registration update unit 122.

The device authentication unit 121 in the device management unit 120 performs authentication processing by communication with devices (such as the distribution device 800 and the user device 92X) near the bedside table 920 via an authentication unit such as a communication adapter 926 arranged on the bedside table 920, and identifies the device IDs of the devices.

The registration update unit 122 registers or updates the correspondence B between the bedside table ID and the device ID based on the device ID identified by the authentication process of the device authentication unit 121.

The device management unit 120 may also register or update the correspondence relationship B in cooperation with an input terminal or other systems.

The consent management unit 130 acquires the user's intention (confirmation information) regarding whether to use or not use the distribution device 800 and the utilization device 92X for each user ID, and manages it as a correspondence relationship (hereinafter referred to as "correspondence relationship C").

This kind of consent/rejection information is input via an input terminal such as a PC, tablet terminal, dedicated terminal device, or a user-owned information terminal (smartphone app). The input terminal for this purpose is placed in a place where the user can be served (such as the facility's reception desk, a nurse's center, or the user's handheld) or in a system management room. The consent/rejection information here may be input by, for example, a staff member at the facility or system management side, or by the user themselves through self-service or questionnaire input format.

The information processing unit 140 queries the user ID against correspondence relationship A to obtain a bedside table ID. The information processing unit 140 queries the obtained bedside table ID against correspondence relationship B to obtain a device ID. The information processing unit 140 queries the user ID against correspondence relationship C to obtain approval/rejection information. Through these step-by-step query processes, the information processing unit 140 obtains approval/rejection information for each device ID.

The setting unit 150 sets the usage authority for content distribution based on the approval/rejection information for the distribution device 800 indicated by the device ID. In addition, the setting unit 150 sets the usage authority for the device 92X indicated by the device ID based on the approval/rejection information.

The billing unit 160 manages billing information for the use of the distribution device 800 and the utilization device 92X for each user ID.

The bedside table linked content distribution system 100 described above is configured as hardware such as a computer system equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory. This hardware executes the bedside table linked content distribution method by executing a bedside table linked content distribution program stored in a computer-readable medium.

Some or all of this hardware may be replaced with a dedicated device, a machine learning machine, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), etc.

In addition, a cloud system may be configured by concentrating or distributing some or all of the hardware and programs on a server on a network, allowing the bedside table linked content distribution method to be provided to multiple clients.

《Explanation of the processing operations at the time of admission》
Next, the operation of the bedside table linked content delivery system 100 for a user (hereinafter referred to as an "inpatient") at the time of hospitalization or admission will be described. In a case where the bed 910 or the bedside table 920 is sold or rented to a private home, "at the time of hospitalization" corresponds to the stage at which the bed 910 or the bedside table 920 is installed and introduced into the private home, and the "inpatient" corresponds to the user who starts using the bed 910 or the bedside table 920.

3 and 4 are flow charts for explaining the processing operations at the time of admission.
The following description will be given in the order of the step numbers shown in FIG.

Step S101: The bedside table linkage unit 110 establishes a communication connection with the medical care support system 200 via the network NN.

The medical care support system 200 is a system that supports monitoring of the medical condition by controlling sensors, medical equipment, wearable devices, etc. attached to the bed 910, managing vital information data, and issuing necessary alarms.

Step S102: In order for the medical care support system 200 to perform data management of vital signs and issue warnings for each individual user without error, necessary information about hospitalized patients is input appropriately from the system at the installation site or a contracted party.

The bedside table linking unit 110 links some of this information with the medical care support system 200 to obtain a user ID that is uniquely assigned to the hospitalized patient and a bedside table ID that is unique to the bedside table 920 used by the hospitalized patient at the bedside. The bedside table linking unit 110 associates the user ID with the bedside table ID to generate data for correspondence A (for hospitalized patients).

Step S103: The device authentication unit 121 in the device management unit 120 performs authentication processing between the devices (distribution device 800, refrigerator 922, valuables storage unit 923, media playback device 924, remote power tap 925, communication adapter 926, devices brought in by the user, etc.) located near the bedside table 920 used by the inpatient, via the communication adapter 926 of the bedside table 920.

Here, in the case of devices that do not have an authentication function, the device authentication unit 121 may complete the authentication process for the devices by performing wireless communication between a wireless circuit (containing the device ID and device-related information) such as a wireless tag attached to or built into the device body and the communication adapter 926.

Based on the results of the above authentication process, the device authentication unit 121 individually identifies the device IDs of the devices (such as the distribution device 800, the refrigerator 922, the valuables storage unit 923, the media playback device 924, the remote power tap 925, and devices brought in by the user).

Step S104: The registration update unit 122 in the device management unit 120 associates the device ID of each identified device with the bedside table ID of the bedside table 920 used by the inpatient. The registration update unit 122 registers or updates the result of the association as the latest association relationship B (for the inpatient).

Step S105: The consent management unit 130 acquires consent information regarding use or non-use of each device for the inpatient at an appropriate timing in response to input operations from an input terminal or the like.

Step S106: The consent/rejection management unit 130 associates the acquired "consent/rejection information for each device" with the user ID. The consent/rejection management unit 130 manages the association result as association relationship C (for hospitalized patients).

Step S107: The information processing unit 140 queries the inpatient's user ID against correspondence A to obtain the bedside table ID of the bedside table 920 used by the inpatient.

Step S108: The information processing unit 140 checks the acquired bedside table ID against correspondence B to acquire the device IDs of the devices placed on the bedside table 920 (distribution device 800, refrigerator 922, valuables storage unit 923, media playback device 924, remote power tap 925, communication adapter 926, devices brought in by the user, etc.).

Step S110: The information processing unit 140 queries the inpatient's user ID against the correspondence relationship C, and obtains approval/disapproval information for each device placed on the bedside table 920 (distribution device 800, refrigerator 922, valuables storage unit 923, media playback device 924, remote power tap 925, communication adapter 926, device brought in by the user, etc.).

Step S111: The information processing unit 140 generates a group of combinations (for the inpatient) of device ID and consent/denial information for each piece of equipment placed on the bedside table 920 used by the inpatient.

Step S112: The setting unit 150 picks up a device ID from the generated combination group (for hospitalized patients).

Step S113: The setting unit 150 determines whether the type of the picked device ID is that of the distribution device 800. If the device ID is that of the distribution device 800, the setting unit 150 proceeds to step S114. On the other hand, if the type of the device ID is other than that of the distribution device 800, the setting unit 150 proceeds to step S115.

Step S114: The setting unit 150 sets the approval/denial information (content distribution usage authority) corresponding to the device ID for the distribution device 800 indicated by the device ID. The setting operation of the distribution device 800 here uses, for example, an EMM packet of B-CAS technology. (The setting operation of this EMM packet will be described in detail later.) When the setting operation here is completed, the setting unit 150 proceeds to step S116.

Step S115: The setting unit 150 sets the approval/disapproval information (authority to use the device) corresponding to the device ID for the device 92X (excluding the communication adapter 926) indicated by the device ID.

This setting operation will be described with reference to FIG.
5, the bedside table linked content delivery system 100 is communicatively connected to a remote power tap 925 to be controlled via a network NN and a communication adapter 926 (which may be a wired LAN connection). Each outlet of the remote power tap 925 supplies power to a refrigerator 922, a valuables storage unit 923, a media playback device 924, a device brought in by the user, and the like to be controlled.
The bedside table linked content delivery system 100 remotely controls the on/off of the power supply to each outlet of the remote power tap 925, thereby setting the usage authority based on the permission/denial information for each device. (Note that it is preferable to uniquely fix the outlet to which each device is connected, for example by attaching a device type sticker to each outlet of the remote power tap 925. In this case, it becomes possible to specify which outlet each device is connected to and which outlet should be remotely controlled, from the information on the device type indicated by the device ID.)
In addition, for the device 92X that can have its functions controlled through communication, the usage authority may be set by controlling the functions of the device 92X.
Upon completing the above setting operations, the setting unit 150 proceeds to step S116.

Step S116: The setting unit 150 determines whether picking up the device IDs for the generated combination group (for hospitalized patients) is complete. If picking up the device IDs is not complete, the setting unit 150 returns the operation to step S112. If picking up the device IDs is complete, the setting unit 150 advances the operation to step S117.

Step S117: The billing unit 160 manages the billing information associated with each user ID according to a predetermined billing rule. The billing rule here can be, for example, a flat-rate billing or a pay-per-use billing, which can be determined in advance by the facility. The billing unit 160 outputs the billing information for each user ID to the automatic billing system 400 at the appropriate time (such as at a fixed time every day or when the user is discharged from the hospital) via the medical care support system 200 as necessary.
Through the above series of operations, the process of setting the admission authority for an admitted patient is completed.

《Explanation of the processing operation when moving beds》
Next, the operation of the bedside table linked content delivery system 100 for a user (hereinafter referred to as a "bed-transferee") when transferring beds (including when transferring departments, wards, equipment, etc.) will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the processing operation during bed rolling.
The following description will be given in the order of the step numbers shown in FIG.

Step S201: The bedside table linkage unit 110 establishes a communication connection with the medical care support system 200 via the network NN.

The medical care support system 200 properly manages vital information data and issues alerts for each user, and necessary information about patients who have been transferred to another hospital is input from the system at the facility where the system is installed or from a subcontractor.

Step S202: The bedside table linking unit 110 links some of this information with the medical care support system 200 to obtain a user ID uniquely assigned to the patient who has been transferred and a bedside table ID unique to the bedside table 920 used by the patient at his/her bedside. The bedside table linking unit 110 associates the user ID with the bedside table ID to generate data on correspondence A (for the patient who has been transferred).

Step S203: The device authentication unit 121 in the device management unit 120 performs authentication processing between the devices (distribution device 800, refrigerator 922, valuables storage unit 923, media playback device 924, remote power tap 925, communication adapter 926, devices brought in by the user, etc.) located near the bedside table 920 used by the transferee via the communication adapter 926 of the bedside table 920.

Here, in the case of devices that do not have an authentication function, the device authentication unit 121 may complete the authentication process for the devices by performing wireless communication between a wireless circuit (containing the device ID and device-related information) such as a wireless tag attached to or built into the device body and the communication adapter 926.

Based on the results of the above authentication process, the device authentication unit 121 individually identifies the device IDs of the devices (such as the distribution device 800, the refrigerator 922, the valuables storage unit 923, the media playback device 924, the remote power tap 925, the communication adapter 926, and devices brought in by the user).

Step S204: If the device ID identified in step S203 has changed since the previous time, the registration update unit 122 in the device management unit 120 reassociates the changed device ID with the bedside table ID of the bedside table 920 used by the person who has been transferred to a new bed. Based on the result of the reassociation, the registration update unit 122 updates the correspondence relationship B (for the person who has been transferred to a new bed) to the latest state.
In addition, if the combination of the moving patient and the bedside table 920 does not change, and the device configuration of the bedside table 920 does not change, the above-mentioned steps S202 to S204 may be omitted.

Step S205: The consent/rejection management unit 130 acquires consent/rejection information on use/non-use for each device for the person who has changed beds at an appropriate timing in response to input operations from an input terminal, etc. Here, when new consent/rejection information is acquired, the consent/rejection management unit 130 updates the correspondence C (for the person who has changed beds) between the user ID of the person who has changed beds and the consent/rejection information for each device to the latest state.

Step S206: The information processing unit 140 determines whether there has been a change in the correspondence relationship A to C of the bed-changing person since the previous time.

If there is no change in the correspondence relationships A to C of the person who has changed beds since the previous time, it is assumed that the bedside table 920 that was used before the person changed beds is also moved to the new bed destination at the same time as the person changes beds. In this case, the distribution device 800 and the utilization device 92X that were placed on the bedside table 920 are also moved to the new bed destination. Therefore, the information processing unit 140 determines that it is not necessary to set new authority for the devices for the person who has changed beds, and completes the processing at the time of the bed change.

On the other hand, if at least one of the correspondence relationships A to C of the person who has been transferred to another bed has changed since the previous time, the information processing unit 140 determines that new authority settings for the devices are necessary for the person who has been transferred to another bed, and proceeds to step S207.

Step S207: The information processing unit 140 extracts the "device ID for which the acceptance/rejection information has changed since the previous time" for the bed-changing patient by tracing the previously changed association data for the association relationships A to C.

Step S208: For each device ID extracted in step S207, the setting unit 150 sets the authority for the device indicated by the device ID based on the new approval/rejection information corresponding to the device ID. (The operation related to the authority setting is the same as the operation in steps S113 to S115 described above, so a duplicate explanation will be omitted here.)

Step S209: The accounting unit 160 processes the accounting information linked to each user ID, similarly to step S117 described above.
This series of operations completes the process of setting authority for a person changing beds.

《Content distribution permission settings》
Next, the content distribution authority setting briefly described in step S114 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram relating to the authority setting for content distribution.
7, the distribution control unit 300 includes a distributor 310 , in-facility contents 320 , a viewing restriction unit 330 , and a distribution unit 340 .

Of these, the viewing restriction unit 330 includes a tuner 331, a demultiplexer 332, an EMM packet encoder 333, a multiplexer 334, and a modulator 335.

The distribution unit 340 also includes a mixer 341 and a distributor network 342.

The distributor 310 distributes the broadcast signal B1 (terrestrial digital broadcast, satellite broadcast, radio broadcast, etc.) received from a receiving antenna or coaxial cable to the number of tuners 331 in the viewing restriction unit 330 to which the signal is to be distributed, and outputs the signal after impedance matching. Generally, high frequency bands such as the 12 GHz band used for satellite broadcasting radio waves have a large attenuation loss on the cable wiring if used as is, so the frequency is converted to a specified intermediate frequency when the radio waves are received by the antenna.

The facility content 320 is a content server (located on the cloud or within the facility) for broadcasting unique content within the facility. For example, it supplies unique content that requires explanation to the user, such as a facility guide within the hospital or explanations at the time of admission, to the viewing restriction unit 330. Normally, such content is set as not subject to viewing charges, so users can view it free of charge without viewing restrictions.

The tuner 331 of the viewing restriction unit 330 demodulates the received broadcast signal for each broadcast channel and generates a transport stream (hereinafter also referred to as "TS") for each broadcast channel. Therefore, the number of tuners 331 required to demodulate the required number of broadcast channels approximately simultaneously is provided. Note that the number of tuners 331 required may be reduced by using tuners 331 capable of demodulating multiple channels simultaneously.

The demultiplexer 332 extracts the broadcast content (MPEG packets), ECM packets, and EMM packets that are multiplexed into the transport stream.

The EMM packet encoder 333 creates unique EMM packet data based on the management data of the bedside table linked content distribution system 100 and supplies it to the multiplexer 334.

The multiplexer 334 multiplexes EMM packets, broadcast content, and ECM packets by replacing, inserting, or adding new unique EMM packets, and outputs them as a transport stream.

The modulator 335 re-modulates the multiplexed transport stream into the assigned channel for independent broadcasting within the facility. Therefore, the number of modulators 335 required to modulate the required number of assigned channels approximately simultaneously is provided. Note that the number of modulators 335 required may be reduced by using modulators 335 capable of modulating multiple channels simultaneously.

The distribution unit 340 distributes the broadcast signal modulated to the assigned channel to multiple distribution devices 800. For this function, for example, the distribution unit 340 includes a mixer 341 and a distributor network 342.

In the internal configuration of this distribution unit 340, the mixer 341 outputs the content distribution BZ by multiplexing the modulated signals for each assigned channel.

The distributor network 342 distributes and transmits the content distribution BZ to multiple cables, and supplies the content distribution BZ to each distribution device 800 of each user (treatment area 900) within the facility.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of setting authority of the distribution device 800.
The following will be described in order of the step numbers shown in FIG.

Step S301: The setting unit 150 in the bedside table linked content distribution system 100 outputs, for each channel, to the EMM packet encoder 333, a request to create an EMM for restricting and lifting viewing restrictions together with the device ID of the distribution device 800.
When the EMM creation request is received, the EMM packet encoder 333 generates the next EMM packet by specifying the device ID of the broadcasting device 800 for which authority setting is to be performed as the destination.
(1) An EMM packet that displays a "viewing restriction message screen" on a channel that cannot be viewed. (2) An EMM packet that cancels the "viewing restriction message screen" on a channel that can be viewed.

Step S302: The tuner 331 in the viewing restriction unit 330 demodulates the received broadcast signal B1 for each broadcast channel to obtain a transport stream. The demultiplexer 332 extracts the broadcast content, ECM packets, and EMM packets multiplexed into the transport stream for each broadcast channel.

Step S303: The multiplexer 334 multiplexes the EMM packet generated in step S301 by replacing, inserting, or adding it to the EMM packet location in the transport stream of the target broadcast channel.

Step S304: The modulator 335 re-modulates the transport stream for each broadcast channel into the frequency band of the channel assigned to the facility's independent broadcast (channel conversion).

Step S305: The mixer 341 multiplexes the multiple broadcast signals that have been channel converted for each assigned channel to generate a content distribution BZ.

Step S306: The distributor network 342 distributes and transmits the content distribution BZ to multiple distribution devices 800 via a high-frequency transmission cable.

The above series of processes completes the setting of viewing rights on the content distribution side.

Next, the operation of parental restriction implemented in distribution device 800 will be described.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks related to channel selection of the distribution device 800.
9, a distribution device 800 includes a tuner 810, a control unit 820, a demultiplexer 821, a MULTI2 release unit 822, a markup processing unit 823, a B-CAS device 840, a video/audio processing unit 850, a display monitor 860, a speaker 870, a remote control light receiving unit 880, and a net connection unit 890. The remote control light receiving unit 880 is communicatively connected to a remote control terminal 881 by infrared communication or the like. The net connection unit 890 is communicatively connected to a network NN such as a LAN or the Internet via an access point 891.

The remote control light receiving unit 880 outputs a remote control channel number (virtual channel) such as 001 to 012 received from the remote control terminal 881 to the control unit 820. The control unit 820 assigns this remote control channel number to an assigned channel (physical channel) for independent broadcasting within the facility, and outputs the assigned channel selection instruction to the tuner 810.

The allocation of the remote control channel number to the assigned channel is carried out through the following three stages of conversion in order.
(1) Input of remote control channel number 001 to 012 (virtual channel) (2) Conversion to "broadcast channel (physical channel) for each broadcasting entity" (3) Conversion to "assigned channel (physical channel) for independent broadcasting within the facility" Therefore, the user of distribution device 800 can instruct the selection of the system's unique assigned channel by operating remote control terminal 881 in the same way as selecting a normal broadcast channel, without being aware of the system's unique assigned channel.

In addition, since there are no corresponding broadcast channels for the channels assigned to unique content within the facility, it is difficult to understand how to select a channel by operating the remote control terminal 881 alone.

In this case, the user can display the operation screen on the display monitor 860 of the distribution device 800 by pressing the data screen display button on the remote control terminal 881. Note that the operation screen may be displayed as a default on the display monitor 860 when the distribution device 800 is powered on.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of this operation screen.
Such an operation screen is a screen that is displayed by the markup processing unit 823 using a markup language such as BML (Broadcast Markup Language) or HTML5 (Hyper Text Markup Language 5).

On the left side of the operation screen, main items such as "Facility Guide," "Hospitalization Explanation," "Watch TV," "Play Radio," and "Use the Internet" are displayed in a selectable array. On the right side of the operation screen, detailed items corresponding to the selected main item are displayed in a selectable array.

Here, main items such as "Facility Guide," "Hospitalization Instructions," and "Using the Internet" as well as the detailed items below them can be assigned to unique content within the facility.

The user can use the directional pad, selection key, back key, etc. on the remote control terminal 881 to select main items and detailed items in stages.

The control unit 820 distributes the selection results on the operation screen from the markup processing unit 823 to assigned channels (physical channels) for independent broadcasting within the facility, and outputs the selection results to the tuner 810 as instructions to select the assigned channels.

By using the operation screen (see Figure 10) in this way, the user can select channels from the screen without having to worry about channel numbers, not only for assigned channels with corresponding broadcast channels, but also for unique content that is only broadcast within the facility.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of viewing restriction by distribution device 800.
The following description will be given in order of the step numbers shown in FIG.

Step S401: Control unit 820 of distribution device 800 accepts an instruction to select an assigned channel via remote control terminal 881 or an operation screen (see FIG. 10) as described above.
The tuner 810 demodulates the content distribution BZ in the frequency band of the assigned channel for which the tuning has been instructed, and obtains a transport stream of the assigned channel.

Step S402: The demultiplexer 821 separates the EMM packet from the transport stream and transmits it to the B-CAS device 840 installed in the distribution device 800.

Step S403: The B-CAS device 840 determines whether the device ID (non-encrypted portion) included in the EMM packet matches its own device ID. If they do not match, the B-CAS device 840 proceeds to step S408. On the other hand, if they match, the B-CAS device 840 proceeds to step S404.

Step S404: The B-CAS device 840 decrypts the EMM packet using the master key Km unique to the B-CAS device 840.

Step S405: If the decrypted EMM packet contains an instruction to start displaying the EMM message, the control unit 820 proceeds to step S406. On the other hand, if the decrypted EMM packet contains an instruction to deactivate the EMM message, the control unit 820 proceeds to step S407. Otherwise, the control unit 820 proceeds to step S408.

Step S406: The control unit 820 starts displaying an EMM message on the display screen of the assigned channel being selected. At this time, if the assigned channel is subject to viewing restriction, a viewing restriction message screen is displayed, and viewing is restricted.

Step S407: The control unit 820, in accordance with the instruction to release the viewing restriction in the EMM message, hides the EMM message for the viewable channel. As a result, the message screen for the viewing restriction that prevents viewing is no longer displayed on the display screen of the assigned channel being selected, and the user can view the channel.
Step S408: The control unit 820 completes the parental restriction process using the EMM packet, and proceeds to other processes.
Through the above series of processes, viewing restriction and removal of restriction on content distribution in distribution device 800 are appropriately performed.

Effects of the First Embodiment
The first embodiment provides the following effects due to the above-mentioned operations.

(1) In the technology of Patent Document 1 described above, the equipment placed at the bedside is identified based on the bed (bed number) and the usage authority (usage/non-use) of the equipment is set. However, since the "bed" and the "bedside equipment" are transported independently, the combination of the two is not necessarily constant. Therefore, even if the technology of Patent Document 1 can correctly trace the bed (bed number) from the correspondence between the patient and the bed number, it cannot necessarily identify the bedside equipment from the bed number.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment 1, the bedside table linking unit 110 cooperates with other systems to obtain a correspondence A between a user's unique user ID and the bedside table ID of the bedside table 920 used by the user. In addition, the device management unit 120 manages the correspondence between the bedside table ID and the device ID of the distribution device 800 and the utilization device 92X installed on the bedside table 920. Therefore, the information processing unit 140 can specify "the device (distribution device 800 and utilization device 92X) installed on the bedside table 920 used by the user" by performing a data inquiry of the correspondence A and the correspondence B. In this case, the device installed on the bedside table 920 is likely to be transported together with the bedside table 920, so the combination of the two is almost always constant.
Therefore, the first embodiment is advantageous in that information management is performed based on the bedside table 920 (bedside table ID), thereby enabling the user to more reliably and stably identify the device to be used at the bedside.

(2) In the first embodiment, the timing for rewriting the authority to use the device is determined when there is a change in at least one of the data in the correspondence relationships A to C.
Therefore, the first embodiment is advantageous in that the timing for rewriting the authority to use the device can be determined in a timely manner by monitoring data changes in the correspondence relationships A to C for which information is managed.

(3) Generally, the user's personal belongings are stored on the bedside table 920. Therefore, when the user moves to another bed, in order to avoid the trouble of storing and moving the personal belongings and the trouble of losing them, the bedside table 920 is often moved to the bedside of the user in hospitals, nursing homes, and the like.
In this way, if the bedside table 920 is moved when the user moves to another bed, no data change occurs in the correspondence relationship A (user ID ⇔ bedside table ID), correspondence relationship B (bedside table ID ⇔ device ID), and correspondence relationship C (user ID ⇔ consent/rejection information) in this embodiment 1. Therefore, when the user moves to another bed, it is not necessary in principle to rewrite the device's usage authority. Therefore, this embodiment 1 is superior in that it can reduce unnecessary rewriting of usage authority when the user moves to another bed by monitoring data changes in the correspondence relationships A to C that are managed and determining the timing for rewriting the device's usage authority.

(4) Furthermore, this embodiment 1 is advantageous in that it enables similar information management for the devices in use 92X (refrigerator 922, valuables storage unit 923, media playback device 924, remote power tap 925, and communication adapter 926, devices brought in by the user, etc.) in addition to the distribution device 800.

(5) Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, an authentication process is performed by communication with a device near the bedside table 920 via an authentication unit (such as the communication adapter 926) arranged on the bedside table 920, and device IDs are collected. In this embodiment 1, the correspondence relationship B (bedside table ID ⇔ device ID) is registered or updated based on the collected device IDs.
Therefore, the first embodiment is advantageous in that the registration or update of the correspondence relationship B (bedside table ID⇔apparatus ID) is automated.

(6) Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, the billing unit 160 manages the user ID of the user and the billing information of the user. Therefore, this embodiment 1 is advantageous in that it can perform billing management by user ID in conjunction with setting and managing usage rights by user ID.

(7) In this embodiment 1, the received broadcast content is converted to an assigned channel for independent broadcasting within the facility and distributed. The distribution device 800 within the facility is set in advance so that it can select the assigned channel for independent broadcasting within the facility. Therefore, the distribution control unit 300 can individually restrict and release the distribution device 800 within the facility using the EMM packet demodulated from the assigned channel.

(8) Furthermore, in the first embodiment, if distribution device 800 in the facility is reconnected to a broadcast receiving device brought in from outside, the facility’s unique assigned channel cannot be selected and viewing is not possible.
Generally, once the initial setup is complete, you cannot set the channels on a television or other device without reading the instructions to prevent the channel settings from being accidentally overwritten.
Therefore, it is difficult to set channels on broadcast receiving devices brought in from outside so that they can select the facility's own assigned channels. This makes it difficult to circumvent viewing restrictions by bringing in broadcast receiving devices from outside.

<Additional information, etc.>
The user ID in the above-described embodiment may be any ID information that can uniquely identify a user in a hospital facility, a care facility, a customer list, etc. Examples of the user ID may include an ID number on a hospital patient card or the read data thereof, an ID number on a resident card or the read data thereof in the case of a care facility, or a customer ID of a store or the like in the case of selling or renting beds 910 or bedside tables 920.
Furthermore, in hospitals and nursing care facilities, wristbands and the like are used as personal identification media for acquiring ID information for identifying a user. The data read from such personal identification media may be used as the user ID.

In addition, a personal ID determined from a personal identification number card, health insurance card, driver's license, mobile phone number, email address, machine-readable biometric authentication information, face authentication information, etc. can be used in place of a user ID.

In the above-described embodiment, the communication adapter 926 is used as the authentication unit, and authentication processing is performed by a communication means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any means capable of collecting a device ID can be used as the authentication unit. For example, a camera may be used as the authentication unit to classify the subject of a captured image, read characters mechanically, perform authentication processing using AI, or perform authentication processing using code reading such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark).

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the device ID of the communication adapter 926 is obtained, as with other device IDs. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In a situation where the bedside table 920 and the communication adapter 926 correspond uniquely, such as when the communication adapter 926 is fixed to the bedside table 920, the device ID of the communication adapter 926 (authentication unit) and the bedside table ID of the bedside table 920 can be made to be one (or can be converted). In this case, there is no need to obtain a separate device ID for the communication adapter 926. Furthermore, it is advantageous in that the communication adapter 926 can be uniquely identified using the bedside table ID, and authentication processing and permission settings for devices can be immediately performed.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, a case has been described in which viewing restriction is performed using a B-CAS device 840 (a B-CAS type device such as a B-CAS card or a B-CAS chip). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, viewing restriction may be performed using not only a content protection dedicated method or the ACAS method, but also other viewing restriction technologies.

In the above-mentioned first embodiment, a digital television is used as the distribution device 800. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A monitor device, a laptop computer, a tablet, a smartphone, etc. may also be used.

In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the case where content is distributed via cable wiring within a facility has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Content may also be distributed wirelessly, such as via Wi-Fi.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, a device ID is assigned to each device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the device ID of the device 92X to be used may be constructed from a combination of the device ID of the remote power tap 925 (a bedside table ID may be used instead) and the outlet number. In this case, it becomes possible to directly identify the remote power tap 925 and the outlet from the device ID of the device 92X to realize power control (on/off) of the device 92X to be used.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes various modified examples. For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to having all of the configurations described. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of embodiment 1 with other configurations.

92X...Usage device, 100...Bedroom table linked content distribution system, 110...Bedroom table linking unit, 120...Device management unit, 121...Device authentication unit, 122...Registration and update unit, 130...Acceptance/rejection management unit, 140...Information processing unit, 150...Setting unit, 160...Charging unit, 200...Medical care support system, 300...Distribution control unit, 310...Distributor, 320...In-facility content, 330...Viewing restriction unit, 331...Tuner, 332...Demultiplexer, 333...EMM packet encoder, 334...Multiplexer, 335...Modulator, 340...Distribution unit, 341...Mixer, 342...Distributor network, 400...Automatic Dynamic settlement system, 800...distribution device, 810...tuner, 820...control unit, 821...demultiplexer, 822...MULTI2 release unit, 823...markup processing unit, 840...B-CAS device, 850...video and audio processing unit, 860...display monitor, 870...speaker, 880...remote control receiver, 881...remote control terminal, 890...net connection unit, 891...access point, 900...treatment area, 910...bed, 920...bedside table, 922...refrigerator, 923...valuables storage unit, 924...media playback device, 925...remote power tap, 926...communication adapter, NN...network

Claims (6)

A bedside table linked content distribution method in which a computer system controls a content distribution device (hereinafter referred to as a "distribution device") used at a bedside table, comprising:
A bedside table linking step for acquiring a correspondence relationship between a "user ID unique to a user" and a "bedside table ID unique to the bedside table" (hereinafter referred to as "correspondence relationship A") by linking data with another system;
a device management step of managing a correspondence relationship between the bedside table ID and a "device ID unique to the distribution device" (hereinafter referred to as "correspondence relationship B");
an approval/rejection management step of managing a correspondence relationship between the user ID of the user and the approval/rejection information regarding the content distribution by the distribution device by the user (hereinafter referred to as "correspondence relationship C");
an information processing step of obtaining the approval/rejection information corresponding to the device ID by referencing the user ID to the correspondence relationship A to obtain the bedside table ID, referencing the obtained bedside table ID to the correspondence relationship B to obtain the device ID, and referencing the user ID to the correspondence relationship C to obtain the approval/rejection information;
a setting step of setting, for the distribution device indicated by the device ID, a usage right for the content distribution based on the approval/rejection information corresponding to the device ID;
A bedside table linked content distribution method comprising: 2. The hospital information linkage content delivery method according to claim 1,
The information processing step includes:
Detecting the device ID whose corresponding acceptance/rejection information has changed since the previous time, triggered by at least one of "a data change of the correspondence relationship A in the bedside table linking step,""a data change of the correspondence relationship B in the device management step," and "a data change of the correspondence relationship C in the acceptance/rejection management step,"
The setting step includes:
a bedside table linked content delivery method, comprising: changing a setting of a right of use for a device indicated by the device ID in which the approval/rejection information has changed from the previous time, based on the change in the approval/rejection information. 2. The bedside table linked content distribution method according to claim 1,
The device management step also manages the bedside table ID and the "device ID unique to the device" as the correspondence relationship B for the device used on the bedside table,
The approval/rejection management step includes managing the approval/rejection information relating to approval/rejection of the use of the utilization device by the user as the correspondence relationship C between the user ID of the user and the approval/rejection information;
the information processing step obtains the acceptance/rejection information corresponding to the utilization device indicated by the device ID by referencing the user ID to the correspondence relationship A, obtains the bedside table ID by referencing the obtained bedside table ID to the correspondence relationship B, and obtains the acceptance/rejection information for each device by referencing the user ID to the correspondence relationship C,
The setting step sets, for the use device indicated by the device ID, a device use authority based on the approval/denial information corresponding to the device ID.
A bedside table linked content distribution method. 4. The bedside table linked content distribution method according to claim 3,
The device management step includes:
a device authentication step of performing authentication processing between the bedside table and a device disposed on the bedside table via an authentication unit disposed on the bedside table to collect the device ID;
a registration/update step of registering or updating the correspondence B between the bedside table ID and the device ID based on the device ID collected by the authentication process. A bedside-linked content distribution system in which a computer system controls a content distribution device (hereinafter referred to as a "distribution device") used at a bedside table,
A bedside table linking unit that links data with another system to acquire a correspondence relationship between a "user ID unique to a user" and a "bedside table ID unique to the bedside table" (hereinafter referred to as "correspondence relationship A");
a device management unit that manages a correspondence relationship between the bedside table ID and a "device ID unique to the distribution device" (hereinafter referred to as "correspondence relationship B");
an approval/rejection management unit that manages a correspondence relationship between the user ID of the user and the approval/rejection information regarding the content distribution by the distribution device by the user (hereinafter referred to as "correspondence relationship C");
an information processing unit that obtains the approval/rejection information corresponding to the device ID by referencing the user ID to the correspondence relationship A to obtain the bedside table ID, referencing the obtained bedside table ID to the correspondence relationship B to obtain the device ID, and referencing the user ID to the correspondence relationship C to obtain the approval/rejection information;
a setting unit that sets, for the distribution device indicated by the device ID, a usage right for the content distribution based on the approval/rejection information corresponding to the device ID;
A bedside table linked content delivery system comprising: A bedside table linked content delivery program for causing a computer system to execute the bedside table linked content delivery method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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