KR20150010430A

KR20150010430A - Improvement-effect of brain-function system for dementia prevention and method thereof

Info

Publication number: KR20150010430A
Application number: KR1020130085451A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 강영진
Original assignee: (주)가바플러스
Priority date: 2013-07-19
Filing date: 2013-07-19
Publication date: 2015-01-28

Abstract

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for improving brain function so that a dementia patient can prevent dementia by using a treatment apparatus by himself or herself. To this end, a brain function enhancement contents storage unit for subdividing and storing contents for judging a degree of human brain activation, into a plurality of classification regions and levels, and a content selection unit for sorting contents according to a predetermined classification method; A sleep mode determination unit for determining a sleep mode when the user does not use the brain function enhancement system even after the predetermined period of time, A GPS unit for generating current position information of the user; And a communication unit for transmitting the current location information of the user to the guardian of the user.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a brain function system for dementia prevention and a method for operating the same,

The present invention relates to a brain function enhancement system for preventing dementia, and more particularly, to a system for diagnosing cognitive ability of a user, selecting learning contents, and training brain functions through selected contents.

According to the classification criteria of the DSM-V defined by the American Psychiatric Association, the brain area is divided into three categories: attention, spatio-temporal, memory, executive, language, can do.

The criteria for patients with dementia defined by the medical community is a case in which the above-mentioned brain region classification standard shows a remarkable loss of ability in three or more areas including memory.

Such dementia is a recent treatment method for treating or preventing the progress of dementia through drawing pictures to evaluate cognitive ability, puzzle matching provided in a game format, and communication.

It is pointed out that it is not analytical to assess the cognitive ability of demented patients because of the strong tendency to rely on the doctor's judgment of the current treatment modalities.

In addition, various treatment modalities are introduced to treat patients with dementia, but it is pointed out that it is difficult to approach the treatment progress or treatment results analytically because it is conducted through conversation by a person.

There is also the problem that the prevention of dementia is ineffective if a good prevention program does not periodically learn.

In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to cope with dementia patients in an emergency in case of elderly living alone.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for improving brain function so that a dementia patient can prevent dementia by using a treatment apparatus by himself.

In addition, the purpose of the dementia patient is to generate the patient's position immediately and notify the caregiver and the protection agency in case of an emergency in case of the dementia prevention system being operated.

In addition, the cognitive abilities of the patients classified as dementia are classified according to the subdivided criteria to diagnose the progress of the dementia disease, output contents for improving brain function suited to the degree of progress of dementia of the patient, It is the purpose of the system to derive the results.

Another object of the present invention is to notify the caregiver whether or not the dementia prevention program is executed, and to prevent the dementia by periodically executing the dementia prevention program.

Another object of the present invention is to notify the caregiver indirectly of the status of the elderly by informing the user whether or not the program for periodic dementia prevention is executed.

Other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following description of the embodiments.

The present invention relates to a brain function enhancement content storage unit for subdividing and storing a content for judging a degree of human brain function activation into a plurality of classification regions and levels and a method of classifying contents stored in the brain function enhancement content storage unit into a predetermined classification method An achievement level determining unit for assigning the user's achievement level according to the acquired score according to the feedback transmitted by the user to the content selected by the content selection unit, A sleep mode determination unit for determining a sleep mode if the user does not use the brain function enhancement system after a predetermined period of time; and a message generation unit for generating a message informing a guardian of the user in the sleep mode, A GPS unit for generating current position information of the user in the sleep mode; And a communication unit for transmitting the message and the current location information of the user to the guardian of the user.

Here, the content selector may convert the content into a score by a weight on a level-by-level basis, and may select the content so that the sum of the scores reflecting the weight is constant for each region.

Here, the content selection unit may be configured to select a content having a predetermined level or higher according to the achievement level of the user determined by the achievement degree determination unit.

Here, if the user delivers two or more consecutive correct answers or wrong answers to the selected content, the content change control unit controls the content selection unit to newly adjust and select the level. And further comprising:

Here, the diagnostic result calculation unit may be configured to display the user's achievement according to the classification region according to a predetermined classification criterion. And a diagnostic result storage unit for classifying the user's achievement level for each region and period and storing the classified results; And further comprising:

Here, the content selector may be configured to select the content based on the area and level manually assigned by the user.

Herein, a user information storage unit for inputting personal information of a plurality of users, assigning a unique identification character to each user, and correlating and storing the performance information diagnosed to each user; And further comprising:

Here, an alarm unit including at least one of a lighting device, an audio device, and a vibration device; And a portable device detachable from the brain function enhancement system and interlocked with the communication unit, wherein when the portable device fails to perform periodic communication with the communication unit after a certain distance from the brain function enhancement system, And an alarm is generated through the alarm unit.

A method for operating a brain function improvement system for preventing dementia, the method comprising: a sleep mode in which a specific time is set according to a predetermined period and the user determines whether the brain function enhancement system is used at the set time according to the predetermined period; A current position information generating step of generating a current position of the user when the user is not using the brain function improving system at the set time according to the predetermined period; A message generating step of generating an emergency message including the message; And an urgent message transmission step of transmitting the emergency message to the guardian of the user.

Here, the emergency message may be an SMS or an MMS message including a message indicating that the user is in an emergency situation.

The method includes the steps of: registering a user in a system by providing personal information of a user; selecting contents based on a predetermined criterion and submitting to a user a content for determining a degree of activation of a brain function of a human being stored for a plurality of areas and levels; Inputting feedback to the content submitted by the user and determining an achievement score based on the acquired score according to the feedback; And changing the level of the content according to a predetermined criterion reflecting the achievement, selecting and submitting it to a user; And further comprising:

The method includes the steps of: selecting contents based on a predetermined criterion and submitting the contents to a user for judging a degree of activation of a brain function of the human being stored for each of a plurality of regions and levels, and inputting feedback to the contents by the user; Calculating a correct answer rate of the user according to the feedback; And selecting and submitting contents at a changed level to a user in accordance with the correct answer rate, And further comprising:

According to the present invention, there is an effect of preventing and restoring the inherent functions of the broken brain organs and disorders that may be caused by thought or disease through analytical diagnosis and repeated learning.

In addition, there is an effect of training and improving the cognitive ability of a part that is significantly lowered among the brain functions by approaching the function inherent to the brain in detail.

Further, when the brain function enhancement system is not executed within a set time period when the brain enhancement system is set to be executed periodically, it is notified to the caregiver so that the brain enhancement system is periodically executed.

In addition, when the brain function enhancement system is not executed for a long period of time, it is notified to the guardian or the emergency situation center, thereby informing the user's personal status.

Further, communication is established between the user and the brain function enhancement system, and when the brain enhancement system is separated from the user by a predetermined distance or more, an alarm is sounded to inform the user, thereby preventing loss.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a brain function enhancement system for preventing dementia according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
2 is a flowchart of a method for operating a brain function improvement system for preventing dementia according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart of a method for operating a brain function improvement system for preventing dementia according to another embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart of a method for operating a brain function improvement system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is capable of various modifications and various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a configuration of a brain function improvement system for preventing dementia according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a brain function improvement system for preventing dementia according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

The brain function enhancement system for preventing dementia according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a brain function enhancement content storage unit 10, a content selection unit 20, a content change control unit 30, an achievement level determination unit 40, A user interface input unit 70, a user interface output unit 80, a user information storage unit 90, a sleep mode determination unit 100, a message generating unit (not shown) 200, a GPS unit 300, and a communication unit 400. Although not shown in the figure, it may further include an alarm unit.

Also, the user can carry a portable device that cooperates with the brain function enhancement system.

A program of a brain function enhancement system for preventing dementia according to an embodiment of the present invention is loaded to determine a degree of activation of a user's brain function and diagnose a dementia disease.

After confirming the information requesting the registration of the user information through the user interface output unit 80, the user information can be provided through the user interface input unit 70 and the user can be registered.

The user interface input unit 70 may include various input means including a keyboard, a mouse, or a microphone for inputting an electrical signal by computerizing feedback information including character or voice information that the user transmits to the system.

The user interface output unit 70 may output information to be transmitted to the user or information input by the user in the system. The user interface output unit 70 may include various output means including a monitor for display and a speaker for audio output.

The user information inputted by the user in order to register the user can be stored in the user information storage unit 90. Accordingly, the user information storage unit 90 may assign a unique identification character to the registered user, and may store the achievement information diagnosed during the diagnosis and training of the user in association with each identification character.

Hereinafter, the brain function enhancement system according to an embodiment of the present invention selects contents based on predetermined criteria for the degree of activation of the brain function of the human being stored for each of a plurality of areas and levels, and presents the selected contents to the user. Accordingly, the user inputs the feedback information for the selected content through the user interface input unit 70. (S30)

The content selection unit 20 may sort the contents of the seven brain functional areas stored in the brain functional enhancement content storage unit 10 according to a predetermined classification method and submit them to the user interface output unit 80.

The brain function enhancement content storage unit 10 stores the attention enhancement content 110, the space-time ability content 120, the memory content 130, the executive ability content 140, the language ability content 150, And the sound perception content 170, respectively.

The attention-concentrating content 110 can be configured to include the content for evaluating the same picture or character attention.

The spatiotemporal ability content 120 can be configured to include content for evaluating object perception ability or ability to combine the start.

The memory contents 130 can be configured to include contents such as a flag memory, a card memory, or a numeric memory.

Enforcement capability content 140 may comprise content that completes a picture or evaluates categorization capabilities and similarity capabilities.

The language ability content 150 may include content for evaluating word-filling or word-searching capabilities.

The computation capability content 160 may comprise content that evaluates the ability to compute the arithmetic operation.

The sound-perceived content 170 can be configured to include contents such as a picture search corresponding to a sound or a search in order of listening.

The content selection unit 20 selects the contents of the brain function area from the contents of the brain function enhancement contents storage unit 10 in accordance with whether the user to be diagnosed belongs to the normal, older, demented or high dementia group Can be selected.

Preferably, the total score of each area is set at 100 points, the weight is assigned to each problem according to each level, and the content can be selected so that 100 points are completed. For example, it is possible to configure the level interval of the attention concentration content 110 in 1 to 5 levels, to select 100 questions for 1 level content, 50 questions for 2 level content, 20 questions for 5 level content, and the like It can be operated in the form of.

Thereafter, in step S30, it is determined whether the content is correct or not based on the feedback information transmitted by the user, and the acquired score is settled and the achievement degree thereof can be determined. (S40)

The achievement level determination section 40 can achieve the achievement level according to the achievement grade set in a plurality of sections according to the acquired score. For example, according to the user's acquisition score, a grade of A to 66 points may be given, a grade B of 65 to 34 points, and a grade of C to 33 points to 0 have.

Here, the achievement level determining unit 40 is connected to the sleep mode determining unit 100, the message generating unit 200, the GPS unit 300, and the communication unit 400 so that the user does not use the brain function improving system at the set time The message generator 200 and the GPS unit 300 may generate the message and the current position information, respectively.

Also, the achievement level determining unit 40 may transmit the urgent message including the generated message and the current location information to the guardian of the user through the communication unit 400.

Thereafter, in step S40, the level of the content is changed according to the predetermined criteria according to the achievement grade given to the user,

The content selection unit 20 can select the content level to be submitted according to the user's achievement level assigned by the achievement level determination unit 40 with a predetermined level or higher.

For example, a grade A achievement is categorized as a cognitive impairment or a normal level, and the selection starts from the level 3 content. The B grade achievement is classified as a mild cognitive impairment or a high age group, , And the C grade achievement can be classified as a high-risk group of dementia or dementia and can be operated by starting the selection from the level 1 content.

Thereafter, the user's achievement level may be calculated according to a predetermined classification criterion for each region of the authentication capability, thereby calculating the results of diagnosis and learning. (S60)

The diagnostic result calculator 50 can graphically display the acquired score obtained in the process of unlocking the selected content by the user and the achievement according to the obtained score.

The method of graphical representation can be expressed graphically, including bar graph, curve graph, line graph form, and characterization of acquisition score and achievement grade.

The diagnosis result storage unit 60 may classify and store the diagnosis result data sorted by the diagnosis result calculation unit 50 for each cognitive ability area and period.

Thereafter, when a predetermined period elapses, a re-diagnosis is performed and the transition of the cognitive ability of the user can be re-checked. (S70)

The sleep mode determination unit 100 determines whether the user is periodically executing the brain function improvement program using the brain function improvement system. To this end, the sleep mode determination unit 100 sets a time for the user to periodically use the brain function enhancement system.

For example, if the user sets the system to use the brain function improvement system at 10 am every 24 hours, the sleep mode determination unit 100 determines whether the brain function improvement system is operating at the corresponding time period. That is, the user judges whether he / she is using the brain enhancement system at 10 am every day. If the user does not use the brain function enhancement system even after a predetermined period of time, it is determined that an emergency has occurred and a signal for generating the user's current position (i.e., the position of the brain enhancement system) And generates a signal for generating a message.

Here, the emergency message may be transmitted to the user's guardian or the surrounding government office in which the user resides.

When the message generating unit 200 receives the message generating signal from the sleep mode determining unit 100, the message generating unit 200 generates an emergency message including a message that the user is in an emergency situation. Here, the message may be an SMS or an MMS message.

Here, the message generator 200 may receive the current location information of the user from the GPS unit 300 and may include the location information in the emergency message to generate a message including the location information of the user.

The GPS unit 300 receives the signal for generating the current position of the user from the sleep mode determination unit 100, and operates the GPS to generate the current position information of the user.

Herein, the user position means the position of the brain function enhancement system, and the current position information of the user to be generated may be the GPS coordinates or the address information.

The GPS unit 300 transmits the generated current position of the user to the message generator 200. [

The communication unit 400 performs a function of using a mobile communication such as WIFI or 3G or 4G. In addition, it may perform short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth, zigbee, and NFC.

The communication unit 400 may transmit the emergency message generated by the brain function enhancement system to the guardian of the user.

In this case, when the user carries the device linked to the communication unit 400 and the communication function with the device carried by the user is disconnected due to the brain function improvement system being beyond a certain distance from the user, the communication unit 400 generates an alarm signal, An alarm signal can be transmitted to an alarm device (not shown in the drawing) of the enhancement system to make the alarm sound.

Here, the device that is interlocked with the communication unit 400 carried by the user is formed in a form such as a necklace, a bracelet, an anklet, and a waistband that the user can carry at all times.

In addition, the brain function enhancement system may include identification information of the system in the user information storage unit 90, and the communication unit 400 may receive the identification information of the system from the remote communication equipment to generate an alarm signal. In this case, the brain function enhancement system may have the system identification information registered in the mobile communication network or the AP (Access Point).

For example, if a user calls a mobile phone with the identification information of the system, the brain enhancement system sounds an alarm. Alternatively, the user can access the address corresponding to the identification information of the system through the AP to make an alarm of the brain function enhancement system ring, and also know the current position of the brain enhancement system.

Here, the brain function enhancement system can generate an urgent message in the system itself. In case that the brain function enhancement system is interworked with the message server in the communication network, the message enhancement system can transmit a message generation signal (including location information) And transmit the emergency message stored in the message server to the guardian of the user.

Here, the brain function enhancement system may directly communicate with the guardian of the user through the communication unit 400. [

For example, when the user does not use the brain function enhancement system at the time set in the sleep mode determination unit 100, an emergency message is transmitted to the guardian of the user, The call can be made by connecting the call with the user.

If the user does not receive the information, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the user's personal information, so that the user can be automatically connected to a public office such as a police station or an emergency center in the vicinity of the user to take care of the user.

In the present invention, the brain function enhancement system may be a terminal connected to the Internet such as a computer, or may be a portable mobile terminal that a user can carry at any time.

3 is a flowchart of a method for operating a brain function improvement system for preventing dementia according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The step of selecting contents according to the user's achievement in step S100 and the step of inputting user feedback in step S200 are the same as the learning step in step S50 described above with reference to FIG.

Thereafter, the user inputs the feedback information according to the step S200, and calculates the correct answer rate according to the feedback information of the user (S300)

Subsequently, the modified contents can be selected and presented by changing the criterion for selecting contents according to the correct answer rate calculated in step S300 (S400)

The content change control unit 30 analyzes the correct answer rate according to the feedback information of the user, and when the correct answer is 2 or more consecutive or the wrong answer is 2 or more consecutive, the content selection unit 20 adjusts the level can do.

For example, when the user obtains the B grade achievement level in the attention concentration area and the correct answer is continuously obtained for the three contents in the course of learning the contents of the level 2 or higher are selected and presented, The selection criterion may be changed by selecting the content of level 3 or higher in the area.

On the other hand, if the user gives an incorrect answer in succession to two contents, the selection criterion can be changed by selecting contents of level 1 or higher in the attention concentration area as the corresponding area.

Step S500 is the same as step S60 described above with reference to FIG. 2, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

4 is a flowchart of a method for operating a brain function improvement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In step S210, it is determined whether the brain function improvement system is in the sleep mode.

Here, the sleep mode means that the brain function improvement system does not operate even if the user does not use the brain function enhancement system at the set time according to the set cycle and thus the set period is exceeded.

As described above, when the user periodically sets the time for using the brain function enhancement system, the user determines whether the brain enhancement system is being used according to the set period of time.

Step S220 is a step of generating the current position information of the user when the user is not using the brain function improvement system at the set time according to the set cycle. The current location information of the user is generated through the GPS unit 300 as described above. Or if the brain function enhancement system is interlocked with the mobile communication network, the current location information of the user is generated through the LBS (Location Based Service) server using the base station information.

In operation S230, the message generator 200 generates an SMS or MMS message.

In operation S240, an emergency message including the created user location information and the generated SMS message or MMS message is generated and transmitted to a caregiver of the user or a government office or a user who protects the user.

The above step S210 may be used as a basic step of the method for operating the brain function improvement system for preventing dementia of the present invention.

The brain function enhancement system of the present invention is mainly used by the elderly. In particular, in the case where the elderly living alone is used, when an urgent message is transmitted from the brain function enhancement system, it can be assumed that an abnormality occurs in the user's personal information. Therefore, in such a case, it is necessary to find out the user immediately and find out if the user's abnormality has occurred.

The method for analyzing the user by dividing the brain function enhancement contents 110 to 170 according to the present invention into seven areas is described in Hofmann M, Hock C, Kuhler A, Muller-Spahn F. Interactive computer-based cognitive training in patients with Alzheimer's disease. J Psychiatr Res 1996; 30: 493-501. And Flynn D, van Schaik P, Blackman T, Femcott C, Hobbs B, Calderon C. Developing a virtual reality-based methodology for people with dementia: a feasibility study. Cyberpsychol Behav 2003; 6: 591-611. .

Hoffman et al. (1996) reported a 50 - to 150 - year - old photograph of 10 demented patients who were familiar with the patient. The computer - assisted cognitive - screen). Flynn et al. Reported that when applied to six dementia patients with a park background, they feel realistic about the virtual space without any side effects, and can feel naturalness with a joystick. It is reported that it was able to carry. In other words, it has been evaluated that the use of virtual reality technology for dementia patients has been suggested as a basis for cognitive function evaluation and cognitive rehabilitation.

Therefore, it is proved that the present invention is the theoretical backing based on the above-mentioned article, and the effect of prevention and improvement of the dementia disease according to the weakening of the cognitive ability.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the following claims And changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

10: Brain function improvement content storage unit 20: Content selection unit
30: content change control unit 40:
50: diagnosis result calculation unit 60: diagnosis result storage unit
70: user interface input unit 80: user interface output unit
90: user information storage unit 100: sleep mode determination unit
110: Attention Content 120: Spatiotemporal Ability Content
130: memory contents 140: executive ability contents
150: language ability content 160: calculation ability content
170: sound recognition content 200: message generation unit
300: GPS unit 400:

Claims

A brain function improvement content storage unit for subdividing and storing contents for judging a degree of human brain function activation into a plurality of classification regions and levels;
A content selection unit for selecting contents stored in the brain function improvement content storage unit according to a predetermined classification method;
An achievement level determining unit that gives a user's achievement level in accordance with the acquired score according to the feedback transmitted by the user to the selected content in the content selection unit;
A sleep mode determining unit for determining a sleep mode if the user does not use the brain function enhancement system even after a predetermined period of time has been set according to a predetermined period;
A message generator for generating a message informing the guardian of the user in the sleep mode;
A GPS unit for generating current position information of the user in the sleep mode; And
And a communication unit for transmitting the message and the current location information of the user to the guardian of the user.

The method according to claim 1,
The content-
Wherein the content is converted into a score according to a level by a level, and a content is selected so that a sum of the scores reflecting the weight is constant for each region.

The method according to claim 1,
The content-
And a content of a level higher than a predetermined level is selected in accordance with the user's achievement level determined by the achievement level judging unit.

The method according to claim 1,
A content change control unit that controls the content selection unit to newly adjust and select a level if the user delivers two or more successive correct answers or wrong answers to the selected content; And a brain function enhancement system for preventing dementia.

The method according to claim 1,
A diagnostic result calculation unit for calculating a user's achievement according to the classification region according to a predetermined classification criterion; And
A diagnostic result storage unit for classifying and storing the achievement of the user according to each region and period; And a brain function enhancement system for preventing dementia.

The method according to claim 1,
The content-
Wherein the content is selected on the basis of an area and a level manually assigned by the user.

The method according to claim 1,
A user information storage unit for inputting personal information of a plurality of users, assigning a unique identification character to each user, storing each of the users' performance information correlated with each other; And a brain function enhancement system for preventing dementia.

The method according to claim 1,
An alarm unit including at least one of a lighting device, an audio device, and a vibration device; And
And a portable device that is detachable from the brain function enhancement system and interlocked with the communication unit. When the portable device fails to perform periodic communication with the communication unit due to a distance exceeding a certain distance from the brain function enhancement system And an alarm is generated through the alarm unit.

A method for operating a brain function improvement system for preventing dementia,
A sleep mode determining step of determining whether a specific time is set according to a predetermined period and the user is using the brain function improving system at the set time according to the predetermined period;
A current position information generating step of generating a current position of the user when the user is not using the brain function improving system at the set time according to the predetermined period;
A message generating step of generating an emergency message including the current location of the user; And
And transmitting the emergency message to the guardian of the user.

10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the emergency message is an SMS message or an MMS message that further includes an indication that the user is in an emergency situation.

10. The method of claim 9,
Registering a user in a system by providing personal information of the user;
Selecting contents according to a predetermined criterion and submitting them to a user for judging a degree of activation of brain functions of the human being stored for each of a plurality of areas and levels;
Inputting feedback to the submitted content by a user;
Determining an achievement score based on the acquired score according to the feedback; And
Changing the level of the content according to a predetermined criterion reflecting the achievement, selecting and submitting it to a user; The method further comprising the steps of:

10. The method of claim 9,
Selecting contents according to a predetermined criterion and submitting them to a user for judging a degree of activation of brain functions of the human being stored for each of a plurality of areas and levels;
Inputting feedback to the submitted content by a user;
Calculating a correct answer rate of the user according to the feedback; And
Selecting a content having a changed level higher than or equal to a predetermined reference level and submitting the changed content to a user according to the correct answer rate; The method further comprising the steps of: