WO2023112226A1 - Remote medical examination system for animal subject - Google Patents

Remote medical examination system for animal subject Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023112226A1
WO2023112226A1 PCT/JP2021/046361 JP2021046361W WO2023112226A1 WO 2023112226 A1 WO2023112226 A1 WO 2023112226A1 JP 2021046361 W JP2021046361 W JP 2021046361W WO 2023112226 A1 WO2023112226 A1 WO 2023112226A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
animal
data
user terminal
amount
communication mode
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PCT/JP2021/046361
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
純 岡崎
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株式会社Peco
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Publication date
Application filed by 株式会社Peco filed Critical 株式会社Peco
Priority to PCT/JP2021/046361 priority Critical patent/WO2023112226A1/en
Priority to JP2022531602A priority patent/JP7132668B1/en
Priority to JP2022130946A priority patent/JP2023088832A/en
Publication of WO2023112226A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023112226A1/en

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N19/00—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals
    • H04N19/10—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding
    • H04N19/102—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding characterised by the element, parameter or selection affected or controlled by the adaptive coding
    • H04N19/115—Selection of the code volume for a coding unit prior to coding
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N19/00—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals
    • H04N19/10—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding
    • H04N19/102—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding characterised by the element, parameter or selection affected or controlled by the adaptive coding
    • H04N19/12—Selection from among a plurality of transforms or standards, e.g. selection between discrete cosine transform [DCT] and sub-band transform or selection between H.263 and H.264
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N19/00—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals
    • H04N19/10—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding
    • H04N19/134—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding characterised by the element, parameter or criterion affecting or controlling the adaptive coding
    • H04N19/162—User input
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/14—Systems for two-way working
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/18—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
    • Y02A40/70—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in livestock or poultry

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a remote medical examination system for animal patients.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanism for supporting remote diagnosis.
  • one object of the present disclosure is to provide a remote diagnosis system for animal patients that can support accurate remote diagnosis without degrading the quality of both images and sounds, particularly for diagnosis of animal patients. do.
  • a user terminal having a camera unit and an animal hospital terminal communicably connected to the user terminal via a network are included, and the user terminal receives acquired information acquired by the camera unit.
  • the information is transmitted to the veterinary hospital terminal, and the veterinary hospital terminal displays the received acquired information on a display unit, wherein the A telemedicine system for animal patients can be obtained in which the amount of obtained information displayed on the display section of the terminal for animal hospital can be switched between a first data amount and a second data amount.
  • a remote diagnosis terminal for animal patients communicably connected to a user terminal equipped with a camera unit via a network, means for receiving acquired information acquired by the camera unit of the user terminal; means for displaying the received acquired information on an information display unit; means for switching the amount of acquired information displayed on the information display unit between a first data amount and a second data amount at least according to an operation of the animal patient remote diagnosis terminal or the user terminal;
  • An animal patient telemedicine terminal is provided.
  • the obtained information is configured to be switched to a plurality of information amounts according to the priority during medical examination, accurate remote medical examination by selecting the quality according to the needs of both images and voices. can support
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an animal patient remote diagnosis system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of the user terminal 10 of FIG. 1
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a service management table 1001 stored in a recording unit 130
  • FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram showing an animal hospital terminal 20 of FIG. 1
  • FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart relating to a remote diagnosis method according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; It is a figure which shows the example of a screen structure displayed on the user terminal 10 in the information processing of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen structure displayed on the user terminal 10 in the information processing of this embodiment. 4 is a diagram showing an example screen configuration displayed on the animal hospital terminal 20 in information processing according to the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an animal patient remote diagnosis system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 2 is a
  • the present disclosure has the following configurations.
  • [Item 1] including a user terminal equipped with a camera unit, and a veterinary hospital terminal communicably connected to the user terminal via a network, The user terminal transmits acquired information acquired by the camera unit to the veterinary hospital terminal, In a remote medical examination system for animal patients, wherein the animal hospital terminal displays the received acquired information on an information display unit, At least according to the operation of the user terminal or the veterinary hospital terminal, the amount of acquired information displayed on the information display unit of the veterinary hospital terminal is switched between a first data amount and a second data amount; Telemedicine system for animal patients.
  • the animal patient remote diagnosis system according to item 1, the camera unit can be switched between a first acquisition mode for acquiring the acquisition information with the first data amount and a second acquisition mode for acquiring the acquisition information with the second data amount; the switching operation is performed at least in accordance with an operation of the user terminal or the veterinary hospital terminal; Telemedicine system for animal patients.
  • the animal patient remote diagnosis system according to item 1 or item 2, The communication between the user terminal and the hospital terminal includes a first communication method in which the communication amount per unit time is the first data amount, and a second communication method in which the communication amount per unit time is the second data amount.
  • the animal patient remote diagnosis system according to item 1, a video call sequence unit that uses the camera unit to communicate with the first data amount and initiates a video call sequence with the animal hospital terminal;
  • a remote medical examination system for animal patients further comprising a reception unit capable of accepting an operation for switching from the first data amount to the second data amount while the video call sequence is being performed.
  • the animal patient telemedicine system according to item 4, At least either the user terminal or the hospital terminal further comprises an object display unit for displaying information acquired by the camera unit and a UI object for performing the switching, The reception unit receives a selection operation on the displayed UI object; Telemedicine system for animal patients.
  • the animal patient remote diagnosis system according to any one of items 1 to 3, At least either the user terminal or the hospital terminal further comprises a recording unit for recording at least either a still image or a moving image when switching to the second data amount, Telemedicine system for animal patients.
  • the animal patient remote diagnosis system according to any one of items 1 to 4, The amount of data communicated is greater in the second amount of data than in the first amount of data, Telemedicine system for animal patients.
  • a remote diagnosis terminal for animal patients communicably connected to a user terminal equipped with a camera unit via a network, means for receiving acquired information acquired by the camera unit of the user terminal; means for displaying the received acquired information on an information display unit; means for switching the amount of acquired information displayed on the information display unit between a first data amount and a second data amount at least according to an operation of the animal patient remote diagnosis terminal or the user terminal; A remote examination terminal for animal patients.
  • the animal patient remote diagnosis system 1 of this embodiment is intended to support smooth remote diagnosis without impairing the quality of both images and sounds.
  • the data amount of the image information displayed on the display unit of the veterinary hospital terminal can be flexibly switched between the first data amount and the second data amount.
  • two types of switching operations, the first data amount and the second data amount, will be described, but switching to a plurality of types of data amounts may be performed.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an animal patient remote diagnosis system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the animal patient remote diagnosis system 1 includes a user terminal 10 and an animal hospital terminal 20 .
  • the user terminal 10 and the animal hospital terminal 20 are communicably connected via a network NW.
  • this configuration is an example, and a configuration may have other configurations or may include other configurations.
  • the network NW is assumed to be the Internet.
  • the network NW is constructed by, for example, a public telephone line network, a mobile phone line network, a wireless communication network, Ethernet (registered trademark), or the like.
  • the user terminal 10 is, for example, a terminal operated by the owner R1 of the animal patient. Such a terminal can be operated by owner R1.
  • the user terminal 10 may be a mobile phone, smart phone, tablet computer, personal computer, or the like.
  • the animal hospital terminal 20 is, for example, a terminal owned or lent by a veterinarian R2 who works at an animal hospital. Such a terminal may be operated by veterinarian R2.
  • the animal hospital terminal 20 can be a mobile phone, smart phone, tablet computer, personal computer, or the like.
  • FIG. Although only one user terminal 10 and one veterinary hospital terminal 20 are shown in FIG. may be connected.
  • FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of the user terminal 10 of FIG.
  • the user terminal 10 includes a camera section 110 , a communication section 120 , a recording section 130 and a control section 140 .
  • the camera unit 110 has a function of electronic photography using an imaging device such as CMOS or CCD.
  • the camera unit 110 converts the image data acquired by imaging into compressed digital data such as JPEG, and records the data in the recording unit 130, or transmits the data to the veterinary hospital terminal 20 through the communication unit 120. can be output.
  • the captured image may be a still image or a moving image. In the case of a moving image, a part of the moving image is cut out under the control of the control unit 140 and saved as a still image in the recording unit 130. is also possible.
  • the image obtained by imaging is assumed to be a precise image having an amount of information necessary for examination at the animal hospital terminal 20, and the number of pixels or image quality can be specified.
  • the camera unit 110 has a function of changing the number of pixels of the image sensor used for imaging, and at least according to the operation of the user terminal 10 or the veterinary hospital terminal 20, for example, 800 ⁇ 600 (480,000 pixels).
  • Mode 640 ⁇ 480 (300,000 pixels) standard mode, 1600 ⁇ 1200 (1,920,000 pixels) high definition mode.
  • the standard mode is an example of the first acquisition mode described in the claims.
  • the high definition mode is an example of the second acquisition mode.
  • the communication unit 120 is a communication interface for communicating with the animal hospital terminal 20 via the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP/IP.
  • the recording unit 130 stores programs, input data, and the like for executing various control processes or functions in the control unit 140, and is composed of RAM, ROM, and the like.
  • the recording unit 130 is an example of a recording unit described in claims.
  • the recording unit 130 also has a function of recording at least either a still image or a moving image when switching from the first data amount to the second data amount. Details of the first data amount and the second data amount will be described later.
  • the recording unit 130 can also temporarily store data communicated with the animal hospital terminal 20 .
  • a database (not shown) storing various data may be constructed outside the recording unit 130 or the user terminal 10 .
  • the control unit 140 controls the overall operation of the user terminal 10 by executing programs stored in the recording unit 130, and is composed of a CPU, GPU, or the like.
  • the control unit 140 has a quality changer 141 and a video call sequencer 142 .
  • the quality changer 141 and the video call sequencer 142 are activated by a program stored in the recording unit 130 and executed by the user terminal 10, which is a computer (electronic calculator).
  • the quality changing unit 141 refers to the service management table 1001 stored in the recording unit 130 to set or change the quality of image data or sound data applied to communication between the user terminal 10 and the veterinary hospital terminal 20 .
  • the quality changer 141 is an example of the receiver described in the claims.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the service management table 1001 stored in the recording unit 130. As shown in FIG.
  • the recording unit 130 in FIG. 2 stores a service management table 1001.
  • the service management table 1001 stores service IDs, various operation parameters corresponding to service plans, and the IP addresses of the requesting user terminal 10 and the destination animal hospital terminal 20 in association with each other. Examples of various operating parameters include image frame rate (fps:frames per second), image resolution, image (or sound) bit rate (kbps:kilobit per second), and data transmission coding scheme. Operating parameters include parameters that can affect the quality of image data or sound data received by user terminal 10 or veterinary clinic terminal 20 . In addition, the contents corresponding to the service plan are not limited to this, and the transmission delay time (ms) of image data or sound data, execution speed (kbps), delay fluctuation (ms), error rate (%), etc. Parameters related to transmission quality may be managed.
  • the contents of the service management table 1001 are operation parameters set in advance by the owner R1 of the animal patient or the veterinarian R2.
  • the quality changing unit 141 Based on the service management table 1001, the quality changing unit 141 identifies the service ID of the service plan provided to the user terminal 10 as "s103".
  • the quality changing unit 141 can extract a service plan with higher quality than "s103" based on the service management table 1001 at least according to the operation of the user terminal 10 or the animal hospital terminal 20.
  • the operating parameters of "s103" are "10 fps” for frame rate, "SD (Standard Definition)" for resolution, "64 kbps" for bit rate, and “MPEG-2” for encoding method. Therefore, a service plan is extracted in which these operating parameters can be settings suitable for providing a higher quality service. For example, “s101", “s102", “s201", “s201”, etc. are extracted candidates.
  • the encoding scheme “MPEG-2” of "s103” is an example of the first communication scheme described in the scope of claims.
  • the encoding scheme “H.264/SC” of "s102” is an example
  • the video call sequence unit 142 has a function of starting a video call sequence with the animal hospital terminal 20 by using the camera unit 110 to communicate with the first data amount.
  • video data is shared between user terminal 10 and veterinary hospital terminal 20 .
  • FIG. 4 is a functional block configuration diagram showing the animal hospital terminal 20 of FIG.
  • the animal hospital terminal 20 includes a camera section 210 , a communication section 220 , a recording section 230 and a control section 240 .
  • the camera unit 210 has a function of electronic photography using an imaging device such as CMOS or CCD.
  • the camera unit 210 converts image data acquired by imaging into compressed digital data such as JPEG, records the data in the recording unit 230, and outputs the data to the user terminal 10 through the communication unit 220.
  • the captured image may be a still image or a moving image. In the case of a moving image, a part of the moving image is cut out under the control of the control unit 240 and saved as a still image in the recording unit 230. is also possible. It is also assumed that the number of pixels or the image quality of an image obtained by imaging can be specified.
  • the communication unit 220 is a communication interface for communicating with the user terminal 10 via the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP/IP.
  • the recording unit 230 stores programs, input data, and the like for executing various control processes or functions in the control unit 240, and is composed of RAM, ROM, and the like. Also, the recording unit 230 temporarily stores the content of communication with the user terminal 10 .
  • the recording unit 230 like the recording unit 130 of the user terminal 10, can be an example of the recording unit described in the claims.
  • the control unit 240 controls the overall operation of the animal hospital terminal 20 by executing programs stored in the recording unit 230, and is composed of a CPU, GPU, or the like.
  • FIG. 5 is an example of a flowchart relating to the remote diagnosis method according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. It is assumed that the user terminal 10 and the animal hospital terminal 20 have logged in to the animal patient remote diagnosis system 1 before starting this flow chart.
  • the animal hospital terminal 20 receives animal patient information about animal patients via the communication unit 220 (step S101).
  • Animal patient information herein may include, for example, account information such as name, nickname, animal patient ID, and authentication information such as passwords or passphrases, IC cards or smart cards, fingerprints or iris.
  • account information such as name, nickname, animal patient ID
  • authentication information such as passwords or passphrases, IC cards or smart cards, fingerprints or iris.
  • the animal hospital terminal 20 receives the animal patient information and also obtains from the user terminal 10 information necessary for confirming connection with the user terminal 10 in subsequent processing.
  • the animal patient data here includes, for example, the name, age, sex, desired clinical department, type of medical examination, the veterinarian in charge when the remote medical examination system 1 for animal patients was previously used, and the date and time required for medical treatment. may contain information; Further, the type of examination here may include, for example, revisit, first visit, appointment diagnosis, and the like. If necessary, the animal patient data may include a description of symptoms and the like.
  • control unit 140 of the user terminal 10 transmits a screen sharing request to the animal hospital terminal 20 via the communication unit 120 (step S103).
  • control unit 240 of the animal hospital terminal 20 receives the screen sharing request from the animal hospital terminal 20 and starts screen sharing (step S104).
  • screen sharing is also started on the user terminal 10 side by the control unit 140 (step S105). It is assumed that during execution of subsequent screen sharing, the image captured by the camera unit 110 is output together with the sound, or the image alone is output from the user terminal 10 and the animal hospital terminal 20 .
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen configuration example displayed on the user terminal 10 in the information processing of this embodiment.
  • a display D10 of the user terminal 10 includes areas A10 and A11, and a button B10.
  • the display D10 is an example of the display section described in the claims.
  • the area A10 displays the upper body of the veterinarian R2.
  • An animal patient and its owner R1 are displayed in the area A11.
  • the button B10 is an object for accepting an instruction to request the start of a video call sequence (hereinafter referred to as a "video call request").
  • the control unit 140 of the user terminal 10 detects the operation, and the control unit 140 sends a video call request via the communication unit 120. is transmitted to the animal hospital terminal 20 (step S106).
  • the video call sequence unit 142 of the user terminal 10 Upon acceptance of the video call request on the animal hospital terminal 20 side, the video call sequence unit 142 of the user terminal 10 starts the video call sequence (step S107). In the video call sequence, video data is transmitted and received between the user terminal 10 and the animal hospital terminal 20. FIG.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen configuration example displayed on the user terminal 10 in the information processing of this embodiment.
  • a display D10 of the user terminal 10 includes areas A10 and A11, and a button B11. Since the areas A10 and A11 are the same as the areas shown in FIG. 6, detailed description thereof will be omitted.
  • the button B11 is an object for accepting a switching operation to a service plan higher than the service plan currently applied to the communication between the user terminal 10 and the animal hospital terminal 20.
  • FIG. Button B11 is an example of a UI object described in the claims.
  • a UI object is an image object, such as an icon, button, switch, slide bar, menu item, etc., for inputting to the application program on the screen of the application program running on the user terminal 10. For example, the information to be displayed or the contents of the display control can be specified by the selection operation of the owner R1 of the animal patient.
  • the quality changing unit 141 of the user terminal 10 detects the operation, and the quality changing unit 141 selects a service plan higher than the currently applied service plan from the service management table 1001. Start searching for the service ID. Specifically, the quality changing unit 141 extracts from the service management table 1001 that the service ID of the service plan currently in use is "s103". Next, the quality changer 141 extracts the service ID of the upper service plan from the service management table 1001 . In this case, for example, "s201" is extracted as a service ID suitable for providing a higher quality service than "s103".
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen configuration example displayed on the animal hospital terminal 20 in the information processing of this embodiment.
  • a display D20 of the animal hospital terminal 20 includes an area A20 and an area A21.
  • the display D20 is an example of the display section described in the claims.
  • An animal patient and its owner R1 are displayed in the area A20.
  • the area A21 displays the upper body of the veterinarian R2.
  • the veterinarian R2 can view an affected area such as a wound of an animal patient (hereinafter simply referred to as a "wound") through the display D20 (FIG. 7) of the animal hospital terminal 20. ) is confirmed, the animal patient is diagnosed, and the result is communicated to the owner R1 via the user terminal 10 (step S108).
  • the display D20 is an example of the information display section described in the claims.
  • Acquisition of still images and acquisition of moving images may be associated as UI functions corresponding to the button B11 described above.
  • the button B11 may be displayed on the animal hospital terminal 20. FIG. In this case, it is possible to acquire an image or the like at a timing desired by the veterinarian R2, thereby improving operability and accuracy.
  • the resolution has been changed from "SD" to "8K".
  • the owner R1 is asked by the veterinarian R2 to show the wound, for example, while the owner R1 and the veterinarian R2 are having a face-to-face conversation in the video call sequence,
  • the owner R1 can display the wound site image of the wound site on the display D20 of the animal hospital terminal 20 with high image quality via the user terminal 10 .
  • the wound opening image can be recorded in the recording unit 230 of the animal hospital terminal 20.
  • the recording unit 230 is an example of a recording unit described in claims.
  • the camera unit 101 set to the high-definition mode takes an image of the wound to acquire the photograph.
  • the owner R1 can transmit the captured still image to the animal hospital terminal 20 via the user terminal 10 .
  • the resolution at the time of imaging is important, the resolution at the time of communication does not matter as long as the wound site image reaches the veterinary hospital terminal 20 side.
  • the veterinary hospital terminal 20 can manage the still images received from the user terminal 10 in a database or the like for managing medical record information of animal patients.
  • control unit 140 of the user terminal 10 terminates screen sharing in response to input from the owner R1 and notifies the animal hospital terminal 20 (step S109).
  • screen sharing is also terminated on the animal hospital terminal 20 side due to the notification of termination of screen sharing from the user terminal 10 (step S110).
  • step S110 the order of steps S108 and S109 may be reversed, and the animal hospital terminal 20 may notify the user terminal 10 of the end of screen sharing.
  • both the user terminal 10 and the veterinary hospital terminal 20 log out from the animal patient remote diagnosis system 1, and the processing executed by the animal patient remote diagnosis system 1 of this embodiment is completed.
  • the amount of information displayed on the display D20 of the veterinary hospital terminal 20 is the first data.
  • the amount is switched between the amount and the second amount of data. Therefore, it is possible to support smooth remote diagnosis without impairing the quality of both images and voices.
  • communication between the user terminal 10 and the animal hospital terminal 20 can be switched between a first communication mode and a second communication mode.
  • first communication mode an encoding method and encoding processing parameters are set such that the information amount of video data is set as the first data amount and the information amount of audio data is set as the second data amount.
  • the code is such that the information amount of the video data is set to a third data amount larger than the first data amount, and the information amount of the audio data is set to a fourth data amount smaller than the second data amount.
  • An encoding method and encoding processing parameters are set.
  • the quality changing unit 141 can perform switching processing between the first and second communication modes.
  • the quality changer 141 can switch the communication mode in response to receiving an instruction from the animal hospital terminal 20, for example.
  • the communication quality of video data related to the second communication mode is higher than the communication quality of video data related to the first communication mode. That is, the amount of video data related to the second communication mode is larger than the amount of video data related to the first communication mode.
  • the second communication mode can be set to have a higher frame rate than the first communication mode.
  • the resolution of the video data can be set higher in the second communication mode than in the first communication mode.
  • the communication quality of voice data related to the second communication mode is lower than the communication quality of voice data related to the first communication mode. That is, the data amount of voice data related to the second communication mode is smaller than the data amount of voice data related to the first communication mode.
  • the second communication mode can be set to have a lower sampling rate, fewer channels, and/or fewer quantization bits than the first communication mode.
  • the above communication quality setting can be performed, for example, by selecting an encoding method and setting parameters to be given to the encoding process by the encoding method.
  • settings for video data are registered.
  • the encoding method and parameters given to the encoding process are also stored in the service management table 1001. be able to.
  • the audio data encoding method corresponding to the first communication mode is waveform encoding (PCM, ADPCM, etc.), and the audio data encoding method corresponding to the second communication mode is , by hybrid coding (such as CELP) or by analysis-synthesis coding (such as LPC).
  • the coding of the voice data corresponding to the first communication mode can be by hybrid coding
  • the coding method corresponding to the second communication mode can be by analysis voice coding.
  • the service management table 1001 may store the communication quality of video data and/or audio data in association with animal species and first and second communication modes. For example, video data resolutions corresponding to animal species and first and second communication modes may be set.
  • the quality changing unit 141 can read the resolution corresponding to the animal species of the animal patient and the current communication mode from the service management table 1001 and set the resolution in the encoding process.
  • the encoding method of the video data and/or the audio data may be stored in association with the animal species and the first and second communication modes.
  • the quality changing unit 141 can read the encoding method corresponding to the animal species of the animal patient and the current communication mode from the service management table 1001 and perform the encoding process using the read encoding method.
  • the service management table 1001 may store the communication quality of video data and/or voice data in association with medical care content, animal species, and first and second communication modes.
  • the content of medical care for example, the clinical department, the examination items, the examination site, or the name of the disease that the veterinarian is concerned about can be displayed at the animal hospital terminal 20).
  • the user terminal 10 and the veterinary hospital terminal 20 read out the communication quality corresponding to the input medical treatment content, the animal species of the animal patient, and the current communication mode from the service management table 1001. Communication quality can be set.
  • a series of processes by the device described in this specification may be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. It is possible to prepare a computer program for realizing each function of the user terminal 10 according to the present embodiment and to implement it in a PC or the like.
  • a computer-readable recording medium storing such a computer program can also be provided.
  • the recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, or the like.
  • the above computer program may be distributed, for example, via a network without using a recording medium.

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  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Discrete Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Measuring And Recording Apparatus For Diagnosis (AREA)
  • Closed-Circuit Television Systems (AREA)
  • Compression Or Coding Systems Of Tv Signals (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a remote medical examination system for an animal subject, this system being such that a smooth remote medical examination can be supported without impairing the quality of both image and sound. [Solution] Provided is a remote medical examination system for an animal subject, the remote medical examination system including: a user terminal provided with a camera and a microphone; and an animal hospital terminal communicatively connected to the user terminal via a network. The user terminal transmits, to the animal hospital terminal, video data acquired by the camera and audio data acquired by the microphone, and the animal hospital terminal outputs the received video data and audio data. The remote medical examination system is characterized in that: communication between the user terminal and the animal hospital terminal can at least be switched between a first communication mode, in which the information amount of video data is set to be a first data amount and the information amount of audio data is set to be a second data amount, and a second communication mode, in which the information amount of video data is set to be a third data amount larger than the first data amount and the information amount of audio data is set to be a fourth data amount smaller than the second data amount; and the operating mode is switched according to at least a switching operation of the animal hospital terminal.

Description

動物患者用遠隔診察システムveterinary telemedicine system
　本開示は、動物患者用遠隔診察システムに関する。 The present disclosure relates to a remote medical examination system for animal patients.
　近年、ネットワークを介して、医師から離れた場所にいる患者に対して行われる診察行為（以下「遠隔診察」という）が注目されている。 In recent years, attention has been paid to the examination of patients who are away from doctors via a network (hereinafter referred to as "remote examination").
　特許文献１には、遠隔診察を支援する仕組みが開示されている。 Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanism for supporting remote diagnosis.
特開２００１－３０６６９８号公報Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-306698
　一般に、ネットワークの通信速度等には限界がある。このため、画像が高画質になるほど音声が低音質になる結果、本来なら届くはずの音声が相手方に届かなかったり、相手方が聞き取りにくかったりする問題が生じ得る。一方、音声が高音質になるほど画像が低画質になる結果、本来なら見えるはずの画像が相手方に見えなかったり、相手方が見えにくかったりする問題が生じ得る。 In general, there are limits to network communication speeds, etc. For this reason, the higher the quality of the image, the lower the sound quality of the voice. As a result, the voice that is supposed to reach the other party may not reach the other party, or the other party may find it difficult to hear. On the other hand, the higher the quality of the voice, the lower the quality of the image. As a result, the other party may not be able to see the image that should be visible, or the other party may find it difficult to see.
　特に、動物患者の場合、子犬等のように動物の体が小さい場合や、カエル等の爬虫類のようにもともと成体であっても大きさが小さいものも診察対象となり得ることから、患部（皮膚表面、眼球、口腔内等）の様子を視覚的に正確に把握することが誤診等を防ぐためには重要となる。 In particular, in the case of animal patients, small animals such as puppies, and reptiles such as frogs, which are adults and are small in size, can also be examined. , eyeball, intraoral cavity, etc.) is important in order to prevent misdiagnosis.
　そこで、本開示は、特に動物患者に対する診察用途として画像と音声の双方の品質を損なうことなく、正確な遠隔診察を支援することができる動物患者用遠隔診察システムを提供することを一つの目的とする。 Therefore, one object of the present disclosure is to provide a remote diagnosis system for animal patients that can support accurate remote diagnosis without degrading the quality of both images and sounds, particularly for diagnosis of animal patients. do.
　本開示によれば、カメラ部を備えたユーザ端末と、当該ユーザ端末とネットワークを介して通信可能に接続された動物病院端末とを含み、前記ユーザ端末は、前記カメラ部で取得した取得情報を前記動物病院端末に送信し、前記動物病院端末は、受信した前記取得情報を表示部に表示する、動物患者用遠隔診察システムにおいて、少なくとも前記ユーザ端末又は前記動物病院端末の操作に応じて、前記動物病院端末の前記表示部に表示される取得情報の情報量が第１データ量及び第２データ量のいずれかに切替えられる、動物患者用遠隔診察システムが得られる。 According to the present disclosure, a user terminal having a camera unit and an animal hospital terminal communicably connected to the user terminal via a network are included, and the user terminal receives acquired information acquired by the camera unit. In the remote medical examination system for animal patients, the information is transmitted to the veterinary hospital terminal, and the veterinary hospital terminal displays the received acquired information on a display unit, wherein the A telemedicine system for animal patients can be obtained in which the amount of obtained information displayed on the display section of the terminal for animal hospital can be switched between a first data amount and a second data amount.
　また、本発明の他の開示によれば、カメラ部を備えたユーザ端末とネットワークを介して通信可能に接続された動物患者用遠隔診察端末であって、
　前記ユーザ端末の前記カメラ部で取得した取得情報を受信する手段と、
　受信した前記取得情報を情報表示部に表示する手段と、
　少なくとも当該動物患者用遠隔診察端末又は前記ユーザ端末に対する操作に応じて、前記情報表示部に表示される取得情報の情報量を第１データ量及び第２データ量のいずれかに切替える手段と、を備える
動物患者用遠隔診察端末が得られる。 According to another disclosure of the present invention, there is provided a remote diagnosis terminal for animal patients communicably connected to a user terminal equipped with a camera unit via a network,
means for receiving acquired information acquired by the camera unit of the user terminal;
means for displaying the received acquired information on an information display unit;
means for switching the amount of acquired information displayed on the information display unit between a first data amount and a second data amount at least according to an operation of the animal patient remote diagnosis terminal or the user terminal; An animal patient telemedicine terminal is provided.
　本開示によれば、診察中における優先度に応じて、取得情報を複数の情報量に切替えられる構成としたことから、画像と音声の双方のニーズに応じた品質を選択して正確な遠隔診察を支援することができる According to the present disclosure, since the obtained information is configured to be switched to a plurality of information amounts according to the priority during medical examination, accurate remote medical examination by selecting the quality according to the needs of both images and voices. can support
本開示の第１の実施形態に係る動物患者用遠隔診察システム１の構成例を示す図である。1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an animal patient remote diagnosis system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 図１のユーザ端末１０の機能ブロック構成図である。2 is a functional block configuration diagram of the user terminal 10 of FIG. 1; FIG. 記録部１３０に格納されるサービス管理テーブル１００１の一例を示す図である。3 is a diagram showing an example of a service management table 1001 stored in a recording unit 130; FIG. 図１の動物病院端末２０を示す機能ブロック構成図である。2 is a functional block configuration diagram showing an animal hospital terminal 20 of FIG. 1; FIG. 本開示の第１の実施形態に係る遠隔診察方法に係るフローチャートの一例である。4 is an example of a flowchart relating to a remote diagnosis method according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 本実施形態の情報処理においてユーザ端末１０に表示される画面構成例を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the example of a screen structure displayed on the user terminal 10 in the information processing of this embodiment. 本実施形態の情報処理においてユーザ端末１０に表示される画面構成例を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the example of a screen structure displayed on the user terminal 10 in the information processing of this embodiment. 本実施形態の情報処理において動物病院端末２０に表示される画面構成例を示す図である。4 is a diagram showing an example screen configuration displayed on the animal hospital terminal 20 in information processing according to the present embodiment. FIG.
　本開示の実施形態の内容を列記して説明する。本開示は、以下のような構成を備える。
［項目１］
カメラ部を備えたユーザ端末と、当該ユーザ端末とネットワークを介して通信可能に接続された動物病院端末とを含み、
　前記ユーザ端末は、前記カメラ部で取得した取得情報を前記動物病院端末に送信し、
　前記動物病院端末は、受信した前記取得情報を情報表示部に表示する、動物患者用遠隔診察システムにおいて、
　少なくとも前記ユーザ端末又は前記動物病院端末の操作に応じて、前記動物病院端末の前記情報表示部に表示される取得情報の情報量が第１データ量及び第２データ量のいずれかに切替えられる、
動物患者用遠隔診察システム。
［項目２］
項目１に記載の動物患者用遠隔診察システムであって、
　前記カメラ部は、前記取得情報を前記第１データ量で取得する第１取得モードと、前記第２データ量で取得する第２取得モードとの双方に切替え操作が可能であり、
　少なくとも前記ユーザ端末又は前記動物病院端末の操作に応じて、前記切替え操作がなされる、
動物患者用遠隔診察システム。
［項目３］
項目１又は項目２に記載の動物患者用遠隔診察システムであって、
　前記ユーザ端末と前記病院端末との前記通信は、単位時間当たりの通信量が前記第１データ量である第１通信方式と、前記単位時間当たりの通信量が前記第２データ量である第２通信方式との双方に切替え操作が可能であり、
　少なくとも前記ユーザ端末又は前記動物病院端末の操作に応じて、前記切替え操作がなされる、
動物患者用遠隔診察システム。
［項目４］
項目１に記載の動物患者用遠隔診察システムであって、
　前記ユーザ端末は、前記カメラ部を利用して、前記第１データ量による通信を行い前記動物病院端末とビデオ通話シーケンスを開始するビデオ通話シーケンス部と、
　前記第１データ量から前記第２データ量への切替え操作を前記ビデオ通話シーケンスが行われている間に受け付け可能とする受付部とを更に備える
動物患者用遠隔診察システム。
［項目５］
項目４に記載の動物患者用遠隔診察システムであって、
　少なくとも前記ユーザ端末又は前記病院端末のいずれかは、前記カメラ部で取得した情報と、前記切替えを行うためのＵＩオブジェクトとを表示するためのオブジェクト表示部とを更に備え、
　前記受付部は、表示された前記ＵＩオブジェクトへの選択操作を受け付ける、
動物患者用遠隔診察システム。
［項目６］
項目１乃至項目３のいずれかに記載の動物患者用遠隔診察システムであって、
　少なくとも前記ユーザ端末又は前記病院端末のいずれかは、前記第２データ量に切替えた際に少なくとも静止画像又は動画映像のいずれかを記録するための記録部を更に備える、
動物患者用遠隔診察システム。
［項目７］
項目１乃至項目４のいずれかに記載の動物患者用遠隔診察システムであって、
　前記第１データ量よりも、前記第２データ量の方が通信されるデータ量が多い、
動物患者用遠隔診察システム。
［項目８］
　カメラ部を備えたユーザ端末とネットワークを介して通信可能に接続された動物患者用遠隔診察端末であって、
　前記ユーザ端末の前記カメラ部で取得した取得情報を受信する手段と、
　受信した前記取得情報を情報表示部に表示する手段と、
　少なくとも当該動物患者用遠隔診察端末又は前記ユーザ端末に対する操作に応じて、前記情報表示部に表示される取得情報の情報量を第１データ量及び第２データ量のいずれかに切替える手段と、を備える
動物患者用遠隔診察端末。 The contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and described. The present disclosure has the following configurations.
[Item 1]
including a user terminal equipped with a camera unit, and a veterinary hospital terminal communicably connected to the user terminal via a network,
The user terminal transmits acquired information acquired by the camera unit to the veterinary hospital terminal,
In a remote medical examination system for animal patients, wherein the animal hospital terminal displays the received acquired information on an information display unit,
At least according to the operation of the user terminal or the veterinary hospital terminal, the amount of acquired information displayed on the information display unit of the veterinary hospital terminal is switched between a first data amount and a second data amount;
Telemedicine system for animal patients.
[Item 2]
The animal patient remote diagnosis system according to item 1,
the camera unit can be switched between a first acquisition mode for acquiring the acquisition information with the first data amount and a second acquisition mode for acquiring the acquisition information with the second data amount;
the switching operation is performed at least in accordance with an operation of the user terminal or the veterinary hospital terminal;
Telemedicine system for animal patients.
[Item 3]
The animal patient remote diagnosis system according to item 1 or item 2,
The communication between the user terminal and the hospital terminal includes a first communication method in which the communication amount per unit time is the first data amount, and a second communication method in which the communication amount per unit time is the second data amount. It is possible to switch between the communication method and the
the switching operation is performed at least in accordance with an operation of the user terminal or the veterinary hospital terminal;
Telemedicine system for animal patients.
[Item 4]
The animal patient remote diagnosis system according to item 1,
a video call sequence unit that uses the camera unit to communicate with the first data amount and initiates a video call sequence with the animal hospital terminal;
A remote medical examination system for animal patients, further comprising a reception unit capable of accepting an operation for switching from the first data amount to the second data amount while the video call sequence is being performed.
[Item 5]
The animal patient telemedicine system according to item 4,
At least either the user terminal or the hospital terminal further comprises an object display unit for displaying information acquired by the camera unit and a UI object for performing the switching,
The reception unit receives a selection operation on the displayed UI object;
Telemedicine system for animal patients.
[Item 6]
The animal patient remote diagnosis system according to any one of items 1 to 3,
At least either the user terminal or the hospital terminal further comprises a recording unit for recording at least either a still image or a moving image when switching to the second data amount,
Telemedicine system for animal patients.
[Item 7]
The animal patient remote diagnosis system according to any one of items 1 to 4,
The amount of data communicated is greater in the second amount of data than in the first amount of data,
Telemedicine system for animal patients.
[Item 8]
A remote diagnosis terminal for animal patients communicably connected to a user terminal equipped with a camera unit via a network,
means for receiving acquired information acquired by the camera unit of the user terminal;
means for displaying the received acquired information on an information display unit;
means for switching the amount of acquired information displayed on the information display unit between a first data amount and a second data amount at least according to an operation of the animal patient remote diagnosis terminal or the user terminal; A remote examination terminal for animal patients.
＜概要＞
　以下、本開示の実施の形態について、図面を参照しながら説明する。なお、本明細書及び図面において、実質的に同一の機能構成を有する構成要素については、同一の符号を付することにより重複説明を省略する。 <Overview>
Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present specification and drawings, constituent elements having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, thereby omitting redundant description.
本実施形態の動物患者用遠隔診察システム１は、画像と音声の双方の品質を損なうことなく、円滑な遠隔診察を支援しようとするものである。本実施形態の動物患者用遠隔診察システム１では、動物病院端末の表示部に表示される画像情報のデータ量が第１データ量及び第２データ量の何れかに柔軟に切り替わり得る。なお、本実施の形態においては、特に第１データ量及び第２データ量の２種類の切り替え操作を説明するが、複数種のデータ量に切り替わることとしてもよい。 The animal patient remote diagnosis system 1 of this embodiment is intended to support smooth remote diagnosis without impairing the quality of both images and sounds. In the animal patient remote diagnosis system 1 of the present embodiment, the data amount of the image information displayed on the display unit of the veterinary hospital terminal can be flexibly switched between the first data amount and the second data amount. In this embodiment, two types of switching operations, the first data amount and the second data amount, will be described, but switching to a plurality of types of data amounts may be performed.
＜システム構成＞
　図１は、本開示の第１の実施形態に係る動物患者用遠隔診察システム１の構成例を示す図である。図示するように、本実施形態に係る動物患者用遠隔診察システム１は、ユーザ端末１０と、動物病院端末２０とを備える。ユーザ端末１０と、動物病院端末２０とは、ネットワークＮＷを介して通信可能に接続されている。なお、本構成は一例であり、ある構成が他の構成を兼ね備えていたり、他の構成が含まれていたりしてもよい。 <System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an animal patient remote diagnosis system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the animal patient remote diagnosis system 1 according to this embodiment includes a user terminal 10 and an animal hospital terminal 20 . The user terminal 10 and the animal hospital terminal 20 are communicably connected via a network NW. In addition, this configuration is an example, and a configuration may have other configurations or may include other configurations.
本実施形態においてネットワークＮＷはインターネットを想定している。ネットワークＮＷは、例えば、公衆電話回線網、携帯電話回線網、無線通信網、イーサネット（登録商標）などにより構築される。 In this embodiment, the network NW is assumed to be the Internet. The network NW is constructed by, for example, a public telephone line network, a mobile phone line network, a wireless communication network, Ethernet (registered trademark), or the like.
ユーザ端末１０は、例えば、動物患者の飼い主Ｒ１が操作する端末である。かかる端末は、飼い主Ｒ１により操作され得る。例えば、ユーザ端末１０は、携帯電話、スマートフォン、タブレットコンピュータまたはパーソナルコンピュータ等であり得る。 The user terminal 10 is, for example, a terminal operated by the owner R1 of the animal patient. Such a terminal can be operated by owner R1. For example, the user terminal 10 may be a mobile phone, smart phone, tablet computer, personal computer, or the like.
　動物病院端末２０は、例えば、動物病院に勤務する、獣医師Ｒ２が所有する、または貸与されている端末である。かかる端末は、獣医師Ｒ２により操作され得る。例えば、動物病院端末２０は、携帯電話、スマートフォン、タブレットコンピュータまたはパーソナルコンピュータ等であり得る。 The animal hospital terminal 20 is, for example, a terminal owned or lent by a veterinarian R2 who works at an animal hospital. Such a terminal may be operated by veterinarian R2. For example, the animal hospital terminal 20 can be a mobile phone, smart phone, tablet computer, personal computer, or the like.
　図１では、一台のユーザ端末１０と一台の動物病院端末２０のみを図示しているが、動物患者用遠隔診察システム１には、複数台のユーザ端末１０と複数台の動物病院端末２０が接続されていても良い。 Although only one user terminal 10 and one veterinary hospital terminal 20 are shown in FIG. may be connected.
　図１の動物患者用遠隔診察システム１において、ユーザ端末１０のカメラ部１１０で撮像された動物患者の患部の撮像画像を、動物病院端末２０で共有しながら獣医師は動物患者に対して遠隔診療を行う。 In the remote medical examination system 1 for animal patients in FIG. I do.
＜ユーザ端末１０＞
　図２は、図１のユーザ端末１０の機能ブロック構成図である。ユーザ端末１０は、カメラ部１１０と、通信部１２０と、記録部１３０と、制御部１４０とを備える。 <User terminal 10>
FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of the user terminal 10 of FIG. The user terminal 10 includes a camera section 110 , a communication section 120 , a recording section 130 and a control section 140 .
　カメラ部１１０は、ＣＭＯＳ又はＣＣＤなどの撮像素子を用いて電子撮影する機能を有する。また、カメラ部１１０は、制御部１４０の制御により、撮像によって取得した画像データを例えばＪＰＥＧなどの圧縮したデジタルデータに変換し、記録部１３０に記録したり、通信部１２０を通じて動物病院端末２０に出力したりすることができる。撮像画像は静止画であっても動画像であってもよく、動画像の場合には、制御部１４０の制御により、動画像の一部を切り出して、静止画像として記録部１３０に保存することも可能であるとする。また、撮像して得られる画像は、動物病院端末２０での診察に必要なだけの情報量を持った精密な画像であるものとし、画素数又は画質を指定可能であるものとする。 The camera unit 110 has a function of electronic photography using an imaging device such as CMOS or CCD. In addition, under the control of the control unit 140, the camera unit 110 converts the image data acquired by imaging into compressed digital data such as JPEG, and records the data in the recording unit 130, or transmits the data to the veterinary hospital terminal 20 through the communication unit 120. can be output. The captured image may be a still image or a moving image. In the case of a moving image, a part of the moving image is cut out under the control of the control unit 140 and saved as a still image in the recording unit 130. is also possible. Also, the image obtained by imaging is assumed to be a precise image having an amount of information necessary for examination at the animal hospital terminal 20, and the number of pixels or image quality can be specified.
カメラ部１１０は、撮像に用いる撮像素子の画素数を変更できる機能を有しており、少なくともユーザ端末１０又は動物病院端末２０の操作に応じて、例えば、８００×６００（４８万画素）の精細モード、６４０×４８０（３０万画素）の標準モード、１６００×１２００（１９２万画素）の高精細モードの中から、任意の撮影画素モードに設定可能である。標準モードは、請求の範囲に記載された第１取得モードの一例となる。高精細モードは、第２取得モードの一例となる。 The camera unit 110 has a function of changing the number of pixels of the image sensor used for imaging, and at least according to the operation of the user terminal 10 or the veterinary hospital terminal 20, for example, 800 × 600 (480,000 pixels). Mode, 640×480 (300,000 pixels) standard mode, 1600×1200 (1,920,000 pixels) high definition mode. The standard mode is an example of the first acquisition mode described in the claims. The high definition mode is an example of the second acquisition mode.
　通信部１２０は、ネットワークＮＷを介して動物病院端末２０と通信を行うための通信インタフェースであり、例えばＴＣＰ／ＩＰ等の通信規約により通信が行われる。 The communication unit 120 is a communication interface for communicating with the animal hospital terminal 20 via the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP/IP.
　記録部１３０は、各種制御処理又は制御部１４０内の各機能を実行するためのプログラム、入力データ等を記憶するものであり、ＲＡＭ、ＲＯＭ等から構成される。記録部１３０は、請求の範囲に記載された記録部の一例となる。また、記録部１３０は、第１データ量から第２データ量に切替えた際に少なくとも静止画像又は動画映像のいずれかを記録する機能を有する。第１データ量及び第２データ量の詳細については後述する。さらに、記録部１３０は、動物病院端末２０と通信を行ったデータを一時的に記憶することもできる。なお、各種データを格納したデータベース（図示せず）が記録部１３０又はユーザ端末１０外に構築されていてもよい。 The recording unit 130 stores programs, input data, and the like for executing various control processes or functions in the control unit 140, and is composed of RAM, ROM, and the like. The recording unit 130 is an example of a recording unit described in claims. The recording unit 130 also has a function of recording at least either a still image or a moving image when switching from the first data amount to the second data amount. Details of the first data amount and the second data amount will be described later. Furthermore, the recording unit 130 can also temporarily store data communicated with the animal hospital terminal 20 . A database (not shown) storing various data may be constructed outside the recording unit 130 or the user terminal 10 .
　制御部１４０は、記録部１３０に記憶されているプログラムを実行することにより、ユーザ端末１０の全体の動作を制御するものであり、ＣＰＵ又はＧＰＵ等から構成される。制御部１４０は、品質変更部１４１及びビデオ通話シーケンス部１４２を有する。品質変更部１４１及びビデオ通話シーケンス部１４２は、記録部１３０に記憶されているプログラムにより起動されてコンピュータ（電子計算機）であるユーザ端末１０により実行される。 The control unit 140 controls the overall operation of the user terminal 10 by executing programs stored in the recording unit 130, and is composed of a CPU, GPU, or the like. The control unit 140 has a quality changer 141 and a video call sequencer 142 . The quality changer 141 and the video call sequencer 142 are activated by a program stored in the recording unit 130 and executed by the user terminal 10, which is a computer (electronic calculator).
品質変更部１４１は、記録部１３０に格納されるサービス管理テーブル１００１を参照して、ユーザ端末１０と動物病院端末２０との通信に適用する画像データ又は音データの品質の設定又は変更をする。品質変更部１４１は、請求の範囲に記載された受付部の一例となる。 The quality changing unit 141 refers to the service management table 1001 stored in the recording unit 130 to set or change the quality of image data or sound data applied to communication between the user terminal 10 and the veterinary hospital terminal 20 . The quality changer 141 is an example of the receiver described in the claims.
図３は、記録部１３０に格納されるサービス管理テーブル１００１の一例を示す図である。 FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the service management table 1001 stored in the recording unit 130. As shown in FIG.
図２の記録部１３０は、サービス管理テーブル１００１を格納する。サービス管理テーブル１００１は、サービスＩＤと、サービスプランに対応する各種動作パラメータと、要求元のユーザ端末１０及び着信先の動物病院端末２０のＩＰアドレスとを対応付けて格納している。各種動作パラメータの例としては、画像のフレームレート（fps :frames per second）、画像の解像度、画像（又は音）のビットレート（kbps :kilobit per second）、データ伝送の符号化方式などである。動作パラメータは、ユーザ端末１０又は動物病院端末２０が受信する画像データ又は音データの品質に影響を及ぼし得るパラメータが含まれる。なお、サービスプランに対応する内容は、これに限られるものではなく、画像データ又は音データの送信遅延時間（ms）、実行速度（kbps）、遅延揺らぎ（ms）、エラー率（%）等の伝送品質に関するパラメータを管理してもよい。ここで、サービス管理テーブル１００１の内容は、予め動物患者の飼い主Ｒ１者又は獣医師Ｒ２によって設定された動作パラメータである。 The recording unit 130 in FIG. 2 stores a service management table 1001. FIG. The service management table 1001 stores service IDs, various operation parameters corresponding to service plans, and the IP addresses of the requesting user terminal 10 and the destination animal hospital terminal 20 in association with each other. Examples of various operating parameters include image frame rate (fps:frames per second), image resolution, image (or sound) bit rate (kbps:kilobit per second), and data transmission coding scheme. Operating parameters include parameters that can affect the quality of image data or sound data received by user terminal 10 or veterinary clinic terminal 20 . In addition, the contents corresponding to the service plan are not limited to this, and the transmission delay time (ms) of image data or sound data, execution speed (kbps), delay fluctuation (ms), error rate (%), etc. Parameters related to transmission quality may be managed. Here, the contents of the service management table 1001 are operation parameters set in advance by the owner R1 of the animal patient or the veterinarian R2.
品質変更部１４１は、サービス管理テーブル１００１に基づいて、ユーザ端末１０に提供されているサービスプランのサービスＩＤを「s103」と特定する。品質変更部１４１は、少なくともユーザ端末１０又は動物病院端末２０の操作に応じて、サービス管理テーブル１００１に基づき、「s103」より品質の高いサービスプランを抽出し得る。「s103」の動作パラメータは、フレームレートが「10fps」、解像度が「SD（Standard Definition：標準画質映像）」、ビットレートが「64kbps」、符号化方式が「MPEG-2」である。このため、これらの動作パラメータがより品質の高いサービスを提供するのに適した設定となり得るサービスプランが抽出される。例えば、「s101」、「s102」、「s201」、「s201」等が抽出候補とされる。「s103」の符号化方式「MPEG-2」は、請求の範囲に記載された第１通信方式の一例となる。「s102」の符号化方式「H.264/SC」は請求の範囲に記載された第２通信方式の一例となる。 Based on the service management table 1001, the quality changing unit 141 identifies the service ID of the service plan provided to the user terminal 10 as "s103". The quality changing unit 141 can extract a service plan with higher quality than "s103" based on the service management table 1001 at least according to the operation of the user terminal 10 or the animal hospital terminal 20. FIG. The operating parameters of "s103" are "10 fps" for frame rate, "SD (Standard Definition)" for resolution, "64 kbps" for bit rate, and "MPEG-2" for encoding method. Therefore, a service plan is extracted in which these operating parameters can be settings suitable for providing a higher quality service. For example, "s101", "s102", "s201", "s201", etc. are extracted candidates. The encoding scheme "MPEG-2" of "s103" is an example of the first communication scheme described in the scope of claims. The encoding scheme "H.264/SC" of "s102" is an example of the second communication scheme described in the scope of claims.
ビデオ通話シーケンス部１４２は、カメラ部１１０を利用して、第１データ量による通信を行い動物病院端末２０とビデオ通話シーケンスを開始する機能を有する。ビデオ通話シーケンスでは、ユーザ端末１０と動物病院端末２０との間でビデオデータが共有される。 The video call sequence unit 142 has a function of starting a video call sequence with the animal hospital terminal 20 by using the camera unit 110 to communicate with the first data amount. In a video call sequence, video data is shared between user terminal 10 and veterinary hospital terminal 20 .
＜動物病院端末２０＞
　図４は、図１の動物病院端末２０を示す機能ブロック構成図である。動物病院端末２０は、カメラ部２１０と、通信部２２０と、記録部２３０と、制御部２４０とを備える。 <Animal hospital terminal 20>
FIG. 4 is a functional block configuration diagram showing the animal hospital terminal 20 of FIG. The animal hospital terminal 20 includes a camera section 210 , a communication section 220 , a recording section 230 and a control section 240 .
　カメラ部２１０は、ＣＭＯＳ又はＣＣＤなどの撮像素子を用いて電子撮影する機能を有する。また、カメラ部２１０は、制御部２４０の制御により、撮像によって取得した画像データを例えばＪＰＥＧなどの圧縮したデジタルデータに変換し、記録部２３０に記録したり、通信部２２０を通じてユーザ端末１０に出力したりすることができる。撮像画像は静止画であっても動画像であってもよく、動画像の場合には、制御部２４０の制御により、動画像の一部を切り出して、静止画像として記録部２３０に保存することも可能であるとする。また、撮像して得られる画像は、画素数又は画質を指定可能であるものとする。 The camera unit 210 has a function of electronic photography using an imaging device such as CMOS or CCD. In addition, under the control of the control unit 240, the camera unit 210 converts image data acquired by imaging into compressed digital data such as JPEG, records the data in the recording unit 230, and outputs the data to the user terminal 10 through the communication unit 220. You can The captured image may be a still image or a moving image. In the case of a moving image, a part of the moving image is cut out under the control of the control unit 240 and saved as a still image in the recording unit 230. is also possible. It is also assumed that the number of pixels or the image quality of an image obtained by imaging can be specified.
　通信部２２０は、ネットワークＮＷを介してユーザ端末１０と通信を行うための通信インタフェースであり、例えばＴＣＰ／ＩＰ等の通信規約により通信が行われる。 The communication unit 220 is a communication interface for communicating with the user terminal 10 via the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP/IP.
　記録部２３０は、各種制御処理又は制御部２４０内の各機能を実行するためのプログラム、入力データ等を記憶するものであり、ＲＡＭやＲＯＭ等から構成される。また、記録部２３０は、ユーザ端末１０との通信内容を一時的に記憶している。記録部２３０は、ユーザ端末１０の記録部１３０同様、請求の範囲に記載された記録部の一例となり得る。 The recording unit 230 stores programs, input data, and the like for executing various control processes or functions in the control unit 240, and is composed of RAM, ROM, and the like. Also, the recording unit 230 temporarily stores the content of communication with the user terminal 10 . The recording unit 230, like the recording unit 130 of the user terminal 10, can be an example of the recording unit described in the claims.
　制御部２４０は、記録部２３０に記憶されているプログラムを実行することにより、動物病院端末２０の全体の動作を制御するものであり、ＣＰＵ又はＧＰＵ等から構成される。 The control unit 240 controls the overall operation of the animal hospital terminal 20 by executing programs stored in the recording unit 230, and is composed of a CPU, GPU, or the like.
　＜処理の流れ＞
　図５を参照しながら、本実施形態の動物患者用遠隔診察システム１が実行する処理の流れについて説明する。図５は、本開示の第１の実施形態に係る遠隔診察方法に係るフローチャートの一例である。本フローチャートの開始前に、ユーザ端末１０及び動物病院端末２０は動物患者用遠隔診察システム１にログインしているものとする。 <Process flow>
The flow of processing executed by the animal patient remote diagnosis system 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an example of a flowchart relating to the remote diagnosis method according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. It is assumed that the user terminal 10 and the animal hospital terminal 20 have logged in to the animal patient remote diagnosis system 1 before starting this flow chart.
　まず、動物病院端末２０は、通信部２２０を介して動物患者に関する動物患者情報を受信する（ステップＳ１０１）。ここでの動物患者情報は、例えば、名前、ニックネーム、動物患者ＩＤ等のアカウント情報と、パスワード又はパスフレーズ、ＩＣカード又はスマートカード、指紋又は虹彩等の認証情報を含み得る。ここで、動物病院端末２０は、動物患者情報を受信するとともに、以降の処理でユーザ端末１０との接続を確認するために必要な情報も、あわせてユーザ端末１０から取得するものとする。 First, the animal hospital terminal 20 receives animal patient information about animal patients via the communication unit 220 (step S101). Animal patient information herein may include, for example, account information such as name, nickname, animal patient ID, and authentication information such as passwords or passphrases, IC cards or smart cards, fingerprints or iris. Here, it is assumed that the animal hospital terminal 20 receives the animal patient information and also obtains from the user terminal 10 information necessary for confirming connection with the user terminal 10 in subsequent processing.
　次に、動物病院端末２０の制御部２４０は、受信した動物患者情報を基に、ユーザ端末１０又は記録部２３０から動物患者データを取得する（ステップＳ１０２）。ここでの動物患者データは、例えば、名前、年齢、性別、希望の診療科、診察の種類、以前に動物患者用遠隔診察システム１を利用した際の担当獣医師又は日時等の診療に必要な情報を含み得る。また、ここでの診察の種類には、例えば、再診、初診、予約診断等が含まれ得る。必要に応じて、動物患者データに症状の説明等を含めてもよい。 Next, the control unit 240 of the animal hospital terminal 20 acquires animal patient data from the user terminal 10 or the recording unit 230 based on the received animal patient information (step S102). The animal patient data here includes, for example, the name, age, sex, desired clinical department, type of medical examination, the veterinarian in charge when the remote medical examination system 1 for animal patients was previously used, and the date and time required for medical treatment. may contain information; Further, the type of examination here may include, for example, revisit, first visit, appointment diagnosis, and the like. If necessary, the animal patient data may include a description of symptoms and the like.
　次に、ユーザ端末１０の制御部１４０は、通信部１２０を介して画面共有要求を動物病院端末２０に対して送信する（ステップＳ１０３）。 Next, the control unit 140 of the user terminal 10 transmits a screen sharing request to the animal hospital terminal 20 via the communication unit 120 (step S103).
　次に、動物病院端末２０の制御部２４０は、動物病院端末２０からの画面共有要求を受け、画面共有を開始する（ステップＳ１０４）。 Next, the control unit 240 of the animal hospital terminal 20 receives the screen sharing request from the animal hospital terminal 20 and starts screen sharing (step S104).
　動物病院端末２０側の画面共有要求の受け入れにより、ユーザ端末１０側でも、制御部１４０により、画面共有が開始される（ステップＳ１０５）。以降の画面共有の実行中は、カメラ部１１０による撮像画像が音声と共に、又は、撮像画像のみ単独で、ユーザ端末１０と動物病院端末２０で出力されているものとする。 Upon acceptance of the screen sharing request on the animal hospital terminal 20 side, screen sharing is also started on the user terminal 10 side by the control unit 140 (step S105). It is assumed that during execution of subsequent screen sharing, the image captured by the camera unit 110 is output together with the sound, or the image alone is output from the user terminal 10 and the animal hospital terminal 20 .
　画面共有の開始後、ユーザ端末１０のカメラ部１１０により患部画像の撮像が行われ、動物病院端末２０との画面共有が行われる。撮像に対する指示は、動物病院端末２０から行い得る。図６は、本実施形態の情報処理においてユーザ端末１０に表示される画面構成例を示す図である。ユーザ端末１０のディスプレイＤ１０は、領域Ａ１０及び領域Ａ１１と、ボタンＢ１０とを含む。ディスプレイＤ１０は、請求の範囲に記載された表示部の一例となる。領域Ａ１０には、獣医師Ｒ２の上半身が表示される。領域Ａ１１には、動物患者とその飼い主Ｒ１が表示される。ボタンＢ１０は、ビデオ通話シーケンスの開始のリクエスト（以下、「ビデオ通話リクエスト」という）の指示を受け付けるためのオブジェクトである。 After the start of screen sharing, the camera unit 110 of the user terminal 10 captures an image of the affected area, and screen sharing with the animal hospital terminal 20 is performed. An instruction for imaging can be given from the animal hospital terminal 20 . FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen configuration example displayed on the user terminal 10 in the information processing of this embodiment. A display D10 of the user terminal 10 includes areas A10 and A11, and a button B10. The display D10 is an example of the display section described in the claims. The area A10 displays the upper body of the veterinarian R2. An animal patient and its owner R1 are displayed in the area A11. The button B10 is an object for accepting an instruction to request the start of a video call sequence (hereinafter referred to as a "video call request").
　例えば、飼い主Ｒ１が相手先ユーザを獣医師Ｒ２としてボタンＢ１０を指定すると、その操作をユーザ端末１０の制御部１４０が検出し、それをもって、制御部１４０は通信部１２０を介して、ビデオ通話リクエストを動物病院端末２０に対して送信する（ステップＳ１０６）。 For example, when the owner R1 designates the button B10 with the veterinarian R2 as the other user, the control unit 140 of the user terminal 10 detects the operation, and the control unit 140 sends a video call request via the communication unit 120. is transmitted to the animal hospital terminal 20 (step S106).
　動物病院端末２０側のビデオ通話リクエストの受け入れにより、ユーザ端末１０のビデオ通話シーケンス部１４２は、ビデオ通話シーケンスを開始する（ステップＳ１０７）。ビデオ通話シーケンスでは、ユーザ端末１０と動物病院端末２０との間で、ビデオデータが送受信される。 Upon acceptance of the video call request on the animal hospital terminal 20 side, the video call sequence unit 142 of the user terminal 10 starts the video call sequence (step S107). In the video call sequence, video data is transmitted and received between the user terminal 10 and the animal hospital terminal 20. FIG.
　図７は、本実施形態の情報処理においてユーザ端末１０に表示される画面構成例を示す図である。ユーザ端末１０のディスプレイＤ１０は、領域Ａ１０及び領域Ａ１１と、ボタンＢ１１とを含む。領域Ａ１０及び領域Ａ１１は図６に示されている領域と同じであるため詳細な説明は省略する。ボタンＢ１１は、ユーザ端末１０と動物病院端末２０との通信に現在適用中のサービスプランよりも上位のサービスプランへの切り替え操作を受け付けるためのオブジェクトである。ボタンＢ１１は、請求の範囲に記載されたＵＩオブジェクトの一例となる。ＵＩオブジェクトとは、ユーザ端末１０上で動作しているアプリケーション・プログラムの画面において、そのアプリケーション・プログラムに対して入力を行うための画像オブジェクト、例えば、アイコン、ボタン、スイッチ、スライドバー、メニュー項目等であり、例えば、動物患者の飼い主Ｒ１の選択操作等によって、表示される情報又は表示制御の内容を特定し得るものである。 FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen configuration example displayed on the user terminal 10 in the information processing of this embodiment. A display D10 of the user terminal 10 includes areas A10 and A11, and a button B11. Since the areas A10 and A11 are the same as the areas shown in FIG. 6, detailed description thereof will be omitted. The button B11 is an object for accepting a switching operation to a service plan higher than the service plan currently applied to the communication between the user terminal 10 and the animal hospital terminal 20. FIG. Button B11 is an example of a UI object described in the claims. A UI object is an image object, such as an icon, button, switch, slide bar, menu item, etc., for inputting to the application program on the screen of the application program running on the user terminal 10. For example, the information to be displayed or the contents of the display control can be specified by the selection operation of the owner R1 of the animal patient.
　例えば、飼い主Ｒ１がボタンＢ１１を指定すると、その操作をユーザ端末１０の品質変更部１４１が検出し、それをもって、品質変更部１４１は、サービス管理テーブル１００１から現在適用中のサービスプランよりも上位のサービスＩＤを検索開始する。具体的には、品質変更部１４１が、サービス管理テーブル１００１から現在使用中のサービスプランのサービスＩＤは「s103」であることを抽出する。次に、品質変更部１４１が、サービス管理テーブル１００１内から、上位のサービスプランのサービスＩＤを抽出する。この場合、「s103」より品質の高いサービスを提供するのに適したサービスＩＤとして、例えば「s201」が抽出される。「s201」の動作パラメータは、フレームレートが「30fps」、解像度が「8K」、ビットレートが「1024kbps」、符号化方式が「H.264/SC」である。さらに、品質変更部１４１は、各動作パラメータを読み出して、ユーザ端末１０と動物病院端末２０との通信に適用する。図８は、本実施形態の情報処理において動物病院端末２０に表示される画面構成例を示す図である。動物病院端末２０のディスプレイＤ２０は、領域Ａ２０及び領域Ａ２１を含む。ディスプレイＤ２０は、請求の範囲に記載された表示部の一例となる。領域Ａ２０には、動物患者とその飼い主Ｒ１が表示される。領域Ａ２１には、獣医師Ｒ２の上半身が表示される。かくして、より上位の通信品質が保たれた状態で、獣医師Ｒ２は、動物病院端末２０のディスプレイＤ２０（図７）を介して、動物患者の創傷口等の患部（以下、単に「創傷口」という）の確認を行い、動物患者を診断し、その結果をユーザ端末１０経由で飼い主Ｒ１に伝える（ステップＳ１０８）。ディスプレイＤ２０は、請求の範囲に記載された情報表示部の一例となる。 For example, when the owner R1 designates the button B11, the quality changing unit 141 of the user terminal 10 detects the operation, and the quality changing unit 141 selects a service plan higher than the currently applied service plan from the service management table 1001. Start searching for the service ID. Specifically, the quality changing unit 141 extracts from the service management table 1001 that the service ID of the service plan currently in use is "s103". Next, the quality changer 141 extracts the service ID of the upper service plan from the service management table 1001 . In this case, for example, "s201" is extracted as a service ID suitable for providing a higher quality service than "s103". The operation parameters of "s201" are "30 fps" for frame rate, "8K" for resolution, "1024 kbps" for bit rate, and "H.264/SC" for encoding method. Furthermore, the quality changer 141 reads each operation parameter and applies it to communication between the user terminal 10 and the animal hospital terminal 20 . FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen configuration example displayed on the animal hospital terminal 20 in the information processing of this embodiment. A display D20 of the animal hospital terminal 20 includes an area A20 and an area A21. The display D20 is an example of the display section described in the claims. An animal patient and its owner R1 are displayed in the area A20. The area A21 displays the upper body of the veterinarian R2. Thus, while maintaining a higher communication quality, the veterinarian R2 can view an affected area such as a wound of an animal patient (hereinafter simply referred to as a "wound") through the display D20 (FIG. 7) of the animal hospital terminal 20. ) is confirmed, the animal patient is diagnosed, and the result is communicated to the owner R1 via the user terminal 10 (step S108). The display D20 is an example of the information display section described in the claims.
　上述したボタンＢ１１に相当するＵＩの機能として、静止画の取得や動画の取得が関連付けられていてもよい。また、ボタンＢ１１は、動物病院端末２０に表示をすることとしてもよい。この場合、獣医師Ｒ２の所望とするタイミングで画像等を取得することが可能となり操作性が上がるとともに正確性も向上できる。 Acquisition of still images and acquisition of moving images may be associated as UI functions corresponding to the button B11 described above. Also, the button B11 may be displayed on the animal hospital terminal 20. FIG. In this case, it is possible to acquire an image or the like at a timing desired by the veterinarian R2, thereby improving operability and accuracy.
　ここで、変更前後の２つのパラメータを比較すると、解像度が「SD」から「8K」に変更されている。このように、ビデオ通話シーケンスにおいて飼い主Ｒ１と獣医師Ｒ２とが対面で会話している最中に、獣医師Ｒ２から飼い主Ｒ１が、例えば、創傷口を見せるよう求められた場合であっても、解像度を上げることで、飼い主Ｒ１は、ユーザ端末１０を介して高画質で動物病院端末２０のディスプレイＤ２０に創傷口を撮像した創傷口画像を表示させ得る。 Here, when comparing the two parameters before and after the change, the resolution has been changed from "SD" to "8K". In this way, even if the owner R1 is asked by the veterinarian R2 to show the wound, for example, while the owner R1 and the veterinarian R2 are having a face-to-face conversation in the video call sequence, By increasing the resolution, the owner R1 can display the wound site image of the wound site on the display D20 of the animal hospital terminal 20 with high image quality via the user terminal 10 .
　創傷口画像は、動物病院端末２０の記録部２３０に記録され得る。記録部２３０は、請求の範囲に記載された記録部の一例となる。なお、例えば、創傷口について一枚の写真のみを獣医師Ｒ２が飼い主Ｒ１に送るよう指示を出したような場合には、高精細モードに設定したカメラ部１０１で創傷口を撮像することにより取得した静止画像を、飼い主Ｒ１は、ユーザ端末１０を介して動物病院端末２０に送信し得る。このような場合には、撮像時の解像度が重視されるので、創傷口画像が動物病院端末２０側に届くのであれば、通信時の解像度は問わない。そして、動物病院端末２０は、ユーザ端末１０から受信した静止画像を、動物患者のカルテ情報を管理するためのデータベース等で管理し得る。 The wound opening image can be recorded in the recording unit 230 of the animal hospital terminal 20. The recording unit 230 is an example of a recording unit described in claims. In addition, for example, when the veterinarian R2 instructs to send only one photograph of the wound to the owner R1, the camera unit 101 set to the high-definition mode takes an image of the wound to acquire the photograph. The owner R1 can transmit the captured still image to the animal hospital terminal 20 via the user terminal 10 . In such a case, since the resolution at the time of imaging is important, the resolution at the time of communication does not matter as long as the wound site image reaches the veterinary hospital terminal 20 side. The veterinary hospital terminal 20 can manage the still images received from the user terminal 10 in a database or the like for managing medical record information of animal patients.
診断後、ユーザ端末１０の制御部１４０は、飼い主Ｒ１の入力に応じて、画面共有を終了し、動物病院端末２０に対して通知する（ステップＳ１０９）。 After the diagnosis, the control unit 140 of the user terminal 10 terminates screen sharing in response to input from the owner R1 and notifies the animal hospital terminal 20 (step S109).
　また、ユーザ端末１０からの画面共有終了の通知により、動物病院端末２０側でも画面共有が終了される（ステップＳ１１０）。ここで、ステップＳ１０８とステップＳ１０９の順序が逆となり、動物病院端末２０からユーザ端末１０に対して、画面共有の終了を通知してもよいものとする。 In addition, screen sharing is also terminated on the animal hospital terminal 20 side due to the notification of termination of screen sharing from the user terminal 10 (step S110). Here, the order of steps S108 and S109 may be reversed, and the animal hospital terminal 20 may notify the user terminal 10 of the end of screen sharing.
最後に、ユーザ端末１０及び動物病院端末２０の双方は、動物患者用遠隔診察システム１からログアウトを行い、 本実施形態の動物患者用遠隔診察システム１が実行する処理が完了する。 Finally, both the user terminal 10 and the veterinary hospital terminal 20 log out from the animal patient remote diagnosis system 1, and the processing executed by the animal patient remote diagnosis system 1 of this embodiment is completed.
一般に、ネットワークの通信速度等には限界がある。このため、画像が高画質になるほど音声が低音質になる結果、本来なら届くはずの音声が相手方に届かなかったり、相手方が聞き取りにくかったりする問題が生じ得る。一方、音声が高音質になるほど画像が低画質になる結果、本来なら見えるはずの画像が相手方に見えなかったり、相手方が見えにくかったりする問題が生じ得る。 In general, there is a limit to the communication speed and the like of a network. For this reason, the higher the quality of the image, the lower the sound quality of the voice. As a result, the voice that is supposed to reach the other party may not reach the other party, or the other party may find it difficult to hear. On the other hand, the higher the quality of the voice, the lower the quality of the image. As a result, the other party may not be able to see the image that should be visible, or the other party may find it difficult to see.
　この点、本実施形態の動物患者用遠隔診察システム１は、少なくともユーザ端末１０又は動物病院端末２０の操作に応じて、動物病院端末２０のディスプレイＤ２０に表示される情報の情報量が第１データ量及び第２データ量のいずれかに切替えられる。従って、画像と音声の双方の品質を損なうことなく、円滑な遠隔診察を支援することができる。 In this regard, in the animal patient remote diagnosis system 1 of the present embodiment, at least according to the operation of the user terminal 10 or the veterinary hospital terminal 20, the amount of information displayed on the display D20 of the veterinary hospital terminal 20 is the first data. The amount is switched between the amount and the second amount of data. Therefore, it is possible to support smooth remote diagnosis without impairing the quality of both images and voices.
＜第２の実施形態＞
　上述した実施形態では、画像（ビデオデータ）の通信品質を切り替えること（これに連動して音声の通信品質も変化すること）について説明したが、第２の実施形態では、ビデオデータの通信品質と音声の通信品質とを独立して切り替える。 <Second embodiment>
In the above-described embodiment, switching the communication quality of images (video data) (changing the communication quality of voice in conjunction with this) has been described. To switch independently from voice communication quality.
　具体的には、ユーザ端末１０と動物病院端末２０との間の通信は、第１の通信モードと第２の通信モードとに切り替えることができるものとする。第１の通信モードでは、ビデオデータの情報量を第１のデータ量とし、音声データの情報量を第２のデータ量とするような符号化方式及び符号化処理のパラメータが設定され、第２の通信モードでは、ビデオデータの情報量を第１のデータ量よりも大きい第３のデータ量とし、音声データの情報量を第２のデータ量よりも小さい第４のデータ量とするような符号化方式及び符号化処理のパラメータが設定される。品質変更部１４１は、第１及び第２の通信モードに切替処理を行うことができる。品質変更部１４１は、例えば、動物病院端末２０からの指示を受信したことに応じて通信モードを切り替えることができる。 Specifically, communication between the user terminal 10 and the animal hospital terminal 20 can be switched between a first communication mode and a second communication mode. In the first communication mode, an encoding method and encoding processing parameters are set such that the information amount of video data is set as the first data amount and the information amount of audio data is set as the second data amount. In the communication mode of (1), the code is such that the information amount of the video data is set to a third data amount larger than the first data amount, and the information amount of the audio data is set to a fourth data amount smaller than the second data amount. An encoding method and encoding processing parameters are set. The quality changing unit 141 can perform switching processing between the first and second communication modes. The quality changer 141 can switch the communication mode in response to receiving an instruction from the animal hospital terminal 20, for example.
　第１の通信モードに係るビデオデータの通信品質よりも、第２の通信モードに係るビデオデータの通信品質は高いものとする。すなわち、第１の通信モードに係るビデオデータのデータ量よりも、第２の通信モードに係るビデオデータのデータ量の方が多くなる。例えば、第１の通信モードよりも第２の通信モードの方が、フレームレートが高くなるように設定することができる。また、第１の通信モードよりも第２の通信モードの方が、ビデオデータの解像度が高くなるように設定することができる。 It is assumed that the communication quality of video data related to the second communication mode is higher than the communication quality of video data related to the first communication mode. That is, the amount of video data related to the second communication mode is larger than the amount of video data related to the first communication mode. For example, the second communication mode can be set to have a higher frame rate than the first communication mode. Also, the resolution of the video data can be set higher in the second communication mode than in the first communication mode.
　一方で、第１の通信モードに係る音声データの通信品質よりも、第２の通信モードに係る音声データの通信品質は低いものとする。すなわち、第１の通信モードに係る音声データのデータ量よりも、第２の通信モードに係る音声データのデータ量の方が少なくなる。例えば、第１の通信モードよりも第２の通信モードの方が、サンプリングレートが低く、チャンネル数が少なく、及び／又は、量子化ビット数が少なくなるように設定することができる。 On the other hand, it is assumed that the communication quality of voice data related to the second communication mode is lower than the communication quality of voice data related to the first communication mode. That is, the data amount of voice data related to the second communication mode is smaller than the data amount of voice data related to the first communication mode. For example, the second communication mode can be set to have a lower sampling rate, fewer channels, and/or fewer quantization bits than the first communication mode.
　上記の通信品質の設定は、例えば、符号化方式の選択と、当該符号化方式による符号化処理に与えるパラメータの設定とにより行うことができる。第１の実施形態で説明したサービス管理テーブル１００１には、ビデオデータについての設定が登録されていたが、音声データについても、符号化方式及び符号化処理に与えるパラメータをサービス管理テーブル１００１に格納することができる。 The above communication quality setting can be performed, for example, by selecting an encoding method and setting parameters to be given to the encoding process by the encoding method. In the service management table 1001 described in the first embodiment, settings for video data are registered. For audio data, the encoding method and parameters given to the encoding process are also stored in the service management table 1001. be able to.
　サービス管理テーブル１００１において、第１の通信モードに対応する音声データの符号化方式は、波形符号化によるもの（ＰＣＭ、ＡＤＰＣＭ等）とし、第２の通信モードに対応する音声データの符号化方式は、ハイブリッド符号化によるもの（ＣＥＬＰ等）もしくは分析合成符号化によるもの（ＬＰＣ等）とすることができる。また、第１の通信モードに対応する音声データの符号化をハイブリッド符号化によるものとし、第２の通信モードに対応する符号化方式を分析音声符号化によるものとすることができる。 In the service management table 1001, the audio data encoding method corresponding to the first communication mode is waveform encoding (PCM, ADPCM, etc.), and the audio data encoding method corresponding to the second communication mode is , by hybrid coding (such as CELP) or by analysis-synthesis coding (such as LPC). Also, the coding of the voice data corresponding to the first communication mode can be by hybrid coding, and the coding method corresponding to the second communication mode can be by analysis voice coding.
　サービス管理テーブル１００１においては、動物種と第１及び第２の通信モードとに対応付けてビデオデータ及び／又は音声データの通信品質を格納するようにしてもよい。例えば、動物種と第１及び第２の通信モードとに対応するビデオデータの解像度が設定されてよい。品質変更部１４１は、動物患者の動物種及び現在の通信モードに対応する解像度をサービス管理テーブル１００１から読み出して、符号化処理における解像度を設定することができる。 The service management table 1001 may store the communication quality of video data and/or audio data in association with animal species and first and second communication modes. For example, video data resolutions corresponding to animal species and first and second communication modes may be set. The quality changing unit 141 can read the resolution corresponding to the animal species of the animal patient and the current communication mode from the service management table 1001 and set the resolution in the encoding process.
　また、サービス管理テーブル１００１においては、動物種と第１及び第２の通信モードとに対応付けてビデオデータ及び／又は音声データの符号化方式を格納するようにしてもよい。品質変更部１４１は、動物患者の動物種及び現在の通信モードに対応する符号化方式をサービス管理テーブル１００１から読み出して、読み出した符号化方式により符号化処理を行うようにすることができる。 Also, in the service management table 1001, the encoding method of the video data and/or the audio data may be stored in association with the animal species and the first and second communication modes. The quality changing unit 141 can read the encoding method corresponding to the animal species of the animal patient and the current communication mode from the service management table 1001 and perform the encoding process using the read encoding method.
　さらに、サービス管理テーブル１００１においては、診療内容と動物種と第１及び第２の通信モードとに対応付けてビデオデータ及び／又は音声データの通信品質を格納するようにしてもよい。この場合、動物病院端末２０において診療内容（例えば、診療科であってもよいし、検査項目であってもよいし、検査部位であってもよいし、獣医師が懸念している病名であってもよい。）を入力し、ユーザ端末１０及び動物病院端末２０では、入力された診療内容及び動物患者の動物種ならびに現在の通信モードに対応する通信品質をサービス管理テーブル１００１から読み出し、読み出した通信品質に設定するようにすることができる。 Furthermore, the service management table 1001 may store the communication quality of video data and/or voice data in association with medical care content, animal species, and first and second communication modes. In this case, the content of medical care (for example, the clinical department, the examination items, the examination site, or the name of the disease that the veterinarian is concerned about can be displayed at the animal hospital terminal 20). ) is input, and the user terminal 10 and the veterinary hospital terminal 20 read out the communication quality corresponding to the input medical treatment content, the animal species of the animal patient, and the current communication mode from the service management table 1001. Communication quality can be set.
　以上、添付図面を参照しながら本開示の好適な実施形態について詳細に説明したが、本開示の技術的範囲はかかる例に限定されない。本開示の技術分野における通常の知識を有する者であれば、特許請求の範囲に記載された技術的思想の範疇内において、各種の変更例または修正例に想到し得ることは明らかであり、これらについても、当然に本開示の技術的範囲に属するものと了解される。 Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that those who have ordinary knowledge in the technical field of the present disclosure can conceive of various modifications or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. is naturally within the technical scope of the present disclosure.
　本明細書において説明した装置による一連の処理は、ソフトウェア、ハードウェア、及びソフトウェアとハードウェアとの組合せのいずれを用いて実現されてもよい。本実施形態に係るユーザ端末１０の各機能を実現するためのコンピュータプログラムを作製し、ＰＣ等に実装することが可能である。また、このようなコンピュータプログラムが格納された、コンピュータで読み取り可能な記録媒体も提供することができる。記録媒体は、例えば、磁気ディスク、光ディスク、光磁気ディスク、フラッシュメモリ等である。また、上記のコンピュータプログラムは、記録媒体を用いずに、例えばネットワークを介して配信されてもよい。 A series of processes by the device described in this specification may be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. It is possible to prepare a computer program for realizing each function of the user terminal 10 according to the present embodiment and to implement it in a PC or the like. A computer-readable recording medium storing such a computer program can also be provided. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, or the like. Also, the above computer program may be distributed, for example, via a network without using a recording medium.
　また、本明細書においてフローチャート図を用いて説明した処理は、必ずしも図示された順序で実行されなくてもよい。いくつかの処理ステップは、並列的に実行されてもよい。また、追加的な処理ステップが採用されてもよく、一部の処理ステップが省略されてもよい。 Also, the processes described using the flowcharts in this specification do not necessarily have to be executed in the illustrated order. Some processing steps may be performed in parallel. Also, additional processing steps may be employed, and some processing steps may be omitted.
　また、本明細書に記載された効果は、あくまで説明的または例示的なものであって限定的ではない。つまり、本開示に係る技術は、上記の効果とともに、または上記の効果に代えて、本明細書の記載から当業者には明らかな他の効果を奏しうる。 Also, the effects described in this specification are merely descriptive or exemplary, and are not limiting. In other words, the technology according to the present disclosure can produce other effects that are obvious to those skilled in the art from the description of this specification in addition to or instead of the above effects.
　１　　　　動物患者用遠隔診察システム
　１０　　　ユーザ端末
　１１０　　カメラ部
　１３０　　記録部
　１４２　　ビデオ通話シーケンス部
　２０　　　動物病院端末
　２３０　　記録部 1 remote diagnosis system for animal patients 10 user terminal 110 camera section 130 recording section 142 video call sequence section 20 veterinary hospital terminal 230 recording section

Claims (6)

  1. 　カメラ及びマイクを備えたユーザ端末と、前記ユーザ端末とネットワークを介して通信可能に接続された動物病院端末とを含み、
    　前記ユーザ端末は、前記カメラが取得したビデオデータ及び前記マイクが取得した音声データを前記動物病院端末に送信し、
    　前記動物病院端末は、受信した前記ビデオデータ及び前記音声データを出力する、動物患者用遠隔診察システムにおいて、
    　前記ユーザ端末と前記動物病院端末との通信は、前記ビデオデータの情報量を第１のデータ量とし、前記音声データの情報量を第２のデータ量とする第１の通信モードと、前記ビデオデータの情報量を前記第１のデータ量よりも大きい第３のデータ量とし、前記音声データの情報量を前記第２のデータ量よりも小さい第４のデータ量とする第２の通信モードとに少なくとも切替が可能であり、
    　少なくとも前記動物病院端末の切替操作に応じて、前記動作モードの切替がなされること、
    　を特徴とする動物患者用遠隔診察システム。     A user terminal equipped with a camera and a microphone, and an animal hospital terminal communicably connected to the user terminal via a network,
    The user terminal transmits the video data acquired by the camera and the audio data acquired by the microphone to the animal hospital terminal,
    In a remote diagnosis system for animal patients, wherein the veterinary hospital terminal outputs the received video data and audio data,
    Communication between the user terminal and the veterinary hospital terminal includes a first communication mode in which the information amount of the video data is set as a first data amount and the information amount of the voice data is set as a second data amount; a second communication mode in which the information amount of data is a third data amount larger than the first data amount, and the information amount of the voice data is a fourth data amount smaller than the second data amount; is at least switchable to
    switching between the operation modes at least in accordance with a switching operation of the veterinary hospital terminal;
    A telemedicine system for animal patients, characterized by:
  2. 　請求項１に記載の動物患者用遠隔診察システムであって、
    　前記第２の通信モードにおける前記ビデオデータの解像度は、前記第１の通信モードにおける前記ビデオデータの解像度よりも高いこと、
    　を特徴とする動物患者用遠隔診察システム。     The animal patient telemedicine system of claim 1, comprising:
    the resolution of the video data in the second communication mode is higher than the resolution of the video data in the first communication mode;
    A telemedicine system for animal patients, characterized by:
  3. 　請求項２に記載の動物患者用遠隔診察システムであって、
    　動物患者の動物種に応じて前記解像度が決定されること、
    　を特徴とする動物患者用遠隔診察システム。     The animal patient telemedicine system of claim 2, wherein
    The resolution is determined according to the animal species of the animal patient;
    A telemedicine system for animal patients, characterized by:
  4. 　請求項１ないし３のいずれか１項に記載の動物患者用遠隔診察システムであって、
    　前記第１の通信モードにおける前記ビデオデータ及び前記音声データの少なくともいずれかの符号化方式は、動物患者の動物種に応じて決定されること、
    　を特徴とする動物患者用遠隔診察システム。     The remote diagnosis system for animal patients according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
    an encoding method for at least one of the video data and the audio data in the first communication mode is determined according to the animal species of the animal patient;
    A telemedicine system for animal patients, characterized by:
  5. 　請求項１ないし４のいずれか１項に記載の動物患者用遠隔診察システムであって、
    　前記第１の通信モードにおける前記ビデオデータ及び前記音声データの少なくともいずれかの符号化方式は、診療内容に応じて決定されること、
    　を特徴とする動物患者用遠隔診察システム。     A remote diagnosis system for animal patients according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
    an encoding method for at least one of the video data and the audio data in the first communication mode is determined according to medical care content;
    A telemedicine system for animal patients, characterized by:
  6. 　請求項１ないし５のいずれか１項に記載の動物患者用遠隔診察システムであって、
    　前記第１の通信モードにおいて前記音声データは波形符号化により符号化され、前記第２の通信モードにおいて前記音声データはハイブリッド符号化もしくは分析合成符号化により符号化され、又は、
    　前記第１の通信モードにおいて前記音声データはハイブリッド符号化により符号化され、前記第２の通信モードにおいて前記音声データは分析合成符号化により符号化されること、
    　を特徴とする動物患者用遠隔診察システム。     A telemedicine system for animal patients according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
    In the first communication mode, the voice data is coded by waveform coding, and in the second communication mode, the voice data is coded by hybrid coding or analysis-synthesis coding, or
    wherein in the first communication mode the voice data is coded by hybrid coding and in the second communication mode the voice data is coded by analysis-synthesis coding;
    A telemedicine system for animal patients, characterized by:
PCT/JP2021/046361 2021-12-15 2021-12-15 Remote medical examination system for animal subject WO2023112226A1 (en)

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JP6944230B1 (en) * 2020-06-12 2021-10-06 株式会社Ｐｅｃｏ Remote examination advice system for animal patients

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