JP7517694B2 - Activity measurement device, activity measurement method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an activity measurement device, an activity measurement method, and a program.

It has been reported that 7.6% of elderly people are socially isolated (those who have social interaction less than once a week and go outside once every few days or less), and the increase in elderly people living alone has become a social issue. At the same time, the working population (those in their prime working years) is steadily decreasing, and those in their prime working years who have elderly parents living alone find it difficult to visit or contact their parents every day while trying to balance their work and their own family life, which is likely to cause them anxiety and concern. Specifically, it is becoming more difficult to understand how elderly people living alone spend their time at home and whether they are able to continue to engage in activities that contribute to maintaining their cognitive and physical functions on a daily basis.

The problems surrounding elderly people living alone include 4 million people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in terms of cognitive function, 3.09 million people with frailty, and 17.95 million people with pre-frailty in terms of physical function. MCI is the precursor to dementia, and while 10-30% of people with MCI progress to dementia each year, it has been reported that some people can recover to normal cognitive function with appropriate intervention. Frailty is a condition that is prone to outcomes such as functional impairment, need for nursing care, and death, and is considered to include not only physical problems such as loss of agility due to decreased muscle strength and increased susceptibility to falls, but also mental and psychological problems such as cognitive impairment and depression, and social problems such as living alone and economic hardship. As with MCI, it has been reported that early and appropriate intervention can reduce the occurrence of a state of need for nursing care for frailty. In this way, it is expected that identifying the signs before the actual need for nursing care and providing appropriate intervention will contribute to extending healthy life expectancy.

As a technology related to the present invention, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a monitoring system for the elderly, etc., which outputs "conversation data" according to acquired "physical data" (activity level, blood pressure, pulse rate, etc.) to proactively talk to the elderly, etc., encourage them to take action, and grasp and activate their health status.

JP 2020-184163 A

To keep track of the activities of elderly people living alone in their homes, it may be possible to use services such as home security. However, these home security services are mainly focused on checking the safety of the residents, and do not focus on maintaining cognitive or physical functions or on the early stages of a condition requiring nursing care, and therefore lack a preventive perspective.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and aims to grasp the amount of activity that contributes to maintaining and improving the cognitive and physical functions of elderly people living alone.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an activity measuring device includes an acquisition unit that acquires the amount of movement of each of a plurality of belongings or pieces of equipment of a subject from a sensor device attached to each of the belongings or pieces of equipment of a subject, and a calculation unit that calculates the amount of activity for each of the classification items based on the amount of movement of each of the belongings or pieces of equipment by referring to association information that associates identification information of the sensor device with classification items of the activity of the subject.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the activity measuring device described above, the activity classification items include at least intellectual activity, physical activity, and lifestyle habits.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the activity measuring device further includes a recording processing unit that receives input of identification information of the sensor device and classification items of the activity amount, and records the received identification information and the classification items in the association information in association with each other.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the recording processing unit receives input of an image showing the belongings to which the sensor device is attached, the recording processing unit further determines the type of belongings shown in the image, and receives a classification item corresponding to the determined type of belongings as input of the classification item.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a method for measuring an amount of activity includes the steps of acquiring the amount of movement of each of a plurality of belongings or pieces of equipment of a subject from a sensor device attached to each of the belongings or pieces of equipment of the subject, and calculating the amount of activity for each of the classification items based on the amount of movement of each of the belongings or pieces of equipment by referring to association information that associates identification information of the sensor device with classification items of the amount of activity of the subject.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the program causes a computer of an activity measuring device to execute the steps of acquiring the amount of movement of each of a plurality of belongings or pieces of equipment of the subject from a sensor device attached to each of the belongings or pieces of equipment of the subject, and calculating the amount of activity for each of the classification items based on the amount of movement of each of the plurality of belongings or pieces of equipment by referring to association information that associates identification information of the sensor device with classification items of the activity of the subject.

The above-mentioned activity measurement device, activity measurement method, and program make it possible to grasp the amount of activity that contributes to maintaining and improving the cognitive and physical functions of elderly people living alone, etc.

1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an activity measuring device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an activity measuring device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of association information according to the first embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a sensor device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the activity measuring device according to the first embodiment. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a notification by the activity measuring device according to the first embodiment. FIG.

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, a monitoring system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

(Overall configuration of activity measuring device)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a monitoring system according to a first embodiment.
The monitoring system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used for the purpose of, for example, checking the safety of elderly people living alone in their homes and monitoring their activity levels in detail.

As shown in FIG. 1, the monitoring system 1 according to the first embodiment includes an activity measuring device 10 and a plurality of sensor devices 2.

The activity measuring device 10 is a server device installed at a location away from the home R. The activity measuring device 10 measures the amount of activity of the subject T (elderly person living alone) who is the target of monitoring by the monitoring system 1 via a sensor device 2 (described later). The activity measuring device 10 then notifies the subject or a family member of the measured amount of activity via a terminal device P (see FIG. 1) such as a smartphone.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor device 2 is attached individually to the belongings of the subject T and to equipment in the home R. The sensor device 2 has an acceleration sensor and a communication device inside (not shown in FIG. 1). With this mechanism, the sensor device 2 detects the degree of movement of each of the belongings and equipment to which it is attached, and transmits the detected movement to the activity measuring device 10 via the communication device. Examples of belongings and equipment include pens, books (magazines, diaries, worksheets, puzzles), smartphones, canes, and front doors, as well as the following items, as shown in FIG. 1.

Computers (computer unit, keyboard, mouse, etc.), tablet devices, book storage boxes, newspaper holders, toilet doors, silver carts, bags, key cases, wallets, transportation IC cards, cameras, games (board games, card games), game cases, gardening tool boxes, watering cans, watering bottles, pet food, pet toilets, trash cans, musical instruments, musical instrument storage boxes, music stands, TV and radio equipment, remote controls, chairs, desks, mats, mat cases, weights, weight bottles, refrigerator doors, shoes, etc.

(Functional configuration of activity measuring device)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the activity measuring device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of association information according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the activity measuring device 10 includes a CPU 100, a memory 101, and a communication interface 102.

The CPU 100 is a processor that operates according to a pre-prepared program. By operating according to this program, the CPU 10 performs various functions, which will be described later.

Memory 101 is a so-called main memory device and has the memory area necessary for the operation of CPU 100.

The communication interface 102 is a connection interface for exchanging information with external devices (including the sensor device 2).

The CPU 100 of the activity measuring device 10 operates according to a program to perform the functions of an acquisition unit 1000, a calculation unit 1001, a notification unit 1002, and a recording processing unit 1003.

The acquisition unit 1000 acquires the amount of movement of each of the subject T's belongings or equipment from the sensor devices 2 attached to each of the subject T's belongings or equipment.

The calculation unit 1001 refers to the association information D (FIG. 3) that associates the identification information of the sensor device 2 with the classification items of the subject T's activity amount, and calculates the activity amount for each classification item (described below) based on the amount of movement of each of the multiple belongings or pieces of equipment.

The notification unit 1002 notifies the subject T and his/her family of the amount of activity for each classification item calculated by the calculation unit 1001.

The recording processing unit 1003 is a functional unit that creates association information D as shown in FIG. 3. Specifically, the recording processing unit 1003 receives input of the "identification information" and "activity amount classification item" of the sensor device 2 from a user (subject T or his/her family member, etc.), and records the received "identification information" and "classification item" in association with each other in the association information D.

In this embodiment, the activity amount is classified into three categories: "intellectual activity,""lifestyle," and "physical activity."
"Intellectual activities" are activities that contribute to maintaining cognitive function, such as reading books or magazines, studying or learning a language, using the Internet, doing calculations, playing games, and solving puzzles.
In addition, "lifestyle habits" refers to activities that belong to preventive lifestyle habits against the decline in cognitive function and the decline in physical function.
Furthermore, "physical activity" refers to activities that contribute to maintaining and improving physical strength, such as aerobic exercise, balance training, strength training, and stretching.

The activity measuring device 10 according to this embodiment classifies and evaluates the activity of the subject T into the above three categories (items) depending on the type of belongings or equipment whose movement was observed.

(Configuration of sensor device)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the sensor device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in Fig. 4, the sensor device 2 is a small device having a two-dimensional code 2A and a communication device 2B. Although the sensor device 2 shown in Fig. 4 is molded into a rectangular shape, the sensor device 2 is not limited to this shape, and may be molded into various sizes and shapes according to the size and shape of belongings or equipment to which the sensor device 2 is attached.

Next, an initial setting procedure of the monitoring system 1 of this embodiment will be described.
First, a user (subject T or his/her family member, etc.) attaches a sensor device 2 to multiple belongings and equipment of the subject T. Next, a two-dimensional code 2A is read using the camera function of the terminal device P. This two-dimensional code 2A records the identification information (see FIG. 3) of the sensor device 2. Next, the user operates the terminal device P to select one of three classification items ("mental activity", "lifestyle habit", and "physical activity") for the sensor device 2 (read identification information) from a predetermined application. The record processing unit 1003 (FIG. 2) associates the identification information and classification items thus received, and registers them in the association information D (see FIG. 3).

The classification items to be selected for each object to which the sensor device 2 is to be attached are as follows:
(a) Items and equipment related to studying, reading, newspapers, writing, computers, crossword puzzles, board games, card games, playing musical instruments, etc. -> select "intellectual activities"; (b) Items and equipment related to daily conversations (phone calls, web conferences), yard work or gardening, going out (to a friend's house, to a museum), driving a car, taking care of grandchildren or pets, watching TV or listening to the radio -> select "lifestyle habits"; (c) Items and equipment related to aerobic exercise, strength training, balance training, stretching, self-care training, dancing, etc. -> select "physical activity"

If there are two or more categories that apply to one attachment object, you may select all of the categories.

In another embodiment, the user may select the type name of the object to which the sensor device 2 is to be affixed ("pen," "magazine," "drill," "front door," ...) instead of selecting a category item ("intellectual activity," "lifestyle habit," "physical activity"). In this case, the recording processing unit 1003 converts the type name of the object to be affixed selected by the user into a category item corresponding to the type name based on a correspondence between the type name of the object to be affixed and the category item defined in advance, and registers the converted type name. For example, when the information "pen" is selected for the object to be affixed of the sensor device 2, the recording processing unit 1003 selects and registers "intellectual activity," which is the category item corresponding to the "pen."

In yet another embodiment, the following mechanism may be adopted.
That is, the user photographs the sensor device 2 and the object to which the sensor device 2 is attached (e.g., a pen) using the terminal device P. When the recording processing unit 1003 receives image data (photograph) obtained by this photographing, it performs image recognition processing on the image data and recognizes the two-dimensional code of the sensor device 2 and the type of the object to which the sensor device 2 is attached (pen). From the image recognition result, the recording processing unit 1003 identifies the identification information recorded in the two-dimensional code and the classification item (intellectual activity) corresponding to the type of the object to which the sensor device 2 is attached (pen), and automatically registers them in the association information D (see FIG. 3).
In this way, the workload imposed on the user for registering in the association information D can be reduced.

(Processing flow of the activity measuring device)
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the activity measuring device according to the first embodiment.
The process flow shown in FIG. 5 is repeatedly executed in the activity measuring device 10 while the monitoring system 1 is in operation.

The acquisition unit 1000 of the activity measuring device 10 receives the movement amount measurement results from all sensor devices 2 related to the subject T (step S1).

Next, the calculation unit 1001 of the activity measuring device 10 refers to the association information D (FIG. 3) to calculate the amount of activity for each classification item based on the amount of movement of each of the multiple belongings or pieces of equipment (the amount of movement received from the sensor device 2) (step S2). For example, according to the association information D illustrated in FIG. 3, "identification information=#1" is associated with "intellectual activity." Therefore, the calculation unit 1001 adds the measurement result of the amount of movement received from the sensor device 2 with "identification information=#1" to the amount of activity called "intellectual activity."

Next, the notification unit 1002 of the activity measuring device 10 notifies the subject T, family members, etc. of the activity amount for each classification item calculated by the calculation unit 1001 in step S2 via a terminal device P or the like (step S3).

(Example of notification by activity measuring device)
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification by the activity amount measuring device according to the first embodiment.
A monitor image M0 shown in FIG. 6 is an example of an image (a notification result by the activity amount measuring device 10) displayed on the display of the terminal device P.

As shown in FIG. 6, the monitor image M0 shows the amount of activity for each classification item ("mental activity," "lifestyle habits," and "physical activity"). In the example shown in FIG. 6, the total amount of activity for each day, the amount of change from the previous day, etc. are displayed under the title "Daily Report."

Each time the terminal device P receives a tap (click) on the title field A0 (displaying "Daily Report"), it may sequentially switch the display to "Weekly Report" (total activity amount for each week, amount of change from the previous week) or "Monthly Report" (total activity amount for each month, amount of change from the previous month).

Furthermore, the terminal device P may display a graph such as a radar chart M1 when a tap (click) is received on the area A1 where the names of each classification item are displayed. Also, the terminal device P may display a graph such as a line graph M2 showing the progress of the activity amount when a tap (click) is received on the area A2 where the numerical values of each activity amount are displayed.

(Action and Effect)
As described above, the activity measuring device 10 of the first embodiment is characterized by measuring the activity level of the subject T for each predetermined classification item based on a group of information obtained from the sensor device 2 attached to various personal belongings, etc.

With this configuration, the activity content of subject T himself (activity amount for each classification item) is transmitted like ripples through the movement of objects around subject T. By understanding this activity content, it is possible to grasp in detail the extent to which activities that contribute to maintaining subject T's cognitive and physical functions are lacking, making it possible to grasp the signs of a state requiring nursing care even before it occurs.

The monitoring system according to the first embodiment grasps the details of an activity based on the amount of movement of surrounding belongings (sensor device 2), and does not use surveillance cameras or the like. Therefore, it is possible to take into consideration the privacy of the subject T.

As described above, the activity measuring device 10 according to this embodiment can grasp the amount of activity that contributes to maintaining and improving the cognitive and physical functions of elderly people living alone, etc.

In the above-described embodiment, the various processes of the activity measuring device 10 are stored in the form of a program on a computer-readable recording medium, and the above-described various processes are performed by the computer reading and executing this program. In addition, computer-readable recording media refers to magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, semiconductor memories, etc. In addition, the computer program may be distributed to a computer via a communication line, and the computer that receives the program may execute the program.

The program may be for implementing some of the above-mentioned functions, or may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.
Furthermore, the functions of the activity measuring device 10 may be realized by using cloud computing.

As described above, several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, but all of these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as in the scope and gist of the invention.

1 Monitoring system 10 Activity measuring device 100 CPU
1000 Acquisition unit 1001 Calculation unit 1002 Notification unit 1003 Recording processing unit 101 Memory 102 Communication interface

Claims (6)

An acquisition unit that acquires the amount of movement of each of a plurality of belongings or equipment of the subject from a sensor device attached to each of the belongings or equipment of the subject;
a calculation unit that calculates the activity amount for each classification item based on the amount of movement of each of the plurality of belongings or equipment by referring to association information that associates the identification information of the sensor device with a classification item of the activity amount of the subject;
An activity measuring device comprising: The classification items of the activity amount include at least intellectual activity amount, physical activity amount, and lifestyle habits.
The activity measuring device according to claim 1 . a recording processing unit that receives input of identification information of the sensor device and a classification item of the activity amount, and records the received identification information and the classification item in the association information in association with each other;
The activity measuring device according to claim 1 . The recording processing unit further determines a type of the belongings shown in the image when the recording processing unit receives an input of the image showing the belongings to which the sensor device is attached, and receives a classification item corresponding to the determined type of the belongings as an input of the classification item.
The activity measuring device according to claim 3 . An activity measuring device acquires an amount of movement of each of a plurality of belongings or equipment of the subject from sensor devices attached to each of the belongings or equipment of the subject;
a step of the activity measuring device calculating an activity amount for each classification item based on an amount of movement of each of the plurality of belongings or equipment by referring to association information in which identification information of the sensor device is associated with a classification item of the activity amount of the subject;
An activity measuring method comprising: The computer of the activity measuring device
Obtaining an amount of movement of each of a plurality of belongings or equipment of the subject from a sensor device attached to each of the belongings or equipment of the subject;
calculating an activity amount for each of the classification items based on an amount of movement of each of the plurality of belongings or equipment by referring to association information that associates identification information of the sensor device with a classification item of the activity amount of the subject;
A program that executes the following.

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