U.S. patent application number 10/614621 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-20 for state information acquisition system, state information acquisition apparatus, attachable terminal apparatus, and state information acquisition method.
Invention is credited to Hashimoto, Kazuhiko, Inoue, Shigeyuki, Tanaka, Shinji, Yoshiike, Nobuyuki.
Application Number | 20040098144 10/614621 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27481714 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040098144 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hashimoto, Kazuhiko ; et
al. |
May 20, 2004 |
State information acquisition system, state information acquisition
apparatus, attachable terminal apparatus, and state information
acquisition method
Abstract
A state information acquisition system has a terminal which has
physiological state detecting means of detecting the physiological
state of a person or animal, posture/action detecting means of
detecting the posture and/or action state of the person or animal,
and detection signal transmitting means of transmitting detection
signals based on the detection of (1) the physiological state and
(2) the posture and/or action state, and is attachable to the
person or animal; and signal receiving and processing means which
receives and processes a signal transmitted from the terminal and
is located in a predetermined region; and thereby obtaining state
information indicating the state of the person or animal on the
basis of the detection signal.
Inventors: |
Hashimoto, Kazuhiko; (Osaka,
JP) ; Tanaka, Shinji; (Osaka, JP) ; Inoue,
Shigeyuki; (Osaka, JP) ; Yoshiike, Nobuyuki;
(Nara, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RATNERPRESTIA
P O BOX 980
VALLEY FORGE
PA
19482-0980
US
|
Family ID: |
27481714 |
Appl. No.: |
10/614621 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10614621 |
Jul 7, 2003 |
|
|
|
09981333 |
Oct 17, 2001 |
|
|
|
6616607 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
700/27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/1128 20130101;
A61B 5/1116 20130101; G16H 40/67 20180101; A61B 5/0022 20130101;
A61B 5/6823 20130101; A61B 5/11 20130101; A61B 5/1113 20130101;
A61B 5/6889 20130101; Y10S 128/903 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/027 |
International
Class: |
G05B 011/01 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 18, 2000 |
JP |
2000-318,515 |
Oct 19, 2000 |
JP |
2000-319,870 |
Oct 20, 2000 |
JP |
2000-321,631 |
Nov 14, 2000 |
JP |
2000-347,247 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A state information acquisition system comprising: a terminal
which has physiological state detecting means of detecting the
physiological state of a person or animal, posture/action detecting
means of detecting the posture and/or action state of said person
or animal, and detection signal transmitting means of transmitting
detection signals based on the detection of (1) said physiological
state and (2) said posture and/or action state, and is attachable
to said person or animal; and signal receiving and processing means
which receives and processes a signal transmitted from said
terminal and is located in a predetermined region; and thereby
obtaining state information indicating the state of said person or
animal on the basis of said detection signal.
2. A state information acquisition method comprising the steps of:
detecting the physiological state of a person or animal; detecting
the posture and/or action state of said person or animal;
transmitting detection signals based on the detection of (1) said
physiological state and (2) said posture and/or action state;
receiving and processing said transmitted signal; and obtaining
state information indicating the state of said person or animal on
the basis of said detection signal.
3. A state information acquisition system according to claim 1
comprising: radio wave transmitting means which is located in said
predetermined region and transmits a radio wave; and movement
direction detecting means which is located in an entrance of said
predetermined region and detects the movement direction of said
person or animal; wherein said terminal has radio wave receiving
means of receiving said radio wave when the distance from said
radio wave transmitting means is a predetermined value or less, and
the transmission of said detection signals based on the detection
of (1) said physiological state and (2) said posture and/or action
state is carried out on the basis of the reception of said radio
wave and the detection of said movement direction.
4. A state information acquisition system according to claim 1
comprising position detecting means which is located in said
predetermined region and detects the position of said person or
animal, wherein when said state information is obtained, said
position of said person or animal detected by said position
detecting means is considered.
5. A state information acquisition system according to claim 1
wherein said detection signal has a frequency specific to said
person or animal, said state information acquisition system
comprises identifying means of identifying said person or animal on
the basis of said specific frequency, and when said state
information is obtained, the result of identification carried out
by said identifying means is considered.
6. A state information acquisition system according to claim 1
wherein said physiological state detecting means and said detection
signal transmitting means are integrated in a common case.
7. A state information acquisition system according to claim 1
comprising: storing means of storing, as structured data, said
state information obtained on the basis of said detection signal
and/or standard information previously prepared; comparing and
determining means of comparing said obtained state information with
said stored structured data on the basis of a predetermined
reference and thereby determining whether the state of said person
or animal of object of detection is normal or abnormal; and
notifying means of notifying abnormality when said state of said
person or animal is determined to be abnormal.
8. A state information acquisition apparatus comprising signal
receiving and processing means which receives and processes a
detection signal of the physiological state of a person or animal
and a detection signal of the posture and/or action state of a
person or animal and is located in a predetermined region, wherein
(1) the output from said signal receiving and processing means
contains state information which is based on said detection signal
and indicates the state of said person or animal, or (2) said
processed signal is output for the preparation of state
information.
9. A state information acquisition method comprising the step of
receiving and processing a detection signal of the physiological
state of a person or animal and a detection signal of the posture
and/or action state of a person or animal, wherein (1) said
processed signal contains state information which is based on said
detection signal and indicates the state of said person or animal,
or (2) said processed signal is output for the preparation of state
information.
10. An attachable terminal apparatus comprising detection signal
transmitting means of obtaining and transmitting detection signals
based on the detection of (1) the physiological state of a person
or animal and (2) the posture and/or action state of said person or
animal, wherein said detection signal transmitting means is
attachable to said person or animal.
11. A state information acquisition method comprising the step of
obtaining and transmitting, in the state of being attached to a
person or animal, detection signals based on the detection of (1)
the physiological state of said person or animal and (2) the
posture and/or action state of said person or animal.
12. A state information acquisition system comprising: a terminal
which has physiological state detecting means of detecting the
physiological state of a person or animal and detection signal
transmitting means of transmitting a detection signal based on said
detection, and is attachable to said person or animal; receiving
means which receives a signal transmitted from said terminal and is
located in a predetermined region; and signal processing and
outputting means of processing said received signal and then
outputting the result; and thereby obtaining state information
indicating the state of said person or animal on the basis of said
detection signal.
13. A state information acquisition method comprising the steps of:
detecting, in the state of being attached to a person or animal,
the physiological state of said person or animal and thereby
transmitting a detection signal based on said detection; receiving
said transmitted signal; processing said received signal and then
outputting the result; and obtaining state information indicating
the state of said person or animal on the basis of said detection
signal.
14. A state information acquisition system according to claim 12
comprising position detecting means of detecting the position of
said person or animal, wherein when said state information is
obtained, the result of detection carried out by said position
detecting means is considered.
15. A state information acquisition system according to claim 12
comprising identifying means of identifying said person or animal,
wherein when said state information is obtained, the result of
identification carried out by said identifying means is
considered.
16. A personal characteristics information acquisition system
comprising: radio wave transmitting means which is located at least
at one position in a room and transmits a radio wave of specific
frequency; radio wave receiving means of receiving when the
distance from said radio wave transmitting means is a predetermined
value or less; posture/action detecting means of detecting the
posture, position, action, and motion state of a human body;
physiological state detecting means of detecting the physiological
state such as pulse and heartbeat of said human body; sensor signal
transmitting means of transmitting a sensor signal obtained from
said physiological state detecting means; sensor signal receiving
means of receiving a sensor signal obtained from said sensor signal
transmitting means; a wearable personal information terminal having
said radio wave receiving means, said posture/action detecting
means, said sensor signal receiving means, and sensor signal
processing means of obtaining the personal characteristics
information of said human body; a master apparatus for successively
transmitting and receiving the sensor signals from a plurality of
said wearable personal information terminals by wireless; and
signal processing means of integrally processing, by means of a
network, the signals obtained from said sensor signals from said
master apparatus and thereby obtaining the personal characteristics
information of said human body.
17. A personal characteristics information acquisition system
according to claim 16 comprising: position detecting means which is
located at least at one position in said room and detects the
position of said human body by means of image processing; movement
direction detecting means which is located in an entrance of said
room and detects the movement direction of said human body; storing
means of storing the action information of said human body obtained
from said signal processing means, in an integrated form of
structured data by means of a network; action evaluating means of
evaluating said action information of said human body obtained from
said signal processing means by comparing it with said structured
data stored in said storing means connected to said network; state
determining means of determining and predicting an abnormality in
the action state of said human body obtained from said action
evaluating means; and notifying means of notifying said determined
abnormality in said action state of said human body to said
personal information terminal and other terminals connected to said
network; wherein the results of detection by said position
detecting means and said movement direction detecting means are
integrated into said action information by said signal processing
means.
18. A state information acquisition system comprising: position
detecting means of detecting the position of a person or animal and
thereby transmitting a position detection signal; a terminal which
has posture/action detecting means of detecting the posture and/or
action state of said person or animal and detection signal
transmitting means of transmitting a state detection signal based
on the detection of said posture and/or action state, and is
attachable to said person or animal; and signal receiving and
processing means which receives and processes said position
detection signal and said state detection signal, and is located in
a predetermined region; and thereby obtaining state information
indicating the state of said person or animal on the basis of the
result of said processing.
19. A state information acquisition method comprising the steps of:
detecting the position of a person or animal and thereby
transmitting a position detection signal; detecting the posture
and/or action state of said person or animal and thereby
transmitting a state detection signal; receiving and processing
said position detection signal and said state detection signal; and
obtaining state information indicating the state of said person or
animal on the basis of the result of said processing.
20. A state information acquisition system according to claim 18
wherein: the object of said detection is a person; said state
information acquisition system comprises lavatory state detecting
means of detecting the state of said person in a lavatory; and when
said state information is obtained, the result of detection carried
out by said lavatory state detecting means is considered.
21. A state information acquisition system according to claim 18
wherein: the object of said detection is a person; said state
information acquisition system comprises on-bed state detecting
means of detecting the state of said person on a bed; and when said
state information is obtained, the result of detection carried out
by said on-bed state detecting means is considered.
22. A state information acquisition system according to claim 18
comprising: radio wave transmitting means which is located in said
predetermined region and transmits a radio wave; and movement
direction detecting means which is located in an entrance of said
predetermined region and detects the movement direction of said
person or animal; wherein said terminal has radio wave receiving
means of receiving said radio wave when the distance from said
radio wave transmitting means is a predetermined value or less, and
the transmission of said state detection signal is carried out on
the basis of the reception of said radio wave and the detection of
said movement direction.
23. A state information acquisition system according to claim 18
wherein said state detection signal has a frequency specific to
said person or animal, said state information acquisition system
comprises identifying means of identifying said person or animal on
the basis of said specific frequency, and when said state
information is obtained, the result of identification carried out
by said identifying means is considered.
24. A state information acquisition system according to claim 18
comprising: storing means of storing, as structured data, said
state information obtained on the basis of the result of said
processing and/or standard information previously prepared;
comparing and determining means of comparing said obtained state
information with said stored structured data on the basis of a
predetermined reference and thereby determining whether the state
of said person or animal of object of detection is normal or
abnormal; and notifying means of notifying abnormality when said
state of said person or animal is determined to be abnormal.
25. A state information acquisition apparatus comprising signal
receiving and processing means which receives and processes a
position detection signal based on the detection of the position of
a person or animal and a state detection signal based on the
detection of the posture and/or action state of said person or
animal and is located in a predetermined region, wherein (1) the
output from said signal receiving and processing means contains
state information which is based on the result of said processing
and indicates the state of said person or animal, or (2) said
processed signal is output for the preparation of state
information.
26. A state information acquisition method comprising the step of
receiving and processing a position detection signal based on the
detection of the position of a person or animal and a state
detection signal based on the detection of the posture and/or
action state of said person or animal, wherein (1) said processed
signal contains state information which is based on the result of
said processing and indicates the state of said person or animal,
or (2) said processed signal is output for the preparation of state
information.
27. A state information acquisition system comprising: identifying
means of identifying a person or animal; position detecting means
of detecting the position of said person or animal and thereby
transmitting a position detection signal; and signal processing and
outputting means of receiving and processing said position
detection signal with considering the result of said
identification, and then outputting the result; and thereby
obtaining state signal indicating the state of said person or
animal on the basis of the result of said processing.
28. A state information acquisition method comprising the steps of:
identifying a person or animal; detecting the position of said
person or animal and thereby transmitting a position detection
signal; receiving and processing said position detection signal
with considering the result of said identification, and then
outputting the result; and obtaining state signal indicating the
state of said person or animal on the basis of the result of said
processing.
29. A state information acquisition system comprising: identifying
means of identifying a person or animal; a terminal which has
posture/action detecting means of detecting the posture and/or
action state of said person or animal and detection signal
transmitting means of transmitting a state detection signal based
on the detection of said posture and/or action state, and is
attachable to said person or animal; and signal processing and
outputting means of receiving and processing said state detection
signal with considering the result of said identification, and then
outputting the result; and thereby obtaining state information
indicating the state of said person or animal on the basis of the
result of said processing.
30. A state information acquisition method comprising the steps of:
identifying a person or animal; detecting, in the state of being
attached to said person or animal, the posture and/or action state
of said person or animal and transmitting a state detection signal
based on the detection of said posture and/or action state;
receiving and processing said state detection signal with
considering the result of said identification, and then outputting
the result; and obtaining state information indicating the state of
said person or animal on the basis of the result of said
processing.
31. An abnormal action detection system comprising: position
detecting means which is located at least at one position in a room
and detects the position of a human body by means of image
processing; movement direction detecting means which is located in
an entrance of said room and detects the movement direction of said
human body; transmitting means which is located at least at one
position in said room and transmits a radio wave of specific
frequency; receiving means of receiving when the distance from said
transmitting means is a predetermined value or less; posture/action
detecting means of detecting the posture, action, and motion state
of said human body; a wearable personal information terminal having
said receiving means, said posture/action detecting means, and
signal processing means of obtaining the action information of said
human body; a master apparatus for successively transmitting and
receiving the sensor signals from a plurality of said wearable
personal information terminals by wireless; signal processing means
of integrally processing said sensor signals from said master
apparatus and the signals obtained from said position detecting
means and said movement direction detecting means and thereby
obtaining the action information of said human body; storing means
of storing the action information of said human body obtained from
said signal processing means, in an integrated form of structured
data by means of a network; action evaluating means of evaluating
said action information of said human body obtained from said
signal processing means by comparing it with said structured data
stored in said storing means connected to said network; state
determining means of determining and predicting an abnormality in
the action state of said human body obtained from said action
evaluating means; and notifying means of notifying said determined
abnormality in said action state of said human body to said
personal information terminal and other terminals connected to said
network.
32. An abnormal action detection system according to claim 31
comprising human body state detecting means of detecting an
abnormal state of said human body in a lavatory, wherein the result
of detection by said human body state detecting means is integrated
into said action information by said signal processing means.
33. An abnormal action detection system according to claim 31
comprising on-bed state detecting means of detecting the on-bed
state of said human body on a bed, wherein the result of detection
by said on-bed state detecting means is integrated into said action
information by said signal processing means.
34. A state information detection and transmission apparatus
comprising: physiological information detecting means of detecting
the physiological information of a human body; transmitting means
of transmitting said physiological information detected by said
physiological information detecting means; and a wearable personal
information terminal having: receiving means of receiving said
physiological information from said transmitting means; and sending
means of sending said physiological information received by said
receiving means or physiological information generated by signal
processing of said physiological information, to a predetermined
base station; wherein (1) said transmitting means transmits said
physiological information detected by said physiological
information detecting means to said personal information terminal
in every predetermined time interval, or (2) said receiving means
receives said physiological information from said transmitting
means in every predetermined time interval, or (3) said sending
means sends said physiological information to said base station in
every predetermined time interval.
35. A state information detection and transmission method
comprising the steps of: detecting the physiological information of
a human body; transmitting said detected physiological information;
and in a wearable personal information terminal: receiving said
physiological information; and sending said received physiological
information or physiological information generated by signal
processing of said physiological information, to a predetermined
base station; wherein (1) said detected physiological information
is transmitted to said personal information terminal in every
predetermined time interval, or (2) said physiological information
is received in every predetermined time interval, or (3) said
physiological information is sent to said base station in every
predetermined time interval.
36. A wearable personal information terminal having: receiving
means of receiving physiological information from transmitting
means of transmitting physiological information detected by
physiological information detecting means of detecting the
physiological information of a human body; and sending means of
sending said physiological information received by said receiving
means or physiological information generated by signal processing
of said physiological information, to a predetermined base station;
wherein (1) said receiving means receives said physiological
information from said transmitting means in every predetermined
time interval, or (2) said sending means sends said physiological
information to said base station in every predetermined time
interval.
37. A personal information processing method comprising the steps
of: receiving detected and transmitted physiological information of
a human body, by a predetermined personal information terminal; and
sending said received physiological information or physiological
information generated by signal processing of said physiological
information, from said personal information terminal to a
predetermined base station; wherein (1) said physiological
information is received in every predetermined time interval, or
(2) said physiological information is sent to said base station in
every predetermined time interval.
38. Transmitting means of transmitting physiological information
detected by physiological information detecting means of detecting
the physiological information of a human body, to a predetermined
personal information terminal, wherein said transmitting means
transmits said physiological information detected by said
physiological information detecting means to said personal
information terminal in every predetermined time interval.
39. A transmitting method comprising the step of transmitting
detected physiological information of a human body to a
predetermined personal information terminal, wherein said detected
physiological information is transmitted to said personal
information terminal in every predetermined time interval.
40. A state information detection and transmission apparatus
comprising: physiological information detecting means of detecting
the physiological information of a human body; transmitting means
of transmitting said physiological information detected by said
physiological information detecting means; and a wearable personal
information terminal having: receiving means of receiving said
physiological information from said transmitting means; and sending
means of sending said physiological information received by said
receiving means or physiological information generated by signal
processing of said physiological information, to a predetermined
base station; wherein (1) said transmitting means transmits said
physiological information to said personal information terminal
only when a substantial change occurs in the signal detected by
said physiological information detecting means, or (2) said sending
means sends said physiological information to said base station
only when a substantial change occurs in said physiological
information received by said receiving means.
41. A state information detection and transmission method
comprising the steps of: detecting the physiological information of
a human body; transmitting said detected physiological information;
and in a wearable personal information terminal: receiving said
physiological information; and sending said received physiological
information or physiological information generated by signal
processing of said physiological information, to a predetermined
base station; wherein (1) said physiological information is
transmitted to said personal information terminal only when a
substantial change occurs in said physiological information, or (2)
said physiological information is sent to said base station only
when a substantial change occurs in said received physiological
information.
42. A wearable personal information terminal having: receiving
means of receiving physiological information from transmitting
means of transmitting physiological information detected by
physiological information detecting means of detecting the
physiological information of a human body; and sending means of
sending said physiological information received by said receiving
means or physiological information generated by signal processing
of said physiological information, to a predetermined base station;
wherein said sending means sends said physiological information to
said base station only when a substantial change occurs in said
physiological information received by said receiving means.
43. A personal information processing method comprising the steps
of: receiving detected and transmitted physiological information of
a human body, by a predetermined personal information terminal; and
sending said received physiological information or physiological
information generated by signal processing of said physiological
information, from said personal information terminal to a
predetermined base station; wherein said physiological information
is sent to said base station only when a substantial change occurs
in said received physiological information.
44. Transmitting means of transmitting physiological information
detected by physiological information detecting means of detecting
the physiological information of a human body, to a predetermined
personal information terminal, wherein said transmitting means
transmits said physiological information to said personal
information terminal only when a substantial change occurs in the
signal detected by said physiological information detecting
means.
45. A transmitting method comprising the step of transmitting
detected physiological information of a human body to a
predetermined personal information terminal, wherein said
physiological information is transmitted to said personal
information terminal only when a substantial change occurs in said
physiological information.
46. A state information detection and transmission apparatus
according to claims 34 or 40 wherein said transmitting means is
carried with said human body, said transmitting means further
comprises uncarry detecting means of detecting that said
transmitting means becomes uncarried with said human body, when
said uncarry detecting means detects that said transmitting means
becomes uncarried with said human body, said transmitting means
transmits uncarry information indicating this situation to said
personal information terminal, and said personal information
terminal sends said uncarry information to said base station.
47. A state information detection and transmission apparatus
according to claims 34 or 40 wherein said personal information
terminal further comprises uncarry detecting means of detecting
that said personal information terminal becomes uncarried with said
human body, and when said uncarry detecting means detects that said
personal information terminal becomes uncarried with said human
body, said sending means sends uncarry information indicating this
situation to said base station.
48. A wearable personal information terminal having: state
detecting means of detecting all or part of the posture, action,
and motion state of a human body; and sending means of sending
state information detected by said state detecting means or state
information generated by signal processing of said state
information, to a predetermined base station; wherein said sending
means sends said state information to said base station in every
predetermined time interval.
49. A personal information processing method comprising the steps
of: detecting, as state information, all or part of the posture,
action, and motion state of a human body; and sending said detected
state information or state information generated by signal
processing of said state information, from a predetermined personal
information terminal to a predetermined base station; wherein said
state information is sent to said base station in every
predetermined time interval.
50. A wearable personal information terminal having: state
detecting means of detecting all or part of the posture, action,
and motion state of a human body; and sending means of sending
state information detected by said state detecting means or state
information generated by signal processing of said state
information, to a predetermined base station; wherein said sending
means sends said state information to said base station only when a
substantial change occurs in the signal detected by said state
information detecting means.
51. A personal information processing method comprising the steps
of: detecting, as state information, all or part of the posture,
action, and motion state of a human body; and sending said detected
state information or state information generated by signal
processing of said state information, from a predetermined personal
information terminal to a predetermined base station; wherein said
state information is sent to said base station only when a
substantial change occurs in said detected signal.
52. A personal information terminal according to claim 50 wherein
said personal information terminal further comprises uncarry
detecting means of detecting that said personal information
terminal becomes uncarried with said human body, and when said
uncarry detecting means detects that said personal information
terminal becomes uncarried with said human body, said sending means
sends uncarry information indicating this situation to said base
station.
53. A state information detection and transmission apparatus
comprising: physiological information detecting means of detecting
the physiological information of a human body; transmitting means
of transmitting said physiological information detected by said
physiological information detecting means; and a wearable personal
information terminal having: receiving means of receiving said
physiological information from said transmitting means; state
detecting means of detecting all or part of the posture, action,
and motion state of said human body; and sending means of sending
all or part of state information composed of said physiological
information received by said receiving means and the information
detected by said state detecting means, or alternatively all or
part of state information generated by signal processing of said
state information, to a predetermined base station; wherein said
sending means sends said state information to said base station
only when a substantial change occurs in at least a part of said
physiological information received by said receiving means and said
information detected by said state detecting means.
54. A state information detection and transmission method
comprising the steps of: detecting the physiological information of
a human body; transmitting said detected physiological information;
and in a wearable personal information terminal: receiving said
physiological information; detecting all or part of the posture,
action, and motion state of said human body; and sending all or
part of state information composed of said received physiological
information and said detected information, or alternatively all or
part of state information generated by signal processing of said
state information, to a predetermined base station; wherein said
state information is sent to said base station only when a
substantial change occurs in at least a part of said received
physiological information and said detected information.
55. A state information detection and transmission apparatus
comprising: physiological information detecting means of detecting
the physiological information of a human body; transmitting means
of transmitting said physiological information detected by said
physiological information detecting means; and a wearable personal
information terminal having: receiving means of receiving said
physiological information from said transmitting means; state
detecting means of detecting all or part of the posture, action,
and motion state of said human body; and sending means of sending
all or part of state information composed of said physiological
information received by said receiving means and the information
detected by said state detecting means, or alternatively all or
part of state information generated by signal processing of said
state information, to a predetermined base station; wherein said
receiving means receives said physiological information from said
transmitting means only when a substantial change occurs in the
signal detected by said state detecting means.
56. A state information detection and transmission method
comprising the steps of: detecting the physiological information of
a human body; transmitting said detected physiological information;
and in a wearable personal information terminal: receiving said
physiological information; detecting all or part of the posture,
action, and motion state of said human body; and sending all or
part of state information composed of said received physiological
information and said detected information, or alternatively all or
part of state information generated by signal processing of said
state information, to a predetermined base station; wherein said
physiological information is received only when a substantial
change occurs in said detected signal.
57. A state information detection and transmission apparatus
according to claim 55 wherein said transmitting means is carried
with said human body, further comprised is uncarry detecting means
of detecting that said transmitting means becomes uncarried with
said human body and/or that said personal information terminal
becomes uncarried with said human body, when said uncarry detecting
means detects that said transmitting means and/or said personal
information terminal become uncarried with said human body, said
transmitting means and/or said sending means transmits and/or sends
uncarry information indicating these situations.
58. A wearable personal information terminal having: receiving
means of receiving physiological information from transmitting
means of transmitting physiological information detected by
physiological information detecting means of detecting the
physiological information of a human body; state detecting means of
detecting all or part of the posture, action, and motion state of
said human body; and sending means of sending all or part of state
information composed of said physiological information received by
said receiving means and the information detected by said state
detecting means, or alternatively all or part of state information
generated by signal processing of said state information, to a
predetermined base station; wherein said receiving means receives
said physiological information from said transmitting means only
when a substantial change occurs in the information detected by
said state detecting means.
59. A personal information processing method comprising the steps
of: receiving detected and transmitted physiological information of
a human body, by a predetermined personal information terminal;
detecting all or part of the posture, action, and motion state of
said human body; and sending all or part of state information
composed of said received physiological information and said
detected information, or alternatively all or part of state
information generated by signal processing of said state
information, from said personal information terminal to a
predetermined base station; wherein said physiological information
is received only when a substantial change occurs in said detected
information.
60. A personal information terminal according to any one of claims
36, 42, 48, 50, 52, and 58 further comprising notifying means of
notifying abnormality information by means of sound or color, when
all or part of said detected physiological information or said
detected state information falls within the range of predetermined
abnormality information.
61. An alarm notifying system comprising at least: a personal
information terminal according to any one of claims 36, 42, 48, 50,
52, 58, and 60; and a base station for receiving physiological
information or state information from said personal information
terminal by wireless; wherein said personal information terminal
comprises an alarm button to be arbitrarily pushed by a human body
in order to notify an abnormality, and said alarm notifying system
further comprises notifying means of notifying, by means of sound
or color, abnormality information indicating the abnormality when
said alarm button is pushed.
62. An alarm notifying system comprising at least: a personal
information terminal according to any one of claims 36, 42, 48, 50,
52, 58, and 60; and a base station for receiving physiological
information or state information from said personal information
terminal by wireless; wherein said personal information terminal
comprises an alarm button to be arbitrarily pushed by a human body
in order to notify an abnormality, and when said alarm button is
pushed, abnormality information indicating the abnormality is sent
from said personal information terminal to said base station.
63. A personal characteristics information acquisition system
comprising: a personal information terminal according to any one of
claims 36, 42, 48, 50, 52, 58, and 60; a base station for receiving
physiological information or state information from said personal
information terminal by wireless; and personal characteristics
information calculating means of obtaining the personal
characteristics information of a human body on the basis of said
physiological information or said state information received by
said base station.
64. An action detection system comprising: a wearable personal
information terminal for acquiring at least a part of the personal
characteristic action information of a human body; action
information acquiring means which is uncarried with said human body
and located in a predetermined fixed place, and acquires at least a
part of the personal characteristic action information of said
human body; a base station for receiving said personal
characteristic action information from said personal information
terminal by wireless; action state calculating means of integrally
processing said personal characteristic action information received
by said base station and said personal characteristic action
information from said action information acquiring means and
thereby obtaining the action state of said human body; state
determining means of comparing said action state obtained by said
action state calculating means with predetermined reference
information and thereby determining and predicting the presence or
absence of abnormality in said action state of said human body; a
first Internet terminal for transmitting, via the Internet, the
result of determination by said state determining means, or
alternatively said result of determination and said action state
information obtained by said action state calculating means; and a
second Internet terminal for receiving said result of
determination, or alternatively said result of determination and
said action state information, from said first Internet terminal
via the Internet; wherein said first Internet terminal and said
second Internet terminal can perform interactive information
communications with each other via the Internet.
65. An action detection method comprising the steps of: acquiring,
in the state of being carried with a human body, at least a part of
the personal characteristic action information of said human body;
acquiring, in the state of being uncarried with said human body and
located in a predetermined fixed place, at least a part of the
personal characteristic action information of said human body;
receiving said personal characteristic action information by
wireless; integrally processing said received personal
characteristic action information and said personal characteristic
action information and thereby obtaining the action state of said
human body; comparing said obtained action state with predetermined
reference information and thereby determining and predicting the
presence or absence of abnormality in said action state of said
human body; transmitting the result of said determination, or
alternatively said result of determination and said obtained action
state information, from a first Internet terminal via the Internet;
and receiving said result of determination, or alternatively said
result of determination and said action state information, from
said first Internet terminal via the Internet by a second Internet
terminal; wherein said first Internet terminal and said second
Internet terminal can perform interactive information
communications with each other via the Internet.
66. An action detection system according to claim 64 wherein when
said state determining means determines an abnormality, said first
Internet terminal transmits said result of determination, or
alternatively said result of determination and said action state
information.
67. An action detection system according to claim 64 further
comprising an apparatus which can be connected to said first
Internet terminal and the operation of which is controlled on the
basis of the instructions from said second Internet terminal.
68. An action detection system according to claim 64 wherein said
action information acquiring means comprises: radio wave
transmitting means which is located at least at one position in a
room and transmits a radio wave of specific frequency;
physiological state detecting means of detecting the physiological
state of said human body; and physiological information
transmitting means of transmitting the physiological information
detected by said physiological state detecting means, to said
personal information terminal; said personal information terminal
comprises: radio wave receiving means of receiving the radio wave
from said radio wave transmitting means when the distance from said
radio wave transmitting means is a predetermined value or less;
state detecting means of detecting all or part of the posture,
action, and motion state of said human body; physiological
information receiving means of receiving said physiological
information from said physiological information transmitting means;
and sending means of sending, as personal characteristic action
information, all or part of reception information indicating the
reception of radio wave from said radio wave transmitting means,
said state information detected by said state detecting means, and
said physiological information received by said physiological
information receiving means, to said base station.
69. A computer processable medium carrying a program to cause a
computer to execute all or part of the state information
acquisition method according to claim 2 comprising the steps of:
detecting the physiological state of a person or animal; detecting
the posture and/or action state of said person or animal;
transmitting detection signals based on the detection of (1) said
physiological state and (2) said posture and/or action state;
receiving and processing said transmitted signal; and obtaining
state information indicating the state of said person or animal on
the basis of said detection signal.
70. A computer processable medium carrying a program to cause a
computer to execute all or part of the state information
acquisition method according to claim 13 comprising the steps of:
detecting, in the state of being attached to a person or animal,
the physiological state of said person or animal and thereby
transmitting a detection signal based on said detection; receiving
said transmitted signal; processing said received signal and then
outputting the result; and obtaining state information indicating
the state of said person or animal on the basis of said detection
signal.
71. A computer processable medium carrying a program to cause a
computer to execute all or part of the state information
acquisition method according to claim 19 comprising the steps of:
detecting the position of a person or animal and thereby
transmitting a position detection signal; detecting the posture
and/or action state of said person or animal and thereby
transmitting a state detection signal; receiving and processing
said position detection signal and said state detection signal; and
obtaining state information indicating the state of said person or
animal on the basis of the result of said processing.
72. A computer processable medium carrying a program to cause a
computer to execute all or part of the state information
acquisition method according to claim 28 comprising the steps of:
identifying a person or animal; detecting the position of said
person or animal and thereby transmitting a position detection
signal; receiving and processing said position detection signal
with considering the result of said identification, and then
outputting the result; and obtaining state signal indicating the
state of said person or animal on the basis of the result of said
processing.
73. A computer processable medium carrying a program to cause a
computer to execute all or part of the state information
acquisition method according to claim 30 comprising the steps of:
identifying a person or animal; detecting, in the state of being
attached to said person or animal, the posture and/or action state
of said person or animal and transmitting a state detection signal
based on the detection of said posture and/or action state;
receiving and processing said state detection signal with
considering the result of said identification, and then outputting
the result; and obtaining state information indicating the state of
said person or animal on the basis of the result of said
processing.
74. A computer processable medium carrying a program to cause a
computer to execute all or part of the state information detection
and transmission method according to claim 35 comprising the steps
of: detecting the physiological information of a human body;
transmitting said detected physiological information; and in a
wearable personal information terminal: receiving said
physiological information; and sending said received physiological
information or physiological information generated by signal
processing of said physiological information, to a predetermined
base station.
75. A computer processable medium carrying a program to cause a
computer to execute all or part of the state information detection
and transmission method according to claim 41 comprising the steps
of: detecting the physiological information of a human body;
transmitting said detected physiological information; and in a
wearable personal information terminal: receiving said
physiological information; and sending said received physiological
information or physiological information generated by signal
processing of said physiological information, to a predetermined
base station.
76. A computer processable medium carrying a program to cause a
computer to execute all or part of the state information detection
and transmission method according to claim 54 comprising the steps
of: detecting the physiological information of a human body;
transmitting said detected physiological information; and in a
wearable personal information terminal: receiving said
physiological information; detecting all or part of the posture,
action, and motion state of said human body; and sending all or
part of state information composed of said received physiological
information and said detected information, or alternatively all or
part of state information generated by signal processing of said
state information, to a predetermined base station.
77. A computer processable medium carrying a program to cause a
computer to execute all or part of the state information detection
and transmission method according to claim 56 comprising the steps
of: detecting the physiological information of a human body;
transmitting said detected physiological information; and in a
wearable personal information terminal: receiving said
physiological information; detecting all or part of the posture,
action, and motion state of said human body; and sending all or
part of state information composed of said received physiological
information and said detected information, or alternatively all or
part of state information generated by signal processing of said
state information, to a predetermined base station.
78. A computer processable medium carrying a program to cause a
computer to execute all or part of the action detection method
according to claim 65 comprising the steps of: acquiring, in the
state of being carried with a human body, at least a part of the
personal characteristic action information of said human body;
acquiring, in the state of being uncarried with said human body and
located in a predetermined fixed place, at least a part of the
personal characteristic action information of said human body;
receiving said personal characteristic action information by
wireless; integrally processing said received personal
characteristic action information and said personal characteristic
action information and thereby obtaining the action state of said
human body; comparing said obtained action state with predetermined
reference information and thereby determining and predicting the
presence or absence of abnormality in said action state of said
human body; transmitting the result of said determination, or
alternatively said result of determination and said obtained action
state information, from a first Internet terminal via the Internet;
and receiving said result of determination, or alternatively said
result of determination and said action state information, from
said first Internet terminal via the Internet by a second Internet
terminal.
79. A personal characteristics information acquisition method
comprising the steps of: Transmitting, by radio wave transmitting
means which is located at least at one position in a room, a radio
wave of specific frequency; Receiving, by radio wave receiving
means, when the distance from said radio wave transmitting means is
a predetermined value or less; Detecting, by posture/action
detecting means, the posture, position, action, and motion state of
a human body; Detecting, by physiological state detecting means,
the physiological state such as pulse and heartbeat of said human
body; Transmitting, by sensor signal transmitting means, a sensor
signal obtained from said physiological state detecting means;
Receiving, by sensor signal receiving means, a sensor signal
obtained from said sensor signal transmitting means; Transmitting
successively and receiving, by a master apparatus, the sensor
signals by wireless from a plurality of wearable personal
information terminals having said radio wave receiving means, said
posture/action detecting means, said sensor signal receiving means,
and sensor signal processing means of obtaining the personal
characteristics information of said human body; and Processing
integrally, by signal processing means, the signals obtained from
said sensor signals from said master apparatus by means of a
network and thereby obtaining the personal characteristics
information of said human body.
80. A computer processable medium carrying a program to cause a
computer to execute all or part of the personal characteristics
information acquisition method according to claim 79 comprising the
steps of: transmitting, by radio wave transmitting means which is
located at least at one position in a room, a radio wave of
specific frequency; receiving, by radio wave receiving means, when
the distance from said radio wave transmitting means is a
predetermined value or less; detecting, by posture/action detecting
means, the posture, position, action, and motion state of a human
body; detecting, by physiological state detecting means, the
physiological state such as pulse and heartbeat of said human body;
transmitting, by sensor signal transmitting means, a sensor signal
obtained from said physiological state detecting means; receiving,
by sensor signal receiving means, a sensor signal obtained from
said sensor signal transmitting means; transmitting successively
and receiving, by a master apparatus, the sensor signals by
wireless from a plurality of wearable personal information
terminals having said radio wave receiving means, said
posture/action detecting means, said sensor signal receiving means,
and sensor signal processing means of obtaining the personal
characteristics information of said human body; and processing
integrally, by signal processing means, the signals obtained from
said sensor signals from said master apparatus by means of a
network and thereby obtaining the personal characteristics
information of said human body.
81. An abnormal action detection method comprising the steps of:
Detecting, by position detecting means which is located at least at
one position in a room, the position of a human body by means of
image processing; Detecting, by movement direction detecting means
which is located in an entrance of said room, the movement
direction of said human body; Transmitting, by transmitting means
which is located at least at one position in said room, a radio
wave of specific frequency; Receiving, by receiving means, when the
distance from said transmitting means is a predetermined value or
less; Detecting, by posture/action detecting means, the posture,
action, and motion state of said human body; Transmitting
successively and receiving, by a master apparatus, the sensor
signals by wireless from a plurality of wearable personal
information terminals having said receiving means, said
posture/action detecting means, and signal processing means of
obtaining the action information of said human body; Processing
integrally, by signal processing means, said sensor signals from
said master apparatus and the signals obtained from said position
detecting means and said movement direction detecting means and
thereby obtaining the action information of said human body;
Storing, by storing means, the action information of said human
body obtained from said signal processing means, in an integrated
form of structured data by means of a network; Evaluating, by
action evaluating means, said action information of said human body
obtained from said signal processing means by comparing it with
said structured data stored in said storing means connected to said
network; Determining and predicting, by state determining means, an
abnormality in the action state of said human body obtained from
said action evaluating means; and Notifying, by notifying means,
said determined abnormality in said action state of said human body
to said personal information terminal and other terminals connected
to said network.
82. A computer processable medium carrying a program to cause a
computer to execute all or part of the abnormal action detection
method according to claim 81 comprising the steps of: detecting, by
position detecting means which is located at least at one position
in a room, the position of a human body by means of image
processing; detecting, by movement direction detecting means which
is located in an entrance of said room, the movement direction of
said human body; transmitting, by transmitting means which is
located at least at one position in said room, a radio wave of
specific frequency; receiving, by receiving means, when the
distance from said transmitting means is a predetermined value or
less; detecting, by posture/action detecting means, the posture,
action, and motion state of said human body; transmitting
successively and receiving, by a master apparatus, the sensor
signals by wireless from a plurality of wearable personal
information terminals having said receiving means, said
posture/action detecting means, and signal processing means of
obtaining the action information of said human body; processing
integrally, by signal processing means, said sensor signals from
said master apparatus and the signals obtained from said position
detecting means and said movement direction detecting means and
thereby obtaining the action information of said human body;
storing, by storing means, the action information of said human
body obtained from said signal processing means, in an integrated
form of structured data by means of a network; evaluating, by
action evaluating means, said action information of said human body
obtained from said signal processing means by comparing it with
said structured data stored in said storing means connected to said
network; determining and predicting, by state determining means, an
abnormality in the action state of said human body obtained from
said action evaluating means; and notifying, by notifying means,
said determined abnormality in said action state of said human body
to said personal information terminal and other terminals connected
to said network.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to, for example, a state
information acquisition system, a state information acquisition
apparatus, an attachable terminal apparatus, a state information
acquisition method, and a personal characteristics information
acquisition system for measuring the motion, posture, action state,
and physiological state of a person.
[0003] 2. Related Art of the Invention
[0004] With the entrance into the stage of an aged society, public
attention is focused on the nursing care of elderlies. In
particular, the nursing care of elderlies of dementia or prowling
tendency is considered to be important, and various technology has
been proposed in this application. Means of tracking the action of
such an elderly person and thereby notifying abnormal action, in
case of occurrence, to the person or another person would be useful
for the nursing care. Further, in addition to such an elderly
person, when the action of a person is measured and analyzed to
obtain a behavior pattern, this permits the comfortable control and
safe operation of illumination and air conditioning. This is useful
in daily life.
[0005] In addition to a person, it is useful to measure the action
of an animal or a machine. For an animal, such technology can be
used in the research on not yet-known mode of life. For a machine,
the measurement of state and operation permits efficient and safe
running. This is useful in production activities.
[0006] In order to understand the action of a human body, it is
important to detect "who (or what)," "where," and "what" of an
action. For the purpose of this, it is necessary to (1) identify a
person, (2) detect the position in a room, and (3) detect the
action and the posture.
[0007] For the first issue of identifying a person, available
methods include a method using RF-ID and a method by image
recognition of CCD image.
[0008] The RF-ID is a system in which the identification
information of a tag (called also a transponder, elsewhere)
attached to a moving body such as human body and article is
recognized automatically when an antenna (called also a reader,
elsewhere) connected to a computer receives a radio wave of
specific frequency.
[0009] These systems are classified into two categories from the
viewpoint of the tag reading distance. The first category is the
short distance type using lower frequencies in which the reading
distance between the tag and the antenna is approximately 50 cm or
less. In such a system, for example, a tag is exposed closely to an
antenna, a tag is sewn into the end of a trouser leg, or a tag is
read by an antenna located in a floor. The second category is the
long distance type using microwaves in which the reading distance
between the tag and the antenna exceeds 1 m. In such a system, it
is sufficient for a tag to be carried with a human body or article.
The tag information is read out without any intentional action when
the tag passes by an antenna.
[0010] In the method by image recognition of CCD image, a human
body or article passing through an entrance is shot by a CCD
camera. Then, characteristic quantities such as the face of the
human body and the shape and a mark of the article are extracted by
means of image recognition, and compared with proper characteristic
quantities previously registered, whereby the person or article is
identified.
[0011] For the second issue of specifying the position of a human
body or article in a room, available methods include extraction
from CCD image and extraction from temperature distribution
information obtained by a two-dimensional infra-red sensor. In
addition, in case of a very large building, a method using a PHS or
the like is proposed in which approximate position is specified on
the basis of the intensity of the radio waves from a plurality of
base station.
[0012] For the third issue of detecting the action and the posture,
proposed methods include an old-fashioned method using a pedometer,
a mercury switch, or the like to determine a static state or an
acting state. Proposed recently is a method of detecting the state
of walking, the inclination of body, and the direction of walking
using various acceleration sensors and gyrosensors (angular
velocity sensors) of high performance.
[0013] Further, in order to detect the physiological state of a
human body, a ring sensor for detecting the light transmitting
through a finger and a necklace sensor for detecting the vibration
of heartbeat have been developed recently. These sensors contact
the human body and detect the transmission and the vibration,
thereby detecting the pulse and the like of the human body.
[0014] Nevertheless, each of these previously proposed various
methods of detecting "who (or what)," "where," and "what" of an
action has only a single function as described above.
[0015] (A) Accordingly, there has been the problem that the action,
posture, and action state of a person such as "who (or what) ,"
"where," and "what" of the action do not provide, at least
directly, any information on the physiological state of the
person.
[0016] Further, there has been the problem that it is difficult to
obtain detailed information on the state of a person from the
information obtained by any above-mentioned single function without
obtaining the physiological information of the person.
[0017] (B) The RF-ID permits the identification of a specific
person or article entering a room. Nevertheless, when a plurality
of persons or articles enter the room, it is not possible to
determine who (or what)." exists "where," even using a method of
specifying the position of the human bodies or articles. Further,
even when the posture or the like is detected using an acceleration
sensor, this does not provide any information on the position of
the person in the posture.
[0018] Among the RF-ID systems for identifying a specific person or
article, in the short distance type, the communication distance
between the tag and the antenna is short. This has caused the
necessity of explicitly exposing the tag to the antenna. On the
contrary, in the long distance type, the communication distance
between the tag and the antenna is long. This has caused the
problem that a person or article not passing through but passing by
the entrance can be detected in error. Further, the method of
identifying a specific person or article from a CCD image needs
extraction of characteristic quantities from the image. This has
caused the problem that when the face is unseen at night or due to
an obstacle, the human body is not detected at all.
[0019] (C) Further, in the method of receiving the sensor signals
from the ring sensor, the necklace sensor, or the like, there have
been the problems of a higher noise level, the large amount of
data, and the like.
[0020] (D) Further, in this system, the action state of "who,"
"where," and "what" is obtained accurately. Nevertheless, for
example, in case that the home of the person of object of detection
of action state is far from a hospital, the doctor in the hospital
can not automatically obtain the action state of the person of
object of detection. Accordingly, there has been the problem that
even in case of the occurrence or the possible occurrence of
abnormality in the person of object of detection, the doctor can
not give any advice such as treatment information to the person of
object of detection or the person's helper.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention has been devised with considering
these problems in the prior art. An object of the present invention
is to provide a state information acquisition system, a state
information acquisition apparatus, an attachable terminal
apparatus, a state information acquisition method, a personal
characteristics information acquisition system, a medium, and an
informational set for directly obtaining the physiological state of
a person. Further, considering the above-mentioned problems in the
prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a state
information acquisition system, a state information acquisition
apparatus, an attachable terminal apparatus, a state information
acquisition method, a personal characteristics information
acquisition system, a program, and a medium for obtaining more
detailed information on the state of a person.
[0022] Further, considering the above-mentioned problems in the
prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a state
information acquisition system, a state information acquisition
apparatus, a state information acquisition method, an abnormal
action detection system, a program, and a medium for integrally
obtaining state information indicating the state of a person or an
animal.
[0023] Further, the present invention has been devised with
considering the prior art problem of largeness in the amount of
data of: physiological information transmitted from transmitting
means to a personal information terminal; physiological information
transmitted from the personal information terminal to a base
station; and information on all or part of posture, action, and
motion state of a human body, transmitted from the personal
information terminal to the base station. An object of the present
invention is to provide a state information detection and
transmission apparatus, a personal information terminal,
transmitting means, an alarm notification system, a personal
characteristics information acquisition system, a state information
detection and transmission method, a physiological information
processing method, a transmission method, a program, and a medium
capable of reducing the amount of data of: physiological
information transmitted from transmitting means to a personal
information terminal; physiological information transmitted from
the personal information terminal to a base station; and
information on all or part of posture, action, and motion state of
a human body, transmitted from the personal information terminal to
the base station.
[0024] Further, considering the above-mentioned problems in the
prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide an
action detection system, an action detection method, a program, and
a medium in which information on the action state of a person of
object of detection is automatically transmitted via the Internet
to a first Internet terminal of a predetermined manager (such as a
doctor), and a second Internet terminal is used for performing
interactive communications with the first Internet terminal via the
Internet, whereby information exchange can be carried out between
the person of object of detection or the person's helper and the
manager.
[0025] The 1st invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition system comprising:
[0026] a terminal which has physiological state detecting means of
detecting the physiological state of a person or animal,
posture/action detecting means of detecting the posture and/or
action state of said person or animal, and detection signal
transmitting means of transmitting detection signals based on the
detection of (1) said physiological state and (2) said posture
and/or action state, and is attachable to said person or animal;
and
[0027] signal receiving and processing means which receives and
processes a signal transmitted from said terminal and is located in
a predetermined region; and
[0028] thereby obtaining state information indicating the state of
said person or animal on the basis of said detection signal.
[0029] The 2nd invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition method comprising the steps of:
[0030] detecting the physiological state of a person or animal;
[0031] detecting the posture and/or action state of said person or
animal;
[0032] transmitting detection signals based on the detection of (1)
said physiological state and (2) said posture and/or action
state;
[0033] receiving and processing said transmitted signal; and
[0034] obtaining state information indicating the state of said
person or animal on the basis of said detection signal.
[0035] The 3rd invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition system according to 1st invention
comprising:
[0036] radio wave transmitting means which is located in said
predetermined region and transmits a radio wave; and
[0037] movement direction detecting means which is located in an
entrance of said predetermined region and detects the movement
direction of said person or animal; wherein
[0038] said terminal has radio wave receiving means of receiving
said radio wave when the distance from said radio wave transmitting
means is a predetermined value or less, and
[0039] the transmission of said detection signals based on the
detection of (1) said physiological state and (2) said posture
and/or action state is carried out on the basis of the reception of
said radio wave and the detection of said movement direction.
[0040] The 4th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition system according to 1st invention
comprising position detecting means which is located in said
predetermined region and detects the position of said person or
animal, wherein
[0041] when said state information is obtained, said position of
said person or animal detected by said position detecting means is
considered.
[0042] The 5th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition system according to 1st invention
wherein
[0043] said detection signal has a frequency specific to said
person or animal,
[0044] said state information acquisition system comprises
identifying means of identifying said person or animal on the basis
of said specific frequency, and
[0045] when said state information is obtained, the result of
identification carried out by said identifying means is
considered.
[0046] The 6th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition system according to 1st invention wherein
said physiological state detecting means and said detection signal
transmitting means are integrated in a common case.
[0047] The 7th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition system according to 1st invention
comprising:
[0048] storing means of storing, as structured data, said state
information obtained on the basis of said detection signal and/or
standard information previously prepared;
[0049] comparing and determining means of comparing said obtained
state information with said stored structured data on the basis of
a predetermined reference and thereby determining whether the state
of said person or animal of object of detection is normal or
abnormal; and
[0050] notifying means of notifying abnormality when said state of
said person or animal is determined to be abnormal.
[0051] The 8th invention of the-present invention is a state
information acquisition apparatus comprising signal receiving and
processing means which receives and processes a detection signal of
the physiological state of a person or animal and a detection
signal of the posture and/or action state of a person or animal and
is located in a predetermined region, wherein
[0052] (1) the output from said signal receiving and processing
means contains state information which is based on said detection
signal and indicates the state of said person or animal, or (2)
said processed signal is output for the preparation of state
information.
[0053] The 9
[0054] th invention of the present invention is a state information
acquisition method comprising the step of receiving and processing
a detection signal of the physiological state of a person or animal
and a detection signal of the posture and/or action state of a
person or animal, wherein
[0055] (1) said processed signal contains state information which
is based on said detection signal and indicates the state of said
person or animal, or (2) said processed signal is output for the
preparation of state information.
[0056] The 10th invention of the present invention is an attachable
terminal apparatus comprising detection signal transmitting means
of obtaining and transmitting detection signals based on the
detection of (1) the physiological state of a person or animal and
(2) the posture and/or action state of said person or animal,
wherein
[0057] said detection signal transmitting means is attachable to
said person or animal.
[0058] The 11th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition method comprising the step of obtaining and
transmitting, in the state of being attached to a person or animal,
detection signals based on the detection of (1) the physiological
state of said person or animal and (2) the posture and/or action
state of said person or animal.
[0059] The 12th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition system comprising:
[0060] a terminal which has physiological state detecting means of
detecting the physiological state of a person or animal and
detection signal transmitting means of transmitting a detection
signal based on said detection, and is attachable to said person or
animal;
[0061] receiving means which receives a signal transmitted from
said terminal and is located in a predetermined region; and
[0062] signal processing and outputting means of processing said
received signal and then outputting the result; and
[0063] thereby obtaining state information indicating the state of
said person or animal on the basis of said detection signal.
[0064] The 13th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition method comprising the steps of:
[0065] detecting, in the state of being attached to a person or
animal, the physiological state of said person or animal and
thereby transmitting a detection signal based on said
detection;
[0066] receiving said transmitted signal;
[0067] processing said received signal and then outputting the
result; and
[0068] obtaining state information indicating the state of said
person or animal on the basis of said detection signal.
[0069] The 14th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition system according to 12th invention
comprising position detecting means of detecting the position of
said person or animal, wherein
[0070] when said state information is obtained, the result of
detection carried out by said position detecting means is
considered.
[0071] The 15th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition system according to 12th invention
comprising identifying means of identifying said person or animal,
wherein
[0072] when said state information is obtained, the result of
identification carried out by said identifying means is
considered.
[0073] The 16th invention of the present invention is a personal
characteristics information acquisition system comprising:
[0074] radio wave transmitting means which is located at least at
one position in a room and transmits a radio wave of specific
frequency;
[0075] radio wave receiving means of receiving when the distance
from said radio wave transmitting means is a predetermined value or
less;
[0076] posture/action detecting means of detecting the posture,
position, action, and motion state of a human body;
[0077] physiological state detecting means of detecting the
physiological state such as pulse and heartbeat of said human
body;
[0078] sensor signal transmitting means of transmitting a sensor
signal obtained from said physiological state detecting means;
[0079] sensor signal receiving means of receiving a sensor signal
obtained from said sensor signal transmitting means;
[0080] a wearable personal information terminal having said radio
wave receiving means, said posture/action detecting means, said
sensor signal receiving means, and sensor signal processing means
of obtaining the personal characteristics information of said human
body;
[0081] a master apparatus for successively transmitting and
receiving the sensor signals from a plurality of said wearable
personal information terminals by wireless; and
[0082] signal processing means of integrally processing, by means
of a network, the signals obtained from said sensor signals from
said master apparatus and thereby obtaining the personal
characteristics information of said human body.
[0083] The 17th invention of the present invention is a personal
characteristics information acquisition system according to 16th
invention comprising:
[0084] position detecting means which is located at least at one
position in said room and detects the position of said human body
by means of image processing;
[0085] movement direction detecting means which is located in an
entrance of said room and detects the movement direction of said
human body;
[0086] storing means of storing the action information of said
human body obtained from said signal processing means, in an
integrated form of structured data by means of a network;
[0087] action evaluating means of evaluating said action
information of said human body obtained from said signal processing
means by comparing it with said structured data stored in said
storing means connected to said network;
[0088] state determining means of determining and predicting an
abnormality in the action state of said human body obtained from
said action evaluating means; and
[0089] notifying means of notifying said determined abnormality in
said action state of said human body to said personal information
terminal and other terminals connected to said network; wherein
[0090] the results of detection by said position detecting means
and said movement direction detecting means are integrated into
said action information by said signal processing means.
[0091] The 18th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition system comprising:
[0092] position detecting means of detecting the position of a
person or animal and thereby transmitting a position detection
signal;
[0093] a terminal which has posture/action detecting means of
detecting the posture and/or action state of said person or animal
and detection signal transmitting means of transmitting a state
detection signal based on the detection of said posture and/or
action state, and is attachable to said person or animal; and
[0094] signal receiving and processing means which receives and
processes said position detection signal and said state detection
signal, and is located in a predetermined region; and
[0095] thereby obtaining state information indicating the state of
said person or animal on the basis of the result of said
processing.
[0096] The 19th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition method comprising the steps of:
[0097] detecting the position of a person or animal and thereby
transmitting a position detection signal;
[0098] detecting the posture and/or action state of said person or
animal and thereby transmitting a state detection signal;
[0099] receiving and processing said position detection signal and
said state detection signal; and
[0100] obtaining state information indicating the state of said
person or animal on the basis of the result of said processing.
[0101] The 20th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition system according to 18th invention
wherein:
[0102] the object of said detection is a person;
[0103] said state information acquisition system comprises lavatory
state detecting means of detecting the state of said person in a
lavatory; and
[0104] when said state information is obtained, the result of
detection carried out by said lavatory state detecting means is
considered.
[0105] The 21st invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition system according to 18th invention
wherein:
[0106] the object of said detection is a person;
[0107] said state information acquisition system comprises on-bed
state detecting means of detecting the state of said person on a
bed; and
[0108] when said state information is obtained, the result of
detection carried out by said on-bed state detecting means is
considered.
[0109] The 22nd invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition system according to 18th invention
comprising:
[0110] radio wave transmitting means which is located in said
predetermined region and transmits a radio wave; and
[0111] movement direction detecting means which is located in an
entrance of said predetermined region and detects the movement
direction of said person or animal; wherein
[0112] said terminal has radio wave receiving means of receiving
said radio wave when the distance from said radio wave transmitting
means is a predetermined value or less, and
[0113] the transmission of said state detection signal is carried
out on the basis of the reception of said radio wave and the
detection of said movement direction.
[0114] The 23rd invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition system according to 18th invention
wherein
[0115] said state detection signal has a frequency specific to said
person or animal,
[0116] said state information acquisition system comprises
identifying means of identifying said person or animal on the basis
of said specific frequency, and
[0117] when said state information is obtained, the result of
identification carried out by said identifying means is
considered.
[0118] The 24th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition system according to 18th invention
comprising:
[0119] storing means of storing, as structured data, said state
information obtained on the basis of the result of said processing
and/or standard information previously prepared;
[0120] comparing and determining means of comparing said obtained
state information with said stored structured data on the basis of
a predetermined reference and thereby determining whether the state
of said person or animal of object of detection is normal or
abnormal; and
[0121] notifying means of notifying abnormality when said state of
said person or animal is determined to be abnormal.
[0122] The 25th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition apparatus comprising signal receiving and
processing means which receives and processes a position detection
signal based on the detection of the position of a person or animal
and a state detection signal based on the detection of the posture
and/or action state of said person or animal and is located in a
predetermined region, wherein
[0123] (1) the output from said signal receiving and processing
means contains state information which is based on the result of
said processing and indicates the state of said person or animal,
or (2) said processed signal is output for the preparation of state
information.
[0124] The 26th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition method comprising the step of receiving and
processing a position detection signal based on the detection of
the position of a person or animal and a state detection signal
based on the detection of the posture and/or action state of said
person or animal, wherein
[0125] (1) said processed signal contains state information which
is based on the result of said processing and indicates the state
of said person or animal, or (2) said processed signal is output
for the preparation of state information.
[0126] The 27th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition system comprising:
[0127] identifying means of identifying a person or animal;
[0128] position detecting means of detecting the position of said
person or animal and thereby transmitting a position detection
signal; and
[0129] signal processing and outputting means of receiving and
processing said position detection signal with considering the
result of said identification, and then outputting the result;
and
[0130] thereby obtaining state signal indicating the state of said
person or animal on the basis of the result of said processing.
[0131] The 28th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition method comprising the steps of:
[0132] identifying a person or animal;
[0133] detecting the position of said person or animal and thereby
transmitting a position detection signal;
[0134] receiving and processing said position detection signal with
considering the result of said identification, and then outputting
the result; and
[0135] obtaining state signal indicating the state of said person
or animal on the basis of the result of said processing.
[0136] The 29th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition system comprising:
[0137] identifying means of identifying a person or animal;
[0138] a terminal which has posture/action detecting means of
detecting the posture and/or action state of said person or animal
and detection signal transmitting means of transmitting a state
detection signal based on the detection of said posture and/or
action state, and is attachable to said person or animal; and
[0139] signal processing and outputting means of receiving and
processing said state detection signal with considering the result
of said identification, and then outputting the result; and
[0140] thereby obtaining state information indicating the state of
said person or animal on the basis of the result of said
processing.
[0141] The 30th invention of the present invention is a state
information acquisition method comprising the steps of:
[0142] identifying a person or animal;
[0143] detecting, in the state of being attached to said person or
animal, the posture and/or action state of said person or animal
and transmitting a state detection signal based on the detection of
said posture and/or action state;
[0144] receiving and processing said state detection signal with
considering the result of said identification, and then outputting
the result; and
[0145] obtaining state information indicating the state of said
person or animal on the basis of the result of said processing.
[0146] The 31th invention of the present invention is an abnormal
action detection system comprising:
[0147] position detecting means which is located at least at one
position in a room and detects the position of a human body by
means of image processing;
[0148] movement direction detecting means which is located in an
entrance of said room and detects the movement direction of said
human body;
[0149] transmitting means which is located at least at one position
in said room and transmits a radio wave of specific frequency;
[0150] receiving means of receiving when the distance from said
transmitting means is a predetermined value or less;
[0151] posture/action detecting means of detecting the posture,
action, and motion state of said human body;
[0152] a wearable personal information terminal having said
receiving means, said posture/action detecting means, and signal
processing means of obtaining the action information of said human
body;
[0153] a master apparatus for successively transmitting and
receiving the sensor signals from a plurality of said wearable
personal information terminals by wireless;
[0154] signal processing means of integrally processing said sensor
signals from said master apparatus and the signals obtained from
said position detecting means and said movement direction detecting
means and thereby obtaining the action information of said human
body;
[0155] storing means of storing the action information of said
human body obtained from said signal processing means, in an
integrated form of structured data by means of a network;
[0156] action evaluating means of evaluating said action
information of said human body obtained from said signal processing
means by comparing it with said structured data stored in said
storing means connected to said network;
[0157] state determining means of determining and predicting an
abnormality in the action state of said human body obtained from
said action evaluating means; and
[0158] notifying means of notifying said determined abnormality in
said action state of said human body to said personal information
terminal and other terminals connected to said network.
[0159] The 32th invention of the present invention is an abnormal
action detection system according to 31st invention comprising
human body state detecting means of detecting an abnormal state of
said human body in a lavatory, wherein
[0160] the result of detection by said human body state detecting
means is integrated into said action information by said signal
processing means.
[0161] The 33th invention of the present invention is an abnormal
action detection system according to 31st invention comprising
on-bed state detecting means of detecting the on-bed state of said
human body on a bed, wherein
[0162] the result of detection by said on-bed state detecting means
is integrated into said action information by said signal
processing means.
[0163] The 34th invention of the present invention is a state
information detection and transmission apparatus comprising:
[0164] physiological information detecting means of detecting the
physiological information of a human body;
[0165] transmitting means of transmitting said physiological
information detected by said physiological information detecting
means; and
[0166] a wearable personal information terminal having: receiving
means of receiving said physiological information from said
transmitting means; and sending means of sending said physiological
information received by said receiving means or physiological
information generated by signal processing of said physiological
information, to a predetermined base station; wherein
[0167] (1) said transmitting means transmits said physiological
information detected by said physiological information detecting
means to said personal information terminal in every predetermined
time interval, or
[0168] (2) said receiving means receives said physiological
information from said transmitting means in every predetermined
time interval, or
[0169] (3) said sending means sends said physiological information
to said base station in every predetermined time interval.
[0170] The 35th invention of the present invention is a state
information detection and transmission method comprising the steps
of:
[0171] detecting the physiological information of a human body;
[0172] transmitting said detected physiological information;
and
[0173] in a wearable personal information terminal: receiving said
physiological information; and sending said received physiological
information or physiological information generated by signal
processing of said physiological information, to a predetermined
base station; wherein
[0174] (1) said detected physiological information is transmitted
to said personal information terminal in every predetermined time
interval, or (2) said physiological information is received in
every predetermined time interval, or (3) said physiological
information is sent to said base station in every predetermined
time interval.
[0175] The 36th invention of the present invention is a wearable
personal information terminal having: receiving means of receiving
physiological information from transmitting means of transmitting
physiological information detected by physiological information
detecting means of detecting the physiological information of a
human body; and sending means of sending said physiological
information received by said receiving means or physiological
information generated by signal processing of said physiological
information, to a predetermined base station; wherein
[0176] (1) said receiving means receives said physiological
information from said transmitting means in every predetermined
time interval, or
[0177] (2) said sending means sends said physiological information
to said base station in every predetermined time interval.
[0178] The 37th invention of the present invention is a personal
information processing method comprising the steps of:
[0179] receiving detected and transmitted physiological information
of a human body, by a predetermined personal information terminal;
and
[0180] sending said received physiological information or
physiological information generated by signal processing of said
physiological information, from said personal information terminal
to a predetermined base station; wherein
[0181] (1) said physiological information is received in every
predetermined time interval, or (2) said physiological information
is sent to said base station in every predetermined time
interval.
[0182] The 38th invention of the present invention is transmitting
means of transmitting physiological information detected by
physiological information detecting means of detecting the
physiological information of a human body, to a predetermined
personal information terminal, wherein
[0183] said transmitting means transmits said physiological
information detected by said physiological information detecting
means to said personal information terminal in every predetermined
time interval.
[0184] The 39th invention of the present invention is a
transmitting method comprising the step of transmitting detected
physiological information of a human body to a predetermined
personal information terminal, wherein
[0185] said detected physiological information is transmitted to
said personal information terminal in every predetermined time
interval.
[0186] The 40th invention of the present invention is a state
information detection and transmission apparatus comprising:
[0187] physiological information detecting means of detecting the
physiological information of a human body;
[0188] transmitting means of transmitting said physiological
information detected by said physiological information detecting
means; and
[0189] a wearable personal information terminal having: receiving
means of receiving said physiological information from said
transmitting means; and sending means of sending said physiological
information received by said receiving means or physiological
information generated by signal processing of said physiological
information, to a predetermined base station; wherein
[0190] (1) said transmitting means transmits said physiological
information to said personal information terminal only when a
substantial change occurs in the signal detected by said
physiological information detecting means, or
[0191] (2) said sending means sends said physiological information
to said base station only when a substantial change occurs in said
physiological information received by said receiving means.
[0192] The 41th invention of the present invention is a state
information detection and transmission method comprising the steps
of:
[0193] detecting the physiological information of a human body;
[0194] transmitting said detected physiological information;
and
[0195] in a wearable personal information terminal: receiving said
physiological information; and sending said received physiological
information or physiological information generated by signal
processing of said physiological information, to a predetermined
base station; wherein
[0196] (1) said physiological information is transmitted to said
personal information terminal only when a substantial change occurs
in said physiological information, or (2) said physiological
information is sent to said base station only when a substantial
change occurs in said received physiological information.
[0197] The 42th invention of the present invention is a wearable
personal information terminal having: receiving means of receiving
physiological information from transmitting means of transmitting
physiological information detected by physiological information
detecting means of detecting the physiological information of a
human body; and sending means of sending said physiological
information received by said receiving means or physiological
information generated by signal processing of said physiological
information, to a predetermined base station; wherein
[0198] said sending means sends said physiological information to
said base station only when a substantial change occurs in said
physiological information received by said receiving means.
[0199] The 43th invention of the present invention is a personal
information processing method comprising the steps of:
[0200] receiving detected and transmitted physiological information
of a human body, by a predetermined personal information terminal;
and
[0201] sending said received physiological information or
physiological information generated by signal processing of said
physiological information, from said personal information terminal
to a predetermined base station; wherein
[0202] said physiological information is sent to said base station
only when a substantial change occurs in said received
physiological information.
[0203] The 44th invention of the present invention is transmitting
means of transmitting physiological information detected by
physiological information detecting means of detecting the
physiological information of a human body, to a predetermined
personal information terminal, wherein
[0204] said transmitting means transmits said physiological
information to said personal information terminal only when a
substantial change occurs in the signal detected by said
physiological information detecting means.
[0205] The 45th invention of the present invention is a
transmitting method comprising the step of transmitting detected
physiological information of a human body to a predetermined
personal information terminal, wherein
[0206] said physiological information is transmitted to said
personal information terminal only when a substantial change occurs
in said physiological information.
[0207] The 46th invention of the present invention is a state
information detection and transmission apparatus according to 34th
or 40th inventions wherein
[0208] said transmitting means is carried with said human body,
[0209] said transmitting means further comprises uncarry detecting
means of detecting that said transmitting means becomes uncarried
with said human body,
[0210] when said uncarry detecting means detects that said
transmitting means becomes uncarried with said human body, said
transmitting means transmits uncarry information indicating this
situation to said personal information terminal, and
[0211] said personal information terminal sends said uncarry
information to said base station.
[0212] The 47th invention of the present invention is a state
information detection and transmission apparatus according to 34th
or 40th inventions wherein
[0213] said personal information terminal further comprises uncarry
detecting means of detecting that said personal information
terminal becomes uncarried with said human body, and
[0214] when said uncarry detecting means detects that said personal
information terminal becomes uncarried with said human body, said
sending means sends uncarry information indicating this situation
to said base station.
[0215] The 48th invention of the present invention is a wearable
personal information terminal having:
[0216] state detecting means of detecting all or part of the
posture, action, and motion state of a human body; and
[0217] sending means of sending state information detected by said
state detecting means or state information generated by signal
processing of said state information, to a predetermined base
station; wherein
[0218] said sending means sends said state information to said base
station in every predetermined time interval.
[0219] The 49th invention of the present invention is a personal
information processing method comprising the steps of:
[0220] detecting, as state information, all or part of the posture,
action, and motion state of a human body; and
[0221] sending said detected state information or state information
generated by signal processing of said state information, from a
predetermined personal information terminal to a predetermined base
station; wherein
[0222] said state information is sent to said base station in every
predetermined time interval.
[0223] The 50th invention of the present invention is a wearable
personal information terminal having:
[0224] state detecting means of detecting all or part of the
posture, action, and motion state of a human body; and
[0225] sending means of sending state information detected by said
state detecting means or state information generated by signal
processing of said state information, to a predetermined base
station; wherein
[0226] said sending means sends said state information to said base
station only when a substantial change occurs in the signal
detected by said state information detecting means.
[0227] The 51h invention of the present invention is a personal
information processing method comprising the steps of:
[0228] detecting, as state information, all or part of the posture,
action, and motion state of a human body; and
[0229] sending said detected state information or state information
generated by signal processing of said state information, from a
predetermined personal information terminal to a predetermined base
station; wherein
[0230] said state information is sent to said base station only
when a substantial change occurs in said detected signal.
[0231] The 52th invention of the present invention is a personal
information terminal according to 50th invention wherein
[0232] said personal information terminal further comprises uncarry
detecting means of detecting that said personal information
terminal becomes uncarried with said human body, and
[0233] when said uncarry detecting means detects that said personal
information terminal becomes uncarried with said human body, said
sending means sends uncarry information indicating this situation
to said base station.
[0234] The 53th invention of the present invention is a state
information detection and transmission apparatus comprising:
[0235] physiological information detecting means of detecting the
physiological information of a human body;
[0236] transmitting means of transmitting said physiological
information detected by said physiological information detecting
means; and
[0237] a wearable personal information terminal having: receiving
means of receiving said physiological information from said
transmitting means; state detecting means of detecting all or part
of the posture, action, and motion state of said human body; and
sending means of sending all or part of state information composed
of said physiological information received by said receiving means
and the information detected by said state detecting means, or
alternatively all or part of state information generated by signal
processing of said state information, to a predetermined base
station; wherein
[0238] said sending means sends said state information to said base
station only when a substantial change occurs in at least a part of
said physiological information received by said receiving means and
said information detected by said state detecting means.
[0239] The 54th invention of the present invention is a state
information detection and transmission method comprising the steps
of:
[0240] detecting the physiological information of a human body;
[0241] transmitting said detected physiological information;
and
[0242] in a wearable personal information terminal: receiving said
physiological information; detecting all or part of the posture,
action, and motion state of said human body; and sending all or
part of state information composed of said received physiological
information and said detected information, or alternatively all or
part of state information generated by signal processing of said
state information, to a predetermined base station; wherein
[0243] said state information is sent to said base station only
when a substantial change occurs in at least a part of said
received physiological information and said detected
information.
[0244] The 55th invention of the present invention is a state
information detection and transmission apparatus comprising:
[0245] physiological information detecting means of detecting the
physiological information of a human body;
[0246] transmitting means of transmitting said physiological
information detected by said physiological information detecting
means; and
[0247] a wearable personal information terminal having: recieving
means of receiving said physiological information from said
transmitting means; state detecting means of detecting all or part
of the posture, action, and motion state of said human body; and
sending means of sending all or part of state information composed
of said physiological information received by said receiving means
and the information detected by said state detecting means, or
alternatively all or part of state information generated by signal
processing of said state information, to a predetermined base
station; wherein
[0248] said receiving means receives said physiological information
from said transmitting means only when a substantial change occurs
in the signal detected by said state detecting means.
[0249] The 56th invention of the present invention is a state
information detection and transmission method comprising the steps
of:
[0250] detecting the physiological information of a human body;
[0251] transmitting said detected physiological information;
and
[0252] in a wearable personal information terminal: receiving said
physiological information; detecting all or part of the posture,
action, and motion state of said human body; and sending all or
part of state information composed of said received physiological
information and said detected information, or alternatively all or
part of state information generated by signal processing of said
state information, to a predetermined base station; wherein
[0253] said physiological information is received only when a
substantial change occurs in said detected signal.
[0254] The 57th invention of the present invention is a state
information detection and transmission apparatus according to 55th
invention wherein
[0255] said transmitting means is carried with said human body,
[0256] further comprised is uncarry detecting means of detecting
that said transmitting means becomes uncarried with said human body
and/or that said personal information terminal becomes uncarried
with said human body,
[0257] when said uncarry detecting means detects that said
transmitting means and/or said personal information terminal become
uncarried with said human body, said transmitting means and/or said
sending means transmits and/or sends uncarry information indicating
these situations.
[0258] The 58th invention of the present invention is a wearable
personal information terminal having:
[0259] receiving means of receiving physiological information from
transmitting means of transmitting physiological information
detected by physiological information detecting means of detecting
the physiological information of a human body;
[0260] state detecting means of detecting all or part of the
posture, action, and motion state of said human body; and
[0261] sending means of sending all or part of state information
composed of said physiological information received by said
receiving means and the information detected by said state
detecting means, or alternatively all or part of state information
generated by signal processing of said state information, to a
predetermined base station; wherein
[0262] said receiving means receives said physiological information
from said transmitting means only when a substantial change occurs
in the information detected by said state detecting means.
[0263] The 59th invention of the present invention is a personal
information processing method comprising the steps of:
[0264] receiving detected and transmitted physiological information
of a human body, by a predetermined personal information
terminal;
[0265] detecting all or part of the posture, action, and motion
state of said human body; and
[0266] sending all or part of state information composed of said
received physiological information and said detected information,
or alternatively all or part of state information generated by
signal processing of said state information, from said personal
information terminal to a predetermined base station; wherein
[0267] said physiological information is received only when a
substantial change occurs in said detected information.
[0268] The 60th invention of the present invention is a personal
information terminal according to any one of 36th, 42th, 48th,
50th, 52th, and 58th inventions further comprising notifying means
of notifying abnormality information by means of sound or color,
when all or part of said detected physiological information or said
detected state information falls within the range of predetermined
abnormality information.
[0269] The 61st invention of the present invention is an alarm
notifying system comprising at least: a personal information
terminal according to any one of 36th, 42nd, 48th, 50th, 52nd,
58th, and 60th inventions; and a base station for receiving
physiological information or state information from said personal
information terminal by wireless; wherein
[0270] said personal information terminal comprises an alarm button
to be arbitrarily pushed by a human body in order to notify an
abnormality, and
[0271] said alarm notifying system further comprises notifying
means of notifying, by means of sound or color, abnormality
information indicating the abnormality when said alarm button is
pushed.
[0272] The 62nd invention of the present invention is an alarm
notifying system comprising at least: a personal information
terminal according to any one of 36, 42nd, 48, 50, 52nd, 58, and 60
inventions; and a base station for receiving physiological
information or state information from said personal information
terminal by wireless; wherein
[0273] said personal information terminal comprises an alarm button
to be arbitrarily pushed by a human body in order to notify an
abnormality, and
[0274] when said alarm button is pushed, abnormality information
indicating the abnormality is sent from said personal information
terminal to said base station.
[0275] The 63rd invention of the present invention is a personal
characteristics information acquisition system comprising: a
personal information terminal according to anyone of 36th, 42nd,
48th, 50th, 52nd, 58th, and 60th inventions; a base station for
receiving physiological information or state information from said
personal information terminal by wireless; and personal
characteristics information calculating means of obtaining the
personal characteristics information of a human body on the basis
of said physiological information or said state information
received by said base station.
[0276] The above-mentioned state information detection and
transmission apparatus according to the invention may comprise
radio wave transmitting means which is located at least at one
position in a room and transmits a radio wave of specific
frequency, while the above-mentioned personal information terminal
according to the invention may comprise radio wave receiving means
of receiving said radio wave from said radio wave transmitting
means when the distance from said radio wave transmitting means is
a predetermined value or less.
[0277] In the above-mentioned configuration according to the
invention, the action and the personal characteristics information
of a person, such as position, posture, action information, and
physiological information, can be measured accurately and easily.
Further, state determining means attached to the human body
communicates with the base station by wireless, and the base
station is connected to the network. This permits integrated
management of the personal characteristics information of human
bodies in a plurality of rooms or specified areas. Accordingly, the
action of the human bodies in the whole building can be understood
in real time. This permits various applications such as abnormality
detection, air conditioning/illumination control, and security.
[0278] The term "wearable" in the present specification indicates
portability.
[0279] The 64th invention of the present invention is an action
detection system comprising:
[0280] a wearable personal information terminal for acquiring at
least a part of the personal characteristic action information of a
human body;
[0281] action information acquiring means which is uncarried with
said human body and located in a predetermined fixed place, and
acquires at least a part of the personal characteristic action
information of said human body;
[0282] a base station for receiving said personal characteristic
action information from said personal information terminal by
wireless;
[0283] action state calculating means of integrally processing said
personal characteristic action information received by said base
station and said personal characteristic action information from
said action information acquiring means and thereby obtaining the
action state of said human body;
[0284] state determining means of comparing said action state
obtained by said action state calculating means with predetermined
reference information and thereby determining and predicting the
presence or absence of abnormality in said action state of said
human body;
[0285] a first Internet terminal for transmitting, via the
Internet, the result of determination by said state determining
means, or alternatively said result of determination and said
action state information obtained by said action state calculating
means; and
[0286] a second Internet terminal for receiving said result of
determination, or alternatively said result of determination and
said action state information, from said first Internet terminal
via the Internet; wherein
[0287] said first Internet terminal and said second Internet
terminal can perform interactive information communications with
each other via the Internet.
[0288] The 65th invention of the present invention is an action
detection method comprising the steps of:
[0289] acquiring, in the state of being carried with a human body,
at least a part of the personal characteristic action information
of said human body;
[0290] acquiring, in the state of being uncarried with said human
body and located in a predetermined fixed place, at least a part of
the personal characteristic action information of said human
body;
[0291] receiving said personal characteristic action information by
wireless;
[0292] integrally processing said received personal characteristic
action information and said personal characteristic action
information and thereby obtaining the action state of said human
body;
[0293] comparing said obtained action state with predetermined
reference information and thereby determining and predicting the
presence or absence of abnormality in said action state of said
human body;
[0294] transmitting the result of said determination, or
alternatively said result of determination and said obtained action
state information, from a first Internet terminal via the Internet;
and
[0295] receiving said result of determination, or alternatively
said result of determination and said action state information,
from said first Internet terminal via the Internet by a second
Internet terminal; wherein
[0296] said first Internet terminal and said second Internet
terminal can perform interactive information communications with
each other via the Internet.
[0297] The 66th invention of the present invention is an action
detection system according to 64th invention wherein when said
state determining means determines an abnormality, said first
Internet terminal transmits said result of determination, or
alternatively said result of determination and said action state
information.
[0298] The 67th invention of the present invention is an action
detection system according to 64th invention further comprising an
apparatus which can be connected to said first Internet terminal
and the operation of which is controlled on the basis of the
instructions from said second Internet terminal.
[0299] The 68th invention of the present invention is an action
detection system according to 64th invention wherein
[0300] said action information acquiring means comprises: radio
wave transmitting means which is located at least at one position
in a room and transmits a radio wave of specific frequency;
physiological state detecting means of detecting the physiological
state of said human body; and physiological information
transmitting means of transmitting the physiological information
detected by said physiological state detecting means, to said
personal information terminal;
[0301] said personal information terminal comprises: radio wave
receiving means of receiving the radio wave from said radio wave
transmitting means when the distance from said radio wave
transmitting means is a predetermined value or less; state
detecting means of detecting all or part of the posture, action,
and motion state of said human body; physiological information
receiving means of receiving said physiological information from
said physiological information transmitting means; and sending
means of sending, as personal characteristic action information,
all or part of reception information indicating the reception of
radio wave from said radio wave transmitting means, said state
information detected by said state detecting means, and said
physiological information received by said physiological
information receiving means, to said base station.
[0302] According to the action detection system of the invention
having the above-mentioned configuration, a human body entering a
room can be identified. Further, the action and the state of the
human body, such as in-room position, posture, action physiological
information, can be measured accurately. This permits easy
determination and prediction of abnormality. The result can be
notified to another person via the Internet. Further, state
determining means attached to the human body communicates with the
base station by wireless, and the base station is connected to the
network. This permits integrated management of the personal
characteristics information of human bodies in a plurality of rooms
or specified areas. Accordingly, the action of the human bodies in
the whole building can be understood in real time. This permits
various applications such as abnormality detection, air
conditioning/illumination control, and security.
[0303] The term "wearable" in the present specification indicates
portability.
[0304] The 69th invention of the present invention is a computer
processable medium carrying a program to cause a computer to
execute all or part of the state information acquisition method
according to 2nd invention comprising the steps of: detecting the
physiological state of a person or animal; detecting the posture
and/or action state of said person or animal; transmitting
detection signals based on the detection of (1) said physiological
state and (2) said posture and/or action state; receiving and
processing said transmitted signal; and obtaining state information
indicating the state of said person or animal on the basis of said
detection signal.
[0305] The 70th invention of the present invention is a computer
processable medium carrying a program to cause a computer to
execute all or part of the state information acquisition method
according to 13th invention comprising the steps of: detecting, in
the state of being attached to a person or animal, the
physiological state of said person or animal and thereby
transmitting a detection signal based on said detection; receiving
said transmitted signal; processing said received signal and then
outputting the result; and obtaining state information indicating
the state of said person or animal on the basis of said detection
signal.
[0306] The 71st invention of the present invention is a computer
processable medium carrying a program to cause a computer to
execute all or part of the state information acquisition method
according to 19th invention comprising the steps of: detecting the
position of a person or animal and thereby transmitting a position
detection signal; detecting the posture and/or action state of said
person or animal and thereby transmitting a state detection signal;
receiving and processing said position detection signal and said
state detection signal; and obtaining state information indicating
the state of said person or animal on the basis of the result of
said processing.
[0307] The 72nd invention of the present invention is a computer
processable medium carrying a program to cause a computer to
execute all or part of the state information acquisition method
according to 28th invention comprising the steps of: identifying a
person or animal; detecting the position of said person or animal
and thereby transmitting a position detection signal; receiving and
processing said position detection signal with considering the
result of said identification, and then outputting the result; and
obtaining state signal indicating the state of said person or
animal on the basis of the result of said processing.
[0308] The 73rd invention of the present invention is a computer
processable medium carrying a program to cause a computer to
execute all or part of the state information acquisition method
according to 30th invention comprising the steps of: identifying a
person or animal; detecting, in the state of being attached to said
person or animal, the posture and/or action state of said person or
animal and transmitting a state detection signal based on the
detection of said posture and/or action state; receiving and
processing said state detection signal with considering the result
of said identification, and then outputting the result; and
obtaining state information indicating the state of said person or
animal on the basis of the result of said processing.
[0309] The 74th invention of the present invention is a computer
processable medium carrying a program to cause a computer to
execute all or part of the state information detection and
transmission method according to 35th invention comprising the
steps of: detecting the physiological information of a human body;
transmitting said detected physiological information; and in a
wearable personal information terminal: receiving said
physiological information; and sending said received physiological
information or physiological information generated by signal
processing of said physiological information, to a predetermined
base station.
[0310] The 75th invention of the present invention is a computer
processable medium carrying a program to cause a computer to
execute all or part of the state information detection and
transmission method according to 41th invention comprising the
steps of: detecting the physiological information of a human body;
transmitting said detected physiological information; and in a
wearable personal information terminal: receiving said
physiological information; and sending said received physiological
information or physiological information generated by signal
processing of said physiological information, to a predetermined
base station.
[0311] The 76th invention of the present invention is a computer
processable medium carrying a program to cause a computer to
execute all or part of the state information detection and
transmission method according to 54th invention comprising the
steps of: detecting the physiological information of a human body;
transmitting said detected physiological information; and in a
wearable personal information terminal: receiving said
physiological information; detecting all or part of the posture,
action, and motion state of said human body; and sending all or
part of state information composed of said received physiological
information and said detected information, or alternatively all or
part of state information generated by signal processing of said
state information, to a predetermined base station.
[0312] The 77th invention of the present invention is a computer
processable medium carrying a program to cause a computer to
execute all or part of the state information detection and
transmission method according to 56th invention comprising the
steps of: detecting the physiological information of a human body;
transmitting said detected physiological information; and in a
wearable personal information terminal: receiving said
physiological information; detecting all or part of the posture,
action, and motion state of said human body; and sending all or
part of state information composed of said received physiological
information and said detected information, or alternatively all or
part of state information generated by signal processing of said
state information, to a predetermined base station.
[0313] The 78th invention of the present invention is a computer
processable medium carrying a program to cause a computer to
execute all or part of the action detection method according to
65th invention comprising the steps of: acquiring, in the state of
being carried with a human body, at least a part of the personal
characteristic action information of said human body; acquiring, in
the state of being uncarried with said human body and located in a
predetermined fixed place, at least a part of the personal
characteristic action information of said human body; receiving
said personal characteristic action information by wireless;
integrally processing said received personal characteristic action
information and said personal characteristic action information and
thereby obtaining the action state of said human body; comparing
said obtained action state with predetermined reference information
and thereby determining and predicting the presence or absence of
abnormality in said action state of said human body; transmitting
the result of said determination, or alternatively said result of
determination and said obtained action state information, from a
first Internet terminal via the Internet; and receiving said result
of determination, or alternatively said result of determination and
said action state information, from said first Internet terminal
via the Internet by a second Internet terminal.
[0314] The 79th invention of the present invention is a personal
characteristics information acquisition method comprising the steps
of:
[0315] Transmitting, by radio wave transmitting means which is
located at least at one position in a room, a radio wave of
specific frequency;
[0316] Receiving, by radio wave receiving means, when the distance
from said radio wave transmitting means is a predetermined value or
less;
[0317] Detecting, by posture/action detecting means, the posture,
position, action, and motion state of a human body;
[0318] Detecting, by physiological state detecting means, the
physiological state such as pulse and heartbeat of said human
body;
[0319] Transmitting, by sensor signal transmitting means, a sensor
signal obtained from said physiological state detecting means;
[0320] Receiving, by sensor signal receiving means, a sensor signal
obtained from said sensor signal transmitting means;
[0321] Transmitting successively and receiving, by a master
apparatus, the sensor signals by wireless from a plurality of
wearable personal information terminals having said radio wave
receiving means, said posture/action detecting means, said sensor
signal receiving means, and sensor signal processing means of
obtaining the personal characteristics information of said human
body; and
[0322] Processing integrally, by signal processing means, the
signals obtained from said sensor signals from said master
apparatus by means of a network and thereby obtaining the personal
characteristics information of said human body.
[0323] The 80th invention of the present invention is a computer
processable medium carrying a program to cause a computer to
execute all or part of the personal characteristics information
acquisition method according to 79th invention comprising the steps
of: transmitting, by radio wave transmitting means which is located
at least at one position in a room, a radio wave of specific
frequency; receiving, by radio wave receiving means, when the
distance from said radio wave transmitting means is a predetermined
value or less; detecting, by posture/action detecting means, the
posture, position, action, and motion state of a human body;
detecting, by physiological state detecting means, the
physiological state such as pulse and heartbeat of said human body;
transmitting, by sensor signal transmitting means, a sensor signal
obtained from said physiological state detecting means; receiving,
by sensor signal receiving means, a sensor signal obtained from
said sensor signal transmitting means; transmitting successively
and receiving, by a master apparatus, the sensor signals by
wireless from a plurality of wearable personal information
terminals having said radio wave receiving means, said
posture/action detecting means, said sensor signal receiving means,
and sensor signal processing means of obtaining the personal
characteristics information of said human body; and processing
integrally, by signal processing means, the signals obtained from
said sensor signals from said master apparatus by means of a
network and thereby obtaining the personal characteristics
information of said human body.
[0324] The 81st invention of the present invention is an abnormal
action detection method comprising the steps of:
[0325] Detecting, by position detecting means which is located at
least at one position in a room, the position of a human body by
means of image processing;
[0326] Detecting, by movement direction detecting means which is
located in an entrance of said room, the movement direction of said
human body;
[0327] Transmitting, by transmitting means which is located at
least at one position in said room, a radio wave of specific
frequency;
[0328] Receiving, by receiving means, when the distance from said
transmitting means is a predetermined value or less;
[0329] Detecting, by posture/action detecting means, the posture,
action, and motion state of said human body;
[0330] Transmitting successively and receiving, by a master
apparatus, the sensor signals by wireless from a plurality of
wearable personal information terminals having said receiving
means, said posture/action detecting means, and signal processing
means of obtaining the action information of said human body;
[0331] Processing integrally, by signal processing means, said
sensor signals from said master apparatus and the signals obtained
from said position detecting means and said movement direction
detecting means and thereby obtaining the action information of
said human body;
[0332] Storing, by storing means, the action information of said
human body obtained from said signal processing means, in an
integrated form of structured data by means of a network;
[0333] Evaluating, by action evaluating means, said action
information of said human body obtained from said signal processing
means by comparing it with said structured data stored in said
storing means connected to said network;
[0334] Determining and predicting, by state determining means, an
abnormality in the action state of said human body obtained from
said action evaluating means; and
[0335] Notifying, by notifying means, said determined abnormality
in said action state of said human body to said personal
information terminal and other terminals connected to said
network.
[0336] The 82nd invention of the present invention is a computer
processable medium carrying a program to cause a computer to
execute all or part of the abnormal action detection method
according to 81st invention comprising the steps of: detecting, by
position detecting means which is located at least at one position
in a room, the position of a human body by means of image
processing; detecting, by movement direction detecting means which
is located in an entrance of said room, the movement direction of
said human body; transmitting, by transmitting means which is
located at least at one position in said room, a radio wave of
specific frequency; receiving, by receiving means, when the
distance from said transmitting means is a predetermined value or
less; detecting, by posture/action detecting means, the posture,
action, and motion state of said human body; transmitting
successively and receiving, by a master apparatus, the sensor
signals by wireless from a plurality of wearable personal
information terminals having said receiving means, said
posture/action detecting means, and signal processing means of
obtaining the action information of said human body; processing
integrally, by signal processing means, said sensor signals from
said master apparatus and the signals obtained from said position
detecting means and said movement direction detecting means and
thereby obtaining the action information of said human body;
storing, by storing means, the action information of said human
body obtained from said signal processing means, in an integrated
form of structured data by means of a network; evaluating, by
action evaluating means, said action information of said human body
obtained from said signal processing means by comparing it with
said structured data stored in said storing means connected to said
network; determining and predicting, by state determining means, an
abnormality in the action state of said human body obtained from
said action evaluating means; and notifying, by notifying means,
said determined abnormality in said action state of said human body
to said personal information terminal and other terminals connected
to said network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0337] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a personal
characteristics information acquisition apparatus according to
Embodiment 1 of the invention.
[0338] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a personal
characteristics information acquisition system according to
Embodiment 2 of the invention.
[0339] FIG. 3 is an operation diagram of a personal characteristics
information acquisition system according to Embodiment 2 of the
invention.
[0340] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a personal information
terminal according to Embodiment 3 of the invention.
[0341] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the time-dependent intensity
change in heartbeat used in the description of Embodiment 3 of the
invention.
[0342] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing: the average relation between
the time of day and the number of lavatory usage (FIG. 6(a)); and
the average relation between the number of lavatory usage and the
number of days (FIG. 6(b)); respectively, prepared from the
analysis of the records in a month.
[0343] FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of an abnormal
action detection system according to Embodiment 4 of the
invention.
[0344] FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of an abnormal
action detection system according to Embodiment 5 of the
invention.
[0345] FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of an abnormal
action detection system according to Embodiment 6 of the
invention.
[0346] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of an abnormal
action detection system according to Embodiment 7 of the
invention.
[0347] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of an abnormal
action detection system according to Embodiment 8 of the invention
when the human body 2001 begins to enter the room.
[0348] FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the abnormal
action detection system according to Embodiment 8 of the invention
when the human body 2001 continues to enter the room.
[0349] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the abnormal
action detection system according to Embodiment 8 of the invention
when the human body 2001 has entered the room.
[0350] FIG. 14 is an operation diagram of an abnormal action
detection system according to Embodiment 4 of the invention.
[0351] FIG. 15 is an operation diagram of an abnormal action
detection system according to Embodiment 7 of the invention.
[0352] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a personal information
terminal according to Embodiment 9 of the invention.
[0353] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing: the average relation between
the time of day and the number of lavatory usage (FIG. 17(a)); and
the average relation between the number of lavatory usage and the
number of days (FIG. 17(b)); respectively, prepared from the
analysis of the records in a month.
[0354] FIG. 18 is a schematic configuration diagram of a state
information detection and transmission apparatus according to
Embodiment 10 of the invention.
[0355] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a sensor signal in a
personal characteristics information acquisition method according
to Embodiment 10 of the invention.
[0356] FIG. 20 is an operation diagram of a state information
detection and transmission apparatus according to Embodiment 11 of
the invention.
[0357] FIG. 21 is a schematic configuration diagram of a state
information detection and transmission apparatus according to
Embodiment 12 of the invention.
[0358] FIG. 22 is an operation diagram of a state information
detection and transmission apparatus according to Embodiment 12 of
the invention.
[0359] FIG. 23 is an operation diagram of a state information
detection and transmission apparatus according to Embodiment 13 of
the invention.
[0360] FIG. 24 is a schematic configuration diagram of a state
information detection and transmission apparatus according to
Embodiment 14 of the invention.
[0361] FIG. 25 is a schematic configuration diagram of a personal
information terminal 3006 according to Embodiment 14 of the
invention.
[0362] FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of a personal characteristics
information acquisition system according to Embodiment 16 of the
invention.
[0363] FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram of a personal characteristics
information acquisition system according to Embodiment 17 of the
invention.
[0364] FIG. 28 is a schematic configuration diagram of an action
detection system according to Embodiment 18 of the invention.
[0365] FIG. 29 is a schematic configuration diagram of an action
detection system according to Embodiment 19 of the invention.
[0366] FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram of a personal information
terminal 4006 according to Embodiment 19 of the invention.
[0367] FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram of a house provided with an
action detection system according to Embodiment 19 of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0368] 1 Human body
[0369] 2 Posture/action detecting means
[0370] 3 Radio wave receiving means
[0371] 4 Radio wave transmitting means
[0372] 5 Sensor signal processing means
[0373] 6 Personal information terminal
[0374] 7 Master apparatus (base station)
[0375] 8 Wireless communications
[0376] 9 Movement direction detecting means
[0377] 10 Position detecting means
[0378] 11 Signal processing means
[0379] 12 Network
[0380] 13 Data storing means
[0381] 14 Action evaluating means
[0382] 15 State determining means
[0383] 16 Notifying means
[0384] 19 Physiological state detecting means
[0385] 20 Sensor signal transmitting means
[0386] 21 Sensor signal receiving means
[0387] 23 Sensor signal transmitting and receiving means
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0388] The embodiments of the invention are described below with
reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1
[0389] First, the configuration and the operation of a personal
characteristics information acquisition apparatus according to
Embodiment 1 using a state information acquisition apparatus
according to the invention are described below with reference to
FIG. 1. The figure is a schematic configuration diagram of the
personal characteristics information acquisition apparatus
according to the present embodiment. Here, in addition to the
configuration and the operation of the personal characteristics
information acquisition apparatus according to the present
embodiment, described below is an embodiment of a state information
acquisition method of the invention.
[0390] The personal characteristics information acquisition
apparatus according to the present embodiment comprises a group of
sensors composed of a personal information terminal 6, movement
direction detecting means 9, position detecting means 10, and the
like.
[0391] The personal information terminal 6 is attached to a human
body 1 and comprises: posture/action detecting means 2 of detecting
the posture, body motion, action, and motion state of the human
body by means of an acceleration sensor, a gyrosensor, or the like;
radio wave receiving means 3 of receiving a radio wave of specific
frequency transmitted from radio wave transmitting means 4 when the
distance from the radio wave transmitting means 4 is a
predetermined value (for example, 1 m) or less; sensor signal
receiving means 21 of receiving a sensor signal transmitted from
sensor signal transmitting means 20 attached to physiological
information detecting means 19 attached to the human body; sensor
signal processing means 5 of processing the signals obtained from
the sensors; and sensor signal transmitting and receiving means 23
of transmitting the sensor signals to a base station (referred to
as a master apparatus) 7 by wireless communications 8.
[0392] The movement direction detecting means 9 provides a sensor
output corresponding to the movement direction of the human body 1
by means of an infra-red sensor, a distance sensor, or the like.
The sensor signal output from the movement direction detecting
means 9 is processed by signal processing means 11, thereby
permitting the determination of the movement direction of entering
or exiting the room by the human body 1.
[0393] The position detecting means 10 is either (1) means of
detecting and specifying the position of the human body 1 by means
of image processing using a CCD camera, an infra-red sensor, or an
infra-red camera, the latter two being capable of measuring the
two-dimensional temperature distribution, or (2) means of
specifying the position of the human body 1 by means of: a radio
wave source attached to the human body 1; and one or more antennas
which are located in the room and detect the intensity or the
direction of the radio wave. The position detecting means 10 uses
signal processing means 11 to process the signal obtained from the
CCD camera, the infra-red sensor, or the antennas, thereby
obtaining the two-dimensional coordinates on the floor of the
room.
[0394] In the present embodiment, the human body 1 is identified
substantially at the instance of entering the room, and the
tracking of the identified human body 1 is continued.
[0395] For example, when one or more antennas located in the room
are used, (a) the direction of the human body 1 viewed from each
antenna is obtained from the direction of the radio wave received
by the antenna, and (b) the distance of the human body 1 from each
antenna is obtained from the intensity of the radio wave received
by the antenna. This permits the specification of the
two-dimensional position of the human body 1. In case of a
plurality of antennas, the precision in such position specification
is improved, and further the position of the human body 1 can be
specified on the basis of the principles of trigonometrical
measurement without using the radio wave intensity.
[0396] Further, in case of an infra-red sensor or the like, data
acquisition is carried out approximately in every 1 sec. In case of
the data acquisition with the repetition period of this order,
since the human body 1 does not move very fast, two human bodies
the movement distance of which within the repetition period are
determined as an identical one. Further, the data is interpolated.
In this approach, the movement path of the human body 1 can be
sufficiently analyzed and tracked. Here, with the recent
improvement of the performance of the infra-red sensor or the like,
a plurality of human bodies can be sufficiently discriminated when
the human bodies are separated from each other by approximately 10
cm or more.
[0397] As such, identification is carried out at the instance of
entering the room, and tracking is continued after that. This
approach permits the identification and the position detection of
each human body even when a plurality of human bodies exist in a
room.
[0398] The base station 7 receiving the sensor information of the
personal information terminal 6 by wireless communications 8 is
connected to the signal processing means 11 which is connected to
both the movement direction detecting means 9 and the position
detecting means 10. Accordingly, the information can be integrated.
Here, in case without both the movement direction detecting means 9
and the position detecting means 10, the information corresponding
to that obtained by these means may be detected as personal
information by the personal information terminal 6, and then
transmitted from the personal information terminal 6 to the base
station 7.
[0399] Here, the detection signal transmitting means according to
the invention corresponds to the means having the sensor signal
transmitting and receiving means 23. The signal receiving and
processing means according to the invention corresponds to the
means having the base station (also referred to as a master
apparatus) 7 and the signal processing means 11. The position
detecting means according to the invention corresponds to the means
having the position detecting means 10. The identifying means
according to the invention corresponds to the means having the
sensor signal processing means 5. The receiving means according to
the invention corresponds to the means having the base station
(also referred to as a master apparatus) 7. The signal processing
and outputting means according to the invention corresponds to the
means having the signal processing means 11. The state information
according to the invention corresponds to the action information
according to the present embodiment.
Embodiment 2
[0400] The configuration and the operation of a personal
characteristics information acquisition system according to
Embodiment 2 using a state information acquisition system according
to the invention are described below with reference to FIG. 2. The
figure is a schematic configuration diagram of the personal
characteristics information acquisition system according to the
present embodiment. Here, in addition to the configuration and the
operation of the personal characteristics information acquisition
system according to the present embodiment, described below is an
embodiment of a state information acquisition method of the
invention.
[0401] The personal characteristics information acquisition system
according to the present embodiment comprises a network 12, data
storing means 13, action evaluating means 14, state determining
means 15, notifying means 16, and the above-mentioned personal
characteristics information acquisition apparatus according to
Embodiment 1.
[0402] The action information of human body integrated by the
signal processing means 11 is transferred via the network 12 to the
data storing means 13, and stored as structured data in the data
storing means 13.
[0403] The action information of human body obtained from the
signal processing means 11 undergoes comparison and evaluation in
the action evaluating means 14 on the basis of the structured data
having been accumulated in the data storing means 13 to date. When
the action state of human body obtained from the action evaluating
means 14 is determined to be abnormal or predicted to become
abnormal as a possibility in the future by the state determining
means 15, the notifying means 16 notifies it to the person.
[0404] As such, the signal processing means 11, together with other
signal processing means (not shown) in other rooms, is connected to
the network 12. Accordingly, the information in every room can be
used in common, whereby the action state of the person in every
room can be understood.
[0405] When a displaying apparatus such as monitor is provided as
an auxiliary apparatus to the state determining means 15, the
action state of the person in every room can be viewed at one time.
This reduces substantially the load on helpers in an ordinary home
as well as in an institution for the nursing care of elderlies. In
the present embodiment, the kind of the network is not restricted,
and the network may be a telephone network, the Internet, a
dedicated in-home network, or the like.
[0406] The comparing and determining means according to the
invention corresponds to the means having the action evaluating
means 14 and the state determining means 15.
[0407] The operation of the personal characteristics information
acquisition system according to the present embodiment is described
below in detail with reference to FIG. 3. The figure is an
illustrative diagram of the operation of the personal
characteristics information acquisition system.
[0408] When the human body 1 carries the personal information
terminal 6, the posture/action detecting means 2 composed of an
acceleration sensor or the like continuously monitors the action
state of the human body 1, while the physiological state detecting
means 19 continuously monitors the physiological state (S1).
[0409] When the human body 1 begins to enter the room, the radio
wave receiving means 3 in the personal information terminal 6
begins to receive the ID radio wave of specific frequency from the
radio wave transmitting means 4. With the continuation of entering
the room, the personal information terminal 6 goes into the
reception region of the radio wave receiving means 3, whereby the
ID radio wave is detected (S2). The sensor signal processing means
5 processes the sensor signals detected by the posture/action
detecting means 2 and physiological state detecting means 19 (S3)
These sensor signals are transmitted from the sensor signal
transmitting and receiving means 23, through the master apparatus 7
of base station, and to the signal processing means 11 by wireless
communications 8 (S4).
[0410] In the sensor signal processing means 5, the sensor signal
transmitting and receiving means 23 transmits a radio wave of a
frequency specific to each terminal, and the signal processing
means 11 receives the radio wave via the master apparatus 7 (see
FIG. 1), thereby recognizing the personal information terminal 6.
As such, the human body 1 is identified.
[0411] On the other hand, when the human body 1 approaches the
entrance of the room, the movement direction detecting means 9
composed of a pyroelectric one-dimensional array device having a
plurality of light receiving sections detects the passage of the
human body 1 (S5), and recognizes the start of the passage through
the entrance. With the continuation of entering the room, the
position detecting means 10 according to visible-light image
processing using a CCD camera detects the position of the human
body 1 (S6). The action information of the human bodies 1 is
transmitted to the signal processing means 11 (S7).
[0412] The sensor information transmitted from the personal
information terminal 6 to the base station 7 by wireless
communications 8 is sent to the signal processing means 11 having
the data of the movement direction detecting means 9 and the
position detecting means 10, whereby the information is integrated
by the signal processing means 11 (S8).
[0413] The action information of the human body 1 integrated by the
signal processing means 11 is input to the data storing means 13
via the network 12, and stored as structured data (S9).
[0414] The action information of the human body 1 obtained from the
sensor signal processing means 5 undergoes comparison and
evaluation in the action evaluating means 14 on the basis of the
structured data having been accumulated in the data storing means
13 to date (S10). When the action state of the human body 1
obtained from the action evaluating means 14 is determined to be
abnormal or predicted to become abnormal as a possibility in the
future by the state determining means 15 (S11), the notifying means
16 notifies it to the person or another person (S12).
[0415] Described below are specific examples of the above-mentioned
structured data, the comparison and evaluation by the action
evaluating means 14, and the determination by the state determining
means 15. For example, the movement direction detecting means 9 and
the position detecting means 10 are located in a lavatory for an
elderly. The data from these means is processed by the signal
processing means 11, and then stored as a part of the
above-mentioned structured data in the data storing means 13. FIGS.
6(a) and 6(b) are diagrams showing: the average relation between
the time of day and the number of lavatory usage; and the average
relation between the number of lavatory usage and the number of
days; respectively, prepared as structured data from the analysis
of the records in a month.
[0416] The action evaluating means 14 compares the obtained state
information with the above-mentioned structured data, whereby the
state determining means 15 determines that (1) the number of
lavatory usage in a day has increased, (2) the time interval
between lavatory usage has become short, or the like. As such, the
life pattern of the elderly is understood. This information can be
useful in various applications such as the early-stage detection
and the treatment of diseases.
Embodiment 3
[0417] The configuration and the operation of a personal
information terminal according to Embodiment 3 using an attachable
terminal apparatus according to the invention are described below
with reference to FIG. 4. The figure is a schematic configuration
diagram of the personal information terminal according to the
present embodiment. Here, in addition to the configuration and the
operation of the personal information terminal according to the
present embodiment, described below is an embodiment of a state
information acquisition method of the invention.
[0418] The personal information terminal according to the present
embodiment is attached to a part of a human body, for example, to
the waist using a belt, thereby detecting the posture, the state of
walking, the movement path, and the like using an acceleration
sensor 103, a gyrosensor 110, and the like.
[0419] As for the posture, the inclination of the human body is
obtained by measuring the force component of the gravity using the
triaxial acceleration sensor 103. For the state of walking, the
gravity direction output from the gyrosensor 110 is analyzed by a
sensor signal processing circuit 105, whereby it is determined that
the state is static or walking, and that the state of walking is
upstairs or downstairs.
[0420] A coil 108 receives the radio wave transmitted from the
radio wave transmitting means 4 (see FIG. 2). The signal is
transformed into position information by the sensor signal
processing circuit 105. A sensor signal receiving means 109
receives the physiological signal transmitted from the sensor
signal transmitting means 20 (see FIG. 2) attached to physiological
state detecting means 19. The signal is transformed into heartbeat
rate and the like by the sensor signal processing circuit 105.
[0421] These signals are analyzed into various state information by
the sensor signal processing circuit 105. The results are
transmitted as personal characteristics information through a
transmitting and receiving section 101, through an antenna 104, and
to the base station 7 (see FIG. 2).
[0422] When there has been no human body movement for a long time,
or when an abnormal state is detected, determined, or predicted, an
alarm buzzer 107 calls the person carrying this apparatus. This
alarm buzzer is invoked by a signal input through the antenna 104
and the transmitting and receiving section 101 by wireless. When
there is no response, for example, by pushing a switch 102, to this
call, an abnormal state signal is transmitted through the antenna
104. When the abnormal state signal is transmitted, a helper checks
the situation of the person, and/or the situation is notified to
the outside.
[0423] All the above-mentioned means are powered by an internal
battery 106.
[0424] The present embodiment has been described for the case of an
acceleration sensor. However, the invention is not restricted to
this, and the posture information may be obtained by an inclination
angle sensor.
[0425] The operation of the personal information terminal according
to the present embodiment is described below with reference to FIG.
5. The figure is an illustrative diagram of the time change in
heartbeat intensity.
[0426] The analogue signal such as the pulse obtained by the
physiological state detecting means 19 (see FIG. 2) is transmitted
from the sensor signal transmitting means 20 (see FIG. 2). The
transmitted analogue physiological signal is received by the sensor
signal receiving means 109 (see FIG. 4) built in the personal
information terminal, thereby being transformed into the time
change in the heartbeat intensity as shown in FIG. 5.
[0427] P and P' denote electric excitation processes indicating the
contraction of the atriums, while QRS and Q'R'S' denote electric
excitation processes indicating the contraction of the right and
left ventricles. Time interval RR' is approximately 1 sec.
[0428] The signal undergoes amplification, noise elimination, and
A/D conversion in the sensor signal processing circuit 105 (see
FIG. 4), whereby accurate heartbeat and heartbeat rate are obtained
as personal information. For example, the detection of the time
interval between the heartbeats permits the detection of an
abnormal state.
[0429] As described above, the present invention provides, for
example, a personal characteristics information acquisition method
comprising: radiowave transmitting means which is located at least
at one position in a room and transmits a radio wave of specific
frequency; radio wave receiving means of receiving when the
distance from said radio wave transmitting means is a predetermined
value or less; posture/action detecting means of detecting the
posture, action, and motion state of a human body; physiological
state detecting means of detecting the physiological state such as
pulse and heartbeat of said human body; sensor signal transmitting
means of transmitting a sensor signal obtained from said
physiological state detecting means; sensor signal receiving means
of receiving a sensor signal obtained from said sensor signal
transmitting means; and a wearable personal information terminal
having said radio wave receiving means, said posture/action
detecting means, said sensor signal receiving means, and sensor
signal processing means of obtaining the personal characteristics
information of said human body.
[0430] Further, the present invention provides, for example, a
personal characteristics information acquisition apparatus
comprising: radio wave transmitting means which is located at least
at one position in a room and transmits a radio wave of specific
frequency; radio wave receiving means of receiving when the
distance from said radio wave transmitting means is a predetermined
value or less; posture/action detecting means of detecting the
posture, action, and motion state of a human body; physiological
state detecting means of detecting the physiological state such as
pulse and heartbeat of said human body; sensor signal transmitting
means of transmitting a sensor signal obtained from said
physiological state detecting means; sensor signal receiving means
of receiving a sensor signal obtained from said sensor signal
transmitting means; a wearable personal information terminal having
said radio wave receiving means, said posture/action detecting
means, said sensor signal receiving means, and sensor signal
processing means of obtaining the personal characteristics
information of said human body; a master apparatus for successively
transmitting and receiving the sensor signals from a plurality of
said wearable personal information terminals by wireless; and
signal processing means of integrally processing the signals
obtained from said sensor signals from said master apparatus and
thereby obtaining the personal characteristics information of said
human body.
[0431] Furthermore, the present invention provides, for example, a
personal characteristics information acquisition system comprising:
radio wave transmitting means which is located at least at one
position in a room and transmits a radio wave of specific
frequency; radio wave receiving means of receiving when the
distance from said radio wave transmitting means is a predetermined
value or less; posture/action detecting means of detecting the
posture, position, action, and motion state of a human body;
physiological state detecting means of detecting the physiological
state such as pulse and heartbeat of said human body; sensor signal
transmitting means of transmitting a sensor signal obtained from
said physiological state detecting means; sensor signal receiving
means of receiving a sensor signal obtained from said sensor signal
transmitting means; a wearable personal information terminal having
said radio wave receiving means, said posture/action detecting
means, said sensor signal receiving means, and sensor signal
processing means of obtaining the personal characteristics
information of said human body; a master apparatus for successively
transmitting and receiving the sensor signals from a plurality of
said wearable personal information terminals by wireless; and
signal processing means of integrally processing, by means of a
network, the signals obtained from said sensor signals from said
master apparatus and thereby obtaining the personal characteristics
information of said human body.
[0432] Further, the present invention may be, for example, a
personal characteristics information acquisition system further
comprising the above-mentioned signal processing means of
integrally processing, by means of a network, the signals obtained
from: position detecting means which is located at least at one
position in a room and detects and specifies the position of the
human body by means of image processing; and movement direction
detecting means which is located in the entrance of the room and
detects the movement direction of the human body.
[0433] Further, the present invention may be, for example, a
personal characteristics information acquisition system wherein
said physiological state detecting means and said sensor signal
transmitting means are integrated into one piece and contact the
human body thereby to detect and transmit said physiological state,
whereby the information is integrated by means of a network and
then processed by said signal processing means, and whereby the
personal characteristics information of the human body is
obtained.
[0434] Furthermore, the present invention provides, for example, a
personal characteristics information acquisition system comprising:
position detecting means which is located at least at one position
in a room and detects the position of a human body by means of
image processing; movement direction detecting means which is
located in an entrance of said room and detects the movement
direction of said human body; radio wave transmitting means which
is located at least at one position in said room and transmits a
radio wave of specific frequency; radio wave receiving means of
receiving when the distance from said radio wave transmitting means
is a predetermined value or less; posture/action detecting means of
detecting the posture, position, action, and motion state of a
human body; physiological state detecting means of detecting the
physiological state such as pulse and heartbeat of said human body;
sensor signal transmitting means of transmitting a sensor signal
obtained from said physiological state detecting means; sensor
signal receiving means of receiving a sensor signal obtained from
said sensor signal transmitting means; a wearable personal
information terminal having said radio wave receiving means, said
posture/action detecting means, said sensor signal receiving means,
and sensor signal processing means of obtaining the personal
characteristics information of said human body; a master apparatus
for successively transmitting and receiving the sensor signals from
a plurality of said wearable personal information terminals by
wireless; signal processing means of integrally processing the
signals obtained from said sensor signals from said master
apparatus and the signals obtained from said position detecting
means and said movement direction detecting means, and thereby
obtaining the personal characteristics information of said human
body; storing means of storing the action information of said human
body obtained from said signal processing means, in an integrated
form of structured data by means of a network; action evaluating
means of evaluating said action information of said human body
obtained from said signal processing means by comparing it with
said structured data stored in said storing means connected to said
network; state determining means of determining and predicting an
abnormality in the action state of said human body obtained from
said action evaluating means; and notifying means of notifying said
determined abnormality in said action state of said human body to
said personal information terminal and other terminals connected to
said network.
[0435] According to the personal characteristics information
acquisition apparatus of the invention having the above-mentioned
configuration, a human body entering a room can be identified.
Further, the action and the personal characteristics information of
the human body, such as in-room position, posture, action
information, and physiological information, can be measured
accurately. Further, state determining means attached to the human
body communicates with the base station by wireless, and the base
station is connected to the network. This permits integrated
management of the personal characteristics information of human
bodies in a plurality of rooms or specified areas. Accordingly, the
action of the human bodies in the whole building can be understood
in real time. This permits various applications such as abnormality
detection, air conditioning/illumination control, and security.
[0436] In the present embodiment, the detection of physiological
state and the detection of posture and/or action state according to
the invention have been applied to the human body 1 (that is, a
person). However, the invention is not restricted to this, and may
be applied to an animal.
[0437] Further, in the present embodiment, the physiological state
in the invention has been pulse, heartbeat, or the like. However,
the physiological state in the invention is not restricted to this,
and may be blood pressure, body temperature, oxygen concentration
in blood, or sweating state.
[0438] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the detection of
physiological state according to the invention has been carried out
at the same time as the detection of posture and/or action state.
However, the invention is not restricted to this, and the detection
of physiological state according to the invention (1) may be
carried out together with, for example, the detection of the
position of the person or animal and/or the identification of the
person or animal, and (2) may be carried out solely.
[0439] Further, in the present embodiment, the physiological state
detecting means according to the invention has been provided
separately from the personal information terminal 6. However, the
invention is not restricted to this, and the physiological state
detecting means according to the invention may be built in the
attachable terminal apparatus according to the invention.
Alternatively, the physiological state detecting means according to
the invention may be integrated in a common case together with the
detection signal transmitting means according to the invention.
[0440] Further, in the present embodiment, the posture/action
detecting means according to the invention has been built in the
personal information terminal 6. However, the invention is not
restricted to this, and the posture/action detecting means
according to the invention may be provided separately from the
attachable terminal apparatus.
[0441] Further, in the present embodiment, the transmission of the
detection signals based on the detection of (1) the physiological
state and (2) the posture and/or action state has been carried out
on the basis of the fact that the radio wave transmitted by the
radio wave transmitting means 4 is received by the radio wave
receiving means 3 when the distance from the radio wave
transmitting means 4 is a predetermined value or less. However, the
invention is not restricted to this, and the transmission of these
detection signals may be carried out always, or alternatively,
periodically on the basis of predetermined rules. However,
obviously, in case that the transmission and reception of the
detection signals is carried out when the distance from the radio
wave transmitting means 4 is a predetermined value or less, as in
the present embodiment, the state information of the human body 1
during the stay in the room is acquired efficiently.
[0442] Further, in the present embodiment, when the state
information is obtained according to the invention, having been
considered are: the position of the person or animal obtained by
the position detecting means 10 of detecting the position of the
person or animal; and the movement direction detected by the
movement direction detecting means 9 of detecting the movement
direction of the person or animal. However, the invention is not
restricted to this, and it may be omitted to consider the position
and/or the movement direction of the person or animal in obtaining
the state information according to the invention. In this case, the
position detecting means and/or the movement direction detecting
means according to the invention are unnecessary.
[0443] Further, in the present embodiment, the predetermined region
in the invention has been a room in which the base station (also
referred to as a master apparatus) 7, the signal processing means
11, and the like have been located. However, the invention is not
restricted to this, and the predetermined region in the invention
may be a region in a garden or an elevator. In this case,
obviously, when the radio wave transmitting means 4, the base
station (also referred to as a master apparatus) 7, the signal
processing means 11, and the like are located in each region, the
state information is acquired more efficiently.
[0444] Further, in the present embodiment, the state information
acquisition system according to the invention has comprised: data
storing means 13 of storing the structured data; action evaluating
means 14 of evaluating the obtained action information by comparing
it with the structured data; state determining means 15 of
determining the normality or abnormality in the person on the basis
of the result of the evaluation; and notifying means 16 of
notifying the abnormality, when so determined. However, the
invention is not restricted to this, and the state information
acquisition system according to the invention may be configured
without these means. In this case, for example, the acquired state
information may be displayed always on a monitor, and the
notification of the abnormality may be processed by manual
operation by a person watching the monitor.
[0445] Further, in the present embodiment, the storing means
according to the invention has stored the structured data generated
by accumulating the action information of the human body 1.
However, the invention is not restricted to this, and the storing
means according to the invention may store the state information
obtained from the result of processing and/or standard information
having been prepared previously. Further, the storing means
according to the invention may store more detailed structured data
corresponding to each human body generated by correcting the
previously input information of a standard human body with the
state information continuously accumulated for each human body of
object of detection. In this case, (1) when the accumulation of the
state information is not yet sufficient; the data mainly based on
the previously input information is used, while (2) when the
accumulation of the state information is sufficient, the
above-mentioned detailed and corrected structured data is used.
Then, the state information is compared with the predetermined
reference. This approach permits more appropriate determination of
the normality or abnormality in the person or animal of object of
detection.
[0446] Further, in the present embodiment, the processing of
detected signals according to the invention has been carried out
by: the sensor signal processing means 5 on the transmission side
(that is, on the side of the terminal); and the signal processing
means 11 on the reception side (that is, on the side opposite to
the terminal). However, the invention is not restricted to this,
and the processing of detected signals according to the invention
may be carried out, for example, (1) substantially only on the
reception side, (2) substantially only on the transmission side
when no position detection is carried out on the side opposite to
the terminal, or (3) substantially by a dedicated information
processing apparatus provided on the side of the data storing means
according to the invention. In this case, the timing of the
processing affects slightly the timing of obtaining the state
information according to the present invention.
[0447] Further, in the present embodiment, the state information
acquisition system according to the invention has comprised
movement direction detecting means 9. However, the invention is not
restricted to this, and the state information acquisition system
according to the invention may be configured without movement
direction detecting means.
[0448] Further, in the present embodiment, the identification of
the person or animal according to the invention has been carried
out by: the sensor signal transmitting and receiving means 23
transmitting a radio wave of a frequency specific to the personal
information terminal 6 carried with the human body 1; and the
signal processing means 11 receiving the radio wave and thereby
recognizing the personal information terminal 6. However, the
invention is not restricted to this, and the identification of the
person or animal according to the invention may be carried out by
extracting characteristic quantities such as the face from a CCD
image shot by a CCD camera.
[0449] Further, in the present embodiment, the identification of
the person or animal according to the invention has been applied to
a single human body 1. Further, in the present embodiment, even in
case of a plurality of persons or animals, the identification of
the person or animal according to the invention (1) can be applied
to the plurality of persons or animals by performing the
above-mentioned identification process to each person or animal, or
(2) is unnecessary when each attachable terminal apparatus
according to the invention is carried with a single person or
animal.
[0450] Furthermore, the present invention provides a personal
characteristics information acquisition apparatus comprising: radio
wave transmitting means of transmitting a radio wave of specific
frequency; radio wave receiving means; posture/action detecting
means; physiological state detecting means; sensor signal
transmitting means; sensor signal receiving means; a wearable
personal information terminal having said radio wave receiving
means, said posture/action detecting means, said sensor signal
receiving means, and sensor signal processing means of obtaining
the personal characteristics information of the human body; a
master apparatus for successively transmitting and receiving the
sensor signals from a plurality of said wearable personal
information terminals by wireless; and signal processing means of
integrally processing, by means of a network, the signals obtained
from said sensor signals from said master apparatus and thereby
obtaining the personal characteristics information of said human
body. According to this configuration, a human body entering a room
can be identified. Further, the action and the personal
characteristics information of the human body, such as in-room
position, posture, action information, and physiological
information, can be measured accurately. In particular, because the
action state and the physiological state of the human body are
integrated, more detailed personal characteristics information is
obtained. Further, state determining means attached to the human
body communicates with the base station by wireless, and the base
station is connected to the network. This permits integrated
management of the personal characteristics information of human
bodies in a plurality of rooms or specified areas. Accordingly, the
action of the human bodies in the whole building can be understood
in real time. This permits various applications such as abnormality
detection, air conditioning/illumination control, and security.
[0451] As such, the human body is identified, and the position of
the human body is specified. Further, the posture, action, motion
state, and physiological state of the human body are specified.
Furthermore, the personal characteristics information of a
plurality of human bodies can be integrated by a network.
Accordingly, a personal characteristics information acquisition
method according to the invention, and an apparatus and a system
using the same permit easy, accurate, reliable, and inexpensive
personal characteristics information acquisition, thereby
substantially contributing to the expansion of home information
infrastructure business.
[0452] As described above, according to the invention, the state of
a person can be obtained with considering the physiological
information of the person. This is useful information for the
above-mentioned application. For example, in the prior art
permitting the detection of only the posture and the motion state
of the person, when the person is on bed, the person has been
considered to be normal, regardless of the real situation. However,
in the invention permitting the detection of also the physiological
state of the person, for example, when a rise in the heartbeat rate
is detected, the person on bed can be determined to be
abnormal.
Embodiment 4
[0453] First, the configuration and the operation of an abnormal
action detection system according to Embodiment 4 using a state
information acquisition system according to the invention are
described below with reference to FIG. 7. The figure is a schematic
configuration diagram of the abnormal action detection system
according to the present embodiment. Here, in addition to the
configuration and the operation of the abnormal action detection
system according to the present embodiment, described below is an
embodiment of a state information acquisition method of the
invention.
[0454] The abnormal action detection system according to the
present embodiment comprises a network 2012, data storing means
2013, action evaluating means 2014, state determining means 2015,
notifying means 2016, and an abnormal action detection
apparatus.
[0455] The abnormal action detection apparatus according to the
present embodiment comprises a group of sensors composed of a
personal information terminal 2006, movement direction detecting
means 2009, position detecting means 2010, and the like.
[0456] The personal information terminal 2006 is attached to a
human body 2001 and comprises: posture/action detecting means 2002
of detecting the posture, body motion, action, and motion state of
the human body by means of an acceleration sensor, a gyrosensor, or
the like; radio wave receiving means 2003 of receiving a radio wave
of specific frequency transmitted from radio wave transmitting
means 2004 when the distance from the radio wave transmitting means
2004 is a predetermined value (for example, 1 m) or less; sensor
signal processing means 2005 of processing the signals obtained
from the sensors; and sensor signal transmitting and receiving
means 2023 of transmitting these sensor signals to a base station
2007 by wireless.
[0457] The movement direction detecting means 2009 provides a
sensor output corresponding to the movement direction of the human
body or article by means of an infra-red sensor, a distance sensor,
or the like. The sensor signal output from the movement direction
detecting means 2009 is processed by signal processing means 2011,
thereby permitting the determination of the movement direction of
entering or exiting the room by the human body or article.
[0458] The position detecting means 2010 is either means of
detecting and specifying the position of the human body by means of
image processing using a CCD camera, an infra-red sensor, or an
infra-red camera, the latter two being capable of measuring the
two-dimensional temperature distribution, or means of specifying
the position of the human body or article by means of: a radio wave
source attached to the human body or article; and one or more
antennas which are located in the room and detect the intensity or
the direction of the radio wave. The signal processing means 2011
processes the signal obtained from the CCD camera, the infra-red
sensor, or the antennas, thereby calculating the two-dimensional
coordinates on the floor of the room.
[0459] In the present embodiment, the human body 2001 is identified
substantially at the instance of entering the room, and the
tracking of the identified human body 2001 is continued.
[0460] For example, when one or more antennas located in the room
are used, (a) the direction of the human body 2001 viewed from each
antenna is obtained from the direction of the radio wave received
by the antenna, and (b) the distance of the human body 2001 from
each antenna is obtained from the intensity of the radio wave
received by the antenna. This permits the specification of the
two-dimensional position of the human body 2001. In case of a
plurality of antennas, the precision in such position specification
is improved, and further the position of the human body 2001 can be
specified on the basis of the principles of trigonometrical
measurement without using the radio wave intensity.
[0461] Further, in case of an infra-red sensor or the like, data
acquisition is carried out approximately in every 1 sec. In case of
the data acquisition with the repetition period of this order,
since the human body 2001 does not move very fast, two human bodies
the movement distance of which within the repetition period are
determined as an identical one. Further, the data is interpolated.
In this approach, the movement path of the human body 2001 can be
sufficiently analyzed and tracked. Here, with the recent
improvement of the performance of the infra-red sensor or the like,
a plurality of human bodies can be sufficiently discriminated when
the human bodies are separated from each other by approximately 10
cm or more.
[0462] As such, identification is carried out at the instance of
entering the room, and tracking is continued after that. This
approach permits the identification and the position detection of
each human body even when a plurality of human bodies exist in a
room.
[0463] The sensor information of the personal information terminal
2006 transmitted to the base station 2007 by wireless
communications 2008 is connected to the signal processing means
2011 which is connected to both the movement direction detecting
means 2009 and the position detecting means 2010. Accordingly, the
information is integrated. The action information of the human body
integrated by the signal processing means 2011 is transferred via
the network 2012 to the data storing means 2013, and stored as
structured data in the data storing means 2013.
[0464] The action information of human body obtained from the
signal processing means 2011 undergoes comparison and evaluation in
the action evaluating means 2014 on the basis of the structured
data having been accumulated in the data storing means 2013. When
the action state of human body obtained from the action evaluating
means 2014 is determined to be abnormal or predicted to become
abnormal as a possibility in the future by the state determining
means 2015, the notifying means 2016 notifies it to the person.
[0465] As such, the signal processing means 2011, together with
other signal processing means (not shown) in other rooms, is
connected to the network 2012. Accordingly, the information in
every room can be used in common, whereby the action state of the
person in every room can be understood.
[0466] When a displaying apparatus such as monitor is provided as
an auxiliary apparatus to the state determining means 2015, the
action state of the person in every room can be viewed at one time.
This reduces substantially the load on helpers in an ordinary home
as well as in an institution for the nursing care of elderlies. In
the present embodiment, the kind of the network is not restricted,
and the network may be a telephone network, the Internet, a
dedicated in-home network, or the like.
[0467] Here, the detection signal transmitting means according to
the invention corresponds to the means having the sensor signal
transmitting and receiving means 2023. The signal receiving and
processing means according to the invention corresponds to the
means having the base station (also referred to as a master
apparatus) 2007 and the signal processing means 2011. The position
detecting means according to the invention corresponds to the means
having the position detecting means 2010. The identifying means
according to the invention corresponds to the means having the
sensor signal processing means 2005. The comparing and determining
means according to the invention corresponds to the means having
the action evaluating means 2014 and the state determining means
2015. The state information acquisition apparatus according to the
invention corresponds to the abnormal action detection apparatus
according to the present embodiment. Further, the state information
in the invention corresponds to the action information in the
present embodiment.
[0468] The operation of the abnormal action detection system
according to the present embodiment is described below in detail
with reference to FIG. 14. The figure is an illustrative diagram of
the operation of the abnormal action detection system.
[0469] When the human body 2001 carries the personal information
terminal 2006, the posture/action detecting means 2002 composed of
an acceleration sensor or the like continuously monitors the action
state of the human body 2001 (S1).
[0470] When the human body 2001 begins to enter the room, the radio
wave receiving means 2003 in the personal information terminal 2006
begins to receive the ID radio wave of specific frequency from the
radio wave transmitting means 2004. With the continuation of
entering the room, the personal information terminal 2006 goes into
the reception region of the radio wave receiving means 2003,
whereby the ID radio wave is detected (S2) The sensor signal
processing means 2005 processes the sensor signals detected by the
posture/action detecting means 2002 (S3). These sensor signals are
transmitted from the sensor signal transmitting and receiving means
2023, through the master apparatus 2007 of base station, and to the
signal processing means 2011 by wireless communications 2008
(S4).
[0471] On the other hand, when the human body 2001 approaches the
entrance of the room, the movement direction detecting means 2009
composed of a pyroelectric one-dimensional array device having a
plurality of light receiving sections detects the passage of the
human body 2001 (S5), and recognizes the start of the passage
through the entrance. With the continuation of entering the room,
the position detecting means 2010 according to visible-light image
processing using a CCD camera detects the position of the human
body 2001 (S6). The action information of the human bodies 2001 is
transmitted to the signal processing means 2011 (S7).
[0472] The sensor information transmitted from the personal
information terminal 2006 to the base station 2007 by wireless
communications 2008 is sent to the signal processing means 2011
having the data of the movement direction detecting means 2009 and
the position detecting means 2010, whereby the information is
integrated by the signal processing means 2011 (S8).
[0473] The action information of the human body 2001 integrated by
the signal processing means 2011 is input to the data storing means
2013 via the network 2012, and stored as structured data (S9).
[0474] The action information of the human body 2001 obtained from
the sensor signal processing means 2005 undergoes comparison and
evaluation in the action evaluating means 2014 on the basis of the
structured data having been accumulated in the data storing means
2013 to date (S10). When the action state of the human body 2001
obtained from the action evaluating means 2014 is determined to be
abnormal or predicted to become abnormal as a possibility in the
future by the state determining means 2015 (S11), the notifying
means 2016 notifies it to the person or another person (S12).
Embodiment 5
[0475] The configuration and the operation of an abnormal action
detection system according to Embodiment 5 using a state
information acquisition system according to the invention are
described below with reference to FIG. 8. The figure is a schematic
configuration diagram of the abnormal action detection system
according to the present embodiment. Here, in addition to the
configuration and the operation of the abnormal action detection
system according to the present embodiment, described below is an
embodiment of a state information acquisition method of the
invention.
[0476] The abnormal action detection system according to the
present embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the
abnormal action detection system according to Embodiment 4. The
difference is that the personal information terminal 2006' in the
abnormal action detection apparatus according to the present
embodiment comprises alarm means 2022 of generating an alarm in
case of abnormality.
[0477] Similarly to the above-mentioned embodiments, when the
action state of the human body obtained from the action evaluating
means 2014 is determined to be abnormal or predicted to become
abnormal as a possibility in the future by the state determining
means 2015, the notifying means 2016 notifies it to the alarm means
2022 in the personal information terminal 2006 carried with the
person by wireless.
Embodiment 6
[0478] The configuration and the operation of an abnormal action
detection system according to Embodiment 6 using a state
information acquisition system according to the invention are
described below with reference to FIG. 9. The figure is a schematic
configuration diagram of the abnormal action detection system
according to the present embodiment. Here, in addition to the
configuration and the operation of the abnormal action detection
system according to the present embodiment, described below is an
embodiment of a state information acquisition method of the
invention.
[0479] The abnormal action detection system according to the
present embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the
abnormal action detection system according to Embodiment 4. The
difference is that the abnormal action detection system according
to the present embodiment further comprises human body state
detecting means 2017. Here, the lavatory state detecting means
according to the invention corresponds to the means having the
human body state detecting means 2017.
[0480] The human body state detecting means 2017 detects an
abnormal state of a human body in a lavatory, and provides a sensor
output corresponding to the posture of the human body by means of
an infra-red sensor, a distance sensor, or the like. The sensor
signal output from the human body state detecting means 2017 is
processed by signal processing means 2011, and then used in the
determination of entering or exiting the room by the human body as
well as the determination of the posture and an abnormal state of
the human body.
[0481] The sensor signal output from the human body state detecting
means 2017 is processed by the signal processing means 2011, and
then stored as apart of the above-mentioned structured data in the
data storing means 2013. FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b) are diagrams
showing: the average relation between the time of day and the
number of lavatory usage; and the average relation between the
number of lavatory usage and the number of days; respectively,
prepared as structured data from the analysis of the records in a
month.
[0482] The action evaluating means 2014 compares the obtained state
information with the above-mentioned structured data, whereby the
state determining means 2015 determines that (1) the number of
lavatory usage in a day has increased, (2) the number of lavatory
usage at night has increased, (3) the time interval between
lavatory usage has become short, or the like. As such, the life
pattern of the elderly is understood. This information can be
useful in various applications of early-stage detection and
treatment of diseases such as diabetes.
Embodiment 7
[0483] The configuration and the operation of an abnormal action
detection system according to Embodiment 7 using a state
information acquisition system according to the invention are
described below with reference to FIG. 10. The figure is a
schematic configuration diagram of the abnormal action detection
system according to the present embodiment. Here, in addition to
the configuration and the operation of the abnormal action
detection system according to the present embodiment, described
below is an embodiment of a state information acquisition method of
the invention.
[0484] The abnormal action detection system according to the
present embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the
abnormal action detection system according to Embodiment 6. The
difference is that the abnormal action detection system according
to the present embodiment further comprises on-bed state detecting
means 2018.
[0485] The on-bed state detecting means 2018 detects an abnormal
state of a human body on a bed, and provides a sensor output
corresponding to the posture of the human body by means of an
infra-red sensor, a pressure sensor, or the like. The sensor signal
output from the on-bed state detecting means 2018 is processed by
signal processing means 2011, and then used in the determination of
the presence or absence, the posture, and an abnormal state of the
human body.
[0486] The operation of the abnormal action detection system
according to the present embodiment is described below in detail
with reference to FIG. 15. The figure is an illustrative diagram of
the operation of the abnormal action detection system.
[0487] When the human body 2001 carries the personal information
terminal 2006, the posture/action detecting means 2002 composed of
an acceleration sensor or the like continuously monitors the action
state of the human body 2001 (S1).
[0488] When the human body 2001 begins to enter the room, the radio
wave receiving means 2003 in the personal information terminal 2006
begins to receive the radio wave of specific frequency from the
radio wave transmitting means 2004. With the continuation of
entering the room, the personal information terminal 2006 goes into
the reception region of the radio wave receiving means 2003,
whereby the ID radiowave is detected (S2). The sensor signal
processing means 2005 processes the sensor signals detected by the
posture/action detecting means 2002 (S3). These sensor signals are
transmitted from the sensor signal transmitting and receiving means
2023, through the master apparatus 2007 of base station, and to the
signal processing means 2011 by wireless communications 2008
(S4).
[0489] On the other hand, when the human body 2001 approaches the
entrance of the room, the movement direction detecting means 2009
composed of a pyroelectric one-dimensional array device having a
plurality of light receiving sections detects the passage of the
human body 2001 (S5), and recognizes the start of the passage
through the entrance. With the continuation of entering the room,
the position detecting means 2010 according to visible-light image
processing using a CCD camera detects the position of the human
body 2001 (S6). The action information of the human bodies 2001 is
transmitted to the signal processing means 2011 (S7).
[0490] Both of the human body state of the human body 2001 in the
lavatory detected by the human body state detecting means 2017 and
the on-bed state of the human body 2001 on the bed detected by the
on-bed state detecting means 2018 are transmitted of the signal
processing means 2011 (S8 and S9).
[0491] The sensor information transmitted from the personal
information terminal 2006 to the base station 2007 by wireless
communications 2008 is sent to the signal processing means 2011.
This is carried out together with the data of the movement
direction detecting means 2009, the position detecting means 2010,
the human body state detecting means 2017, and the on-bed state
detecting means 2018. Then, the information is integrated by the
signal processing means 2011 (S10).
[0492] The action information of the human body 2001 integrated by
the signal processing means 2011 is input to the data storing means
2013 via the network 2012, and stored as structured data (S11).
[0493] The action information of the human body 2001 obtained from
the sensor signal processing means 2005 undergoes comparison and
evaluation in the action evaluating means 2014 on the basis of the
structured data having been accumulated in the data storing means
2013 to date (S12). When the action state of the human body 2001
obtained from the action evaluating means 2014 is determined to be
abnormal or predicted to become abnormal as a possibility in the
future by the state determining means 2015 (S13), the notifying
means 2016 notifies it to the person or another person (S14).
Embodiment 8
[0494] The configuration and the operation of an abnormal action
detection system according to Embodiment 8 using a state
information acquisition system according to the invention are
described below with reference to FIGS. 11-13. Here, in addition to
the configuration and the operation of the abnormal action
detection system according to the present embodiment, described
below is an embodiment of a state information acquisition method of
the invention.
[0495] The abnormal action detection system according to the
present embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the
abnormal action detection system according to Embodiment 4. Thus,
described below in detail is the operation of the abnormal action
detection system in the case of ID identification when a human body
2001 enters a room 2030 from a corridor. FIG. 11 is a schematic
perspective view of the abnormal action detection system when the
human body 2001 begins to enter the room. FIG. 12 is a schematic
perspective view of the abnormal action detection system when the
human body 2001 continues to enter the room. FIG. 13 is a schematic
perspective view of the abnormal action detection system when the
human body 2001 has entered the room.
[0496] As shown in FIGS. 11-13, RF-ID radio wave transmitting means
2004 and movement direction detecting means 2009 are located in the
vicinity of an entrance of a room 2030. Position detecting means
2010 is located in the room 2030. The RF-ID radio wave transmitting
means 2004 always transmits an ID radio wave of a frequency
specific to the room 2030.
[0497] As shown in FIG. 11, when the human body 2001 carrying a
personal information terminal 2006 approaches the entrance in order
to enter the room 2030, the movement direction detecting means 2009
detects the human body 2001, and recognizes the start of the
passage through the entrance. At that time, radio wave receiving
means 2003 (see FIG. 7) in the personal information terminal 2006
begins to receive the specific frequency of the radio wave
transmitting means 2004 located in the vicinity of the
entrance.
[0498] As shown in FIG. 12, with the continuation of entering the
room by the human body 2001, the personal information terminal 2006
goes into the reception region of the radio wave transmitted by the
radio wave transmitting means 2004, whereby the radio wave
receiving means 2003 (see FIG. 7) receives the ID radio wave. With
reception of the ID radio wave, the sensor signal processing means
2005 transmits a radio wave specific to each terminal via the
sensor signal transmitting and receiving means 2023. The signal
processing means 2011 receives the radio wave via the master
apparatus 2007 (see FIG. 7) thereby recognizing the personal
information terminal 2006. This state is referred to as a
preliminary identified state. The final identified state is the
state in which the human body 2001 has continued to enter the room
and the movement direction detecting means 2009 has confirmed the
complete passage through the entrance, as shown in FIG. 13.
[0499] After that, until the exiting of the room 2030, the
information form the sensors in the personal information terminal
2006 of the identified specific human body (also referred to as an
ID) becomes ready to be received, and the information form the
sensors of the identified ID is actually acquired. The position
detecting means 2010 specifies the position of each identified ID
such as human body 2001 in the room 2030.
[0500] The abnormal action detection system operates similarly,
when the human body 2001 exits the room. That is, when the human
body 2001 approaches the exit, the movement direction detecting
means 2009 detects the human body 2001, and recognizes the start of
the passage through the exit. At that time, radio wave receiving
means 2003 (see FIG. 7) in the personal information terminal 2006
begins to receive the specific frequency of the radio wave
transmitting means 2004. With the continuation of exiting the room
by the human body 2001, the personal information terminal 2006 goes
into the reception region of the radio wave transmitted by the
radio wave transmitting means 2004, whereby the radio wave
receiving means 2003 (see FIG. 7) receives the ID radio wave. This
state is referred to as a preliminary identified state, similarly
to the previous description. Further, the final identified state is
the state in which the human body 2001 has continued to exit the
room and the movement direction detecting means 2009 has confirmed
the complete passage through the exit. Until the human body 2001
enters the room later, the information reception state for the
sensors of the identified ID is released. Accordingly, the position
detecting means 2010 does not continue the position identification
because there is no identified ID.
[0501] The movement direction detecting means may be composed of: a
pyroelectric one-dimensional array device having a plurality of
light receiving sections; and a chopper provided in front of the
array device. The field of view is divided by the timing of
chopping, whereby a human body passing through can be detected. The
temperature of the article of object of detection is easily
measured on the basis of the reference of the chopper temperature.
Accordingly, with setting an appropriate threshold in the sensor
output, the time interval when a human body is present can be
extracted. Further, the apparent size of the human body is
determined on the basis of the distance from the sensor.
Accordingly, the region of a temperature near the human body
temperature and the region of the human body can be discriminated.
This improves the accuracy in the human body extraction.
[0502] As such, in the movement direction detecting means using an
infra-red sensor, the entering and exiting of the room is detected
accurately, and the timing of reception by the RF-ID radio wave
receiving means can be determined accurately. This improves the
accuracy in the identification. Here, the description has been made
for the case of an infra-red sensor. However, the invention is not
restricted to this, and a distance sensor using light or ultra
sonic wave may be used. In this case, the presence or absence of a
human body is two-valued, whereby similar effect is obtained.
[0503] Further, the position detecting means may measure a
visible-light image using a CCD camera, thereby extracting the
human body. The CCD camera is installed in the upper part of the
room so that the field of view covers the floor. Then, a
visible-light image is measured. The extraction of a human body
region is carried out by a technique such as the contour extraction
of a moving body and the flesh color extraction of a face. Further,
the apparent size of the human body is determined on the basis of
the distance from the sensor. This improves the accuracy in the
human body extraction. Further, the relation between the position
in the field of view of the camera and the actual position on the
floor can be previously measured or calculated. This gives the
actual position of the extracted human body in the field of view of
the camera.
Embodiment 9
[0504] The configuration and the operation of a personal
information terminal according to Embodiment 9 are described below
with reference to FIG. 16. The figure is a schematic configuration
diagram of the personal information terminal according to the
present embodiment.
[0505] The personal information terminal according to the present
embodiment is attached to a part of a human body, for example, to
the waist using a belt, thereby detecting the posture, the state of
walking, the movement path, and the like using an acceleration
sensor 2103, a gyro sensor 2101, and the like.
[0506] As for the posture, the inclination of the human body is
obtained by measuring the force component of the gravity using the
triaxial acceleration sensor 2103. For the state of walking, the
gravity direction output from the gyrosensor 2101 is analyzed by a
sensor signal processing circuit 2105, whereby it is determined
that the state is static or walking, and that the state of walking
is upstairs or downstairs.
[0507] A coil 2108 receives the radio wave transmitted from the
radio wave transmitting means 2004 (see FIG. 8). The signal is
transformed into position information by the sensor signal
processing circuit 105.
[0508] These signals are analyzed into various state information by
the sensor signal processing circuit 2105. The results are
transmitted as personal characteristics information through a
transmitting and receiving section 2109, through an antenna 2104,
and to the base station 2007 (see FIG. 8).
[0509] When there has been no human body movement for a long time,
or when an abnormal state is detected, determined, or predicted, an
alarm buzzer 2107 calls the person carrying this apparatus. This
alarm buzzer is invoked by a signal input through the antenna 2104
and the transmitting and receiving section 2109 by wireless. When
there is no response, for example, by pushing a switch 2102, to
this call, an abnormal state signal is transmitted through the
antenna 2104. When the abnormal state signal is transmitted, a
helper checks the situation of the person, and/or the situation is
notified to the outside.
[0510] All the above-mentioned means are powered by an internal
battery 2106.
[0511] The present embodiment has been described for the case of an
acceleration sensor and a gyrosensor. However, the invention is not
restricted to this, and the posture information may be obtained by
an inclination angle sensor.
[0512] As described above, the present invention provides, for
example, an abnormal action detection method comprising: position
detecting means which is located at least at one position in a room
and detects the position of a human body by means of image
processing; movement direction detecting means which is located in
an entrance of said room and detects the movement direction of said
human body; transmitting means which is located at least at one
position in said room and transmits a radio wave of specific
frequency; receiving means of receiving when the distance from said
transmitting means is a predetermined value or less; posture/action
detecting means of detecting the posture, action, and motion state
of said human body; a wearable personal information terminal having
said receiving means, said posture/action detecting means, and
signal processing means of obtaining the action information of said
human body; and the steps of: successively transmitting and
receiving a plurality of sensor signals obtained from a plurality
of human bodies carrying said wearable personal information
terminals, to and from a master apparatus by wireless; integrally
processing said sensor signals from said master apparatus and the
signals obtained from said position detecting means and said
movement direction detecting means and thereby obtaining the action
information of said human body; storing the action information of
said human body obtained from said signal processing means, as
structured data; evaluating said action information of said human
body obtained from said signal processing means by comparing it
with said structured data stored in said storing means; determining
and predicting an abnormality in the action state of said human
body obtained from said action evaluating means, by sending
means.
[0513] Further, the present invention provides, for example, an
abnormal action detection apparatus comprising: position detecting
means which is located at least at one position in a room and
detects the position of a human body by means of image processing;
movement direction detecting means which is located in an entrance
of said room and detects the movement direction of said human body;
transmitting means which is located at least at one position in
said room and transmits a radio wave of specific frequency;
receiving means of receiving when the distance from said
transmitting means is a predetermined value or less; posture/action
detecting means of detecting the posture, action, and motion state
of said human body; a wearable personal information terminal having
said receiving means, said posture/action detecting means, and
signal processing means of obtaining the action information of said
human body; a master apparatus for successively transmitting and
receiving the sensor signals from a plurality of said wearable
personal information terminals by wireless; signal processing means
of integrally processing said sensor signals from said master
apparatus and the signals obtained from said position detecting
means and said movement direction detecting means and thereby
obtaining the action information of said human body; storing means
of storing the action information of said human body obtained from
said signal processing means, as structured data; action evaluating
means of evaluating said action information of said human body
obtained from said signal processing means by comparing it with
said structured data stored in said storing means; state
determining means of determining and predicting an abnormality in
the action state of said human body obtained from said action
evaluating means; and notifying means of notifying said determined
abnormality in said action state of said human body to the person
or another person.
[0514] Furthermore, the present invention provides, for example, an
abnormal action detection system comprising: position detecting
means which is located at least at one position in a room and
detects the position of a human body by means of image processing;
movement direction detecting means which is located in an entrance
of said room and detects the movement direction of said human body;
transmitting means which is located at least at one position in
said room and transmits a radio wave of specific frequency;
receiving means of receiving when the distance from said
transmitting means is a predetermined value or less; posture/action
detecting means of detecting the posture, action, and motion state
of said human body; a wearable personal information terminal having
said receiving means, said posture/action detecting means, and
signal processing means of obtaining the action information of said
human body; a master apparatus for successively transmitting and
receiving the sensor signals from a plurality of said wearable
personal information terminals by wireless; signal processing means
of integrally processing said sensor signals from said master
apparatus and the signals obtained from said position detecting
means and said movement direction detecting means and thereby
obtaining the action information of said human body; storing means
of storing the action information of said human body obtained from
said signal processing means, in an integrated form of structured
data by means of a network; action evaluating means of evaluating
said action information of said human body obtained from said
signal processing means by comparing it with said structured data
stored in said storing means connected to said network; state
determining means of determining and predicting an abnormality in
the action state of said human body obtained from said action
evaluating means; and notifying means of notifying said determined
abnormality in said action state of said human body to said
personal information terminal and other terminals connected to said
network.
[0515] Further, the present invention may be an abnormal action
detection system further comprising: human body state detecting
means of detecting an abnormal state of a human body in a lavatory;
and signal processing means of integrally processing said sensor
signals from said master apparatus and the signals obtained from
said position detecting means, said movement direction detecting
means, and said human body state detecting means and thereby
obtaining the action information of said human body.
[0516] Further, the present invention may be an abnormal action
detection system further comprising: on-bed state detecting means
of detecting the on-bed state of a human body on a bed; and signal
processing means of integrally processing said sensor signals from
said master apparatus and the signals obtained from said position
detecting means, said movement direction detecting means, and said
on-bed state detecting means and thereby obtaining the action
information of said human body.
[0517] According to the abnormal action detection apparatus of the
invention having the above-mentioned configuration, a human body
entering a room can be identified. Further, the action and the
action information of the human body, such as in-room position,
posture, and action information, can be measured accurately.
Further, state determining means attached to the human body
communicates with the base station by wireless, and the base
station is connected to the network. This permits integrated
management of the personal characteristics information of human
bodies in a plurality of rooms or specified areas. Accordingly, the
action of the human bodies in the whole building can be understood
in real time. This permits various applications such as abnormality
detection, air conditioning/illumination control, and security.
[0518] In the present embodiment, the detection of position and the
detection of posture and/or action state according to the invention
have been applied to the human body 2001 (that is, a person).
However, the invention is not restricted to this, and may be
applied to an animal.
[0519] Further, in the present embodiment, the posture/action
detecting means according to the invention has been built in the
personal information terminal 2006. However, the invention is not
restricted to this, and the posture/action detecting means
according to the invention may be provided separately from the
personal information terminal 2006.
[0520] Further, in the present embodiment, the transmission of the
detection signals based on the detection of the posture and/or
action state has been carried out on the basis of the fact that the
radio wave transmitted by the radio wave transmitting means 2004 is
received by the radio wave receiving means 2003 when the distance
from the radio wave transmitting means 2004 is a predetermined
value or less. However, the invention is not restricted to this,
and the transmission of these detection signals may be carried out
always, or alternatively, periodically on the basis of
predetermined rules. However, obviously, in case that the
transmission and reception of the detection signals is carried out
when the distance from the radio wave transmitting means 2004 is a
predetermined value or less, as in the present embodiment, the
state information of the human body 2001 during the stay in the
room is acquired efficiently.
[0521] Further, in the present embodiment, the predetermined region
in the invention has been a room in which the base station (also
referred to as a master apparatus) 2007, the signal processing
means 2011, and the like have been located. However, the invention
is not restricted to this, and the predetermined region in the
invention may be a region in a garden or an elevator. In this case,
obviously, when the radio wave transmitting means 2004, the base
station (also referred to as a master apparatus) 2007, the signal
processing means 2011, and the like are located in each region, the
state information is acquired more efficiently.
[0522] Further, in the present embodiment, the state information
acquisition system according to the invention has comprised: data
storing means 2013 of storing the structured data; action
evaluating means 2014 of evaluating the obtained action information
by comparing it with the structured data; state determining means
2015 of determining the normality or abnormality in the person on
the basis of the result of the evaluation; and notifying means 2016
of notifying the abnormality, when so determined. However, the
invention is not restricted to this, and the state information
acquisition system according to the invention may be configured
without these means. In this case, for example, the acquired state
information may be displayed always on a monitor, and the
notification of the abnormality may be processed by manual
operation by a person watching the monitor.
[0523] Further, in the present embodiment, the storing means
according to the invention has stored the structured data generated
by accumulating the action information of the human body 2001.
However, the invention is not restricted to this, and the storing
means according to the invention may store the state information
obtained from the result of processing and/or standard information
having been prepared previously. Further, the storing means
according to the invention may store more detailed structured data
corresponding to each human body generated by correcting the
previously input information of a standard human body with the
state information continuously accumulated for each human body of
object of detection. In this case, (1) when the accumulation of the
state information is not yet sufficient, the data mainly based on
the previously input information is used, while (2) when the
accumulation of the state information is sufficient, the
above-mentioned detailed and corrected structured data is used.
Then, the state information is compared with the predetermined
reference. This approach permits more appropriate determination of
the normality or abnormality in the person or animal of object of
detection.
[0524] Further, in the present embodiment, the state information
acquisition system according to the invention has comprised three
means of identifying means, position detecting means, and
posture/action detecting means. However, the invention is not
restricted to this, and the state information acquisition system
according to the invention may comprise only any two of these
three.
[0525] Further, in the present embodiment, the processing of
detected signals according to the invention has been carried out
by: the sensor signal processing means 2005 on the transmission
side (that is, on the side of the terminal); and the signal
processing means 2011 on the reception side (that is, on the side
opposite to the terminal). However, the invention is not restricted
to this, and the processing of detected signals according to the
invention may be carried out, for example, (1) substantially only
on the reception side, (2) substantially only on the transmission
side when no position detection is carried out on the side opposite
to the terminal, or (3) substantially by a dedicated information
processing apparatus provided on the side of the data storing means
according to the invention. In this case, the timing of the
processing affects slightly the timing of obtaining the state
information according to the present invention.
[0526] Further, in the present embodiment, the state information
acquisition system according to the invention has comprised human
body state detecting means 2017 and on-bed state detecting means
2018. However, the invention is not restricted to this, and the
state information acquisition system according to the invention may
comprise on-bed state detecting means alone.
[0527] Further, in the present embodiment, the state information
acquisition system according to the invention has comprised
movement direction detecting means 2009. However, the invention is
not restricted to this, and the state information acquisition
system according to the invention may be configured without
movement direction detecting means.
[0528] Further, in the present embodiment, the identification of
the person or animal according to the invention has been carried
out by: the sensor signal transmitting and receiving means 2023
transmitting a radio wave of a frequency specific to the personal
information terminal 2006 carried with the human body 2001; and the
signal processing means 2011 receiving the radio wave and thereby
recognizing the personal information terminal 2006. However, the
invention is not restricted to this, and the identification of the
person or animal according to the invention may be carried out by
extracting characteristic quantities such as the face from a CCD
image shot by a CCD camera.
[0529] Further, in the present embodiment, the identification of
the person or animal according to the invention has been applied to
a single human body 2001. Further, in the present embodiment, even
in case of a plurality of persons or animals, the identification of
the person or animal according to the invention (1) can be applied
to the plurality of persons or animals by performing the
above-mentioned identification process to each person or animal, or
(2) is unnecessary when each attachable terminal apparatus
according to the invention is carried with a single person or
animal.
[0530] Furthermore, the present invention provides an abnormal
action detection apparatus comprising: position detecting means;
movement direction detecting means; transmitting means of
transmitting a radio wave of specific frequency; receiving means;
posture/action detecting means; a wearable personal information
terminal having said receiving means, said posture/action detecting
means, and sensor signal processing means of obtaining the action
information of the human body; a master apparatus for successively
transmitting and receiving the sensor signals from a plurality of
said wearable personal information terminals by wireless; signal
processing means of integrally processing said sensor signals from
said master apparatus and the signals obtained from said position
detecting means and said movement direction detecting means and
thereby obtaining the action information of said human body;
storing means of storing the action information of said human body
obtained from said signal processing means, as structured data;
action evaluating means of evaluating said action information of
said human body obtained from said signal processing means by
comparing it with said structured data stored in said storing
means; state determining means of determining and predicting an
abnormality in the action state of said human body obtained from
said action evaluating means; and notifying means of notifying said
determined abnormality in said action state of said human body to
the person or another person. According to this configuration, a
human body entering a room can be identified. Further, the action
of the human body, such as in-room position, posture, and action
information, can be measured accurately. The personal
characteristics information is accumulated, and the stored data is
used for the comparison and evaluation of the action information of
the human body. As such, an abnormality in the action is
determined, and the abnormality is notified to the person or
another person. Further, state determining means attached to the
human body communicates with the base station by wireless, and the
base station is connected to the network. This permits integrated
management of the action information of human bodies in a plurality
of rooms or specified areas. Accordingly, the action of the human
bodies in the whole building can be understood in real time. This
permits various applications such as abnormality detection, air
conditioning/illumination control, and security.
[0531] As such, the human body is identified, and the position of
the human body is specified. Further, the posture, action, and
motion state of the human body are specified. Furthermore, the
action information of a plurality of human bodies can be integrated
and stored as a data base. Then, daily action state is compared and
evaluated with the normal action state, whereby an abnormality in
the action is determined and notified. Accordingly, an abnormal
action detection method according to the invention, and an
apparatus and a system using the same permit easy, accurate,
reliable, and inexpensive abnormal action detection and prediction,
thereby substantially contributing to the expansion of home
information infrastructure business.
Embodiment 10
[0532] A state information detection and transmission apparatus
according to Embodiment 10 is described below with reference to the
drawings. FIG. 18 is a schematic configuration diagram of the state
information detection and transmission apparatus according to
Embodiment 10 of the invention. Described below is the
configuration in the present embodiment. The present embodiment
comprises a group of sensors composed of a personal information
terminal 3006 and physiological state detecting means 3019.
[0533] The personal information terminal 3006 is attached to a
human body 3001 and comprises: physiological signal receiving means
3021 of receiving a sensor signal transmitted from physiological
signal transmitting means 3020 attached to the physiological state
detecting means 3019 attached to the human body 3001; sensor signal
processing means 3005 of processing the received sensor signal; and
sensor signal transmitting means 3009 of transmitting the processed
sensor signals to a base station by wireless.
[0534] The physiological state detecting means 3019 detects the
physiological information such as pulse and heartbeat of the human
body. The analogue signal obtained from the physiological state
detecting means 3019 is transmitted from the physiological signal
transmitting means 3020. The analogue signal transmitted from the
physiological signal transmitting means 3020 is received by the
physiological signal receiving means 3021 in every 1 sec. The
received analogue signal is converted into a digital signal by
signal processing by the sensor signal processing means 3005. The
digital signal obtained from the sensor signal processing means
3005 is transmitted to the base station by the sensor signal
transmitting means 3009.
[0535] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a sensor signal in the
personal characteristics information acquisition method of the
state information detection and transmission apparatus according to
Embodiment 10 of the invention. FIG. 19(a) shows an analogue signal
before signal processing, while FIG. 19(b) shows a digital signal
after signal processing. As such, the physiological signal is
received in every predetermined time interval, whereby the
physiological signal having a high noise level and a large amount
of data can be converted into a digital signal efficiently.
[0536] In the present embodiment, the analogue signal transmitted
from the physiological signal transmitting means 3020 has been
received by the physiological signal receiving means 3021 in every
1 sec. However, the physiological signal transmitting means 3020
may transmit the physiological information to the personal
information terminal 3006 in every predetermined time interval.
Alternatively, the physiological signal receiving means 3021 may
receive the physiological information in every predetermined time
interval. Further, the sensor signal transmitting means 3009 may
transmit the physiological information to the base station in every
predetermined time interval. In each case, the amount of data
transmitted by the physiological signal transmitting means 3020 and
the amount of data transmitted by the sensor signal transmitting
means 3009 are reduced.
[0537] The state information detection and transmission apparatus
according to the present embodiment may comprise first uncarry
detecting means of detecting that the physiological state detecting
means 3019 becomes uncarried with the human body 3001. In this
case, when the first uncarry detecting means detects that the
physiological state detecting means 3019 becomes uncarried with the
human body, the physiological signal transmitting means 3020 may
transmit uncarry information indicating the situation to the
personal information terminal 3006. This permits easy understanding
of the reason in the case that there is no change in the data
transmitted from the sensor signal transmitting means 3009 to the
base station.
[0538] The state information detection and transmission apparatus
according to the present embodiment may comprise second uncarry
detecting means of detecting that the personal information terminal
3006 having the physiological signal receiving means 3021 becomes
uncarried with the human body 3001. In this case, when the second
uncarry detecting means detects that the personal information
terminal 3006 becomes uncarried with the human body 3001, the
sensor signal transmitting means 3009 may transmit uncarry
information indicating the situation to the base station. In this
case, it is easily understood that the personal information
terminal 3006 becomes uncarried with the human body 3001, from the
uncarry information received by the base station.
[0539] In the present embodiment, the physiological information has
been considered. Having been described are: the case of reducing
the amount of data of the physiological information transmitted
from the physiological signal transmitting means 3020 to the
physiological signal receiving means 3021; and the case of reducing
the amount of data of the physiological information transmitted
from the sensor signal transmitting means 3009 to the base station.
Similarly, it is possible to reduce the amount of data of the state
information on all or part of the posture, action, and motion state
of the human body, transmitted from the sensor signal transmitting
means 3009 to the base station.
[0540] That is, when the state detecting means of detecting the
state information on all or part of the posture, action, and motion
state of the human body is built in the personal information
terminal 3006, the sensor signal transmitting means 3009 transmits
the state information on all or part of the posture, action, and
motion state, to the base station in every predetermined time
interval. This reduces the amount of data transmitted from the
sensor signal transmitting means 3009, similarly to the case of the
physiological information.
Embodiment 11
[0541] A state information detection and transmission apparatus
according to Embodiment 11 is described below with reference to the
drawings. FIG. 20 is a schematic operation diagram of the state
information detection and transmission apparatus according to
Embodiment 11 of the invention. Described below is the operation in
the present embodiment. The state information detection and
transmission apparatus according to the present embodiment has the
same configuration as that of the state information detection and
transmission apparatus according to Embodiment 10 shown in FIG.
18.
[0542] The physiological state detecting means always detects the
physiological state such as pulse and heartbeat of a human body
(step 31). The analogue signal obtained from the physiological
state detecting means is always transmitted from the physiological
signal transmitting means (step 32). The analogue signal
transmitted from the physiological signal transmitting means is
always received by the physiological signal receiving means (step
33). The received analogue signal is converted into a digital
signal by signal processing by the sensor signal processing means
(step 34). Only when a change occurs in the digital signal obtained
from the sensor signal processing means (step 35), the
signal-processed physiological information is transmitted to the
base station by the sensor signal transmitting means by wireless
(step 36). When there is no change (step 35), no sensor signal is
transmitted.
[0543] As such, only when a change occurs in the digital signal
obtained by the signal processing by the sensor signal processing
means, the digital signal is transmitted to the base station by
wireless. By virtue of this, the physiological signal having a high
noise level and a large amount of data can be efficiently
transmitted to the base station.
[0544] In the present embodiment, the digital signal has been
transmitted to the base station, only when a change occurs in the
digital signal obtained by the signal processing by the sensor
signal processing means. However, the physiological signal
transmitting means may transmit the physiological information to
the personal information terminal 3006, only when a substantial
change occurs in the signal detected by the physiological state
detecting means. This reduces similarly the amount of data
transmitted by the physiological signal transmitting means and the
amount of data transmitted by the sensor signal transmitting
means.
[0545] "A change in the signal" in the present embodiment indicates
a change exceeding, for example, 10% of the value of the
physiological information such as pulse averaged over the past 1
minute. These specific examples of "1 minute" and "10%" are used
only for the purpose of simplicity of description. The time
interval for the average may be a value other than 1 minute, and
the amount of change may be a value other than the value exceeding
10%.
[0546] The state information detection and transmission apparatus
according to the present embodiment may comprise first uncarry
detecting means of detecting that the physiological state detecting
means becomes uncarried with the human body. In this case, when the
first uncarry detecting means detects that the physiological state
detecting means becomes uncarried with the human body, the
physiological signal transmitting means may transmit uncarry
information indicating the situation to the personal information
terminal. This permits easy understanding of the reason in the case
that a change occurs in the signal obtained by the physiological
state detecting means.
[0547] The state information detection and transmission apparatus
according to the present embodiment may comprise second uncarry
detecting means of detecting that the personal information terminal
having the physiological signal receiving means becomes uncarried
with the human body. In this case, when the second uncarry
detecting means detects that the personal information terminal
becomes uncarried with the human body, the sensor signal
transmitting means may transmit uncarry information indicating the
situation to the base station. In this case, it is easily
understood that the personal information terminal becomes uncarried
with the human body, from the uncarry information received by the
base station.
[0548] In the present embodiment, the physiological information has
been considered. Having been described are: the case of reducing
the amount of data of the physiological information transmitted
from the physiological signal transmitting means 3020 to the
physiological signal receiving means 3021; and the case of reducing
the amount of data of the physiological information transmitted
from the sensor signal transmitting means 3009 to the base station.
Similarly, it is possible to reduce the amount of data of the state
information on all or part of the posture, action, and motion state
of the human body, transmitted from the sensor signal transmitting
means 3009 to the base station.
[0549] That is, when the state detecting means of detecting the
state information on all or part of the posture, action, and motion
state of the human body is built in the personal information
terminal 3006, the sensor signal transmitting means 3009 transmits
all or part of the state information to the base station only when
a substantial change occurs in at least a part of the state
information on all or part of the posture, action, and motion
state. This reduces the amount of data transmitted from the sensor
signal transmitting means 3009, similarly to the case of the
physiological information.
[0550] Further, the state information detection and transmission
apparatus according to the present embodiment may comprise uncarry
detecting means of detecting that the personal information terminal
having the state detecting means becomes uncarried with the human
body. In this case, when the second uncarry detecting means detects
that the personal information terminal becomes uncarried with the
human body, the sensor signal transmitting means 3009 may transmit
uncarry information indicating the situation to the base station.
In this case, it is easily understood that the personal information
terminal becomes uncarried with the human body, from the uncarry
information received by the base station.
Embodiment 12
[0551] A state information detection and transmission apparatus
according to Embodiment 12 is described below with reference to the
drawings. FIG. 21 is a schematic configuration diagram of the state
information detection and transmission apparatus according to
Embodiment 12 of the invention. Described below is the
configuration in the present embodiment. The present embodiment
comprises a group of sensors composed of a personal information
terminal 3006 and physiological state detecting means 3019.
[0552] The personal information terminal 3006 is attached to a
human body 3001 and comprises: posture/action detecting means 3002
of detecting the posture, body motion, action, and action state of
the human body by means of an acceleration sensor, a gyrosensor, or
the like; physiological signal receiving means 3021 of receiving a
sensor signal transmitted from the physiological signal
transmitting means 3020 attached to the physiological state
detecting means 3019 attached to the human body 3001; sensor signal
processing means 3005 of processing the sensor signals obtained
from these sensors; and sensor signal transmitting means 3009 of
transmitting these sensor signals to the base station by
wireless.
[0553] The physiological state detecting means 3019 detects the
physiological information such as pulse and heartbeat of the human
body. The analogue signal obtained from the physiological state
detecting means 3019 is transmitted from the physiological signal
transmitting means 3020. The analogue signal transmitted from the
physiological signal transmitting means 3020 is received by the
physiological signal receiving means 3021. The received analogue
signal is converted into a digital signal by signal processing by
the sensor signal processing means 3005.
[0554] On the other hand, the signal obtained from the
posture/action detecting means 3002 composed of an acceleration
sensor, a gyrosensor, or the like undergoes signal processing by
the sensor signal processing means 3005, whereby the posture, body
motion, action, and motion state of the human body 3001 are
detected. Only when a change occurs in at least one of the digital
signals obtained from the sensor signal processing means 3005, the
information signal-processed by the sensor signal processing means
3005 is transmitted to the base station by sensor signal
transmitting means 3009.
[0555] The operation of a state information detection and
transmission apparatus according to Embodiment 12 is described
below with reference to FIG. 22. FIG. 22 is an operation diagram of
the state information detection and transmission apparatus
according to Embodiment 12 of the invention. Described below is the
operation in the present embodiment.
[0556] The physiological state detecting means always detects the
physiological state such as pulse and heartbeat of a human body
(step 51). The analogue signal obtained from the physiological
state detecting means is always transmitted from the physiological
signal transmitting means (step 52). The analogue signal
transmitted from the physiological signal transmitting means is
always received by the physiological signal receiving means (step
53). The received analogue signal is converted into a digital
signal by signal processing by the sensor signal processing means
(step 54).
[0557] On the other hand, the posture/action detecting means
composed of an acceleration sensor, a gyrosensor, or the like
always detects the motion state of the human body (step 55). The
signal obtained from the posture/action detecting means undergoes
signal processing by the sensor signal processing means, whereby
the posture, body motion, action, and motion state of the human
body are detected (step 54).
[0558] Only when a change occurs in at least one of the sensor
signals obtained from the signal processing (step 56), the
processed signal is transmitted from the sensor signal transmitting
means to the base station by wireless (step 57). When there is no
change in the digital signals (step 56), no sensor signal is
transmitted.
[0559] As such, only when a change occurs in the digital signal
obtained by the signal processing by the sensor signal processing
means, the digital signal is transmitted to the base station by
wireless. By virtue of this, the sensor signal having a high noise
level and a large amount of data can be efficiently transmitted to
the base station.
[0560] In the present embodiment, the processed signal has been
transmitted from the sensor signal transmitting means to the base
station (step 57), only when a change occurs in at least one of the
sensor signals obtained from the signal processing (step 56).
However, the data to be transmitted may be all or part of the
sensor signals obtained from the signal processing.
[0561] "A change in the signal" in the present embodiment is
identical to that in Embodiment 11.
Embodiment 13
[0562] A state information detection and transmission apparatus
according to Embodiment 13 is described below with reference to the
drawings. FIG. 23 is an operation diagram of the state information
detection and transmission apparatus according to Embodiment 13 of
the invention. Described below are the configuration and the
operation in the present embodiment.
[0563] The physiological state detecting means composed of an
acceleration sensor, a gyrosensor, or the like always detects the
physiological state such as pulse and heartbeat of a human body
(step 61). The analogue signal obtained from the physiological
state detecting means is always transmitted from the physiological
signal transmitting means (step 62).
[0564] On the other hand, the posture/action detecting means
composed of an acceleration sensor, a gyrosensor, or the like
always detects the motion state of the human body (step 63). The
signal obtained from the posture/action detecting means undergoes
signal processing by the sensor signal processing means, whereby
the posture, body motion, action, and motion state of the human
body are detected (step 64). Only when a substantial change occurs
in the sensor signal of the motion state of the human body (step
65), the analogue signal obtained from the physiological signal
transmitting means is received by the physiological signal
receiving means (step 66).
[0565] When there is no change in the sensor signal of the motion
state of the human body, the analogue signal obtained from the
physiological signal transmitting means is not received by the
physiological signal receiving means. Further, the analogue signal
received by the physiological signal receiving means is converted
into a digital signal by signal processing by the sensor signal
processing means (step 67). Then, all or part of the
signal-processed data is transmitted from the sensor signal
transmitting means to the base station by wireless (step 68).
[0566] As such, only when a change occurs in the sensor signal of
the posture, body motion, action, and motion state of the human
body obtained from the posture/action detecting means, the analogue
signal obtained from the physiological signal transmitting means is
received by the physiological signal receiving means. By virtue of
this, the sensor signal having a high noise level and a large
amount of data can be efficiently transmitted to the base
station.
[0567] "A change in the signal" in the present embodiment is
identical to that in Embodiment 11.
Embodiment 14
[0568] A state information detection and transmission apparatus
according to Embodiment 14 is described below with reference to the
drawings. FIG. 24 is a schematic configuration diagram of the state
information detection and transmission apparatus according to
Embodiment 14 of the invention. Described below is the
configuration in the present embodiment. The present embodiment
comprises a group of sensors composed of a personal information
terminal 3006 and physiological state detecting means 3019.
[0569] The personal information terminal 3006 is attached to a
human body 3001 and comprises: posture/action detecting means 3002
of detecting the posture, body motion, action, and motion state of
the human body 3001 by means of an acceleration sensor, a
gyrosensor, or the like; physiological signal receiving means 3021
of receiving a sensor signal transmitted from the physiological
signal transmitting means 3020 attached to the physiological state
detecting means 3019 attached to the human body 3001; sensor signal
processing means 3005 of processing the sensor signals obtained
from these sensors; sensor signal transmitting means 3009 of
transmitting the sensor signals to the base station by wireless;
and alarm means 3008 of generating an alarm from an alarm section
when an abnormal value is detected in the physiological signal
among the signals obtained from the sensor signal processing means
3005.
[0570] The physiological state detecting means 3019 detects the
physiological information such as pulse and heartbeat of the human
body 3001. The analogue signal obtained from the physiological
state detecting means 3019 is transmitted from the physiological
signal transmitting means 3020. The analogue signal transmitted
from the physiological signal transmitting means 3020 is received
by the physiological signal receiving means 3021. The received
analogue signal is converted into a digital signal by signal
processing by the sensor signal processing means 3005.
[0571] On the other hand, the signal obtained from the
posture/action detecting means 3002 composed of an acceleration
sensor, a gyrosensor, or the like undergoes signal processing by
the sensor signal processing means 3005, whereby the posture, body
motion, action, and motion state of the human body 3001 are
detected.
[0572] Only when a change occurs in at least one of the digital
signals obtained from the sensor signal processing means 3005, all
or part of the signal-processed data is transmitted to the base
station by the sensor signal transmitting means 3009.
[0573] When an abnormal value is detected in the physiological
signal among the signals obtained from the sensor signal processing
means 3005, the alarm means 3008 generates an alarm from the alarm
section. Here, the abnormal value indicates a predetermined value.
The alarm means 3008 may generate an alarm from the alarm section,
also when an abnormal value is detected in a signal other than the
physiological signal among the signals obtained from the sensor
signal processing means 3005. Furthermore, the alarm may be
generated by means of a sound, as described above, or a color such
as red.
[0574] The personal information terminal 3006 according to
Embodiment 14 is described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 25 is a schematic configuration diagram of the personal
information terminal 3006 according to Embodiment 14.
[0575] The personal information terminal 3006 is attached to a part
of a human body, for example, to the waist using a belt, thereby
detecting the posture, the state of walking, the movement path, and
the like using an acceleration sensor 3103. As for the posture, the
inclination of the human body is obtained by measuring the force
component of the gravity using the triaxial acceleration sensor.
For the state of walking, the gravity direction output from the
acceleration sensor is analyzed by a sensor signal processing
circuit 3105, whereby it is determined that the state is static or
walking, and that the state of walking is upstairs or
downstairs.
[0576] The physiological signal receiving means 3109 receives the
physiological signal transmitted from the sensor signal
transmitting means attached to the physiological state detecting
means. The signal is transformed into heartbeat rate and the like
by the sensor signal processing circuit 3115. These signals from
the internal sensors are analyzed into various state information by
the sensor signal processing circuit 3105. The results are
transmitted as personal characteristics information through a
transmitting and receiving section 3110, through an antenna 3104,
and to the base station.
[0577] When an abnormal-value is detected in the physiological
signal among the signals obtained from the sensor signal processing
means 3005, the alarm buzzer 3107 generates an alarm. That is, in
case of abnormality, this buzzer calls the person carrying personal
information terminal 3006, and an abnormal state signal is
transmitted through the antenna 3104. When the abnormal state
signal is transmitted, a helper checks the situation of the person,
and/or the situation is notified to the outside. All the
above-mentioned means are powered by an internal battery 3106.
Embodiment 15
[0578] A state information detection and transmission apparatus
according to Embodiment 15 is described below. Described below is
the configuration in the present embodiment.
[0579] The physiological state detecting means always detects the
physiological information such as pulse and heartbeat of the human
body. The analogue signal obtained from the physiological state
detecting means is always transmitted from the physiological signal
transmitting means.
[0580] On the other hand, the posture/action detecting means
composed of an acceleration sensor, a gyrosensor, or the like
always detects the motion state of the human body. The signal
obtained from the posture/action detecting means undergoes signal
processing by the sensor signal processing means, whereby the
posture, body motion, action, and motion state of the human body
are detected. Only when a change occurs in the sensor signal of the
motion state of the human body, the analogue signal obtained from
the physiological signal transmitting means is received by the
physiological signal receiving means.
[0581] When there is no change in the sensor signal of the motion
state of the human body, the analogue signal obtained from the
physiological signal transmitting means is not received by the
physiological signal receiving means.
[0582] The received analogue signal is converted into a digital
signal by signal processing by the sensor signal processing means.
Then, all or part of the signal-processed data is transmitted from
the sensor signal transmitting means to the base station by
wireless.
[0583] Further, the personal information terminal may provided with
an alarm button for notifying an abnormality in the human body. The
alarm may be generated by pushing the alarm button, as color or
sound from the alarm section.
[0584] The alarm is generated when the human body arbitrarily
pushes the alarm button in order to notify the abnormality. That
is, the apparatus is used in order to call another person when the
person carrying this apparatus detects an abnormality. Further, the
abnormal state signal may be transmitted from the antenna of the
personal information terminal when the alarm button is pushed. When
the abnormal state signal is transmitted, a helper checks the
situation of the person, and/or the situation is notified to the
outside.
Embodiment 16
[0585] A personal characteristics information acquisition system
according to Embodiment 16 is described below with reference to the
drawings. FIG. 26 is a schematic configuration diagram of the
personal characteristics information acquisition system according
to Embodiment 16 of the invention. Described below is the
configuration in the present embodiment. The present embodiment
comprises a group of sensors composed of a personal information
terminal 3006 and physiological state detecting means 3019.
[0586] The personal information terminal 3006 is attached to a
human body 3001 and comprises: posture/action detecting means 3002
of detecting the posture, body motion, action, and motion state of
the human body 3001 by means of an acceleration sensor, a
gyrosensor, or the like; physiological signal receiving means 3021
of receiving a sensor signal transmitted from the physiological
signal transmitting means 3020 attached to the physiological state
detecting means 3019 attached to the human body 3001; sensor signal
processing means 3005 of processing the sensor signals obtained
from these sensors; sensor signal transmitting means 3009 of
transmitting the sensor signals to the base station 3007 by
wireless communications 3012; and alarm means 3008 of generating an
alarm from an alarm section when an abnormal value is detected in
the physiological signal among the signals obtained from the sensor
signal processing means 3005.
[0587] The sensor information of the personal information terminal
3006 transmitted to the base station 3007 by wireless
communications 3012 is sent to the sensor signal processing means
3011. The action information of the human body 3001 received by the
signal processing means 3011 is transferred via a network to the
data storing means 3013, and temporarily stored as structured data
in the data storing means 3013. When a displaying apparatus 3031
such as monitor is provided in the data storing means 3013 storing
the data, the action state of the person in every room can be
viewed at one time.
[0588] The signal processing means 3011, together with other signal
processing means, is connected to the network. By virtue of this
network connection, the information in every room can be used in
common, whereby the action state of the person in every room can be
understood. This reduces substantially the load on helpers in an
ordinary home as well as in an institution for the nursing care of
elderlies. In the present embodiment, the kind of the network is
not restricted, and the network may be arbitrary one.
Embodiment 17
[0589] A personal characteristics information acquisition system
according to Embodiment 17 is described below with reference to the
drawings. FIG. 27 is a schematic configuration diagram of the
personal characteristics information acquisition system according
to Embodiment 17 of the invention. Described below is the
configuration in the present embodiment. The present embodiment
comprises a group of sensors composed of a personal information
terminal 3006 and physiological state detecting means 3019.
[0590] The personal information terminal 3006 is attached to a
human body 3001 and comprises: posture/action detecting means 3002
of detecting the posture, body motion, action, and motion state of
the human body 3001 by means of an acceleration sensor, a
gyrosensor, or the like; physiological signal receiving means 3021
of receiving a sensor signal transmitted from the physiological
signal transmitting means 3020 attached to the physiological state
detecting means 3019 attached to the human body 3001; sensor signal
processing means 3005 of processing the sensor signals obtained
from these sensors; sensor signal transmitting means 3009 of
transmitting the sensor signals to the base station 3007 by
wireless communications 3012; and alarm means 3008 of generating an
alarm from an alarm section when the human body 3001 arbitrarily
pushes it in order to notify the abnormality.
[0591] The sensor information of the personal information terminal
3006 transmitted to the base station 3007 by wireless
communications 3012 is sent to the signal processing means 3011.
The action information of the human body 3001 received by the
signal processing means 3011 is transferred via a network 3030 to
the data storing means 3013, and temporarily stored as structured
data in the data storing means 3013. The action information of
human body 3001 obtained from the signal processing means 3011
undergoes comparison and evaluation in the action evaluating means
3014 on the basis of the structured data having been accumulated in
the data storing means 3013.
[0592] When the action state of human body obtained from the action
evaluating means 3014 is determined to be abnormal or predicted to
become abnormal as a possibility in the future by the state
determining means 3015, the notifying means 3016 notifies it to the
person. Further, when a displaying apparatus 3031 such as monitor
is provided, the action state of the person in every room can be
viewed at one time.
[0593] The signal processing means 3011, together with other signal
processing means, is connected to the network. By virtue of this
network connection, the information in every room can be used in
common, whereby the action state of the person in every room can be
understood. This reduces substantially the load on helpers in an
ordinary home as well as in an institution for the nursing care of
elderlies. In the present embodiment, the kind of the network is
not restricted, and the network may be arbitrary one.
Embodiment 18
[0594] An action detection system according to Embodiment 18 is
described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 28 is a
schematic configuration diagram of the action detection system
according to Embodiment 18 of the invention. Described below is the
configuration in the present embodiment.
[0595] The wearable personal information terminal 4006 is attached
to a human body and detects the posture, body motion, action, and
motion state of the human body as well as a physiological signal.
These detected and acquired sensor signals are transmitted to a
base station 4007 by wireless communications 4012.
[0596] The sensor information of the personal information terminal
4006 transmitted to the base station 4007 by wireless
communications 4012 is sent to the signal processing means 4011
connected to other sensors, whereby the information is integrated.
The action information of the human body integrated by the signal
processing means 4011 is transferred via a network 4030 to the data
storing means 4013, and temporarily stored as structured data in
the data storing means 4013.
[0597] The action information of human body obtained from the
signal processing means 4011 undergoes comparison and evaluation in
the action evaluating means 4014 on the basis of the structured
data having been accumulated in the data storing means 4013. When
the action state of human body obtained from the action evaluating
means 4014 is determined to be abnormal or predicted to become
abnormal as a possibility in the future by the state determining
means 4015, the notifying means 4016 capable of notifying it to the
personal information terminal 4006 and other personal information
terminals connected to the network or the Internet notifies it to
the person or another person. Here, the state determining means
4015 performs the above-mentioned determination and prediction by
comparing the action information obtained from the action
evaluating means 4014 with predetermined reference information.
[0598] When the state determining means 4015 determines an
abnormality, the information indicating the situation is
transmitted from communication means (first Internet terminal) 4031
to another communication means (second Internet terminal) 4032 via
the Internet 4018. Then, when the user of the communication means
(second Internet terminal) 4032 is a doctor, the doctor can give an
appropriate advice to the person having the abnormality or the
person's helper by the interactive communications via the Internet
4018. Further, when the information transmitted from the
communication means (first Internet terminal) 4031 to the
communication means (second Internet terminal) 4032 via the
Internet 4018 includes the action information obtained from the
action evaluating means 4014, the doctor can give a more
appropriate advice based on the action information.
[0599] When a displaying apparatus 4017 such as monitor is
connected to the state determining means 4015, the action state of
the person in every room can be viewed at one time.
[0600] The signal processing means 4011, together with other signal
processing means, is connected to the network. By virtue of this
network connection, the information in every room can be used in
common, whereby the action state of the person in every room can be
understood. This reduces substantially the load on helpers in an
ordinary home as well as in an institution for the nursing care of
elderlies. In the present embodiment, the kind of the network is
not restricted, and the network may be arbitrary one.
[0601] In the present embodiment, the information indicating
abnormality has been transmitted from the communication means 4031
to the communication means 4032 via the Internet 4018 when the
state determining means 4015 has determined an abnormality.
However, even in case of non-abnormality, the information
indicating the situation, or alternatively this information and the
action state information, may be transmitted. In this case, for
example, the doctor can understand the state such as presence or
absence of an abnormality in the person of object of detection.
[0602] In order for the communication means (first Internet
terminal) 4031 and the communication means (second Internet
terminal) 4032 to be interconnected via the Internet 4018
automatically when the state determining means 4015 determines an
abnormality, the communication means 4031 preferably has the
address of the communication means 4032 or the information
necessary to specify the address, in advance.
[0603] Further, the communication means (first Internet terminal)
4031 may comprise a button used for interconnecting the
communication means 4031 and the communication means (second
Internet terminal) 4032 via the Internet 4018 using the
above-mentioned address or the information necessary to specify the
address. In this case, when the button is pushed, the communication
means 4031 and the communication means 4032 are interconnected via
the Internet 4018.
Embodiment 19
[0604] An action detection system according to Embodiment 19 is
described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 29 is a
schematic configuration diagram of the action detection system
according to Embodiment 19 of the invention. Described below is the
configuration in the present embodiment.
[0605] The personal information terminal 4006 is attached to a
human body 4001 and comprises: posture/action detecting means 4002
of detecting the posture, body motion, action, and motion state of
the human body 4001 by means of an acceleration sensor, a
gyrosensor, or the like; radio wave receiving means 4003 of
receiving a radio wave of specific frequency transmitted from radio
wave transmitting means 4004 when the distance from the radio wave
transmitting means 4004 is a predetermined value or less;
physiological signal receiving means 4021 of receiving a sensor
signal transmitted from the physiological signal transmitting means
4020 attached to the physiological state detecting means 4019
attached to the human body 4001; sensor signal processing means
4005 of processing the signals obtained from the sensors; and
sensor signal transmitting means 4009 of transmitting these sensor
signals to a base station 4007 by wireless communications 4012.
[0606] The sensor information of the personal information terminal
4006 transmitted to the base station 4007 by wireless
communications 4012 is sent to the signal processing means 4011
connected to other sensors, whereby the information is integrated.
The action information of the human body integrated by the signal
processing means 4011 is transferred via a network 4030 to the data
storing means 4013, and temporarily stored as structured data in
the data storing means 4013.
[0607] The action information of human body obtained from the
signal processing means 4011 undergoes comparison and evaluation in
the action evaluating means 4014 on the basis of the structured
data having been accumulated in the data storing means 4013. When
the action state of human body obtained from the action evaluating
means 4014 is determined to be abnormal or predicted to become
abnormal as a possibility in the future by the state determining
means 4015, the notifying means 4016 capable of notifying it to the
alarm means 4008 of the personal information terminal 4006 and
other personal information terminals connected to the network or
the Internet notifies it to the person or another person. Here, the
state determining means 4015 performs the above-mentioned
determination and prediction by comparing the action information
obtained from the action evaluating means 4014 with predetermined
reference information.
[0608] When the state determining means 4015 determines an
abnormality, the information indicating the situation is
transmitted from the communication means (first Internet terminal)
4031 to the communication means (second Internet terminal) 4032 via
the Internet 4018. Then, when the user of the communication means
(second Internet terminal) 4032 is a doctor, the doctor can give an
appropriate advice to the person having the abnormality or the
person's helper by the interactive communications via the Internet
4018. Further, when the information transmitted from the
communication means (first Internet terminal) 4031 to the
communication means (second Internet terminal) 4032 via the
Internet 4018 includes the action information obtained from the
action evaluating means 4014, the doctor can give a more
appropriate advice based on the action information.
[0609] When a displaying apparatus 4017 such as monitor is
connected to the state determining means 4015, the action state of
the person in every room can be viewed at one time.
[0610] The signal processing means 4011, together with other signal
processing means, is connected to the network. By virtue of this
network connection, the information in every room can be used in
common, whereby the action state of the person in every room can be
understood. This reduces substantially the load on helpers in an
ordinary home as well as in an institution for the nursing care of
elderlies. In the present embodiment, the kind of the network is
not restricted, and the network may be arbitrary one.
[0611] The personal information terminal 4006 according to
Embodiment 19 is described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 30 is a schematic configuration diagram of the personal
information terminal 4006 according to Embodiment 19.
[0612] The personal information terminal 4006 is attached to a part
of a human body, for example, to the waist using a belt, thereby
detecting the posture, the state of walking, the movement path, and
the like using an acceleration sensor 4103 or a gyrosensor. As for
the posture, the inclination of the human body is obtained by
measuring the force component of the gravity using the triaxial
acceleration sensor. For the state of walking, the gravity
direction output from the acceleration sensor is analyzed by a
sensor signal processing circuit 4105, whereby it is determined
that the state is static or walking, and that the state of walking
is upstairs or downstairs.
[0613] A coil 4108 receives the radio wave transmitted from the
radio wave transmitting means 4004 (see FIG. 29). The signal is
transformed into position information by the sensor signal
processing circuit 4105. A sensor signal receiving means 4109
receives the physiological signal transmitted from the sensor
signal transmitting means 4020 (see FIG. 29) attached to
physiological state detecting means 4019 (see FIG. 29). The signal
is transformed into heartbeat rate and the like by the sensor
signal processing circuit 4105. These signals are analyzed into
various state information by the sensor signal processing circuit
4105. The results are transmitted as personal characteristics
information through a transmitting and receiving section 4110,
through an antenna 4104, and to the base station 4007 (see FIG.
29).
[0614] When there has been no human body movement for a long time,
or when an abnormal state is detected, determined, or predicted, an
alarm buzzer 4107 calls the person carrying this personal
information terminal 4006. When there is no response, for example,
by pushing a switch 4102, to this call, an abnormal state signal is
transmitted through the antenna 4104. When the abnormal state
signal is transmitted, a helper checks the situation of the person,
and/or the situation is notified to the outside. All the
above-mentioned means are powered by an internal battery 4106.
[0615] The present embodiment has been described for the case of an
acceleration sensor or a gyrosensor. However, the invention is not
restricted to this, and the posture information may be obtained by
an inclination angle sensor.
[0616] The action detection system according to Embodiment 19 is
further described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 31 is a
schematic configuration diagram of a house provided with the action
detection system according to Embodiment 19 of the invention.
Described below is the configuration in the present embodiment.
[0617] The position detecting means 4201 is either means of
detecting and specifying the position of the human body by means of
image processing using a CCD camera, an infra-red sensor, or an
infra-red camera, the latter two being capable of measuring the
two-dimensional temperature distribution, or means of specifying
the position of the human body or article by means of: a radio wave
source attached to the human body or article; and one or more
antennas which are located in the room and detect the intensity or
the direction of the radio wave. The signal processing means or IFU
processes the signal obtained from the CCD camera, the infra-red
sensor, or the antennas, thereby calculating the two-dimensional
coordinates on the floor of the room.
[0618] A passage sensor 4202 provides a sensor output corresponding
to the movement direction of the human body or article by means of
an infra-red sensor, a distance sensor, or the like. The sensor
signal output from the passage sensor is processed by signal
processing means, thereby permitting the determination of the
movement direction of entering or exiting the room by the human
body or article.
[0619] The on-bed state detecting means 4203 detects an abnormal
state of a human body on a bed, and provides a sensor output
corresponding to the posture of the human body by means of an
infra-red sensor, a pressure sensor, or the like. The sensor signal
output from the on-bed state detecting means is processed by signal
processing means, and then used in the determination of the
presence or absence, the posture, and an abnormal state of the
human body.
[0620] The personal information terminal 4204 is attached to a
human body and comprises: posture/action detecting means of
detecting the posture, body motion, action, and motion state of the
human body by means of an acceleration sensor, a gyrosensor, or the
like; radio wave receiving means of receiving a radio wave of
specific frequency transmitted from radio wave transmitting means
when the distance from an RF-ID mat of the radio wave transmitting
means is a predetermined value or less; physiological signal
receiving means of receiving a sensor signal transmitted from the
physiological signal transmitting means attached to the
physiological state detecting means attached to the human body;
sensor signal processing means of processing the signals obtained
from the sensors; and sensor signal transmitting and receiving
means of transmitting these sensor signals to a base station 4211
by wireless.
[0621] The human body state detecting means 4205 detects an
abnormal state of a human body in a lavatory, and provides a sensor
output corresponding to the posture of the human body by means of
an infra-red sensor, a distance sensor, or the like. The sensor
signal output from the human body state detecting means is
processed by signal processing means, and then used in the
determination of the state of entering or exiting the room, the
posture, and an abnormal state of the human body.
[0622] The bath sensor 4206 detects an abnormal state of a human
body in a bath, and provides a sensor output corresponding to the
posture of the human body by means of an infra-red sensor, a
distance sensor, or the like. The sensor signal output from the
bath sensor is processed by signal processing means, and then used
in the determination of the state of entering or exiting the room,
the posture, and an abnormal state of the human body.
[0623] The sensor information of the personal information terminal
4204 transmitted to the base station 4211 by wireless is sent to a
personal characteristics information acquisition panel 4207
connected to other sensors of the CCD position detection sensor
4201, the passage sensor 4202, the on-bed state detection sensor
4203, the lavatory sensor 4205, and the bath sensor 4206 via the
network 4210, whereby the information is integrated. The action
information of the human body integrated by the personal
characteristics information acquisition panel 4207 is transferred
to the data storing means, and temporarily stored as structured
data in the data storing means.
[0624] The action information of human body obtained from the
personal characteristics information acquisition panel 4207
undergoes comparison and evaluation in the action evaluating means
4208 on the basis of the structured data having been accumulated in
the data storing means. When the action state of human body
obtained from the action evaluating means 4208 is determined to be
abnormal or predicted to become abnormal as a possibility in the
future by the state determining means 4208, the notifying means
4209 capable of notifying it to the alarm means of the personal
information terminal and other personal information terminals
connected to the network or the Internet notifies it to the person
or another person.
[0625] Further, the system is configured such that in case of
abnormality, the interactive communications can be carried out
between the human body having an abnormality and the person
received the notification. Furthermore, when a displaying apparatus
such as monitor is provided in the state determining means, the
action state of the person in every room can be viewed at one
time.
Embodiment 20
[0626] An action detection system according to Embodiment 20 is
described below with reference to the drawings. Described below is
the configuration in the present embodiment.
[0627] The personal information terminal is attached to a human
body and comprises: posture/action detecting means of detecting the
posture, body motion, action, and motion state of the human body by
means of an acceleration sensor, a gyrosensor, or the like; radio
wave receiving means of receiving a radio wave of specific
frequency transmitted from radio wave transmitting means when the
distance from the radio wave transmitting means is a predetermined
value or less; physiological signal receiving means of receiving a
sensor signal transmitted from the physiological signal
transmitting means attached to the physiological state detecting
means attached to the human body; sensor signal processing means of
processing the signals obtained from the sensors; and sensor signal
transmitting and receiving means of transmitting these sensor
signals to the base station by wireless.
[0628] The sensor information of the personal information terminal
transmitted to the base station by wireless is sent to the sensor
signal processing means connected to other sensors, whereby the
information is integrated. The action information of the human body
integrated by the sensor signal processing means is transferred to
the data storing means, and temporarily stored as structured data
in the data storing means.
[0629] The action information of human body obtained from the
sensor signal processing means undergoes comparison and evaluation
in the action evaluating means on the basis of the structured data
having been accumulated in the data storing means. When the action
state of human body obtained from the action evaluating means is
determined to be abnormal or predicted to become abnormal as a
possibility in the future by the state determining means, the
notifying means capable of notifying it to the alarm means of the
personal information terminal and other personal information
terminals connected to the network or the Internet notifies it to
the person or another person.
[0630] Further, the system is configured such that in case of
abnormality, a person is sent to the human body having an
abnormality. Furthermore, when a displaying apparatus such as
monitor is provided in the state determining means, the action
state of the person in every room can be viewed at one time.
[0631] The sensor signal processing means, together with other
sensor signal processing means, is connected to the network. By
virtue of this network connection, the information in every room
can be used in common, whereby the action state of the person in
every room can be understood. This reduces substantially the load
on helpers in an ordinary home as well as in an institution for the
nursing care of elderlies. In the present embodiment, the kind of
the network is not restricted, and the network may be arbitrary
one.
Embodiment 21
[0632] An action detection system according to Embodiment 21 is
described below with reference to the drawings. Described below is
the configuration in the present embodiment.
[0633] The personal information terminal is attached to a human
body and comprises: posture/action detecting means of detecting the
posture, body motion, action, and motion state of the human body by
means of an acceleration sensor, a gyrosensor, or the like; radio
wave receiving means of receiving a radio wave of specific
frequency transmitted from radio wave transmitting means when the
distance from the radio wave transmitting means is a predetermined
value or less; physiological signal receiving means of receiving a
sensor signal transmitted from the physiological signal
transmitting means attached to the physiological state detecting
means attached to the human body; sensor signal processing means of
processing the signals obtained from the sensors; and sensor signal
transmitting and receiving means of transmitting these sensor
signals to the base station by wireless.
[0634] The sensor information of the personal information terminal
transmitted to the base station by wireless is sent to the sensor
signal processing means connected to other sensors, whereby the
information is integrated. The action information of the human body
integrated by the sensor signal processing means is transferred to
the data storing means, and temporarily stored as structured data
in the data storing means.
[0635] The action information of human body obtained from the
sensor signal processing means undergoes comparison and evaluation
in the action evaluating means on the basis of the structured data
having been accumulated in the data storing means When the action
state of human body obtained from the action evaluating means is
determined to be abnormal or predicted to become abnormal as a
possibility in the future by the state determining means, the
notifying means capable of notifying it to the alarm means of the
personal information terminal and other personal information
terminals connected to the network or the Internet notifies it to
the person or another person.
[0636] The action detection system according to Embodiment 21
further comprises equipment such as air conditioner, illumination
means, and the like which is connected to a network or an Internet
terminal, and is arbitrarily adjusted in order to create a
comfortable environment in response to the obtained personal action
information, for example, by the control commands sent from another
Internet terminal to the above-mentioned Internet terminal.
Furthermore, when a displaying apparatus such as monitor is
provided in the state determining means, the action state of the
person in every room can be viewed at one time.
[0637] The sensor signal processing means, together with other
sensor signal processing means, is connected to the network. By
virtue of this network connection, the information in every room
can be used in common, whereby the action state of the person in
every room can be understood. This reduces substantially the load
on helpers in an ordinary home as well as in an institution for the
nursing care of elderlies. In the present embodiment, the kind of
the network is not restricted, and the network may be arbitrary
one.
[0638] In the above, Embodiments 1-21 of the invention have been
described in detail.
[0639] Further, the invention is a program which causes a computer
to execute all or part of the steps (or processes, operations,
effects, and the like) in the above-mentioned state information
acquisition method, state information detection and transmission
method, and action detection method according to the invention and
works in cooperation with the computer.
[0640] The computer according to the invention is not restricted to
genuine hardware such as CPU, but may include firmware, OS, and
peripheral devices.
[0641] Part of the steps (or processes, operations, effects, and
the like) in the invention indicates a step or steps in the
plurality of steps, or alternatively a part of function or
operation in a step.
[0642] A computer readable recording medium containing a program
according to the invention is also included in the scope of the
invention. A mode of use of a program according to the invention
may be the mode in which the program is recorded in a computer
readable recording medium and works in cooperation with a computer.
Further, a mode of use of a program according to the invention may
be the mode in which the program is transferred in a transferring
medium and read by a computer thereby to work in cooperation with a
computer. The recording media include a ROM, while the transferring
media include: a transferring medium such as the Internet; light;
radio wave; and sound wave.
[0643] The configuration according to the invention may be
implemented by software or hardware.
[0644] Further, the invention is a medium which carries a program
causing a computer to execute all or part of the steps (or
processes, operations, effects, and the like) in the
above-mentioned state information acquisition method, state
information detection and transmission method, and action detection
method according to the invention and is readable by a computer,
wherein the read-out program executes the operation in cooperation
with the computer.
[0645] The entire disclosure of the above-mentioned references is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0646] (A) As described above, the present invention advantageously
provides a state information acquisition system, a state
information acquisition apparatus, an attachable terminal
apparatus, a state information acquisition method, a personal
characteristics information acquisition system, a program, and a
medium for directly obtaining the physiological state of a
person.
[0647] Further, the present invention advantageously provides a
state information acquisition system, a state information
acquisition apparatus, an attachable terminal apparatus, a state
information acquisition method, a personal characteristics
information acquisition system, a program, and a medium for
obtaining more detailed information on the state of a person.
[0648] (B) Further, the present invention advantageously provides a
state information acquisition system, a state information
acquisition apparatus, a state information acquisition method, an
abnormal action detection system, a program, and a medium for
integrally obtaining state information indicating the state of a
person or an animal.
[0649] (C) Further, the present invention advantageously provides a
state information detection and transmission apparatus and the like
capable of reducing the amount of data of: physiological
information transmitted from transmitting means to a personal
information terminal; physiological information transmitted from
the personal information terminal to a base station; and
information on all or part of posture, action, and motion state of
a human body, transmitted from the personal information terminal to
the base station.
[0650] Accordingly, a personal information terminal according to
the invention can reduce efficiently the amount of data of the
physiological signal having a high noise level and a large amount
of data, by setting the timing of receiving the physiological
signal to be in every predetermined time interval or setting the
timing of transmitting the physiological signal to be at a time
only when a change occurs in the physiological signal. This avoids
advantageously the transmission of unnecessary data signals to the
base station.
[0651] A personal information terminal according to the invention
can immediately notify an abnormality to the person or another
person, by setting the timing of alarm to be a time when an
abnormal value is detected in the physiological signal obtained
from the physiological state detecting means or a time when the
person carrying the personal information terminal arbitrarily
pushes an alarm button.
[0652] The invention comprises: physiological state detecting
means; transmitting means of transmitting a sensor signal detected
by said physiological state detecting means; receiving means of
receiving a sensor signal from said sensor signal transmitting
means; a wearable personal information terminal having at least
sending means of sending the physiological signal to abase station;
abase station for receiving the sensor signals from a plurality of
said wearable personal information terminals by wireless; and
personal characteristics information calculating means of
integrally processing, by means of a network, the signals obtained
from said sensor signals from said base station and thereby
obtaining the personal characteristics information of said human
body; thereby permitting accurate, easy, and simple measurement of
the action and the personal characteristics information of person
such as the position, the posture, the action information, and the
physiological information of a person of object of detection in a
room.
[0653] In particular, when the action and the physiological
information of a human body are integrated, the personal
characteristics information can be obtained more efficiently.
Further, state determining means attached to the human body
communicates with the base station by wireless, and the base
station is connected to the network. This permits integrated
management of the personal characteristics information of human
bodies in a plurality of rooms or specified areas. Accordingly, the
action of the human bodies in the whole building can be understood
in real time. This permits various applications such as abnormality
detection, air conditioning/illumination control, and security.
[0654] As such, the posture, action, motion state, and
physiological state of the human body are specified. Further, the
personal characteristics information of a plurality of human bodies
can be efficiently integrated by a network. Thus, the invention
permits easy, accurate, reliable, and inexpensive personal
characteristics information acquisition, thereby substantially
contributing to the expansion of home information infrastructure
business.
[0655] (D) Further, the present invention advantageously provides
an action detection system in which information on the action state
of a person of object of detection is automatically transmitted via
the Internet to a first Internet terminal of a predetermined
manager (such as a doctor), and a second Internet terminal is used
for performing interactive communications with the first Internet
terminal via the Internet, whereby information exchange can be
carried out between the person of object of detection or the
person's helper and the manager.
[0656] According to an action detection system according to the
invention, a human body entering a room can be identified. Further,
the action of the human body, such as in-room position, posture,
and action information, can be measured accurately. The personal
characteristics information can be compared and evaluated with the
action and the physiological information of the person, whereby an
abnormality is determined. The abnormality is notified to the
person or another person. Further, the communications with the
person having the abnormality or the person's helper can be carried
out by the Internet or another network.
[0657] Further, the system is configured such that in case of
abnormality, a person is sent to the human body having an
abnormality. This creates more safe and relaxed environment.
[0658] Further, with equipment such as air conditioner,
illumination means, and the like which is connected to a network
and arbitrarily adjusted in order to create comfortable environment
in response to the obtained personal action information, more
comfortable environment is obtained.
[0659] Further, state determining means attached to the human body
communicates with the base station by wireless, and the base
station is connected to the network. This permits integrated
management of the personal characteristics information of human
bodies in a plurality of rooms or specified areas. Accordingly, the
action of the human bodies in the whole building can be understood
in real time. This permits various applications such as abnormality
detection, air conditioning/illumination control, and security.
[0660] As such, the human body is identified, and the position of
the human body is specified. Further, the posture, action, and
motion state of the human body are specified. Furthermore, the
action information and the physiological information of a person is
integrated. Then, daily action and physiological state are compared
and evaluated, whereby an abnormality in the action is determined
and notified. Then, the abnormality is resolved, whereby more safe,
relaxed, and comfortable environment is obtained. Accordingly, an
abnormal action detection system according to the invention permits
easy, highly accurate, reliable, and inexpensive abnormal action
detection and prediction, thereby substantially contributing to the
expansion of home information infrastructure business.
* * * * *