18556576. MONITORING SYSTEM AND MONITORING METHOD simplified abstract (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)

MONITORING SYSTEM AND MONITORING METHOD

Organization Name

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Inventor(s)

Satoshi Okuda of Tokyo (JP)

Masaharu Hattori of Tokyo (JP)

Yasuki Aihara of Tokyo (JP)

Takashi Takenaga of Tokyo (JP)

Kazuya Sato of Tokyo (JP)

Yasuaki Susumu of Tokyo (JP)

Kenichiro Chomei of Tokyo (JP)

MONITORING SYSTEM AND MONITORING METHOD - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18556576 titled 'MONITORING SYSTEM AND MONITORING METHOD

The patent application describes a thermal image acquisitor attached to a wall or ceiling near a care recipient lying on a bed, capturing a thermal image of the bed and surroundings from above to monitor the care recipient's state.

• The reference setting circuitry establishes reference lines for the bed's ends and a reference height for detecting the care recipient's position.
• Heat source detection circuitry identifies heat sources in the thermal image, such as the care recipient's body heat.
• State determination circuitry analyzes the relationship between the safe area enclosed by the reference lines and height and the heat source to determine the care recipient's state.

Potential Applications

This technology can be used in healthcare facilities, nursing homes, and home care settings to monitor the well-being of patients or elderly individuals.

Problems Solved

This innovation addresses the challenge of remotely monitoring the position and condition of care recipients without invasive sensors or constant human supervision.

Benefits

- Enhanced monitoring of care recipients without intrusion - Early detection of changes in the care recipient's state - Improved efficiency in caregiving

Commercial Applications

Title: "Advanced Thermal Monitoring System for Care Recipients" This technology can be commercialized as a monitoring system for healthcare institutions, assisted living facilities, and home care providers, offering a non-invasive and efficient way to ensure the well-being of patients and elderly individuals.

Prior Art

Readers interested in prior art related to thermal monitoring systems in healthcare settings can explore research articles on thermal imaging technologies, remote patient monitoring systems, and sensor-based healthcare solutions.

Frequently Updated Research

Researchers are continually exploring advancements in thermal imaging technology for healthcare applications, including improved image processing algorithms, integration with AI for automated analysis, and miniaturization of thermal sensors for enhanced portability.

Questions about Thermal Monitoring Systems

How does this technology compare to traditional monitoring methods in healthcare settings?

This technology offers a non-invasive and continuous monitoring solution that can provide real-time insights into the care recipient's condition without physical contact or disruption.

What are the potential privacy concerns associated with using thermal imaging for monitoring care recipients?

Privacy concerns may arise regarding the collection and storage of thermal images of individuals, requiring robust data security measures and compliance with privacy regulations to protect sensitive information.

Original Abstract Submitted

A thermal image acquisitor () is attached to a wall () or a ceiling () on a side of a head of a care recipient () in a case where the care recipient lies on a bed (), and captures an image of the bed and its surroundings from diagonally above to acquire a thermal image. Reference setting circuitry () sets two reference lines () respectively corresponding to a left end and a right end of the bed in the thermal image, and a reference height () for determining sitting-up of the care recipient. Heat source detection circuitry () detects a mass () of a heat source in the thermal image. State determination circuitry () determines a state of the care recipient from a positional relationship between a safe area () enclosed with the reference lines and the reference height and the mass of the heat source.