Abstract:
This specification discloses the system and method for dynamically displaying weather-related health information. It establishes an item table database to actively collect weather data and analyze them according to the item table, thereby providing weather-related health information. It solves the problem of time-consuming and complicated searching in the prior art for collect and analyzing weather-related health information. Therefore, the invention can effectively use system and network resources to retrieve weather-related health information.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a system for dynamically displaying weather-related health information and the method thereof. More explicitly, the invention relates to the system and method that actively provide current weather-related health information and dynamically display it. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    Weather has great effects on human health, as seen in the following examples. Take the rheumatism as an example. Even though its formation is not directly related to the weather, low temperatures or high humidity can induce it. Also, a cold weather is likely to induce heart attacks and strokes. A humid and hot summer does not only increase the possibility of sunstroke, it is also the season for germs to proliferate. Therefore, people are also likely to get gastrointestinal diseases or food poisoned. In recent years, human destruction of global environment has made the weather pattern different from before. Therefore, one cannot ignore the effects of weather on human health. 
         [0005]    Generally speaking, people often obtain various kinds of weather information from television or the Internet. Knowing the weather enables people to make preparations. Most importantly, people can watch possible effects on various diseases due to weather changes. For example, in a dry and cold day with low UV radiation and high dust density in the air, it may induce itches, asthma, myocardial infarct, stroke, etc. Aside from patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes patients also have to watch various kinds of infections so as not to aggravate the illness. 
         [0006]    However, for a busy person, it is very time-consuming to follow and collect the information of weather, diseases, and their possible relations, not to mention further analyzing the implications of the current weather. Generally speaking, the weather information collected from the Internet is most complete. Nonetheless, this is more difficult for people who are not familiar with computers. 
         [0007]    In summary, the prior art long has the problem that it is time-consuming and complicated to collect weather information. It is therefore imperative to provide a better technology. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In view of the foregoing, the invention discloses system and method for dynamically displaying weather-related health information. 
         [0009]    The disclosed system for dynamically displaying weather-related health information includes an item table database, an extracting module, a comparing module, a generating module, a graphic module, and a displaying module. The item table database has several item tables. Each item table contains several data ranges and the corresponding risk indices. The extracting module has an extracting condition. When this extracting condition is valid, the system establishes a connection with a web site and extracts multiple weather data from it. The comparing module compares the weather data with the data ranges in the item tables, generating a list to evaluate the corresponding risks. The generating module combines the weather data and the comparison result to generate health information. The graphic module produces plots for the health information. The displaying module displays the health information plots. 
         [0010]    The disclosed method for dynamically displaying weather-related health information predetermines an extracting condition and several item tables. Each of the item tables with an item name has multiple data ranges and the corresponding risk indices. First, after the extracting condition is valid, a connection to a web site is established to extract multiple weather data. The weather data are compared with the data ranges in the item tables, generating a list to evaluate the corresponding risks. The weather data and the comparison result are combined to generate health information. The graphic module produces plots for the health information. The health information is then displayed graphically. 
         [0011]    The system and method disclosed herein differ from the prior art in that the invention has item tables and that the invention actively collects the weather data and analyzes them according to the item tables, thereby providing weather-related health information. Through the above-mentioned technique, the invention can conveniently and immediately obtain weather-related health information, making full use of system and network resources. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below illustration only, and thus is not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the disclosed system for dynamically displaying weather-related health information; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of the disclosed method for dynamically displaying weather-related health information; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is the flowchart of the suggestion steps in the disclosed method for dynamically displaying weather-related health information; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the displayed weather-related health information; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  shows the input for suggestions; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5B  shows the output for suggestions; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  shows the data in the suggestion database. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    The present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same references relate to the same elements. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the disclosed system for dynamically displaying weather-related health information. As shown in the drawing, the system  100  for dynamically displaying weather-related health information includes an item table database  110 , an extracting module  120 , a comparing module  130 , a generating module  140 , a graphic module  150 , and a displaying module  160 . The item table stored in the item table database  110  is like the following: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Data range 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Item 
                 Relative humidity 
                 Temperature 
                   
               
               
                 name 
                 (%) 
                 (° C.) 
                 Risk index 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Sunstroke 
                 &lt;50 
                 &lt;31 
                 Low 
               
               
                   
                   
                 31-35 
                 Medium 
               
               
                   
                   
                 36-39 
                 Slightly high 
               
               
                   
                   
                 &gt;39 
                 High 
               
               
                   
                 50-59 
                 &lt;30 
                 Low 
               
               
                   
                   
                 30-34 
                 Medium 
               
               
                   
                   
                 35-39 
                 Slightly high 
               
               
                   
                   
                 &gt;39 
                 High 
               
               
                   
                 60-80 
                 &lt;30 
                 Low → Medium 
               
               
                   
                   
                 30-33 
                 Medium 
               
               
                   
                   
                 34-38 
                 Slightly high 
               
               
                   
                   
                 &gt;38 
                 High 
               
               
                   
                 &gt;80 
                 &lt;28 
                 Low → Medium 
               
               
                   
                   
                 28-32 
                 Medium → Slightly high 
               
               
                   
                   
                 33-37 
                 Slightly high → High 
               
               
                   
                   
                 &gt;37 
                 High 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0022]    The item name of this item table is ‘sunstroke’. It only uses ‘relative humidity (%)’ and ‘temperature (° C.)’ and their data ranges as an example. This table may contain other kinds of data ranges. Moreover, there may be item tables for ‘asthma’, ‘respiratory infection’, ‘hypertension’, etc. Each item table has an item name and several ranges of weather data. Each data range has a corresponding risk index. To present in a logical way, the applications of this item table will be detailed later. 
         [0023]    The extracting module  120  has an extracting condition. When this extracting condition is valid, the system connects to a web site  121  and extracts weather data from there. For example, the extracting condition can be set as a period of 12 hours. That is, the extracting condition holds every 12 hours. Suppose the latest time of extracting weather data from the web site  121  is 8 AM this morning. Then the next time the extracting condition holds will be 8 PM this evening. Besides, the extracting module  120  can be set to connect to the web site  121  at a fixed time. The weather data on the web site  121  are compared with those extracted last time. If there is a difference, then the extracting condition is satisfied. More explicitly, the extracting module  120  can be set to check whether the weather data on the web site  121  have been updated every few hours. If they are updated, then the new weather data are extracted. 
         [0024]    The comparing module  130  compares the extracted weather data with the data ranges of the same type in various item tables of the item table database  110 , thereby obtaining the corresponding risk indices related to the weather data. It then generates a comparison result that contains several item names and the corresponding risk indices. Take the 11/7 morning of Taipei city as an example. The weather data are as follows. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Location 
                 T1 (Taipei City) 
               
               
                   
                 Observation time 
                 AM 10:00 
               
               
                   
                 Cloud 
                 Few 
               
               
                   
                 Temperature (° C.) 
                 28.1 
               
               
                   
                 Wind (level) 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 Gust (level) 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                 Visibility (km) 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                 Relative humidity (%) 
                 72 
               
               
                   
                 Atmospheric pressure 
                 1014.3 
               
               
                   
                 (100 Pa) 
               
               
                   
                 Precipitation (mm) 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Ultraviolet index 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 Air quality 
                 Poor 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0025]    Take the item table of the item name ‘sunstroke’ as an example. The system first compares the relative humidity and then the temperature. In the weather data, the relative humidity ‘72’ falls in the data range ‘60-80’ of the item table, and the temperature ‘28.1’ in the range of ‘&lt;30’. Therefore, the corresponding probability of getting sunstroke is ‘low→medium’. The comparing module  130  uses this method to find the risk indices from all the item tables. Eventually, it generates a comparison result that contains several item names and the corresponding risk indices for the item names. 
         [0026]    The generating module  140  combines the weather data extracted by the extracting module  120  with the comparison result produced by the comparing module  130  to generate health information  199 . The health information  199  can have the following format: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 2008/11/07 Friday Taipei City 
               
               
                   
                 Weather: Sunny 
               
               
                   
                 Atmospheric pressure: Normal 
               
               
                   
                 Outdoor temperature: 28° C. 
               
               
                   
                 Wind: Level 1 
               
               
                   
                 Precipitation probability: 10% 
               
               
                   
                 Relative humidity: 72% 
               
               
                   
                 UV index: 5 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Risk index: 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Temperature: Medium 
                 Cerebral infarction: Medium 
               
               
                   
                 Hypertension: Medium 
                 Cerebral hemorrhage: Medium 
               
               
                   
                 Sunstroke: Low to medium 
                 Myocardial infarction: Medium 
               
               
                   
                 Air-conditioning disease: High 
                 Coronary disease: Medium 
               
               
                   
                 Respiratory infection: High 
               
               
                   
                 Asthma: High 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0027]    The graphic module  150  follows the user&#39;s preferences to produce plots for the health information  199 . The displaying module  160  displays the graphic health information  199 .  FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the displayed weather-related health information. The graphic health information  199  is a health information window  410 . 
         [0028]    Besides, the disclosed system  100  for dynamically displaying weather-related health information further includes a suggestion database (not shown). In table formats, it stores many suggestion data as source data for the comparing module  130  to perform subsequent comparisons. The suggestion data tables in the suggestion database have many item names. For each item name, there is at least one risk index, several locations, several traffics, several times, and several suggestions. The suggestion data table  610  in  FIG. 6  only lists one item name ‘asthma’. Corresponding to ‘asthma’, the risk index shows ‘high’ and there are several locations, traffics, and times with the high risk index, along with suggestions. The ‘time’ column has ‘-’ for all, meaning that the risk index ‘high’ of ‘asthma’ does not refer to time as a criterion. 
         [0029]    The comparing module  130  uses the item name entered by the user in real time, activity information, and the health information  199  to find in the suggestion database the corresponding suggestion data. The suggestion data are displayed by the displaying module  160 . Besides, the comparing module  130  can use one or several items preset by the user to find suggestion data appropriate for the user. For example, the comparing module  130  compares the generated health information  199 , the user preset ‘asthma’ item, and the activity information  510  entered in real time: ‘AM 9:30’, ‘indoor’, ‘walking’ (see  FIG. 5A ) with the suggestion data in the suggestion database. The health information  199  is used to find the user-preset item ‘asthma’. Since the risk index corresponding to the item is ‘high’, four suggestions are found form the suggestion data  610  (see  FIG. 6 ) in the suggestion database. Afterwards, the location ‘indoor’ and the traffic ‘walking’ entered by the user are further compared to find one suggestion: ‘Please . . . while walking; mind the indoor air circulation, . . . allergens’. In particular, time is not one of the reference items. Please refer to the suggestion  520  shown in  FIG. 5B . The suggestion  520  includes the suggestion data for the comparison of the item ‘asthma’. The suggestion data are displayed by the displaying module  160  in the health information window  410 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of the disclosed method for dynamically displaying weather-related health information. First, the invention predetermines an extracting condition and several item tables. Each item table contains an item name, several data ranges, and the corresponding risk indices (step  210 ). When the extracting condition is satisfied (step  220 ), a connection to a web site  121  is established in order to extract multiple weather data from the web site  121  (step  230 ). The weather data are then compared with the corresponding data ranges in each of the item tables, giving the corresponding risk indices. A comparison result that contains several item names and the corresponding risk indices is generated (step  240 ). The extracted weather data and the comparison result are combined to form health information  199  (step  250 ). The health information  199  is then rendered graphically (step  260 ). The graphic health information  199  is displayed (step  270 ). 
         [0031]    As described before, the extracting condition can be a time period. Or the web site  121  is periodically connected to check whether the weather data are updated. If they are, then the weather data are extracted. Step  260  may even render the health information  199  graphically according to the preset preferences. Please refer to  FIG. 3 . In addition to the above-mentioned steps, the method further includes the following ones: Establish several suggestion data (step  310 ); receive item name and activity information entered by the user (step  320 ); find one or several suggestion data that match with the item name, activity information and health information  199  (step  330 ); and display the suggestion data  199  (step  340 ). The graphic health information  199  can be displayed as a desktop according to the preferences or a window shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0032]    In summary, the invention differs from the prior art in that it establishes an item table database and that it actively collect weather data and analyzes them according to the item tables, thereby providing weather-related health information. The disclosed technique can solve problems existing in the prior art. Therefore, system and network resources can be effectively utilized to obtain weather-related health information periodically. 
         [0033]    Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover all modifications that fall within the true scope of the invention.