JP2014146221A - Portable type location notification device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable type location reporting device that enables detection of a cut-off even when a managed person cuts off a mounting band at a part different from a connector of the mounting band, and allows a prescribed notification destination to be notified.SOLUTION: A current carrying path 40 is a sensor circuit for detecting a non-mounting status of a belt member 3 of a location notification device 1 by an attachment/detachment notification process. The current carrying path 40 is adapted to be an electric circuit having an input terminal 40a to an output terminal 40b continuously connected thanks to an intervention of a connector structure 10. In a MPU15, by comparing signal levels of an electric signal to be input into a P0 terminal and an electric signal to be output from a P1 terminal with each other, whether the current carrying path 40 is in the non-mounting status or not, namely, whether a connection status of a belt connector 4 is cancelled and the connector structure 10 is in a cut-off state (a non-connection state) or not, or whether the belt member 3 is cut off and the current carrying path 40 is also in the cut-off state can be detected.

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable position reporting device that can be attached to a person to be managed whose location is to be known in consideration of an emergency situation and can report the location in an emergency situation.

  A portable location reporting device, such as a nurse at a medical facility such as a hospital or a resident at a nursing facility, needs to be aware of its behavior sequentially or periodically in preparation for an emergency situation This is a device for grasping the location of “managed person”. This portable position reporting device is used by being attached to the body of a person to be managed.

  However, when a position reporter is attached to a managed person, if the managed person himself / herself removes the position reporter, the subsequent location of the managed person cannot be grasped. For this reason, when a managed person removes a position reporting device, it is recognized that there is a need to promptly detect that and notify a manager such as a facility staff to the managed person.

  In this regard, in Patent Document 1, a switch 101 is provided at a place where a wristwatch belt is removed, and a removal sensor is used to detect that the belt has been removed and to notify a pre-registered emergency destination. Have been described.

Utility Model Registration No. 3110219

  However, in Patent Document 1 described above, since the belt removal detection switch 101 is provided at a belt removal place, for example, a belt fastener (connector), the belt is cut at a portion different from the fastener. In such a case, there has been a problem that the removal of the belt cannot be detected by the switch 101. For this reason, there was a problem that the location of the managed person after that could not be confirmed.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and even when the managed person cuts the wearing band at a site different from the fitting device for the wearing band, An object of the present invention is to provide a portable position reporting device capable of detecting and reporting to a predetermined reporting destination.

  In order to achieve this object, the portable position reporting device of claim 1 is a portable position reporting device capable of specifying a location by a position management system, a control device for controlling the operation of the device, and its control An apparatus main body containing the apparatus, and a belt member wound around a mounted portion of the person to be managed for mounting the apparatus main body, and further electrically connected to the control device so as to be energized and the belt An energization that is embedded in the member, extends along the longitudinal direction of the belt member, and is cut off in the extending direction to interrupt the energization with the control device and change from a conductive state to a non-conductive state. The energizing path is extended and embedded along the longitudinal direction of the belt member on both sides in the width direction of the belt member and spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the belt member. The control device is configured to perform energization with respect to the energization path and to detect whether the energization path is in a conduction state or a non-conduction state by the energization operation of the energization means. And detecting means and communication means for notifying a predetermined reporting destination by wireless communication that the belt member has been removed when the disconnection detecting means detects the non-conduction state of the energization path.

  According to the portable position reporting device of claim 1, the belt member is wound around the wearing part that is a part of the body of the person to be managed, so that the device main body with the built-in control device is provided to the person to be managed. Installed. A control device is accommodated in the device main body, and an energization path is embedded in the belt member, and the energization path and the control apparatus are electrically connected in a state where energization is possible.

  The energization path is energized by the energization means of the control device. When the energization path is in an energized state with the control device, the control device detects the conduction state of the energization path by the disconnection detection means. On the other hand, when the energization path is cut or divided and the energization between the energization path and the control device is interrupted, the control device detects the non-conduction state of the energization path by the disconnection detection means.

  When the non-conduction state of the energization path is detected by the disconnection detection means, the control device determines that the belt member has been cut halfway or disconnected from the device body, and the belt member is covered by the communication means. A wireless communication is used to notify a predetermined reporting destination that it has been removed from the attachment site.

  The notification from the portable position reporting device is received by the receiving means of the position management system, and notifies the administrator that the belt member of the portable position reporting device has been removed. Further, the position management system specifies the location of the portable position reporter that has transmitted such a report.

  Here, the receiving means of the location management system refers to a device corresponding to a plurality of repeaters installed at a plurality of points in an embodiment described later. However, such a receiving means is not necessarily limited to a repeater. If the management device itself of the location management system is equipped with a radio signal reception function, this management device itself is designated as a portable location report. It is good also as a receiving means to receive the radio signal from a device.

  In addition, since the energization path is extended and embedded on both sides of the belt member in the width direction, if the belt member is cut with a cutting tool such as scissors or a cutter, the belt member is moved from end to end in the width direction. In the middle of cutting, the energization path embedded in either the width direction one side or the other side of the belt member is inevitably cut.

  For example, before the belt member is cut in half in the width direction by embedding the current path on one side and the other side in the width direction of the belt member with the center in the width direction of the belt member as a boundary, It becomes possible to detect the non-conductive state.

  Then, before the belt member is completely cut in the width direction, it is possible to quickly detect the non-conduction state of the energization path, and to notify the predetermined report destination early that “the belt member has been removed”, The managed person can be protected quickly.

  Hereinafter, modifications of the present invention will be described.

  The portable position reporting device of the first modification is the portable position reporting device according to claim 1, wherein the energization path is a folded portion that is folded at one end in the longitudinal direction of the belt member or halfway to the one end. An extended portion extending from both ends of the folded portion toward the other end in the longitudinal direction of the belt member, and disposed at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the belt member in the extended portion. An input end and an output end electrically connected to the control device are provided.

  According to the portable position reporting device of the first modified example, the same operation as the portable position reporting device of claim 1 is performed, and the energization path has both the input end and the output end at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the belt member. Since it is provided on the side, the electrical connection between the energization path and the control device can be made only from the longitudinal end of the device main body, the belt member, and the connecting portion. For this reason, it is not necessary to introduce wiring that is electrically connected to the energization path from the longitudinal end of the belt member into the device main body.

  The portable position reporting device of the second modification is the portable position reporting device of claim 1 or the first modification, wherein the belt member detachably connects the belt member and the device main body, or A belt coupler is provided for severably connecting the longitudinal intermediate portion of the belt member, and the belt coupler is in a connected state of the device main body and the belt member, and is connected between the control device and the energization path. Or in the middle state of the belt member in the longitudinal direction and electrically connected in the middle of the energization path, while the belt member and the device main body are separated and between the control device and the energization path Alternatively, a connector structure is provided in which the electrical connection is cut in the middle of the energization path in a state where the belt member is divided in the longitudinal direction intermediate portion.

  According to the portable position reporting device of the second modification, the belt member can be attached to and detached from the attachment site via the belt connector in addition to the same action as the portable position reporting device of claim 1 or the first modification. It is possible. The belt member is connected by a belt connector so that the belt member can be separated from the main body of the apparatus, or in the middle of the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the belt member.

  The belt coupler includes a connector structure for electrically connecting the control device and the energization path. By connecting the belt member and the apparatus main body by the belt connector, or by connecting the longitudinal intermediate portion of the belt member, the control device and the energization path are electrically connected by the connector structure.

  On the other hand, the connection between the belt member and the device main body by the belt connector is separated, or the connection at the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the belt member is cut off, thereby disconnecting the electrical connection between the control device by the connector structure and the energization path Is done.

  Therefore, when the connection state by the belt connector is released, the energization between the energization path and the control device is interrupted. As a result, the energization means energizes the energization path in the same manner as the energization path is disconnected. Even when the operation is executed, the disconnection detecting unit detects the non-conduction state of the energization path, so that the communication unit can notify the predetermined report destination that the belt member has been removed by wireless communication.

  A portable position reporting device according to a third modification is the portable position reporting device according to the second modification, in which the belt connector separates the belt member and the device main body or a longitudinal intermediate portion of the belt member. First and second connecting members that can be connected together, and a lock that locks the first and second connecting members together and releases the locked state between the first and second connecting members using a predetermined tool. With structure.

  According to the portable position reporting device of the third modified example, the first and second coupling members are locked to each other by the lock structure in addition to the same effect as the portable position reporting device of the second modified example. In addition, since the locked state by the lock structure is released using a predetermined tool, free removal of the belt member by the person to be managed is prevented.

  A portable position reporting device according to a fourth modification is the portable position reporting device according to the second or third modification, wherein the belt member is fixed to the device main body so that the one end in the longitudinal direction thereof cannot be separated. A belt connector that detachably connects the other end in the longitudinal direction to the device main body, the belt connector being interposed between the control device and the energization path, and the belt member The control device and the energization path are electrically connected by connecting the other end in the longitudinal direction and the device main body, while the electrical connection between the control device and the energization path is disconnected by separating the other end in the longitudinal direction of the belt member and the device main body. A connector structure is provided.

  According to the portable position reporting device of the fourth modification, the belt member can be attached to and detached from the attachment site via the belt connector in addition to the same operation as the portable position reporting device of the second or third modification. It has become. One end of the belt member in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the device main body inseparably, whereas the other end in the longitudinal direction is separable from the device main body via a belt connector.

  The portable position reporting device according to the fifth modification is the portable position reporting device according to the second or third modification, wherein the belt member is fixed to the device main body so that the both ends in the longitudinal direction thereof are not separable. A belt coupler that severably connects the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction, and the belt coupler is interposed in the middle of the energization path, and the energization is performed by dividing the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the belt member. A connector structure is provided that cuts off the electrical connection in the middle of the path and electrically connects the middle of the energization path by coupling the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the belt member.

  According to the portable position reporting device of the fifth modification, the belt member can be attached to and detached from the attachment site via the belt connector in addition to the same operation as the portable position reporting device of the second or third modification. It has become. The belt member is fixed to the device main body at both ends in the longitudinal direction so as not to be separable, while the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction can be divided via a belt connector.

  A portable position reporting device according to a sixth modified example is the portable position reporting device according to any one of claims 1 or 2 to 5, wherein the belt member is an insulator that covers the energization path.

  According to the portable position reporting device of the sixth modified example, the belt member itself covers the energization path in addition to the same operation as the portable position reporting device of any one of the first or second to fifth modified examples. Therefore, when the belt member is attached to the human body, it is not necessary to separately provide a member that insulates the human body from the energization path.

  The portable position reporting device of the first modification may be as follows. For example, a belt connector connects one end of the belt member in the longitudinal direction and the device main body, and a magnetic sensor such as a Hall element is electrically connected to the control device and disposed inside the device main body. When a detected magnetic body (such as a magnet) is arranged at one end in the longitudinal direction of the belt member and the longitudinal end of the belt member is separated from the device main body by the belt connector, the magnetic sensor magnetizes the magnetic body. It may be configured to detect that the belt member has been removed from the apparatus main body by utilizing the non-detection state.

  In the portable position reporting device according to any one of the second to fifth modifications, when the energization means intermittently executes the energization operation, the belt connector is quickly attached and detached when the energization operation is not performed. In some cases, it may occur that the non-conducting state of the energization path cannot be detected even though the connector structure is temporarily disconnected.

  Therefore, in such a case, the belt coupling tool is temporarily shortened by making the energization operation by the energization means continuous or by making the intermittent execution interval of the energization operation very short. The non-conduction state of the energization path can be detected even when the time is separated.

  Moreover, you may make it equip a belt coupling tool with the structure which prevents reconnection of the connector structure once isolate | separated. For example, it is a structure that requires a predetermined tool when reconnecting a connector structure that has been once separated, or a part that is damaged when the connected state of the belt connector is released is provided in advance, and the part is replaced. Otherwise, a structure in which the connector structure cannot be reconnected may be employed.

  According to the portable position reporting device of the present invention, the energization path is embedded in the belt member in advance, and the energization operation by the energization means is performed on the energization path. When detected, the control device determines that the energization path is cut or divided together with the belt member, and notifies the user that “the belt member has been removed” using wireless communication by a communication means. There is an effect that the report destination can be automatically notified.

  Here, since the location of this portable position reporting device can be specified by the position management system, if there is a notification that the belt member has been removed, The effect of being able to identify the location of the portable location reporting device, rush to that location, protect the subject of the managed person, and avoid the situation where the managed subject is unknown There is.

It is the conceptual diagram which showed the structure of the position management system in which the position reporting device which is one Example of this invention is used. (A) is a top view of a position reporting device, (b) is a side view of a position reporting device. It is sectional drawing which showed the internal structure of the apparatus main body. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the energization path built in the belt member as seen through. It is the block diagram which showed the electrical structure of the position reporting device. (A) is a flowchart of attachment / detachment notification processing, and (b) is a flowchart of call notification processing. (A) is the top view which illustrated through the energization path built in the belt member of the position reporting device of 2nd Example, (b) is the electrical configuration of the position reporting device of 2nd Example. It is the block diagram which showed.

<Location management system>
Preferred embodiments (examples) of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a location management system 100 in which a location reporting device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is used.

  The position management system 100 is a system for setting, for example, a predetermined facility as an action range of a management target person and managing a location of the management target person within the action range. The position management system 100 includes one or a plurality of position reporting devices 1 attached to a managed person, a plurality of repeaters 110 installed at a plurality of points in the action range of the managed person, and each relay. A management device 120 that is a management computer connected to the device 110 so as to be communicable.

  Here, the scope of action of the management target person includes medical facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes such as nursing homes and other facilities for management target persons (including buildings, premises, and surrounding areas) or these. Includes combined ones.

  The repeater 110 can communicate with the position reporting device 1 and the management device 120 attached to each managed person. The management device 120 is a computer for managing the location of the person to be managed by the position reporter 1. The communication method of various data (information) between the position reporting device 1 and the repeater 110 is performed by a wireless method (wireless communication). The communication of various data between the repeater 110 and the management apparatus 120 may be either a wired method or a wireless method.

  In addition, since the management subject person of the location management by the location reporting device 1 is also the user of the location reporting device 1, hereinafter, the “managed subject” is also referred to as “user”.

  As will be described later, the position reporting device 1 has a function of transmitting various types of alarm information. Various alarm information transmitted from the position reporter 1 is transmitted to the repeater 110 close to the location of the position reporter 1. When the relay device 110 receives various types of alarm information from the position reporter 1, the relay device 110 transmits identification information for identifying the installation position of the relay device 110 to the management device 120 together with the alarm information.

  By relaying a plurality of repeaters 110 at a plurality of points in the action range of the managed person, the alarm information from the position reporter 1 can be more reliably received even in a situation where the communication range of the position reporter 1 is limited. It can be received.

  The management device 120 identifies the alarm content to be notified to the administrator based on the content of the received alarm information, and notifies the administrator with an image or a sound through the display 122 or the speaker 123. Moreover, the management apparatus 120 is provided with the position management database 121 which memorize | stored beforehand the identification information and installation position of each repeater 110 corresponding with each repeater 110 corresponding.

  The management device 120 searches the position management database 121 based on the identification information of the repeater 110 received from the repeater 110, identifies the installation position of the repeater 110, and sets the position as the location of the position reporter 1. Judgment is made, and the location of the position reporting device 1 is notified to the administrator by an image or a sound through the display 122 or the speaker 123 or both.

  That is, in this case, the location of the user (location of the location reporting device 1 when the alarm signal is transmitted) is grasped and managed by the management device 120 based on the installation location of the repeater 110 that has received the alarm information. .

  In addition, the management device 120 includes a user management database 124 that stores user information for specifying the user of the position reporting device 1 and personal information about the user in association with each other. In the user management database 124, for example, the name, the room number in which the user enters the room, the medical condition, and other information about the user are stored in advance as personal information about the user.

  When the management device 120 receives the alarm information, the management device 120 reads out the user information related to the user included in the alarm information in addition to the above-described process of specifying the location of the position reporting device 1. The management device 120 searches the user management database 124 based on the read user information, identifies who the user is, and displays personal information about the user on the display 122 or the speaker 123 or both. Or notify the administrator by voice.

<Portable position reporting device>
The position reporting device 1 is used for grasping and identifying the location of a management target person who needs to grasp the behavior sequentially or periodically, such as a nurse at a medical facility such as a hospital or a resident at a care facility. It is a device.

  FIG. 2A is a plan view of the position reporting device 1, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the position reporting device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the position reporting device 1 is a portable small communication device having the same external appearance as a normal wristwatch. The position reporting device 1 is used by being particularly worn on the wrist among the parts of the user's body (hereinafter referred to as “parts to be worn”).

  The worn part is not necessarily limited to the wrist, but may be an ankle, a torso or other body part.

  The position reporting device 1 is a small and lightweight device main body 2, a belt member 3 that is wound around a wearing part for attaching the device main body 2 to a user's wearing part, and a belt member 3 that is attached and detached. And a belt connector 4 as a fastener.

<Device body>
The device main body 2 has a form imitating the appearance and size of a general wristwatch case (main body portion). An operation button 5 is disposed on the upper surface of the device body 2. The operation button 5 is a large-diameter button that is pressed by the user when notifying the management device 120 of alarm information for calling notification such as a nurse call. The upper surface of the operation button 5 is a pressing surface that is pressed by the user's fingertip, and the area of the pressing surface is relatively large so that the user can easily press it.

<Belt member>
The belt member 3 is an instrument for wrapping and mounting the device main body 2 around a user's mounted site. The belt member 3 has a flat band shape simulating the appearance and size of a general wristwatch belt. As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the belt member 3 is formed of two belt bodies 6 and 7, one of which is called a first belt body 6 and the other is called a second belt body 7.

<First and second belt bodies>
One end of the first belt body 6 (hereinafter also referred to as a “fixed end”) is connected and fixed to the one side 2 a of the device body 2 so as not to be separated. One end of the second belt body 7 (hereinafter also referred to as “fixed end”) is connected and fixed to the other side 2b of the device body 2 in a separable manner. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the other end portions (hereinafter also referred to as “free end portions”) of the first and second belt bodies 6 and 7 are detachably connected via a belt connector 4. It has become so.

  In other words, both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the belt member 3 are fixed to the device main body 2 so as not to be separated, and the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction is divided into the first belt body 6 and the second belt body 7 in the middle. Thus, the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the belt member 3 is detachably connected via the belt connector 4.

<Belt coupling tool>
The belt connector 4 is a fastener of the belt member 3 for detachably connecting the free end portions of the first and second belt bodies 6 and 7 as shown in FIG. 2 (b). By the connection of the belt member 3 by the belt connector 4, the position reporting device 1 is formed in an annular shape in a side view and is wound around a user's wearing site.

  The belt connector 4 includes a first connecting member 8 and a second connecting member 9. The first connecting member 8 is disposed at the free end of the first belt body 6, and the second connecting member 9 is disposed at the free end of the second belt body 7. By connecting the first and second connecting members 8, 9, the belt member 3 is connected to the free ends of the first and second belt bodies 6, 7.

<First and second connecting members>
The first connecting member 8 is provided with a fitting concave portion 8a, and the second connecting member 9 is provided with a fitting convex portion 9a. The fitting convex portion 9a of the second connecting member 9 can be removably fitted into the fitting concave portion 8a of the first connecting member 8. The first and second connecting members 8 and 9 also have a function as an electrical connector structure 10. The fitting concave portion 8a of the first connecting member 8 is also a female connector 10a, and the fitting convex portion 9a of the second connecting member 9 is also a male connector 10b.

<Connector structure>
The connector structure 10 of the belt connector 4 includes a female connector 10a (fitting recess 8a) built in the first connecting member 8 and a male connector 10b (fitting convex portion 9a) built in the second connecting member 9. ).

  The connector structure 10 is configured such that the first connecting member 8 and the second connecting member 9 are connected by fitting the fitting recess 8a and the fitting projection 9a, so that the connection terminal of the female connector 10a and the male connector are connected. The connection terminal 10b is electrically connected. On the other hand, the connection terminal of the female connector 10a and the male connector 10b are connected by separating the first connecting member 8 and the second connecting member 9 by removing the fitting projection 9a from the fitting recess 8a. The electrical connection with the terminal is broken.

<Lock structure>
The belt connector 4 includes a lock structure 11 that makes it impossible to release the connection state of the first and second connection members 8 and 9 without a specific tool. The lock structure 11 is provided so as to avoid an arrangement site of the fitting concave portion 8a and the fitting convex portion 9a in the first and second connecting members 8 and 9. The lock structure 11 includes lock holes 11a and 11b and a lock pin 11c. A lock hole 11a is formed through the first connecting member 8 in the width direction. The second connecting member 9 is also formed with a lock hole 11b penetrating in the width direction.

  The lock holes 11a and 11b of the first and second connecting members 8 and 9 are in communication with each other when the first and second connecting members 8 and 9 are connected. A lock pin 11c is inserted into the lock holes 11a and 11b in the communication state. Thus, the 1st and 2nd connection members 8 and 9 can be latched so that separation is impossible by inserting lock pin 11c in lock holes 11a and 11b of the 1st and 2nd connection members 8 and 9.

  In addition, in order to release the lock pin 11c from the lock holes 11a and 11b and release the locking state of the first and second connecting members 8 and 9 by the lock pin 11c, the lock holes 11a and 11b have elongated tips. Since it is necessary to insert the specific tool and remove the lock pin 11c, the connection state of the belt connector 4 cannot be released unless this tool or a tool replacing it can be used.

<Device body>
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the device body 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus main body 2 includes a main body case 12 having an upper case 12a and a lower case 12b. In addition, the device body 2 is provided with a housing space 12 c inside the body case 12. The accommodation space 12 c is a space that accommodates the control device 13 of the position reporting device 1.

  The upper case 12a is formed in a covered and bottomless hollow disk shape. The lower case 12b is a bottom plate that hermetically covers the bottom opening of the upper case 12a. The main body case 12 is completed by tightly fitting the lower case 12b to the bottom opening of the upper case 12a.

<Control device / Control board>
The control device 13 controls the operation of the position reporting device 1 and is composed of various parts such as various electric parts and electronic parts. Various components of the control device 13 are mounted on the control board 14. The control board 14 is equipped with an MPU 15, a communication unit 16, a battery 17, two notification switches 18 and 18 that are turned on or off by the operation button 5, and other various components.

<Energization path>
FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the energization path 40 built in the belt member 3 as seen through. The energization path 40 is formed of a conductive wire such as a lead wire having electrical conductivity and flexibility or other electrical conductors. The energization path 40 is a sensor that detects that the position reporting device 1 has been detached from the user and has become unattached due to removal or cutting of the belt member 3.

  The conductor that forms the energization path 40 may be a flexible wiring board. The flexible wiring board has, for example, an adhesive layer formed on a film-like base film having insulation and flexibility having a thickness of about 12 to 50 μm, and a conductor having a thickness of about 12 to 50 μm is formed on the adhesive layer. It has a structure in which a thin film is formed as a wiring pattern.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the energization path 40 is embedded in the belt member 3. The energization path 40 includes two conductors embedded in the first belt body 6 and one conductor embedded in the second belt body 7.

  Embedded in the first belt body 6 are two conductors extending in a straight line from the fixed end of the first belt body 6 toward the free end of the first belt body 6. The second belt body 7 is linearly extended from the free end portion of the second belt body 7 toward the fixed end portion of the second belt body 7, and the tip portion thereof is the fixed end portion of the second belt body 7. Alternatively, in the vicinity thereof, a single conductor having a form of returning from the fixed end portion side to the free end portion of the second belt body 7 is embedded by being folded back into a U shape (or U shape) in plan view. .

  The two conductors of the first belt body 6 are each electrically connected to the control board 14 at the ends of the first belt body 6 on the fixed end side (the arrangement side of the device main body 2). Further, the two conductors of the first belt body 6 are such that the end of the first belt body 6 on the free end side (the side where the first connecting member 8 is disposed) is a female connector 10a of the connector structure 10. Are electrically connected to two connection terminals. The connection terminals of the female connector 10a are electrically insulated from each other.

  One conductor of the second belt body 7 extends from the free end side of the second belt body 7 (the side on which the second connecting member 9 is disposed) to its fixed end (the end on the side of the device main body 2). Thus, the shape is folded in a U shape in plan view.

  One conductor of the second belt body 7 extends from the free end side (the side where the second connecting member 9 is disposed) of the second belt body 7 to the fixed end side (the side where the apparatus main body 2 is disposed). ) May be folded back into a U shape in plan view.

  In addition, one conductor of the second belt body 7 has two ends on the free end side (the side where the second connecting member 9 is disposed) of the second belt body 7, respectively. The male connector 10b is electrically connected to two connection terminals. The connection terminals of the male connector 10b are electrically insulated from each other.

  When the first and second connecting members 8 and 9 are connected, the female connector 10a and the male connector 10b of the connector structure 10 are electrically connected. In such a case, each connection terminal of the female connector 10a is connected to the male connector 10b. Each of the connection terminals is electrically connected individually.

  In the energization path 40, the conductors embedded in the first belt body 6 and the second belt body 7 are connected to each other via the connector structure 10, so that the position reporting device 1 is connected via the belt member 3. This is a single sensor circuit that detects whether or not the user is wearing the wearing part. In the energization path 40, one of the two ends connected to the control board 14 of the conducting wire constituting the current path 40 is an input end 40a, and the other is an output end 40b.

  The energization path 40 is folded back inside the second belt body 7 from the input end 40a through one connection terminal of the female connector 10a and one connection terminal of the male connector 10b, and the other end of the female connector 10a. And an electric circuit that returns to the output terminal 40b through the other connection terminal of the male connector 10b.

  The energization path 40, which is an electric circuit, is formed such that a current can be energized (conducted) from the input end 40a to the output end 40b. The impedance of the energization path 40 is very small and can be ignored, and the energization path 40 is in a state where each part thereof is insulated by the material of the belt member 3 without being short-circuited in the belt member 3. It has become.

  The energization path 40 has a form having two straight portions and one folded portion as a whole.

  One linear portion of the energization path 40 extends from the one side 2a of the device body 2 toward the other side 2b to the folded portion and is disposed on one side in the width direction of the belt member 3. On the other hand, the other straight portion of the energization path 40 extends from the folded portion on the other side 2b side of the device main body 2 toward the one side 2a of the device main body 2, and the width direction of the belt member 3 and the like. Arranged on the side.

  The folded portion of the energization path 40 is at a position on the other side 2b side of the device main body 2 in the longitudinal direction of the belt member 3, and is preferably located on the other side 2b of the device main body 2 or its periphery.

  In this way, the entire energization path 40 extends from the one side 2a of the device main body 2 toward the other side 2b, and is seen in a plan view on the other side 2b of the device main body 2 or in the middle of reaching it. The belt member 3 is folded in a U-shape and is extended from the other side 2b of the device body 2 toward the one side 2a, and is disposed on substantially the entire length of the belt member 3. Yes. For this reason, if the belt member 3 is cut at an arbitrary position in the middle portion in the longitudinal direction, the energization path 40 is cut in the same manner, and the output of the electrical signal from the output end 40b is cut off.

  Specifically, according to the energization path 40 configured in this way, when the energization path 40 is in a conductive state, that is, a state in which the position reporter 1 is worn by the user via the belt member 3 ( When the electric signal having a predetermined level value is input (energized) to the input terminal 40a, the electric signal having the same level value is also output from the output terminal 40b.

  On the other hand, when the energization path 40 is in a non-conducting state, that is, when the position reporting device 1 is in a state of being disconnected from the user (non-attached state), the connection state of the belt connector 4 is released and the connector Since the structure 10 is in a divided state or the belt member 3 is cut and the energization path 40 is also in a disconnected state, an electric signal having a predetermined level value is input (energized) to the input end 40a of the energization path 40. In addition, an electrical signal having a lower level value is output from the output end 40b of the energization path 40.

  For example, when a voltage signal is used as an electrical signal, if a high level (for example, +3 volts or more) voltage signal is input (applied or energized) to the input terminal 40a of the energization path 40, the energization path 40 is in a conductive state. Similarly, a high level voltage signal is output (detected) from the output end 40 b of the energization path 40. On the other hand, if the energization path 40 is in a non-conduction state, a low level (for example, 0 volt) voltage signal is output (detected) from the output end 40b of the energization path 40.

<Electrical configuration of position reporting device>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the position reporting device 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the position reporting device 1 mainly includes the above-described control device 13, connector structure 10, and energization path 40. The control device 13 includes an MPU 15, a communication unit 16, a battery 17, two notification switches 18 and 18, and a control board 14 on which various other components (not shown) are mounted.

<MPU>
The MPU 15 is a microcomputer. The MPU 15 includes a CPU 21 that is an arithmetic unit, a ROM 22 that is a non-rewritable memory, and a RAM 23 that is a rewritable memory. In addition, an oscillator 24, a timer 25, a bus 26, and an input / output port 27 are provided. , A D / A converter 28, an A / D converter 29, and a serial communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “serial communication I / F”) 30.

  Although not shown, the MPU 15 includes an interrupt controller, a DMA controller, and the like in addition to these.

  The CPU 21, ROM 22, and RAM 23 are connected to each other via a bus 26 and further connected to an input / output port 27 via the bus 26. An oscillator 24, a timer 25, a D / A converter 28, an A / D converter 29, and a serial communication I / F 30 are connected to the input / output port 27.

  The CPU 21 executes arithmetic processing based on various data and a control program 22a such as an operation system. The ROM 22 stores various data used for arithmetic processing of the CPU 21 and a control program 22a. In the RAM 23, a calculation result (execution result) by the CPU 21 is written.

  By the execution of arithmetic processing based on the control program 22a by the CPU 21, the belt member 3 is removed via the belt coupler 4 or the cutting of the belt member 3 (energization path 40) is detected, the two notification switches 18, 18 detection processes and a transmission process of predetermined alarm information based on these various detection processes are also realized.

  That is, the MPU 15 as the hardware cooperates with the control program 22a as the software, so that the MPU 15 as the microcomputer is in a state where the belt member 3 of the position reporting device 1 is attached to the non-attached portion or is not attached. As a communication means for performing notification processing (hereinafter referred to as “detachment notification processing”) for notifying the administrator of the status, or notification processing for the managed person to call the administrator (hereinafter referred to as “call notification processing”). Will function.

<Communication unit>
The communication unit 16 is connected to a serial communication I / F 30 built in the MPU 15. The communication unit 16 transmits alarm information to the management device 120, which is the final report destination, based on a command output from the CPU 21 via the serial communication I / F 30, the input / output port 27, and the bus 26. It is a device that transmits information to the nearest repeater 110 by wireless communication.

<Battery>
The battery 17 is a power source for supplying power to the MPU 15, the communication unit 16, and other components, and is mounted on the control board 14. The battery 17 may be a small button-type dry battery or a small rechargeable storage battery. When a storage battery is used as the battery 17, the battery 17 may be of a non-contact type that can be charged without being taken out from the device main body 2.

<Two notification switches>
The two notification switches 18 and 18 are switches that are operated by pressing the operation button 5 when a user requests a notification in the call notification process. Both of the two notification switches 18 and 18 are formed such that the contacts are normally in an off state, and the contacts are turned on when the operation button 5 is pressed. Further, the two notification switches 18 and 18 are configured such that the contacts are turned on together when the operation button 5 is pressed.

  According to the two notification switches 18 and 18, when the user presses the operation button 5, both of the contacts are turned on, or one of them is out of order. When the contact is turned on, a signal indicating that is input to the MPU 15.

  That is, in the MPU 15, when it is detected that at least one contact point of the notification switches 18 and 18 is in the on state, the MPU 15 processes that the user has requested to send a call notification.

<Energization path>
The energization path 40 is a sensor circuit for detecting whether the belt member 3 of the position reporting device 1 is in a mounted state or a non-mounted state in the attachment / detachment notification process.

  The energization path 40 is an electrical circuit in which the connector structure 10 is interposed to continuously connect the input end 40a to the output end 40b. The input end 40 a of the energization path 40 is connected to the P0 terminal of the MPU 15, and the P0 terminal of the MPU 15 is connected to the output end 40 b of the D / A converter 28. The output end 40 b of the energization path 40 is connected to the P1 terminal of the MPU 15, and the P1 terminal of the MPU 15 is connected to the input end of the A / D converter 29.

  The MPU 15 outputs a high-level electric signal from the D / A converter 28 to the P0 terminal according to the control program 22a executed by the CPU 21, while the electric signal input to the P1 terminal via the A / D converter 29. Detect the signal.

  The electric signal output from the D / A converter 28 of the MPU 15 to the P0 terminal is, in other words, an electric signal input to the input terminal 40a of the energization path 40. In addition, the electric signal input to the A / D converter 29 via the P1 terminal of the MPU 15 is, in other words, an electric signal output from the output end 40b of the energization path 40.

  Here, when the energization path 40 is in a conductive state, the electrical signal output from the output end 40 b of the energization path 40 is at a high level, similar to the electrical signal input to the input end 40 a of the energization path 40. On the other hand, when the energization path 40 is in a non-conducting state that is divided halfway, the electrical signal output from the output end 40b of the energization path 40 is low, unlike the electrical signal input to the input end 40a of the energization path 40. Become a level.

  As described above, the MPU 15 compares the electric signal levels of the input end 40a and the output end 40b of the energization path 40 to determine whether the energization path 40 is in a non-conductive state, that is, the connection state of the belt connector 4. It is possible to detect whether or not the connector structure 10 is in a disconnected state (non-connected state), or whether the belt member 3 is cut and the energization path 40 is also in a disconnected state.

<Removal report processing>
FIG. 6A is a flowchart of the above attachment / detachment notification process. This attachment / detachment notification process is executed at predetermined time intervals (hereinafter referred to as “standby time”), for example, every several seconds to several tens of seconds, based on the control program 22a by the CPU 21 described above. In addition, after execution of the call notification process, a standby state (also referred to as a sleep state) is made until the next call notification process execution timing.

  This attachment / detachment notification process is executed by the CPU 21 each time a predetermined standby time elapses. First, in this process, a high level (High) electric signal is input from the MPU 15 to the input end 40a of the energization path 40 (S1). Next, an electrical signal output from the output end 40b of the energization path 40 is detected by the MPU 15 (S2), and the signal level of the electrical signal is determined (S3).

  When the electric signal output from the output end 40b of the energization path 40 is at a high level as a result of the determination in S3 (S3: High), the energization path 40 in the belt member 3 is in a conductive state, that is, the belt member 3 In order to report this to the management device 120, information (data) indicating that “the belt member 3 is in the mounted state” is added to the alarm information, and this alarm information is used as the nearest repeater. 110 is transmitted via the communication unit 16 (S4), and this attachment / detachment notification process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the electric signal output from the output end 40b of the energization path 40 is low level (S3: Low) as a result of the determination in S3, the energization path 40 in the belt member 3 is connected to the connector structure 10. Since the belt member 3 is in a non-conductive state due to separation or disconnection of the conductor, that is, the belt member 3 is in a non-wearing state, the alarm information indicates that “the belt member 3 is in a non-wearing state”. Is added, and this alarm information is transmitted to the nearest repeater 110 via the communication unit 16 (S5), and this attachment / detachment notification process is terminated.

  However, if the electrical signal output from the output terminal 40b of the energization path 40 is neither high level nor low level as a result of the determination in S3 (S3: Other), the processing of S3 and S4 is skipped, End the process.

  Note that after the attachment / detachment notification process shown in FIG. 6A ends, the process shifts to a standby state until the next execution timing of the process comes.

<Call report processing>
FIG. 6B is a flowchart of the above-described call notification process. This call notification process is executed at predetermined time intervals (hereinafter referred to as “standby time”), for example, every several milliseconds to several seconds, based on the control program 22a by the CPU 21 described above. In addition, after execution of the call notification process, a standby state (also referred to as a sleep state) is made until the next call notification process execution timing.

  The call notification process is executed every time a predetermined standby time elapses in the position notification device 1. First, in this process, it is checked whether or not the two notification switches 18 and 18 are in an on state (S11). As a result of the check by the process of S11, when both the two notification switches 18 and 18 or one of the notification switches 18 is in an on state (S11: Yes), the operation button 5 is in a pressed state. Therefore, in order to notify the management device 120 that the user is sending a call notification to the administrator, information (data) indicating that “the call notification is in the outgoing state” is added to the alarm information. The alarm information is transmitted to the nearest repeater 110 via the communication unit 16 (S12), and the call notification process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the two notification switches 18 and 18 are both in the OFF state in the processing of S1 (S11: No), the operation button 5 is not pressed, so that the user calls the administrator. It is determined that no notification has been made, the next step S12 is skipped, and this call notification processing is terminated.

  After the call notification process is completed, the process shifts to a standby state until the next execution timing of the process comes.

  Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A is a plan view illustrating the energization path built in the belt member of the position reporting device of the second embodiment, and FIG. 7B is the position reporting device of the second embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the electrical structure of these.

  The position reporting device 50 of the second embodiment is obtained by changing the arrangement position of the connector structure with respect to that of the first embodiment, and accordingly changing the form of the belt member and the form of the energization path. . In the following, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different parts are described.

<Belt member>
As shown in FIG. 7, in the position reporting device 50 of the second embodiment, the belt member 51 is formed of a single belt body. One end portion (fixed end portion) of the belt member 50 is connected and fixed to the one side portion 2a of the device main body 2 so as not to be separated. On the other hand, the other end portion (free end portion) of the belt member 50 is detachably connected to the other side portion 2b of the apparatus body via the belt connector 4.

<Belt coupling tool>
In the belt connector 4, the first connecting member 8 is disposed on the other side 2 b of the device body 2, and the second connecting member 9 is disposed on the free end of the belt member 3. By connecting the first and second connecting members 8 and 9, the free end of the belt member 51 is connected to the other side 2 b of the device body 2. The fitting concave portion 8a and female connector 10a of the first connecting member 8, the fitting convex portion 9a and male connector 10b of the second connecting member 9, and the lock structure 11 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

<Energization path>
The energization path 40 is formed of a single conductor embedded in the belt member 51. In the energization path 40, the conductor extends linearly from the free end portion of the belt member 51 toward the fixed end portion, and the front end portion thereof is a U-shape (in a plan view) at or near the fixed end portion of the belt member 51. Or is embedded in the belt member 51 so as to return from the fixed end portion side to the free end portion of the belt member 51.

  Both ends of one conductor constituting the energization path 40 are an input end 40a and an output end 40b of the energization path 40, both of which are on the free end side of the belt member 51 (disposition of the second connecting member 9). On the side). The input end 40 a and the output end 40 b of the energization path 40 are formed by two connection terminals in the male connector 10 b of the connector structure 10. Note that each connection terminal of the male connector 10b, that is, the input end 40a and the output end 40b are electrically disconnected from each other.

  The energization path 40 is a female connector of the connector structure 10 by connecting the second connecting member 9 at the free end of the belt member 51 to the first connecting member 8 at the other side 2b of the device body 2. 10a and the male connector 10b are in an electrically connected state, and in this case, each connection terminal of the female connector 10a is electrically connected to each connection terminal of the male connector 10b.

  Thus, the energization path 40 is an electric circuit in which the input end 40a to the output end 40b are continuously connected. The input end 40a of the energization path 40 is connected to the P0 terminal of the MPU 15 by connecting the male connector 10b and the female connector 10a.

  Further, the P0 terminal of the MPU 15 is connected to the output terminal of the D / A converter 28 (see FIG. 5) as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, the output end 40b of the energization path 40 is connected to the P1 terminal of the MPU 15 by the connection of the male connector 10b and the female connector 10a. Further, the P1 terminal of the MPU 15 is connected to the input terminal of the A / D converter 29 (see FIG. 5) as in the first embodiment.

  According to the position reporting device 50 of the second embodiment, like the position reporting device 1 of the first embodiment, the two belt bodies 6, 7 are arranged with the connector structure 10 interposed in the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the belt member 3. The belt member 51 can be formed by a single belt body without being divided into two.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It can be guessed.

  For example, in the state where the belt members 3 and 51 are wound around the user's body, if there is unnecessary play in the length of the belt members 3 and 51, the belt connector 4 is sealed by the lock structure 11. Even in the state, the belt members 3 and 51 can be removed from the user's body. Therefore, the belt members 3 and 51 may be provided with an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the length in the longitudinal direction.

  In addition, without providing such an adjustment mechanism, a plurality of position reporting devices 1 and 50 having different lengths of the belt members 3 and 51 are prepared in advance, and the length around the wearing portion is determined for each user. The position reporting devices 1 and 50 having the length size of the belt members 3 and 51 corresponding to the length (for example, the length around the wrist when the wrist is a wearing part) may be appropriately selected.

  In this embodiment, the location management system 100 includes a plurality of repeaters 110 that can be received by wireless communication related to alarm information transmitted from the location reporting devices 1 and 50, and manages the location of each repeater 110 in advance. It is managed by the device 120, and the location of the location reporting devices 1 and 50 that have transmitted alarm information from the location of the repeater 110 that has received wireless communication is specified.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the location management system 100 receives a predetermined radio signal (alarm information) from the location reporting devices 1 and 50 by the receiving means (relay unit 110), whereby the location reporting devices 1 and 50 are located. Is to identify.

  However, the method of specifying the location of the location reporting devices 1 and 50 by the location management system 100 is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the location reporting devices 1 and 50 themselves use their location information such as GPS. It may be obtained directly from the positioning system and reported to a predetermined reporting destination.

  The energizing means in claim 1 is the process of S1 in FIG. 6 (a), the disconnection detecting means is the process of S2 and S3 in FIG. 6 (a), and the communication means is the process of S4 in FIG. These processes correspond to each.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,50 Portable position reporting device 2 Device main body 2a One side portion 2b of device main body Other side portion 3,51 of device main body Belt member 4 Belt connector 8 First connecting member 9 Second connecting member 10 Connector structure 13 Control device 16 Communication unit (part of communication means)
40 energization path 40a input terminal 40b output terminal 100 position management system 110 repeater 120 management device

Claims (1)

A portable position reporting device capable of specifying a location by a position management system, a control device that controls the operation of the device, a device main body that accommodates the control device, and a management target for mounting the device main body In a portable position reporting device comprising a belt member wound around a person's wearing site,
The control device is electrically connected so as to be energized, is embedded in the belt member, extends along the longitudinal direction of the belt member, and is cut in the extending direction to energize the control device. It has an energization path that is interrupted and changes from a conductive state to a non-conductive state,
The energization path is extended and embedded along the longitudinal direction of the belt member, on both sides in the width direction of the belt member, spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the belt member,
The control device includes an energization unit that performs an energization operation on the energization path, a disconnection detection unit that detects whether the energization path is in a conductive state or a non-conduction state by an energization operation of the energization unit, And a communication means for notifying a predetermined report destination by wireless communication that the belt member has been removed when the disconnection detecting means detects the non-conduction state of the energization path. Position reporting device.

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