JP6666933B2 - Communication device and system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device and a system, and more particularly, to a communication device attached to a distal end of a hand-washing curan provided in a toilet, and a system including the communication device.

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2013-178852 (Patent Document 1) discloses a single person watching system that detects a single person's abnormal situation. In this single person watching system, the duration of the home appliance installed in the home in the non-operation state is measured. Then, based on the duration of the non-operation state of the home electric appliance, an unusual change in a single person is detected (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-178852 A

  In the above Patent Document 1, it is assumed that a single person (user) uses a home electric appliance. However, some singletons rarely use home appliances. When a single person uses few home electric appliances, it is difficult to detect a change in a single person with high accuracy based on the duration of a non-operation state of the electric home appliance. Further, in Patent Document 1, a special sensor is attached to a home electric appliance. This special sensor is likely to operate by receiving power supply from an external power supply such as an outlet. That is, it is necessary to prepare an external power supply.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication system capable of detecting a user's abnormality with high accuracy and requiring no external power supply (including a battery or the like). It is to provide an apparatus and a system.

  A communication device according to an aspect of the present invention is attached to a tip of a hand-washing lantern provided in a toilet. The communication device includes a power generation unit and a communication unit. The power generation unit is configured to generate power by using water discharged from the hand-washing curan. The communication unit is configured to directly or indirectly transmit data to the server when power is supplied from the power generation unit.

  When the user of the communication device is at home, there is a high possibility that the user will use the toilet in the home. For example, if the toilet in the house has not been used for more than a predetermined period, there is a possibility that the user has changed. That is, by detecting the state of use of the toilet, it is possible to detect a user's abnormality with high accuracy. In this communication device, when the user flushes the toilet, data is transmitted to the server. Therefore, according to this communication device, by transmitting the use status of the toilet to the server, it is possible to indirectly report the user's abnormality to the server. In this communication device, electric power required for data transmission is generated by water in the toilet. Therefore, according to this communication device, there is no need to prepare an external power supply.

  Preferably, the server stores management information in which a user of the communication device is associated with an ID (identification). A third party who is not permitted to access the management information cannot identify the user of the communication device only from the ID. The communication unit is configured to transmit the ID to the server when power is supplied from the power generation unit.

  In this communication device, only the ID is transmitted to the server. Therefore, according to this communication device, even if data (ID) leaks to a third party during the data transmission process, it is possible to prevent the third party from specifying the user of the communication device.

  Preferably, in the communication device, communication between the communication unit and the server is performed in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard (WiFi standard).

  The WiFi standard is widely and widely used. Therefore, according to this communication device, a wide installable range can be ensured.

  Preferably, in the communication device, the communication unit is configured to transmit data to the server via a first communication terminal held by the same user as the communication device. The server stores management information in which a user of the communication device is associated with an ID (identification). A third party who is not permitted to access the management information cannot identify the user of the communication device only from the ID. The communication unit is configured to transmit the ID to the server via the first communication terminal when power is supplied from the power generation unit.

  In this communication device, data is transmitted to a server via a communication terminal. Therefore, according to this communication device, even if the communication device cannot directly communicate with the server, data can be indirectly transmitted to the server.

  Preferably, the first communication terminal is a smartphone.

  Preferably, in the communication device, communication between the communication unit and the first communication terminal is performed in accordance with the IEEE 802.15.1 standard (Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard).

  The Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard is widely and widely used. Therefore, according to this communication device, a wide installable range can be ensured.

  A system according to another aspect of the present invention includes the communication device, a second communication terminal, and a server. The second communication terminal is held by a user different from the user of the communication device. The server is configured to directly or indirectly communicate with the communication device and the second communication terminal. The server is configured to transmit information on a reception status of data from the communication device to the second communication terminal.

  In this system, information on the reception status of data from the communication device is transmitted to the second communication terminal. Therefore, according to this system, an abnormality of the user of the communication device can be transmitted to the user of the second communication terminal.

  Preferably, in the above system, the server transmits the information (information on a reception status of data from the communication device) to the second communication terminal when data reception from the communication device has not been performed for a predetermined period. It is configured as follows.

  In this system, when data transmission from the communication device to the server has not been performed for a predetermined period, information is transmitted from the server to the second communication terminal. Therefore, according to this system, it is possible to alert the user of the second communication terminal only when there is a high possibility that an abnormality has occurred in the user of the communication device.

  Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication device and a system that can detect a user's abnormality with high accuracy and do not require an external power supply.

It is a figure showing the schematic structure of a watching system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the communication device. It is a perspective view of a communication apparatus. It is a top view of a communication apparatus main body. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 4. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a server. It is a figure showing an example of management information. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the smartphone. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the communication device. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an ID receiving operation in the server. It is a flowchart which shows the contact operation | movement with the guardian in a server. It is a figure showing an example of a warning mail.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions have the same reference characters allotted, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[1. Constitution]
(1-1. Configuration of watching system)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a watching system 10 according to the present embodiment. The watching system 10 is a system that remotely monitors the safety of a single person (for example, an elderly person living alone).

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the watching system 10 includes a communication device 100, a server 200, and a smartphone 300. Communication device 100 is installed in toilet 15 of a single person's home. Specifically, the communication device 100 is attached to the tip of the hand-washing curan 20 of the toilet 15. Smartphone 300 is held by a guardian of a single person. Parents, for example, live in a location away from the home of a single person. The communication device 100 can communicate with the server 200, and the server 200 can communicate with the smartphone 300.

  When a single person is at home, the single person is likely to use the toilet 15 at home. For example, if the toilet 15 has not been used for more than a predetermined period of time, there is a possibility that the single person has changed. In the watching system 10, the use status of the toilet 15 is notified to the server 200. Then, when there is an abnormality in the usage state of the toilet 15, the server 200 notifies the smartphone 300 of a warning. Thereby, the guardian (the holder of the smartphone 300) can remotely recognize that the single person has an abnormality.

  Hereinafter, the configurations of the communication device 100, the server 200, and the smartphone 300 will be described, and then the operations of the communication device 100 and the server 200 will be described. Note that the watching system 10 is an example of the “system” of the present invention, and the smartphone 300 is an example of the “second communication terminal” of the present invention.

(1-2. Electrical Configuration of Communication Device)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the communication device 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication device 100 includes a generator 110, a rectifier 120, and a communication module 130.

  The generator 110 is configured to generate power by using water discharged from the hand-washing curan 20 (FIG. 1) of the toilet 15. Although details will be described later, the generator 110 includes a small water turbine that rotates by water and a motor that generates power by rotation of the small water turbine. The AC power generated by the generator 110 is supplied to the rectifier 120. The generator 110 is an example of the “power generation unit” of the present invention.

  Rectifier 120 is configured to convert AC power supplied from generator 110 to DC power. The DC power generated by the rectifier 120 is supplied to the communication module 130.

  The communication module 130 is configured to be capable of performing communication conforming to, for example, the IEEE 802.11 standard (WiFi standard) and the IEEE 802.15.1 standard (Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard). The communication module 130 includes a processor and a memory 135 (not shown). The memory 135 stores a control program of the communication module 130 and an ID (identification) associated with a single person (user). The ID will be described later in detail. The communication module 130 operates by utilizing power supplied from the rectifier 120. The communication module 130 is an example of the “communication unit” of the present invention.

  As described above, in the communication device 100, power generation is performed, so that a battery or the like is not required. That is, there is no need to prepare an external power supply to use the communication device 100.

(1-3. Mechanical Configuration of Communication Device)
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the communication device 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication device 100 has a substantially egg-shaped shape, and is attached to the tip of the hand-washing curan 20. The communication device 100 includes a communication device main body 101 and caps 102 and 103. The exterior of the communication device main body 101 and each of the caps 102 and 103 are made of, for example, resin. The cap 102 is attached to the upper surface of the communication device main body 101, and the cap 103 is attached to the lower surface of the communication device main body 101. The cap 103 has a through-hole that penetrates in the vertical direction. Further, a through-hole is formed in the cap 102 so as to penetrate the cap 102 in a vertical direction, and an O-ring is disposed in the through-hole. The communication device 100 is attached to the hand-washing curan 20 via an O-ring in the cap 102.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of the communication device main body 101. As shown in FIG. 4, the communication device main body 101 has a perfect circular shape in plan view. A hole 105 is formed inside the communication device main body 101. Further, inside the communication device main body 101, a flat portion 104 and an inclined portion 106 are provided. The inclined portion 106 is inclined obliquely downward. Water flowing from above is guided to the hole 105 via the flat portion 104 and the inclined portion 106.

  FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the communication device main body 101 includes a main housing 111 and covers 112 and 113. Each of the main housing 111 and the covers 112 and 113 is made of, for example, a resin. Each of the covers 112 and 113 covers the main housing 111 from the side.

  In the communication device main body 101, a first space inside the main housing 111, a second space between the main housing 111 and the cover 112, and a third space between the main housing 111 and the cover 113 are formed. Have been. The rectifier 120 is arranged in the second space, and the communication module 130 is arranged in the third space. Water flows into the first space from above.

  Since each space is independent, the water flowing into the first space does not flow into other spaces. In the communication device 100, waterproofing of the electronic components (the rectifier 120 and the communication module 130) is realized by isolating the location where the electronic components are arranged and the flow path of water. The rectifier 120 and the communication module 130 are connected by a wiring (not shown). The location of the wiring will be described later.

  A support portion 114 having a hollow cylindrical shape is formed inside the main housing 111. A hole is formed at the tip of the support portion 114. Inside the main housing 111, the support 118 supports the coil 118, the bearing 117, and the shaft 116 of the small water wheel 115.

  Generator 110 includes a small water wheel 115 and a motor 119. A plurality of blades (not shown) are provided in the circumferential direction of the small water wheel 115. The small turbine 115 is supported by the support 114 by the shaft 116 of the small turbine 115 penetrating through the hole of the support 114. A bearing 117 is mounted around the shaft portion 116. The bearing 117 is made of, for example, brass. The coil 118 is arranged so as to surround the bearing 117. The small water turbine 115 is provided with two blocks including, for example, a powder magnet 122 so as to surround the coil 118. The powder magnet 122 and the coil 118 function as a motor 119. When each block rotates around the coil 118 according to the rotation of the small water wheel 115, power generation occurs. The coil 118 and the rectifier 120 are connected by wiring (not shown), and the generated power is supplied to the rectifier 120.

  FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, a hole 105 is formed above the main housing 111. The flow path of the water that has flowed in from above gradually narrows from the inclined portion 106 toward the hole 105. In the communication device 100, the flow of the water flowing into the small waterwheel 115 is increased by narrowing the flow path of the water (Venturi effect). By increasing the momentum of the water, the small water wheel 115 rotates sufficiently, and the electric power required for operating the communication module 130 (FIG. 2) is sufficiently secured.

  Further, a hole 121 is formed in the main housing 111. The wiring connecting the rectifier 120 and the communication module 130 passes through the hole 121. Since water does not pass through the hole 121, the wiring does not get wet.

(1-4. Electrical Configuration of Server)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the server 200. As shown in FIG. 7, the server 200 includes a communication unit 210, a storage unit 220, and a control unit 230.

  The communication unit 210 is configured to communicate with the communication device 100 and the smartphone 300 (FIG. 1). The communication unit 210 includes, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) module or a wireless LAN module.

  The storage unit 220 is, for example, an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive or a solid state drive. The storage unit 220 is configured to store management information 222, for example. The management information 222 is information in which a single person (user of the communication device 100) is associated with an ID (identification). The management information 222 is updated each time a single person who installs the communication device 100 at home increases.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the management information 222. As shown in FIG. 8, the management information 222 includes “ID”, “person (single person) name”, “guardian name”, “guardian TEL (phone number)”, and “guardian mail”. (E-mail address) "and" last reception date and time ". Although the details will be described later, the “last reception date and time” is the date and time when the information indicating the toilet usage status by the single person was last received.

  The control unit 230 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like, and is configured to control each component according to a control program. Further, the control unit 230 includes a timer 232 and can recognize the current time. The processing contents of the control unit 230 will be described later in detail.

(1-5. Electrical Configuration of Smartphone)
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of smartphone 300. As described above, smartphone 300 is held by a guardian of a single person (a user different from the single person).

  As shown in FIG. 9, smartphone 300 includes a communication unit 310, a storage unit 320, a display unit 330, and a control unit 340.

  Communication unit 310 is configured to communicate with server 200 (FIG. 1). The communication unit 310 includes, for example, a wired LAN module or a wireless LAN module. The storage unit 320 is, for example, an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive or a solid state drive. The display unit 330 is a monitor such as a liquid crystal monitor and an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) monitor. The control unit 340 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and is configured to control each component according to a control program.

[2. motion]
(2-1. Operation of Communication Device)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the communication device 100. The process shown in this flowchart is executed by the communication module 130 when the water in the toilet 15 (FIG. 1) is flushed.

  Referring to FIG. 10, when water in toilet 15 is flushed and sufficient power is generated, communication module 130 is activated (step S100). After startup, the communication module 130 starts searching for free WiFi (step S110). Note that free WiFi is WiFi that does not require a password for network connection.

  Then, the communication module 130 determines whether or not free WiFi has been found (step S120). If it is determined that free WiFi has not been found (NO in step S120), communication module 130 continues to search for free WiFi until power supply is exhausted.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that free WiFi has been found (YES in step S120), communication module 130 executes a connection to the found free WiFi (step S130). After that, the communication module 130 transmits the ID stored in the memory 135 (the ID associated with the single person) to the server 200 (Step S140).

  As described above, in the communication device 100, the ID of the single person is transmitted to the server 200 every time the toilet 15 is flushed. That is, according to the communication device 100, the status of use of the toilet 15 by a single person can be transmitted to the server 200.

  The ID of a single person is, for example, a simple number. That is, a third party who is not permitted to access the management information 222 (FIG. 8) cannot specify a single person from only the ID. Therefore, even if data (ID) is leaked to a third party during the data transmission process, the third party does not specify a single person. The specification of transmitting only the ID in the communication device 100 is based on the so-called “least privilege principle”.

(2-2. Operation of server)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an ID receiving operation in server 200. The processing shown in this flowchart is repeatedly executed by the control unit 230 (FIG. 7).

  Referring to FIG. 11, control unit 230 determines whether or not an ID has been received from communication device 100 (step S200). If it is determined that the ID has not been received (NO in step S200), the process proceeds to return.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the ID has been received (YES in step S200), control unit 230 updates “last reception date and time” of management information 222 stored in storage unit 220 (step S210). That is, the control unit 230 updates the “last reception date and time” associated with the received ID with the current date and time.

  In this way, the server 200 manages the date and time when each single person last used the toilet by updating the management information 222.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of contacting a guardian in server 200. The processing shown in this flowchart is executed by the control unit 230 when predetermined times (for example, 8:00 and 20:00) have arrived.

  Referring to FIG. 12, control unit 230 determines whether or not an ID has been received in a predetermined time zone (step S300). For example, the control unit 230 determines whether the ID has been received within 12 hours from the current time. Specifically, the control unit 230 determines whether or not the ID has been received in a predetermined time zone by referring to the “last reception date and time” of the management information 222 stored in the storage unit 220.

  If it is determined that the ID has been received during the predetermined time period (YES in step S300), the process proceeds to the end. That is, no contact is made to the guardian. For example, if the toilet 15 has been used within 12 hours from the current time, there is a high possibility that the single person has not changed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the ID has not been received in the predetermined time period (NO in step S300), control unit 230 executes a process for contacting the guardian of the single person (step S310). For example, control unit 230 executes a process for making a call to smartphone 300. Further, for example, control unit 230 controls communication unit 210 to transmit a warning mail to smartphone 300.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning mail. As shown in FIG. 13, for example, the warning mail is displayed on display unit 330 of smartphone 300. For example, the warning e-mail describes that there is a possibility that a single person has an accident.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, when a single person has not used toilet 15 for a predetermined period, server 200 contacts smartphone 300. Therefore, the guardian (the holder of the smart phone 300) can remotely know whether or not an accident has occurred in the single person.

  Further, in the present embodiment, server 200 contacts smartphone 300 only when there is a high possibility that a single person has changed. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, smart phone 300 does not receive contact from server 200 more frequently than necessary.

[3. Characteristic]
As described above, communication device 100 according to the present embodiment is attached to the tip of hand-washing curan 20 provided in toilet 15. Communication device 100 includes a generator 110 and a communication module 130. The generator 110 generates power by using water discharged from the hand-washing curan 20. The communication module 130 transmits data (ID) to the server 200 when power is supplied from the generator 110.

  According to the communication device 100, by transmitting the usage status of the toilet 15 to the server 200, it is possible to indirectly transmit the abnormal situation of a single person (user) to the server 200. In the communication device 100, the power required for data transmission is generated by the water in the toilet 15. Therefore, according to the communication device 100, there is no need to prepare an external power supply.

  In addition, watching system 10 according to the present embodiment includes communication device 100, smartphone 300, and server 200. Smartphone 300 is held by a user (guardian) different from the user (single person) of communication device 100. The server 200 communicates with the communication device 100 and the smartphone 300. The server 200 is configured to transmit information on the reception status of data from the communication device 100 to the smartphone 300.

  In the watching system 10, information on the reception status of data from the communication device 100 (information indicating that an ID has not been received in a predetermined time zone) is transmitted to the smartphone 300. Therefore, according to the watching system 10, it is possible to notify the user (guardian) of the smartphone 300 of the change in the user (single person) of the communication device 100.

[4. Modification]
Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. Hereinafter, modified examples will be described. However, the following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

(4-1)
In the above embodiment, the communication module 130 is assumed to be compatible with both IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.15.1. However, the communication module 130 does not necessarily need to support both. The communication module 130 may correspond only to, for example, IEEE 802.11. Further, the standard used for communication by the communication module 130 does not necessarily have to be the IEEE 802.11 standard. In short, as long as communication is established between the communication module 130 and the communication device 100, any communication standard may be used.

(4-2)
In the above embodiment, the communication device 100 and the server 200 communicate directly. However, the communication device 100 and the server 200 need not necessarily communicate directly. For example, the communication device 100 and the server 200 may communicate via a communication terminal such as a smartphone held by a single person.

  For example, the communication device 100 and the single person's smartphone may be connected by Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the single person's smartphone and the server 200 may be connected by WiFi. In this case, when the toilet 15 is used, the communication device 100 transmits the single person's ID to the single person's smartphone, and the single person's smartphone transmits the single person's ID to the server 200. .

(4-3)
In the above-described embodiment, when the communication module 130 is activated, a search for free WiFi is performed. However, the network searched by the communication module 130 does not necessarily need to be free WiFi. For example, the specification may be such that a password or the like of a WiFi contracted by a single person is registered in the communication device 100 in advance, and the communication module 130 searches for the registered WiFi at startup.

(4-4)
Further, in the above embodiment, when the predetermined time has arrived, server 200 has determined whether or not the ID has been received in the predetermined time zone. However, the determination timing by the server 200 is not limited to this. For example, the server 200 may always determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the last reception of the ID from each communication device 100. In this case, the server 200 may execute a process for contacting a guardian when a predetermined time has elapsed.

(4-5)
In the above-described embodiment, the server 200 executes the process for contacting the guardian only when the ID is not received in the predetermined time period. However, for example, when the ID is received in a predetermined time zone, server 200 may notify a parent or guardian that the single person has not changed.

  DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 10 watching system, 15 toilet, 20 hand-washing machine, 100 communication device, 101 communication device main body, 102, 103 cap, 104 flat portion, 105, 121 hole, 106 inclined portion, 110 generator, 111 main housing, 112, 113 Cover, 114 support, 115 small water turbine, 116 shaft, 117 bearing, 118 coil, 119 motor, 120 rectifier, 122 powder magnet, 130 communication module, 135 memory, 200 server, 210, 310 communication unit, 220, 320 storage Section, 222 management information, 230, 340 control section, 232 timer, 300 smartphone, 330 display section.

Claims (10)

A communication device attached to the faucet,
A power generation unit configured to generate power by using water discharged from the faucet,
A rectifier configured to convert AC power generated by the power generation unit to DC power,
A communication unit configured to directly or indirectly transmit data to a server when power is supplied from the rectifier ,
A first space is formed therein, and a main housing that houses the power generation unit in the first space;
The first space is sandwiched between a second space and a third space,
The rectifier is housed in the second space,
The communication unit is accommodated in the third space,
While the water flows into the first space, the water does not flow into the second and third spaces,
A hole is formed in the main housing to communicate the second and third spaces,
The communication device, wherein the rectifier and the communication unit are connected by a wire passing through the hole . The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the faucet is a tip portion of a hand-washed callan provided in a toilet. 3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the inflow port of the water into the first space has a region that is gradually narrowed from above to below. The server stores management information in which a user of the communication device is associated with an ID (identification),
A third party who is not permitted to access the management information cannot identify the user only from the ID,
Wherein the communication unit, when power from the power generating unit is supplied, the being configured to transmit the ID to the server, the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Wherein the communication unit is capable of communication based on IEEE802.11 standard, a communication device according to claim 4. The communication unit is configured to transmit data to the server via a first communication terminal held by the same user as the user of the communication device,
The server stores management information in which a user of the communication device is associated with an ID (identification),
A third party who is not permitted to access the management information cannot identify the user only from the ID,
Wherein the communication unit, when power from the power generating unit is supplied, via said first communication terminal is configured to transmit the ID to the server, any of claims 1 to 3 The communication device according to claim 1 . The communication device according to claim 6 , wherein the first communication terminal is a smartphone. Wherein said communication unit communication between a first communication terminal is carried out in compliance with the IEEE802.15.1 standard, a communication device according to claim 6 or claim 7. A communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
A second communication terminal held by a user different from the user of the communication device;
A server configured to directly or indirectly communicate with the communication device and the second communication terminal,
The system, wherein the server is configured to transmit information on a reception status of data from the communication device to the second communication terminal. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the server is configured to transmit the information to the second communication terminal when data from the communication device has not been received for a predetermined period.

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