DK178058B1 - Calling System - Google Patents

Abstract

A call system for calling staff, for example in a store or in a hospital ward, is shown, which call system comprises one or more fixed location units (2) and one or more person units (4) distributed by one person unit (4) for each a person in the staff, where each location unit (2) is arranged to be able to send an electronic signal to at least part of the individual units (4) and to receive an electronic signal from the same individual units (4), and where each individual unit (4) is arranged to be able to send an electronic signal to at least part of the location units (2) and to receive an electronic signal from the same location units (2) so that staff can be called with a signal (also called a "call") from a location unit (2) and with the person unit (4) can give the message that the call has been received.

Description

Calling System

The present invention relates to a call system for calling staff, for example in a store or in a hospital ward.

Background

The background of the invention lies in the fact that today there are various solutions to serve customers.

There is the usual doorbell with a sensor in the doorway. When the doorway is broken, a signal is given to a bell ringing.

If you have a large area that needs to be serviced in a fast and efficient way, for example hospitals, airports, larger warehouses or tree loads, where there are large drive-in halls and areas where the customer needs to call for help, there is a need a calling system.

Today you can set up an ordinary bell that sends a signal wirelessly to a bell, and then the customer does not know if his pressure has been heard / seen, and then the customer is left uncertain whether help is on the way. Similarly, in hospitals there is a leash that the patient can pull in if needed. Here, too, the patient does not know if his need for help has been seen.

WO 2005 091822 A2 and EP 0905956 A2 describe call systems which comprise fixed location units and personal units with mutual wireless communication. JP 2003 032374 A shows the use of door units in connection with a call system.

Brief Description of the Invention

It is the object of the present invention to provide a system which inter alia solves the above-mentioned problems in the prior art.

The invention relates to a call system for calling staff, for example in a store or hospital department, which call system comprises one or more permanently located location units, and one or more person units distributed by one person unit to each person in the staff, where each location unit is arranged for being able to send an electronic signal to at least a portion of the individual units and to receive an electronic signal from the same individual units, and wherein each individual unit is arranged to be able to send an electronic signal to at least a portion of the location units and to being able to receive an electronic signal from the same location units, so that staff can be called with a signal (also called a '' call '') from a location unit and can give back the message that the call has been received, where the call system further comprises a or more door units, each of which door units comprise a first and a second s Ensor located in one side of a doorway for receiving and recording a beam of light from one or more light sources located in the opposite side of the doorway where the first and second sensors are located side by side on a such that the light beam of one sensor is switched off before the light beam of the other sensor as a person passes through the doorway, where the first sensor is arranged to be able to send an electronic signal to one or more predetermined locations, such as a central unit or to one or more individual units when the light beam of the sensor is interrupted and the second sensor is arranged to be able to block the first sensor's transmission of such an electronic signal for a predetermined period, such that the electronic signal is transmitted if the light beam of the first sensor is interrupted before the light beam to the other sensor, but not if the light beams are refracted in the reverse order.

Thus, the invention differs from the prior art as described in the three above-mentioned documents in that the system comprises a door unit made as described above. With this design, the system's door unit can be set up to, for example, only register customers / clients who "enter" the house, and not those who "go out".

In addition, it is free to choose which groups of staff should receive the '' calls '' from which of the set up units.

When the person presses on a given location unit, it is for assistance, and the faster, the better. Therefore, the person units can send a signal back to the location unit that the call has been received and help is on the way.

In one embodiment of the invention, one or more personality units are further arranged to be able to send an electronic signal to and receive an electronic signal from at least a portion of the other personality units.

This is advantageous in the case that staff need to call other staff or forward a call from a location unit because they are busy with other tasks themselves.

In one embodiment, the call system further comprises one or more central units arranged to be able to communicate with location units and personal units and collect data on the progress of each call, such as time, place, duration and the nature of the actual assistance.

Here, all the calls from all units are centralized. This creates measurable data for each unit. This data is used to record who is called, where is being called, and when it is long before the called personnel arrive at the location unit. It also records how many calls each individual unit and / or location unit sends and receives.

In one embodiment of the invention, one or more central units are arranged to be able to distribute the calls from a given location unit to different personal units after a predetermined cycle.

It can be divided into groups within which you can distribute the calls from different location units. This way, for example, you can divide the staff by expertise, or subject areas. The calls can be distributed equally to the person units, so everyone gets the same number of calls, and the calls are not always sent to the same person unit first.

In one embodiment of the invention, one or more personality units are arranged to be able to forward received calls to the next personality unit in the predetermined cycle.

This allows a smaller system to run with a number of location units and personal units without a central unit for arranging the calls.

In one embodiment of the invention, one or more central units are arranged to show when a given person unit is active in the on-call system (online) and when it is not.

This can be used as a payroll method or a '' stamp clock ''. When the staff meets at the guard / job, they take their unit and turn it on with which they are online and can be called. A similar procedure is used when going to lunch break (passive) and back again (active).

In one embodiment of the invention, one or more central units are arranged to be able to share the collected data at a central location, for example on the internet, so that everyone with log-in access to this data.

A large chain with, for example, 100-2000 stores thus has the opportunity to compare the individual stores with each other day by day by logging into a website. The location units show how many calls there are during the day / week / month / year as well as which are the most and least visited in different areas / countries.

In one embodiment of the invention, one or more central units are arranged to be able to communicate with door units and record and store the time of each passage of one or more door units in a given direction, defined by an interruption of the two light rays of the given door unit in a given order. .

This is used to count how many customers / clients you have during the day. In this way, the data can be used for guard scheduling based on how many visitors there are at the different times.

Example:

Between 6.00-7.00 there were 11 visitors Between 7.00-8.00 there were 5 visitors Between 8.00-9.00 there were 2 visitors, etc.

The door unit can be set up in different locations to see where there is most movement in the store in a given direction.

In one embodiment of the invention, one or more door units are arranged so that they can identify themselves to one or more person units and / or one or more central units.

In this way, the door unit calls on staff as soon as a customer / client enters the house. The staff can see which door unit has sent the signal.

The same can be done by the central unit at the same time it detects when it has happened.

In one embodiment of the invention, communication between central units, location units, door units and personal units takes place wirelessly.

A wireless system makes it easy to assemble and apply to large areas, so it is possible to move Mt around.

In one embodiment of the invention, color codes on location units and / or person units indicate when an electronic signal has been sent and / or received.

This allows the client / patient to physically see that the signal is being sent / received and that assistance is on the way. For example, a button on the location unit may glow red when activated (ie, when the call is sent), and change to green when the call is accepted at the touch of a button on a location unit.

In one embodiment of the invention, location units, door units, and person units contain near-field communication tags, such as, for example, RFID tags or NFC tags, so that the call system automatically detects when a given person unit comes within a certain distance of a given location unit or door unit. .

This makes it possible to see when the staff has arrived at a given location, whereby it can be registered that the '' call 'has been received and that the staff who received the call have actually reached the customer / client.

Brief description of the figures

Below is a more detailed description of some examples of embodiments of the invention based on the figures.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a description of the history and its structure.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a location unit according to the invention.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a door unit according to the invention.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a person unit according to the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a system with several units, including a central unit and a charging stand, as well as an example of how the system can be set up.

Detailed description

The present invention, of which various embodiments are described below, relates to a system for the quick and efficient service of persons, such as customers in a store or patients in a hospital ward.

Pressing a fixed location unit 2 allows people who want to be operated to send a wireless signal. This signal is transmitted in a predetermined order to a number of personality units 4 carried by the staff until a person among the staff presses on his personality unit 4 a signal that he is on his way with assistance. This return signal can be read on the location unit 2 so that the waiting person knows that the help is on the way.

A central unit 5 collects data on each call (time / place, duration before feedback and actual assistance). This data can subsequently be used to optimize workflow, location of goods, etc.

All this is collected and can be displayed, for example on a website with login, so you can always follow.

The system may further comprise a door unit 3 which records passing persons in one direction and thus can, for example, notify a person unit 4, a central unit 5 or a wireless bell when a new customer enters the store and needs service. Customers on the way out of the store are not registered. The door unit 4 can also be used in connection with a counting system, which tells how many people pass through the doorway and at what time. Based on this, one can optimize the scheduling and / or location of goods based on the number of visitors.

The data can be used for goal setting for each store / employee and for a payroll system where you can see how long each one has been online and how many handles each one has and has not had.

At the same time, the door unit 3 can be connected to gates and doors with automatic door opening, so that, for example, the door / door is automatically opened by pushing a button 41 on a person unit 4 if the door unit 3 detects that the person unit 4 is within a certain distance.

The system may comprise a varying number of person units 4, location units 2 and door units 3, depending on the needs and the size of the area to be serviced. All of this is controlled by a central unit 5 which is connected to the network.

The system is designed for everything from small clothing stores, offices, bakers and to large hospitals, airports etc. where the service is provided by the staff.

With this system, you can quickly and effectively provide feedback that the call has been received and that assistance is on the way.

The staff can move around freely, as unit 4 is wireless, which gives the staff the opportunity to take care of tasks other than serving clients / clients.

The location unit 2 identifies itself so that the staff knows where the signal is coming from. The location unit 2 even finds the staff who have time, since those who are doing something else have the opportunity to sign up.

If everyone is busy, the call is resubmitted until the call is accepted. If no one still accepts the call, the call is sent out to the next group, nor is anyone in the next group accepting the call lost. If so, the light in location unit 2's button 2a will go out and location unit 2 must be reactivated.

All of this provides history 1, which can be used to analyze both customer flow, staff and which location units 2 are most frequently used and visited.

Economy is an important factor. Therefore, it is problematic if a store has lots of customers but poor sales. All of this may have different reasons, for example that staff are not making sufficient outreach sales or that the store may have been designed inappropriately.

If it is a large chain with 50-2000 stores around the world, it is optimal that all stores have the opportunity to follow each other's stories:

How many visitors and where they are in the store, which employee is ranked # 1 with regard to expeditions, etc. This can be used to optimize staff, locations, product placement, security planning and service to customers, citizens and patients.

For example, a location unit 2 may comprise the following elements: • A call button 2A, which is pressed for assistance

• A built-in chip 2B which detects the person units 4 and sends a signal to a central unit 5 and persons 4 when the call button 2A is pressed

When the signal is sent, the call button 2a will light red.

Once the call has been accepted by the person unit 4, a signal is sent back which activates the location unit's button 2a, which now glows green, thus indicating that the call has been received and processed and that assistance is on the way. Several colors can be added depending on how long it takes before the staff arrives. The location unit 2 identifies itself.

For example, the history 1 which collects all data collected through the central unit 5 may include the following elements: • Search box 1A, where one or more dates in the history can be searched

This can be used, for example, in connection with a payroll system and provide an overall overview over a long period of time • Overview IB of the entire staff, how many calls each one had and either accepted or reported busy or lost calls • Overview 1C of location units 2 and / or door units 3

The total number of calls from each location 2 and / or door unit 3 is shown here, as well as how many of these are dispatched and lost (missed).

• Coherence ID between a single person from the staff and the various location 5 and door units 3

Here, for example, you can see which locations' 'Thomas' has operated and how many times. This gives a picture of what each person in the staff is doing.

• Overview 1E of active and passive periods for a given person from the staff

Here, for example, sees when "Thomas" meets (signs up online), when he pauses (signs in passively), when he returns from break (signs up active), and when he stays free.

This data can be used in conjunction with a payroll system, showing everything each one does, when on the day, and how long each one has done. It offers the opportunity to measure its employees in a new way and the staff has the opportunity to set goals for themselves.

For example, a personality unit 4 may comprise the following elements:

• Display 4D

• On / off button 4C (which must be held for a few seconds to switch off)

• Accept button 4A and busy button 4B

• Active / passive button 4E

• Volume button 4F

• Chip 4G

• Speaker 4H

• Door / door switch 41

The unit 4 shows, with numbers from 1-999 in the display 4D, which location unit 2 has been activated.

It contains a chip 4G, which identifies itself at the presence when it moves close past the location unit 2. At the same time, it is detected within a certain area by one or more door units 3, so that the automatic doors / gates can be opened by pressing the button 41 Person unit 4 blocks the door unit 3's sensor 3A when inside, for some distance.

A charge level 6 for each individual unit 4 makes it easy to keep track of the individual units and to ensure that they are always charged and ready for use.

For example, a door unit 3 may comprise the following elements:

• A first sensor 3A

• Another sensor 3B

• One or more LEDs 3 C

The first sensor 3A is arranged to send a signal when a light source is broken, while the second sensor 3B is arranged to block sensor 3A for a few seconds, depending on the expected speed of the persons crossing a doorway, in which they two sensors 3A, 3B are mounted.

The system works so that a person entering a store first breaks the light beam to the first sensor 3A and then the light beam to the second sensor 3B, whereby the first sensor 3A sends a signal before it is blocked.

If a person goes out of the shop, the light beam of the second sensor 3B is first switched off, thereby blocking the first sensor 3A, so that no signal is sent when the light beam of the first sensor 3A is subsequently switched off.

The door unit 3 can be connected so that a signal is sent to a central computer (for example via wifi), so that the history is automatically recorded.

The door unit 3 can also be connected so that when it detects that a person unit 4 is close enough, it activates one or more LEDs 3 C to indicate that the door can be opened by pushing a button 41 on this person unit 4. At the same time the first sensor 3A is blocked so that no signal is sent when personnel are passing through the doorway.

Claims (12)

A call system for calling staff, for example in a store or in a hospital ward, which call system comprises one or more fixed location units (2) and one or more person units (4) distributed by one person unit (4) to each person in the staff, where each location unit (2) is arranged to be able to send an electronic signal to at least part of the personal units (4) and to receive an electronic signal from the same person units (4), and where each person unit (4) ) is arranged to be able to send an electronic signal to at least a portion of the location units (2) and to receive an electronic signal from the same location units (2) so that staff can be called by a signal (also called a " 'call') from a location unit (2) and with the person unit (4) may indicate that the call has been received, characterized in that the call system further comprises one or more door units (3), each of Such door units (3) comprise a first (3a) and a second (3b) sensor located in one side of a doorway for receiving and recording a light beam from one or more light sources located in the opposite side of the door. the doorway, where the first (3a) and the second (3b) sensor are located side by side in such a way that the light beam of one sensor (3a) is switched off before the light beam of the second sensor (3b) as a person passes through the doorway, wherein the first sensor (3a) is arranged to be able to send an electronic signal to one or more predetermined locations, such as a central unit (5) or to one or more individual units (4) when the light beam reaches the sensor (3a) is interrupted and wherein the second sensor (3b) is arranged to be able to block the first sensor (3a) from transmitting such an electronic signal for a predetermined period such that the electronic signal is transmitted if the light beam of the first sensor (3a) interrupt s before the light beam to the other sensor (3b), but not if the light rays are refracted in the reverse order. Calling system according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more person units (4) are further arranged to be able to send an electronic signal to and receive an electronic signal from at least part of the other person units (4). Call system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the system further comprises one or more central units (5) arranged to be able to communicate with location units (2) and personal units (4) and collect data on the progress of each call, such as the time, place, duration and nature of the actual assistance. Calling system according to claim 3, characterized in that one or more central units (5) are arranged to distribute the calls from a given location unit (2) to different individual units (4) after a predetermined cycle. Call system according to claim 4, characterized in that one or more person units (4) are arranged to be able to forward received calls to the next person unit (4) in the predetermined cycle. Call system according to any one of claims 3-5, characterized in that one or more central units (5) are arranged to show when a given person unit (4) is active in the call system (online) and when it is not. is. Call system according to any one of claims 3-6, characterized in that one or more central units (5) are arranged to be able to share the collected data at a central location, for example on the internet, so that everyone with a log-in have access to this data. Call system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more central units (5) are arranged to be able to communicate with door units (3) and record and store the time of each passage of one or more door units (3). ) in a given direction, defined by an interruption of the given door unit (3) two light rays in a given order. Calling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more door units (3) are arranged so that they can identify themselves to one or more person units (4) and / or one or more central units. Call system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication between central units (5), location units (2), door units (3) and person units (4) takes place wirelessly. Call system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that color codes on location units (2) and / or person units (4) indicate when an electronic signal has been sent and / or received. Call system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that location units (2), door units (3) and persons units (4) contain tags for near-field communication, such as, for example, RFID tags or NFC tags, such that the call system automatically detects when a given person unit (4) comes within a certain distance of a given location unit (2) or door unit (3).