JP2001212188A - Nursing support device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a nursing support device by which a person to be nursed can operate by himself/herself in order to be nursed, even when a helper is not hired. SOLUTION: When the person to be nursed press a pressing button switch 11, a control means 19 actuates a chime 15, a light 16, an image transmission means 17 and a speech switching means 18. The chime 15 informs the surroundings of the situation, the image transmission means 17 transmits date of images of the person to be nursed picked up with a camera 12 to a host unit 2 to display the images on a display 22. Even when the nursing support device side is busy in conversation using a telephone set 7a, the speech switching means 18 switches from the conversation by the telephone set 7a to conversation by a microphone 13 and a speaker 14, and thus, a communication state is established between the nursing support device 1 side and the host device 2 side by using a telephone set 7b, the microphone 13 and the speaker 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a care support apparatus for assisting a care recipient at home.

[0002]

[Prior Art] The arrival of an aging society that is unparalleled in the world,
With the establishment of a disease structure centered on adult illness and the desire for home terminal care, there is a strong demand for the creation of a system that can provide nursing care services while living daily at home. In addition, in home care, not only the suffering of the care receiver but also the mental and physical burden of the caregiver and family are considerable, and a support system capable of reducing the burden is required.

[0003] In recent years, in the information communication field such as a public communication network, market liberalization and cost reduction and service quality improvement are being pursued under the principle of competition, and there is an expectation for home care support by information communication technology. Is growing.

In a conventional home care support apparatus, for example, a camera and a microphone are installed on an existing television, and a computer for controlling them is connected to a computer of a medical institution such as a hospital through a communication network. The home care recipient or the caregiver accompanying the home care recipient can communicate with the computer at the medical institution by operating the keyboard etc. of the installed computer to report symptoms of the care recipient. Instructions for nursing care and the like from the doctor can be obtained.

[0005]

However, in such a home care support apparatus, it is difficult for the care receiver who needs care to operate the computer keyboard accurately. In addition, at the present time when there is a shortage of caregivers, it is difficult to attach a caregiver to every home care recipient, and it is not possible to operate a computer on behalf of the care recipient.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a nursing care support device that can be operated easily by a care receiver and receive home care even when a caregiver is not attached.

[0007]

A care support device according to the present invention is a care support device for communicating with an external host device via a communication network, and a switch means for instructing a start of communication with the host device. Image input means for imaging the care receiver, voice input means for inputting the voice of the care receiver, voice output means for outputting the voice transmitted from the host device side, and the pointing device are operated. Notifying means for notifying that the image is captured, an image transmitting means for transmitting an image captured by the image input means to the host device, a call switching means for switching between a telephone call by the voice input means and a voice output means and a telephone call, and a switch means Control means for operating the image transmission means, the call switching means, and the notification means in accordance with the instruction.

[0008] In such a care support apparatus, the care receiver operates the switch means such as a push button switch to transmit the image of the care receiver to the host device and operate the switch means. Notify surroundings. In addition, even when the telephone is in use, the telephone is switched from the telephone call to the telephone using the voice input device and the voice output device of the nursing care support device, and a call between the care receiver and an external doctor or the like is enabled. In other words, only by the act of the care receiver operating the switch means on his / her own, the caregiver is alerted to the surroundings that the care receiver is trying to convey something, and the external doctor or the like is notified of the care receiver's condition by images and sounds. Can be immediately confirmed, and the voice of an external doctor or the like can be transmitted to the care receiver.

Here, in the care support device of the present invention,
It is desirable that the voice output means, the image transmission means, the call switching means and the control means are accommodated in a movable main body box, and the switch means, the image input means and the voice input means are separate units detachable from the main body box. Thereby, even if there is no space around the bed of the care receiver, the switch means, the image input means and the voice input means which are separate units are installed on the care receiver side, and the main body box is arbitrarily vacant. It can be easily moved to the place.

[0010] The switch means is preferably carried by the care receiver so as to be easily operated in an emergency, or is installed at a place where the care receiver can reach. Since the image input means and the voice input means transmit the condition of the care receiver to an external doctor or the like, it is desirable that the image input means and the voice input means be installed as close to the care receiver as possible, for example, on a frame of the care receiver's bed. This makes it possible to acquire an image and a voice of the care receiver from near the care receiver and to more accurately convey the condition of the care receiver to an external doctor or the like.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a care support system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the care support device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a side view thereof.

A care support system according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, is provided at a care support device 1 installed at a home or the like of a care receiver receiving home care, and installed outside a hospital or the like. ISD as a communication network with the host device 2
N (integrated service digital network) 3 enables communication. Nursing support device 1 and host device 2 and I
The SDNs 3 are, for example, TAs (terminal adapters) 4a and 4b built in a DSU (Digital Line Terminating Equipment), respectively.
Connected by

Digital lines 5a and 5b and analog lines 6a and 6b are connected to TAs 4a and 4b, respectively. The telephone 7a is connected to the analog line 6a on the side of the care support device 1 through a call switching unit 18 described later, and the host device 2
The telephone 7b is directly connected to the analog line 6b on the side. The telephones 7a and 7b are commonly used well-known telephones.

The care support device 1 includes a push button switch 11 as switch means for instructing the start of communication with the host device 2, a camera 12 as image input means for capturing an image of a care receiver, and a care receiver. A microphone 13 as voice input means for inputting a human voice;
A speaker 14 as an audio output unit for outputting audio transmitted from the side, a chime 15 as a notification unit for notifying the surroundings that a push button switch has been operated, and an image pickup by the camera 12 A light 16 as a lighting means for illuminating the care receiver and a camera 12
Transmitting means 17 for transmitting an image captured by the host device 2 to the host device 2, and a call switching means 1 for switching between a call using the microphone 13 and the speaker 14 and a call using the telephone 7a.
8, a chime 15, a light 16, an image transmission unit 17, and a call switching unit 1 according to an instruction of the push button switch 11.
And control means 19 for operating the control unit 8.

Such a care support device 1 is housed in a main body box 1a shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and a unit 1b detachable from the main body box 1a, except for the push button switch 11 and the chime 15.

In the main body box 1a, a speaker 14, an image transmission means 17, a call switching means 18, and a control means 19 are provided.
Is accommodated. Below the main body box 1a, four wheels 1c are provided to make the main body box 1a movable. The wheel 1c rotates 360 degrees with respect to the support direction of the main body box 1a, and can draw the main body box 1a in any direction.

The unit 1b includes a camera 12, a microphone 1
3 and a light 16 are accommodated. The unit 1b is rotatably supported by a horizontal axis 1d,
The directions of the microphone 13 and the light 16 can be arbitrarily adjusted vertically. The unit 1b is detachable by inserting and removing the unit 1b from above the main body box 1a.

The host device 2 includes a computer 21 and a display 22. Computer 21
Is connected to the nursing care support device 1 via TA4a, ISDN3 and TA4b, processes the image transmitted by the image transmission means 17, and displays the image on the display 22.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a use state of the care support device 1 shown in FIG. In the 6 tatami room shown in FIG.
A bed 8 for the care receiver is provided. Nursing support device 1
The unit 1b is separated from the main body box 1a and attached to the bed 8 at the foot side of the care receiver. At this time,
The camera 12 and the light 16 of the unit 1b are installed facing the care receiver. The push button switch 11 is installed on the bed 8 near the care receiver. The unit 1b, the push button switch 11, and the care support device 1 are connected wirelessly or by wire, respectively, so that mutual communication is possible.

When the care receiver presses the push button switch 11, the control means 19 operates the chime 15, the light 16, the image transmission means 17, and the call switching means 18. The chime 15 is installed in a separate room where the care receiver's family and the like are located. And push this chime 15 and push button switch 1
By operating by the operation 1, it is possible to notify the surroundings that the care receiver is going to sue something in an emergency.

The image transmission means 17 captures an image of the care receiver using the camera 12, and transmits data of the captured image to the host device 2. At this time, the light 16 is also operated at the same time to illuminate the cared person brightly, so that the state of the cared person can be imaged more clearly. In the host device 2, the transmitted image data is received by the computer 21, processed, and displayed on the display 22. Here, the image data is stored in a memory or a hard disk device in the computer 21.

The doctor or the like on the host device 2 confirms the condition of the care receiver based on the image of the care receiver displayed on the display 22, and if necessary, talks to the care support device 1 using the telephone 7b. To establish. Here, when the call switching means 18 is operated by the operation of the push button switch 11, even if the nursing care support device 1 is talking on the telephone 7a, the call from the telephone 7a is changed to the communication on the microphone 13 and the speaker 14. Switching is performed, and a telephone call state between the telephone 7b, the microphone 13, and the speaker 14 is established. That is, the voice of the care receiver is acquired by the microphone 13, and the data of the acquired voice is transmitted to the telephone 7b of the host device 2 and output. On the other hand, the voice from the telephone 7b is transmitted to the nursing care support device 1 and output from the speaker 14 via the call switching means 18 of the nursing care support device 1.

As described above, the care receiver lying on the bed 8 simply presses the push button switch 11 by himself, and the microphone 13 and the speaker 14 of the care support device 1 allow the care receiver and the telephone 7b of the host device 2 to operate. A call state is established between the host device 2 and the host device 2, and a call with a doctor or the like is enabled. At this time, even if a person or the like other than the care receiver is talking on the telephone 7a, the call switching unit 18 instantaneously switches from the call on the telephone 7a to the call on the microphone 13 and the speaker 14, and Prioritize calls. Further, the doctor or the like on the host device 2 side can confirm the condition of the care receiver based on the image of the care receiver displayed on the display 22, and can directly talk with the care receiver using the telephone 7b as necessary.

In other words, the care receiver can operate the care support device 1 simply by pressing the push button switch 11 (one touch), and can immediately contact a doctor or the like on the external host device 2 side. Becomes That is, even when the caregiver is not attached, the care receiver can easily operate the care support device 1 to receive home care.

The care support system shown in FIG.
A plurality of care support devices 1 can be connected to one host device 2. In this case, in the plurality of care support devices 1, the image of the care receiver is first sent to the host device 2 from the care support device 1 in which the push button switch 11 is operated, so that the doctor or the like on the host device 2 side receives the image. It is possible to confirm whether or not care is required, and to respond to the care receiver who operated each care support device 1 using the telephone 7b as necessary. Further, by storing the image data in a memory or the like, it becomes possible to check the past image of the care receiver if necessary, and it is possible to perform more appropriate care based on the past symptoms.

FIG. 4 shows only the care support device 1 and the bed 8 of the care receiver, but the bed 8 occupies a considerably large space in the room. Although not shown,
Usually, in addition to the bed 8, a television device, a closet, a bookshelf, and the like are also placed, so that the main box 1a may not be arranged on the side of the bed 8. In this case, the bed 8 has the unit 1b
Is installed, and the main body box 1a is installed in another space.

Camera 12, microphone 13 and light 16
The unit 1b accommodating the unit 1 and the push button switch 11 are separate units detachable from the main box 1a, so that the unit 1 can be installed in a small room as shown in FIG.
Only the b and the push button switch 11 can be installed on the side of the care receiver, and the main box 1a can be installed at a remote place. Camera 12, microphone 13, and light 16
Bed 8 on which the care receiver lies in the unit 1b containing
It is possible to acquire the image and sound of the care receiver from the vicinity of the care receiver and to more accurately convey the condition of the care receiver to an external doctor or the like.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the unit 1b is installed at the foot of the bed 8, but the unit 1b
b may be installed on the head side of the care receiver lying on the bed 8. In this case, the microphone 13 housed in the unit 1b
Since the head of the cared person is closer to the cared person, the voice of the cared person can be easily picked up.

Alternatively, the microphone 13 can be further installed as a separate unit (not shown) from the unit 1b on the head side of the bed 8, and the camera 12 and the light 16 can be installed on the wall of the room. In this case, if the camera 12 and the light 16 are installed in a position and an orientation such that the whole body of the care receiver can be imaged from the side of the care receiver lying on the bed 8, the voice of the care receiver can be heard. Since the microphone 13 installed on the head side can efficiently transmit to a doctor or the like and can see the whole body of the care receiver, it is possible to receive better home care.

[0030]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) By causing the care receiver to operate only the switch means, the image and sound of the care receiver are transmitted to the host device side, the sound is output from the host device side, and the switch means is turned around. By being configured to notify the operation, the care receiver can receive home care by simple operation of only the switch means, even when the care receiver does not attach the caregiver.

(2) The switch means, the image input means, and the voice input means are configured as separate units detachable from the main body box and installed near the care receiver, so that the care receiver can easily operate the switch means. Thus, it is possible to acquire video and audio from near the care receiver and more accurately convey the care receiver's condition to an external doctor or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a care support system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the care support apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the care support device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a use state of the care support device illustrated in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Nursing care support apparatus 1a Main body box 1b unit 1c Wheel 2 Host apparatus 3 ISDN 4a, 4b TA 5a, 5b Digital line 6a, 6b Analog line 7a, 7b Telephone 8 Bed 11 Push button switch 12 Camera 13 Microphone 14 Speaker 15 Chime 16 Light 17 image transmission means 18 call switching means 19 control means 21 computer 22 display

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A care support device for communicating with an external host device via a communication network, comprising: switch means for instructing start of communication with the host device; and image input for imaging a care receiver. Means, voice input means for inputting voice of the care receiver, voice output means for outputting voice transmitted from the host device side, and notification means for notifying that the switch means has been operated. Image transmission means for transmitting an image captured by the image input means to the host device, call switching means for switching between a telephone call by the voice input means and a voice output means and a telephone call, and A care support device comprising a control unit for operating the image transmission unit, the call switching unit, and the notification unit. 2. The voice output means, the image transmission means, the call switching means and the control means are housed in a movable main body box, and the switch means, the image input means and the voice input means are detachable from the main body box. The care support device according to claim 1, wherein the care support device is a unit.