JP2001266274A - System for supporting in-home care - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To periodically confirm the safety of a person to be cared and to also utilize the existing taxi allocation system in emergency. SOLUTION: This system has a safety confirmation notifying means 11 with which a center 10 periodically makes automatic contact with the person to be cared by a telephone call, a safety confirmation data receiving means 12 for receiving 1st data showing that the person to be cared does not need care from the person to be cared receiving the call or 2nd data showing that the person to be cared needs some care during telephone line connection, and a taxi allocating means 14 for making an empty taxi located the closest to where the person to be cared is hurry to where the person to be cared is when the center receives the 2nd data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a home care support system, and more particularly, to a system capable of periodically confirming the safety of a cared person and promptly receiving care support in an emergency.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, various systems have been proposed for supporting a cared person such as an elderly person living alone. When an emergency occurs, the system is automatically notified to a management center or a hospital. Various proposals have also been made for the emergency automatic notification system.

For example, according to the system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-63398, a sensor for detecting an illegal intruder from a window or entrance of a cared person's house, a gas leak for detecting a gas leak in a kitchen or a bathroom. Various sensors such as sensors and fire alarms are installed, and these sensors
When an emergency such as a gas leak or a fire is detected, the care recipient is notified of the emergency by a buzzer or the like, and is automatically notified to a management center through a telephone line.

In the system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-148122, a cared person carries a pedometer (registered trademark) provided with an emergency switch for transmitting an emergency signal by an emergency operation. When an emergency signal is sent, the safety and emergency situation of the cared person can be grasped concretely in combination with the pedometer data and other sensor detection data to provide detailed services. We are considering to be able to do it.

[0005]

However, in any of the above systems, it is premised that various sensors are installed in the home of the care-receiver, which requires a considerable cost. .

[0006] Also, in general, the most worrisome of care-takers such as elderly people who live alone is illness, especially sudden onset, but the former system cannot cope with this. In the latter system, the care receiver can send an emergency signal to the management center by operating the emergency switch by himself, but not only has the inconvenience of always wearing a pedometer, but also the sudden It is often difficult to expect spontaneous action (actually pressing an emergency switch) by a cared person in an emergency such as an onset of illness.
In many cases, a long time elapses without the management center being informed of the emergency that occurred to the cared person.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and periodically checks the safety of a cared person. When the safety is not confirmed or when an emergency is presumed to occur. The purpose is to be able to provide prompt care support services.

In order to achieve this object, the present invention employs a system configuration in cooperation with existing taxi (including so-called hire) companies. If the safety of the cared person is unknown or it is presumed that an emergency has occurred, the Center will contact an empty taxi near the cared person's home and send the nearest empty car taxi contacted to the cared person's home. Express. Thereafter, if necessary, the cared person can be transported to a hospital by a taxi, or a taxi driver can call an ambulance by calling 119. By using a taxi-linked system in this way, existing infrastructure can be used effectively, eliminating the need for new infrastructure construction and maintenance costs, and the system can be operated and operated at low cost. Becomes

In other words, the home care support system according to the present invention comprises a safety confirmation reporting means for automatically making a telephone call to the caretaker's daily routine from the center on a regular basis, and a telephone call using the safety confirmation reporting means. Any of a plurality of data including the first data indicating that the care recipient does not particularly require nursing care at that time and the second data indicating that the care recipient requires some kind of nursing care Confirmation data receiving means provided in the center to receive the data while the telephone line is connected, and the first or second data received by the center by the safety confirmation data receiving means is stored together with the date and time for each care receiver. Memory means provided at the center for performing the operation, and when the center receives the second data, the nearest empty car location of the care receiver is located. It is characterized by being configured the sea have a taxi dispatch means for rush to location of the human subject.

[0010] In this home care support system, the safety confirmation notifying means is a safety asking whether the cared person needs any special care, or whether the cared person needs some kind of care. Preferably, the confirmation message is transmitted to the care receiver via a telephone line. Thereby, the care receiver receives the first data indicating that no special care is required at that time or the second data indicating that some care is required according to the safety confirmation message to the center. It becomes easy to send.

[0011] The safety confirmation notifying means may automatically contact the cared person once or more times a day at regular intervals.

According to a preferred embodiment of the home care support system, if the care receiver receiving the notification means does not need any special care at that time, the first number key (for example, the first key) on the telephone is used. ), The first data is automatically transmitted to the center, and if there is any need for nursing care, a second number key different from the first number key (for example, the third key) is pressed. Then, the second data is automatically transmitted to the center. In this way, the cared person can notify the center of his / her safety confirmation without uttering a word, and is relieved of trouble. Further, even in a situation where words cannot be spoken, it is possible to inform the center of the need for nursing care and request for nursing care, which is a very useful embodiment.

[0013] When the care receiver who has received the notification means desires to have a conversation positively, a third key different from any of the first and second keys is pressed, and the third key is pressed. When the safety confirmation data receiving means receives the notification, the system may be configured so that the telephone line is automatically transferred to the operator to enable a conversation between the care receiver and the operator.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an embodiment of a home care support system according to the present invention. The service provided by this system is provided from the center to the care receivers registered as members.

As shown in FIG. 1, the center 10 includes a safety confirmation notifying means 11, a safety confirmation data receiving means 12, a memory means 13, and a taxi dispatch means 14. The safety confirmation notification means 11 automatically makes a telephone call to the home 15 of the member who is the cared person at regular times and transmits a safety confirmation message to the member. The center 10 has a database for storing the telephone numbers and addresses of each member house.

[0016] The safety confirmation message may be, for example, after the telephone line is connected, "This is the service center of the home care support system. If you feel fine, number 1; Please press. "

When the member receives a call from the center 10, the member picks up the handset, listens to the safety confirmation message as described above, and presses the first key of the telephone if the patient is in a healthy state that does not require nursing care. If you are unwell and need some kind of care, press the No. 3 key on your phone.

Thus, in the former case, data indicating that the member is fine, and in the latter case, data indicating that the member is requesting nursing care, is automatically notified to the center 10.

When the safety confirmation data is received by the safety confirmation data receiving means 12 of the center 10, the center 10 analyzes the received data and then, for each member, a calendar / clock (not shown) provided in the center 10. ) Is stored in the memory means 13 together with data indicating the date and time of reception (or transmission of the safety confirmation message). Specifically, the analysis of the received data is performed by detecting the wavelength of the received push button electronic sound and determining whether the key of the telephone pressed by the member is the first key or the third key. It can be carried out. After the analysis of the received data is completed, the telephone line connected with the member is disconnected to terminate the communication.

As a result of analyzing the received data, if the data indicates that nursing care is required (that is, when the number 3 on the telephone is pressed), the center 10 is controlled by the taxi dispatching means 14 to notify the member 10 Call an empty taxi 16, 16,... Traveling near the home via radio or the like, and make a taxi responsive to the call express to the member's house. Since the home address of each member is registered in the center 10 in advance as described above, the home of the member requesting nursing care can be immediately known, or further, a map can be displayed on a display, and the member can be displayed wirelessly. The driver of the empty taxi 16 that has called can be informed of his home location.

Alternatively, if data can be transmitted from the center 10 to the in-vehicle navigation receiver mounted on each taxi 16 through the telephone line, the taxi 16 which is rushed to the home of the member requesting care is provided. The location data for specifying the home location may be transmitted from the center 10 to the in-vehicle navigation receiver of the taxi 16 to display the home location on the display of the taxi.

The driver of the taxi 16 who has rushed to the member's house 15 can change the condition of the member depending on the condition (medical condition) encountered by the member.
If necessary, the member can be transported to the hospital in his own taxi. As described above, since the home addresses of the members are registered in the center 10 in advance, the nearest emergency hospitals are listed in a priority order for each registered member, or the most urgent hospitals among the specific contracted hospitals are listed. By searching for a nearby hospital, you can use an express taxi to bring you to the nearest emergency hospital without a time lag. Of course, in some cases the taxi driver is 119
You may call and call an ambulance.

The embodiment described above is merely an example of the home care support system according to the present invention, and various other embodiments can be adopted. For example, the member receiving the safety confirmation message is described as pressing the No. 1 key of the telephone when he is in good health and pressing the No. 3 key when he is in need of nursing care. However, these numbers are arbitrary. However, it is preferable to select two numbers that are as easy to remember as possible and that are located at a certain distance from each other so as not to make a mistake in pressing and assigning the numbers to the safety confirmation data. Also, keys “*” and “#” other than numbers may be assigned to operation keys.

Also, in addition to silently notifying that the user is in good health or requiring nursing care, if the member wants to actively talk, another key (for example, the 9th key) should be pressed. When this key is pressed, the information may be automatically transferred from the safety confirmation data receiving means 12 of the center 10 to an operator resident at an arbitrary location so that conversation can be performed. At this time, the conversation between the member and the operator may be automatically recorded. Even with such a configuration, members are not required to take an active action of calling a specific place, but ask for a conversation in response to incoming calls automatically at a fixed time. Therefore, it is considered that the burden on elderly people living alone is also small.

It is preferable that the center 10 be prepared so as to be able to cope with a case where a member makes a spontaneous telephone call. By providing the number display function, the telephone number of the member who made the call is displayed. By comparing this with the database provided in the center 10, the member's home address can be immediately known. Therefore, if necessary, it is possible to take measures such as urging the nearest taxi in the same manner as described above.

The confirmation of safety at regular time does not necessarily mean that the confirmation is performed at a specific time every day. The confirmation may be performed at a specific time on a specific day of the week, or a plurality of regular safety confirmations may be performed every day. Is also good.

[0027] Even if the safety confirmation interval is shortened, the condition of the member may change suddenly during that time. In this system, a change in condition can be automatically reported to the center by a simple action such as picking up the handset in response to the regular safety confirmation from the center and pressing a specific number, and there is no need to speak. In most cases, it can be considered that the above system configuration is sufficient.

However, assuming that the condition has deteriorated so that even such a simple action cannot be taken, a response to the regular safety confirmation call by the safety confirmation notification means 11 is made within a predetermined time. When no call is received (the handset is not picked up), redial after a predetermined time,
This is repeated a predetermined number of times as necessary, and if there is still no response, it is determined that an emergency has occurred to the patient, and the taxi dispatching means 14 is used to dispatch the nearest taxi to the member's house. Is also good.

FIG. 2 shows a processing flow performed by the center 10 when the present system is configured in consideration of the above.

First, in step S1, the center 10 refers to a built-in calendar and a clock to check whether or not a fixed time set to perform safety confirmation has been reached. When the scheduled time is reached (S1: Yes), the telephone number of the member's house is automatically dialed via the safety confirmation reporting means 11 to report the safety (step S2).

On the other hand, the member picks up the receiver and confirms that the telephone line is connected (step S3: Y).
es) At step S4, in response to the safety confirmation message, the member confirms whether or not the member has operated any telephone key. When the receipt of any push button electronic sound is detected by the safety confirmation data receiving means 12 (S4: Y
es) The key operated by the member is determined in steps S5 to S7 by analyzing the wavelength of the push button electronic sound.

When the key (No. 1 key) indicating that the member is fine is operated (S5: Yes), it is determined that care for the member is not required at this time, and the result of this determination is stored in the data of the current date and time. At the same time, it is stored in the ID address area of this member in the memory means 13 (step S
8) The telephone line is disconnected (step S9), and the process ends.

When the key (No. 3 key) indicating the care request from the member is operated (S6: Yes), the nearest taxi is wirelessly communicated through the taxi dispatching means 14 as described above (step S10). Have the taxi driver rush to the member's house to take appropriate measures according to the member's condition. Also in this case, the care request data is stored in the ID address area of this member in the memory means 13 together with the data of the current date and time (S8), the telephone line with the member is disconnected (S9), and the process is terminated. I do.

When the key (No. 9 key) indicating the conversation request from the member is operated (S7: Yes), the line is transferred to the operator as described above (step S11), and the member is encouraged to talk. In this case, if necessary, the operator recognizes the nursing level based on the content of the conversation, and performs processing in accordance with the level (for example, when it is determined that nursing is necessary, as in the case of FIG. The nearest taxi can be rushed to the member's house through the taxi dispatching means, and the taxi driver can take appropriate measures according to the condition of the member). Data on the certified care level, conversation content (recording content), and subsequent measures are the same as above.
It is preferable that the data is stored in the memory unit 13 together with the current date and time data.

When a key other than the preset keys is operated (S5, S6, S7: No), no key operation is performed even if a predetermined time has elapsed after the member picked up the handset. Is not detected (S4: N
In o), since the care level of this member cannot be recognized, the telephone line is disconnected and the process is terminated (step S9). However, the process may be repeated if necessary and the process from S2 onward may be repeated. Good.

The telephone call (S
When the predetermined time has elapsed without the member picking up the handset in 2) (S3: No), the telephone line is disconnected once and then redialed (step S12). On the other hand, when the member picks up the receiver and connects the telephone line (S13: Yes), the operation keys are determined in S5 to S7 after confirming the presence or absence of the key operation in S4 as described above. When a predetermined time has elapsed without the member picking up the receiver for the safety confirmation by redial (S13: No), it is presumed that a serious situation may have occurred in this member, and a taxi is assumed. Vehicle allocation means 14
To make the nearest taxi rush to the member's house (S1
0), and the fact is stored in the memory means 13 (S
8). Although redialing is performed once in the flow of FIG. 2, it goes without saying that redialing may be repeated a predetermined number of times after a predetermined time has elapsed.

Although the home care support system according to the present invention has been described with reference to several embodiments, as will be understood from the above description, the greatest advantage of the present invention system is that an existing taxi dispatch system is used. The point is that quick support can be provided in an emergency by using the network effectively.

In a practical mode of operation of the present invention, the center is set up in an existing taxi company or its affiliates. At present, the safety confirmation notification means, the safety confirmation data receiving means, the memory means, and the related means and functions can be constructed within the scope of general-purpose technology using a computer. As long as the members are fine, the cost required by the center to operate this system is the communication cost for confirming the safety of each member on time, and the maintenance and operation of the computer system that performs the above-mentioned actions. It is just a cost to be paid by all members. Therefore, the basic fee charged to each member can be relatively low.

The operation performed by the taxi dispatching means when the data requiring nursing care is received is basically the operation already performed by the existing taxi company, and can be directly incorporated into the present system without any change. it can. In other words, for the system operation side (taxi company), taxis that are being vacated are used for home care support, so it is necessary to secure a large number of new potential taxi users in the current dispatch system. In other words, significant business benefits can be expected. The member only has to pay the taxi fare (the fee for picking up the car at home, traveling to the hospital, etc.) in addition to the basic fare when requesting nursing care.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, a home care support system can be provided at a low cost by using an existing taxi dispatch system without requiring a large cost of infrastructure development. Has the merit that it can be operated, maintained, and operated.

Further, according to the system of the present invention, the cared person waits for a telephone call automatically received at a fixed time from the center every day, and in response to the call, he or she is in a good condition by a simple operation. Since the center can be notified without having to speak in words, the system can be operated with a great sense of security and no hassle for the cared person.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing flow on the center side in a home care support system obtained by slightly modifying FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Center 11 Safety confirmation reporting means 12 Safety confirmation data receiving means 13 Memory means 14 Taxi dispatching means 15 Member (cared person) home 16 Taxi

Continued on front page F-term (reference)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A safety confirmation reporting means for automatically making a telephone call to a caretaker's daily location from a center on a regular basis, and a care recipient receiving a telephone call from the safety confirmation reporting means. Any of a plurality of data including the first data indicating that the caregiver does not particularly require care at that time and the second data indicating that some care is required is received during the connection to the telephone line. Safety confirmation data receiving means provided in the center, and a first or second safety reception data received by the center by the safety confirmation data receiving means.
Memory means provided in the center for storing and storing the data of each care receiver together with the date and time thereof, and when the second data is received by the center, an empty cab nearest to the location of the care receiver is determined by the center. A home care support system, comprising: a taxi dispatch means for making an express to a caregiver's location. The safety confirmation notifying means transmits a safety confirmation message asking whether the cared person needs any special care or the cared person needs some kind of care. 2. The home care support system according to claim 1, wherein the system is transmitted to a care receiver through a web browser. 3. The home care support system according to claim 1, wherein the safety confirmation notification means is for automatically making a telephone call to the cared person once or a plurality of times at a regular time every day. system. 4. If the care receiver receiving the notification means does not need any special care at that time, the first data is automatically transmitted to the center when the first number key on the telephone is pressed. The second data is automatically transmitted to the center when a second number key different from the first number key is pressed in a situation requiring some kind of care. 4. The home care support system according to any one of 1 to 3. 5. When the care receiver receiving the notification means actively desires a conversation, a third key different from any of the first and second keys is pressed, and the third key is pressed. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the safety confirmation data receiving means receives the confirmation, the telephone line is automatically transferred to the operator to enable a conversation between the care receiver and the operator. Home care support system according to any of the above.