JP2003248880A - Device for detecting human body abnormality in bathroom - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for detecting human body abnormality in a bathroom, which can precisely judge that abnormality actually occurs to a user in the bathroom without letting the user in the bathroom feel himself (herself) monitored. <P>SOLUTION: In this device, which is equipped with a means for receiving a signal sent into the bathroom and reflected on the user and detecting the movement of the user according to the received signal, the abnormality is detected from the movement of the user, and its operation state is changed over according to a signal from a place limiting means of discriminating which of the bathtub and washing place in the bathroom the user is in. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bathroom human body abnormality device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as means for detecting a human body abnormality in a bathroom, a CCD camera is attached to a ceiling or a wall of a bathroom, and the image thereof is processed by software to detect a person's movement, and based on the movement There is a system that determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the human body.

[0003]

However, the CCD
When a camera is installed, it acts like a surveillance camera, which causes a problem such as invasion of the privacy of an individual, and when the image is processed to detect the movement of a person, the performance is deteriorated due to the fogging of the lens. Therefore, it is also proposed to detect the movement of the user based on the reflected wave that the transmission signal directed to the bathroom reflects to the user and judge the abnormality of the user. It is not possible to cope with various movements, and if the movement is simply stopped and the abnormality judgment is made directly, the user relaxing in the bathtub will make excessive judgments, and conversely, If it is decided not to make an abnormality judgment even if there is no movement, there is a concern that the abnormality judgment will be delayed if the person is actually lying down in the bathroom washroom. The present invention is to solve such a problem, without giving a feeling that the user in the bathroom is being monitored, and with high accuracy that the user in the bathroom actually has an abnormality. It is an object of the present invention to provide a human body abnormality detecting device in a bathroom that can make a judgment.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems and Actions / Effects The invention according to claim 1 made in order to solve the above problems,
A bathroom human body abnormality detection that detects the abnormality by the movement of the user by receiving the reflected wave that the transmission signal directed to the bathroom reflects to the user and detecting the movement of the user based on the received signal In the apparatus, the bathroom human body abnormality detecting device is characterized in that its operating state is switched based on a signal from a place limiting means for distinguishing whether the user is in the bathtub or in the washroom. According to the present invention, an abnormality in the bathtub may cause immediate drowning, but in the case of a washing room, there is almost no possibility of drowning, and appropriate notification according to each case is possible, so it is appropriate to respond to the abnormality. It is possible to make a judgment.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the place limiting means can detect the user in the bathtub based on a signal from a water level sensor for detecting the water level in the bathtub. To do. According to the present invention, when the user soaks in the bathtub, there is a difference between the water level before the bathing and the water level in the bathtub. By using the water level sensor, the user can now distinguish between the bathtub and the washing area.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the bathroom human body anomaly detection device includes means for transmitting a microwave, means for receiving a reflected wave of the microwave transmitted by the transmitting means, and the reception. Characterized in that the difference between the frequency of the signal received by the means and the frequency of the signal transmitted by the transmitting means is obtained, and the movement of the user is detected by the signal according to the difference to determine the abnormality of the user. To do. According to the present invention, since the microwave sensor has a property of penetrating the ceiling or the wall of the bathroom, highly reliable detection can be performed without installing the sensor in a bad environment of the bathroom.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the bathroom human body abnormality detecting device detects an abnormality, the cycle for notifying the user of a predetermined operation is changed based on a signal from the place limiting means. It is characterized by According to the present invention, there is some probability of false detection even when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred. In order to eliminate the probability as much as possible, it is necessary to confirm by voice whether it is abnormal. In that case, an appropriate judgment can be made by changing the calling cycle according to the degree of danger. For example, drowning in a bathtub is an accident that can occur in a short time. On the other hand, there is no fear of drowning in the washroom. In other words, in both cases, if there is an abnormality in the bathtub, it is likely to be too late to call for safety.
Therefore, for the abnormality in the bathtub, if the calling cycle is shortened, it is possible to determine the abnormality of the user in the bathtub early, and prevent the worst accident of drowning.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the bathroom human body abnormality detecting device changes the timing for judging the abnormality of the user based on the signal from the place limiting means. According to the present invention, since the behavior patterns are different in the bathtub and the washroom, if an abnormality is judged at the same timing, false detection (judgment that it is abnormal even though it is not abnormal) increases and reliability is deteriorated. Therefore, erroneous detections are reduced by changing the timing for determining abnormality depending on the location.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the bathroom human body abnormality detecting device detects an abnormality, the content of notification to the outside is switched based on a signal from the place limiting means. According to the present invention, for example, when an abnormality is detected in the bathtub, an ambulance or a security company is notified, and a lifesaving activity equipped with a rescue method assuming a case of drowning is carried out. In addition, if an abnormality occurs in the washing place, it is sufficient to carry out a rescue operation assuming an injury or some kind of attack, and it is possible to shorten the time spent for rescue preparation.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the bathroom human body abnormality detecting device detects an abnormality, when it is determined that the user is in the bathtub based on the signal from the place limiting means, the bathtub It is characterized by activating a life-saving device provided inside the. According to the present invention, after the abnormality is detected, the life saving rate is improved because it is possible to assist the rescue until the notification and the rescue.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the life-saving device is an airbag installed on the bottom surface of the bathtub, and after detecting an abnormality, the airbag is inflated and the bottom surface is instantaneously raised. To do. According to the present invention, when an abnormality is detected when there is a person in the bathtub, it is possible to instantly rescue the person from the water by inflating the airbag installed at the bottom of the bottom of the bathtub, resulting in drowning. More likely to prevent.

The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the bathroom human body detection and detection device is activated when the lighting of the bathroom is turned on. According to the present invention, basically, bathing is often at night, and even when it is not so, the bath is unitized and lighting at the time of bathing is general. Therefore, if the system is linked to the lighting in the bathroom, it is possible to prevent malfunctions when not in use, and it is also possible to detect that the user has left the room and turn it off.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view of the bathroom of the present invention seen from a slightly diagonal surface, FIG. 2 is an example in which a water level sensor and an airbag are installed in a bathtub, and FIG. 3 is an example in which a human body detection sensor is installed in the ceiling. . The space in the bathroom 10 is divided into a bathtub 14 and a washing space 20. Water level sensor 2
Is detecting the water level in the bathtub water. In this embodiment, a semiconductor water pressure type water level sensor is used. Water level sensor 2 is bath 1
It also works in conjunction with the water supply system for No. 4 and can measure the current amount of hot water as well as the amount of hot water added.

The present embodiment also uses the microwave sensor 1 as a human body detection sensor, and the detection area is the entire bathroom 10. The microwave sensor 1 has a degree of freedom in directivity setting and is designed to cover the entire bathroom 10.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the present system is interlocked with the bathroom lights 12 and 13, so that the mode is switched to the detection mode when the lights are turned on when entering or leaving the bathroom 10.

The general bathing pattern is to lightly pour hot water in the washing area or wash the body, and then enter the bathtub 14. Bathtub 1
The water level immediately before entering 4 is detected by the water level sensor 2 (e
1), also monitor the water level when person 4 enters bathtub 14
(e2). Since e2-e1 is the weight of the person 3, there is a deviation between e1 and e2, and it is determined that there is a person in the bathtub 14.

Here, the criteria for judging abnormality will be described. First,
The normal standard is that when the person 4 is in the bathtub 14, the water level changes by adding water. In addition, the water level changes by drawing hot water out of the bathtub 14. When adding water, the water level rise is quantitative and regular. Also, when drawing hot water, there is no particular problem because the water level decreases. Therefore, it is not judged as abnormal. In the case of an abnormality, the assumed case is that the whole body may be submerged if the water level rises rapidly. In that case, when the microwave sensor 1 detects a vigorous movement of the person 4, it can be determined that the person 4 is drowning in the bathtub 14. However, in consideration of pranks and erroneous detections, after confirming the safety several times, a final decision is made based on the results. Person 4 with microwave sensor 1 even if the water level does not rise
If you can't detect the movement of (the sensor waveform shows almost no change), you may be asleep or faint. Sleeping alone is not very dangerous, but there is a risk of unknowingly sinking into the bathtub 14. Therefore, also in this case, it is determined to be abnormal. This time as well, taking pranks and false positives into consideration, we will confirm the safety several times and then make a final decision based on the results. The abnormality in the washing place is irrelevant to the change in the water level in the bathtub 14, and when the microwave sensor 1 cannot detect the movement of the person 4, it may be fainted and is therefore determined to be abnormal. In this case as well, taking pranks and erroneous detections into consideration, after confirming the safety several times, a final decision is made based on the result.

How to deal with the above-mentioned abnormality will be described with reference to the flow of FIG. First, this system uses the lighting 1 in the bathroom 10.
Since it is interlocked with 2 and 13, it is checked whether or not the illuminations 12 and 13 are turned on (S51). If the lights 12 and 13 are turned on, or if they are turned on, the water level sensor 2 measures the current water level in the bathtub 14. (S52) If the amount of hot water is still increasing during hot water filling, the amount is also measured (S53). At that time, the movement of the person 4 is detected by the microwave sensor 1, and the detection sequence for each place is started. When a person enters the bathtub 14 (the water level rapidly increases), the sequence in the bathtub 14 (S5
In step 4), otherwise enter the washing sequence (S55). The reason why the sequence is changed in the bathtub 14 and the washroom 20 is that the risk of abnormality of the human body is different.

Here, the sequence in the bathtub 14 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. If the person 4 is in the bathtub 14, that is, if the microwave sensor 1 detects the movement of the person 4 while bathing in the bathtub (S6).
1) There is nothing to do. However, if the movement of the person 4 cannot be detected, a safety counter (this is a timer provided to confirm the safety of the user) is set for 1 second and measurement is started (S62, S63). If the bather does not move, he / she may not be treated immediately because he may be relaxing. If there is no movement for 1 second, make a call saying "What's wrong?""Are you okay?" This is executed by voice from the speaker 21 with a microphone in FIG. (S64) If the movement does not change continuously for 5 seconds or if there is no reply by voice, the airbag 3 installed on the bottom surface of the bathtub 14 is inflated to forcibly push the person above the water surface to prevent drowning. (S65). At the same time, it reports to the outside (S66). Notifications to the outside are made by issuing a large alarm or message to notify people outside the bathroom for the time being. In addition, since there are cases where a person lives alone or takes a bath when he / she is absent, it is possible to contract with a security company, subscribe to an emergency call system, etc., and make a call using a dedicated line or telephone line.

A general air bag is installed on the front or side of a seat of an automobile to protect a driver or a passenger from a severe impact such as a collision. The principle is that when a shock is detected, it immediately expands and absorbs the shock applied to a person. The airbag is installed on the bottom surface of the bathtub 14 by utilizing a structure that instantly inflates, thereby preventing the person 4 from being submerged in water. In addition, the outside may be notified by a telephone line or a leased line with a security company.

Next, the abnormality detection sequence in the washing place will be described (FIG. 7). This is also the same as the sequence in the bathtub 14 in FIG. 6, and if the movement can be detected by the microwave sensor 1, nothing is done (S71). However, if you cannot detect the movement of people, the safety counter (as described above)
This time, set for 5 seconds and start measurement (S72, S7
3). The reason for changing the set time of the safety counter between the case of being in the bathtub 14 and the case of being in the washroom is whether or not the bather is in a drowning state which immediately leads to a fatal accident, even if the bather is in an abnormal state. In this case, the safety counter is set to 5 seconds because there is no fear of drowning even if the bather does not move. Further, as in the case where the user is in the bathtub 14, no action is taken immediately even if an abnormality is detected, because there is a possibility that the user may be looking at the mirror 19 or shaving. If there is no movement for 5 seconds, make a call saying "What's wrong?""Are you okay?" This is executed by voice from the speaker with microphone 21 of FIG. 1 (S74). If there is no change in movement for 25 consecutive seconds or if there is no response by voice, an external notification is made (S75). It is more effective to gradually increase the voice called from the speaker 21 with the microphone. The notification to the outside is similar to the above-mentioned abnormality in the bathtub, and is performed by issuing a large alarm or message to notify the person outside the bathroom for the time being. In addition, since there are cases where a person lives alone or takes a bath when he / she is absent, it is possible to contract with a security company, subscribe to an emergency call system, etc., and make a call using a dedicated line or telephone line.

The waveform of the microwave sensor 1 for detecting the above-mentioned abnormality is shown in FIG. FIG. 8A shows a waveform received by the normal microwave sensor 1, and it can be seen that the person 4 is moving although it is not regular. FIG. 8B also shows a waveform when there is no particular abnormality, but the reception waveform of the microwave sensor 1 for a period of time becomes zero. In this case, for example, if it is in the bathtub 14, it is assumed that the user is relaxing, so after a lapse of 1 second, a call is made to "What happened?" After the call, the movement could be detected, so it is judged that there is no abnormality.
(There is no problem even if you answer "OK" by voice) Figure 8 (c)
Shows the waveform at the time of 8 (b), but since the reply and the movement cannot be detected even if the call is repeated 5 times, it is a waveform at the time of abnormality. FIG. 8D shows a waveform when drowning in the bathtub 14. It is judged as abnormal by observing large disturbances and periods that are clearly different from the waveforms of the state up to now.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a layout view of a bathroom ceiling from a slightly oblique direction.

FIG. 2 is a diagram in which a water level sensor and an airbag are installed in a bathtub.

FIG. 3 is a diagram in which a microwave sensor is installed on the ceiling of a bathroom.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the present system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for detecting abnormality.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of abnormality detection in the bathtub.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of abnormality detection in a washing place.

FIG. 8: Waveform of microwave sensor 1 for detecting abnormality

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Microwave sensor, 2 ... Water level sensor, 3 ... Airbag, 4 ... People, 10 ... Bathroom, 11 ... Door, 12/13 lighting ... Door, 14 ... Bathtub, 15.16 ... Handrail, 17 ... Hot water mixing Stopper, 18 ... Shower, 19 ... Mirror, 20 ... Washing area, 2
1 ... Speaker with microphone

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Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A means for receiving a reflected wave in which a transmission signal directed to a bathroom is reflected by a user, and detecting a movement of the user based on the received signal, the abnormality is detected by the movement of the user. In the bathroom human body abnormality detecting device, the bathroom human body abnormality detecting device switches its operating state based on a signal from a place limiting means that distinguishes whether the user is in the bathtub or in the washroom. Human body abnormality detection device. 2. The location limiting means can detect the user in the bathtub based on a signal from a water level sensor that detects the water level in the bathtub.
The bathroom human body abnormality detection device according to the item. 3. The bathroom human body anomaly detection device includes means for transmitting a microwave, means for receiving a reflected wave of the microwave transmitted by the transmitting means, and frequency of a signal received by the receiving means. 2. The difference between the frequency of the signal transmitted by the transmitting means and the difference, and the signal according to the difference is used to detect the movement of the user to judge the abnormality of the user. Bathroom human abnormality detection device. 4. When the bathroom human body abnormality detecting device detects an abnormality, the cycle for notifying the user of a predetermined operation is changed based on a signal from the place limiting means. Item 1. A bathroom human body abnormality detection device according to any one of items 1 to 3. 5. The human body abnormality detecting device for a bathroom changes a timing for judging an abnormality of a user based on a signal from the place limiting means, according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The human body abnormality detection device for a bathroom according to 1 above. 6. The content of notification to the outside is switched based on a signal from the location limiting means when the bathroom human body abnormality detecting device detects an abnormality.
Item 5. The bathroom human body abnormality detecting device according to any one of items 3 to 3. 7. When the bathroom human body abnormality detecting device detects an abnormality, and when it is determined that the user is in the bathtub based on the signal from the place limiting means, the lifesaving device provided in the bathtub is used. The human body abnormality detection device for a bathroom according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is activated. 8. The life-saving device is an airbag installed on the bottom surface of the bathtub, and the airbag is inflated after the abnormality is detected, and the bottom surface is instantaneously raised. Bathroom human abnormality detection device. 9. The bathroom human body detection detecting device is activated when a bathroom lighting is turned on.
Item 8. A bathroom human body abnormality detection device according to any one of items 8 to 8.