JP2003281661A - Emergency reporting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an emergency reporting system dispensing with the direct power source management of a reporting button device or master machine by a user or its family and reduced in the cost necessary for management. <P>SOLUTION: The reporting button device transmits, in the capacity shutoff or capacity restoration of a power source part consisting of a built-in battery power source, power source information showing it to the master machine 3 by a wireless signal. The master machine 3 transmits, in the service interruption or restoration of a commercial power source AC supplied as operating power source to the master machine 3 or the capacity shutoff or restoration of a backup battery power source, the power source information therefor and, when receiving the power source information from the reporting button device, the power source information concerned to a management server 1 by a code signal consisting of a PB signal string through a public telephone network 2a. The management server 1 determines the content of the power source information from the received code signal string, generates an e-mail responding to the content, and transmits the generated e-mail to the mail address of the family corresponding to the user of the master machine 3 and the reporting button device 5 to report the state of power source. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an emergency call system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional emergency call system, for example, a pendant type report button device carried by a user (for example, an elderly person who lives alone) and an operation button of the report button device are operated to transmit a radio wave or the like from the report button device. When a button operation signal transmitted by a wireless signal is received, a master unit having a function of notifying the center device 4 provided on the emergency call center side of the emergency occurrence through the public telephone network, and a user home sent through the public telephone network From the center device having a means for receiving and processing the emergency call from the operator and a telephone means for the operator to make a call with the user. And can give a sense of security to the family living separately from the old man.

Information indicating the battery power status of the notification button device and the power supply status of the master unit is sent to the emergency call center side on a regular basis or in response to a request from the emergency call center side. Also, when it is determined that a power failure has occurred, such as when the battery power has run out, a person is dispatched as necessary.

[0004]

However, in the above emergency call system, since the person is dispatched from the emergency call center side, there is a problem that the user pays a high cost to the emergency call center side. Also, when the user goes out on a trip or the like and takes out the report button device at that time, if the emergency call center side checks the power status, it is judged that the battery power has run out because there is no information returned. There was also a case where a person was dispatched.

In such an emergency call system intervening by an emergency call center, the cost burden on the user becomes large. Therefore, a base unit to be installed in the home of an old man, a report button device carried by the old man, a family and relatives of the old man. There is a demand for a system constructed with a telephone terminal which is set in advance as a report destination, such as a mobile telephone owned by the company or a fixed telephone such as a family home.

[0006] On the other hand, in such a system, it is necessary for the old person who is the user or the family to directly monitor the battery power of the notification button device and the power supply state of the parent machine, which is a heavy burden. It is also difficult for the family and relatives who live far away from the old man's home to manage it directly.

On the other hand, a management center specializing in maintenance is established, and the power status is checked on the management center side.
If there is a case where it is judged that the power supply is abnormal such as running out of battery capacity, a system that directly dispatches people to the elderly's home, as in the case of an emergency call center, does not lead to cost reduction. In addition, even when an old man who is a user carries out a report button device while traveling, the management center cannot grasp such a situation, so that there is a problem that a person is dispatched.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a notification button device and a power source for a base unit in an emergency notification system capable of making an emergency call directly to a family member without going through an emergency call center. The purpose is to provide an emergency call system that does not require direct management by users or their families, and that the cost required for management is low.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a portable type and is a battery-powered notification that transmits a button operation signal as a wireless signal when an operation button is operated in an emergency. A button device and means for receiving a button operation signal from the notification button device and telephone terminal means connected to the public telephone network are provided, and are registered in advance when the button operation signal from the notification button device is received. In an emergency call system consisting of a base unit that makes a call to an existing telephone number and establishes a communication path for an emergency call with the telephone terminal corresponding to that telephone number, in the emergency button system, the state of battery power supply to the report button device Equipped with a battery power source monitoring means for monitoring the power source and transmitting the power source information to the master unit by a wireless signal, and a power source monitoring means for monitoring the commercial power source supplied as the operating power source to the master unit and outputting the power source information. Along with this, there is provided means for transmitting the power source information of the power source monitoring means and the power source information transmitted from the notification button device to the management server having the telephone terminal function connected to the public telephone network through the telephone terminal means, and the management is performed. A mail generating means for generating an electronic mail based on the contents of the received power supply information to the server, and the generated electronic mail are transmitted to the mail address registered in association with the user of the master unit and the notification button device. And a communication means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the power source information from the notification button device is information indicating that the battery power source monitoring means has run out of battery power and the capacity has been restored after the battery has run out. Is characterized by.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the master unit is equipped with a backup battery power source that secures at least operation during a power failure, and the power source information output by the power source monitoring means is included in the power source information. Is characterized in that it also includes information indicating that the backup battery power source has run out of capacity and that capacity has been restored.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the power source information transmitted from the master unit to the management server of the management center is composed of a code signal consisting of a PB signal string, It is characterized in that the e-mail having a text corresponding to the content of the code signal is generated by the mail generation means.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to one embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a conceptual configuration of the emergency call system of the present invention. The basic configuration of the emergency call system is as follows.
The system is composed of an emergency call device installed in a user's home B of a person who is a user of the system and has a contract with a management center A, which will be described later, or an elderly person related to the person, and a telephone terminal 4 owned by the family.

The emergency call device on the side of the user's house B is connected to the telephone terminal 4 such as a mobile telephone or a fixed telephone owned by the family or relatives of the elderly through the public telephone network 2a (and the mobile communication network 2b). The master unit 3 and the notification button device 5 of, for example, a pendant type carried by the user.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the base unit 3 has a telephone line interface (hereinafter referred to as a telephone line IF) 3 which is a telephone terminal means connected to the public telephone network 2a.
0, an operation / display unit 31, a memory 32 for registering data such as a telephone number of a report destination, a call circuit 33 constituting a hands-free call means, a microphone MIC and a speaker SP.
And a radio receiving unit 34 and an antenna 35 for receiving a wireless signal that carries a radio wave transmitted from the report button device 5.
A CPU section 36 for controlling each part and performing signal processing; a power source section 37 for producing a DC power supply supplied from the commercial power supply AC to each part in the master unit 3; and an operation of the master unit 3 even when the commercial power supply AC fails. The backup battery power source BT for temporarily securing the backup battery power source BT and the battery power source BT are monitored for capacity exhaustion and capacity recovery, and the commercial power supply AC to be supplied to the power source unit 37 has a power failure /
The telephone line IF is provided with a power supply monitoring unit 38 for monitoring power recovery.
It is also possible to connect a telephone 6 attached to the.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the report button device 5 has
There is an operation unit 50 including operation buttons, a wireless transmission unit 51 and an antenna 52 for transmitting a button operation signal as a wireless signal including radio waves, and a button operation output of the operation unit 50 when the operation unit 50 is pressed. A CPU 53 that controls the wireless transmission unit 51 to transmit a button operation signal of a predetermined format and performs signal processing, and a memory 54 that stores setting data such as an identification code of the notification button device 5. And report button device 5
A power supply unit 55 consisting of a battery power supply for supplying power to each unit inside
And a battery power supply monitoring unit 56 for monitoring the capacity exhaustion and capacity recovery until just before the capacity of the power supply 55 cannot be guaranteed.

On the other hand, the control center A has a public telephone network 2a.
Through the telephone terminal unit 10 including a CTI board connected to the base unit 3 of each user's house B through, and an e-mail is sent based on the information on the power supply state, which will be described later, received from the base unit 3 side through the telephone terminal unit 10. A computer section 11 for executing a mailer for constructing a mail generating means for generating;
Under the management of the mailer, there is provided the management server 1 composed of a personal computer having a communication unit 12 as a communication means for transmitting the generated electronic mail to the mail address previously associated with the user through the Internet 2c. .

Next, the operation of the emergency call system of this embodiment will be described based on the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG.

Now, when an old man, who is now a user, presses the operation button of the notification button device 5 he carries, the wireless transmission part 51 of the notification button device 5 controls the button operation signal and the identification under the control of the CPU part 53. The code is transmitted as an emergency call signal.
When this emergency call signal is received by base unit 3, C of base unit 3
The PU unit 36 reads the telephone number of the telephone terminal 4 which is registered in the memory 32 and which is owned by the family as the report destination and is, for example, a mobile telephone, and the telephone line IF is supplied to the telephone number.
Call from 30. A call signal is sent to the called telephone number through the public telephone network 2a and the mobile communication network 2b, and the telephone terminal 4 that receives the call signal
When there is an incoming call response from, the communication path is established between the base unit 3 and the telephone terminal 4.

As a result, through the telephone terminal 4, the family makes a call to the old man who is the user, for example, "What happened?" Through the hands-free call means of the base unit 3.

Here, if the old man, who is the user, is within the communication range of the base unit 3 and is ready to answer the call, the old man and the family can have a dialogue and the old man can "help". A family member can know that an emergency has occurred by appealing such as. Depending on the condition, the family can arrange for an ambulance and rush to the user's house.

When the telephone conversation with the telephone terminal 4 is on-hook after the urgent dialogue is finished, the call is terminated and the communication path with the base unit 3 is cut off.

As described above, the emergency call is made directly from the old user, who is the user, to the family without intervention of the emergency call center.

On the other hand, the power management of the base unit 3 and the notification button device 5 in the normal state is performed as follows.

For example, when the power supply monitoring unit 38 of the base unit 3 detects a power failure of the commercial power supply AC, the CPU unit 36 of the base unit 3 responds to this detection and the telephone number of the management center A registered in the memory 32. Is read out and a call is made through the telephone line IF30.

By this calling, a calling signal is sent to the telephone terminal unit 10 of the management server 1 of the management center A through the public telephone network 2a, and when there is an incoming call response from the telephone terminal unit 10, the communication path is established. It will be. The operation of the parent device 3 at the time of this power failure is operated by the backup battery power source BT, and the CPU section 36 performs a code signal (PB signal string consisting of a PB signal string indicating a power failure of the commercial power source AC supplied to the parent device 3 in addition to the calling process. For example, 010001 #) for telephone line IF3
The telephone line IF 30 is controlled so as to transmit from 0.

This code signal is used for the communication path and the telephone terminal unit 1
The CPU unit 11 of the management server 1 that has received through 0 confirms that a code signal has been received (for example, 06
#) Is transmitted to base unit 3 via the communication path.

At the same time, in the management server 1, the telephone terminal unit 10 performs the call termination process under the control of the CPU unit 11, and in response to this, the call termination process is also performed on the base unit 3 side. It

Next, the CPU section 11 of the management server 1 decodes the received code signal and generates an electronic mail corresponding to the content.

Here, the code signal is "010001 #".
In the case of, for example, the user corresponding to the base unit 3 that has generated the e-mail with the message "The power failure or the power outlet has been unplugged. Please check." The e-mail address of, for example, the user's family registered corresponding to is read from a database (not shown), and the generated e-mail is transmitted to the Internet 2c through the communication unit 152 to this e-mail address.

If the mobile phone has a mail address set therein (for example, the above-mentioned telephone terminal 4), it is sent to the mail server on the side of the mobile communication network 2b through the Internet 2c, and then sent through the mobile communication network 2b. The mobile phone will be notified of the incoming call.

The owner of the mobile phone who knows this incoming call is
Check the contents of the e-mail by receiving the e-mail. Then, processing such as visiting the user's house B is performed according to the confirmed content.

Of course, when the address is a mail address given by an Internet connection service provider, the mailer of the personal computer who regularly connects to the Internet 2c or the mailer of the personal computer which is always connected to the Internet 2c can receive the mail regularly. The e-mail can be confirmed by detecting an incoming call.

In the above description, the commercial power supply AC supplied to the base unit 3 is in the power failure state. However, the power supply monitoring section 38 detects that the power failure is restored, and the PB signal string indicating the power supply information. When a code signal (for example, 010002 #) consisting of is transmitted from the base unit 3 to the management server 1, the management server 1
Performs the above process, decodes the code signal, generates an e-mail corresponding to it (for example, the text "I confirmed power recovery"), and sends this e-mail to the specified e-mail address. Send it via the Internet 2c to notify the family of the power recovery.

When the monitoring power supply unit 38 of the parent device 3 detects that the backup battery power supply BT has run out of capacity due to deterioration or the like, the PB goes through the same process as described above.
A code signal (for example, 02001 #) composed of a signal string is transmitted from master device 3 to management server 1. In response to this, the management server 1 performs the same processing as described above to generate a corresponding e-mail (for example, the message "The battery of the base unit 3 has run out. Please check.") A mail is sent to a predetermined mail address via the Internet 2c. At this time, it is assumed that the commercial power supply AC is normally supplied.

The family receiving this e-mail visits the user's house B and replaces the backup battery power source BT of the base unit 3. When the power supply monitoring unit 38 detects that the capacity of the battery power source BT has been restored by this replacement, the master unit 3 performs the same process as described above and outputs a code signal (for example, 02002 #) including the PB signal string to the master unit. 3 to the management server 1. In response to this, the management server 1 performs the same processing as described above to generate a corresponding e-mail (for example, a message "confirmed that the battery power is restored.") Is generated, and this e-mail is a predetermined mail. It is sent to the address via the Internet 2c to inform the family that the capacity of the power source BT has been restored.

Further, the battery power supply monitoring unit 56 of the notification button device 5 detects the capacity of the power supply unit 55, which is a battery power supply, or the capacity restoration after the battery replacement, and the detected contents are sent to the master unit 1 as the power supply information. When transmitted, the same processing as the above case is performed based on these pieces of information. That is, when the power supply unit 55 runs out of capacity, a code signal (for example, 030001 #) including a PB signal sequence corresponding to the power supply unit 55 is transmitted to the management server 1.

Management server 1 receiving this code signal
Goes through the same process as above and creates an e-mail (for example, the message "The battery of the notification button device 5 has run out. Please confirm.") And sends this e-mail to the specified e-mail address. Send through the Internet 2c.

The family receiving this e-mail instructs the user's house B to visit or exchange the user, and the battery power source constituting the power source section 55 of the notification button device 5 is exchanged, and the capacity of the battery power source is restored. When the power source information indicating that is transmitted from the notification button device 5 to the parent device 3, the parent device 3 performs the same process as described above and sends a code signal (for example, 03002 #) including the corresponding PB signal sequence to the parent device 3. From the machine 3 to the management server 1. In response to this, the management server 1 goes through the same processing as described above and executes the corresponding e-mail (for example,
The message "I have confirmed that the battery power has been restored.") Is generated, and this e-mail is sent to the specified mail address via the Internet 2c, and the power supply BT is sent.
Notify family that capacity has been restored.

The notification level of the battery power of the notification button device 5 is set to a level at which the minimum capacity for ensuring the operation can be ensured, and the notification operation of the above power supply information is guaranteed.

In this way, the power status of the base unit 3 and the report button device 5 can be notified to the user's family by e-mail through the management center A as a relay. It can be determined that the user is traveling and is therefore turning off the power. In addition, when the traveling user carries out the report button device 5, since the master device 3 does not report the battery capacity exhaustion from the report button device 5, the management server 1 does not send unnecessary e-mail. .

In this way, it is possible to judge whether or not the family needs to visit the user's house B from the contents of the electronic mail, so that there is no waste of time and the battery power supply can be reliably exchanged. Maintenance can also be performed by the family or the user himself / herself upon receiving instructions from the family. Therefore, the cost paid by the management center A is lower than that when using the emergency call center.

The management server 1 side of the management center A may periodically access the master unit 3 to transfer the power source information collected by the master unit 3, and this regular transfer process will be described above. It may be used together with the process of transmitting the power supply information from the base unit 3 side to the management server 1 when such an event occurs.

[0045]

The invention of claim 1 is a portable type, which is a battery-powered notification button device for transmitting a button operation signal by a wireless signal when an operation button is operated in an emergency, and a button operation signal from the notification button device. And a telephone terminal means connected to the public telephone network, and when a button operation signal from the notification button device is received, the telephone number registered in advance is called and Since it is an emergency call system consisting of a base unit that establishes a communication path for emergency calls with the telephone terminal corresponding to the number, for example, a child who is separated by an elderly person such as a parent without going through the emergency call center It is possible to make an emergency call to the family of the above, and further, the report button device is equipped with a battery power monitoring means for monitoring the power status of the battery and transmitting the power information to the master unit by a wireless signal. The power supply monitoring means for monitoring the commercial power supply supplied and outputting the power supply information is provided, and the power supply information of the power supply monitoring means and the power supply information transmitted from the notification button device are supplied to the public telephone network through the telephone terminal means. And a mail generating means for generating an electronic mail based on the content of the received power supply information in the management server.
Since the generated e-mail is provided with a communication means for transmitting to the mail address corresponding to, for example, the family of the user of the master unit and the notification button device, the power status of the master unit and the notification button device can be changed by family members and old people. There is no need to manage directly, and when the battery power runs out or a power failure occurs, the family can know it by email sent from the management server. When the old man or his family does not need to directly monitor the power status, and the user's family can know the status of the user, or when it is determined that the battery power needs to be replaced, Since it is only necessary to visit the user's house or inform the user of the family, there is no need to waste time, and the cost required for power management is also the usage fee of the management server. Because it requires, there is an effect that low cost requires.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the power source information from the notification button device is information indicating that the battery power source monitoring means has run out of capacity of the battery power source and capacity recovery after the capacity has been exhausted. Thus, there is an effect that it is possible to confirm that the battery is operating normally after the replacement, without missing the time to replace the battery power.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the master unit is provided with a backup battery power source that secures at least operation during a power failure, and the power source information output by the power source monitoring means is included in the power source information. Contains information indicating that the backup battery power has run out of capacity and that capacity has been restored.
There is an effect that it is possible to confirm that the backup battery power source of the parent device is being replaced, and that it is operating normally after the replacement.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the power source information transmitted from the master unit to the management server of the management center is composed of a code signal composed of a PB signal string, Since the management server generates the e-mail having the text corresponding to the content of the code signal, the power supply information can be easily transmitted to the management server through the public telephone network.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an emergency call system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a circuit configuration diagram of a master unit used in the same as above. (B) is a circuit block diagram of the report button device used in the above.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation sequence of each unit of the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

A management center B user's house 1 management server 10 Telephone terminal 11 CPU section 12 Communication unit 2a Public telephone network 2b Mobile communication network 2c internet 3 base unit 4 telephone terminals 5 Notification button device

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Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A portable type equipped with a battery-powered notification button device for transmitting a button operation signal as a wireless signal when an operation button is operated in an emergency, and means for receiving a button operation signal from the notification button device. When a button operation signal from a notification button device is received, a telephone terminal that is connected to a public telephone network is called, and a telephone terminal that corresponds to the telephone number that corresponds to the telephone number registered in advance is called. In an emergency call system that consists of a base unit that establishes a communication path for emergency calls between two devices, a battery power supply monitor that allows the notification button device to monitor the status of the battery power and send the power information to the base unit by wireless signal Means for monitoring the commercial power supplied to the master unit as an operating power and outputting the power information, and the power information of the power monitoring means and the information transmitted from the notification button device. A means for transmitting the incoming power source information to the management server having a telephone terminal function connected to the public telephone network through the telephone terminal means is provided, and the management server generates an electronic mail based on the content of the received power source information. An emergency notification system comprising: a mail generating unit that performs the above-described mail generation; and a communication unit that transmits the generated electronic mail to a mail address registered in association with the user of the master unit and the notification button device. 2. The emergency notification system according to claim 1, wherein the power supply information from the notification button device is information indicating that the battery power supply monitoring means has exhausted the capacity of the battery power supply and has recovered the capacity after the capacity has been exhausted. . 3. The master unit is provided with a backup battery power source that secures at least operation during a power failure, and the power source information output from the power source monitoring means indicates that the backup battery power source has run out and its capacity has been restored. The emergency notification system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it also includes information to be shown. 4. The power source information transmitted from the master unit to the management server of the management center is composed of a code signal composed of a PB signal string, and the electronic mail having a text corresponding to the content of the code signal is generated as the mail. The emergency call system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the emergency call system is generated by means.