JP2009153685A - Operation apparatus for information system, operation unit using the same and information system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation apparatus for an information system allowing a person with physical imperfection such as trembling of fingers, deterioration of grip strength or the like to operate it according to an individual situation, and having the minimal possibility of malfunction; an operation unit using the same and an information system. <P>SOLUTION: This operation apparatus 1 is used for the information system which has the operation apparatus 1 for outputting a signal according to an operation received from an operator and an information device for emitting an information signal based on the output signal from the operation apparatus, and is provided with an elastic body 11 formed with a space in its inside, a pressure sensor 12 sensing pressure to output a signal, and a pressure transmitting substance 13 sealed in the inside space 11a of the elastic body 11 and transmitting the pressure applied to the elastic body 11 to the pressure sensor 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is used in a notification system such as a nurse call, and relates to an operating device that receives an operation of a notification request, an operation unit using the operating device, and a notification system.

  When a patient or the like needs help from a caregiver or the like in a hospital or a care facility, a notification system such as a nurse call is used. The notification system includes an operation device that receives an operation by an operator such as a patient and transmits a signal, and a notification device that emits a notification signal when a signal from the operation device is received and notifies a notification reception person such as a caregiver. Is done.

There are various types of operating devices used by patients and the like, for example, grip-push type and hand type are widely used. A grip-type operating device is disclosed in, for example, Patent Literature 1, and a hand-type operating device is disclosed in, for example, Patent Literature 2. The grip-type operation device includes a grip portion and a button portion on the main body, and the hand-type operation device further includes a microphone. Both are normally arranged around the user, and when performing a call operation, the user presses the button with his finger while holding the grip. Thereby, a signal is emitted from the operation device, a notification signal such as a notification sound is generated from the notification device that has received the signal, and notification from the operator to the notification receiver is performed.
JP 2005-80775 A JP-A-9-130490

In recent years, operation devices that can be operated by voice or expiration have been proposed. Patent Literature 3 below discloses a nurse call device that detects air vibration with a microphone and makes a call by voice or exhalation.
JP 2005-159460 A

  By the way, operators such as patients who use operation devices in hospitals and nursing homes often have various physical disabilities, such as neurological diseases, cerebral infarction, traffic injury and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( Due to various factors such as ALS, many people have trembling or paralysis of the fingers, reduced grip strength, or missing fingers or palms. In recent years, with the rapid aging of the population, there is concern about the increase in the disabled population. Strokes often seen in older people often cause serious disability such as motor paralysis. The state and degree vary depending on the person, and the tone varies depending on the day and time.

  However, the above-mentioned conventional hand-push-type or hand-type operation device can be held in a predetermined manner while checking the posture of the main body up and down and orientation regardless of the state of the operator, and An operation of pressing a predetermined portion (button) is necessary, and it is often difficult to use depending on the state of the operator. For this reason, when notification is required, notification may not be possible, and there has been a situation where response is delayed or response is not made.

  In this respect, the operating device that can be operated by air vibration such as voice and exhalation can be used even by a patient who has difficulty in using the hand. However, since this operating device detects air vibration with a microphone, there is a problem that malfunction occurs due to ambient noise. As a result, the notification receiver requires unnecessary labor, and the burden is extremely large.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an operation device for a notification system that can be operated according to the individual state even for persons with disabilities such as finger tremors and a decrease in grip strength, and has a low possibility of malfunction. Another object is to provide an operation unit and a notification system using the same.

An operation device for a notification system according to the present invention is a notification system including an operation device that outputs a signal in response to an operation received from an operator and a notification device that generates a notification signal based on an output signal from the operation device. In the operation equipment used,
An elastic body having a space formed therein, a pressure sensor that senses pressure and outputs a signal, and a pressure transmission that is sealed in the internal space of the elastic body and transmits the pressure applied to the elastic body to the pressure sensor And a substance.

  According to the present invention, when the operator deforms the elastic body by grasping or pushing the elastic body, the pressure applied to the elastic body is transmitted to the pressure sensor via the pressure transmission material, and the pressure is sensed. A signal is output. As a result, as long as the operation changes the shape of the elastic body, any part of the elastic body may be deformed from any direction, and any operation will detect pressure and output a signal. . In order to deform the elastic body, an operator's conscious operation is required, and the possibility of malfunction is low. Here, the pressure transmission substance is a substance that can freely change physically according to the applied pressure, and can transmit the transmitted force from place to place, for example, gas, liquid, gel substance, etc. Fluids and aggregates of particulate matter.

  The elastic body has a hollow spherical shape inside. Conventional gripping-type and hand-type operating devices require an operation of holding the hand in a predetermined manner while checking the top and bottom of the main body and placing the finger on the button and pressing it down. According to the present invention, since the elastic body has a spherical shape, the operator is not conscious of the direction and how to hold the operating device, and the degree of freedom of operation is increased.

  An operation unit for a notification system according to the present invention includes the operation device and a control unit that outputs a notification command signal based on a signal output from a pressure sensor of the operation device. The notification system of the present invention includes the operation unit and a notification device that generates a notification signal when a notification command signal is input from the operation unit. According to the present invention, any operation that changes the shape of the elastic body causes a notification signal to be triggered by any operation.

  According to the operation device of the notification system of the present invention, the operator can operate by deforming the elastic body by gripping or pushing it. For example, if you have gripping power but have trembling fingers, you can grip the elastic body. If you have weak gripping force, press the elastic body with your finger. If you have a missing finger, press your palm or arm. The operator can perform operations according to individual states. When using voice or exhalation, malfunction due to noise has become a problem, but according to the present invention, deformation of the elastic body requires a user's conscious operation, and malfunction may occur. Low. In particular, by making the elastic body into an internal hollow sphere, the operator can perform an operation simply by grasping or pushing without being aware of the posture or holding method of the elastic body.

  According to the operation unit and the notification system using the operation device, it is possible to realize a notification system that can perform an operation according to the individual state of the operator and has few erroneous notifications. For example, when used in hospitals or nursing homes, patients can call caregivers only when they are needed for operations that suit their conditions, satisfying the needs of patients, etc. The burden due to false notifications such as these is also reduced.

(Operating equipment for notification system)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The operation device 1 of the notification system according to the present embodiment outputs a signal according to an operation received from the operator, such as a nurse call system used in a hospital or a caregiver call system used in a care facility. In a notification system that includes an operation device and a notification device that issues a notification signal based on an output signal from the operation device, the notification device is used as an operation device that is used for the operation of one person.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the structure of the operating device 1 according to the present embodiment. The operating device 1 includes an elastic body 11, a pressure sensor 12, and a pressure transmission material 13.

  The elastic body 11 has a space 11a formed therein and is flexible enough to change its shape due to pressure applied by a human. As the material, a material capable of sealing the pressure transmission substance 13 described later in the internal space 11a is used, and examples thereof include rubber materials such as natural rubber and synthetic rubber. In this embodiment, isoprene rubber, silicon rubber or the like suitable for medical use is used. Although the shape is arbitrary, in this Embodiment, it is hollow inside and exhibits a spherical shape having a certain thickness. The size is such that a person can hold it with the palm, and the thickness is such that it can be deformed by a person's gripping force or pressing force. In this embodiment, rubber balls having a diameter of about 6 to 7 cm and a thickness of about 1 to 2 mm are used from the viewpoint of operability, but the size and thickness are appropriately adjusted according to the age, gender, grip strength, and the like. Is preferred.

  The pressure sensor 12 has a function of sensing pressure by the pressure sensing unit 12a, converting the pressure into an electrical signal, and outputting the electrical signal. The pressure sensor 12 is arranged such that the pressure sensitive part 12a is positioned in the internal space 11a of the elastic body 11, and can detect the pressure in the internal space 11a. Specifically, the pressure sensor 12 is inserted into the internal space 11a from the insertion hole 11b provided in the elastic body 11, and the gap between the pressure sensor 12 and the elastic body 11 in the insertion hole 11b is sealed with a sealing member 14 such as resin. It has been stopped. Thereby, the pressure sensor 12 is fixed to the elastic body 11, and the internal space 11a is sealed. The elastic body 11 is configured with a thickness and hardness such that the output of the pressure sensor 12 changes according to the pressure applied to the elastic body 11, and the pressure sensor 11 is elastic by detecting the pressure in the internal space 11a. The pressure applied to the body 11 can be detected. The pressure sensor may sense only the presence or absence of pressurization, but is preferably one that can measure the applied pressure.

  The type of the pressure sensor 12 is not limited, but a diaphragm type is preferable from the viewpoint of miniaturization and high-speed response. In this embodiment, a film type pressure sensor is used. As shown in FIG. 2, the film-type pressure sensor has an electrical resistance value that increases as the pressure in the internal space 11a increases due to distortion of the thin-film strain resistance 12a deposited on the polymer film 12c. It has a characteristic of decreasing, and has a function of outputting it as an electrical signal through the thin film-like wiring 12b deposited on the polymer film 12c. In addition, a device including a semiconductor sensor or a piezoelectric element may be used.

  The pressure transmitting substance 13 is sealed in the internal space 11a, and has a function of transmitting the pressure applied to the elastic body 11 to the pressure sensor, and may be any of gas, liquid, and solid. For example, air, synthesis gas, oil, aggregates of granular materials, and the like. In the present embodiment, atmospheric pressure (atmospheric pressure) air is used, which is injected from the insertion hole 11 b of the elastic body 11 into the internal space 11 a and sealed by the sealing member 14.

  When using the operating device 11, an operation for deforming the elastic body 11 is performed. In operation, for example, a person with trembling fingers may grip the elastic body 11 with the entire palm, a person with weak gripping force may press with a finger, and a person with a missing finger may have palms. Or you may make it crush with an arm. Conventional grip-type and hand-type operating devices require the user to hold the hand in a specific way while checking the posture of the main body, such as up and down, and to place the finger on the button and press it down. Yes, it was difficult to use depending on the condition of the operator. According to the operating device 1 of the present embodiment, any part of the elastic body 11 may be deformed from any direction as long as the shape of the elastic body 11 is changed. Operations can be performed according to the state. In addition, in the case of an operating device using a conventional sound sensor, there is a problem that malfunction occurs due to ambient noise. However, according to the operating device 11 of the present embodiment, the elastic body 11 is deformed. Requires the operator's conscious operation and is less likely to malfunction.

  In particular, the operability of the operating device 1 is further improved by making the elastic body 11 spherical. According to this operation device 11, since the elastic body is spherical, there is no directionality, the operator does not have to be aware of the posture and how to hold the operation device 1, and the necessary pressure regardless of how it is operated. Can be added. On the other hand, when the outer shape of the elastic body 11 is an elliptical sphere or a polyhedron, it is preferable in that rolling can be prevented during arrangement. In addition, a shape composed of a curved surface and a flat surface such as a semicircular sphere or a cylinder is preferable in that it can be stably placed with the flat surface down and the curved surface fits the palm and fingers during operation.

  In FIG. 3, when the operating device 1 is configured only by a curved surface such as a sphere or an elliptical sphere, it is preferable to include an accessory 15 for stably arranging the elastic body 11. The accessory 15 is for stably placing the elastic body 11 in a detachable state, and a recess 15b is provided in the base body 15a. The base body 15 a has a shape that spreads out from the bottom to prevent falling, and the area of the bottom part is larger than the diameter of the elastic body 11. The concave portion 15b has a shape that fits with the lower portion of the elastic body 11, and is preferably deep enough to cover half of the elastic body from the viewpoint of stability and operability. Further, a groove portion 11 c for arranging the wiring of the elastic body 11 is provided. The operating device 1 is arranged in a state where the elastic body 11 is fitted in the recess 15b. An operator or the like uses the elastic body 11 by placing it on or removing it from the accessory part 15 as necessary. Thereby, the posture of the elastic body 11 is stabilized, it is easy to grasp it with a hand, and an operation of pushing it with a finger or an arm while it is arranged becomes easy. For an operator who can perform an operation of grasping with a hand, a hook or the like that is arranged by hanging the elastic body 11 may be used.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation unit U using the operation device 1 of the above embodiment and the notification system S.

  The operation unit U includes the operation device 1 and the control means 2 of the present embodiment. The control unit 2 is connected to the operation device 1 and the notification device 3 via wireless or wired communication, and has a function of outputting a notification command signal to the notification device 3 based on a signal output from the pressure sensor of the operation device 1. Prepare.

  Below, an example of the control means 2 is shown. The control means 2 includes a measurement circuit 21, a microcomputer 22, and a relay switch 23. A signal from the operating device 1 input to the control means 2 is input to the measurement circuit 22. The measurement circuit 12 and the microcomputer 22 and the microcomputer 22 and the relay switch 23 are connected via wiring. A signal output from the relay switch 23 is input to the notification device 3.

  Specifically, when the resistance value sensed by the pressure sensor is output from the operating device 1 as a pressure signal, the resistance value is input to the measurement circuit 21. The measurement circuit 21 converts the resistance value into a voltage value and outputs the voltage value, and the output voltage value is input to the microcomputer 22. The microcomputer 22 converts the voltage value into digital pressure data. Then, the pressure data is compared with a reaction threshold value stored in a built-in memory, and when the pressure data exceeds the reaction threshold value, a switching command signal for closing the relay contact is output. The switching command signal is input to the relay switch 23, the relay switch 23 is short-circuited, and the notification command signal is output from the control means 2. When the accessory 15 for arranging the operating device 1 is provided, the control means 2 may be incorporated in the accessory 15 and integrated.

  When the notification command signal output from the control means 2 is input, the notification device 3 outputs a notification signal. Examples of the notification signal include sound, vibration, and light, and the type thereof is not limited. For example, a device that emits a notification sound from a speaker, a device that vibrates by a vibrator, a device that emits light from an LED or the like, a device that displays an operator identifier on a display screen, and the like may be selected as appropriate. .

  This notification system S is used as follows. The operation device 1 is arranged near the operator, and the notification device 3 is arranged near the notification receiver. The control means 2 may be integrated with the operation device 1 or the notification device 3 or may be configured independently. The operator operates to deform the elastic body 11 of the operating device 1 when some notification is required to others, such as a call request. The operation is detected as a pressure by the operating device 1 and the detected pressure is input to the control means 2 as a pressure signal. The control means 2 converts the pressure signal into digital pressure data, and compares the pressure data with the reaction threshold value. When the pressure data exceeds the reaction threshold, the relay switch 23 is short-circuited, a notification command signal is output, and a notification signal is output from the notification device 3. The notification receiver receives the notification signal from the notification device 3 and performs the necessary response. Since the operator can operate the operating device 1 according to his / her state, it is possible to prevent a situation where the notification is delayed or cannot be notified. The notification requires an operator's conscious operation and the possibility of erroneous notification is low, so that the notification receiver can reduce useless labor.

  The notification system S may include a reaction threshold setting unit 4 as shown in FIG. The reaction threshold setting unit 4 has a function of setting a reaction threshold in the control unit 2. In this embodiment, it is realized by a computer system including a display device, and functions as the reaction threshold setting means 4 by operating hardware such as a central processing unit and a storage device in accordance with a program stored in advance. . The reaction threshold setting means 4 is connected to the control means 2 and can send and receive data to and from the microcomputer 22. The pressure data after AD conversion is output from the microcomputer 22 almost in real time, and is input to the reaction threshold value setting means 4 and displayed on the display device.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a graphical user interface (GUI) screen 41 displayed on the display device. On the GUI screen 41, a coordinate system 41a is displayed with time on the horizontal axis and pressure on the vertical axis. When the “measurement start” button 41e is clicked, the pressure data 41b input from the microcomputer 22 is displayed in real time on the coordinates 41a. When the “end” button 41f is clicked, the real-time display of the pressure data 41b is stopped. In addition, the user interface screen 41 displays input means 41c that prompts the user to input a reaction threshold value. Specifically, it is provided as a slide button 41c that can move along the pressure axis of coordinates. As the input means 41c moves, the reaction threshold line 41d moves in the vertical axis direction on the coordinate 41a, and the reaction threshold can be set. In the message column 41g, the status of the notification system S is displayed, such as “Calling (threshold value, pressure data value)”. Other messages include “standby state, notification stop state” and the like. Further, the output of the switching command signal of the microcomputer 22 is stopped by clicking the “notification stop” button 41h, and the output stop of the switching command signal is released by clicking the “notification stop release” button 41i.

  When the reaction threshold is set, the value is output as reaction threshold data in real time, and the output reaction threshold data is input to the microcomputer 22 and stored in the memory. The microcomputer 22 makes a determination based on the newly stored reaction threshold value and outputs a switching command signal.

  This reaction threshold setting means 4 is used as follows. The operator or the like first displays the GUI screen 41 on the display device and clicks the “stop notification” button 41h. Thereby, the output of the switching command signal is stopped in the microcomputer 22, and no notification is made even if the pressure signal exceeds the reaction threshold value. Next, the operator or the like performs an operation of deforming the elastic body 11 of the operating device 1 after clicking the “measurement start” button 41 e. In the coordinate system 41a, pressure data 41b is displayed in real time as the operating device 1 is operated. Thereby, the operator or the like can confirm the relative relationship between the operation on the operating device 1 and the pressure applied to the elastic body 11. Further, the status of the notification system S is displayed in the message column 41g such as “notification stop state (threshold value, pressure data value)”.

  Next, an operator etc. performs operation which slides the input means 41c. Since the reaction threshold line 41d moves in conjunction with this operation, the operator or the like sets a reaction threshold suitable for the operator while confirming the pressure data 41b and the reaction threshold line 41d. Thereby, the reaction threshold value suitable for an operator's state can be set easily. Since the pressure data 41b is obtained as a waveform, the operator or the like can perform delicate adjustments sensuously while watching the waveform when setting the reaction threshold. Since the reaction threshold value setting means 4 is displayed as the GUI screen 41, the setting operation is easy. When the setting is completed, the operator or the like clicks the “report stop cancellation” button 41i. As a result, the stop of the switching command signal is canceled and the operation mode is set, and notification is made for subsequent operations. In the message column 41g, characters “Calling” and “Standby” are displayed according to the state. When the operator or the like clicks the “end” button 41f, the real-time display of the pressure data 41b is stopped.

  The set reaction threshold is stored as a new reaction threshold in the control means 2, and a notification signal is output based on this reaction threshold. Since the reaction threshold can be changed according to the state of the operator, the operator can notify if the elastic body 11 is deformed according to his / her state, and the notification may be delayed or not. The situation can be avoided. The notification recipient who receives the notification signal can surely respond to the notification request from the operator, and can contribute to maintaining a good relationship with the operator. Appropriate reaction thresholds reduce false notifications and reduce the labor of notification recipients.

  The operating device for the notification system of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. Transmission and reception of various signals may be wired or wireless. The operation device and the notification device do not have to be one-to-one and can be many-to-many. Further, if the operation unit for the notification system of the present invention is designed to be connectable to a general-purpose notification device, it can be combined with various notification devices, and the introduction to homes, small-scale facilities, etc. is facilitated.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the operating device for the alerting | reporting system of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the pressure sensor used for the operating device for the alerting | reporting system of the said embodiment. (A) is the side view and top view of an accessory of the operating device of the said embodiment, (b) is the figure which shows the use condition. It is explanatory drawing explaining the operation unit using the operating device for the alerting | reporting system of the said embodiment, and the alerting | reporting system using the same. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example which added the reaction threshold value setting means to the alerting | reporting system of the said embodiment. It is a figure which shows the user graphical interface screen by the reaction threshold value setting means of the said embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation apparatus, 11 Elastic body, 11a Internal space, 11b Insertion hole, 12 Pressure sensor, 12a Pressure sensing part, 12b Wiring, 12c Polymer film-like film, 13 Pressure transmission substance, 14 Sealing member, 15 Accessory, 15a Substrate, 15b recess, 15c groove, 2 control means, 21 measuring circuit, 22 microcomputer, 23 relay switch, 3 alarm device, 4 reaction threshold setting means, 41 graphical user interface screen, 41a coordinates, 41b pressure data, 41c input means , 41d reaction threshold

Claims (4)

In the operating device used in a notification system including an operating device that outputs a signal according to an operation received from an operator and a notification device that issues a notification signal based on an output signal from the operating device,
An elastic body having a space formed therein, a pressure sensor that senses pressure and outputs a signal, and a pressure transmission that is sealed in the internal space of the elastic body and transmits the pressure applied to the elastic body to the pressure sensor An operation device for a notification system comprising a substance.   The operation device for a notification system according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body has an inner hollow spherical shape.   An operation unit for a notification system, comprising: the operation device according to claim 1 or 2; and a control unit that outputs a notification command signal based on a signal output from a pressure sensor of the operation device.   A notification system comprising: the operation unit according to claim 3; and a notification device that generates a notification signal when a notification command signal output from the operation unit is input.

Images