JP2010136768A - Sensor control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sensor control system capable of achieving the reduction of the power consumption of a sensor. <P>SOLUTION: The sensor control system 1 includes a detection section 12 for detecting a detected target and the sensor 10 operated by the power of a power supply 17. The sensor 10 can detect the detected target according to at least two measuring modes including a main measuring mode and an energy saving measuring mode more reduced in power consumption than the main measuring mode. Further, this system 1 is constituted so that the detected target is detected according to the energy saving measuring mode by the detection section 12 of the sensor 10 when the detection of the detected target by the detection section 12 of the sensor 10 is started and detected according to the main measuring mode by the detection section 12 of the sensor 10 in a case that the detection result in the energy saving measuring mode detected by the detection section 12 of the sensor 10 satisfies a predetermined condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor control system and a sensor control method for controlling various sensors such as a human biological information measurement sensor and a bed presence detection sensor on a bed.

  An apparatus disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-74012 is known as an apparatus for measuring or detecting the biological information and the presence of a subject (such as a sick person, a cared person, an infant, and a healthy person) on a bed portion of a bed. (See Patent Document 1). This apparatus is configured to measure apnea condition information as biological information of a subject based on a detection result obtained by detecting a movement of a fluid sealed in a mat of a bed bed portion by a sensor. In addition, as this type of device, there is also a device that measures or detects the biological information and the occupancy status of the subject based on the detection result detected by the panel-type sensor disposed below the subject on the bed sleeping portion. It is known (for example, see Patent Documents 2 to 7).

In general, such a device starts measurement (detection) with the sensor operating power ON when the subject enters the floor, and starts measurement (detection) with the sensor power OFF when the subject leaves the floor. Used to end).
JP-A-2005-74012 JP 2008-178738 A JP 2008-099957 A JP 2008-099747 A JP 2008-069779 A JP 2007-175148 A JP 2006-043445 A

  However, according to the conventional apparatus, when the operation power of the sensor is turned on and the subject does not immediately enter the floor and is left for a long time, measurement by the sensor is performed even though the subject has not entered the floor. For this reason, there is a drawback that wasteful power is consumed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described technical background, and an object thereof is to provide a sensor control system and a sensor control method capable of reducing the power consumption of the sensor.

  The present invention provides the following means.

[1] A sensor that includes a detection unit that detects a detection target and operates with the power of the power source,
The sensor can detect a detection target in at least two measurement modes including a main measurement mode and an energy saving measurement mode in which power consumption is less than the main measurement mode.
When detection of the detection target by the detection unit of the sensor is started, the detection target is detected by the detection unit of the sensor in the energy saving measurement mode, and the detection result in the energy saving measurement mode detected by the detection unit of the sensor is When a predetermined condition is satisfied, a detection target is detected by a detection unit of the sensor in the main measurement mode.

  [2] The case where the predetermined condition is satisfied is a case where the detection value as the detection result in the energy saving measurement mode detected by the detection unit of the sensor continues for a predetermined time or more and is a predetermined threshold or more. 2. The sensor control system according to item 1 above.

[3] The sensor is provided with a plurality of detection units,
3. The sensor control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the energy saving measurement mode detects a detection target only by a part of the plurality of detection units.

[4] In the main measurement mode, a detection target is detected at a predetermined detection cycle,
4. The sensor control system according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein the energy saving measurement mode detects a detection target with a detection cycle longer than a detection cycle of the main measurement mode.

[5] A controller separate from the sensor for controlling the sensor is provided,
5. The sensor control system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a wireless communication unit that transmits a detection result detected by the detection unit to the controller.

[6] The sensor is disposed on the lower side of the person on the bed part,
6. The sensor control system according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the detection target is a load from a person or a value corresponding to the load.

  [7] The sensor control system according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein there are a plurality of sensors.

  [8] The sensor control system according to [7], wherein the energy saving measurement mode detects a detection target by a detection unit of only a part of the plurality of sensors.

[9] A controller separate from each sensor for controlling the plurality of sensors at once is provided.
9. The sensor control system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each of the sensors includes a wireless communication unit that transmits a detection result detected by the detection unit to the controller.

[10] The plurality of sensors include a head sensor disposed below the head as a human test site on the bed, and a chest sensor disposed below the chest as a human test site. And an abdominal sensor disposed on the lower side of the abdomen as a human test site,
10. The sensor control system according to any one of items 7 to 9, wherein the detection target is a load from a human test site or a value corresponding to the load.

  [11] The sensor control system according to any one of items 1 to 10, wherein the sensor includes a battery as the power source.

[12] A sensor that includes a detection unit that detects a detection target and that operates with the power of the power source,
The sensor uses a sensor control system capable of detecting a detection target in at least two measurement modes including a main measurement mode and an energy saving measurement mode in which power consumption is less than the main measurement mode.
When detection of the detection target by the detection unit of the sensor is started, the detection target is detected by the detection unit of the sensor in the energy saving measurement mode, and the detection result in the energy saving measurement mode detected by the detection unit of the sensor is When a predetermined condition is satisfied, a detection target is detected by the detection unit of the sensor in the main measurement mode.

[13] The sensor is disposed on the lower side of the person on the bed,
13. The sensor control method according to item 12, wherein the detection target is a load from a person or a value corresponding to the load.

[14] The sensor is plural,
The plurality of sensors includes a head sensor disposed below the head as a human test site on the bed, a chest sensor disposed below the chest as a human test site, An abdominal sensor disposed on the lower side of the abdomen as a test site,
13. The sensor control method according to item 12, wherein the detection target is a load from a human test site or a value corresponding to the load.

  The present invention has the following effects.

  In the invention of [1], the sensor can detect a detection target in at least two measurement modes including a main measurement mode and an energy saving measurement mode in which power consumption is less than that in the main measurement mode. When the sensor control system starts detection of the detection target by the sensor detection unit, the sensor control system detects the detection target by the sensor detection unit in the energy saving measurement mode, and detects in the energy saving measurement mode detected by the sensor detection unit. When the result satisfies a predetermined condition, the detection target is detected in the main measurement mode. Therefore, when the sensor power supply is turned on and the sensor is not used for a long time, the sensor measurement is performed in the energy-saving measurement mode with low power consumption. Can do. On the other hand, when the detection result in the energy saving measurement mode detected by the sensor detection unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the detection target is detected by the sensor detection unit in the main measurement mode, so that normal measurement by the sensor is performed. Can do.

  In the invention [2], the sensor measurement mode can be reliably shifted from the energy saving measurement mode to the main measurement mode.

  In the invention of [3], since the sensor is provided with a plurality of detection units, the detection target can be reliably detected. Furthermore, since the energy-saving measurement mode detects the detection target only by a part of the plurality of detection units, the power consumption of the sensor can be reliably reduced.

  In the invention of [4], since the energy saving measurement mode detects the detection target with a detection cycle longer than the detection cycle of the main measurement mode, the power consumption of the sensor can be surely reduced.

  In the invention of [5], since the sensor includes a wireless communication unit that transmits a detection value detected by the detection unit to the controller, the sensor can wirelessly communicate with the controller. Therefore, a communication cable for connecting the sensor and the controller can be omitted.

  In the invention of [6], the sensor is disposed on the lower side of the person on the bed and the detection target is a load from the person or a value corresponding to the load. The power consumption of the sensor that measures or detects the biological information and the presence of a person can be reduced.

  In the invention of [7], since the number of sensors is plural, the detection target can be reliably detected.

  In the invention of [8], since the energy saving measurement mode is to detect the detection target by the detection unit of only a part of the plurality of sensors, the power consumption of the sensor can be surely reduced.

  In the invention of [9], the sensor control system includes a controller that collectively controls a plurality of sensors, so that the operation of the plurality of sensors can be centrally managed by the controller. Further, since each sensor includes a wireless communication unit that transmits a detection value detected by the detection unit to the controller, each sensor can wirelessly communicate with the controller. Therefore, a communication cable that connects each sensor and the controller can be omitted.

  In the invention of [10], the plurality of sensors include a head sensor, a chest sensor, and an abdominal sensor, and the detection target is a load from a human test site or a value corresponding to the load. It is possible to accurately measure or detect the biological information and the presence of the person in the room. Further, the power consumption of such a plurality of sensors can be reduced.

  In the invention of [11], since the sensor is equipped with a battery as a power source, the sensor can be used without connecting a power feeding cable to the sensor. Of course, since the power consumption of the sensor is reduced, battery consumption can be suppressed.

  The inventions [12] to [14] have the same effects as the sensor control system according to the present invention.

  Next, several embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a sensor control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system 1 is used in a biological information measuring device 2 that measures biological information of a person H (subject) on a bed 31 of a bed 30 as a bed. This biological information measuring device 2 is used in medical facilities (eg, hospitals), nursing care facilities, accommodation facilities (eg, hotels), general homes, etc. It measures respiratory information, pulse information, body movement information (sleeping frequency information), etc. while sleeping. Examples of the person H include sick persons, care recipients, infants, healthy persons, and guests.

  This system 1 is a system for controlling a biological information measuring panel sensor 10 provided in the biological information measuring apparatus 2 and includes a plurality of sensors 10 and a single controller 20.

  The number of sensors 10 is 1 to 6, for example, and is 3 in this embodiment. The three sensors 10 are a head sensor 10A disposed below the head (test site) of the person H on the bed bed 31 and a chest disposed below the chest (test site) of the person H. The sensor 10 </ b> B and the abdominal sensor 10 </ b> C disposed below the abdomen (test site) of the person H are included. These sensors 10 have the same configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 3C, each sensor 10 includes a band plate-shaped strain generating plate 11, one or a plurality of detection units 12, and a control box 13. The number of detection units 12 of each sensor 10 is 1 to 20, for example, and is 4 in this embodiment.

  The strain generating plate 11 is formed of a plate material that can be elastically bent by a load (weight) from a test site (that is, the head, chest, and abdomen) of the person H. For example, aluminum (alloy thereof) It is made of metal or plastic.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the strain plate 11 extends in the left-right direction of the bed bed portion 31 (that is, the width direction of the bed bed portion 31) below the test site of the person H on the bed bed portion 31. It is laid and arranged horizontally. More specifically, it is arranged horizontally between the bed bed portion 31 and the person H's test site. The strain generating plate 11 arranged in this way is slightly elastically bent by the load (weight) from the test site of the person H, and thereby the strain generating plate 11 is distorted. The magnitude of this distortion, that is, the amount of distortion, varies temporally depending on the breathing motion and body movement of the person H.

  As shown in FIG. 2, at least one of the front surface and the back surface of the strain plate 11 has four detection units 12 mounted in a fixed state at intervals in the left-right direction of the bed bed 31. Each detection part 12 is mutually the same structure.

  The detection unit 12 has a strain gauge (not shown) attached to at least one of the front and back surfaces of the strain generating plate 11, and more specifically, a plurality of (eg, four) strain gauges. Is provided with a bridge circuit (Wheatstone bridge circuit), and the amount of strain (and variation in the amount of strain) generated in the detection portion mounting portion of the strain plate 11 due to the load from the test portion of the person H is predetermined. This is detected at the detection cycle. Based on the amount of distortion, the load applied to the detection unit mounting portion of the strain plate 11 is calculated by the verification unit 14 described later. Therefore, in this embodiment, the amount of distortion (and fluctuation of the amount of distortion) as the detection value (detection result) detected by the detection unit 12 is a value (detection target) corresponding to the load from the test site of the person H. Thus, the load applied to the detection portion mounting portion of the strain generating plate 11 calculated based on this strain amount (and the variation in load) becomes the load (detection target) from the test portion of the person H.

  In addition, the detection cycle of each detection unit 12 of each sensor 10 is set within a range of, for example, 5 to 1000 ms, and in this embodiment, the detection cycle is 200 ms. This detection cycle is a detection cycle in this measurement mode, that is, a normal detection cycle.

  In the present invention, the strain plate 11 may be covered with a flexible cover (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the control box 13 of each sensor 10 is integrally attached to one end of the strain generating plate 11 in the left-right direction. Each control box 13 includes a calculation unit 14, a storage unit 15, a wireless communication unit 16, a battery 17 as an operation power source for the sensor 10, and the like. Further, the control box 13 is provided with a measurement preparation switch 19a for the sensor 11, a preparation confirmation lamp 19b, and the like.

  The computing unit 14 computes a load (further variation in load) based on the amount of distortion (and variation in distortion amount) detected by each detection unit 12. Further, as will be described later, a predetermined time and a predetermined threshold value are stored and set in the calculation unit 14 as predetermined conditions. The calculation unit 14 performs a predetermined determination or a predetermined value based on the predetermined time and the predetermined threshold value. Performs computation. The computing unit 14 is composed of a computer having a timer (not shown), a CPU (not shown), and the like.

  The storage unit 15 stores detection values (that is, distortion amounts and loads) detected by the detection units 12.

  The wireless communication unit 16 periodically transmits the detection value detected by each detection unit 12 to the controller 20 wirelessly. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 16 performs wireless communication with the controller 20 in both directions.

  The battery 17 supplies power for operation to each of the detection units 12, the calculation unit 14, the storage unit 15, the wireless communication unit 16, the measurement preparation switch 19a, the preparation confirmation lamp 19b, and the like. 18 is replaceably disposed. As the battery 17, a dry battery (eg, single to single 5 dry battery), a secondary battery (eg, storage battery, rechargeable battery) or the like is used.

  The measurement preparation switch 19a is configured to start preparation for measurement of the sensor 10 by turning it on.

  The preparation confirmation lamp 19b is configured to blink when the measurement preparation of the sensor 10 is started, and to be lit when the sensor 10 starts measurement in the main measurement mode. The lamp 19b is composed of, for example, an LED lamp.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the controller 20 is separate from the three sensors 10, and remotely controls the three sensors 10 at once. The controller 20 includes a wireless communication unit 21, a display unit 22, a storage unit 23, an operation unit 24, a detachable power supply cable 25 (see FIG. 1), and the like.

  The wireless communication unit 21 receives a detection value transmitted from each sensor 10 via the wireless communication unit 16, and further receives a control signal of the controller 20 from the controller 20 via the wireless communication unit 21. It is transmitted to the sensor 10 wirelessly. That is, in the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 21 performs wireless communication with each sensor 10 in both directions.

  The display unit 22 displays the operation status (eg, measurement status, error status) of each sensor 10, and includes a liquid crystal display panel, an organic EL display panel, and the like.

  The memory | storage part 23 memorize | stores other data including the detected value transmitted from each sensor 10, and has SD (including SDHC) memory card.

  The operation unit 24 operates the controller 20, and includes a measurement start switch 24a, a measurement end switch 24b, a display changeover switch 24c, and the like.

  The measurement start switch 24a is a push button type switch that starts measurement of the three sensors 10 at once.

  The measurement end switch 24b is a push button switch that ends the measurement of the three sensors 10 at once.

  The display changeover switch 24c is a push button switch that switches the display on the display unit 22 to a predetermined display.

  The power supply cable 25 (see FIG. 1) supplies power for operation of the controller 20 from an external power source to the controller 20, and has an AC adapter.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, each sensor 10 is configured to be able to detect a detection target in two measurement modes: a main measurement mode in which power consumption is large, and an energy saving measurement mode in which power consumption is less than that in the main measurement mode. .

  In addition, when the sensor control system 1 of the present embodiment starts detection of the detection target by the detection unit 12 of the sensor 10, the detection target is detected by the detection unit 12 of the sensor 10 in the energy saving measurement mode. When the detected value in the energy-saving measurement mode detected by 12 continues for a predetermined time or longer and is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, the detection target is detected by the detection unit 12 of the sensor 10 in the main measurement mode. . The predetermined time and the predetermined threshold are stored and set in advance in the calculation unit 14 of each sensor 10 as described above. Then, the calculation unit 14 determines whether to detect (measure) the detection target in the energy saving measurement mode or to detect (measure) in the main measurement mode based on the predetermined time and the predetermined threshold, and according to the determination result. The sensor 10 is operated. The predetermined time is preferably set within a range of 0.5 to 10 minutes, for example. The predetermined threshold value is variously set according to the detection target, but when the detection target is a load applied to the detection unit mounting portion of the sensor 10, for example, the predetermined threshold value is, for example, 4.9 to 490N. It is desirable to set it within the range (that is, 0.5 to 50 kgf).

  In the energy saving measurement mode, a detection target is detected only by a part of the four detection units 12 in any one of the three sensors 10. In the present embodiment, the energy-saving measurement mode detects the detection target by only one detection unit 12 arranged closest to the middle portion in the left-right direction of the bed bed 31 among the four detection units 12 in the chest sensor 10B. To do. Thereby, the power consumption of the sensor 10 is reduced.

  In this measurement mode, the detection target is detected by all of the four detection units 12 in each of the three sensors 10. Therefore, in this measurement mode, power consumption is higher than in the energy saving measurement mode, but the detection target can be detected (measured) with high accuracy.

  Next, operation | movement of the sensor control system 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated below.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart in the first embodiment showing the operation of the system 1.

  In this flowchart, in step S1, the measurement preparation switch 19a of each sensor 10 is turned ON. Thereby, preparation for measurement of each sensor 10 is started, and each sensor 10 enters a measurement standby state, and the preparation confirmation lamp 19b blinks (step S2).

  In step S3, the measurement start switch 24a of the controller 20 is turned on. As a result, the characters “Preparing for measurement” and the corresponding symbols are displayed on the display unit 22 of the controller 20 (step S4). Further, a command signal is wirelessly transmitted from the controller to each sensor 10 so as to start measurement in the energy saving measurement mode. And each sensor 10 which received this command signal starts a measurement in energy-saving measurement mode (step S5).

  In step S6, the timer of the calculation unit 14 of the chest sensor 10B among the three sensors 10 is reset.

  In step S7, the detection target (distortion amount or load) is detected by only one detection unit 12 arranged closest to the middle portion in the left-right direction of the bed bed 31 among the four detection units 12 in the chest sensor 10B. To do. The detection period is 200 ms.

  In step S <b> 8, the calculation unit 14 determines whether or not the detection value by the one detection unit 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. If the detected value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value (in the case of “YES”), the process proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, if the detected value is less than the predetermined threshold value (in the case of “NO”), the process returns to step S6.

  In step S9, the timer is counted up.

  In step S10, the calculation unit 14 determines whether or not the timer count has passed a predetermined time. If the timer count has passed the predetermined time (in the case of “YES”), the process proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, if the count of the timer has not passed the predetermined time (in the case of “NO”), the process returns to step S7.

  In step S11, the measurement in the main measurement mode by the three sensors 10 is started, the preparation confirmation lamp 19b of each sensor 10 is turned on, and the characters “under measurement” and the characters “under measurement” are displayed on the display unit 22 of the controller 20. Corresponding symbols are displayed (step S12).

  In step S <b> 13, the detection target is detected by all of the four detection units 12 in each of the three sensors 10. The detection cycle is 200 ms (step S14).

  In step S15, it is determined by a calculation unit (not shown) of the controller 20 whether or not the measurement end switch 24b of the controller 20 is ON. If the measurement end switch 24b is ON (in the case of “YES”), a measurement end command signal is wirelessly transmitted from the controller 20 to each sensor 10, and the measurement of each sensor 10 ends. On the other hand, if the measurement end switch 24b is not ON ("NO"), the process returns to step S13.

  In the present invention, the measurement of each sensor 10 may be automatically terminated when the timer counts for a predetermined time, for example, 10 hours.

  Thus, the sensor control system 1 operating according to the flowchart of the first embodiment has the following advantages.

  The sensor 10 can detect a detection target in two measurement modes including a main measurement mode and an energy saving measurement mode in which power consumption is less than that in the main measurement mode. When the sensor control system 1 starts detection of the detection target by the detection unit 12 of the sensor 10 (more specifically, immediately after the start), the detection unit 12 of the sensor 10 detects the detection target in the energy saving measurement mode. When a detection value as a detection result in the energy saving measurement mode detected by the detection unit 12 of the sensor 10 satisfies a predetermined condition, the detection target is detected in the main measurement mode. Here, in this embodiment, the case where the predetermined condition is satisfied means that the detection value as the detection result in the energy saving measurement mode detected by the detection unit 12 of the sensor 10 continues for a predetermined time or more and is a predetermined threshold value or more. This is the case. Therefore, the measurement mode of the sensor 10 can be reliably transferred from the energy saving measurement mode to the main measurement mode.

  Further, when the operation power of the sensor 10 is turned on and the state is left for a long time without using the sensor 10, the measurement by the sensor 10 is performed in the energy saving measurement mode with low power consumption. Reduction can be achieved. On the other hand, when the detection value in the energy saving measurement mode detected by the detection unit 12 of the sensor 10 continues for a predetermined time or more and is a predetermined threshold or more, the detection target is detected by the detection unit 12 of the sensor 10 in the main measurement mode. Therefore, normal measurement by the sensor 10 can be performed.

  Furthermore, since the number of detection units 12 of each sensor 10 is four, the detection target can be reliably detected. Furthermore, since the energy-saving measurement mode detects the detection target by only one of the four detection units 12, the power consumption of the sensor 10 can be reliably reduced.

  Furthermore, since the sensor control system 1 includes the controller 20 that collectively controls the three sensors 10, the operation of the three sensors 10 can be centrally managed by the controller 20. Further, each sensor 10 includes the wireless communication unit 16 that transmits the detection value detected by the detection unit 12 to the controller 20, so that each sensor 10 can wirelessly communicate with the controller 20. Therefore, the communication cable that connects each sensor 10 and the controller 20 can be omitted.

  Furthermore, the sensor 10 is disposed below the person H on the bed bed 31 and the detection target is a load from the person H or a value corresponding to the load. The power consumption of the sensor 10 that measures or detects the biological information and the presence of the person H can be reduced.

  In addition, as a sensor for detecting the occupancy status of the person H on the bed bed 31, specifically, whether the person H is on the bed bed 31, or the person from the bed bed 31 is Whether H has left the bed, a person's H bed position on the bed bed 31 (for example, the person H's bed position on the bed bed 31 is the central area of the bed bed 31 or an end area). It is a sensor that detects whether or not.

  Furthermore, since the number of sensors 10 is three, the detection target can be reliably detected. In addition, the three sensors 10 include a head sensor 10A, a chest sensor 10B, and an abdominal sensor 10C, and the detection target is a load from the test site of the person H or a value corresponding to the load. It is possible to accurately measure or detect the living body information and the bed situation of the person H above. Furthermore, the power consumption of such three sensors 10 can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since each sensor 10 is equipped with a battery 17 as a power source, each sensor 10 can be used without connecting a power supply cable to the sensor 10. Of course, since the power consumption of each sensor 10 is reduced, the consumption of the battery 17 can be suppressed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart in the second embodiment showing the operation of the system 1.

  Here, in the system 1 that operates according to the flowchart of the first embodiment, the detection period of each detector 12 of each sensor 10 is 200 ms. However, in the system 1 that operates according to the flowchart of the second embodiment, The detection period of each detection unit 12 of the sensor 10 is two of 200 ms and 60 s. The system 1 is configured to detect a detection target at a detection cycle of 200 ms in the main measurement mode, and to detect the detection target at a detection cycle of 60 s in the energy saving measurement mode. Note that a detection cycle of 200 ms is a normal detection cycle.

  In this flowchart, operations from step S1 to step S6 are the same as steps S1 to S6 in the flowchart of the first embodiment.

  In step S7, the waste time 60s is elapsed.

  In step S8, the detection target is detected by only one detection unit 12 arranged closest to the middle portion in the left-right direction of the bed bed 31 among the four detection units 12 in the chest sensor 10B.

  In step S <b> 9, the calculation unit 14 determines whether the detection value by the one detection unit 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If the detected value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value (in the case of “YES”), the process proceeds to step S10. On the other hand, if the detected value is less than the predetermined threshold value (in the case of “NO”), the process returns to step S6.

  The operations up to steps S10 to 16 are the same as S9 to S15 in the flowchart of the first embodiment.

  Thus, according to the sensor control system 1 operating according to the flowchart of the second embodiment, the energy-saving measurement mode detects the detection target in the detection cycle 60 s longer than the detection cycle 200 ms in the main measurement mode. The power consumption of 10 can be reliably reduced.

  The detection cycle in the energy saving measurement mode is set within a range of, for example, 5 to 1000 times the detection cycle in the main measurement mode. In this embodiment, since the detection cycle of the energy saving measurement mode is 60 s, this detection cycle is set to 300 times the detection cycle of 200 ms in the main measurement mode.

  Thus, the sensor control system according to the present invention is not limited to the one shown in the above embodiment, and can be variously changed.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the energy saving measurement mode detects the detection target by only one of the four detection units 12 in the one sensor 10 (chest sensor 10B) of the three sensors 10. However, in the present invention, in addition, the detection target is detected by only one to three detection units 12 among the four detection units 12 in the one sensor 10 (chest sensor 10B). There may be.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the energy saving measurement mode may be configured to detect the detection target by the four detection units 12 of one sensor 10 out of the three sensors 10, that is, the energy saving measurement. The mode is configured such that the detection target is detected by the four detection units 12 of the one sensor 10, and the detection target is not detected by the four detection units 12 of the remaining two sensors 10. May be.

  In the present invention, the sensor control system may operate according to a flowchart in which both the flowchart of the first embodiment and the flowchart of the second embodiment are combined.

  In the present invention, the number of sensors 10 may be one as shown in FIG. This sensor 10 is, for example, a chest sensor 10 </ b> B that is disposed on the lower side of the chest as a test site for the person H on the bed bed 31. However, as in the above-described embodiment, it is preferable that the number of sensors 10 is plural in that the biological information of the person H can be accurately measured.

  In the present invention, the number of detection units 12 of each sensor 10 may be one. However, it is desirable that a plurality of detection units 12 are used as in the present embodiment because the biological information of the person H can be measured with high accuracy.

  Moreover, in this invention, the sensor 10 is not limited to what is arrange | positioned on the bed bedding part 31, In addition, for example, the mattress which is directly laid on a tatami surface or a floor as a bed part, for example It may be arranged on the top or may be arranged in a place other than the bed part.

  In the present invention, the detection target detected by the detection unit of the sensor may be a physical quantity (eg, temperature) or state other than the detection target shown in the above embodiment.

  In the present invention, the sensor may be capable of detecting the detection target in three or more measurement modes including the main measurement mode, the energy saving measurement mode, and other measurement modes.

  In addition, the sensor control system according to the present invention is particularly preferably used for controlling a sensor for measuring or detecting the biological information and the presence of a person on the bed, but for controlling a sensor other than this application. May be used.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in a sensor control system and a sensor control method for controlling various sensors such as a sensor for measuring biological information of a person on a bed and a sensor for detecting the presence of a bed.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view when the sensor control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used in a human biological information measuring apparatus. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sensor of the system. FIG. 3A is an enlarged plan view centering on a control box of the sensor. FIG. 3B is an enlarged rear view centering on the control box of the sensor. FIG. 3C is an enlarged side view of the sensor on the control box side. FIG. 4A is a front view of the controller of the system. FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the controller. FIG. 4C is a side view of the controller on the SD memory card side. FIG. 5 is a flowchart in the first embodiment showing the operation of the system. FIG. 6 is a flowchart in the second embodiment showing the operation of the system. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a sensor control system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: Sensor control system 2: Biological information measuring device 10: Sensor 10A: Head sensor 10B: Chest sensor 10C: Abdominal sensor 11: Strain plate 12: Detection unit 13: Control box 16: Wireless communication unit 17: Battery (power source)
20: Controller 30: Bed 31: Bed bed part (bed part)

Claims (14)

A sensor that includes a detection unit that detects a detection target and operates with the power of the power source,
The sensor can detect a detection target in at least two measurement modes including a main measurement mode and an energy saving measurement mode in which power consumption is less than the main measurement mode.
When detection of the detection target by the detection unit of the sensor is started, the detection target is detected by the detection unit of the sensor in the energy saving measurement mode, and the detection result in the energy saving measurement mode detected by the detection unit of the sensor is When a predetermined condition is satisfied, a detection target is detected by a detection unit of the sensor in the main measurement mode.   The case where the predetermined condition is satisfied is a case where a detection value as a detection result in the energy saving measurement mode detected by the detection unit of the sensor is continuously equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold for a predetermined time or longer. Item 2. The sensor control system according to Item 1. The sensor is provided with a plurality of detection units,
The sensor control system according to claim 1, wherein the energy saving measurement mode detects a detection target only by a part of the plurality of detection units. In the main measurement mode, a detection target is detected at a predetermined detection cycle,
The sensor control system according to claim 1, wherein the energy saving measurement mode detects a detection target with a detection cycle longer than a detection cycle of the main measurement mode. A controller separate from the sensor for controlling the sensor;
The sensor control system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a wireless communication unit that transmits a detection result detected by the detection unit to the controller. The sensor is arranged on the lower side of the person on the bed part,
The sensor control system according to claim 1, wherein the detection target is a load from a person or a value corresponding to the load.   The sensor control system according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of sensors.   The sensor control system according to claim 7, wherein in the energy saving measurement mode, a detection target is detected by a detection unit of only a part of the plurality of sensors. A plurality of sensors are collectively controlled, each of which includes a separate controller.
The sensor control system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each sensor includes a wireless communication unit that transmits a detection result detected by the detection unit to the controller. The plurality of sensors include a head sensor disposed below the head as a human test site on the bed, a chest sensor disposed below the chest as a human test site, An abdominal sensor disposed on the lower side of the abdomen as a test site,
The sensor control system according to claim 7, wherein the detection target is a load from a human test site or a value corresponding to the load.   The sensor control system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a battery as the power source. A sensor that includes a detection unit that detects a detection target and operates with the power of the power source,
The sensor uses a sensor control system capable of detecting a detection target in at least two measurement modes including a main measurement mode and an energy saving measurement mode in which power consumption is less than the main measurement mode.
When detection of the detection target by the detection unit of the sensor is started, the detection target is detected by the detection unit of the sensor in the energy saving measurement mode, and the detection result in the energy saving measurement mode detected by the detection unit of the sensor is When a predetermined condition is satisfied, a detection target is detected by the detection unit of the sensor in the main measurement mode. The sensor is arranged on the lower side of the person on the bed part,
The sensor control method according to claim 12, wherein the detection target is a load from a person or a value corresponding to the load. The sensor is plural,
The plurality of sensors includes a head sensor disposed below the head as a human test site on the bed, a chest sensor disposed below the chest as a human test site, An abdominal sensor disposed on the lower side of the abdomen as a test site,
The sensor control method according to claim 12, wherein the detection target is a load from a human test site or a value corresponding to the load.

Images