JP2014158595A - Nurse call system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure excellent cancelling effect by varying an adjustment value as a parameter exhibiting the cancelling effect of an echo canceler corresponding to the number of active microphones.SOLUTION: In an echo canceler 40 which is connected to a plurality of microphones 3 and a speaker 2 and prevents echo and howling due to acoustic coupling from the speaker 2 to the microphones 3, a register 400 for varying the adjustment value as a parameter exhibiting the cancelling effect corresponding to the number of active microphones 3 is provided.

Description

  The present invention relates to a nurse call system installed in a medical / nursing facility such as a hospital, and in particular, with a nurse call parent device installed in a staff station using a microphone and a speaker installed in a room. The present invention relates to a nurse call system that can establish a call by transmitting and receiving voice data between them.

  Conventionally, predetermined digital signal processing for received digital data, for example, equalizer control, acoustic echo canceller control, etc., in the digital signal processing unit of the controller connected to each of the nurse call slave unit and the nurse call master unit A nurse call system that can establish a call by performing the above process and outputting the result to a nurse call child device or a nurse call parent device is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  According to this nurse call system, the quality of the audio signal (and video signal) can be improved without digitizing the corridor lamp or the nurse call master unit and without increasing the processing capability.

JP 2011-55104 A

  However, according to the nurse call system described in Patent Document 1, digital signal processing that performs predetermined audio signal processing when a call is established using a microphone and a speaker included in each of the nurse call child device and the nurse call parent device. Since the control unit is equipped with a control unit, it is possible to prevent the echo and howling caused by the acoustic coupling from the speaker to the microphone in both the nurse call slave unit and the nurse call master unit to ensure good call quality. It was not possible to secure a sufficient canceling effect required for this.

  The present invention has been made to solve this problem, and by adjusting the adjustment value as a parameter that exhibits the canceling effect of the echo canceller in accordance with the number of microphones activated in the room. The purpose is to provide a nurse call system capable of ensuring good call quality.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the nurse call system according to the first aspect of the present invention is a nurse call that is installed for each bed in a plurality of rooms in a medical / nursing facility and in which a care recipient calls a medical / nursing worker. Medical staff / nurse workers are in charge of the child machine, the corridor light that is installed at the entrance of the room and notifies the call from the nursing person using the nurse call child machine, and the call from the nurse person using the nurse call child machine. There is a nurse call master unit that establishes a call in response, and a controller that controls the corridor lamp and the nurse call master unit. A speaker that outputs voice data of medical / nursing personnel using a nurse call master unit in a room, a plurality of microphones that collect voice data in the room, and a speaker connected to each of the plurality of microphones and speakers And an echo canceller for preventing echo and howling caused by acoustic coupling from the microphone to the microphone. The echo canceller includes a register that changes an adjustment value as a parameter that exhibits the canceling effect of the echo canceller in correspondence with the number of active microphones.

  According to the nurse call system of this aspect, the adjustment value as a parameter that exhibits the canceling effect of the echo canceller can be varied in accordance with the number of microphones that are activated as a call function in the room. It is possible to ensure call quality.

  In addition, the nurse call system according to the second aspect of the present invention is an ID in which a plurality of microphone IDs possessed by a microphone assigned to the handset ID of the nurse call handset are stored in the first aspect of the present invention. A storage unit and a selection unit that selects, from the ID storage unit, a child device ID assigned to a microphone ID of an active microphone.

  According to the nurse call system of this aspect, it is easy to select a microphone to be activated as a call function in a room, and a plurality of microphones can be activated.

  In the nurse call system according to the third aspect of the present invention, the echo canceller is provided in a speaker in the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention.

  According to the nurse call system of this aspect, since the echo canceller (which exhibits a canceling effect) is provided integrally with the speaker, wiring between the echo canceller and the speaker is unnecessary, and wiring can be saved. .

  According to the nurse call system of the present invention, the adjustment value as a parameter that exhibits the canceling effect of the echo canceller can be varied in accordance with the number of microphones that are activated as a call function in the room. In addition to ensuring call quality, it is easy to select active microphones, and a plurality of microphones can be active. Further, since the echo canceller can be provided in the speaker, wiring between the echo canceller and the speaker is unnecessary, and the wiring can be saved.

FIG. 1 is a system explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a nurse call system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the sound processor in the nurse call system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the corridor lamp in the system. FIG. 2C is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the nurse call parent device in the system. FIGS. 3A and 3B are a system explanatory diagram and a block diagram, respectively, showing another configuration / connection example relating to a speaker, a microphone, and a sound processor in the nurse call system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a screen configuration diagram illustrating a list display example of the parent device display unit of the nurse call parent device when the nurse call system according to the embodiment of the present invention is in a standby state. FIG. 4B is a screen configuration diagram showing a floor bed layout display example of the parent device display unit of the nurse call parent device when the system is in a standby state. FIG. 5A is a screen configuration diagram illustrating a list display example of the parent device display unit of the nurse call parent device when the nurse call system according to the embodiment of the present invention is in a ringing state. FIG. 5B is a screen configuration diagram illustrating a floor bed layout display example of the parent device display unit of the nurse call parent device when the system is in a calling state.

  Embodiments to which the nurse call system of the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a nurse call system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This nurse call system is installed in a medical / nursing facility such as a hospital (hereinafter referred to as a facility), and includes a nurse call handset 1, a speaker 2, a plurality of microphones 3, and an audio processor 4. , Corridor lamp 5, nurse call master 6 and controller 7.

  The nurse call cordless handset 1 has a predetermined individual cordless handset ID, and is in a plurality of rooms (agreeing with hospital rooms) such as room 201, room 202,... For example, a patient (consent with the patient) in each bed is present in a common area in a facility such as a staff station where the nurse call master unit 6 is installed. Calls that differ depending on the type of call related to the nurse call, such as a normal call, an assistance call for toilet / bath assistance, a confirmation call to notify the end of infusion, etc. . Moreover, according to the nurse call cordless handset 1, not only the nurse call by the nursing person as described above, but also a medical / nursing worker in the vicinity of the nurse calls another medical / nursing worker, That is, it is possible to perform a call operation for staff emergency call.

  Here, the nurse call cordless handset 1 can be provided with an arbitrary number corresponding to the number of beds in the room, and the nurse call cordless handset 1 has a call operation function for performing the call operation as described above. It has a hand slave 1a such as a call grip button and a plate slave 1b to which the hand slave 1a is connected. Further, the plate slave unit 1b can be provided with a call operation function as described above, a call recovery operation function for restoring a nurse call or a staff emergency call to a standby state, and the plate slave unit 1b includes: It is connected to the corridor lamp 5 via the slave unit line L1, for example, connected by individual wiring. The connection between the plate slave unit 1b and the corridor lamp 5 is not limited to the connection of the individual wiring as shown in the figure. For example, the connection between the plate slave unit 1b and the corridor lamp 5 is sequentially performed. Aspects (not shown) are also suitable.

  The speaker 2 has a predetermined individual speaker ID, and is used in the room, for example, the ceiling, and the nurse call parent device 6 that is in the common area in the facility such as a staff station. The voice data of the medical / nursing workers who were present is output in the room. For example, an arbitrary number of speakers 2 can be provided corresponding to the number of beds in the room and the size of the room. According to the present embodiment, it is assumed that one speaker 2 is provided for each room.

  The (multiple) microphones 3 have individual microphone IDs that are determined in advance corresponding to the above-described slave unit IDs, are installed on the ceiling, for example, in the room, and audio data in the room, for example, The voice data of the nurse is collected (input). For example, a plurality of microphones 3 can be provided arbitrarily according to the number of beds in the room and the size of the room. According to the present embodiment, it is assumed that two microphones (hereinafter referred to as first and second microphones) 3 are provided for each room.

  The audio processor 4 is connected to the corridor lamp 5 via the processor line L2, and is connected to the first and second microphones 3 and the speaker 2, respectively, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. An echo canceller 40 for preventing echoes and howling caused by acoustic coupling from the speaker 2 to the first and second microphones 3, and a digital / analog (D / A) conversion of the output signal from the echo canceller 40 to the speaker 2 and an A / D conversion circuit (analog / digital conversion of sound data collected (input) by the first and second microphones 3 and sending them to the echo canceller 40) (Hereinafter referred to as first and second A / D conversion circuits) 42 and a processor I / F 43 that forms a signal transmission path between the echo canceller 40 and the processor line L2.

  Here, according to the echo canceller 40 of the voice processor 4, as a specific function, for example, a speech of a medical / nursing worker collected (input) to a parent microphone 61 b (to be described later) of the nurse call parent device 6. A signal (echo signal) generated by acoustic coupling to the active microphone of the first and second microphones 3 by this input signal using voice data output from the speaker 2 as an input signal. The difference between the signal level of the input signal and the signal level of the input signal is calculated, and the difference approaches the minimum value “0”, for example, and has an adjustment value as a parameter having a filtering function. By using a simple filtering function, the transfer characteristics between the speaker 2 and the active microphone 3 can be estimated, and the canceling effect in which the occurrence of echoes and howling is prevented It is those that can be exhibited. As an echo canceller 40 having such a canceling effect, for example, a first echo canceller described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-124162 is disclosed.

  Further, the echo canceller 40 of the sound processor 4 is provided with a register 400 that varies an adjustment value as a parameter that exhibits the canceling effect of the echo canceller corresponding to the number of microphones 3 that are activated. .

  The corridor lamp 5 has a predetermined individual corridor lamp ID, and is installed at the entrance / exit of each room (near the entrance / exit). The staff emergency call from the nursing staff is notified (call display, call alert) in a different pattern for each call type.

  The nurse call master unit 6 is installed in a common area in the facility such as a staff station, and a nurse call call from a nursing person using the nurse call slave unit 1 or a staff emergency call from a medical / nursing worker. The notification (call display, call alerting) is performed in a different pattern for each call type, and the medical / nursing worker who has confirmed this alerts the speaker 2 and the first and second microphones 3 that are active. Voice data is transmitted / received to / from the used nurse or other medical / nursing personnel to establish a call.

  The configuration mode of the nurse call parent device 6 is not limited to the electronic information output type parent device as shown in the figure. For example, a PC (personal computer) type or a board type parent device (not shown). Is also preferred. In addition, the nurse call master unit 6 is usually provided with a function of calling the nurse call slave unit 1 individually or simultaneously.

  For example, the controller 7 is installed in a common part of the facility as described above as a relay that connects the hall light 5 via the hall light line L3 and the nurse call parent 6 via the parent line L4. ing. The controller 7 stores in advance a microphone ID assigned to the above-mentioned slave unit ID, for example, an ID storage unit 70 such as a RAM or an EEPROM, and voice data transmitted / received via the controller. In addition to controlling the controller voice processing unit 71 that performs the prescribed signal processing, the components of the controller and the entire system, the active one of the first and second microphones 3 (for each room) A controller CPU 72 having a selection control function is provided as a selection unit for selecting, from the ID storage unit 70, the child device ID assigned to the microphone ID of the microphone. Further, the ID stored in the ID storage unit 70 by being assigned to the child device ID is not limited to the microphone ID as described above, but can be stored in association with the microphone ID and the speaker ID. In addition, the connection between the controller 7 and the corridor lamp 5 is not limited to the connection of the crossover wiring as illustrated, and for example, a bus connection mode (not illustrated) is also preferable.

  Next, a specific configuration of the corridor lamp 5 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The corridor lamp 5 shown in the figure includes a corridor lamp display section 50, a corridor lamp communication section 51, a corridor lamp operation section 52, a corridor lamp CPU 53, a slave unit side corridor lamp I / F 54, a processor side corridor lamp I / F 55, and A controller side corridor lamp I / F 56 is provided.

  In this corridor lamp 5, the corridor lamp display section 50 displays (call display) that there is a nurse call call from a nursing person or a staff emergency call from a medical / nursing worker using the nurse call cordless handset 1. For example, it is comprised with various display media, such as LED, LCD, an organic electroluminescent display. For example, when an LED is applied as the corridor lamp display unit 50, the LED corresponds to each nurse call slave unit 1 connected to the own corridor lamp, specifically, to correspond to the above-described slave unit ID. Can be provided.

  The corridor lamp communication unit 51 transmits and receives voice data for a medical / nursing worker in the vicinity of the corridor lamp 5 to establish a call with, for example, a medical / nursing worker in the staff station. It has a corridor lamp microphone 51a and a corridor lamp speaker 51b. The corridor lamp speaker 51b can also output a ringing tone, a voice message, and the like for notifying (calling notification) that there is a nurse call calling as described above.

  The corridor lamp operation unit 52 restores the nurse call call from the care receiver or the staff emergency call from the medical / nursing worker using the nurse call slave unit 1 to the standby state. The corridor lamp CPU 53 controls each part of the corridor lamp. The handset side corridor lamp I / F 54 forms a signal transmission path between the corridor lamp CPU 53 and the handset line L1. The processor side corridor lamp I / F 55 forms a signal transmission path between the corridor lamp CPU 53 and the processor line L2. Further, the controller side corridor lamp I / F 56 forms a signal transmission path between the corridor lamp CPU 53 and the corridor lamp line L3.

  Next, a specific configuration of the nurse call parent device 6 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The nurse call master unit 6 shown in the figure includes a master unit display unit 60, a master unit call unit 61, a master unit operation unit 62, a master unit CPU 63, and a master unit I / F 64.

  In this nurse call parent device 6, the parent device display unit 60 displays that there is a nurse call call from a nursing person using the nurse call child device 1 or a staff emergency call from a medical / nursing worker (call display). For example, an LED, an LCD, an organic EL display, or the like. For example, when an LED is applied as the parent device display unit 60, the LED can be provided corresponding to each nurse call child device 1, specifically, corresponding to the aforementioned child device ID.

  The base phone communication unit 61 is a medical care / nursing worker in the staff station who is a nurse or other medical care using the speaker 2 and the first and second microphones 3 activated. Voice data for establishing a call with a nursing worker is transmitted and received, for example, having a parent microphone 61a and a parent speaker 61b. The master speaker 61b can also output a ringing tone, a voice message, etc. for notifying (calling notification) that there is a nurse call or staff emergency call as described above.

  The master unit operation unit 62 allows the medical / nursing personnel in the staff station to call the nurse call from the nurse or the emergency call from other medical / nursing personnel as described above. An operation in which a worker responds (response operation) is performed, and for example, a touch panel disposed on the front surface of the parent device display unit 60 and predetermined operation buttons (not shown) are configured. Further, in the master unit operation unit 62, the slave unit ID assigned to the microphone ID of the active microphone among the first and second microphones 3 (for each room) is stored in the ID storage unit 70 of the controller 7. The selection operation function is provided as a selection unit for selecting from the above.

  The base unit CPU 63 controls each part of the nurse call base unit. The base unit I / F 64 forms a signal transmission path between the base unit CPU 63 and the base unit line L4.

  In the nurse call system configured as described above according to the embodiment of the present invention, a specific operation will be described below.

  As shown in the screen configuration diagrams of FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B), for example, among the nurses in each hospital bed in a plurality of rooms such as Room 201, Room 202,... Shown in FIG. , A specific nurse who is displayed in a list or floor bed layout display on the parent device display unit 60 of the nurse call parent device 6, in this case, the name (name data) in room 201 is “Yuka Mizuno” A nurse call cordless handset 1 installed on the patient's bed is provided for a nursing person having a nurse identification ID “0001” to call a medical / nursing worker in a common area of a facility such as a staff station. For example, when an operation for calling a nurse call is performed using the hand slave unit 1a, the plate slave unit 1b to which the hand slave unit 1a is connected detects the operation and the slave unit ID of the slave unit “1” and nurse call Generating a nurse call paging signal added with the call type information indicating. The nurse call call signal generated by the plate slave unit 1b passes through the slave unit line L1 and the slave unit side corridor lamp I of the corridor lamp 5 installed at the entrance / exit of the room 201 shown in FIG. 2 (B). It is transmitted to the corridor lamp CPU 53 via / F54.

  In the corridor lamp 5 installed at the entrance / exit of the 201st room, the corridor lamp CPU 53 uses the handset ID “1” added to the received nurse call call signal and the call type information to execute the handset in the 201st room. The nurse call cordless handset 1 having the ID “1” detects that there is a nurse call call from a caregiver installed in the bed, and as a call notification to that effect, for example, the corridor lamp display unit 50 for the call display is displayed. And a ringing tone, a voice message, and the like can be output from the corridor lamp speaker 51b of the corridor lamp call unit 51. The corridor lamp CPU 53 adds the corridor lamp ID “201” of the corridor lamp to the received nurse call call signal, and then passes through the controller side corridor lamp I / F 56 and the corridor lamp line L3. 7 to send.

  In the controller 7, the controller CPU 72 executes the child machine ID in the room 201 based on the child machine ID “1”, the corridor lamp ID “201” and the call type information added to the received nurse call call signal. The nurse call cordless handset 1 having “1” detects that there is a nurse call call from a caregiver installed in the bed. Further, the control unit CPU 72 notifies the above-mentioned slave unit ID “1”, the corridor lamp ID “201”, and the call type information as the signals for notifying the nurse call master unit 6 (call display, call notification). Is generated. This parent device call notification signal is transmitted from the controller CPU 72 to the parent device CPU 63 via the parent device line L4 and the parent device I / F 64 of the nurse call parent device 6 shown in FIG.

  Based on the slave unit ID “1”, the corridor lamp ID “201” and the call type information added to the received master unit call notification signal, the master unit CPU 63 of the nurse call master unit 6 A call sound or a voice message indicating that there is a nurse call call from a nurse who has a nurse call child machine 1 having a machine ID “1” installed on a bed is sent from the parent machine speaker 61 b of the parent machine call unit 61. In addition to outputting, the parent device display unit 60 is controlled as a call display indicating that there is a similar nurse call, and the caller's call source as shown in the screen configuration diagrams of FIGS. Call display can be performed using at least one of the list and the floor bed layout. In addition, as a list of care recipients or a floor bed layout using the parent device display unit 60, various related information (care recipient related information) related to a care recipient such as a medical subject or a doctor in charge is displayed together. be able to. In addition, the same list and floor bed layout can be switched on the display content on the parent display unit 60 by performing a switching operation using the parent device operation unit 62, for example.

  Next, a medical / nursing worker in the common area of the facility such as a staff station who has confirmed the predetermined notification (call display, call notification) related to the nurse call call as described above is shown in FIG. When a response operation is performed by using the master unit operation unit 62 of the nurse call master unit 6 shown in FIG. 2 (C), the master unit CPU 63 that detects this operation controls the master unit call unit 61 to perform a medical / nursing worker. A signal transmission path is formed between the parent device microphone 61a and the parent device speaker 61b, and the parent device line L4 via the parent device CPU and the parent device I / F 64. Further, base unit CPU 63 has microphone 3 assigned in advance to slave unit ID “1” detected as the caller out of first and second microphones 3 installed in room 201, and voice along with microphone 3. A call function control signal for designating the speaker 2 connected to the echo canceller 40 of the processor 4 is generated. The telephone function ID signal “1” and the corridor lamp ID “201” are added to the call function control signal, and the control unit 7 from the master unit CPU 63 via the master unit I / F 64 and the master unit line L4. Is transmitted.

  In the controller 7, when receiving the call function control signal, the controller CPU 72 activates the controller voice processing unit 71, and the slave unit ID “1” and the corridor lamp “added to the received call function control signal”. 201 ”, the microphone ID assigned to the child device ID“ 1 ”. Here, as the first selection operation, either one of the first and second microphones 3 installed in the room 201 or 2 For example, one microphone ID “M1” of the microphones 3 is read from the ID storage unit 70, and the microphone ID “M1” and the above-described corridor lamp ID “201” are added to the transmission function designation signal (hereinafter, referred to as “microphone ID”). A first transmission function designation signal). This first transmission function designation signal is sent from the controller CPU 72 to the corridor lamp CPU 53 via the corridor lamp line L4, the controller corridor lamp I / F 56 of all the corridor lamps 5 shown in FIG. Is transmitted.

  In all the corridor lamps 5, the corridor lamp CPU 53 compares the corridor lamp ID “201” added to the received first transmission function designation signal with the own corridor lamp ID. Here, only the corridor lamp CPU 53 of the corridor lamp 5 installed at the entrance / exit of the room 201 whose corridor lamp ID is “201” matches the first microphone 3 corresponding to the microphone ID “M1” added in the same manner. And the voice output function of the speaker 2 connected to the echo canceller 40 of the voice processor 4 together with the first microphone 3, and further the processing connected to the processor line L2. A signal transmission path is formed between the device side corridor lamp I / F 55 and the controller side corridor lamp I / F 56 connected to the corridor lamp line L3.

  Further, the corridor lamp CPU 53 of the corridor lamp 5 installed at the entrance / exit of the room 201 has a sound so that the adjustment value is set in advance corresponding to “one” which is the number of microphones to be activated. A register control signal (hereinafter referred to as a first register control signal) for controlling the register 400 included in the echo canceller 40 of the processor 4 is generated. This first register control signal is sent from the corridor lamp CPU 53 to the processor side corridor lamp I / F 55, the processor line L2, and the corridor lamp side of the sound processor 4 installed in the room 201 shown in FIG. It is transmitted to the echo canceller 40 via the processor I / F 43.

  When the echo canceller 40 of the sound processor 4 installed in the room 201 receives the first register control signal, a signal transmission path from the echo canceller 40 to the speaker 2 via the D / A conversion circuit 41 and A signal transmission path from the first microphone 3 to the own echo canceller via the first A / D conversion circuit 42 is formed, and a processor via the own echo canceller and the processor I / F 43. A signal transmission path to the line L2 is formed, and the register 400 of the echo canceller 4 has an adjustment value determined in advance corresponding to “one” which is the number of microphones to be activated. To be controlled. Specifically, the number of active microphones is “one”, and the echo component from the speaker 2 to the first microphone 3 is varied to an adjustment value that exhibits a canceling effect.

  Through the control up to the above, from the base unit microphone 61a constituting the base unit communication unit 61 of the nurse call base unit 6 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (C) used by the medical / nursing personnel in the staff station. Main unit CPU 63, main unit I / F 64, main unit line L4, control unit voice processing unit 71 of control unit 7, corridor lamp line L3, corridor lamp 5 installed at the entrance / exit of room 201 shown in FIG. Controller side corridor lamp I / F 56, corridor lamp CPU 53, processor corridor lamp I / F 55, processor line L2, processor I / F 43 of audio processor 4 shown in FIG. 2A, echo canceller 40, D A signal transmission path (hereinafter referred to as a downlink communication line) to the speaker 2 via the / A conversion circuit 41 and the first A / V of the voice processor 4 from the first microphone 3 used by the call source nursing person. D conversion circuit 42, echo canceller 40, Processor I / F 43, processor line L2, processor-side corridor lamp I / F 55 of corridor lamp 5, corridor lamp CPU 53, controller-side corridor lamp I / F 56, corridor lamp line L3, controller voice processing of controller 7 The master unit constituting the master call unit 61 of the nurse call master unit 6 used by the medical / nursing worker via the unit 71, the master unit line L4, the master unit I / F 64 of the nurse call master unit 6, and the master unit CPU 63 A signal transmission path (hereinafter referred to as a first uplink communication line) to the speaker 61b is formed.

  Here, voice data from medical / nursing personnel in the staff station is input as an input signal to the echo canceller 40 of the voice processor 4 shown in FIG. In doing so, the register 400 of the echo canceller 40 calculates the difference between the signal level of the signal (echo signal) generated by the acoustic coupling of the input signal to the first microphone 3 and the signal level of the input signal. In order to change the adjustment value as a parameter so that the difference approaches “0” which is the minimum value, corresponding to “1” which is the number of active microphones, the speaker 2 and the first microphone 3 By estimating the transfer characteristic, it is possible to exhibit a canceling effect that prevents the occurrence of echoes and howling. Due to this effect, the voice data by the caregiver transmitted from the first microphone 3 to the parent device speaker 61b constituting the parent device communication unit 61 of the nurse call parent device 6 via the first uplink call line is Thus, good call quality without the influence of echo and howling due to the canceling effect exhibited by the echo canceller 40 is ensured.

  Next, according to the operation described above, as the control of the controller CPU 72 of the controller 7 shown in FIG. 1 that has received the call function control signal from the parent CPU 63 of the nurse call parent 6 shown in FIG. In addition to making the controller audio processing unit 71 active, as a first selection operation, any one of the first and second microphones 3 installed in the room 201 has, for example, The microphone ID “M1” is read from the ID storage unit 70, and the first transmission function designation signal to which the microphone ID “M1” and the above-described corridor lamp ID “201” are added is generated. Is not limited to “one”.

  For example, the control unit CPU 72 of the control unit 7 not only activates the control unit voice processing unit 71 as a separate control operation when receiving a call function control signal from the base unit CPU 63 of the nurse call base unit 6. As the second selection operation, for example, microphone IDs “M1” and “M2” respectively included in the two microphones installed in the room 201, that is, the first and second microphones 3, are stored in the ID storage unit 70. , The transmission function designation signal (hereinafter referred to as the second transmission function designation signal) to which the microphone IDs “M1” and “M2” and the above-mentioned corridor lamp ID “201” are added can be generated. This second transmission function designation signal is transmitted to the corridor lamp CPUs 53 of all the corridor lamps 5 shown in FIG. 2B via the same signal transmission path as the first transmission function designation signal described above. Is done.

  In all the corridor lamps 5, the corridor lamp CPU 53 compares the corridor lamp ID “201” added to the received second transmission function designation signal with the own corridor lamp ID. Here, only the corridor lamp CPU 53 of the corridor lamp 5 installed at the entrance / exit of the room 201 corresponding to the corridor lamp ID “201” corresponds to the microphone IDs “M1” and “M2” added similarly. The voice input function of the first and second microphones 3 and the voice output function of the speaker 2 connected to the echo canceller 40 of the voice processor 4 together with the first and second microphones 3 are activated, respectively. Forms a signal transmission path between the processor side corridor lamp I / F 55 connected to the processor line L2 and the controller side corridor lamp I / F 56 connected to the corridor lamp line L3.

  Further, the corridor lamp CPU 53 of the corridor lamp 5 installed at the entrance / exit of the room 201 has an echo canceller so as to have a predetermined adjustment value corresponding to “two” which is the number of the microphones to be activated. A register control signal (hereinafter referred to as a second register control signal) for controlling the register 400 included in 40 is generated. This second register control signal is transmitted to the echo canceller 40 of the sound processor 4 shown in FIG. 2A via a signal transmission path similar to the first register control signal described above.

  When the echo canceller 40 of the sound processor 4 installed in the room 201 receives the second register control signal, a signal transmission path from the echo canceller 40 to the speaker 2 via the D / A conversion circuit 41 and The signal transmission path from the first microphone 3 via the first A / D conversion circuit 42 to the self echo canceller and the self echo from the second microphone 3 via the second A / D conversion circuit 42 A signal transmission path to the canceller is formed, and a signal transmission path is formed between the own echo canceller and the processor line L2 via the processor I / F 43. The register 400 of the echo canceller 4 Control is performed so as to obtain a predetermined adjustment value corresponding to “two” which is the number of microphones to be active. Specifically, in comparison with the echo component from the speaker 2 to the first microphone 3 in the case of “one” which is the number of the microphones that are activated during the first selection operation as described above, Since there are respective echo components from the speaker 2 to the first and second microphones 3, the echo components that are output to the eco-canceller 40 increase, so that the adjustment value that exhibits the canceling effect can be varied to a large value. The

  Through the control up to the above, from the base unit microphone 61a constituting the base unit communication unit 61 of the nurse call base unit 6 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (C) used by the medical / nursing personnel in the staff station. Main unit CPU 63, main unit I / F 64, main unit line L4, control unit voice processing unit 71 of control unit 7, corridor lamp line L3, corridor lamp 5 installed at the entrance / exit of room 201 shown in FIG. Controller side corridor lamp I / F 56, corridor lamp CPU 53, processor corridor lamp I / F 55, processor line L2, processor I / F 43 of audio processor 4 shown in FIG. 2A, echo canceller 40, D A signal transmission path to the speaker 2 via the / A conversion circuit 41 (referred to as a downlink call line), and the first and second microphones 3 from the first and second microphones 3 used by the call-source nurse. 2 A / D conversion circuit 42, echo canceller 0, processing unit I / F 43, processing unit line L2, processing unit side corridor lamp I / F 55 of corridor lamp 5, corridor lamp CPU 53, controller side corridor lamp I / F 56, corridor lamp line L3, controller of controller 7 The parent device call unit 61 of the nurse call parent device 6 used by the medical / nursing worker is configured via the voice processing unit 71, the parent device line L4, the parent device I / F 64 of the nurse call parent device 6, and the parent device CPU 63. A signal transmission path (hereinafter referred to as a second uplink call line) to the master speaker 61b is formed.

  Here, voice data from medical / nursing personnel in the staff station is input as an input signal to the echo canceller 40 of the voice processor 4 shown in FIG. In doing so, the register 400 of the echo canceller 40 determines the difference between the signal level of the signal (echo signal) generated by the acoustic coupling to the first and second microphones 3 by this input signal and the signal level of the input signal. And the adjustment value as a parameter whose difference approaches “0”, which is the minimum value, is varied corresponding to “2”, which is the number of active microphones. By estimating the respective transfer characteristics between the second microphones 3, it is possible to exhibit a canceling effect that prevents the occurrence of echoes and howling. Due to this effect, the nursing person transmitted from the first and second microphones 3 to the parent device speaker 61b of the parent device communication unit 61 of the nurse call parent device 6 via the second uplink call line. The voice data ensures good call quality free from the influence of echo and howling due to the canceling effect exhibited by the echo canceller 40.

  The voice data collected (input) to the first and second microphones 3 is synthesized by the controller voice processing unit 71 of the controller 7 before being transmitted through the second uplink call line. Therefore, the synthesized voice data is also output from the master speaker 61b that constitutes the master call unit 61 of the nurse call master unit 6.

  The nurse call system of the present invention has been described with a specific embodiment. However, the nurse call system is not limited to this embodiment, and the system of the present invention has any configuration known so far as long as the effect of the present invention is achieved. However, it goes without saying that it can be adopted.

  Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A, the audio processor 4 having the echo canceller 40 and the speaker 2 are separately provided and connected to the echo canceller 40. Although the configuration in which the first and second microphones 3 are connected is applied, the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, as another configuration / connection example, as shown in the system configuration diagram of FIG. 3A and the block diagram of FIG. 3B, the audio processor 4 having the echo canceller 40 is provided in the speaker 2, and this echo A configuration in which the first and second microphones 3 are connected to the canceller 40 can also be applied. Therefore, since the echo canceller 40 is provided integrally with the speaker 2, wiring between the echo canceller 40 and the speaker 2 is not required, and wiring can be saved.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the speaker 2 is applied to each room as the speaker 2 that outputs the voice data of the medical / nursing personnel using the nurse call master unit 6 to the room. The number is not limited. For example, it is possible to arbitrarily provide a plurality of units corresponding to the size of the room and the number of beds, and in response to this, a plurality of microphones 3 can also be arbitrarily provided and connected to the respective speakers 2. In applying a plurality of speakers 2, it is only necessary to exhibit the canceling effect of any echo canceling among the plurality of echo cancellers 40 to which each speaker 2 is connected.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the speaker 2 and the microphone 3 in the room are applied as the calling means by the care recipient, but the present invention is not limited to this calling means. For example, if the plate slave unit 1b constituting the nurse call slave unit 1 is provided with, for example, a microphone and a speaker (not shown) as slave unit call units, any of the call units can be used simultaneously.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, not only the ID storage unit 70 as described above is provided in the controller 7, but also the child device ID assigned to the microphone ID of the active microphone 3 is stored in the ID storage unit 70. Although the selection unit as a selection function for selection is provided in the parent device operation unit 62 of the nurse call parent device 6, it is not limited to this mode. For example, the ID storage unit 70 can be provided in a nurse call base unit 6 or a server (not shown) such as ordering connected to the control unit 7, and the selection unit is provided with a controller 7 or a server (not shown). ).

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the nurse call master unit 6 is a device that allows a medical / nursing worker to respond to a call (nurse call call) from a nursing person using the nurse call slave unit 1 to establish a call. However, the nurse call parent device 6 is not limited to this. For example, an information terminal such as a PHS or a smartphone that is carried by a medical / nursing worker who is traveling around the facility can be applied, and the information terminal can be controlled by the controller 7.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, a configuration in which the corridor lamp 5 and the nurse call master unit 6 are connected to the controller 7 via individual lines (corridor lamp line, master unit line) L3 and L4, respectively. Although applied, it is not limited to this embodiment. For example, it is also possible to apply a configuration in which the corridor lamp 5, the nurse call master unit 6, and the controller 7 are connected to a LAN wiring that is a common bus via a predetermined signal branch function, for example, a hub.

1 …… Nurse call slave unit 2 …… Speaker 3 …… (multiple) microphones 5 …… Corridor light 6 …… Nurse call master unit 62 …… Master unit operation unit (selection unit)
7 …… Control unit 70 …… ID storage unit 72 …… Control unit CPU (selection unit)
40 …… Echo canceller 400 …… Register

Claims (3)

A nurse call cordless handset that is installed for each bed in a plurality of rooms in a medical / nursing facility, and a call to the nurse / caller using the nurse call cordless handset. A corridor lamp, a nurse call master unit that makes a call in response to a call from the nurse using the nurse call slave unit, and the corridor lamp and the nurse call master unit. A nurse call system having a controller to control,
A speaker that outputs voice data of the medical / nursing personnel using the nurse call master unit into the room, a plurality of microphones that collect the voice data in the room, the plurality of microphones, and the An echo canceller that is connected to each speaker and prevents echo and howling caused by acoustic coupling from the speaker to the microphone;
The echo canceller is connected to the corridor lamp, and includes a register that varies an adjustment value as a parameter that exhibits the canceling effect of the echo canceller in accordance with the number of the microphones that are activated. Call system.   An ID storage unit that stores a microphone ID of the microphone assigned to the child device ID of the nurse call child device, and the child device ID assigned to the microphone ID of the active microphone. The nurse call system according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit that selects from the storage unit.   The nurse call system according to claim 1, wherein the echo canceller is provided in the speaker.

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