JP2015069297A - Condition monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a condition monitoring system for enabling a monitored person to spontaneously transmit his or her condition without feeling any stress by monitoring the condition of the monitored person by a much simpler operation.SOLUTION: A monitoring person terminal 22 generates data indicating the content of an input operation performed by a monitoring person for communication, and transmits the data to a monitored person terminal 12, and the monitored person terminal 12 generates data for operation for allowing a robot 11 to perform an operation corresponding to the content of the input operation, and transmits the data to the robot 11, and the robot 11 performs the operation corresponding to the content of the input operation when receiving the data for operation. Also, when the robot 11 receives the input operation to be performed by the monitored person for communication, the monitored person terminal 12 generates the data indicating the content of the input operation, and transmits the data to the monitoring person terminal 22, and the monitoring person terminal 22 executes processing for notifying the monitoring person of information corresponding to the content of the input operation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a state monitoring system that is constructed for a monitor to monitor the state of a monitored person, and in particular, a state monitoring system that allows the monitored person to transmit his / her state with a simpler operation. About.

  In recent years, there are many single persons, such as elderly people living alone, single-employed workers, young people living away from their parents. In particular, the number of people who live alone in other countries will increase in the future. On the other hand, when an abnormality or the like occurs in the state of a solitary person, it is necessary to quickly grasp the state, so that a technique for monitoring the state of a solitary person has been developed. In particular, assuming elderly singles, it is difficult to use devices that require relatively advanced operation techniques such as personal computers and mobile phones. Has also been developed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  Specifically, in Patent Document 1, a switch mat that detects that a monitor is passing or stopped is installed in the monitored person's house, and when the detection time by the switch mat exceeds a predetermined time, monitoring is performed. A technique for contacting a person's mobile phone is disclosed. Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for notifying an abnormal situation to a contact point designated in advance when a period during which a home appliance, for example, an electric pot in a monitored person's home is not operated is a predetermined time or longer. Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for monitoring the power usage status in the monitored person's home and notifying an abnormal situation to a pre-designated contact when the current power usage status is significantly different from the normal usage status. Has been.

  According to the above-described monitoring technologies, it is possible to promptly notify the monitor of the abnormality of the monitored person with a relatively simple configuration, and the monitored person is not forced to perform complicated operations. It becomes possible to monitor the state of

JP 2012-221182 A Japanese Patent No. 3193363 JP 2007-183890 A

However, with the techniques disclosed in each of Patent Documents 1 to 3, the home status, the usage status of home appliances, or the power usage status are constantly monitored. In such a monitoring method, the monitored person is not intended. Privacy may be violated, and there is a risk that the monitored person may feel stress (in a simple manner, the feeling of being watched).
On the other hand, in order to smoothly monitor the state, it is desirable that the monitored person voluntarily transmits his / her state so that he / she can respond to an inquiry from the monitoring person.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a state where the monitored person feels stress as a state monitoring system that monitors the state of the monitored person with a simpler operation. It is an object to provide a system that can spontaneously transmit its own state.

  According to the state monitoring system of the present invention, the subject is (A) a figurine type device that is installed and operates in a living space of the monitored person, and (B) the figurine type managed by the monitored person. A monitored terminal that controls the device to perform the operation; and (C) a monitored terminal that is managed by the monitored person and communicates with the monitored terminal, (D) the figurine type device includes: (D1) an operation mechanism that operates for the figurine device to perform the operation; (d2) an operation reception mechanism that receives an input operation on the monitored person side when the monitored person contacts the monitoring person; (D3) a controller that controls the operating unit, generates monitored person-side input operation data indicating the contents of the monitored person-side input operation, and transmits the data to the monitored person terminal; (E) The supervisor terminal (e) ) Input operation data acquisition processing for acquiring monitor-side input operation data indicating the content of the monitor-side input operation from a receiving device that receives the monitor-side input operation performed when the monitor contacts the monitored person (E2) The content of the supervisor side input operation is specified from the supervisor side input operation data, first content specifying data indicating the specified content is generated and transmitted to the monitored terminal. A first content specifying data transmission process, and (e3) a notification process for notifying the monitor of information corresponding to the data when data is received from the monitored terminal, and (F ) The monitored terminal receives (f1) the first content identification data from the supervisor terminal, and performs the operation according to the content of the monitoring side input operation indicated by the first content identification data. Done to type device Operation data transmission processing for generating and transmitting the operation data to the controller; and (f2) receiving the monitored person side input operation data from the controller after execution of the operation data transmission processing, Second content specifying data that specifies the contents of the monitored person side input operation from the monitored person side input operation data, generates second content specifying data indicating the specified contents, and transmits the second content specifying data to the monitor terminal (G) When the controller receives the operation data from the monitored person terminal, the figurine-type device performs the operation according to the content of the monitoring-side input operation. The operating mechanism is controlled based on the operation data, and when the operation receiving mechanism receives the monitored person side input operation, the monitored person side input operation data Is generated and transmitted to the monitored person terminal. (H) When the monitoring terminal receives the second content specifying data from the monitored terminal, the monitored content indicated by the second content specifying data is displayed. The problem is solved by executing the notification process for notifying the information according to the content of the monitoring-side input operation.

In the above system, in confirming the state of the monitored person, first, an input operation by the monitoring person is received by the receiving device, and data indicating the contents of the input operation is generated by the monitoring terminal and is sent to the monitored terminal. Sent to. Thereafter, the monitored person terminal generates operation data in accordance with the contents of the input operation of the monitoring person and transmits it to the figurine type device. As a result, the figurine device performs an operation according to the input operation of the supervisor based on the received operation data. The person to be monitored who perceives this movement notices an inquiry from the observer and performs an input operation on the figurine type device in order to respond to the inquiry.
On the other hand, data indicating the content of the input operation performed by the monitored person is generated by the monitored terminal and transmitted to the monitoring terminal, and then the monitoring terminal responds to the content of the input operation of the monitored person. The process for informing the information is executed.
With the above configuration, the above system does not require constant monitoring of the monitored person's behavior or the state of the monitored person's home in order to monitor the monitored person's condition. A method is adopted in which a supervisor voluntarily transmits his / her state using a figurine type device. With such a monitoring method, it is possible to smoothly monitor the state of the monitored person while suppressing the monitored person from feeling stress.

  Further, in the above-described state monitoring system, the monitored person terminal obtains a measurement result of a monitoring person side measuring instrument that is installed in the living space of the monitored person and measures energy consumption in the living space. The monitored person side measurement data acquisition process for acquiring the monitored person side measurement data to be shown is executed, and one of the monitor terminal and the monitored person terminal is the first terminal of the monitor terminal. When the monitored terminal does not execute the second content specifying data transmission process from when the content specifying data transmission process is executed until a predetermined period elapses, the energy consumption amount in a time zone including the time point A determination process for determining whether or not the fluctuation level is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is performed after specifying the fluctuation level of the monitor based on the monitored person-side measurement data. When the fit is said one of the terminal and not more than the threshold value is determined, the monitoring terminal may be able to perform the warning processing of warning to the monitoring person.

  In the above configuration, when the monitored person terminal does not execute the second content specifying data transmission process, that is, even if the period in which the monitored person does not respond to the inquiry from the supervisor continues for a certain period or longer, the warning process is immediately performed. The warning process is executed only when it is determined that there is no change in the energy consumption amount in the living space of the monitored person. As a result, the warning process is executed only when it is more certain that the condition of the monitored person is abnormal, and as a result, the credibility of the warning process is improved.

  In the state monitoring system, the supervisor terminal is a supervisor who shows a measurement result of a supervisor-side measuring instrument that is installed in the supervisor's living space and measures the energy consumption in the living space. Monitoring-side measurement data acquisition processing for acquiring side-side measurement data, and notifying the monitor of information corresponding to the energy consumption amount in the living space of the monitoring person based on the monitoring-side measurement data A notification execution process, and a process execution mode by the monitor terminal includes a first mode in which the input operation data acquisition process, the first content specifying data transmission process, and the notification process are performed, and the monitor Can be switched between the second measurement data acquisition process and the second mode in which the notification process is executed, and a switching operation performed by the supervisor to switch the process execution mode is performed in the accepting device. Is received, the receiving device transmits a mode switching request to the supervisor terminal, and the supervisor terminal may switch the processing execution mode when receiving the mode switching request from the receiving device. .

  In the above configuration, the supervisor terminal has a function of monitoring the state of the monitored person and a function of managing the energy consumption in the living environment of the supervisor. It is possible to freely change whether the function is exhibited. As a result, versatility can be further improved for the monitoring terminal and the monitoring system including the monitoring terminal.

  Further, in the above-described state monitoring system, another figurine device that is installed and operates in the living space of the observer is provided as the reception device, and the other figurine device is the same as the figurine device. When the operation receiving mechanism of the other figurine type device receives an input operation for mode confirmation performed when the monitor checks the processing execution mode, the operation receiving mechanism has the operation mechanism, the operation receiving mechanism, and the controller. It is preferable that the controller of the other figurine type device controls the operation mechanism of the other figurine type device so that the other figurine type device performs the operation corresponding to the current processing execution mode. .

  When the process execution mode by the monitor terminal is configured to be switchable, it is desirable for the monitor to be able to easily check which mode is the current mode. On the other hand, in the above configuration, another figurine type device having a configuration similar to that of the monitored person is provided in the monitoring person's living environment. The operation corresponding to the process execution mode is performed. As a result, the supervisor can confirm the mode simply because it is only necessary to confirm the operation performed by the other figurine device when confirming the processing execution mode of the supervisor terminal.

  In the state confirmation system, each of the figurine type device and the other figurine type device has at least one of a light emitting mechanism that emits light and a sound generating mechanism that emits sound as the operation mechanism, and The operation reception mechanism that receives a grip operation for gripping each as an input operation, and in the notification process, the monitoring terminal performs the operation of notifying the information according to the content of the monitored-side input operation. Other operation data to be performed by another figurine type device may be generated and transmitted to the controller of the other figurine type device.

  In the above configuration, the supervisor and the managed person can know the content of contact from the other party through the light emission operation and sound generation operation of the figurine device (other figurine device). In the above configuration, the supervisor and the person to be managed perform an operation of grasping the figurine type device when the communication content is transmitted to the other party. As a result, in monitoring the status of the managed person, the supervisor and the managed person must communicate the contents of the communication to the other party with a simple operation and confirm the contents of the communication from the other party in a simple manner. Is possible.

  In the state monitoring system, the figurine type device has both the light emitting mechanism and the sound generation mechanism as the operation mechanism, and the monitored terminal transmits the operation data transmission process. Generating the operation data for performing the operation to emit the sound information according to the content of the supervisor side input operation indicated by the content specifying data while emitting light, and transmitting the data to the controller of the figurine device, When the controller of the figurine device controls both based on the operation data, the light emission form of the light emitting mechanism changes according to the elapsed time from the reception of the operation data. The light emitting mechanism may be controlled.

  In the above configuration, the light emitting mechanism emits light when the figurine device operates, and the light emission format depends on the elapsed time after the controller of the figurine device receives the operation data from the monitored terminal. Change. Through this change in the light emission format, the monitored person can roughly grasp the elapsed time since the controller received the operation data, in other words, the elapsed time after the inquiry from the supervisor. Become. In this way, by knowing the elapsed time since the monitored person asked the question, for example, when the elapsed time becomes longer, it is necessary to respond quickly to the above question. It becomes possible to notice.

According to the status monitoring system of the present invention, in monitoring the status of the monitored person, it is not necessary to constantly monitor the behavior of the monitored person or the status of the monitored person's home, and A method is adopted in which a supervisor voluntarily transmits his / her state using a figurine type device. With such a monitoring method, it is possible to smoothly monitor the state of the monitored person while suppressing the monitored person from feeling stress.
Further, in the status monitoring system of the present invention, when the monitored person transmits his / her state, a simple operation such as holding a figurine type device may be performed. When confirming, the operation performed by the figurine device may be confirmed. Therefore, according to the state monitoring system of the present invention, the monitored person can transmit his / her state with a simpler operation, and this effect is particularly effective in state monitoring for the elderly. .

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole image of the state monitoring system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an external view of the figurine type device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed a mode that the figurine type device is operating (the 1). It is the figure which showed a mode that the figurine type device is operating (the 2). It is the figure which showed a mode that the figurine type device is operating (the 3). It is explanatory drawing regarding the user operation performed through an ornament type device. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the dialogue through a state monitoring system. It is the figure which showed the correspondence of the frequency | count of grasping the figurine type device, and the content of operation | movement. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of each of the server and the figurine type device which a supervisor manages. It is the figure which showed the correspondence of the frequency | count of grasping the figurine type device, and the control content. It is a figure which shows the flow of initial setting. It is a figure which shows an example of the input screen for initial setting. It is a figure which shows the flow of a dialogue process (the 1). It is a figure which shows the flow of a dialogue process (the 2). It is a figure which shows the flow of a dialogue process (the 3).

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, this embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the following, a case where an elderly single person is a monitored person and a relative (for example, a child) of the single person is a supervisor will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the observer may be a person other than the family of the solitary person, for example, a private company that operates a monitoring service. It may be a student who has left his / her parent.

<< Overview of the state monitoring system according to this embodiment >>
First, the overall image of the state monitoring system (hereinafter, this system) S according to the present embodiment will be described.
This system S is constructed so that the relatives (hereinafter referred to as relatives) of a single person who is in a remote place monitor the state of an elderly single person (hereinafter simply referred to as a single person). Singles and relatives can easily conduct a dialogue through the system S.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a single person and a relative have communication units 1 and 2 in their homes H1 and H2, which are the living spaces, and the communication units 1 and 2 are connected to this system. S is built. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overview of the system S.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, each communication unit 1, 2 includes servers 12, 22. Here, the server 12 included in the communication unit 1 on the single person side corresponds to a monitored person terminal and is managed by the single person. On the other hand, the server 22 included in the communication unit 2 on the relative side corresponds to a supervisor terminal and is managed by the relative. The servers 12 and 22 perform data communication via an external communication network GN such as the Internet. As shown in the figure, a center server 3 is connected to the external communication network GN, and the center server 3 mediates data communication between the servers 12 and 22.

On the other hand, each of the communication units 1 and 2 includes robots 11 and 21 having the appearance illustrated in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2A is an external view of the robots 11 and 21 according to the present embodiment. Here, the robot 11 provided in the communication unit 1 on the single person side corresponds to the figurine type device, and the robot 21 provided on the communication unit 2 on the relative side corresponds to the other figurine type device, respectively, in the homes H1 and H2. Are arranged at predetermined locations.
The robots 11 and 21 according to the present embodiment have a form imitating a long egg-shaped mascot as shown in FIG. 2A. However, the robots 11 and 21 may have any form (for example, an animal). And a form imitating humans).

  Further, the robots 11 and 21 according to the present embodiment can perform a predetermined operation. An outline of the operations performed by the robots 11 and 21 is as follows. The robots 11 and 21 emit light or blink in a predetermined light emission mode as shown in FIG. 2B (light emission operation), as shown in FIG. 2C. An operation for generating a voice representing the message (voice generation operation) and a vibration operation (vibration operation) as shown in FIG. 2D are executed. 2B to 2D are explanatory diagrams relating to the operations of the robots 11 and 21, and the drawings illustrate how the robots 11 and 21 are performing various operations.

  The robots 11 and 21 are connected to the servers 12 and 22 by the USB connection method, and perform the above-described operation under the control of the servers 12 and 22. In other words, the servers 12 and 22 control the corresponding robots 11 and 21 (in a simple manner, the robots 11 and 2 that are connected via USB) to perform the above-described operation. More specifically, the servers 12 and 22 generate operation data as data for robot control, and transmit the operation data to the robots 11 and 21 corresponding to the operation data. On the other hand, when the robots 11 and 21 receive the operation data from the servers 12 and 22, the robots 11 and 21 perform an operation according to the operation data.

  In addition, the robots 11 and 21 according to the present embodiment include a mechanism that accepts an input operation performed by a single person or a relative. When the mechanism accepts an input operation, the robot 11 or 21 generates data corresponding to the operation content and generates a server. 12 and 22 are transmitted. More specifically, the robots 11 and 21 according to this embodiment have transparent rubber cover members 11a and 21a covered on a frame (not shown), and the cover members 11a and 21a are the robots 11 and 21. Defines the external shape. When the robots 11 and 21 are lifted and grasped as shown in FIG. 2E, the cover members 11a and 21a are elastically deformed so as to be crushed as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, a pressure sensor (not shown) is built in the robots 11 and 21, so that a single person or a relative holds the robots 11 and 21 so as to crush the cover members 11a and 21a as shown in FIG. 2E (gripping operation). ), The pressure sensor receives the grip operation. With this configuration, an input operation, that is, a grip operation can be received by the robots 11 and 21.

  Further, the robots 11 and 21 generate operation data indicating the contents of the accepted grip operation and transmit the operation data to the servers 12 and 22. Here, the content of the grip operation is the number of times the robots 11 and 21 are gripped during a unit time (for example, 5 to 10 seconds), and the operation data indicating the number of times corresponds to the input operation data. . Strictly speaking, the grip operation accepted by the single person side robot 11 corresponds to the monitored person side input operation, and the data indicating the number of times the robot 11 is gripped in the grip operation corresponds to the monitored person side input operation data. To do. On the other hand, the gripping operation received by the relative-side robot 21 corresponds to the supervisor-side input operation, and the data indicating the number of times the robot 21 is gripped in the gripping operation corresponds to the supervisor-side input operation data.

  When the servers 12 and 22 receive operation data from the robots 11 and 21, data communication is performed between the servers 12 and 22 triggered by this. More specifically, the servers 12 and 22 receiving the operation data from the robots 11 and 21 specify the number of times the robots 11 and 21 are gripped per unit time by expanding the operation data, and specify Data indicating the result (hereinafter, count data) is generated.

  Thereafter, the servers 12 and 22 transmit the count data to the servers 12 and 22 that are communication partners. Here, the number-of-times count data indicates the content of the number of grips specified from the operation data sent from the robots 11 and 21. Strictly speaking, the count data generated by the relative-side server 22 indicates the content of the grip operation performed by the relative (that is, the number of times the robot 21 is gripped) based on the operation data from the robot 21. This corresponds to first content specifying data indicating the content. On the other hand, the count data generated by the server 12 on the side of the single person is based on the content of the grip operation performed by the single person (that is, the number of times the robot 11 is gripped) based on the operation data from the robot 11. This corresponds to second content specifying data indicating the content.

  Then, the servers 12 and 22 that have received the count data generate operation data for performing an operation corresponding to the “number of grips” indicated by the count count data, and send the operation data to the corresponding robots 11 and 21. Send to. The robots 11 and 21 perform an operation corresponding to the “number of grips” based on the operation data received from the servers 12 and 22.

  As described above, the robots 11 and 21 function as interfaces by being interposed between the owners and relatives who are the owners and the servers 12 and 22. If it explains in an easy-to-understand manner, the robots 11 and 21 will hand over the operation data which is the data which show the content of the said input operation to the servers 12 and 22 if the input operation which a single person and relatives perform is received. In this sense, the robots 11 and 21 correspond to reception devices that accept input operations by single persons or relatives. On the other hand, when the servers 12 and 22 notify the single person and relatives of predetermined information, the robots 11 and 21 serve as output means for the information, and the robots 11 and 21 perform operations according to the above information. This information is reported to singles and relatives.

  By using the communication units 1 and 2 configured as described above, it is possible for a single person and a relative to easily carry out a dialogue, so that a single person can respond to an inquiry from a relative. Responding easily, relatives can easily confirm the safety of a single person. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, a specific procedure regarding the dialogue between the single person and the relative using the communication units 1 and 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a procedure of dialogue through the system S. Hereinafter, the server 12 managed by a solitary person will be referred to as a solitary server 12, and the server 22 managed by a relative will be referred to as a relative server 22.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the dialogue between the solitary person and the relative is started when the relative performs an operation of grasping his / her robot 21 a predetermined number of times within a unit time. Such a gripping operation corresponds to an input operation (monitorer side input operation) performed when a relative contacts a solitary person. The robot 21 that has received the grip operation generates operation data indicating the content of the grip operation, and transmits the operation data to the relative server 22. When the relative server 22 receives the operation data, the relative server 22 generates content count data indicating the content of the grip operation by the relative, that is, the number of grips of the robot 21 from the data, and transmits the data to the single person server 12.

When the solitary server 12 receives the count data from the relative server 22, the solitary server 12 generates operation data for performing an operation according to the “number of grips” indicated by the data, and the operation data is sent to the corresponding robot 11. Send. When the robot 11 receives the operation data, the robot 11 performs an operation corresponding to the grip operation performed by the relative based on the operation data.
More specifically, the robot 11 according to the present embodiment performs a sound generation operation for generating a sound representing a predetermined message and a light emission operation for emitting light in a predetermined light emission color as operations in response to the grip operation. In other words, the solitary server 12 generates operation data for performing an operation of emitting voice information corresponding to the “number of grips” while emitting light, and transmits the operation data to the robot 11.

  Note that the content of the voice (message) uttered in the voice generation operation changes according to the “number of grips” indicated by the count data received from the relative server 22, and is specifically shown in FIG. It changes according to the correspondence. More specifically, when “the number of grips” is L1, the voice “Ohayo” is heard, when “the number of grips” is L2, the voice “Genki?”, And “the number of grips” is L3 times. In this case, the voice “Denwashite” corresponds to each. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between the number of grips in the grip operation and the content of the operation performed by the robot. The contents of the operation shown in FIG. 4 are merely examples, and the contents shown in FIG. 4 may be executed differently.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the emission color when the robot 11 receives the operation data from the solitary server 12 and performs the light emission operation changes according to the elapsed time from the reception of the operation data. For example, light is emitted in red for a while after the operation data is received and the light emission operation is started, and the emission color changes every time one hour has elapsed since the reception of the operation data. It will gradually change like yellow, green, blue, etc. By changing the light emission color in this way, the solitary person can see the elapsed time since the robot 11 received the operation data from the solitary server 12, in other words, the elapsed time since the inquiry from the relatives. It becomes possible to grasp roughly. In this way, by knowing the elapsed time since the solitary person asked questions from relatives, it is possible to realize that if the elapsed time becomes longer, it must respond quickly to the above questions. Become.

  On the other hand, when the single person confirms the operation of the robot 11, as shown in FIG. 3B, the single person performs an operation of holding his / her robot 11 a predetermined number of times within a unit time. Such a gripping operation corresponds to an input operation (monitored person side input operation) performed when a solitary person contacts the monitor. Then, the robot 11 that has received the grip operation generates operation data indicating the content of the grip operation, and transmits the operation data to the solitary server 12.

  Thereafter, the procedure proceeds in the same manner as described above, the solitary server 12 generates the count data and transmits it to the relative server 22, and the relative server 22 sets the “number of grips” indicated by the count count data. Operation data for performing the corresponding operation is generated and transmitted to the corresponding robot 21. And the robot 21 performs the operation | movement according to the grip operation which the single person performed based on the received operation | movement data. As shown in FIG. 3D, the robot 21 owned by the relative also performs a sound generation operation and a light emitting operation as operations corresponding to the gripping operation, similarly to the robot 11 owned by a single person.

  Note that the content of the voice generated by the robot 21 owned by the relative in the voice generation operation also changes in accordance with the “number of grips” indicated by the count data received from the server 22. It changes based on the correspondence with the contents. At this time, it is desirable that the content of the voice (message) generated in the voice generation operation is different between the robot 11 held by a single person and the robot 21 held by a relative.

  By the above procedure, a single person and a relative can send a message to the other party through the robots 11 and 21, and can confirm the message from the other party by the operation performed by the robots 11 and 21, and as a result, it is easy. It is possible to conduct a dialogue easily. In other words, relatives can confirm the status (safety) of a solitary person, and can communicate the contents of communication to a solitary person with a simple operation. Is possible.

  Furthermore, according to the configuration of the present system S that realizes the dialogue according to the above procedure, when monitoring the status of the solitary person, the relatives always monitor the behavior of the solitary person and the situation in the solitary person's home H1. I don't need it. That is, in the present system S, a method is employed in which a single person spontaneously transmits his / her state using the robot 11 in response to an inquiry from a relative. Thereby, it becomes possible to monitor the state of a single person smoothly while suppressing the single person from feeling stress.

  By the way, in this embodiment, each communication unit 1 and 2 of a relative and a single person has a function as a communication tool used when a single person and a relative have a dialogue as described above, and energy in a house. It is also used to manage the consumption status, specifically the power consumption status. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, home servers 14 and 24 and power sensors 15 and 25 are installed in the homes H <b> 1 and H <b> 2 of single persons and relatives as shown in FIG. 1. ing. In each home H1 and H2, the communication units 1 and 2 construct a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) in cooperation with the home servers 14 and 24 and the power sensors 15 and 25.

  The power sensors 15 and 25 are measuring instruments for measuring the power consumption in the homes H1 and H2, and the power sensor 15 on the side installed in the home H1 of the lonely person is measured by the monitored person. The power sensor 25 on the side installed in the relative's home H2 corresponds to a monitoring instrument on the monitoring side. The home servers 14 and 24 receive power data indicating the measurement results of the power sensors 15 and 25 by communicating with the power sensors 15 and 25 through networks (home networks) constructed in the homes H1 and H2. Here, the power data that the home server 14 receives from the power sensor 15 in the single person's home H1 corresponds to the monitored person-side measurement data. On the other hand, the power data that the home server 24 acquires from the power sensor 25 in the relative's home H2 corresponds to the monitoring-side measurement data.

  Further, the home servers 14 and 24 wirelessly communicate with the servers 12 and 22 of the communication units 1 and 2 via the wireless routers 13 and 23 disposed in the homes H1 and H2, and power is supplied to the servers 12 and 22. Send data. Thereby, the servers 12 and 22 acquire power data indicating the measurement results obtained by the power sensors 15 and 25.

  Furthermore, the servers 12 and 22 according to the present embodiment identify the total power consumption of the day based on the acquired power data, and generate and respond to operation data for performing an operation according to the identification result. Transmit to the robots 11 and 21. More specifically, the relative server 22 acquires power data indicating the measurement result of the power sensor 25 installed in the relative's home H2 via the home server 25, and then analyzes the data to analyze the total of the day. Identify power consumption. Thereafter, the relative server 22 compares the preset target value of power consumption per day with the specified total power consumption (actual value), and the ratio of the actual value to the target value (hereinafter simply referred to as “target value”). (Referred to as “ratio”).

  Then, the relative server 22 generates operation data corresponding to the calculated ratio and transmits it to the corresponding robot 21, and the robot 21 performs a predetermined operation as an operation corresponding to the operation data received from the relative server 22. The light emission operation is performed to emit light with the light emission color. At this time, the emission color of the robot 21 changes according to the ratio value calculated by the relative server 22, and specifically changes according to the correspondence shown in FIG. 4B. By checking the light emission color of the robot 21 in the light emitting operation state, the relatives grasp the amount of electric power (strictly speaking) consumed in the home H2 on the day and need to review their power consumption behavior. It is possible to determine whether or not.

  The above configuration is the same for the single person side, and the single person server 12 calculates the ratio of the total power consumption consumed in the home H1 on the day to the target value, and operates according to the calculation result. Data is generated and transmitted to the corresponding robot 11. On the other hand, the robot 11 performs a light emission operation that emits light in an emission color corresponding to the “ratio” calculated by the single person server 12 as an operation according to the operation data received from the single person server 12.

<< About server and robot configuration >>
Next, the configuration of the servers 12 and 22 and the robots 11 and 21 included in the communication units 1 and 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of each of the server 12 and the robot 11 managed by the relative. In addition, since the structure of the single person side and the structure of the relative side are substantially the same, in the following description, only the structure of the server 21 (relative server) 22 of the relative side and the robot 21 corresponding thereto will be described. The configuration of the single-sided server (single-sided server) 12 and the robot 11 corresponding thereto will be omitted.

  The relative server 22 is formed of a small server, for example, and includes a CPU 22a, a memory 22b, and a communication interface 22c as shown in FIG. The relative server 22 is communicably connected to the robot 21 via the communication interface 22c, and communicates with the home server 24 via the communication interface 22c.

  The memory 22b of the relative server 22 stores an interactive program and a HEMS program as shown in FIG. The dialogue program is a program for a relative to interact with a single person who is a communication partner using his / her robot 21. The HEMS program is a program for a relative to monitor the power consumption state in the home H2 through his / her robot 21. These programs are read and executed by the CPU 22a, whereby various processes by the relative server 22 are executed.

Further, the memory 22b of the relative server 22 stores conditions for the relative server 22 to control the robot 21, specifically, operating conditions for the robot 21 to perform an operation. This operation condition defines the light emission format (for example, emission color, blinking speed, etc.) when the robot 21 performs the light emission operation, and the sound (message) when the robot 21 performs the sound generation operation. Are registered in advance before generating the operation data. The registration of operating conditions can be performed on a setting screen (not shown) displayed on the communication terminal by the relative accessing the relative server 22 using a communication terminal such as a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.
The relative server 22 generates operation data so that the robot 21 performs an operation in accordance with the registered operation condition.

  Here, the process executed by the relative server 22 includes a process for dialogue and a process for power management. Which of these processes is executed is determined by a program executed by the CPU 22a of the relative server 22. Is done. That is, in the present embodiment, the process execution mode by the relative server 22 includes a mode for executing a process for dialogue (hereinafter, communication mode) and a mode for executing a process for power management (hereinafter, power management mode). It is possible to switch between them. Hereinafter, each of the two processing execution modes will be described.

<About communication mode>
The communication mode corresponds to the first mode of the present invention. When this mode is selected, the following processes (1) to (3) are executed. Note that the following processes (1) to (3) are realized by the above-described interactive program being executed by the CPU 22a.
(1) Operation data acquisition processing (2) Count data transmission processing (3) Operation data transmission processing

  The operation data acquisition process corresponds to the input operation data acquisition process of the present invention, and the operation data indicating the input operation performed by the relative through the robot 21, that is, the content of the grip operation (specifically, the number of times the robot 21 is gripped). Is acquired from the robot 21.

  The count data transmission process corresponds to the first content identification data transmission process of the present invention. The content of the grip operation is identified from the operation data acquired in the operation data acquisition process, and “the number of grips” as the specified content is determined. Is generated and transmitted to the solitary server 12.

  The operation data transmission process receives the count data sent from the solitary server 12 and generates the operation data for causing the robot 21 to perform an operation according to the “number of grips” indicated by the count data. This is a process of transmitting to the robot 21 (strictly speaking, a controller 31 described later). The correspondence relationship between the “number of grips” and the content of the action is stored as table data in the memory 22b. The relative server 22 specifies the content of the operation according to the “number of grips” by referring to the above table data when generating the operation data for performing the operation according to the “number of grips”.

  Here, the operation data transmission process executed by the relative server 22 is executed when the count data sent from the solitary server 12 is received as described above. On the other hand, the solitary server 12 transmits the count data to the relative server 22 because the solitary person confirms a message from the relative through his / her robot 11 and further sends a reply to the message through the robot 11. It is time to send. That is, the “number of grips” indicated by the count data sent from the solitary server 12 corresponds to the contents of the solitary person's response to the inquiry from the relative. In the operation data transmission process by the relative server 22, operation data is generated and transmitted to the robot 21 in order to notify the relatives through the robot 21 of information corresponding to the “number of grips” indicated by the count data. I am going to do that. In this sense, it can be said that the operation data transmission process by the relative server 22 corresponds to the notification process of the present invention.

  The above three processes are similarly executed in the solitary server 12. More specifically, in the operation data transmission process, the solitary server 12 generates operation data that causes the robot 11 to perform an operation corresponding to the “number of grips” indicated by the count data received from the relative server 22. Send to. The operation data is generated in order to notify a single person of a message from a relative, and the robot 11 that has received the operation data performs a sound generation operation for generating a sound representing the message.

  In addition, after the robot 11 performs the above-described sound generation operation and the solitary person confirms the message from the relative, in other words, after the operation data transmission process is performed, the operation data acquisition process by the solitary server 12 is performed. Executed. In this process, the solitary server 12 obtains, from the robot 11, operation data indicating the content of the grip operation (specifically, the number of times the robot 11 is gripped) performed when the solitary person sends a reply to the message from the relative. To do.

  Further, the solitary server 12 executes the count data transmission process after the operation data acquisition process. This process corresponds to the second content specifying data transmission process of the present invention. In this process, the solitary server 12 specifies the content of the grip operation from the operation data acquired in the operation data acquiring process, and the specified content The number count data indicating “the number of grips” is generated and transmitted to the relative server 22. And the relative server 22 will perform the operation | movement data transmission process as an alerting | reporting process, if frequency count data are received from the solitary server 12. FIG.

As described above, in this embodiment, both the solitary server 12 and the relative server 22 execute the operation data acquisition process, the count data transmission process, and the operation data. On the other hand, in addition to the above three processes, the relative server 22 further executes the following processes (4) and (5). Note that the following processes (4) and (5) are also realized by the above-described interactive program being executed by the CPU 22a.
(4) Judgment processing (5) Warning processing

  The determination process is performed when no count data is received from the solitary server 12 until a certain time elapses after the relative server 22 executes the count count data transmission process (in other words, the solitary server 12 counts the number of times). Executed when data transmission processing is not executed). In this process, first, the relative server 22 communicates with the solitary server 12 to acquire power data indicating the measurement result of the power sensor 15 installed in the solitary house H1. In this data communication, the solitary server 12 performs a process of acquiring the power data from the power sensor 15 via the home server 14. Here, the power data acquisition process by the single person server 12 corresponds to the monitored person side measurement data acquisition process of the present invention.

  Thereafter, in the determination process, the relative server 22 uses the power data to indicate the degree of fluctuation in power consumption in a time period including the time point when the relative server 22 executes the count data transmission process, for example, from a predetermined time of the day to the present time. Identify based on. As the degree of fluctuation of power consumption, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of power consumption in the above time zone may be adopted, but an index other than the difference (for example, the rate of change of power consumption) is consumed. It may be used as the degree of power fluctuation.

  In the determination process, the relative server 22 determines whether or not the above degree of variation is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The threshold value is set in advance and stored in the memory 22b of the relative server 22. In this embodiment, the threshold value can be changed. Specifically, the relative is displayed on the communication terminal by accessing the relative server 22 using a communication terminal such as a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. The configuration can be changed on the setting screen.

  Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the determination process is executed by the relative server 22, but is not limited thereto, and may be executed by the solitary server 12. That is, the solitary server 12 may identify the degree of fluctuation of power consumption on the day in the solitary house and determine whether the degree of fluctuation is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. In such a configuration, the solitary server 12 generates data indicating the determination result and transmits the data to the relative server 22.

  The warning process is a process in which the relative server 22 issues a warning to the relative when it is determined in the determination process that the degree of fluctuation of the power consumption is not greater than or equal to the threshold value. More specifically, when the relative server 22 determines that the variation degree of the power consumption is not equal to or greater than the threshold value, the relative server 22 generates operation data for performing a warning operation (warning operation data) and transmits it to the robot 21. When the robot 21 receives the warning operation data, the robot 21 performs at least one of the operation of emitting light with a warning emission color, the operation of generating a warning sound, and the operation of generating vibration as the warning operation. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the count server does not receive the count data from the solitary server 12 until a certain time elapses after the relative server 22 executes the count data transmission process, and the predetermined date of the day is determined. When the degree of fluctuation in power consumption at home H1 of a single person in the time zone from the time to the present time is not equal to or greater than the threshold value, the relative is warned. This warning allows relatives to notice anomalies in the status of singles.

  In addition, about the warning, a configuration (hereinafter referred to as a comparative example) that is made when a certain period of time elapses without receiving the count data from the solitary server 12 from the time when the relative server 22 executes the count data transmission process. Conceivable. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the fluctuation degree of power consumption in the single person's home H1 in the time zone from the predetermined time of the day to the present time is calculated, and the presence or absence of abnormality in the single person's state is evaluated from the result. Therefore, the credibility of the warning is higher than that of the above comparative example.

<Power management mode>
The communication mode corresponds to the first mode of the present invention. When this mode is selected, the following processes (6) and (7) are executed. The following processes (6) and (7) are realized by executing the above-described HEMS program by the CPU 22a. In addition, regarding the processes (6) and (7) below, both the relative server 22 and the solitary server 12 can be executed.
(6) Power data acquisition processing (7) Power consumption status notification processing

  The power data acquisition process is a process in which the relative data server 22 acquires the electric power data indicating the measurement result of the power sensor 25 installed in the relative's home H <b> 2 from the electric power sensor 15 via the home server 24. Note that the power data acquisition process by the relative server 22 corresponds to the monitoring-side measurement data acquisition process.

  The power consumption status notification process is a process for notifying the relatives of information corresponding to the power consumption amount in the relative's home H2 based on the power data acquired in the power data acquisition process. More specifically, the relative server 22 calculates the ratio of the actual value of the total power consumption consumed in the home H2 to the target value of the day based on the acquired power data, and the operation according to the calculation result The operation data to be performed is generated and transmitted to the robot 21. As a result, the robot 21 performs a light emitting operation of emitting light with a light emission color corresponding to the calculated ratio as an operation according to the operation data received from the relative server 22.

  The correspondence relationship between the ratio and the emission color of the robot 21 is as shown in FIG. 4B, and is stored in the memory 22b of the relative server 22 as table data.

  The above configuration is the same for the single person side, and the single person server 12 calculates the ratio of the total power consumption consumed in the home H1 on the day to the target value, and operates according to the calculation result. Data is generated and transmitted to the corresponding robot 11. On the other hand, the robot 11 performs a light emission operation that emits light in an emission color corresponding to the “ratio” calculated by the single person server 12 as an operation according to the operation data received from the single person server 12.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the process execution modes of the solitary server 12 and the relative server 22 can be switched between the communication mode and the power management mode. In this way, each server 12, 22 has both a communication function and a power management function, and it is possible to freely change which one of the two functions is exhibited, The entire system S including the servers 12 and 22 and the servers 12 and 22 is more versatile.

  The processing execution modes of the servers 12 and 22 are not limited to the above two modes, and other modes may be further added. For example, it is possible for the servers 12 and 22 to cooperate with the home servers 14 and 24 to execute processing for remotely controlling the electrical devices in the homes H1 and H2, and the execution mode (remote control mode) of such processing is May participate.

Briefly describing the above-described remote control mode, when the mode is designated, a single person or a relative can grasp the robots 11 and 21 a predetermined number of times in order to switch the state of the electrical devices in the homes H1 and H2, that is, , Do the grip operation. On the other hand, the robots 11 and 21 receive the grip operation and transmit operation data to the servers 12 and 22. The servers 12 and 22 analyze the operation data, specify the “number of times of grip” in the grip operation, and control the home appliances 14 and 24 to control the electric device to be controlled with the control content according to the specification result. To request. The home servers 14 and 24 that have received the request switch the operation state of the electric device by outputting a control signal to the electric device to be controlled.
If the remote control mode described above is added as a process execution mode, the versatility of the servers 12 and 22 can be improved. Note that a configuration that enables remote control of an electrical device is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-102281, and thus description thereof is omitted in this specification.

Next, the configuration of the robot 21 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, the robot 21 includes a controller 31, a light emitting unit 32, a sound generation unit 33, a vibration unit 34, and an operation reception unit 35, all of which are built in the robot 21. . Further, the robot 21 is connected to the relative server 22 via the USB connector 36, exchanges data with the relative server 22 via the USB connector 36, and supplies power from the relative server 22 via the USB connector 36. is recieving. In the present embodiment, the connection method between the robot 21 and the relative server 22 is not limited to the wired method via the USB connector 36, and a wireless connection method may be adopted. Further, a wireless power feeding method may be adopted as a power feeding method.

  The light emitting unit 32, the sound generation unit 33, and the vibration unit 34 correspond to an operation mechanism that operates when the robot 21 performs an operation. Explaining each unit, the light emitting unit 32 corresponds to a light emitting mechanism, and emits light in a light emitting mode according to operation data sent from the relative server 22, and is a known light emitting device such as an LED element ( Light source). When the light emitting unit 32 emits light, the robot 21 performs a light emitting operation that emits light or blinks in a predetermined format as shown in FIG. 2B. Here, the light emission format is a concept indicating an operation condition during the light emission operation, and specifically corresponds to a light emission color, light emission intensity (illuminance), number of blinks per unit time, and the like. In the present embodiment, the light emission format is set in advance according to the content of the operation performed by the robot 21, and the correspondence relationship is stored in the memory 22 b of the relative server 22 as table data. Furthermore, the light emission format can be freely set and changed. Specifically, a relative can access the relative server 22 using a communication terminal such as a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. The configuration can be changed on the setting screen displayed on the communication terminal.

  The sound generation unit 33 corresponds to a sound generation mechanism, emits sound corresponding to the operation data sent from the relative server 22, and is configured by a known small sound reproduction device. More specifically, an audio file is incorporated in the operation data, and the audio generation unit 33 extracts the audio file from the operation data and reproduces it, thereby recording the audio file. Play audio. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2C, the robot 21 performs a sound generation operation for generating the sound recorded in the sound file. The audio file is stored in the memory 22b of the relative server 22, and is read out when the operation data is generated and is incorporated in the operation data. However, the audio file is not limited to the one stored in advance in the memory 22b of the relative server 22, and may be newly added by downloading from a predetermined site.

  The vibration unit 34 vibrates according to the operation data sent from the relative server 22, and is configured by a known vibration applying device such as a vibrator. As the vibration unit 34 vibrates, the robot 21 performs a vibration operation in which the entire robot 21 vibrates as shown in FIG. 2D. In this embodiment, the vibration operation is performed as a warning operation when the relative server 22 executes the warning process described above, but the use of the vibration operation is not limited to the above purpose. It may be used for other purposes (for example, for notifying some information).

  The operation reception unit 35 corresponds to an operation reception mechanism and receives a grip operation as an input operation by a relative. The operation reception unit 35 includes a rubber cover member 21a that defines the outer shape of the robot 21, and a pressure disposed inside the rubber cover member 21a. And a sensor (not shown).

  The controller 31 receives the operation data sent from the relative server 22, and controls the light emitting unit 32, the sound generation unit 33, and the vibration unit 34 based on the operation data. The controller 31 includes a CPU 31a, a memory 31b, a communication interface 31c, and a control circuit 31d. The controller 31 receives the operation data from the relative server 22 through the communication interface 31c, and the CPU 31a executes the program stored in the memory 31b, whereby the light emitting unit 32 and the sound generation unit 33 are transmitted via the control circuit 31d. And the vibration unit 34 is controlled.

More specifically, when the operation data is received from the relative server 22, the controller 31 first analyzes the operation data and specifies the operation content indicated by the data. At this time, when the light emission format is specified as the operation content, the controller 31 controls the light emitting unit 32 to emit light in the specified light emission format. Similarly, when voice information (message) is specified as the operation content, the controller 31 controls the voice generation unit 33 to reproduce the specified voice information. Further, the necessity of the vibration operation is specified as the operation content, and when the vibration operation is necessary, the controller 31 controls the vibration unit 34 so that the robot 21 vibrates.
As a result of the above control being performed by the controller 31, the robot 21 performs an operation according to the operation data received from the relative server 22.

  In the present embodiment, the controller 31 controls the light emitting unit 32 so that the light emission color changes according to the elapsed time from when the operation data is received. More specifically, the controller 31 emits red light for a while after receiving the operation data and starting the light emission operation, and the elapsed time from the reception of the operation data has passed one hour. The emission color is controlled to change gradually such as yellow, green, blue, etc. every time.

  Furthermore, when the operation reception unit 35 receives a grip operation, the controller 31 generates operation data using this as a trigger. That is, the controller 31 specifies “the number of grips” in the grip operation received by the operation reception unit 35 and generates operation data indicating the number of times. The generated operation data is output toward the relative server 22 through the communication interface 31c.

  On the other hand, when the operation data is received, the relative server 22 performs control according to the “number of grips” indicated by the operation data. More specifically, the relative server 22 stores the correspondence between the “number of grips” and the control contents. When the operation data is received from the robot 21, the “number of grips” is specified from the data and specified. The control corresponding to the number of grips performed is performed. That is, in this embodiment, when a relative performs a gripping operation for gripping the robot 21 when requesting various controls to the relative server 22, the relative number is changed by changing the “number of grips” (number of grips per unit time). It is possible to change the request contents of control for the server 22.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between the number of grips and the content of control will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between the “number of times of gripping” and the control content by the relative server 22.
First, as for the process execution mode by the relative server 22, as described above, any one of the communication mode and the power management mode can be selected. On the other hand, the correspondence relationship between the “number of grips” and the control content is different for each mode.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the communication mode is selected and the “number of grips” is L0, the relative server 22 switches the operation of the robot 21 on and off. . Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, when the power management mode is selected and the “grip count” is M0, the relative server 22 switches the operation of the robot 21 on and off. Here, the operation by the robot 21 to be switched on / off is an operation performed based on the immediately previous operation data among the operation data received by the robot 21 from the relative server 22.

  When the communication mode is selected, if the “number of grips” is any of L1, L2, and L3, the relative server 22 executes the count data transmission process, and indicates the number of times indicating “the number of grips”. Count data is generated and transmitted to the solitary server 12. Here, when the solitary server 12 receives the count count data indicating that the “number of grips” is any one of L1, L2, and L3, an operation of emitting a voice (message) corresponding to the “number of grips” is performed. The operation data to be performed is generated by the single person server 12. That is, the grip operation performed by the relative so that the “number of grips” is any one of L1, L2, and L3 corresponds to an input operation (monitoring side input operation) performed when the relative contacts the single person.

  Similarly, when a single person performs a grip operation so that the “number of times of grip” is L1, L2, or L3 when the communication mode is selected in the single person server 12, the single person server 12 Count data transmission processing is executed to generate count data indicating “the number of grips” and transmit it to the relative server 22. When the relative count data is received by the relative server 22, operation data that causes the voice (message) corresponding to the “grip count” to be generated is generated in the relative server 22. That is, the gripping operation performed by the single person so that the “number of grips” is any of L1, L2, and L3 corresponds to the input operation (monitored person side input operation) performed when the single person contacts the relative. .

  When the communication mode is selected and the “number of grips” is L4, the relative server 22 performs operation data for performing an operation (mode confirmation operation) for notifying the relative of the current process execution mode. Is generated and transmitted to the robot 21. When the robot 21 receives the operation data, the robot 21 performs an operation corresponding to the communication mode as an operation for mode confirmation. Specifically, the robot 21 emits light in the light emission format corresponding to the communication mode, or the current process. The voice that expresses the message indicating that the execution mode is the communication mode is emitted.

  Similarly, when the power management mode is selected and the “number of grips” is M 1, the relative server 22 generates operation data for performing the mode confirmation operation and transmits the operation data to the robot 21. When the robot 21 receives the operation data, the robot 21 performs an operation corresponding to the power management mode as a mode confirmation operation. Specifically, the robot 21 emits light in the light emission format corresponding to the power management mode, or executes the current process. Or a voice message indicating that the mode is the power management mode.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the relative performs the grip operation at a predetermined “number of times of grip” (specifically, L4 times, M1 times), thereby performing the mode check operation of the robot 21 to perform the current relative server 22. It is possible to confirm the process execution mode. In other words, the grip operation performed by the relative so that the “number of grips” is L4 times and M1 times corresponds to the input operation for mode confirmation performed when the relative confirms the current processing execution mode.

The relative only needs to confirm the operation performed by the relative server 22 when confirming the current processing execution mode of the relative server 22, and a relatively simple operation mode of holding the robot 21 is sufficient for the operation required for the relative. It will be. As described above, in the present embodiment, the current processing execution mode of the servers 12 and 22 can be easily confirmed through the operation of the robots 11 and 21.
Note that the mode confirmation input operation is preferably common between the modes, and from this point of view, the above-mentioned L4 times and M1 times are preferably set to the same number of times.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the processing execution mode of the relative server 22 can be switched by a grip operation. More specifically, when a relative performs a grip operation so that the “number of grips” is L5 when the communication mode is selected, the controller 31 of the robot 21 sends a mode switching request to the relative server 22. To send. When the relative server 22 receives the request from the robot 21, the relative server 22 switches the processing execution mode from the communication mode to the power management mode.
Similarly, if the relative performs a grip operation so that the “number of grips” is M2 when the power management mode is selected, the controller 31 of the robot 21 transmits a mode switching request to the relative server 22. To do. When the relative server 22 receives the request from the robot 21, the relative server 22 switches the processing execution mode to the communication mode.

As described above, in this embodiment, a relative can freely switch the processing execution mode of the robot 21 by performing a grip operation at a predetermined “number of grips” (specifically, L5 times, M2 times). It is. In other words, the grip operation performed by the relative so that the “number of grips” is L5 times and M2 times corresponds to a switching operation performed by the relative to switch the processing execution mode of the relative server 22.
Note that the mode confirmation input operation is preferably common between the modes, and from this point of view, the above-mentioned L4 times and M1 times are preferably set to the same number of times.

<< About data communication between communication units >>
Next, the content and procedure of data communication performed by the communication units 1 and 2 in order for a single person and a relative to interact with each other will be described.
Data communication between the communication units 1 and 2 is realized mainly by the servers (that is, the solitary server 12 and the relative server 22) of the communication units 1 and 2 communicate with each other via the center server 3. The On the other hand, when communicating between servers, it is necessary to register communication partners with each other, and for this purpose, each server 12 and 22 performs initial settings.

The above initial setting proceeds according to the flow shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow of initial setting.
As shown in FIG. 7, the initial setting starts when one of a relative or a single person determines an ID code for causing the server of the communication partner to recognize the server 12 or 22 managed by the relative (S001). . In step S001, the ID code is automatically determined based on the MAC address assigned to the server 12 or 22 itself.

  As described above, this step S001 is performed only by the servers 12 and 22 owned by one of the relatives or the single person, but is owned by the relative from the viewpoint of placing more importance on the privateness of the single person. It is preferable to implement it at the server (that is, the relative server 22). Therefore, in the following, a case where the relative server 22 performs this step S001 will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be performed in this step S001 on a server owned by a single person (that is, a single person server 12).

  When the ID code is determined, the relative server 22 generates data for displaying the ID code (hereinafter, ID code display data) (S002). On the other hand, a relative acquires ID code display data by accessing the relative server 22 through a communication terminal such as a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal, and expands the data to display the ID code on the display of the communication terminal. Display. Thereby, the relative can recognize the ID code determined by the relative server 22.

  The ID code display means is not limited to a communication terminal such as a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal, and the robot 21 may be used. That is, it is also possible to generate operation data for performing an operation corresponding to the ID code indicated by the ID code display data, transmit it to the robot 21, and notify the relatives of the ID code through the operation of the robot 21. Good.

  Thereafter, the relative who recognized the ID code communicates the ID code to the solitary person verbally or by e-mail, and the solitary person performs an input operation for registering the ID code taught by the relative in the solitary server 12. Do. In performing this input operation, the solitary person accesses the solitary server 12 through a communication terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. As a result, the initial setting input screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display of the communication terminal of the single person. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen for initial setting.

  More specifically, when the single person server 12 is accessed, first, the initial screen shown in FIG. 8A is displayed, and the single person displays a predetermined operation (for example, “communication on the screen” When an operation of clicking a button displayed as “partner setting” is performed, a transition is made to a screen shown in FIG. 8B (hereinafter referred to as an ID code input screen).

  Then, when the ID code that the single person has taught from the relative is input on the ID code input screen, data indicating the input items is transmitted to the single person server 12. The solitary server 12 receives the data and accepts an ID code input operation by the solitary person (S003). When the solitary server 12 accepting the input operation restores the input ID code and determines the communication partner (S004), the center server 3 is informed of the communication path for communicating with the communication partner. (S005). Thereafter, the solitary server 12 requests the relative server 22 to communicate with the relative server 22 through the communication path communicated from the center server 3 (S006).

  Then, when the relative server 22 receives a connection request from the solitary server 12 (S007), both the relative server 22 and the solitary server 12 register information regarding the mutual communication partner (S008, S009). . The initial setting is completed when the registration steps S008 and S009 are completed. Thereafter, both servers 12 and 22 can communicate with each other via the center server 3.

When the relative performs a predetermined input operation in order to interact with the solitary person after completion of the initial setting, a series of processing (hereinafter referred to as interactive processing) related to data communication between the communication units 1 and 2 is executed. The dialogue process proceeds according to the flow shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 are diagrams showing the flow of dialogue processing.
The dialogue processing starts from a place where the robot 21 accepts a predetermined input operation performed for a relative to interact with a solitary person (S011). Here, the input operation received by the robot 21 is a grip operation by a relative, and more strictly, is a grip operation performed so that the “number of grips” is any one of L1, L2, and L3. As described above, the grip operation is received by the operation reception unit 35 of the robot 21.

  When the operation reception unit 35 receives a grip operation, the controller 31 of the robot 21 generates operation data indicating the “number of grips” in the grip operation and transmits it to the relative server 22 (S012). When the kin server 22 receives the operation data from the robot 21, it identifies the content of the grip operation (that is, “the number of grips”) from the operation data, and generates count data indicating the specified content (S013).

  On the other hand, the relative server 22 requests the communication path for communicating with the solitary server 12 from the center server 3 (S014), and the center server 3 responds to the request with the communication path described above as the relative server. 22 is contacted (S015). Thereafter, the relative server 22 transmits the count data to the single person server 12 through the communication path notified from the center server 3 (S016).

  When the count data is transmitted to the solitary server 12 through the communication path, the count data is received by the solitary server 12 (S017). The solitary server 12 identifies the content of the grip operation of the relative (that is, “the number of grips”) based on the count data, and generates operation data for performing an operation according to the content, The operation data is transmitted to the corresponding robot 11 (S018).

  Thereafter, in the robot 11, the controller 31 receives the operation data (S019), and controls the light emitting unit 32, the sound generation unit 33, and the vibration unit 34 based on the operation data. As a result, the robot 11 performs an operation in accordance with the content of the grip operation performed by the relative (that is, “the number of grips”) (S020). Here, the operation performed by the robot 21 when the “number of grips” is L1, L2, or L3 is performed for the purpose of informing the single person of the content of the message sent to the single person by the relative, This is called interactive action. In the present embodiment, the robot 11 performs a voice generation operation for generating a voice representing the above message and a light emission operation for emitting light with a predetermined light emission color as interactive operations.

  The solitary person can confirm the message sent from the relative through the voice generated in the dialogue operation performed by the robot 11, particularly the voice generation operation, and further responds to the message through the robot 11 possessed by the person alone. . That is, the solitary person performs an input operation of gripping the robot 11 a predetermined number of times as an operation to respond to an inquiry from a relative, and more strictly, the “number of grips” is any one of L1, L2, and L3. Perform grip operation.

  When the above-mentioned grip operation is received by the operation reception unit 35 of the robot 11 held by a single person (Yes in S021), the controller 31 of the robot 21 generates operation data indicating the “number of grips” in the grip operation. And it transmits toward the single person server 12 (S031).

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, the relative server 22 and the solitary server 12 reverse their positions and execute the same steps as the series of steps S013 to S20 (S032 to S038). As a result, the robot 21 owned by the relative performs an interactive operation according to the content of the grip operation performed by the single person (ie, “the number of grips”) (S039). Here, the dialogue operation when the “number of grips” is any of L1, L2, and L3 is performed for the purpose of notifying the relatives of the response contents when the single person responds to the inquiry from the relatives. Is. In the present embodiment, the robot 11 performs, as a dialogue operation, a sound generation operation that generates a sound representing the above-described response content and a light emission operation that emits light in a predetermined light emission color.

  Relatives can confirm the message (response message) sent from the solitary person through the voice generated in the dialogue operation performed by the robot 21, particularly the voice generating operation, and understand that there is no abnormality in the state of the solitary person. It becomes possible to do. For the purpose of notifying the single person that the response from the single person has been confirmed, the relative performs a grip operation again and sends a message again to the single person through the series of steps S011 to S20 shown in FIG. It is good as well.

On the other hand, when the robot 11 owned by the single person does not accept the single person's gripping operation (No in S021), the relative server 22 transmits the count data to the single person server 12 (ie, step S016). When a certain period of time elapses from (the implementation time of (1)) (S022), the process proceeds according to the procedure shown in FIG.
More specifically, when the relative server 22 has not received the count data from the solitary server 12 when a certain period has elapsed since the transmission of the count data, the relative server 22 transmits the power data to the solitary server 12. Request transmission (S041). When the solitary server 12 receives the request (S042), the solitary server 12 transmits the power data acquired from the power sensor 15 installed in the solitary house H1 to the relative server 22 (S043).

  When the relative server 22 receives the power data from the solitary server 12 (S044), based on the power data, the relative power of the power consumption in the solitary residence on the day including the time when the relative server 22 transmits the count data is received. The degree of fluctuation is specified (S045). More specifically, the relative server 22 specifies the transition of the power consumption of the day as the degree of fluctuation of the power consumption of the day in the solitary residence, and then specifies the maximum value and the minimum value of the power consumption. Further, the difference between both values is calculated.

  The relative server 22 reads out a preset threshold value from the memory 22b, and the degree of variation specified in the previous step (S045), specifically, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of power consumption is equal to or greater than the threshold value. Is determined (S046). If it is determined in this determination process that the degree of variation is equal to or greater than the threshold (Yes in S046), the above steps S041 to S046 are repeated until the solitary robot 11 accepts the grip operation.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process that the degree of variation is not equal to or greater than the threshold (No in S046), the relative server 22 generates operation data for causing the robot 21 to perform a warning operation, that is, warning operation data, and To send (S047). When the robot 21 receives the warning operation data (S048), the robot 21 performs an operation of emitting light in a warning emission color, an operation of generating a warning sound, and an operation of generating vibration as the warning operation (S048). S049). By checking the warning action by the robot 21, the relative can recognize that there is an abnormality in the state of the solitary person.

<< Other Embodiments >>
In the above embodiment, the state monitoring system of the present invention has been described with an example. However, the above embodiment is for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  In the above embodiment, the robots 11 and 21 are installed in the homes H1 and H2 of both the single person and relatives. In other words, in the above-described embodiment, the robots 11 and 21 that are figurine type devices are used as an interface for both a single person and a relative to receive their input operation and transmit the contents of the input operation to the servers 12 and 22. I am going to do that. However, the figurine type device only needs to be at least on the side of the single person who is the monitored person, and the relatives who are the supervisor may use an interface (receiving device) other than the figurine type device. For example, a relative may use a PC, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like as a device that receives an input operation of the user and transmits the content of the operation to the relative server 22.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, both the communication unit 1 on the single person side and the communication unit 2 on the relative side have a function of managing the power consumption status in the house in addition to the function as a dialogue tool. did. In other words, in the above embodiment, a so-called HEMS is constructed in each of the homes H1, H2 of the single person and the relative. However, the function of managing the power consumption status in the house may be installed only in one communication unit 1 or 2 of a single person or a relative.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the power consumption is managed as the energy consumption in the homes H1 and H2 has been described as an example. However, the consumption of energy other than electric power may be managed. For example, the consumption of gas (such as LNG) or tap water may be managed.
On the other hand, in the above embodiment, if a response from a solitary person cannot be obtained for a certain period after the relative sends a message to the solitary person through the server 22, the solitary person is based on the degree of fluctuation in power consumption on that day. It was decided to judge the state of. Similarly, when managing the consumption of gas, tap water, etc., it is also possible to determine the state of a single person based on the identification result after specifying the degree of fluctuation in the consumption of the day.

  In the above embodiment, the light emitting unit 32, the sound generation unit 33, and the vibration unit 34 are provided as the operation mechanisms that operate when the robots 11 and 21 operate. However, only two of the light emitting unit 32 and the sound generating unit 33 may be provided. As for the operation mechanism, an operation mechanism other than the three units 32, 33, and 34 may be further provided.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the grip operation for gripping the robots 11 and 21 has been described as an example as an input operation by a single person or a relative received by the operation reception unit 35 provided in the robots 11 and 21. However, the input operation is not limited to the above contents, and may be an operation in which a single person or a relative claps a hand or makes a voice, for example.

S System H1, H2 Home GN External communication network 1, 2 Communication unit 3 Center server 11, 21 Robot (figure type device)
11a, 21a Cover member 12 Single person server (monitored person terminal)
13, 23 Wireless router 14, 24 Home server 15, 25 Power sensor 22 Relative server (monitor terminal)
22a CPU, 22b memory, 22c communication interface 31 Controller 31a CPU, 31b memory, 31c communication interface 31d Control circuit 32 Light emitting unit (light emitting mechanism)
33 Sound generation unit (sound generation mechanism)
34 Vibration unit 35 Operation reception unit (operation reception mechanism)
36 USB connector

Claims (6)

A figurine-type device installed and operated in the living space of the monitored person;
A monitored terminal that is managed by the monitored person and controls the figurine type device to perform the operation;
A supervisor terminal managed by a supervisor and communicating with the monitored person terminal,
The figurine device is
An actuating mechanism for the figurine device to operate to perform the operation;
An operation accepting mechanism for accepting an input operation of the monitored person when the monitored person contacts the monitoring person;
A controller that controls the actuating unit and generates monitored person-side input operation data indicating contents of the monitored person-side input operation and transmits the data to the monitored person terminal,
The supervisor terminal is
Input operation data acquisition processing for acquiring monitor-side input operation data indicating the content of the monitor-side input operation from a receiving device that receives the monitor-side input operation performed when the monitor contacts the monitored person; ,
First content identification data that identifies the content of the supervisor side input operation from the supervisor side input operation data, generates first content identification data indicating the identified content, and transmits the first content identification data to the monitored person terminal Send processing,
When receiving data from the monitored person terminal, a notification process for notifying the monitoring person of information corresponding to the data is executed,
The monitored person terminal is
Receiving the first content specifying data from the supervisor terminal, and generating operation data for causing the figurine device to perform the operation according to the content of the supervisor side input operation indicated by the first content specifying data. Operation data transmission processing to be transmitted to the controller,
When the monitored person side input operation data is received from the controller after execution of the operation data transmission process, the content of the monitored person side input operation is identified from the monitored person side input operation data, and the identified content A second content specifying data transmission process for generating the second content specifying data indicating and transmitting it to the supervisor terminal,
When the controller receives the operation data from the monitored person terminal, the operation mechanism is based on the operation data so that the figurine-type device performs the operation according to the content of the monitoring-side input operation. And when the operation accepting mechanism accepts the monitored person side input operation, generates the monitored person side input operation data and transmits it to the monitored person terminal,
The monitoring terminal, when receiving the second content specifying data from the monitored terminal, notifies the information according to the content of the monitored side input operation indicated by the second content specifying data A state monitoring system characterized by executing a notification process. The monitored person terminal obtains monitored person side measurement data indicating a measurement result of a monitored person side measuring instrument that is installed in the living space of the monitored person and measures energy consumption in the living space. To perform measurement data acquisition processing for the monitored person,
One of the monitoring terminal and the monitored terminal is connected to the monitored terminal from when the monitoring terminal executes the first content specifying data transmission process until a certain period elapses. When the person terminal does not execute the second content specifying data transmission process, the change degree of the energy consumption amount in the time zone including the time point is specified based on the monitored person-side measurement data, and the change degree is A determination process is performed to determine whether or not a predetermined threshold value or more,
When one of the terminals determines that the degree of variation is not equal to or greater than the threshold value in the determination process, the supervisor terminal executes a warning process for warning the supervisor. The state monitoring system according to claim 1. The supervisor terminal is
The monitor-side measurement data acquisition process of acquiring the monitor-side measurement data indicating the measurement result of the monitor-side measuring instrument that is installed in the living space of the monitor and measures the energy consumption in the living space;
A notification process for notifying the monitor of information corresponding to the energy consumption in the monitor's living space based on the monitor-side measurement data;
The process execution mode by the monitor terminal includes a first mode for executing the input operation data acquisition process, the first content specifying data transmission process, and the notification process, and the monitor-side measurement data acquisition process and the notification. Switchable between the second mode of executing the process,
When the accepting device accepts a switching operation performed by the monitor to switch the processing execution mode, the accepting device transmits a mode switching request to the monitor terminal,
The state monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supervisor terminal switches the processing execution mode when receiving the mode switching request from the receiving device. Other figurine-type devices that are installed and operate in the monitoring person's living space are provided as the reception device,
The other figurine type device has the operation mechanism, the operation reception mechanism, and the controller similarly to the figurine type device,
When the operation accepting mechanism of the other figurine type device accepts an input operation for mode confirmation performed when the monitor confirms the processing execution mode, the controller of the other figurine type device accepts the current process. The state monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein the operation mechanism of the other figurine type device is controlled such that the other figurine type device performs the operation corresponding to the execution mode. Each of the figurine-type device and the other figurine-type device has at least one of a light emitting mechanism that emits light and a sound generation mechanism that emits sound as the operation mechanism, and a grip operation that grips each of them is used as an input operation. The operation receiving mechanism for receiving,
In the notification process, the supervisor terminal generates other operation data that causes the other figurine device to perform the operation of notifying the information according to the content of the monitored person-side input operation. The state monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein the state monitoring system transmits the information to the controller of the figurine type device. The figurine type device has both the light emitting mechanism and the sound generating mechanism as the operating mechanism,
In the operation data transmission process, the monitored person terminal generates the operation data for performing the operation of emitting sound information corresponding to the content of the monitoring side input operation indicated by the content specifying data while emitting light. And send it to the controller of the figurine device,
When the controller of the figurine device controls both based on the operation data, the light emission form of the light emitting mechanism changes according to the elapsed time from the reception of the operation data. The state monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein the light emitting mechanism is controlled.

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