JP2019020790A - Watching area formation method - Google Patents

Abstract

To facilitate setting of a virtual and three-dimensional watching area on an upper surface of a bed where a cared person is lying concerning a watching system for watching a cared person.SOLUTION: Orientation and distance data including a bed is acquired by a distance image sensor 11 of a control transmission/reception section 10, and the orientation and distance data is displayed on a screen. A nearly central point on an upper surface of a bed is received as a reference point of a watching area with the use of the screen. Then, the widest area in an acquired image is identified as a plane, and a three-dimensional space having a bottom surface in parallel with a plane is formed as a watching area on the basis of a reference point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention grasps the condition of a sick person or a caregiver sleeping in a bed in a hospital or an elderly care facility, and includes a caregiver on the bed in a monitoring system for preventing a fall accident or getting out of bed. The present invention relates to a method for forming a virtual watching area.

  With the rapid aging of the population in recent years, the number of care recipients housed in hospitals, elderly care facilities, etc. has been increasing year by year. However, the absolute number of care staff, such as caregivers, for caring for these care recipients is significantly lacking. For this reason, for example, there may be a case where the number of care recipients in charge of one care staff at the time of the shift is large.

  Therefore, in order to prevent the cared person who was sleeping in the bed from falling from the bed or being stumbled away from the bed, the nursing staff frequently performs patrol and monitoring actions and quick response actions. Will be required. This has led to a vicious circle in which care work has become more demanding and hard labor, and the number of applicants to care staff has further decreased.

  In order to alleviate such a busy nursing care operation, a monitoring system for constantly and automatically watching the movement of a person sleeping on a bed using various sensors or the like is becoming widespread. In such a system, a three-dimensional watching area is virtually formed on the bed, and this is detected when the cared person or part of the body deviates from the watching area. , Which automatically reports to a monitoring center or the like.

  As a method for forming such a virtual watching area, for example, a technique as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. Incidentally, if the outline | summary of the procedure of the three-dimensional watching area formation method disclosed by patent document 1 is demonstrated, it will become like the sequence shown by the following [a]-[e].

[A] Acquire orientation / distance data including the bed.
[B] Display azimuth / distance data on the screen.
[C] Designate any three points isolated on the bed.
[D] Two points that further define a center line of a predetermined length are designated on the longitudinal central axis on the plane defined by the three points.
[E] A rectangular or dome-shaped three-dimensional watching area is virtually formed on the bed with the center line as a reference.

Note that such a sequence is performed by an operator who operates and manages such a monitoring system or the care staff himself / herself using a terminal such as a personal computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “PC”) connected to the system. Become.

JP 2014-149731 A

  However, the method for forming a watch area according to the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires a plurality of procedures as can be inferred from the sequence shown above.

  The present invention aims to solve such problems in the prior art, and more specifically, on a bed where a care recipient is sleeping, a virtual three-dimensional watching area can be easily obtained. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method that can be rapidly formed.

In order to solve the above problems, the method for forming a watch area according to the first aspect of the present invention
A method for forming a watch area on a top surface of the bed for forming a virtual watch area for watching a bed on which a care recipient is sleeping with a distance image sensor, the orientation including the bed by the distance image sensor A first step of acquiring distance data; a second step of displaying the azimuth / distance data on a screen; and using the screen, the approximate center point of the upper surface of the bed is used as a reference for the watching area. A third step of accepting as a point; a fourth step of identifying the widest area on the screen as a plane; and a solid having a bottom surface parallel to the plane as the watch area based on the reference point. 5 steps.

In the first aspect, the method for forming a watching area according to the second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the solid is a cylinder and the center point of the bottom surface of the cylinder is the reference point.

In addition, the method for forming a watch area according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect,
The radius of the bottom surface of the cylinder is determined by a predetermined parameter.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to quickly and easily form a watching area of an appropriate size including the body of a cared person sleeping on a bed to be watching.

  Embodiments, which are the best mode for carrying out the present invention, will be described below with reference to the drawings attached to the present specification.

[1] Overview of the monitoring system according to this embodiment First, an overview of the monitoring system according to this embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings. In the figure, a control transmission / reception unit 10 is a part that controls the movement of the entire system, and mainly includes an infrared laser sensor 11 and an infrared laser sensor interface unit 12 (hereinafter simply referred to as “sensor I / F unit 12”). , A control processing unit 13 and a data transmission / reception unit 14.

Incidentally, in this system, the infrared laser sensor 11 is used as a sensor for grasping the situation of the cared person sleeping in the bed. The sensor is a distance image sensor, and is a type of active sensor that radiates an infrared laser in a specified direction and captures a reflected wave from the object to identify the distance to the object and its direction.

The sensor I / F unit 12 is a part that controls the interface between the infrared laser sensor 11 and the control processing unit 13. The sensor I / F unit 12 takes in distance data and direction data from the sensor and transmits them to the control processing unit 13. I'm in charge.

  The control processing unit 13 includes an arithmetic processing unit including a microprocessor (μCPU), a memory unit for storing various information, and the like (none of which are shown). The control processing unit 13 is a part that controls the operation of the entire control transmission / reception unit 10 in the watching area forming process described below and the care receiver's subsequent watching process. Needless to say, the software processing program defining various processing operations shown in this embodiment is also stored in the memory unit in advance.

  The data transmission / reception unit 14 is a part that controls the interface between the control transmission / reception unit 10 and the communication network 20, and transmits various signals generated by the control processing unit 13 to the monitoring control terminal 30 via the communication network 20. Alternatively, it is a part that receives various control signals from the monitoring control terminal 30 via the communication network 20.

In addition to the above units, the control transmission / reception unit 10 includes various display circuits, input circuits, power supply circuits, interface circuits with various terminals such as personal computers connected to the control transmission / reception unit 10, and the like. Functional parts are included. However, these portions are not directly related to the gist of the present invention, and therefore description and explanation thereof are omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, the control transmission / reception unit 10 is provided at a position where the bed where the care recipient is sleeping can be seen, and the infrared laser sensor 11 is located around the bed within the angle of view. All of these are to be stored. The control transmission / reception unit 10 is connected to the monitoring control terminal 30 such as a monitoring center via the communication network 20 as described above.

  The connection between the control transmission / reception unit 10 or the monitoring control terminal 30 and the communication network 20 may be performed wirelessly using a wireless router or the like, or may be wired using a LAN (local area network) cable or the like. May be. The number of control transmission / reception units 10 connected to the communication network 20 is not limited to one, and a plurality of control transmission / reception units 10 are connected to the communication network 20 by assigning individual addresses or the like. be able to. That is, in this system, a large number of care recipients can be watched simultaneously over a plurality of rooms.

  Similarly, a plurality of monitoring control terminals 30 can be operated, and a so-called sub-monitoring center can be provided in the care facility. Further, the communication network 20 is not limited to the local area LAN provided in the nursing care facility, and includes, for example, a general public communication line network. In such a case, the monitoring control terminal 30 includes those installed in a central monitoring center provided outside the facility.

  By the way, the infrared laser sensor 11 can measure the distance between the sensor main body and the target point by irradiating the infrared laser by designating the direction to all target points within the angle of view and irradiating the infrared laser. Has a ranging function. That is, the infrared laser sensor 11 performs such a ranging function for a plurality of target points in the space while scanning the three-dimensional space in front of the sensor at a high speed while changing the directivity direction of the infrared laser. Can do.

Therefore, if the sensor is used, distance data obtained by scanning a space provided on the front surface of the sensor (for example, a watching area formed on the upper surface of the bed where the care recipient is sleeping) and the specified orientation From the combination with the data, the monitoring control terminal 30 can three-dimensionally grasp the position / shape of the object placed in the watching area. That is, it is possible to generate a silhouette image that represents the outline and outline of the cared person sleeping in the bed that is the object of watching.

  Incidentally, the silhouette image is an image that is displayed on the screen of the monitoring control terminal 30 in order to watch over the care recipient, and each of the “direction data and distance data associated with the direction” acquired from the sensor. This is an image expressed as a collection of points (points) when the measured point is converted into azimuth / distance data into position coordinates on the screen of the monitoring control terminal 30 and displayed in monochrome on the coordinates. . As a result, the outline / outside shape of the cared person on the bed is expressed as a monochrome silhouette as shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 2, for example.

[2] Method for forming a watch area in the present embodiment Next, a method for forming a watch area according to the present embodiment will be described. In the watching system shown in FIG. 1, when setting a watching area, a terminal such as a personal computer may be connected to the control transmission / reception unit 10 and the operation may be performed directly from the screen. Alternatively, the operation may be performed from the monitoring control terminal 30 placed in a monitoring center or the like via the communication network 20.

  Hereinafter, a specific method of the watching area forming method based on the present embodiment will be described in detail for each step (each step).

[2-1] First to third steps (acquisition of azimuth / distance data acquisition / designation of reference point from image display)
First, in the first step of the present embodiment, the infrared laser sensor 11 acquires azimuth / distance data including a bed as described above. In the second step, the acquired azimuth / distance data is displayed on a screen of a personal computer (silhouette image).

  In the third step, the system operator (or care staff) first determines the center point of the upper surface of the bed using a personal computer connected to the control transmission / reception unit 10 or the monitoring control terminal 30 of the monitoring center. specify. For example, the designated operation includes the center point of the upper surface of the bed on the screen of the silhouette image displayed on the screen of the personal computer or the terminal, including the azimuth / distance data acquired by the infrared laser sensor 11. Is done by clicking with the mouse. However, although this center point may usually be shifted from the exact center point of the bed, the control transmission / reception unit 10 accepts this center point as a designated reference point.

When performing such a designation operation, in view of simplification and speedup, it is preferable to design the system software so that designation can be performed by tapping the screen of a terminal or the like with a finger. Incidentally, the center point of the bed specified here is a reference point that is the center of the bottom surface of the three-dimensional watching area formed by the present system.

[2-2] Fourth step (specification of a plane)
When the reference point is designated by the operator, in the system based on the present embodiment, the infrared laser sensor 11 transmits all of the room in the room to be watched (all in the angle of view [QVGA320 × 240 dots]) to the infrared laser. By scanning automatically, a predetermined plane is specified.

  Here, the predetermined plane is an area considered to have the widest area in a silhouette image acquired by scanning with an infrared laser, and generally the floor of the room corresponds to this area. become. When specifying the plane in the fourth step, it is preferable that nothing is placed on the upper surface of the bed on which the care recipient sleeps in order to improve the ease and certainty of the automatic specifying process. Accordingly, not only the cared person but also the bedclothes such as a futon, a blanket, or a pillow are removed from the upper surface of the bed.

[2-3] Fifth step (formation of watching area)
In this embodiment, based on the reference point specified in the first to third steps and the plane specified in the fourth step, a virtual shape having a three-dimensional shape for watching the care recipient. A watch over area is formed.

  For example, when a cylinder as shown in FIG. 3 is assumed as the three-dimensional shape of the watching area, the reference point specified in the third step is the center point of the cylinder bottom surface, and the bottom surface is substantially the same as the top surface of the bed. Then, it is parallel to the plane specified in the fourth step. Parameters including the radius R of the circle that determines the size of the bottom surface of the cylinder and the vertical height H of the cylinder are assumed to be predetermined by the operator (or care staff) for each care system. Even during operation, the value can be changed at any time according to the situation.

In addition, when the three-dimensional shape of the watching area is the above-described cylinder, as shown in FIG.
S = π × R ²
Is defined as The radius R is, for example, half the length of the bed in the longitudinal direction. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, the height H in the vertical direction is used to detect a state where the cared person gets up from the state of sleeping on the bed, and is determined to be about 30 to 60 cm from the upper surface of the bed. Shall.

When the processing up to the fifth step is completed and a virtual watching area is formed on the upper surface of the bed, the operator guides the cared person to the room with the cooperation of other care staff and puts it on the bed. Instruct the care recipient to sleep. At this time, bedding such as pillows, futons and blankets is provided as necessary. As described above, the method for forming the watching area according to the present embodiment can automatically form the watching area simply by designating the approximate center point of the upper surface of the bed as a reference point. Can be achieved.

  The setting method of the watching area based on the basic embodiment of the present invention is the above first to fifth steps. However, as a further embodiment, a step of adjusting the size of the watching area is added. Is also possible.

  That is, when the introduction of the care recipient is completed, the infrared laser of the infrared laser sensor 11 scans the entire angle of view (QVGA 320 × 240 dots) in the room and is sleeping on the bed entering the angle of view. Orientation and distance data of a person and other equipment (bedding, bed, etc.). As a result, a silhouette image is created on the screen of the monitoring control terminal 30. That is, a monochrome silhouette image as shown in FIG. 2 is created.

  By the way, when the cared person sleeps on the bed, the difference between the size of the watching area formed in the fifth step and the silhouette of the cared person becomes clear. At this time, the size of the watching area is adjusted so that the distance of the difference keeps an appropriate margin. That is, it tries to correct the bottom area S of the three-dimensional watching area and the height H in the vertical direction.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a predetermined margin width ΔW is added in the body width direction of the body, and the length of the radius R is changed so as to be the bottom surface of the newly expanded watching area. A margin width ΔH is added to the vertical direction of the watching area, and the height H in the vertical direction is changed.

  As a general rule, the adjustment of the size of the watching area (the width of the bottom area and the height in the vertical direction) is automatically performed in the system according to a predetermined margin width determined in advance in the system. However, for example, the margin width may be finely adjusted arbitrarily by the operator.

[3] An example of the watching processing operation in the present embodiment When the watching area is formed by the above procedure and a three-dimensional watching area is formed around the bed where the care receiver is sleeping and the surrounding area, It will shift to the watch processing operation by this system.

When the system according to the present embodiment shifts to the watching processing operation, the infrared laser sensor 11 scans the entire angle of view (QVGA 320 × 240 dots) and acquires the azimuth / distance data of the room including the watching area. The various types of data are sent to the monitoring control terminal 30 via the communication network 20 as necessary or periodically while the watching processing operation is being performed.

  In the description of the watching processing operation described below, for example, a case where a body such as the arm or foot of a care recipient or a part of the bedding deviates from the side or bottom surface of the watching area is defined as `` overhang '', A case where a cared person gets up from a bed and the head or upper body deviates from the upper surface of the watching area is defined as “getting up”. In addition, the case where the entire body of the care recipient deviates from the watching area is defined as “getting out of bed”.

  In the course of the watching processing operation, for example, when “excess” or “rise” is detected, the control transmission / reception unit 10 that has acquired the situation by the infrared laser sensor 11 sends the abnormality detection signal together with the direction / distance data at this time. Is transmitted to the communication network 20.

  When the monitoring control terminal 30 receives the above signal via the communication network 20, the monitoring control terminal 30 displays an alarm such as an alarm sound or flicker display, and notifies the care staff of the occurrence of an abnormal situation. As a result, the nursing staff stationed at the monitoring center can quickly recognize the occurrence of an abnormal situation and can visually grasp what kind of situation is occurring based on the silhouette image.

  In addition, when a “bed-out” occurs such that the care recipient leaves the bed or falls, the control transmission / reception unit 10 transmits this to the monitoring control terminal 30 via the communication network 20 to the care staff. On the other hand, a more urgent alarm can be issued.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the setting of the watching area for watching the cared person is extremely simple that the operator (or care staff) designates only one point on the upper surface of the bed. It can be completed by simple operation.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, the shape and arrangement of each part constituting the present invention, the material thereof, and the like can be realized without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Needless to say, it can be appropriately changed in accordance with the implementation.

The configuration of the present invention described above can be used in hospitals, elderly care facilities, and the like.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the watching system by the Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing showing the mode of the silhouette image in a present Example. It is explanatory drawing showing an example of the watching area set in a present Example. It is explanatory drawing showing the bottom face of the watching area set in a present Example. It is explanatory drawing showing the example of adjustment of the magnitude | size of a watching area.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Control transmission / reception part 11 ... Infrared laser sensor 12 ... Infrared laser sensor interface unit 13 ... Control processing unit 14 ... Data transmission / reception unit 20 ... Communication network 30 ... Monitoring control terminal

Claims (3)

A method for forming a watch area, in which a virtual watch area for watching a bed where a cared person is sleeping with a distance image sensor is formed on the upper surface of the bed,
A first step of acquiring azimuth / distance data including the bed by the distance image sensor;
A second step of displaying the azimuth / distance data on a screen;
A third step of accepting, as the reference point of the watching area, an approximate center point of the upper surface of the bed using the screen;
A fourth step of identifying the widest area on the screen as a plane;
A fifth step of forming, as the watching area, a solid having a bottom surface parallel to the plane based on the reference point;
A method for forming a watching area, comprising:   The method of forming a watching area according to claim 1, wherein the solid is a cylinder, and a center point of a bottom surface of the cylinder is the reference point. The method of forming a watching area according to claim 2, wherein the radius of the bottom surface of the cylinder is determined by a predetermined parameter.