JP4541947B2 - Nurse call system and its nurse call master unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a nurse call system including a wireless call button and a nurse call parent device.

  In general, in the nurse call system, a nurse call child device having a call button is installed in each hospital room or bed, and a nurse call parent device is installed in a nurse center. Then, when the patient operates the call button, a call signal is transmitted from the caller to the nurse call parent machine, and a ringing sound is generated at the nurse call parent machine and an icon is displayed to notify the occurrence of the call. To do. In addition, when the nurse has a portable terminal, a call signal is transferred from the nurse call master unit to the portable terminal via the exchange, thereby notifying the nurse of the occurrence of the call directly. Has been.

  With such a system, the nurse can know the occurrence of a call both in the nurse center and during the patrol, which is very convenient and quick response is possible. However, this type of system has a problem in operability because the cordless handset constituting the nurse call cordless handset and the call button are connected by a cord, and is not always easy for the patient to use. In addition, the call button may be detached from the slave unit when the bed is moved or misused by the patient, or the cord may be broken or the slave unit may be damaged due to excessive pulling of the call button. There's a problem.

  Therefore, a wireless call button has been proposed. For example, a radio circuit is provided for each of the call button and the slave unit body, and an ID code is assigned. Then, a call radio wave modulated by an ID code is transmitted from the call button in response to the operation of the call button, the call radio wave is received and demodulated by the slave unit body, and the ID code is collated with the ID code of the slave unit body. . When both ID codes match, a confirmation radio wave is returned from the slave unit to the call button, and a call signal is transmitted to the nurse call master unit. When the confirmation radio wave is received, the call confirmation lamp is turned on after the ID code is collated on the call button.

  In addition to the cordless handset main body, the corridor lamp and the extension adapter are also provided with the radio circuit and the ID code of the call button so that the call wave from the call button can be received also by the corridor lamp and the extension adapter. With such a configuration, since the code is eliminated, the operability and reliability of the call button can be expected to be improved. Also, not only the cordless handset but also the corridor lamp and extension adapter can receive the call signal, so even if the patient performs a call operation away from the cordless handset, transfer this call to the nurse call master. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-282596 A

  However, such a conventionally proposed system has the following problems to be improved. That is, when the cordless handset, the corridor lamp, and the extension adapter receive the call signal from the call button and the ID code matches, the confirmation signal is returned to the call button as it is without confirming whether the nurse call master device has responded. I am doing so. When the confirmation radio wave is received, the call confirmation lamp is turned on at the call button. For this reason, for example, when a call signal is not transmitted to the nurse call master unit due to a line failure between the slave unit main body, corridor light, extension adapter, and nurse call master unit, the patient confirms the call by the nurse. There is a risk of misrecognizing it as a thing.

  In addition to the cordless handset main body, the corridor lamp and the extension adapter can receive the calling radio wave. For this reason, when the call radio wave transmitted from the call button is received simultaneously by the slave unit main body, the corridor lamp, and the extension adapter, the same plural call signals are transmitted to the nurse call master unit. In this case, since the nurse call master unit returns the call response signal to the above-mentioned slave unit main body, hallway light, and extension adapter, the call response from the slave unit main body, hallway light, and extension adapter to the call button, respectively. A signal is transmitted, and as a result, radio interference occurs and radio traffic increases in the radio section.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and its object is to prevent misrecognition of call confirmation, and to suppress the occurrence of radio interference and increase in traffic in the radio section to further improve reliability. The purpose is to provide an improved nurse call system and a nurse call master unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a case where a paging signal transmitted from a wireless paging button is received by the plurality of repeaters and transmitted from each of these repeaters to a nurse call master unit, that is, a caller is Means for storing priority given to the plurality of repeaters (communication paths) in the nurse call master unit when the same call signal is transmitted to the nurse call master unit via a plurality of communication paths. And means for selecting a repeater (communication path) for return, and return means. When the call signal transmitted from the wireless call button is received via the plurality of repeaters (communication paths), the stored priority is the highest among the repeaters (communication paths). A repeater (communication path) is selected, and a call confirmation signal for responding to the received call signal is returned to the wireless call button of the transmission source via the selected repeater (communication path). It is a thing.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the call confirmation signal is not returned as it is from the repeater, but is always returned from the nurse call master unit. For this reason, if a line failure occurs between a slave unit, hallway light, extension adapter, etc. and a nurse call master unit, the call confirmation signal is not returned and the patient confirms the call by the nurse. There is no worry of misunderstanding that

Even if the call signal sent from the wireless call button is received by multiple repeaters and transmitted to the nurse call master unit, the repeater (communication path) with the highest priority is selected by the nurse call master unit. Then, a call confirmation signal is returned via the selected repeater (communication path). For this reason, in the radio section between the plurality of repeaters and the wireless call button, occurrence of radio interference is prevented and traffic is also suppressed.
The priority order for the repeater (communication path) may be set so as to increase in order from the nearest position of the call button. In this way, it is possible to increase the probability of using a communication path with good radio quality.

The present invention also stores the reception history of the call signal transmitted from the wireless call button in the nurse call parent device. And a means for calculating the usage frequency of each of the plurality of communication paths based on the stored reception history and updating the priority given to the plurality of communication paths based on the usage frequency. .
If comprised in this way, the selection priority with respect to a some communication path will be variably set according to the utilization frequency. For example, the priority order is set so that a communication path with high usage frequency is preferentially selected. Generally, the communication path (repeater) with higher usage frequency is closer to the wireless call button. For this reason, as described above, the call confirmation signal can be returned more reliably by preferentially selecting a communication path with high use frequency.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a nurse call master unit that, when a call signal transmitted from a wireless call button is received via a plurality of communication paths, transmission quality of the plurality of communication paths based on the call signals. Based on the estimated transmission quality, a communication path having the transmission quality equal to or higher than a certain value is first selected. Then, the communication path having the highest stored priority order is selected from the communication paths having the selected transmission quality of a certain value or more.
In this way, when a paging signal is received via a plurality of communication paths, a communication path having a transmission quality of a certain value or higher is first selected, and the communication with the highest priority among the selected communication paths. A route is selected. For this reason, compared with the case where the communication path with the highest priority is selected unconditionally, the call confirmation signal can be returned with high quality without causing a transmission error or the like.

  If the transmission quality of the communication path through which the call signal is transmitted is less than a certain value, the communication path with the best transmission quality is selected from the communication paths without referring to the priority order. A call confirmation signal is returned via this communication path. This makes it possible to return a call confirmation signal under the best transmission conditions even under conditions where the transmission quality is degraded.

  In short, in the present invention, when the call signal transmitted from the wireless call button is received via a plurality of repeaters (communication paths) in the nurse call master unit, the repeaters (communication paths) are previously selected from these repeaters. A repeater (communication path) having the highest priority order is selected, and a call confirmation signal is sent back to the wireless call button of the transmission source via the selected repeater (communication path). .

  Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a nurse call system and its nurse call parent device that prevent erroneous recognition of call confirmation and further improve reliability by suppressing occurrence of radio interference and increase of traffic in a radio section. Can be provided.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a nurse call system according to the present invention. This system includes a nurse call master NC installed in a nurse center, a plurality of hospital room units R1 and R2 installed for each hospital room, and a plurality of corridor lamps F1 and F2 installed at the entrance of each hospital room. .

  The hospital room units R1 and R2 include a plurality of nurse call cordless handsets provided in association with a hospital bed. Each of these nurse call slave units includes a slave unit main body P11 to P22 and wireless call buttons T11 to T22 connected to the slave unit main bodies P11 to P22 via a radio channel. The subunit | mobile_unit main bodies P11-P22 are respectively connected to the said corridor lamps F1 and F2 via the subunit | mobile_unit track | line E1, E2. The corridor lights F1 and F2 are connected to the nurse call parent machine NC via the corridor lamp line L.

The system also includes an extension adapter AD. This extension adapter AD is installed in a common section or the like, and is connected to the nurse call parent machine NC via the corridor lamp line L like the corridor lamps F1 and F2.
The nurse call parent machine NC is connected to a public network NW via a private branch exchange (not shown) and can be connected to a portable terminal held by a nurse via the private branch exchange. The nurse call master unit NC is also connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) laid in the hospital, and can be connected to an office device such as a nursing support server SV and a printer PR via the LAN.

  By the way, the wireless call buttons T11 to T22 are configured as follows. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration. That is, the wireless call buttons T11 to T22 include a control circuit 10 made of, for example, a microcomputer, a push button switch 20, and an ID code memory 14. The ID code memory 14 stores unique identification codes (hereinafter referred to as ID codes) assigned to the wireless call buttons T11 to T22.

  When the push button switch 20 is pressed, the control circuit 10 reads the ID code from the ID code memory 14 and gives it to the transmission circuit (TX) 15. The transmission circuit 15 modulates a carrier wave with the ID code. Then, this modulated carrier wave is transmitted from the antenna 11 via the antenna duplexer (DUP) 12 as a radio paging signal.

  On the other hand, when a radio call confirmation signal is transmitted from the slave main bodies P11 to P22, the corridor lights F1 and F2, and the extension adapter AD, the radio call confirmation signal is received by the antenna 11 and then received via the antenna duplexer 12. It is input to the circuit (RX) 13. The receiving circuit 13 demodulates the inputted radio call confirmation signal to reproduce the ID code, and inputs the reproduced received ID code to the control circuit 10. The control circuit 10 collates the input received ID code with its own ID code stored in the ID code memory 14, and blinks the call confirmation lamp 16 for a certain period when both ID codes match.

  Also, response data associated with the call response operation is transmitted from the nurse call master unit NC, and this response data is received via any one of the slave unit main bodies P11 to P22, the corridor lamps F1 and F2, and the extension adapter AD. Then, the control circuit 10 collates the ID code included in the response data with its own ID code. When both ID codes match, a call link is formed between the nurse call parent machine NC and the wireless call buttons T11 to T22, and the speaker 17 and the microphone 18 are driven, thereby calling the nurse call parent machine NC. Allows calls to the original patient.

  Reference numeral 21 denotes a battery, and 22 denotes a power supply circuit that generates an operating voltage Vcc based on the output voltage of the battery 21. The control circuit 10 has a voltage monitoring function for the operating voltage Vcc. When the operating voltage Vcc drops below a threshold value, the buzzer 19 generates a low voltage alarm sound.

On the other hand, the hall lights F1 and F2 and the slave main bodies P11 to P22 are configured as follows. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration.
First, the corridor lamps F1 and F2 include a control circuit 30 composed of a microcomputer and an ID code memory 34. The ID code memory 34 stores all ID codes of the wireless call buttons belonging to the hospital room units R1 and R2 corresponding to the corridor lights F1 and F2.

  When a radio call signal is transmitted from the wireless call buttons T11 to T22, the radio call signal is received by the antenna 31 and then input to the reception circuit (RX) 33 via the antenna duplexer (DUP) 32. The receiving circuit 33 demodulates the inputted radio calling signal to reproduce the ID code, and inputs the reproduced received ID code to the control circuit 30. The control circuit 30 collates the input received ID code with each ID code stored in the ID code memory 34. When the received ID code matches one of the stored ID codes, call data including the received ID code and the identification code of the corridor lamp is generated, and the generated call data is transmitted to the interface circuit (I / F). ) 39 to the nurse call parent machine NC.

  On the other hand, when the call confirmation data is returned from the nurse call parent machine NC, the call confirmation data is taken into the control circuit 30 via the interface circuit 39. The control circuit 30 extracts the ID code of the return wireless call button from the fetched call confirmation data, and collates the extracted ID code with the ID code stored in the ID code memory 34. As a result, when the extracted ID code matches one of the stored ID codes, the call confirmation lamp 36 is blinked and the extracted ID code is output to the transmission circuit 35. The transmission circuit 35 modulates a carrier wave with the ID code, and transmits the modulated carrier wave as a radio call confirmation signal from the antenna 31 to the wireless call button.

  When response data associated with the call response operation is transmitted from the nurse call master unit NC, the control circuit 30 checks the ID code included in the response data with its own ID code. As a result, when the received ID code matches one of the stored ID codes, the interface circuit 39 forms a call link with the nurse call parent machine NC and drives the speaker 37 and the microphone 38. This enables a call between the nurse call parent machine NC and the corridor lights F1 and F2.

  The subunit | mobile_unit main body P11-P22 is also provided with the control circuit 40 which consists of a microcomputer, and the ID code memory 44 similarly to the said corridor lamps F1 and F2. The ID code memory 44 stores ID codes of wireless call buttons corresponding to the child device main bodies P11 to P22.

  When a radio paging signal is transmitted from the wireless paging buttons T11 to T22, the radio paging signal is received by the antenna 41 and then input to the receiving circuit (RX) 43 via the antenna duplexer (DUP) 42 and demodulated there. Is done. The control circuit 40 collates the received ID code reproduced by the demodulation with each ID code stored in the ID code memory 44. When the two ID codes match, call data including the received ID code and the identification code of the slave unit is generated. The generated call data is sent to the interface circuit 39 of the corridor lamps F1 and F2 via the slave unit lines E1 and E2, and transmitted from the interface circuit 39 to the nurse call master unit NC.

  On the other hand, when the call confirmation data is returned from the nurse call master unit NC, the call confirmation data is taken into the control circuit 40 via the interface circuit 39 of the corridor lamps F1 and F2. The control circuit 40 extracts the ID code of the return wireless call button from the fetched call confirmation data, and collates the extracted ID code with the ID code stored in the ID code memory 44. As a result, when the extracted ID code matches the stored ID code, the call confirmation lamp 46 is blinked. At the same time, the extracted ID code is output to the transmission circuit 45. The transmission circuit 45 modulates a carrier wave with the ID code, and transmits the modulated carrier wave as a radio call confirmation signal from the antenna 41 to the wireless call button.

  When response data associated with the call response operation is transmitted from the nurse call parent machine NC, the control circuit 40 checks the ID code included in the response data with its own ID code. As a result, when the received ID code matches the stored ID code, a communication link is formed with the nurse call parent machine NC by the interface circuit 39 of the corridor lamps F1 and F2, and the speaker 47 and the microphone 48 are provided. , Thereby enabling a call between the nurse call parent machine NC and the child machine main bodies P11 to P22.

  The extension adapter AD has the same configuration as the corridor lights F1 and F2, except that the ID codes of all the wireless call buttons are stored in the ID code memory. That is, the extension adapter AD can receive radio call signals transmitted from all wireless call buttons in the hospital and transmit radio call confirmation signals to all wireless call buttons.

  Next, the nurse call parent machine NC is configured as follows. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration. That is, the nurse call parent machine NC includes a central processing unit (CPU) 50 that uses, for example, a microcomputer as a control unit. A program memory 51 and a data memory 52 are connected to the CPU 50, and communication interfaces 53 and 54, a LAN interface 55, a call interface 56, and an input / output interface 57 are connected to the CPU 50.

  Among these, the communication interface 53 transmits / receives call data and various control data to / from the corridor lamps F1 and F2, the extension adapter AD, and the hospital room units R1 and R2 under the control of the CPU 50. Similarly, the communication interface 54 transmits / receives communication data to / from the public network NW under the control of the CPU 50. The LAN interface 55 transmits and receives data to and from the nursing support server SV and various office devices PR connected to the LAN under the control of the CPU 50.

  Connected to the call interface 56 are a microphone 59 and a speaker 58 used by the nurse to make a call with the patient. The call interface 56 includes a call link formed between the wireless call buttons T11 to T22, the slave main bodies P11 to P22, the corridor lamps F1 and F2, and the extension adapter AD. The transmission signal is encoded and output to the CPU 50, the reception data output from the CPU 50 is decoded to reproduce the reception signal, and the reception signal is loudly output from the speaker 58. The speaker 58 is also used when outputting a sound or a melody when a call is generated from a patient.

  A touch panel / display device 60 is connected to the input / output interface 57. The touch panel / display device 60 has, for example, a transparent pressure sensitive sheet attached on the display screen of an LCD display device, and has both an information display function and an input function. The input / output interface 57 displays the display information supplied from the CPU 50 on the touch panel / display device 60 and supplies the operation information input from the touch panel / display device 60 to the CPU 50.

  The data memory 52 is provided with an ID code database 52a and a priority database 52b as databases for storing data necessary for carrying out the present invention. The ID code database 52a stores the ID codes of all the wireless call buttons.

  The priority database 52b stores priorities given to a plurality of communication paths assumed as transmission paths for call data. For example, as a communication path through which the call data transmitted from the wireless call button T11 is transmitted to the nurse call master unit NC, a communication path via the slave unit main body P11 and a corridor lamp F1 are used. A communication path that passes through and a communication path that passes through the extension adapter AD are assumed. And a high priority is set to these communication paths in order of increasing distance from the steady position of the wireless call button T11. The set priority order is stored in the priority order database 52b in association with the identification codes of the assumed communication paths, that is, the identification codes of the slave unit main body P11, the corridor lamp F1, and the extension adapter AD.

The program memory 51 stores a call reception control program 51a, a return route selection program 51b, and a call confirmation return control program 51c as programs for carrying out the present invention.
The call reception control program 51a receives the call data transmitted from the wireless call buttons T11 to T22 via the communication interface 53, and stores the ID code of the caller included in the received call data in the ID code database 52a. It collates with each ID code made. When the received caller ID code matches one of the stored ID codes, a ringing tone is generated from the speaker 58 and the caller's patient name is blinked on the touch panel / display device 60.

  When the call data is received, the return route selection program 51b determines whether the call data is received via a plurality of communication routes. And when it determines with having received via the some communication path | route, the communication path | route whose transmission quality is more than a threshold value and has the highest priority is selected from these communication paths. If there is no communication path with transmission quality equal to or higher than the threshold, the communication path with the best transmission quality is selected without referring to the priority order.

  The call confirmation return control program 51c generates call confirmation data for the call data when call data reception processing is performed by the call reception control program 51a. The generated call confirmation data is sent back to the caller wireless call button using the return path selected by the return path selection program 51b.

  As a wireless communication method between the wireless call buttons T11 to T22, the slave main bodies P11 to P22, the corridor lights F1 and F2, and the extension adapter AD, a short-range data communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) A wireless local area network (LAN) is used.

Next, the operation of the nurse call system configured as described above will be described in accordance with the control procedure of the nurse call parent machine NC. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control procedure and control contents of the nurse call master NC.
Now, for example, assume that the patient presses the push button of the wireless call button T12. Then, a wireless call signal modulated by the ID code is transmitted from the wireless call button T12. This radio paging signal is received only by the slave unit main body P12 if the patient is in bed, but when the patient is away from his / her bed, not only the slave unit P12 but also the corridor lamp F1 and the like. It is also received by the extension adapter AD.

  In this case, each cordless handset main body P12, corridor lamp F1 and extension adapter AD each collate the ID code when the radio call signal is received. Then, when the legitimacy of the caller wireless call button T12 is confirmed, call data is generated and transmitted to the nurse call parent machine NC. That is, in this case, the call signal of the wireless call button T12 is transmitted to the nurse call parent via the communication path via the slave unit P12, the communication path via the corridor lamp F1, and the communication path via the extension adapter AD. Is transmitted to the machine NC. The call data includes the ID code of the caller's wireless call button and the identification code of the relay main unit P12, the corridor lamp F1, or the extension adapter AD.

  On the other hand, in the nurse call master machine NC, when the call data is transmitted, a call reception control process, a return route selection process, and a call confirmation control process are executed as follows. That is, the nurse call parent machine NC monitors the arrival of the call data by the CPU 50 (step 5a). In this state, when the call data is received by the communication interface 53, the CPU 50 extracts the caller's ID code from the received call data in step 5b, and stores the extracted ID code in the ID code database 52a. Collate with each stored ID code. When the received caller ID code matches any of the stored ID codes, a ringing tone is generated from the speaker 58 and the caller's patient name is blinked on the touch panel / display device 60.

  At the same time, in step 5c, the CPU 50 determines whether or not the received call data has been transmitted via a plurality of paths. This determination is performed by analyzing the ID code of the caller included in the call data and the identification code of the relayed device. For example, if the caller ID codes included in a plurality of call data received within a certain time range are the same and the identification codes of the relayed devices are different, the call data are the same. It is determined that the data is transmitted via a plurality of different communication paths.

  When it is determined that the call data has been transmitted through one communication path, the CPU 50 proceeds to step 5i and generates call confirmation data corresponding to the received call data. Then, in step 5j, the generated call confirmation data is returned to the caller wireless call button T12 via a path opposite to the call data transmission path.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the call data is transmitted via a plurality of communication paths, the CPU 50 determines the plurality of communication paths based on the amount of transmission error of each received call data in step 5d. Determine the transmission quality. Then, based on the determination result, the communication path whose transmission quality does not satisfy the threshold value is excluded in step 5e. Subsequently, in step 5f, the CPU 50 determines whether or not there is a communication path having a transmission quality equal to or higher than the threshold value. The priority order is read from 52b. In step 5h, the communication path having the highest priority is selected from the communication paths having the transmission quality equal to or higher than the threshold value, and the call confirmation data is returned via the selected communication path.

  That is, when call data with a common call source is transmitted via a plurality of communication paths, the nurse call parent machine NC has a transmission quality that is equal to or higher than a threshold value and has the highest priority among the plurality of communication paths. One high communication path is selected, and call confirmation data is transmitted via this communication path in reverse.

  On the other hand, it is assumed that there is no communication path whose transmission quality is equal to or higher than the threshold value as a result of the determination in step 5f. In this case, the CPU 50 proceeds to step 5k, where one communication path with the best transmission quality is selected. Then, the call confirmation data is returned via the selected communication path in the reverse direction. That is, in a situation where the transmission quality of any communication path is less than the threshold value, the communication path with the best transmission quality is selected and used among the communication paths without referring to the priority order.

  When the call confirmation data is transmitted from the nurse call parent machine NC, the call confirmation data is received by the child machine main body P12, the corridor lamp F1, or the extension adapter AD. When the validity of the call confirmation data is confirmed by collating the ID code, the call confirmation lamp blinks in the slave unit main body P12, the corridor lamp F1 or the extension adapter AD, and the wireless call is directed to the wireless call button T12. A confirmation signal is sent.

  For example, when the call confirmation data is returned from the nurse call master unit NC via the communication path passing through the slave unit main body P12, the call confirmation data is received by the slave unit main body P12, and then the slave unit Radio transmission is performed from the main body P12 toward the wireless call button T12. On the other hand, when the call confirmation data is returned via the communication path via the corridor lamp F1, the call confirmation data is received by the corridor lamp F1 and then wirelessly transmitted from the corridor lamp F1 to the wireless call button T12. Sent. Similarly, when the call confirmation data is returned via the communication path via the extension adapter AD, the call confirmation data is received by the extension adapter AD and then directed from the extension adapter AD to the wireless call button T12. Wirelessly transmitted.

  In the wireless call button T12, when a wireless call confirmation signal is transmitted from the slave unit main body P12, the corridor lamp F1, or the extension adapter AD, the ID code included in the wireless call confirmation signal is collated with its own ID code. When both ID codes match, the call confirmation lamp 16 blinks for a certain period. Thus, the patient can confirm that the call by his / her operation has reached the nurse call master unit NC.

  In the nurse call parent machine NC, when the nurse performs a response operation in response to the call notification, response data corresponding to the received call data is generated. Then, the response data is transmitted toward the wireless call button of the caller via the selected communication path in the reverse manner, similarly to the call confirmation data described above.

  When the response data is sent, the wireless call button T12 performs a process for establishing a call link, and after that, a voice call can be made with the nurse call parent machine NC. In addition, processing for establishing a call link is also performed in the slave unit main body P12, the corridor lamp F1, or the extension adapter AD located in the response data return path. Therefore, the patient can make a call with the nurse call master unit NC using the slave unit main body P12, the corridor lamp F1, or the extension adapter AD as necessary.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the call data transmitted from the wireless call buttons T11 to T22 is transmitted to the nurse call master NC via a plurality of communication paths, the nurse call master NC A communication path whose transmission quality is equal to or higher than a threshold value and which has the highest priority is selected from a plurality of communication paths. Then, the call confirmation data for the call data is returned to the caller wireless call buttons T11 to T22 via the selected communication path in reverse.

  Accordingly, the call confirmation data is always returned from the nurse call master unit NC without being returned directly from the slave unit main bodies P11 to P22, the corridor lamps F1 and F2, or the extension adapter AD. For this reason, when a line failure or the like occurs between the slave unit main bodies P11 to P22, the hall lights F1 and F2, the extension adapter AD, and the nurse call master unit NC, the call confirmation data is the wireless call button T11 of the caller. It will not be returned to T22. Thus, the patient does not have to worry about the misrecognition that the nurse has confirmed the call.

  Further, even if the call data transmitted from the wireless call buttons T11 to T22 is transmitted to the nurse call parent machine NC via a plurality of communication paths, the nurse call parent machine NC can select one of the plurality of communication paths. A communication path having a transmission quality equal to or higher than a threshold value and the highest priority is selected, and call confirmation data is returned through the selected communication path. For this reason, there is no risk of radio interference occurring in the radio section between the slave units P11 to P22, the hall lights F1 and F2, the extension adapter AD, and the wireless call buttons T11 to T22, and the radio channel traffic is also suppressed. Is done.

  Further, in this embodiment, under the situation where the transmission quality of any communication path through which the call data is transmitted does not reach the threshold value, the transmission quality is the highest among the communication paths without referring to the priority order. A good communication path is selected and used. For this reason, it is possible to return the call confirmation data under the best transmission condition even under the condition that the transmission quality is deteriorated as a whole.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the case where the selection priority order is fixedly set for a plurality of assumed communication paths has been described as an example in the embodiment, but the priority order may be adaptively variably set. For example, the nurse call parent machine NC stores the reception history of the call data transmitted from the wireless call buttons T11 to T22. Then, the use frequencies of the plurality of communication paths are calculated based on the stored reception history, and the priority given to the plurality of communication paths is updated based on the use frequencies.

  In this way, the selection priorities for a plurality of communication paths are adaptively variably set according to the usage frequency. For example, the priority order is set so that a communication path with high usage frequency is preferentially selected. In general, a communication path with higher usage frequency is a path that is closer to the wireless call buttons T11 to T22. For this reason, even when a patient moves in a hospital room or in a hospital, the priority order for the communication path can be adaptively variably set according to the tendency of movement of the patient, thereby more reliably calling confirmation data. Can be returned.

  Further, as another algorithm for selecting a communication path, the algorithm having the earliest call data reception timing in the nurse call parent machine NC may be selected. Further, in this case, the transmission quality of each communication path is taken into consideration, and the communication path having the earliest reception timing may be selected from among the communication paths having the transmission quality equal to or higher than the threshold value.

In addition, the configuration and control procedure of the nurse call master unit, the configuration of the slave unit main body and the corridor lamp, the type of the wireless communication system, and the like can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist of the present invention.
In short, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The schematic block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the nurse call system concerning this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless call button of the nurse call system shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the corridor lamp and the subunit | mobile_unit main body of the nurse call system shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the nurse call main | base station of the nurse call system shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the control procedure and control content of the nurse call main | base station shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  NC: Nurse call master unit, F1, F2: Corridor lamp, AD: Extension adapter, R1, R2 ... Hospital room unit, L ... Corridor lamp line, E1, E2 ... Slave unit line, P11-P22 ... Slave unit body, T11 T22 ... Wireless call button 10, 30, 40 ... Control circuit, 11, 31, 41 ... Antenna, 12, 32, 42 ... Antenna duplexer (DUP), 13, 33, 43 ... Receiver circuit, 14, 34, 44 ... ID code memory, 15, 35, 45 ... Transmission circuit, 16, 36, 46 ... Call confirmation lamp, 17, 37, 47 ... Call speaker, 18, 38, 48 ... Call microphone, 19 ... Buzzer, 20 ... Call button, 21 ... battery, 22 ... power supply circuit, 39 ... interface circuit.

Claims (7)

A nurse call parent device, a wireless call button, and a plurality of repeaters interposed between the nurse call parent device and the wireless call button,
The wireless call button
Means for storing unique identification information of a caller using the wireless call button;
Means for transmitting a radio paging signal including the stored unique identification information to the repeater in response to a call operation of the caller;
Means for receiving a wireless confirmation signal returned from the repeater, and collating unique identification information included in the received wireless confirmation signal with the stored unique identification information;
A means for notifying the caller of a call confirmation when both unique identification information matches as a result of the verification;
Each of the plurality of repeaters is
Means for storing unique identification information of a caller to be relayed;
Means for receiving a radio call signal transmitted from the wireless call button and reproducing the unique identification information included in the received radio call signal;
Means for collating the reproduced unique identification information with the stored unique identification information;
Means for generating a call signal including the unique identification information and the repeater identification information when the two unique identification information matches as a result of the collation, and transmitting the generated call signal to the nurse call master unit;
Means for generating the wireless confirmation signal and transmitting it to the wireless call button of the caller when a confirmation signal addressed to itself is returned from the nurse call master unit;
The nurse call master is
Means for storing priorities given to the plurality of repeaters;
When a plurality of call signals including the same unique identification information are received from the plurality of repeaters, the relay having the highest stored priority among the plurality of repeaters serving as the transmission sources of these call signals Means for selecting the vessel;
A nurse call system comprising: means for generating the confirmation signal for responding to the received call signal and returning the generated confirmation signal to the selected repeater. The nurse call master is
Means for storing reception histories of call signals transmitted from the plurality of repeaters;
The nurse call system according to claim 1, further comprising means for updating priority given to the plurality of repeaters based on the stored reception history. The nurse call master is
Means for detecting transmission errors for each of these paging signals when a plurality of paging signals including the same unique identification information are received from the plurality of repeaters;
Means for selecting a paging signal whose transmission error is less than a certain value among the paging signals received;
The apparatus further comprises means for selecting the repeater having the highest stored priority from the repeaters serving as the transmission source of the paging signal having the selected transmission error less than a predetermined value. The nurse call system according to Item 1. In the nurse call master used in the nurse call system in which the call signal transmitted from the wireless call button is transmitted to the nurse call master via a plurality of communication paths,
Means for storing priorities given to the plurality of communication paths;
Means for selecting a communication path having the highest stored priority among these communication paths when a call signal transmitted from the wireless call button is received via the plurality of communication paths;
Means for generating a call confirmation signal for responding to the received call signal and returning the generated call confirmation signal to the wireless call button of the transmission source via the selected communication path. Nurse call master unit characterized by doing. Means for storing a reception history of a call signal transmitted from the wireless call button;
Means for determining a use frequency of the plurality of communication paths based on the stored reception history, and updating a priority given to the plurality of communication paths based on the use frequency. The nurse call master according to claim 4. The means for selecting the communication path is:
Means for estimating transmission quality of the plurality of communication paths based on these call signals when a call signal transmitted from the wireless call button is received via the plurality of communication paths;
Based on the estimated transmission quality, means for selecting a communication path having the transmission quality of a certain value or more;
5. The nurse call parent device according to claim 4, further comprising means for selecting the communication path having the highest stored priority order from among the communication paths having the selected transmission quality of a certain value or more. The means for selecting the communication path is:
In the case where the transmission quality of the communication path through which the call signal is transmitted is less than a certain value, means for selecting the communication path with the best transmission quality from among the communication paths without referring to the priority order, The nurse call master according to claim 6, further comprising:

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