JP6340947B2 - Watch device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a watching device for watching a subject to be cared for, such as a person or an animal that needs to be cared for by a caretaker.

  Conventionally, there are techniques for watching over a person or animal that needs to be cared for by a caretaker. For example, in elderly care, a technique for detecting an abnormality of an elderly person (care recipient) who needs to receive care from a caregiver has been proposed.

  In Patent Document 1, in order to prevent an elderly person who has developed dementia from wandering at night and to reduce the burden on the caregiver, the caregiver is informed based on a signal indicating the leaving and landing of the elderly person. It discloses disclosing an alarm.

JP 2007-80112 A

  However, in the conventional technique, it is difficult to ensure the safety of the cared object when an abnormality occurs not only in the cared object (care recipient) but also in the cared person (caregiver). In recent years, in home care, in addition to the care recipients, the number of cases where the caregiver is an elderly person (elderly care) has increased, and the number of cases where the caregiver is abnormal has also increased.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a monitoring device that can ensure the care target and the caregiver's safety even when an abnormality occurs in the caretaker.

  A watching device according to an aspect of the present invention is a watching device that watches a care target that is a person or an animal who needs to be cared for by a caretaker, and the first region and the first region where the care target should exist A detection unit that detects the care target and the caretaker existing in a detection region including the second region adjacent to the detection region, and the care target in the detection region based on a detection result by the detection unit; A determination unit configured to determine whether or not the state where the total number of caretakers is 1 or less continues for a first threshold time or more, and the total number of care targets and caretakers in the detection area is 1 or less And a notification unit that makes a first notification to the third party indicating the care target and the abnormality of the caretaker when the state continues for the first threshold time or longer.

  According to this configuration, based on the duration of the state in which the total number of care targets and caretakers in the detection area is 1 or less, notification indicating abnormality of the care target and caretakers can be made to a third party. it can. If both the caretaker and the care recipient are elderly, the caretaker may not be taken care of by the caretaker. high. Further, since the care target cannot receive care from the caretaker, there is a high possibility that an abnormality will occur in the care target. Therefore, when a state where the total number of care targets and caretakers in the detection area is 1 or less continues for a first threshold time or more, a notification indicating abnormality of the care target and caretakers is given to a third party. Thus, even when an abnormality occurs in the caretaker, it is possible to secure the care target and the caretaker. In addition, even if the subject of care and the caretaker have died, it is possible to promptly contact the subject of care and the person concerned of the caretaker, preventing corruption of the subject of care and the caretaker, and wishing for a peaceful success it can.

  For example, in the determination unit, the state where the total number of the care targets and the caretakers in the detection area is 1 or less continues for a second threshold time longer than the first threshold time by a first time. And when the state in which the total number of objects to be taken care of and the number of caretakers in the detection area is 1 or less continues for the second threshold time or more, You may perform the 2nd notification which shows abnormality of higher risk than a 1st notification with respect to the said 3rd party.

  According to this configuration, when the state in which the total number of care targets and caretakers in the detection area is 1 or less continues for a second threshold time longer than the first threshold time, further than the first notification A second notification indicating a high-risk abnormality can be made to a third party. Therefore, it is possible to notify the care target and the abnormality of the caretaker step by step, and it is possible to more promptly take care of the care target and the caretaker.

  For example, the determination unit further includes a state in which the total number of the care targets and the caretakers in the detection area is 1 or less continues for a third threshold time longer than the second threshold time by a second time. And when the state where the total number of objects to be taken care of and the number of caretakers in the detection area is 1 or less continues for the third threshold time or more, A third notification indicating an abnormality with a higher degree of risk than two notifications is made to the third party, the first time is shorter than the first threshold time, and the second time is shorter than the first time. May be shorter.

  According to this configuration, the first time that is the difference between the first threshold time and the second threshold time is made shorter than the first threshold time, and the third time that is the difference between the second threshold time and the third threshold time. Can be made shorter than the second time. Therefore, the notification interval can be shortened in stages when the care target and caretaker abnormality are notified in stages. As a result, the frequency of notification can be increased if the abnormality of the care target and the caretaker is not improved after the notification to the third party is made, and the safety of the care target and the caretaker is ensured more quickly. I can expect that.

  For example, the state in which the total number of care targets and caretakers in the detection area is 1 or less is (i) the total number of care targets and caretakers in the first area is 1, and A first state in which the total number of care objects and caretakers in a second region is 0; and (ii) the total number of care objects and caretakers in the second region is 1, and A second state in which the total number of care objects and caretakers in one area is zero; and (iii) a third state in which the total number of care objects and caretakers in the detection area is zero; The monitoring device further includes a specifying unit that specifies one of the first state, the second state, and the third state based on a detection result by the detection unit, and the determination unit includes a plurality of determination units. The first state and the second state specified in the threshold time of And a threshold time corresponding to one of said third condition for the judging used as the first threshold time.

  According to this configuration, the determination can be performed using the threshold time corresponding to one of the first state, the second state, and the third state as the first threshold time. That is, the threshold time can be changed according to the first state, the second state, and the third state that are included in the state where the total number of care targets and caretakers in the detection area is 1 or less. Therefore, a threshold time that is more suitable for the care target and the state of the caretaker can be used, and abnormality of the care target and the caretaker can be notified more appropriately.

  The present invention may be realized by a recording medium such as a system, method, integrated circuit, computer program or computer-readable CD-ROM, and any combination of the system, method, integrated circuit, computer program or recording medium. It may be realized with.

  According to the monitoring apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to ensure the care target and the caregiver's safety even when an abnormality occurs in the caretaker.

It is a figure which shows the example of installation of the monitoring apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 and 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the detection area | region of the monitoring apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 and 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a watching device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the watching device according to the first embodiment. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a monitoring device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the watching device according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the relationship between the state used for the monitoring apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2, and a threshold value.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  It should be noted that each of the embodiments described below shows a comprehensive or specific example. The numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connection forms of the constituent elements, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims are described as arbitrary constituent elements.

(Embodiment 1)
The monitoring device according to the present embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the caretaker is a caregiver, the care target is a care recipient, and the caretaker is a caregiver.

[Installation example of the monitoring device]
First, an installation example of the watching device will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an installation example of the monitoring device according to the first and second embodiments. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detection area of the watching device according to the first and second embodiments.

  The watching device 10 is disposed in the vicinity of the bed 100 for a care recipient (not shown) to lie down. In the present embodiment, the watching device 10 is installed at a position about 1 m above the bed 100.

  The watching device 10 detects a care recipient and a caregiver present in the detection area 110 over time. The detection area 110 includes a first area 111 and a second area 112.

  The first area 111 is an area on the bed 100. That is, the first area 111 is an area where a care recipient should be present.

  The second area 112 is an area adjacent to the first area 111. That is, the second area 112 is an area that exists when the caregiver cares for the care recipient.

  In this Embodiment, the monitoring apparatus 10 detects a care recipient and a caregiver using an infrared array sensor. In FIG. 2, a plurality of circles indicate detection points that represent unit areas detected by the sensor elements included in the infrared array sensor. For example, the detection point 111p represents the unit region 111a surrounded by a broken line.

  The watching device 10 can detect a care recipient and a caregiver for each detection point (unit region). Therefore, the monitoring device 10 can detect each of the care recipient and the caregiver when the care recipient and the caregiver are present in the detection area 110.

[Functional configuration of the monitoring device]
Next, the functional configuration of the watching device 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the watching device according to the first embodiment. The watching device 10 includes a detection unit 11, a determination unit 12, and a notification unit 13.

  The detection unit 11 detects a care recipient and a caregiver present in the detection area 110 over time. That is, the detection unit 11 repeatedly detects a person existing in the detection area 110 with time. In the present embodiment, the detection unit 11 is an infrared array sensor. That is, the detection unit 11 detects the presence or absence of a person for each unit region.

  Based on the detection result of the detection unit 11, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not the state where the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area 110 is 1 or less continues for a threshold time (first threshold time) or longer. Judgment is made. That is, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not the duration of the state where the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area 110 is 1 or less is equal to or greater than the threshold time.

  The threshold time is a predetermined time for distinguishing whether an abnormality has occurred in the care recipient and the caregiver. That is, the threshold time is determined based on an upper limit time that is allowed as a continuation time in a state where the care recipient is not receiving care.

  In the present embodiment, the total number of care recipients and caregivers is determined based on the detection results of each unit area. For example, a set of adjacent unit areas determined to have a person is determined as one care recipient or caregiver. The total number of care recipients and caregivers is determined by counting the number of sets of unit areas.

  In the state where the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area 110 is 1 or less, it is assumed that no caregiver is present in the detection area 110. Therefore, the state where the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area 110 is 1 or less corresponds to a non-care state where the care recipient is not receiving care. That is, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not the state where the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area 110 is 1 or less continues for a threshold time or longer, thereby determining the duration of the non-care state. It is determined whether or not the threshold time is exceeded.

  When the state where the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area 110 is 1 or less continues for the notification unit 13, a notification (first notification) indicating abnormality of the care recipient and caregiver is continued. ) To a third party.

  For example, the notification unit 13 is an electronic device that indicates an abnormality of a care recipient and a caregiver via a wide area mobile communication system (for example, a third generation mobile communication system (3G) / LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication system) or the Internet. You may send an email to a third party. Further, for example, the notification unit 13 may transmit a message to a third party via a social networking service. Further, for example, the notification unit 13 may transmit a message to a third party using a communication unit dedicated to the watching device 10. Note that the notification unit 13 may notify a third party by combining a plurality of communication means.

  A third party is a person who requires care and a caregiver. For example, when the care recipient and the caregiver are an elderly couple, the third party may be, for example, a child or friend of the elderly couple. Also, for example, the third party may be a community care center, hospital, or police.

[Operation of the monitoring device]
Next, operation | movement of the monitoring apparatus 10 comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the watching apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  First, the detection unit 11 detects a care recipient and a caregiver present in the detection area 110 over time (S101). For example, the detection unit 11 stores data indicating whether or not a person exists for each unit area in the detection area 110 in a memory (not shown).

  Subsequently, based on the detection result in step S101, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not the state where the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area 110 is 1 or less continues for a threshold time or more. (S102). For example, the determination unit 12 sets the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area 110 to 1 based on data indicating whether or not there is a person for each unit area in the detection area 110 stored in the memory. The duration of the following state is calculated. Further, the determination unit 12 compares the calculated duration time with the threshold time to determine whether or not the state where the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area 110 is 1 or less continues for the threshold time or more. Judgment is made.

  Here, when the state in which the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area 110 is 1 or less continues for a threshold time or longer (Yes in S102), the notification unit 13 determines that the care recipient and the caregiver are abnormal. Is sent to a third party (S103), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the state in which the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area 110 is 1 or less does not continue for the threshold time or more (No in S102), the process ends without notification to the third party.

[effect]
As described above, according to the monitoring device 10 according to the present embodiment, based on the duration of the state where the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area is 1 or less, Notifications indicating abnormalities can be made to third parties. Increasing numbers of caregivers and care recipients are elderly, and if the caregiver is unable to take care of the caregiver, an abnormality may have occurred in the caregiver High nature. Furthermore, when the care recipient cannot receive care from the caregiver, there is a high possibility that the care recipient will also have an abnormality. Therefore, when a state where the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area is 1 or less continues for the first threshold time or longer, a notification indicating abnormality of the care recipient and caregiver is sent to the third party. This makes it possible for the care recipient and the caregiver to be safe when an abnormality occurs in the caregiver. In addition, even if the care recipient and caregiver have died, they can promptly contact the care recipient and the person concerned with the caregiver, prevent corruption of the care recipient and caregiver, I can hope.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the first embodiment is that a notification indicating a different degree of risk is given to a third party according to the duration of the state where the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area is 1 or less. And different. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the state where the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area is 1 or less is determined by dividing the state into three states, and the state is determined using a threshold time corresponding to the determined state. This is different from the first embodiment in that the duration time is determined.

  Hereinafter, the monitoring apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

[Functional configuration of the monitoring device]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the watching device according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the monitoring device 20 includes a detection unit 21, a specification unit 22, a control unit 23, a determination unit 24, and a notification unit 25.

  The detection unit 21 detects care recipients and caregivers present in the detection area 110 at predetermined time intervals. The predetermined time interval may be predetermined empirically or experimentally, for example, 10 seconds. The detection unit 21 outputs the detection result to the specifying unit 22.

  The specifying unit 22 specifies one of the first state, the second state, and the third state based on the detection result by the detecting unit 21. Specifically, every time the identification unit 22 acquires a detection result from the detection unit 21, the current state is any of the first state, the second state, the third state, and the other state (fourth state). Determine if it exists.

  In the first state, the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the first region 111 is 1, and the total number of caregivers and caregivers in the second region 112 is 0. The continuation of the first state indicates that the state where the care recipient is not receiving care from the caregiver is continuing.

  In the second state, the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the second area 112 is 1, and the total number of caregivers and caregivers in the first area 111 is 0. For example, the second state continues when the care recipient is falling from the bed.

  In the third state, the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area 110 (the first area 111 and the second area 112) is zero. The continuation of the third state indicates that the care recipient may not be able to return to bed for any reason. For example, the third state continues when an accident occurs when the care recipient is receiving care from the caregiver in the bathroom, and both the care recipient and the caregiver cannot get up.

  The fourth state indicates a state other than the first state to the third state. For example, in the fourth state, the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the first region 111 is 1, and the total number of caregivers and caregivers in the second region 112 is 1. In this case, the fourth state indicates a state where the care recipient is receiving care from the caregiver.

  The control unit 23 controls the determination unit 24 and the notification unit 25 based on the state specified by the specifying unit 22. Details of the control unit 23 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The determination unit 24 performs determination using a threshold time corresponding to one of the first state, the second state, and the third state specified by the specifying unit 22 among the plurality of threshold times. That is, the determination unit 24 determines whether one of the identified first state, second state, and third state continues for a corresponding threshold time or longer.

  The notification unit 25 receives a notification indicating an abnormality of the care recipient and the caregiver when one of the identified first state, second state, and third state continues for a corresponding threshold time or longer. Do for the three parties.

[Operation of the monitoring device]
Next, the operation of the watching device 20 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the watching apparatus according to the second embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 6 is executed at predetermined time intervals.

  First, the detection unit 21 detects a care recipient and a caregiver present in the detection area 110 (S201).

  Subsequently, the specifying unit 22 specifies whether the current state is the first state, the second state, the third state, or another state (fourth state) based on the detection result in step S201. (S202). That is, the specifying unit 22 is in the first state, the second state, and the third state in the non-care state (the state where the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area 110 is 1 or less). Identify which state of the.

  Next, the control unit 23 determines whether or not the current state specified in step S202 is the same as the previous state (S203). The previous state is held in the control unit 23, for example.

  Here, when the current state is the same as the previous state (Yes in S203), the control unit 23 increments the state count value (S204). That is, the control unit 23 adds “1” to the previous state count value. In other words, the control unit 23 counts the number of times the specified state is continued.

  The determination unit 24 determines whether or not the state count value is equal to or greater than the threshold number (S205). This threshold count is the threshold count corresponding to the current state.

  The state count value and the threshold count are converted into time using a predetermined time interval. That is, the state count value corresponds to the duration of the state. The threshold number corresponds to the threshold time.

  That is, in step S205, the determination unit 24 determines whether or not the current state (for example, the first state) continues for a threshold time or longer.

  Here, when the state count value is less than the threshold count (No in S205), the process is terminated as it is. That is, when the current state does not continue for the threshold time or longer, notification is not performed.

  On the other hand, when the state count value is equal to or greater than the threshold count (Yes in S205), the control unit 23 increments the notification level (S206). That is, when the current state continues for the threshold time or longer, the control unit 23 adds “1” to the previous notification level. The notification level is higher as the risk level is higher. Therefore, the control unit 23 increases the danger level of the care recipient and the caregiver who notifies the third party by incrementing the notification level. Note that the previous notification level is held in the control unit 23, for example.

  Subsequently, the notification unit 25 performs a notification indicating abnormality of the care recipient and the caregiver to a third party based on the notification level incremented in step S206 (S207).

  Next, the control unit 23 initializes the state count value (S208). That is, the control unit 23 changes the state count value to “0”. Further, the control unit 23 holds the changed state count value in association with the current state.

  The control unit 23 halves the threshold number corresponding to the current state (S209). Furthermore, the control unit 23 holds the threshold number reduced by half in association with the current state.

  If the current state is different from the previous state in step S203 (No in S203), the control unit 23 initializes the state count value and the threshold count corresponding to the current state, and the notification level (S210), and the process ends. Is done. For example, the control unit 23 sets both the state count value and the notification level to “0”.

  Further, for example, the control unit 23 initializes the threshold number based on FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a state used in the monitoring apparatus according to Embodiment 2 and the threshold count. For example, when the current state is the first state, the control unit 23 sets the threshold number of times corresponding to the first state to “360”.

  By operating as described above, the monitoring device 20 notifies a third party of notifications indicating different degrees of risk depending on the duration of the state where the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area is 1 or less. Do it.

  That is, the determination unit 24 first determines whether or not the state where the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area 110 is 1 or less (for example, the first state) continues for the first threshold time or longer. . For example, the first threshold time is a product “3600 seconds” of a predetermined time interval “10 seconds” and the threshold number of times “360 times”. Here, when the determination result is true, the notification unit 25 makes a first notification (notification level = 1) indicating abnormality of the care recipient and the caregiver to a third party.

  For example, when the current state is the first state and the notification level is “1”, the notification unit 25 indicates that the first notification “[Caution] that the caregiver is not receiving care is 60 minutes or longer. To the third party. " For example, when the current state is the second state and the notification level is “1”, the notification unit 25 may notify the first notification “[Caution] caregiver has fallen from the bed. (15 minutes) ". For example, when the current state is the third state and the notification level is “1”, the notification unit 25 may be unable to return the first notification “[Caution] caregiver to bed” (30 minutes) ".

  After the first notification is made, the determination unit 24 determines that the state where the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area 110 is 1 or less (for example, the first state) is only the first time from the first threshold time. It is determined whether or not it continues for a long second threshold time or longer. The first time is shorter than the first threshold time. For example, the first time is a product “1800 seconds” of a predetermined time interval “10 seconds” and the threshold number of times “180 times” halved. Here, when the determination result is true, the notification unit 25 performs a second notification (notification level = 2) indicating an abnormality with a higher degree of risk than the first notification to a third party.

  For example, when the current state is the first state and the notification level is “2”, the notification unit 25 indicates that the second notification “[Warning] caregiver is not receiving care for 90 minutes or more. To the third party. " Further, for example, when the current state is the second state and the notification level is “2”, the notification unit 25 is highly likely that the second notification “[warning] caregiver has fallen from the bed. (22 minutes) ”. In addition, for example, when the current state is the third state and the notification level is “2”, the notification unit 25 is highly likely that the second notification “[warning] caregiver cannot return to the bed. (45 minutes) ".

  Furthermore, after the second notification is performed, the determination unit 24 determines that the state in which the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area 110 is 1 or less (for example, the first state) is second from the second threshold time. It is determined whether or not it continues for a third threshold time longer than the time. The second time is shorter than the first time. For example, the second time is a product “900 seconds” of a predetermined time interval “10 seconds” and the threshold number “90 times” reduced by half again. Here, when the determination result is true, the notification unit 25 performs a third notification (notification level = 3) indicating a higher degree of risk abnormality than the second notification to a third party.

  For example, when the current state is the first state and the notification level is “3”, the notification unit 25 indicates that the third notification “[Danger] Caregiver is not receiving care for 105 minutes or more. To the third party. " Further, for example, when the current state is the third state and the notification level is “3”, the notification unit 25 is highly likely that the third notification “[Danger] Caregiver has fallen from the bed”. "Dangerous (26 minutes)." Further, for example, when the current state is the third state and the notification level is “3”, the notification unit 25 is highly likely that the third notification “[Danger] Caregiver cannot return to bed”. "Dangerous (52 minutes)."

[effect]
As described above, according to the monitoring device 20 according to the present embodiment, the state in which the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area is 1 or less continues for a second threshold time longer than the first threshold time. In this case, a second notification indicating a higher level of abnormality than the first notification can be given to a third party. Therefore, it is possible to notify the care recipient and the caregiver's abnormality step by step, and the safety of the care recipient and the caregiver can be improved more promptly.

  In addition, according to the monitoring device 20 according to the present embodiment, the first time that is the difference between the first threshold time and the second threshold time is made shorter than the first threshold time, and the second threshold time and the third threshold value are set. The third time, which is the difference with time, can be made shorter than the second time. Therefore, when notifying the care recipient and the caregiver in a stepwise manner, the notification interval can be shortened in a stepwise manner. As a result, the frequency of notifications can be increased if the abnormalities of the care recipient and caregiver are not improved after the notification to the third party is made, and the safety of the care recipient and caregiver can be secured more quickly. Can be expected.

  Furthermore, according to the monitoring device 20 according to the present embodiment, determination can be performed using a threshold time corresponding to one of the first state, the second state, and the third state as the first threshold time. it can. That is, the threshold time can be changed according to the first state, the second state, and the third state included in the state where the total number of care recipients and caregivers in the detection area is 1 or less. Therefore, it is possible to use a threshold time that is more suitable for the condition of the care recipient and the caregiver, and to more appropriately notify the abnormality of the care recipient and the caregiver.

(Other embodiments)
The monitoring device according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Unless it deviates from the meaning of the present invention, various modifications which those skilled in the art can think of in the present embodiment and forms constructed by combining components in the embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the case where the care target is a care recipient (elderly person) has been described. For example, the care target may be a patient (eg, a psychiatric patient), an infant, or a pet (animal). Even in this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained.

  In each of the above embodiments, the detection unit is an infrared array sensor, but is not limited thereto. For example, the detection unit may be a camera. For example, the detection unit may be a Doppler sensor. That is, the detection unit may have any configuration as long as it can detect a plurality of people (animals).

  In addition, although the notification part in each said embodiment has notified to the third party via the communication means, it does not necessarily need to notify via a communication means. For example, the notification unit may perform notification by causing a light emitting device to emit light. For example, the notification unit may perform notification by causing the sound output device to output sound.

  In each of the above embodiments, the notification unit may further transmit an image of the detection area captured by the camera to a third party. This makes it easier for a third party to grasp the risk level of the care recipient and the caregiver.

  Note that the monitoring device according to each of the above embodiments can be applied to an elderly person living alone instead of a care recipient. In this case, the threshold time and the notification content may be changed as appropriate. For example, since an elderly person living alone can leave and enter the floor by himself / herself, the threshold time corresponding to the first state may be longer than the threshold time when applied to a care recipient. As a result, the watching device can notify a third party of a situation where an elderly person living alone cannot move out of bed due to poor physical condition or an accident.

  Moreover, the watching device according to each of the above embodiments may switch between a first mode applied to a care recipient and a second mode applied to an elderly person living alone. In this case, the first mode and the second mode may be switched automatically based on the detection result by the detection unit, or may be switched manually.

  In addition, the monitoring device according to each of the above embodiments may be specifically configured as a computer system including a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk drive, a display unit, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. A computer program is stored in the RAM or hard disk drive. The monitoring device achieves its function by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program. Here, the computer program is configured by combining a plurality of instruction codes indicating instructions for the computer in order to achieve a predetermined function.

  Furthermore, some or all of the constituent elements of the monitoring device according to each of the above embodiments may be configured by a single system LSI (Large Scale Integration). The system LSI is an ultra-multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating a plurality of components on a single chip, and specifically, a computer system including a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, and the like. . A computer program is stored in the RAM. The system LSI achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program.

  Furthermore, some or all of the constituent elements of the monitoring device according to each of the above embodiments may be configured from an IC card that can be attached to and removed from the monitoring device or a single module. The IC card or module is a computer system that includes a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, and the like. The IC card or the module may include the super multifunctional LSI described above. The IC card or the module achieves its function by the microprocessor operating according to the computer program. This IC card or this module may have tamper resistance.

  Further, the present invention may be the method described above. Further, the present invention may be a computer program that realizes these methods by a computer, or may be a digital signal composed of the computer program.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a non-transitory recording medium that can read the computer program or the digital signal, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, a DVD, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, a BD ( It may be recorded on a Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), a semiconductor memory, or the like. Further, the digital signal may be recorded on these non-temporary recording media.

  In the present invention, the computer program or the digital signal may be transmitted via an electric communication line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network represented by the Internet, a data broadcast, or the like.

  The present invention may be a computer system including a microprocessor and a memory, wherein the memory stores the computer program, and the microprocessor operates according to the computer program.

  Further, by recording the program or the digital signal on the non-temporary recording medium and transferring it, or transferring the program or the digital signal via the network or the like, another independent computer It may be implemented by the system.

  The watching device according to one embodiment of the present invention can be used as, for example, a watching device capable of notifying a third party of a care recipient who needs to receive care from a caregiver and an abnormality of the caregiver.

10, 20 Monitoring device 11, 21 Detection unit 12, 24 Determination unit 13, 25 Notification unit 22 Identification unit 23 Control unit 100 Bed 110 Detection region 111 First region 111a Unit region 111p Detection point 112 Second region

Claims (4)

A watch device that watches over a cared object that is a person or animal that needs to be cared for by a caretaker,
A detection unit that detects the care target and the caretaker that exist in a detection region including a first region where the care target should exist and a second region adjacent to the first region;
A determination unit configured to determine whether or not a state in which the total number of the care targets and the caretakers in the detection region is 1 or less continues for a first threshold time or more based on a detection result by the detection unit;
When the state where the total number of the care target and the caretakers in the detection area is 1 or less continues for the first threshold time or more, a first notification indicating an abnormality of the care target and the caretaker is issued. A monitoring device comprising a notification unit for the three parties. The determination unit further determines whether or not the state where the total number of care targets and caretakers in the detection area is 1 or less continues for a second threshold time longer than the first threshold time by a first time. Make a decision,
The notification unit further has a higher degree of risk than the first notification when a state where the total number of care targets and caretakers in the detection area is 1 or less continues for the second threshold time or more. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a second notification indicating an abnormality is made to the third party. The determination unit further determines whether or not the state where the total number of objects to be taken care of and the caretakers in the detection area is 1 or less continues for a third threshold time longer than the second threshold time by a second time. Judgment
The notification unit further has a higher degree of risk than the second notification when a state where the total number of the care targets and the caretakers in the detection area is 1 or less continues for the third threshold time or more. A third notification indicating the abnormality of
The first time is shorter than the first threshold time,
The monitoring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second time is shorter than the first time. The state in which the total number of care targets and caretakers in the detection area is 1 or less is that (i) the total number of care targets and caretakers in the first area is 1, and the second A first state in which the total number of care objects and caretakers in the area is 0; and (ii) the total number of care objects and caretakers in the second area is 1, and the first area A second state in which the total number of the care target and the caretakers is 0, and (iii) a third state in which the total number of the care objects and the caretakers in the detection area is 0,
The monitoring device further includes:
Based on a detection result by the detection unit, comprising a specifying unit for specifying one of the first state, the second state, and the third state;
The determination unit uses a threshold time corresponding to one of the specified first state, the second state, and the third state among a plurality of threshold times as the first threshold time. The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a determination is made.

Images