JP7323161B2 - Error status reporting system - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an error state notification system, and is particularly suitable for use in a system that notifies an error state when a problem occurs in which communication cannot be performed between a transmitter and a receiver.

Nurse call systems are generally used in hospitals, nursing homes, and the like. The nurse call system is a system that enables patients and care recipients (hereinafter simply " This system allows a patient (referred to as "patient") to press a call button or the like to call a doctor, nurse, or caregiver (hereinafter simply referred to as "nurse").

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a system in which a nurse call slave device is configured by a radio transmitter and a call signal is transmitted via a radio receiver (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The nurse call system described in Patent Document 1 includes a transmission unit (nurse call slave unit) that transmits radio waves of a predetermined frequency by operating a transmission switch for calling, and by receiving radio waves from the transmission unit, a wire is connected. and a receiving unit for calling a nurse station (nurse call base unit) via the radio.

JP 2003-298752 A

When configuring the nurse call slave device wirelessly, there may occur a problem that wireless communication cannot be performed. In such a case, it is common to report that there is a problem in communication by a predetermined method. By providing such notification, the user who receives the notification can take measures to resolve the problem. However, simply reporting the occurrence of a problem causes a problem that the cause of the problem cannot be easily identified, and it takes a lot of time and effort to take appropriate measures to eliminate the problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such problems. The purpose is to make it comprehensible.

In order to solve the above-described problems, in the present invention, when a nurse call slave unit transmits a call signal to a receiver, the receiver responds to the call signal when no problem has occurred in wireless communication. When there is no normal response in which the response signal and the second response signal are sequentially returned, the state of the response different from the normal response regarding the return of the first response signal and the second response signal is determined, and determination The notification of the error state is performed in a manner corresponding to the detected state.

According to the present invention configured as described above, in a wireless nurse call slave unit, although a calling signal is transmitted to the receiver, a normal response is not returned from the receiver. When a failure occurs in wireless communication, an error state is notified in a mode corresponding to the state of the response, which is different from the normal response. Here, since the state of the response different from the normal response changes depending on the cause of the problem, the cause of the problem can be easily grasped by the manner of notification that changes according to the state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows the whole structural example of the nurse call system to which the error state alerting|reporting system by this embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of a message transmission type child device according to the present embodiment; 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of a nurse call system to which an error state reporting system according to this embodiment is applied; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the association between content of synthesized speech corresponding to a plurality of pieces of speech data stored in the speech data storage unit according to the present embodiment and button identification information; It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the nurse call system by this embodiment. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of operation related to notification of an error state by a matter button;

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a nurse call system to which the error state notification system of this embodiment is applied. Although a nurse call system installed in a hospital will be described here as an example, the nurse call system of this embodiment is not limited to one installed in a hospital. For example, it can also be applied when installed in a nursing facility or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the nurse call system of this embodiment includes a nurse call base unit 1, a controller 2, a corridor light 3, a wall-embedded child unit 4, a repeater 5, a hand-type child unit 6, and an item. It is configured with a transmission type slave unit 7 (corresponding to a nurse call slave unit in the scope of claims). The nurse call master unit 1 may be installed at a nurse station, or may be a portable nurse call master unit carried by each nurse. The wall-embedded child device 4, the repeater 5, the hand-held child device 6, and the communication type child device 7 are installed in the patient's room.

The nurse call master unit 1 is used to respond to a call from a patient (a hand-type slave unit 6 or a communication-type slave unit 7) so that a nurse can communicate with a patient. The nurse call master unit 1 performs a predetermined notification operation when receiving a call from a patient. The notification operation is performed by outputting a ringing sound from the speaker provided in the nurse call base unit 1 and displaying information such as the patient related to the call and the call type on the display provided in the nurse call base unit 1 .

If the nurse performs a response operation such as off-hook during execution of this notification operation, the nurse call base unit 1 stops the above-described notification operation and forms a communication path. Although the details will be described later, when a response operation is performed in response to a call from the hand-shaped child device 6, the nurse call master device 1 forms a communication path with the hand-shaped child device 6 and communicates with the patient. make it possible to do so. Further, when a response operation is performed in response to a call from the message transmission type handset 7, the nurse call base unit 1 forms a communication path with the repeater 5, and the call is sent from the repeater 5. Receive synthesized speech and output it from the speaker.

The control unit 2 is arranged between the nurse call base unit 1 and the corridor light 3, and controls communication and data transmission/reception. The data to be sent and received includes a calling signal sent from the hand-type handset 6 or the message transmission type handset 7 to the nurse call master device 1, and a response notification sent from the nurse call master device 1 to the message transmission type handset 7. signal, a voice signal of synthetic voice sent from the repeater 5 to the nurse call base unit 1, and the like.

Corridor lights 3 are installed outside near the entrance of each sickroom in the hospital. This corridor light 3 is equipped with a display device, which displays the name of the patient in the hospital room, and when the patient in the room uses the hand-type child device 6 or the message transmission type child device 7 to call a nurse. , to show that the call was made. It should be noted that the fact that the call has been made may be indicated by lighting or blinking of an LED. The LED is extinguished when a predetermined recovery operation is performed.

Corridor light 3 transmits a call signal transmitted from hand-type slave unit 6 or message transmission type slave unit 7 through repeater 5 to nurse call master unit 1 through controller 2 . Further, the corridor light 3 transmits a response notification signal transmitted from the nurse call master unit 1 via the controller 2 to the message transmission type slave unit 7 via the wall-embedded slave unit 4 and the repeater 5. do. In addition, the corridor light 3 emits an audio signal transmitted from the repeater 5 via the communication path formed by the response operation of the nurse call master unit 1 (the patient's call voice input from the microphone of the hand-type slave unit 6). , or related to the synthetic voice generated by the repeater 5 for communicating the matter) is transmitted to the nurse call master device 1 via the controller 2, and from the nurse call master device 1 via the controller 2 A voice signal related to the nurse's voice transmitted through the wall-embedded slave unit 4 and the repeater 5 is transmitted to the handheld slave unit 6 .

The wall-embedded child device 4 is embedded in the wall of each bedside of the hospital room. This wall-embedded slave unit 4 is connected to a corridor light 3. - 特許庁The wall-embedded child device 4 has connection terminals for connecting the repeater 5 or the hand-held child device 6 . Although it is possible to directly connect the hand-type child device 6 to the wall-embedded child device 4, in this embodiment, the wall-embedded child device 4 is connected to the repeater 5, and the hand-held device is connected to the repeater 5. A form child machine 6 is connected. The wall-embedded slave unit 4 transmits and receives the above-described call signal, response notification signal and voice signal between the corridor light 3 and the repeater 5 . The wall-embedded slave device 4 may include a call button for the patient to call the nurse, a microphone and a speaker for the patient to talk with the nurse.

The hand-type child device 6 is connected to the wall-embedded child device 4 or the repeater 5 and installed at the patient's bedside. As described above, the hand-type slave device 6 can be directly connected to the wall-embedded slave device 4, but in this embodiment, the relay 5 connected to the wall-embedded slave device 4 is A hand-type slave unit 6 is connected. The hand-type handset 6 is provided with a call button 6a for the patient to call the nurse, a microphone (not shown) and a speaker 6b used by the patient to converse with the nurse.

The hand-shaped handset 6 has call buttons 6a corresponding to one or more call types, and when the patient operates any of the call buttons 6a, a call signal of the call type corresponding to the operated call button 6a is generated. is transmitted to the nurse call master unit 1 via the repeater 5, the wall-embedded slave unit 4, the corridor light 3 and the controller 2. The call type is, for example, general call, emergency call, specific call (toilet or drip).

The message transmission type slave device 7 is wirelessly connected to the repeater 5 and installed at the patient's bedside. For example, the message transmission type child device 7 is connected to the repeater 5 using Bluetooth (registered trademark) wireless communication means. The message transmission type child device 7 and the repeater 5 perform wireless communication on a one-to-one basis. For wireless communication, the repeater 5 performs pairing registration with the message transmission type child device 7 . In other words, the message transmission type child device 7 and the repeater 5 register the identification information of the other party in themselves, establish a one-to-one wireless communication relationship, and carry out wireless communication under the established wireless communication relationship. It is configured.

The repeater 5 has a function of performing processing related to pairing registration. For example, after the setting switch 5a of the repeater 5 is pressed for a long time to enter the pairing standby state, a predetermined operation is performed on the message transmission type child device 7 to be paired. As a result, the identification information of the message transmission type child device 7 is wirelessly transmitted to the relay device 5, and this identification information is stored in the relay device 5. Pairing registration is performed by transmitting the ID information and storing the identification information in the message transmission type slave device 7 .

It should be noted that the repeater 5 can be paired with a plurality of message transmission type child devices 7 . However, only the identification information of the message transmission type child device 7 paired most recently is registered (stored in the repeater 5). For example, while the repeater 5 connected to the wall-embedded child device 4 is fixed, when the patient using the bed changes, the message transmission type child device 7 used by the patient is previously paired. It is conceivable that it may be different from the message transmission type child device 7 registered in the ring. In this case, the identification information (hereinafter referred to as the slave ID) of the message transmission type slave 7 paired most recently is registered in the repeater 5, and the identification information of the repeater 5 (hereinafter referred to as the repeater ID). ) is registered in the message transmission type child device 7 .

The message transmission type slave unit 7 has a plurality of message buttons 7a for the patient to call the nurse, and when the patient operates any of the message buttons 7a, the operated message button 7a is identified. A ringing signal containing possible button identification information is wirelessly transmitted to the repeater 5 . The message transmission type child device 7 incorporates a battery and operates by receiving power from the battery. In the present embodiment, the repeater 5 is equipped with a pairing registration function and a voice synthesis function, which will be described later, so as to reduce battery consumption of the message transmission type child device 7 .

The repeater 5 corresponds to the receiver in the claims, and is between the message transmission type child device 7 and the nurse call master device 1 (specifically, between the message transmission type child device 7 and the wall embedded child device 4). The repeater 5 is connected to an outlet of a general power supply, and operates by receiving power from the outlet. Repeater 5 transmits and receives the above-mentioned call signal, response notification signal, and voice signal between wall-mounted child device 4, hand-held child device 6, and message transmission type child device 7. FIG. That is, repeater 5 receives a call signal from handset 7 and transmits the call signal to nurse call base unit 1 via a wired communication path. As for the audio signal, the repeater 5 generates a synthetic voice corresponding to the button identification information included in the call signal received from the message transmission type handset 7, and transmits the generated synthetic voice voice signal to the wall-embedded phone. The information is transmitted to the nurse call master unit 1 via the child unit 4, the corridor light 3 and the controller 2. Details of this operation will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of the message transmission type child device 7. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the item transmission type handset 7 has a plurality of item buttons 7a. In this embodiment, eight task buttons 7a are arranged four by four on both sides of the front of the housing. Each matter button 7a has a wording that simply expresses the content of the matter that the patient communicates to the nurse. In the example of FIG. 2, the words "toilet", "painful", "medicine", "tube feeding", "painful", "take sputum", "infusion", and "business" are used for eight purposes. Each item button 7a is described.

These task buttons 7a are made of translucent resin material or glass material, and LEDs are installed on the back side thereof (inside the housing). The message button 7a can be operated by pressing it. When the patient presses any of the message buttons 7a, the LED corresponding to the pressed message button 7a is lit and a call signal is emitted. is wirelessly transmitted to the repeater 5 . This call signal contains button identification information that can identify the pressed matter button 7a, a handset ID that indicates the matter transmission type handset 7 that is the sender, and a repeater ID that indicates the repeater ID of the destination. and are included. The handset ID is stored in the message transmission type handset 7 in advance. The repeater ID is registered in the message transmission type handset 7 by pairing registration.

As described above, since the task button 7a is made of a translucent material, when the LED on the back side lights up, the pressed task button 7a appears to glow, indicating which task button 7a has been pressed. can be seen at a glance. That is, by lighting the LED corresponding to the pressed matter button 7a, the content of the matter corresponding to the pressed matter button 7a (the content of the wording written on the matter button 7a) can be identified. is displayed. In the following description, lighting or extinguishing of the LED arranged on the back side of the matter button 7a is referred to as "lighting or extinguishing of the matter button 7a" for the sake of convenience.

The message transmission type child device 7 is provided with a lighting switch 7b. The lighting switch 7b can also be operated by pressing it, and when the patient presses the lighting switch 7b, all the task buttons 7a are lit. For example, after the lights in the hospital room are turned off at night, when the message written on the message button 7a cannot be seen, pressing the illumination switch 7b illuminates all the message buttons 7a and the message is displayed. It is possible to check the contents of Note that the display control unit (described later) provided in the message transmission type child device 7 has an adjustment function for lighting the LED with two levels of brightness, and when the lighting switch 7b is pressed, all the The subject button 7a is lit with low luminance. Further, when any of the event buttons 7a is pressed, the display control unit lights the pressed event button 7a with high brightness.

The message transmission type handset 7 is provided with a response display lamp 7c. This response display lamp 7c is a lamp for notifying that the nurse has responded to the call made by pressing the matter button 7a. This response indicator lamp 7c also has a configuration in which an LED is arranged on the back side of a translucent material. When the nurse performs a response operation on the nurse call master unit 1, a response notification signal is transmitted from the nurse call master unit 1 to the matter transmission type slave unit 7. FIG. Then, when the message transmission type handset 7 receives this response notification signal, the response display lamp 7c lights up. Thereby, the patient can confirm whether or not the nurse has responded to the call made by pressing any of the matter buttons 7a.

The message transmission type handset 7 has a recovery button 7d for the nurse to operate. The recovery button 7d is arranged on the upper surface different from the front surface of the housing where the patient-operated event button 7a and the lighting switch 7b are arranged, in order to prevent the patient from accidentally operating this. there is This recovery button 7d is a button for turning off the item button 7a pressed by the patient to bring it into a recovery state. That is, when the nurse who has performed the response operation on the nurse call base unit 1 arrives at the hospital room, the nurse presses the recovery button 7d, thereby canceling the lighted state of the task button 7a pressed by the patient. , it is possible to return the message transmission type child device 7 to the restoration state.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the nurse call system according to this embodiment. Here, an example of the functional configuration of the nurse call base unit 1, the repeater 5, and the message transmission type handset 7 is shown. Note that the illustration of the function for performing pairing registration for the repeater 5 and the message transmission type child device 7 is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the nurse call base unit 1 according to the present embodiment includes a call signal receiving unit 101, a notification processing unit 102, a response operation detecting unit 103, a communication path forming unit 104, and a synthesized speech receiving unit 105 as functional configurations. and a synthesized speech output unit 106 . Further, the nurse call master unit 1 has a speaker 111 and a display 112 as a hardware configuration.

The repeater 5 according to the present embodiment includes a call signal relay section 501, a response notification relay section 502, a call path related processing section 503, a synthetic speech generation section 504, a synthetic speech transmission section 505, and a response signal return section 506 as functional configurations. I have. The repeater 5 also includes an audio data storage unit 511 and a pairing information storage unit 512 as storage media.

The message transmission type slave device 7 according to this embodiment includes a press detection unit 701, a call signal transmission unit 702, a display control unit 703, a response notification reception unit 704, and a response state determination unit 705 as functional configurations. Further, the message transmission type child device 7 includes a pairing information storage unit 711 as a storage medium.

Each functional block provided in the nurse call base unit 1, the repeater 5, and the message transmission type slave unit 7 can be configured by any of hardware, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and software. For example, when configured by software, each of the above functional blocks is actually configured with a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. of a computer, and is realized by the operation of programs stored in the RAM and ROM. Note that the program may be stored in another storage medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

The press detection unit 701 of the task transmission type child device 7 detects pressing of the task button 7a and the lighting switch 7b by the patient. Further, the pressing detection unit 701 detects pressing of the recovery button 7d by the nurse. When detecting that the subject button 7a has been pressed by the patient, the pressing detection unit 701 notifies the calling signal transmission unit 702 and the display control unit 703 of the fact. When the pressing detection unit 701 detects pressing of the lighting switch 7b by the patient or pressing of the recovery button 7d by the nurse, the pressing detection unit 701 notifies the display control unit 703 to that effect.

In response to pressing of the matter button 7a, the call signal transmission unit 702 transmits button identification information that can identify the matter button 7a that has been pressed, a handset ID that indicates the matter transmission type handset 7 that is the transmission source, A call signal including a repeater ID indicating the repeater ID of the transmission destination is transmitted to the repeater 5 . Note that the button identification information and the child device ID corresponding to each matter button 7a are stored in advance in a storage medium (not shown) of the matter transmission type child device 7. FIG. Also, the repeater ID is stored in the pairing information storage unit 711 through prior pairing registration.

The display control unit 703 controls display of the matter button 7a and the response display lamp 7c. That is, when the depression detection unit 701 detects that the lighting switch 7b is depressed, the display control unit 703 lights all the task buttons 7a with low luminance. For example, the display control unit 703 turns off all the event buttons 7a after turning on all the event buttons 7a with low luminance for a certain period of time from when the illumination switch 7b is pressed. Alternatively, the display control unit 703 turns on all the task buttons 7a in response to the pressing of the lighting switch 7b, and then, when the lighting switch 7b is pressed again, turns off all the task buttons 7a. Alternatively, when any matter button 7a is pressed, the matter buttons 7a other than the matter button 7a pressed may be turned off.

Further, when any of the event buttons 7a is pressed by the press detection unit 701, the display control unit 703 lights the pressed event button 7a with high luminance. Further, when the depression of the restore button 7d is detected by the depression detection unit 701, the display control unit 703 extinguishes the matter button 7a which is lit. Further, the display control unit 703 lights the response display lamp 7c when the response notification reception unit 704 receives the response notification signal sent from the nurse call base unit 1. FIG.

Further, the display control unit 703 prevents the message transmission type child device 7 from performing wireless communication with the repeater 5 when any of the message buttons 7a is pressed by the press detection unit 701. When an error state is detected, the depressed matter button 7a is flashed. The blinking of the matter button 7a corresponds to notification of an error state. As is clear from this, the display control unit 703 corresponds to the error notification unit in the scope of claims. Details of error conditions and their detection will be described later.

If, when the patient presses the message button 7a, the message button 7a flashes instead of lighting, the patient will know that an error condition has occurred. In this case, the patient can request recovery from the error state by, for example, calling the nurse using the hand-held slave device 6, or by verbally informing the nurse who has come to the hospital room for another business. .

As described above, the response notification receiving unit 704 receives the response notification signal sent from the nurse call base unit 1 via the repeater 5 and notifies the display control unit 703 of the reception. The response notification signal received by the response notification receiving unit 704 is a signal generated by the nurse performing a response operation on the nurse call base unit 1 after the nurse is called by pressing the matter button 7a. be.

The response state determination unit 705 determines whether there is no trouble in wireless communication between the message transmission type handset 7 and the repeater 5 when the call signal transmission unit 702 transmits the call signal to the repeater 5. If there is no normal response returned from the repeater 5, the status of the response different from the normal response is discriminated. Specifically, the response state determination unit 705 determines a first state in which the first response signal is not returned from the repeater 5 when the call signal transmission unit 702 transmits the call signal to the repeater 5; A second state in which the second response signal is not returned after the first response signal is returned from the repeater 5 is discriminated. The first response signal and the second response signal will be described later.

The display control unit 703 (function of the error notification unit) notifies the error state by blinking the pressed event button 7a in a manner corresponding to the state determined by the response state determination unit 705. FIG. That is, the display control unit 703 determines whether the state determined by the response state determination unit 705 is the first state or the second state, and displays the mode corresponding to the first state or the second state. to notify the error state. For example, the display control unit 703 blinks the message button 7a at the first speed when the state determined by the response state determination unit 705 is the first state, and blinks when the determined state is the second state. If there is, the message button 7a is flashed at a second speed (for example, a speed faster than the first speed).

The call signal relay unit 501 of the repeater 5 receives the call signal transmitted from the hand-shaped child device 6 in response to the pressing of the call button 6a of the hand-shaped child device 6, and performs the call corresponding to the pressed call button 6a. It is relayed to the nurse call base unit 1 as a type calling signal. As described above, the call types of the call signal that can be transmitted by the hand-held handset 6 include general call, emergency call, and specific call (toilet or drip).

In addition, the call signal relay unit 501 receives the call signal transmitted by the call signal transmission unit 702 of the message transmission type handset 7 (handset ID of the work transmission type handset 7 as the transmission source and the repeater of the relay 5). ID as a destination and a call signal including the button identification information of the pressed matter button 7a) is received, the call signal is a call signal of a specific type of call (handset ID, repeater). ID and button identification information are not included) and relayed to the nurse call base unit 1. The function of this call signal relay section 501 corresponds to the call signal reception section in the claims.

When the call signal relay unit 501 receives the call signal from the work transmission type handset 7, the call signal relay unit 501 does not depend on the contents of the button identification information included in the call signal (that is, depending on which work button 7a is pressed). ), relays it to the nurse call master unit 1 as a call signal of a specific one call type (for example, a general call) among a plurality of call types. In other words, the task buttons 7a of "toilet" and "infusion" shown in FIG. is generally assigned a call type of an emergency call, but even when these task buttons 7a are pressed, the call signal relay unit 501 transfers the call signal of a general call to a nurse call. Send to base unit 1.

As described above, when the call signal relay unit 501 receives a call signal from the hand-type handset 6, the call signal relay unit 501 converts the call signal into a call type corresponding to the pressed call button 6a, which is the nurse call master unit. Relay to 1. On the other hand, when the call signal relay unit 501 receives a call signal from the message transmission type handset 7, the call signal relay unit 501 relays the call signal to the nurse call base unit as a call signal of one specific call type. As described above, in this embodiment, one of the call types provided in the nurse call system is used to transmit a call signal to the nurse call base unit 1 when communicating the patient's business to the nurse by synthetic voice. I am making it possible.

When the call signal relay unit 501 receives the call signal transmitted by the call signal transmission unit 702 of the message transmission type handset 7, the call signal relay unit 501 notifies the synthetic voice generation unit 504 of the button identification information included in the call signal. , and notifies the response signal returning section 506 of the handset ID and repeater ID included in the call signal.

Response signal returning section 506 returns the first response signal to task transmission type handset 7 when call signal relay section 501 receives the call signal from task transmission type handset 7 . After returning the first response signal, response signal replying section 506 stores the handset ID and repeater ID included in the call signal in pairing information storage section 512 as a one-to-one wireless communication relationship through pairing. determines whether or not it matches with the content registered in , and returns a second response signal if it matches.

The first response signal is issued when call signal relay section 501 receives a call signal from task transmission type handset 7 regardless of whether task transmission type handset 7 is a partner registered for pairing. It is a signal that always returns. For example, even if the message transmission type slave device 7 is not a partner registered for pairing, the repeater 5 receives a call signal addressed to itself (the repeater ID included in the call signal identifies itself). ), this is received by call signal relay section 501, and response signal reply section 506 returns the first response signal.

On the other hand, when the call signal relay section 501 does not receive the call signal from the message transmission type handset 7, the response signal return section 506 does not return the first response signal. For example, when the message transmission type slave device 7 used in the bed where a certain repeater 5 is installed is paired with another repeater 5, the certain repeater 5 can The call signal transmitted from the transmission type handset 7 cannot be received by the call signal relay unit 501. Therefore, the response signal returning section 506 does not return the first response signal. Further, even when the message transmission type child device 7 and the repeater 5 are separated beyond the wireless communication range, the call signal transmitted from the message transmission type child device 7 is received by the call signal relay unit 501. Therefore, response signal returning section 506 does not return the first response signal.

The second response signal is a signal returned only when the handset ID and the repeater ID included in the call signal received from the message transmission type handset 7 match the content registered for pairing. For example, if the handset ID included in the calling signal addressed to the user received from the message transmission type handset 7 does not match the handset ID stored in the pairing information storage unit 512 as a result of the pairing registration, That is, when the repeater 5 is most recently paired with another message transmission type child device 7, the response signal replying unit 506 does not reply the second reply signal to the repeater 5. .

Calling signal relay unit 501 operates only when response signal reply unit 506 returns the first response signal and the second response signal to repeater 5 , that is, when message transmission type handset 7 and repeater 5 The calling signal received from the message transmission type handset 7 is relayed to the nurse call master unit 1 only when no error state of wireless communication occurs during the communication.

The response signal sent back from the response signal returning unit 506 to the work transmission type handset 7 is received by the response state determination unit 705 of the work transmission type handset 7 . As described above, after the call signal transmission section 702 transmits the call signal to the repeater 5, the response state determination section 705 determines whether the first response signal that should be returned from the repeater 5 is received within the predetermined timeout time. If it does not receive it in time, it determines that it is in the first state. The first state can occur in the following cases.
○ When the message transmission type handset 7 that transmitted the call signal is not paired with the destination repeater 5 (including the case where it is paired with another repeater 5).
○ When the repeater 5 does not exist within the wireless communication range from the message delivery type child device 7 (when the repeater 5 is far away from the message delivery type child device 7)
○When the power of repeater 5 is not turned on

In these cases, the matter button 7a blinks at the first speed. Therefore, the patient confirming the message button 7a blinking at the first speed first checks whether the message transmission type slave unit 7 is in a place away from the repeater 5. If any of the above apply, you can attempt to recover from the error condition yourself. If it is neither of the above two cases, there may be a problem with the pairing registration, and a nurse can be asked to try to recover from the error state. In addition, even if it is difficult for the patient to check or try to recover by himself/herself, he or she can ask a nurse to check or try to recover.

Also, after the call signal transmission unit 702 has transmitted the call signal to the repeater 5, the response state determination unit 705 receives the first response signal, but determines the second response signal that should be returned from the repeater 5 after that. is not received within a predetermined time-out period, it is determined that the state is the second state. The second condition can occur in the following cases.
○ When the repeater 5 is paired with another message transmission type child device 7

In the above case, the matter button 7a blinks at the second speed. Therefore, the patient who confirms the matter button 7a blinking at the second speed can grasp that there is a possibility that there is a problem with the pairing registration, and immediately asks the nurse to correct the error state. You can try to recover.

The response notification relay unit 502 receives the response notification signal sent from the nurse call base unit 1 and relays it to the matter transmission type slave unit 7 . The communication channel related processing unit 503 performs processing related to the formation of a communication channel with the nurse call base unit 1 . The processing related to the formation of a speech path is a process for forming a speech path in cooperation with the speech path formation section 104 of the nurse call base unit 1. For example, in response to a request from the speech path formation section 104, the relevant Perform the requested action.

When the nurse call base unit 1 responds to the call from the hand-held handset 6, the communication path related processing unit 503 cooperates with the communication path formation unit 104 of the nurse call base unit 1. , necessary processing for forming a communication path between the nurse call base unit 1 and the hand-held cordless handset 6 is performed. For the processing in this case, the hand-type handset 6 is also provided with a channel-related processing section, but its illustration is omitted. Further, when a response operation is performed on the nurse call base unit 1 in response to a call from the message transmission type handset 7, the communication path related processing unit 503 communicates with the communication path formation unit 104 of the nurse call base unit 1. In cooperation with each other, the processes necessary for forming a communication path between the nurse call master unit 1 and the repeater 5 are performed. When a call path is formed between the nurse call base unit 1 and the repeater 5, the call path-related processing unit 503 notifies the synthetic speech generation unit 504 of that effect.

When a communication path is formed between nurse call base unit 1 and repeater 5 , synthetic speech generation unit 504 generates a button that is included in the call signal received by call signal relay unit 501 from message transmission type handset 7 . Speech data corresponding to the identification information is read out from the speech data storage unit 511 to generate synthetic speech. The voice data storage unit 511 associates and stores a plurality of voice data corresponding to a plurality of types of synthesized voices and button identification information. The multiple types of synthesized voices indicate the contents of the message that the patient conveys to the nurse.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the association between the content of synthesized speech corresponding to a plurality of pieces of speech data stored in the speech data storage unit 511 and the button identification information according to the present embodiment. The eight synthetic voices shown in FIG. 4 correspond to the eight message buttons 7a shown in FIG. In other words, there are eight items with the words "toilet", "painful", "medicine", "tube feeding", "painful", "take phlegm", "infusion", and "business". The voice data storage unit 511 stores voice data for generating the eight synthesized voices shown in FIG. 4 in association with the button identification information “001” to “008” of the button 7a. For example, in association with the button identification information "001" corresponding to the first task button 7a arranged in the upper leftmost position on the housing of the task transmission type child device 7, a synthesized voice saying "I want to go to the bathroom." of voice data is stored. In addition, in association with the button identification information "008" corresponding to the eighth task button 7a arranged on the lower rightmost side of the housing of the task transmission type handset 7, a synthesized voice saying "I have something to do." Voice data is stored.

Synthetic speech transmission unit 505 transmits the button included in the call signal received by call signal relay unit 501 from message transmission type handset 7 after a communication path is formed between nurse call base unit 1 and repeater 5 . Synthetic speech corresponding to the identification information (synthetic speech generated by the synthetic speech generation unit 504) is transmitted to the nurse call base unit 1 via the communication path. As described above, when a call path is formed between the nurse call master unit 1 and the repeater 5 in response to the call signal from the message transmission type handset 7, the synthetic speech generation unit 504 generates the call signal is read out from the audio data storage unit 511 according to the button identification information included in , and synthesized speech is generated. Synthetic speech transmission section 505 transmits the speech signal of the synthetic speech generated by synthetic speech generation section 504 to nurse call base unit 1 . In the following description, "synthetic speech is transmitted" is synonymous with "synthetic speech signal is transmitted".

As described above, in this embodiment, the nurse call system uses a limited number of call types, and a nurse can generate a synthesized voice to convey to the nurse more kinds of matters than the number of call types. It is arranged so that it can be transmitted to the call base unit 1. - 特許庁In this embodiment, it is possible to transmit synthetic voices of eight kinds of matters to the nurse call base unit 1 using one call type, for example, a general call.

The call signal receiving section 101 of the nurse call base unit 1 receives the call signal from the hand-type handset 6 and the call signal from the message transmission type handset 7 which are relayed by the call signal relay section 501 of the repeater 5. . Notification processing unit 102 performs a predetermined notification operation in response to reception of a call signal by call signal reception unit 101 , and stops notification operation in response to a predetermined response operation detected by response operation detection unit 103 . That is, when the call signal receiving unit 101 receives the call signal, the notification processing unit 102 outputs a ring tone from the speaker 111 and displays information such as the patient related to the call and the call type on the display 112. Execute the notification operation. After that, when the response operation detection unit 103 detects a response operation such as off-hook, the notification processing unit 102 stops the above-described notification operation and transmits a response notification signal to the repeater 5 .

The call path formation unit 104 forms a call path with the repeater 5 or the hand-shaped child device 6 when the press detection unit 701 detects a response operation to the notification operation performed in response to the reception of the call signal. . That is, when the press detection unit 701 detects a response operation to the notification operation performed in response to the call signal from the hand-shaped child device 6, the communication path forming unit 104 establishes a communication path between the hand-shaped child device 6 and the hand-shaped child device 6. Perform processing to form. Further, when the press detection unit 701 detects a response operation to the notification operation performed in response to the call signal from the message transmission type handset 7 , the communication path formation unit 104 establishes a communication path with the repeater 5 . Perform processing to form.

Synthetic speech receiving section 105 receives a speech signal of synthesized speech sent from repeater 5 via the speech path formed by speech path forming section 104 . The synthesized speech output unit 106 outputs synthesized speech of the message from the speaker 111 based on the speech signal of the synthesized speech received by the synthesized speech reception unit 105 . By listening to the synthesized voice output from the speaker 111, the nurse can understand what the patient is telling us without talking to the patient.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the nurse call system according to this embodiment configured as described above. The flow chart of FIG. 5 shows a basic operation example related to synthetic speech output processing that is executed when the patient presses any of the message buttons 7a of the message transmission type child device 7. Operations related to other processing including processing related to lighting/blinking/extinguishing of 7a are omitted. Processing relating to lighting/blinking/extinguishing of the matter button 7a will be described later with reference to FIG. In the flow chart shown in FIG. 5, explanations of the operations of the controller 2, the corridor light 3, and the wall-embedded child device 4 are omitted.

First, when the press detection unit 701 detects that any of the task buttons 7a has been pressed by the patient (step S1), the call signal transmission unit 702 detects button identification information for identifying the pressed task button 7a. etc. is transmitted to repeater 5 (step S2). The call signal relay unit 501 of the repeater 5 receives the call signal transmitted by the call signal transmission unit 702, and relays it to the nurse call base unit 1 as a call signal of one specific call type (step S3). As will be described later with reference to FIG. 6, before the call signal relay unit 501 relays the call signal to the nurse call base unit 1, the response signal return unit 506 transmits the first response signal and the second response signal. A reply is sent to the message transmission type cordless handset 7 .

The call signal receiver 101 of the nurse call master unit 1 receives the call signal sent from the message transmission type slave unit 7 via the repeater 5, the wall-mounted slave unit 4, the corridor light 3 and the controller 2. Receive (step S4). The notification processing unit 102 performs a predetermined notification operation in response to reception of the calling signal by the calling signal receiving unit 101 (step S5). During this notification operation, the response operation detection unit 103 monitors whether or not the nurse has performed a response operation (step S6).

When the response operation by the nurse is detected by the response operation detection unit 103, the notification processing unit 102 stops the notification operation (step S7). Also, the communication path forming unit 104 forms a communication path with the repeater 5 (step S8). When the communication path between the nurse call base unit 1 and the repeater 5 is formed, the synthetic voice generation unit 504 of the repeater 5 receives the call signal relay unit 501 from the message transmission type slave unit 7 in step S3. The voice data corresponding to the button identification information included in the received call signal is read out from the voice data storage unit 511 to generate synthesized voice (step S9).

Next, the synthetic speech transmission section 505 transmits the speech signal of the synthetic speech generated by the synthetic speech generation section 504 to the nurse call base unit 1 (step S10). In the nurse call base unit 1, the synthesized speech signal transmitted from the repeater 5 is received by the synthesized speech receiving unit 105 (step S11), and the synthesized speech output unit 106 outputs synthesized speech based on the synthesized speech signal. is output from the speaker 111 (step S12). Thus, the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is completed.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of notifying an error state by the matter button 7a. FIG. 6 more specifically shows the processing from step S1 to step S3 in FIG. 5, and the portions assigned the same step numbers as those shown in FIG. 5 indicate the same processing contents. there is Note that FIG. 6 shows processing exchanged between a specific message transmission type child device 7 and a specific repeater 5 .

As described above, when the press detection unit 701 detects that any of the task buttons 7a of the task transmission type child device 7 has been pressed by the patient (step S1), the call signal transmission unit 702 detects the pressed button 7a. A call signal including the button identification information of the subject button 7a, the slave device ID of the transmission source, and the transmission destination repeater ID registered for pairing is transmitted to the repeater 5 (step S2).

The call signal relay section 501 of the repeater 5 constantly monitors whether or not the call signal is received from the message transmission type handset 7 (step S21). Then, when the call signal relay unit 501 receives the call signal transmitted by the call signal transmission unit 702, the response signal return unit 506 returns the first response signal to the business transmission type handset 7 (step S22). . In FIG. 6, since the repeater ID included in the call signal is addressed to the specific repeater 5, the call signal relay unit 501 can receive the call signal, and the response signal reply unit 506 returns the first response signal. indicates the case.

If the repeater ID included in the call signal is not that of the specific repeater 5 , the call signal is transmitted to another repeater 5 . 501 never receives the ringing signal. Further, even when the specific message transmission type handset 7 and the specific repeater 5 are far away from each other and do not exist within the wireless communication range, the call signal relay unit 501 in the specific repeater 5 transmits the call signal. never receive. When the call signal relay section 501 does not receive the call signal, the response signal return section 506 does not return the first response signal.

After transmitting the calling signal to repeater 5 in step S2, response state determining section 705 of task transmission type handset 7 determines whether the first response signal has been received from repeater 5 within a predetermined time-out period. is determined (step S23). If the response state determination unit 705 does not receive the first response signal within the predetermined time-out period, the response state determination unit 705 determines that an error state corresponding to the first state has occurred. This is notified to the display control unit 703 (step S24). Upon receiving this notification, the display control unit 703 blinks the event button 7a whose depression was detected in step S1 at the first speed (step S25). As a result, the processing of the message transmission type child device 7 ends.

In the repeater 5, after the response signal replying unit 506 returns the first response signal to the message transmission type slave device 7 in step S22, the slave device ID and the repeater ID included in the call signal received in step S21 are changed. , and the pairing registration stored in the pairing information storage unit 512 is determined by the response signal reply unit 506 (step S26). Here, when it is determined that the contents of the pairing registration match, the response signal replying section 506 replies the second response signal to the matter transmission type child device 7 (step S27). After that, the process proceeds to step S3, and the call signal relay unit 501 relays the call signal to the nurse call base unit 1. FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the contents of the pairing registration do not match, the processing of the repeater 5 ends without performing the processing after step S27.

In the message transmission type handset 7, after the response state determination section 705 receives the first response signal in step S23, the response state determination section 705 receives the second response signal from the repeater 5 within the predetermined time-out period. (step S28). If the response state determination unit 705 does not receive the second response signal within the predetermined time-out period, the response state determination unit 705 determines that an error state corresponding to the second state has occurred. This is notified to the display control unit 703 (step S29). Upon receiving this notification, the display control unit 703 blinks the message button 7a whose depression was detected in step S1 at the second speed (step S30). As a result, the processing of the message transmission type child device 7 ends.

On the other hand, when the response state determination unit 705 receives the second response signal within the predetermined timeout time, it notifies the display control unit 703 of that fact. Upon receiving this notification, the display control unit 703 lights up the event button 7a whose depression was detected in step S1 (step S31). After that, the message transmission type child device 7 receives the response notification signal sent from the intermediary device 5 and lights up the response display lamp 7c. is executed, but the illustration is omitted in FIG.

As described in detail above, in this embodiment, when the message transmission type slave unit 7 (nurse call slave unit) transmits a call signal to the repeater 5 (receiver), a problem occurs in wireless communication. If there is no normal response (receipt of either the first response signal or the second response signal) returned from the repeater 5 when there is no response, the state of the response (first state or second state), and flashes the message button 7a in a manner corresponding to the determined state, thereby notifying the error state.

According to this embodiment configured as described above, in spite of transmitting a call signal to the repeater 5 in the message transmission type handset 7 configured wirelessly, a normal response is returned from the repeater 5. To easily grasp the cause of the trouble by the manner of notification, since an error state is reported in a manner corresponding to a state of a response different from a normal response when a failure of radio communication such as no communication occurs. be able to. As a result, it is possible to quickly take appropriate measures in accordance with the grasped cause of the problem, and it is possible to reduce the labor and time required to identify and eliminate the cause of the problem.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the message transmission type slave device 7 is used as a wireless nurse call slave device requiring pairing registration has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the hand-type child device 6 may be configured wirelessly, and the error state may be notified by blinking the call button 6a provided on the hand-type child device 6. FIG. In addition, any device that transmits a call signal by a patient's operation and can be said to be a wireless nurse call slave device that requires pairing registration can be applied.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the repeater 5 is used as a wireless receiver that requires pairing registration has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the wall-embedded child device 4 is configured wirelessly, and the wall-embedded child device 4 wirelessly receives a call signal from a nurse call child device such as a hand-held child device 6 or a message transmission type child device 7. Then, the first response signal and the second response signal may be returned from the wall-embedded slave unit 4 accordingly.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which an error state is notified by flashing the message button 7a has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the matter button 7a may be illuminated in any manner as long as it can be identified in a manner different from the lighting state of the matter button 7a that appears when the call signal is normally transmitted. For example, normally, the pressed business button 7a is flashed at a first speed, and when the first state occurs, the business button 7a is lit, and when the second state occurs, the button 7a is lit. may cause the matter button 7a to blink at the second speed. Further, the error state may be notified by an LED or display different from the message button 7a, or the error state may be notified by using a sound output from a speaker.

In addition, the above-described embodiments are merely examples of specific implementations of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed to be limited by these. Thus, the invention may be embodied in various forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics.

1 nurse call master unit 2 controller 3 corridor light 4 wall-embedded cordless handset 5 repeater (receiver)
6 hand-type child machine 7 message transmission type child machine (nurse call child machine)
501 Calling signal relay unit (calling signal receiving unit)
506 response signal return unit 512 pairing information storage unit 701 press detection unit 702 call signal transmission unit 703 display control unit (error notification unit)
705 Response state determination unit 711 Pairing information storage unit

Claims (2)

a nurse call handset that wirelessly transmits a call signal;
a receiver that receives the call signal from the nurse call slave device and transmits the call signal to the nurse call master device via a wired communication path;
The above nurse call handset is
Normally, when the calling signal is transmitted to the receiver, a first response signal and a second response signal are sequentially returned from the receiver as a response to the calling signal when there is no problem in wireless communication. a response state discriminating unit that discriminates a response state different from the normal response regarding the return of the first response signal and the second response signal when there is no response from the
An error state notification system, comprising: an error notification unit that notifies an error state in a manner corresponding to the state determined by the response state determination unit. The nurse call child device and the receiver are configured to register the identification information of the other party in themselves, build a one-to-one wireless communication relationship, and perform wireless communication under the establishment of the wireless communication relationship,
The above receiver
a call signal receiving unit that receives from the nurse call slave device the call signal containing the identification information of the nurse call slave device as a transmission source and the identification information of the receiver as a transmission destination;
When the call signal receiving unit receives the call signal, after returning the first response signal to the nurse call slave unit as a response to the call signal , the nurse call slave unit included in the call signal It is determined whether or not the identification information and the identification information of the receiver match the contents registered as the one-to-one wireless communication relationship, and if they match, the response to the call signal is the first. and a response signal return unit that returns the response signal of 2,
The response state determination unit determines a first state in which the first response signal is not returned from the receiver when the calling signal is transmitted to the receiver, and the first response from the receiver. Determining either a second state in which the second response signal is not returned after the signal is returned,
The error notifying section responds to the first state or the second state based on whether the state determined by the response state determining section is the first state or the second state. 2. The error state notification system according to claim 1, wherein the error state is notified in a manner similar to the one described above.