WO2000074302A2

WO2000074302A2 - Communications network for use in the field of nursing care

Info

Publication number: WO2000074302A2
Application number: PCT/EP2000/004509
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Gross; Bernd Wegerhoff
Original assignee: Albert Ackermann Gmbh + Co. Kg
Priority date: 1999-05-26
Filing date: 2000-05-18
Publication date: 2000-12-07
Also published as: EP1180283A2; WO2000074302A3; DE19924127A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a communications network for use in the field of nursing care. Said communications network comprises network devices and a bus line (36, 42, 44, 46) which connects said network devices. The aim of the invention is to create a reliable and cost-efficient network for various communications services in the field of nursing care with which the safety requirements in the field of nursing care are satisfied. To this end, the network devices and the bus line (36, 42, 44, 46) are configured for a digital isochronous data transmission, and the data transmission is carried out in data frames with a predetermined duration and with a predetermined number of time slots for the arrangement of data, whereby, in each data frame, at least one time slot is reserved for the arrangement of emergency call data.

Description

Communication network for the care sector ch

The invention relates to a communication network for the care sector with network devices and a bus line that connects the network devices.

Known communication networks for the care sector, such as for hospitals and nursing homes, are provided, for example, for call systems, telephone systems, radio programs and antenna systems for TV sets (brochure "Communication Systems 1991 from Albert Ackermann GmbH & Co., Gummersbach, printed notice 943 / 6.91 ). Due to the different data between these individual communication services and the different bandwidths required, each communication service has its own cabling. The parallel laying of cables for the different communication networks leads to a considerable expenditure of material and costs if, for example, a hospital has to be equipped. In addition, the risk of mutual electromagnetic interference is very high, which reduces the reliability of data transmission.

Communication networks with digital and isochronous or timely data transmission are also known. Such communication networks work, for example, according to the ISDN standard (Integrated Services Digital Network). Here the data transmission takes place in data frames with a predetermined period of time and a predetermined number of time periods in which data are arranged. Data to be transmitted are arranged on sending network devices in the time periods that are not yet occupied by data and are therefore free. Receiving network devices read this data from the time periods or simply copy it. However, such communication networks are not suitable for the high security requirements in the care sector, since the immediate transfer of an emergency call is not guaranteed in all cases, for example when there is a heavy network load.

The invention is intended to create a reliable and cost-effective network for different communication services in the care area, with which the security requirements in the care area are met.

According to the invention, a communication network for the care sector with network devices and a bus line that connects the network devices is provided, in which the network devices and the bus line are designed for digital, isochronous data transmission and the data transmission in data frames with a predetermined time period and a predetermined number of time periods for the arrangement of data takes place, at least one time segment being reserved for the arrangement of emergency call data in each data frame.

By designing the network devices and the bus line for digital, isochronous data transmission, network devices of different communication services can use a common network. As a result, a common network for different communication services in the care sector is created and, compared to separate networks, considerable material and cost savings are possible due to the considerably lower installation effort. Compared to bundles of separate networks laid in parallel, the reliability of data transmission also increases, since there is no mutual electromagnetic interference between the parallel ones Cable is to be feared. By reserving a time period in each data frame for the arrangement of emergency call data, it is ensured that an emergency call is immediately forwarded even in the event of a heavy network load and that the high security requirements applicable in the care area can be met.

In a further development of the invention it is provided that data from different communication services are arranged in different, predetermined time periods. This facilitates the transmission of digital data from different communication services and increases the reliability of the transmission. For example, predetermined time segments are provided for the arrangement of emergency call, telephone, radio data and other data. The data transmission rate of the network is then designed for the transmission of voice data, the data transmission rate must be so high that the simultaneous voice communication of numerous participants can also be transmitted.

As a further measure, it is provided that the bus line has a ring structure with at least one ring. The provision of a ring structure increases the reliability of the network, since in principle each network device can be reached on two paths along the bus line.

A hierarchically graded grouping structure of the network is particularly advantageous, with each group having a bus line and being independently operable. Such a group structure with independently operable groups enables a high reliability of the network. Even if individual groups fail or the groups are interconnected, network operation is still possible and emergency calls in particular are reliably forwarded within and between the still functional groups. For example, the structure can have main and sub-groups, with floors, for example, main groups and par- form client rooms assigned to the main groups.

As a further measure, the data transfer rate of individual groups is different. As a result, the data transmission rate can be adapted to the respective requirements, so that the network can be implemented more cost-effectively in groups with lower demands on the data transmission rate, for example patient rooms or individual parts of the building.

The formation of the bus line using optical conductors is particularly advantageous. A wide bandwidth can be achieved with optical conductors and optical conductors are insensitive to electromagnetic interference. At the same time, the electrical isolation of the individual network devices is achieved. Depending on the required data transmission rate, glass fibers or polymer fibers can be used as optical conductors. The use of bidirectional fibers is also advantageous, with different emission colors, e.g. red / green, or a time-division multiplex method can be used.

A high reliability of the network is also achieved in that means are provided for the continuous monitoring of the functionality of the bus line. The functionality can be monitored, for example, by continuously sending test data between the individual network devices, even if no communication data has to be transmitted. A possible failure of the bus line can be recognized early.

It is particularly advantageous if two lines are provided per ring and a means for selectively connecting the two lines is provided along a ring in front of and behind at least some of the network devices. These measures enable the two lines to be bridged in an emergency in the event of a line failure, which means Continuous interruption of a ring in the event of a fault, the ring can be closed again by the emergency bridging and the functionality of the network can be maintained.

It is also advantageous to provide means for continuously monitoring the functionality of at least some of the network devices. Such monitoring can also be carried out by continuously sending test data and evaluating the reaction of the individual network devices, as a result of which a possible failure of a network device can be recognized at an early stage.

It is also advantageous if a power supply for the network devices has a ring structure. In connection with a ring structure of the bus line, the installation effort is further reduced since the bus line and power supply can be laid in a common cable and cable duct.

Finally, it is advantageous if at least one network device of the communication network has a terminal device operated with a 230 V mains voltage, the terminal device being controlled via optical conductors. Such a terminal can be, for example, an actuator for adjusting a patient bed or a signal horn. By controlling the end device via optical conductors, a galvanic separation between the network device of the communication network and the end device operated with mains voltage, for example 230 V, is ensured, thereby contributing to the safe operation of the network.

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention in connection with the drawing. The drawing shows:

1 shows a schematic representation of a communication network for the care sector according to the invention, Fig. 2 is an illustration for explaining the principle used in data transmission in the communication network, and

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a network section with a disconnected bus line.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic system diagram of a preferred embodiment of the communication network according to the invention for the care area. The hierarchical group structure of the network is clearly visible. Three main groups 10, 12 and 14 are shown, which in turn are connected via the main ring of the network 36. Each of the main groups 10 and 12 are assigned to four sub-groups 16, 18, 20 and 22 or 24, 26, 28 and 30. The main group 14 is only assigned to two sub-groups 32 and 34. The number of main and sub-groups is in principle not limited, although the bandwidth of the network is a limit in practice. Each of the main groups and each of the sub-groups is operational on its own, so that communication remains possible even if a part of the groups fails.

The main ring of the network is formed by a building bus 36, which consists of two plastic optical fibers laid in parallel. The data transmission rate on the building bus 36 is matched to the expected amount of data to be transmitted, which is mainly determined by the number of voice channels to be transmitted simultaneously, for example telephone calls and radio programs. Various network devices are integrated into this building bus 36, such as several data centers DAZ at the connection points of the main islands 10, 12 and 14 as well as a telephone connection center TAZ and an ELA connection center EAZ. At the telephone connection center TAZ, the building bus 36 is connected to a telecommunications system TK. At the ELA connection center EAZ audio data, eg Ra- slide programs, fed into the building bus 36. The data center DAZ 38 is connected to a data processing system DV via a server PC. Also connected to the DAZ 38 data center is a cash machine K, at which the patient can identify himself with the aid of an identification card and deposit money into an account. The fees to be paid by the patient for the use of certain services, for example television programs, are then debited from this account, which is managed in the billing server PC 40.

The main group 10 is constructed in the same way as the main group 12 and has a floor bus 42 which has two parallel, ring-shaped plastic optical waveguides. Since the expected amount of data to be transmitted on the floor bus 42 is less than on the building bus 36, more cost-effective optical fibers or less powerful interface devices can be selected here. A number of room terminals ZT, to which the auxiliary groups 16, 20 and 22 are connected, are integrated in the floor bus 42. The auxiliary group 18 is connected via a DZT duty room terminal also integrated in the floor bus 42. A light unit L is also integrated in the floor bus 42. The lighting unit L is arranged on the floor in front of a patient room and shows, for example, a call for the nursing staff triggered by a patient. The power supply of the network devices DAZ, ZT, DZT integrated in the floor bus 42 likewise has a ring structure and is laid parallel to the floor bus 42.

The sub-groups 16, 20 and 22 are constructed identically and each have a room bus, which consists of a ring-shaped optical fiber and is designated 44 in the case of sub-group 16. In addition to the ZT room terminal, two better terminals BT are integrated into the room bus 44, each of which is arranged next to a patient bed and thus allows a patient access to the network. Again, the possible number of Betterminals BT is in that Room bus 44 is only limited by the maximum possible data transfer rate on the room bus 44.

The room bus of subgroup 18 is constructed in the same way as room bus 44, subgroup 18 being located in a service room in which a telephone T and a personal computer PC are integrated into the room bus. The nursing staff can thus access the data processing system DV from the duty room via the personal computer PC and the network, for example.

The main group 14 is shown in more detail and has a floor bus 46 connected to the building bus 36 via a data center DAZ. Integrated into the floor bus 46 is a lamp 48, which is arranged in front of a patient's room and indicates a patient's call for the nursing staff. Furthermore, an electronics module 50 with an intercom 52 is connected to the room bus 46. A display 54 shows, for example, the room number from which a patient's call comes, or only the current time. Furthermore, the display 54 is provided with loudspeakers for the announcement of messages. The reference numeral 56 designates a directional light which is arranged on the floor corridor and indicates the direction in which a patient's room from which a call was made can be found. The lights 48 and 56, the displays 54 and the light units L in the main islands 10 and 12 are part of a so-called light call system that uses the common network for data transmission.

The auxiliary group 34 arranged in a patient room is connected to the floor bus 46 via a room terminal ZT and has two Better terminals BT. A television TV and an operating device B are connected to the Betterminal 58. A patient can use the various communication services offered, for example select radio and television programs, make calls, make calls to nursing staff and make emergency calls.

Figure 2 explains the principle used for data transmission in the network of Figure 1. An isochronous or timely data transmission is achieved with the help of a data frame structure. A data frame 60 extends over a period of 125 microseconds and is divided into n time segments. In these n time periods, the network devices in the network arrange, extract or copy digital data. A time period 62 in each data frame 60 is reserved for emergency call data N. Accordingly, only emergency call data N may be arranged in this time segment 62, so that the immediate forwarding of an emergency call is ensured even in the event of a heavy network load, in which all other time segments of a data frame may be occupied. The reservation of the time segment 62 in each data frame 60 for emergency call data N creates the prerequisites that the high security requirements to be set for the emergency call communication in the care area are reliably met. Additional time periods in each data frame 60 are provided for the arrangement of data from other communication services that use the common network. Thus, the time segment 64 is provided for telephone call data T, whereas in the time segments 66 only radio program data R and in the time segments 68 other data S, such as data for billing, etc., are arranged.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the functional principle of the means provided in the embodiment of FIG. 1, with which further communication is ensured in the event of a fault in the event of a ring bus line being interrupted. A section of the building bus 36 forming a ring is shown as an example, which has two optical fibers 70 and 72 and in which two network devices 74 and 76, for example the telephone connection center TAZ and a data connection center DAZ, are integrated. Between the network devices 74 and 76, both optical fibers 70 and 72 are interrupted at a point X chen. Such a complete separation of the ring of the building bus 36 can occur, for example, during improper assembly work. A switch 78, 80, 82 and 84 is arranged in front of and behind the network devices 74 and 76, respectively. These switches 78, 80, 82 and 84 can each be closed or opened by control devices which are provided in the network devices 74 and 76 and thus connect or disconnect the optical fibers 70 and 72. In the operation of the network, the functionality of the Building bus 36 constantly monitored by continuously exchanging test data between the network devices 74 and 76. The functionality of the network devices themselves is constantly monitored during the operation of the communication network by exchanging test data. If a failure of the building bus 36 between the network devices 74 and 76 is detected by the network devices 74 and 76, the control devices in the network devices 74 and 76 close the switches 80 and 82, as shown in FIG. 3. As a result, the building bus 36 is closed again to form a ring, which now runs over the optical fiber 70, the switch 82, the optical fiber 72, the switch 80 and again to the optical fiber 70.

Also shown in FIG. 3 is a terminal 86 connected to the network device 74, which is operated with the mains voltage of 230 V. The terminal device 86 is controlled by the network device 74 via an optical waveguide 88. In this way, the electrical isolation between network device 74 and terminal 86 is ensured.

Claims

claims

1. Communication network for the care sector with network devices and a bus line (36, 42, 44, 46) that connects the network devices, characterized in that the network devices and the bus line (36, 42, 44, 46) for digital, isochronous data transmission are designed and the data transmission takes place in data frames (60) with a predetermined time duration and a predetermined number (n) of time segments (62, 64, 66, 68) for the arrangement of data (T, R, N, S), in each data frame (60) at least one time period

(62) is reserved for the arrangement of emergency data (N).

2. Communication network according to claim 1, characterized in that data (T, R, N, S) of different communication services in different, predetermined time periods (62, 64, 66, 68) are arranged.

3. Communication network according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bus line (36, 42, 44, 46) has a ring structure with at least one ring.

4. Communication network according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the network has a hierarchical group structure, each group (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34) has a bus line (36, 42, 44, 46) and is independently operable.

5. Communication network according to claim 4, characterized in that the data transmission rate of individual groups (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34) is different.

6. Communication network according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bus line (36, 42, 44, 46) is formed with the aid of optical conductors (70, 72).

7. Communication network according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means for continuously monitoring the functionality of the bus line (36, 42, 44, 46) are provided.

8. Communication network according to claim 3 and one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that two lines

(70, 72) per ring and along the ring in front of and behind at least some of the network devices (74, 76), means (78, 80, 82, 84) are provided for selectively connecting the two lines (70, 72).

9. Communication network according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means are provided for the constant monitoring of the functionality of at least part of the network devices.

10. Communication network according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a power supply for the network devices has a ring structure.

11. Communication network according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one network device (74) has an actuator (86) operated with mains voltage, the actuation of the actuator (86) via optical conductors (88).