JPH08279858A - Emergency call system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To provide an emergency call system that makes an emergency call using sound waves and is able to appropriately and promptly make a primary response after an emergency call. [Structure] Emergency call system (1) for notifying the center device (2) of an emergency situation that has occurred in the monitored area (A)
In case of emergency, portable sound wave transmitter (3)
Generates an audible sound wave signal (S), and the monitoring area (A)
A plurality of reception notification devices (4-1 to 4-N) installed inside
When a sound wave signal (S) is received by any of the above, a notification signal (TS1 to TS including identification data for specifying the receiving point)
N) is sent to the center device (2). Center device (2)
Then, based on the identification data, a contact terminal device (6--) capable of contacting the generation point of the sound wave signal (S).
1 to 6-N) are connected to the communication device (24) by the change-over switch (25) to enable communication between the center device (2) and the site. [Effect] It is possible to make an emergency call to the people around by the sound wave signal, and the center device can appropriately and promptly perform the primary response after the emergency call.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system for making an emergency call indoors, and particularly to a hospital, a nursing home,
The present invention relates to an emergency call system suitable for other facilities.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional emergency call system, a method of collecting data in a concentrated manner by transmitting a single signal by a plurality of cables or data communication between a plurality of emergency call transmitters and a center device. It is used.

In the case of the system using a single signal, information is transmitted depending on the presence or absence of a signal current by wire, while in the system of performing data communication, data encoded by wire or wireless (radio wave) is transmitted. Has become. That is, in the conventional system of this type, the data meaning the event "occurrence of an emergency" is transmitted using the electric signal cable or the electric wave.

[0004]

However, in the case of the wired transmission method, there is a problem that the moving range of the transmitter for notifying the occurrence of an emergency is extremely limited. On the other hand, in the method of notifying the occurrence of an emergency using radio waves, (1) generally, the power consumption of the transmitter is large, the capacity of the power source (battery etc.) is large, and as a result, the weight and the external shape are also large. I will end up. (2) It is vulnerable to electromagnetic noise. (3) A specific license may be required. There are problems such as.

The object of the present invention is therefore to reliably make an emergency call within a limited area such as indoors without causing the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and to provide a primary response after an emergency call. It is to provide an emergency call system capable of appropriately and promptly.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

The feature of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is that an emergency situation occurs in an emergency call system that notifies a center device of an emergency situation that occurs in a predetermined monitoring area set indoors. A portable sound wave transmitter for generating a sound wave signal in an audible frequency band for notifying that the sound wave signal and a notification signal including identification data for specifying a reception point when the sound wave signal is received and installed in the monitoring area. A plurality of reception notification means for sending to the center device, a plurality of communication terminal devices installed in association with these reception notification means, and contact with the generation point of the sound wave signal in response to the notification signal. And a selective connection means for selectively connecting the communication terminal device to the communication device on the side of the center device based on the identification data.

The reception / informing means does not cause a blind spot in consideration of the reaching distance of the sound wave signal output from the portable sound wave transmitter, the indoor structure, and other conditions, and the number of installations is as small as possible. It is preferable to appropriately dispose on a wall, a ceiling or the like so as to be completed.

The contact terminal device may be an appropriate means for notifying the center device of the state of an emergency that has occurred. In this case, it may be a means such as a video camera for sending an image of the scene to the center device. Alternatively, it may be a means for sending both the video information and audio information of the site to the center device. In some cases, as a communication terminal device, a broadcast for allowing the site to hear information from the center device, for example, a voice message that "a staff member immediately rushes to the site because an emergency situation has been confirmed" May be any suitable means for use.

[0009]

When an audible sound wave signal is output from the portable sound wave transmitter within the predetermined monitoring area, a notification signal including identification data for specifying the receiving point is sent from any reception notification means in the vicinity thereof. It is sent to the center device. In the center device, the selective connection means is activated in response to the notification signal, and the contact terminal device capable of contacting the generation point of the sound wave signal based on the transmitted identification data is a contact terminal device for contacting the center device. It is connected to the equipment, and a predetermined communication can be established between the center equipment and the site.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of an emergency call system according to the present invention. The emergency call system 1 shown in FIG. 1 shows an example of the case where the emergency call system 1 is installed in a hospital building, and an inpatient in a hospital falls in its normal action area, suddenly feels sick, etc. When an emergency situation occurs, the system is configured to be able to notify the center device 2 installed in the nurse station in the hospital.

Therefore, in the hospital, a monitoring area A is set in advance which roughly matches the normal behavior area of the inpatient. Here, each inpatient carries a portable sound wave transmitter 3, and in the event of some emergency, a predetermined sound wave signal S is to be generated from this portable sound wave transmitter 3. There is.

The portable sound wave transmitter 3 used here is
Although only one is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of portable sound wave transmitters 3 are actually used as many as the number of patients. Therefore, the sound wave signal S output from each portable sound wave transmitter 3 includes a transmitter identification code unique to the portable sound wave transmitter 3, and when the sound wave signal S is emitted, which portable sound wave signal S Whether it is output from the sound wave transmitter 3 can be determined as described below. Further, since which portable sound wave transmitter 3 is assigned to which patient is known by the center device 2, it is possible to distinguish which patient has fallen into an emergency from the sound wave signal S.

In order to receive this sound wave signal S and report it to the center device 2, in the monitored area A, taking into account the reach of this sound wave signal, appropriate positions such as hospital rooms, corridors, toilets, elevators, etc. The reception notification devices 4-1, 4-2, ...
The required number of 4-N is installed. These reception notification devices 4-1 to 4-N are connected to the center device 2 via the data line 5.

When any of these reception / informing devices 4-1 to 4-N receives the sound wave signal S from the portable sound wave transmitter 3, it is received by any of the reception / informing devices that have received the sound wave signal S. A composite identification code including the transmitter identification code of the sound wave signal S and its own receiving terminal identification code is sent to the center device 2 via the data line 5.

When an emergency call is made to the center device 2 as described above, a reception notification is sent in order to make necessary communication between the place where the emergency occurs and the center device 2. Contact terminal devices 6-1 to 6-N are provided corresponding to the devices 4-1 to 4-N, respectively. However, the number of communication terminal devices does not necessarily have to be the same as the number of reception notification devices, and for example, two reception notification devices may be shared by one communication terminal device.

The contact terminal devices 6-1 to 6-N are connected to the center device 2 via a telephone line 7. In the center device 2, the contact terminal devices 6-1 to 6-N capable of making contact with the occurrence site of the emergency are sent to the center device 2 based on the receiving terminal identification code sent via the data line 5. It is automatically connected to the provided contact device, which will be described later, so that the contact between the emergency occurrence site and the center device 2 becomes possible.

Next, the specific structure will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the portable sound wave transmitter 3. Reference numeral 31 is a transmitter identification code signal IDT indicating a transmitter identification code unique to the portable sound wave transmitter 3.
Is a transmitter identification code generator for outputting the. The transmitter identification code signal IDT is a signal having a content of a four digit number string which is a given transmitter identification code, for example, "1234", and the transmitter identification code signal IDT corresponds in the signal conversion unit 32. DT which is a signal in the audio frequency band
It is converted into the MF signal T1. The DTMF signal T1 is sent to the transmitting unit 34 via a switch 33 attached to a case (not shown) so that the DTMF signal T1 can be operated by a carrier, where it is amplified and applied to the speaker 35.

Therefore, the audible DTMF sound wave signal containing the transmitter identification code "1234" unique to the portable sound wave transmitter 3 can be obtained only by the operator of the portable sound wave transmitter 3 closing the switch 33. Is output as a sound wave signal S from the speaker 35. The advantage of using an audible sound wave signal for an emergency call is, firstly, that people in the surroundings can also be made aware of the occurrence of an emergency and can expect their assistance. This is an effect that cannot be obtained when used. The second advantage is that no permission is required as in the case of radio waves and anyone can use it freely.

FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram showing the center device 2, the pair of reception notification devices 4-1 and the contact terminal device 6-1. First, the configuration of the reception notification device 4-1 will be described. 41 is a microphone for receiving the sound wave signal S,
42 is a sound wave signal receiving unit that processes the output from the microphone 41, and 43 is a signal restoring unit that restores the transmitter identification code signal IDT included in the sound wave signal S.

Reference numeral 44 denotes a reception terminal identification code signal ID indicating a reception terminal identification code unique to the reception notification device 4-1.
It is a receiving terminal identification code generator for outputting R. This receiving terminal identification code signal IDR is also a receiving terminal identification code, which is a 4-digit number string, for example, "5678".
And the transmitter identification code signal IDT from the signal restoring unit 43 is input to the signal synthesizing unit 45.

In the signal synthesizing section 45, the transmitter identification code based on the transmitter identification code signal IDT and the receiving terminal identification code based on the receiving terminal identification code signal IDR are combined to create combined identification data, and a notification based on this is generated. This is a block for obtaining data. The signal synthesizing unit 45 is configured to perform this function by causing a computer device having a known hardware configuration to execute a predetermined signal synthesizing processing program.

FIG. 4 shows the signal synthesis processing program 7
0 flow chart is shown. Receiving and reporting device 4-
When the signal synthesis processing program 70 is started by the power-on of No. 1 and its execution is started, initialization is performed in step 71, and the transmitter identification from the signal restoration unit 43 is performed in the next step 72. Input the code signal IDT,
Step 73 is entered. Here, it is determined whether or not the transmitter identification code has changed. Transmitter identification code signal IDT
As shown schematically in FIG. 5A, each number in the four-digit number string “1234” is set to a predetermined time interval T.
Is a single set of signals indicated by DTMF signals, and the four sets are output from the portable sound wave transmitter 3 at appropriate time intervals Z sufficiently larger than the time interval T. Therefore, if at least one of them is normally received, the determination result of step 73 is YES.

If it is determined in step 73 that the transmitter identification code has changed, the result of the determination is YES and step 74 is entered, in which the received transmitter identification code is constructed, and the next step 75 The receiving terminal identification code signal IDR is taken in.

As shown in FIG. 5B, this receiving terminal identification code signal IDR is also a 4-digit number string, which is "5678" in this embodiment, separated by a predetermined time interval T. It is a set of signals represented by a DTMF signal, and the receiving terminal identification code generator 44 outputs a time interval T
Is repeatedly output with an appropriate time interval Z sufficiently larger than the above.

Returning to FIG. 4, in the next step 76, the receiving terminal identification code signal IDR output as described above.
, And 4-digit receiving terminal identification data is prepared here. After that, step 77 is entered and the report data is synthesized here. The notification data is composite identification data having a content of an 8-digit number string in which the transmitter identification code and the receiving end identification code are combined, and this notification data is output in step 78. After this, the process returns to step 72. The same applies when the determination result of step 73 is NO.

Returning to FIG. 3, the notification data (synthesis identification data) output from the signal synthesis unit 45 is the data transmission unit 46.
Is input to the report data from here "12345678"
A notification signal TS1 having the content of is output. This notification signal TS1 is also output as a DTMF signal which is a signal in the audible frequency band corresponding to its content. FIG. 5 (C)
The signal is schematically shown in FIG. This notification signal TS1 is sent to the center device 2 via the communication line 5-1 in the data line 5.

The communication terminal device 6-1 includes a microphone 61 for voice information for picking up voices at the site, a CCD camera 62 for video information for photographing the situation at the site, and a center device 2. Speaker 6 for transmitting voice information to the scene
And 3. The microphone 61, the CCD camera 62, and the speaker 63 are connected to the center device 2 via a communication line 7-1 in the call line 7. Note that the configuration of the contact terminal device 6-1 described above is an example, and only a part of each of these contact members may be used.

The configuration of the reception notification device 4-1 and the contact terminal device 6-1 has been described above.
-2 to 4-N and contact terminal devices 6-2 to 6-N have the same configuration, and reception notification devices 4-2 to 4
-N is connected to the center apparatus 2 via the communication lines 5-2 to 5-N, and the notification signals TS2 to TSN can be similarly sent to the center apparatus 2. On the other hand, the contact terminal device 6
-2 to 6-N are connected to the center apparatus 2 via communication lines 7-2 to 7-N.

Next, the center device 2 will be described. In the center device 2, reference numeral 21 denotes the notification signals TS1 to T from the reception notification devices 4-1 to 4-N by the data line 5.
A data receiving unit 22 which receives an SN and performs data processing,
Is a buzzer that operates when the data receiving section 21 receives any of the notification signals and informs the operator of the nurse station of this, 23 is the content of the received notification signals, that is, the receiving terminal identification code and the transmitter identification code. An appropriate ID display section such as an LCD for displaying the message, 24 is a communication device for making a call by connecting with any of the communication terminal devices 6-1 to 6-N, and 25 is the communication device 24 for communication. A selector switch 26 for selectively connecting to any one of the communication lines 7-1 to 7-N of the line 7 receives the information of the receiving terminal identification code contained in the notification signal received by the data receiving section 21, and A changeover switch so that the communication line connected to the communication terminal device corresponding to the reception notification device indicated by the received reception terminal identification code is connected to the communication device 24. 5 is a control unit for controlling the switching operation.

The communication device 24 is a speaker 27 for listening to a voice from the site through the microphone 61, a microphone 28 for voice communication to the site, and a CRT display device for displaying a video signal from the CCD camera 62. 29 and an amplification unit 30. When the communication device 24 is connected to the communication terminal device 6-1 by the changeover switch 25, the two-way voice communication between the site and the center device 2 and the one-way transmission of the situation of the site to the center device 2 are performed. Video communication is possible. In addition, such a communication system itself is a TV
Since this is a known configuration similar to the telephone system, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Each function of the data receiving section 21 and the control section 26 shown in FIG. 3 is a configuration realized by executing a predetermined reception control program in a computer device having a known hardware configuration.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the reception control program 80. The operations of the data receiving section 21 and the control section 26 will be described below with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

When the receiver program 80 is started and its execution is started, initialization is performed in step 81, and a reception confirmation operation of the notification signals TS1 to TSN is executed in step 82. In step 83, the presence or absence of received data is determined based on the result of this reception confirmation operation. If it is determined that there is received data, the determination result of step 83 becomes YES, and step 84 is entered.

In step 84, data reception is performed, and data processing is executed to extract combined identification data composed of receiving terminal identification data and transmitter identification data from any of the notification signals received in step 85. In the next step 86, the extracted combined identification data is output from the output port (not shown) for data display to the ID display section 23, where the receiving terminal identification data and the transmitter identification data are displayed. This allows the operator to know from which portable sound wave transmitter 3 the emergency call was made and where the emergency situation occurred. Instead of displaying the number unique to the transmitter, it is possible to display the name of the carrier by previously providing a conversion table between the transmitter number and the name of the carrier. Similarly, by providing a conversion table between the receiving terminal number and the site name, the site name of the emergency occurrence can be displayed.

In step 87, a ringing command is given to the buzzer 22 from a ringing command port (not shown), and the buzzer 22 is ringed.

At step 88, the receiving terminal identification data and the transmitter identification data are separated from the combined identification data.

In step 89, switching of the changeover switch 25 is controlled so that the communication line corresponding to the communication line 7 of the call line 7 is connected to the communication device 24 based on the receiving terminal identification data obtained in step 88. Therefore, among the switches (not shown) in the changeover switch 25, the switch to which the corresponding communication line of the communication line 7 is connected is selected. In the next step, an ON signal for turning on the switch is output to the output port (not shown) of the selected switch.

Then, the process returns to step 82 and waits for the reception of the notification signal. The same applies when the determination result in step 83 is NO.

According to the above configuration, when the patient falls into an emergency such as a feeling of sickness in the surveillance area A set in the hospital, the switch of the portable sound wave transmitter 3 carried by the patient is switched. When 33 is turned on, the sound wave signal S in the audible frequency band according to the transmitter identification code peculiar to the portable sound wave transmitter 3 is output.

As a result, the people in the surroundings can be informed of the occurrence of the emergency and can receive assistance from those people, and the sound wave signal S can be transmitted from the nearby reception / informing devices 4-1 to 4-N. The transmitter identification code received at any one of them and the reception terminal identification code indicating the reception notification terminal device which has received the transmitter identification code are sent to the center device 2 as a notification signal S via the data line 5.

The center device 2 uses the notification signals TS1 to TSN.
When any one of the above notification signals is received, the buzzer 22 is sounded to notify the operator of the occurrence of an emergency, and
Portable sound wave transmitter 3 that has made an emergency call to the ID display section 23
Number and the number of the reception notification device that received the number are displayed. Further, based on the reception terminal identification code included in the received notification signal, the communication terminal device corresponding to the reception notification device that has received the sound wave signal S is automatically connected to the communication device 24 by the changeover switch 25. .

As a result, the operator of the center device 2
In addition to being able to call the patient at the scene using the microphone 28, the scene of the scene taken by the CCD camera 62 can be CR.
It can be seen by the T display device 29, and the state of an emergency that has occurred can be grasped quickly. further,
The patient can tell his / her own state to the center device 2 through the microphone 61. Therefore, the center device 2 can surely and swiftly take necessary measures for handling this emergency.

In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is configured as an emergency call system in a hospital has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and is similarly applicable to various facilities such as nursing homes. Can be applied.

Further, since a portable sound wave transmitter is used as means for informing an emergency, it is easier to reduce the size and weight as compared with a conventional system of this type using radio waves, and a wristwatch or a pedestrian It can also be incorporated into other devices such as meters. Furthermore, since it consumes less power, it also has an advantage of helping to reduce running costs. Another advantage is that since it is not affected by electromagnetic noise, there are few malfunctions and the mechanism for countering malfunctions can be simplified.

In this embodiment, various identification codes are assigned to DTMF.
Although the technique of converting into a signal is adopted, many elements for converting sound waves and electric signals related to DTMF are commercially available as functional IC elements and are inexpensive, which is useful for reducing the manufacturing cost of the system. is there.

[0048]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. (1) No license is required because sound waves are used. (2) Since the audible sound is emitted from the mobile terminal, it can also serve as a buzzer, attract the attention of nearby people, and expect assistance. (3) Since it is not affected by electromagnetic noise, there are few malfunctions and the mechanism for preventing malfunctions can be simplified. (4) Since it uses a portable sound wave transmitter, it is easier to make it smaller and lighter than a conventional system that uses radio waves, and it can be incorporated into other devices such as wristwatches and pedometers. Is. Furthermore, since it consumes less power, it also has an advantage of helping to reduce running costs. As another advantage, since it is not affected by electromagnetic noise, there are few malfunctions, and the mechanism for preventing malfunctions can be simplified. (5) The center device is sent data capable of specifying the reception notifying means that has received the sound wave signal, the selective connecting means is activated in response to this data, and the sound wave is sent based on the sent identification data. A communication terminal device capable of communicating with the signal generation point is connected to the communication device on the side of the center device, and a predetermined communication can be established between the center device and the site. Therefore, by communicating with the site simultaneously with the occurrence of an emergency, the situation at the site can be grasped promptly and appropriate measures can be taken promptly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an emergency call system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram showing the configuration of the portable sound wave transmitter of FIG.

3 is a detailed block diagram showing each configuration of a center device, a reception notification device, and a communication terminal device shown in FIG.

4 is a flowchart showing a signal synthesis processing program executed in the signal synthesis unit of FIG.

5 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining each signal for identification used in the emergency call system of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a reception control block used for implementing each function of the data receiving unit and the control unit of FIG. 3 by a computer device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Emergency call system 2 Center device 3 Portable sound wave transmitter 4-1 to 4-N reception notification device 5 Data line 6-1 to 6-N Communication terminal device 7 Call line 21 Data receiving unit 24 Communication device 25 changeover switch 26 control section 31 transmitter identification code generation section 44 reception terminal identification code generation section A monitoring area IDR reception terminal identification code signal IDT transmitter identification code signal S sound wave signal

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An audible frequency band sound wave signal for notifying an emergency has occurred in an emergency notification system for notifying a center device of an emergency that has occurred in a predetermined monitoring area set indoors. And a plurality of reception notifications for transmitting a notification signal including identification data for identifying a reception point when the sound wave signal is received and installed in the monitoring area. Means, a plurality of contact terminal devices installed in association with these reception notifying means, and a contact terminal device for contacting the generation point of the sound wave signal in response to the notification signal, in the identification data. An emergency call system comprising: a selective connection means for selectively connecting to the contact device on the side of the center device based on the above.