JP3557775B2

JP3557775B2 - Safety confirmation system

Info

Publication number: JP3557775B2
Application number: JP4575696A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 拓生嶋田; 志郎竹下; 美幸山内
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp; Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp; Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 1996-03-04
Filing date: 1996-03-04
Publication date: 2004-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 2016-03-04
Also published as: JPH09238909A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は在宅における独居老人、身障者、患者などの安否を確認し、異常判定時に緊急通報するシステムに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来のこの種の安否確認システムは、例えば特開平６−４６１６０号公報に示すようなものが一般的であった。以下、その構成について図６を参照にしながら説明する。図６に示すように、住戸側１００には、加入電話回線２００に接続される双方向通信可能な端末網制御装置（Ｔ−ＮＣＵ）１０１と、アダプタ装置１０２と、電子式水道メータ１０３と、住人の在・不在を検出するための動体センサや電気錠からなる在・不在検出手段１０４と、火災等の異常検出手段１０５と、押ボタン等の緊急通報手段１０６と、表示灯やブザー等の警報手段１０７とが設けられている。
【０００３】
アダプタ装置１０２は、電子式水道メータ１０３によって所定時間の水使用量が一定に満たない場合および押ボタン等の緊急通報手段１０６からの緊急通報信号があると自動通報する。また動体センサや電気錠からなる在・不在検出手段１０４が不在の場合、通報を止める。さらに火災センサ等の異常検出手段１０５が作動した場合および電子式水道メータ１０３から明らかに水機器異常または漏水等と判断される場合は、表示灯やブザー等の警報手段１０７によって居住者に知らせる構成になっていた。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら従来の安否確認システムでは、電子式水道メータや在・不在検出手段の情報だけから間接的に判断しているので、緊急通報を受けても対象者に何が起こっているのか内容確認することが出来ない。特に対象者が寝たきり高齢者の場合、介護者は安心して目を離すことが出来ず、介護に対する精神的負担は非常に重いものとなっていた。
【０００５】
また異常発生後の通報でなく、介護者や家族の方が遠隔地から対象者の現在の安否状態知りたいと思っても知るすべがなかった。電話をかけて対象者本人が出ることを確認する方法はあるが、睡眠中の対象者をわざわざ起こす可能性があるし、安否確認のためだけに頻繁に電話をかけると逆に対象者に不安感を与えてしまう。さらに電話に出られない難聴者や寝たきり高齢者には対応出来ない。
【０００６】
また対象者の安否状態を連続的に把握するには、ホルター心電計などの生体計測機器を対象者に常時装着してもらう方法が考えられるが、これは対象者本人にとって非常に煩わしいものであった。特に高齢者は皮膚に炎症を起こしやすく、長時間電極やカフを装着させるのは望ましくない。携帯型緊急通報ボタンシステムも実用化されているが、対象者本人が身につけていない場合が多く、発作や転倒といったいざという時にはボタンすら押せない状況に陥ってしまうことも多いという課題があった。痴呆高齢者や身障者ではなおさらである。
【０００７】
特別に監視カメラを備え付けることも考えられるが、対象者のプライバシーが侵害され、対象者本人は常に見張られているという意識を持ってしまう。さらに画像伝送システムは高価なものになるという課題もある。
【０００８】
また対象者本人に生体計測機器を装着させずに安否状態を把握するには、多数の非侵襲型バイタルセンサを住居内の生活用品、電化機器または設備機器内に設置し配線せざるを得ないが、設置工事に非常な手間がかかるという課題もあった。
【０００９】
また非侵襲型バイタルセンサを住居内の生活用品、電化機器または設備機器内に設置した場合、異常の有無は瞬間的なセンサ出力値のみからは一概にいえない。対象者の動作や周囲環境変化に伴うノイズがセンサ信号に混入し誤報を招くという課題もあった。
【００１０】
また対象者の生活行動や生体信号には個人差が非常に大きく、正常と異常の判定基準を一律に固定化していると誤判定が多く実使用に耐えないという課題があった。
【００１１】
さらに同一人物がいくら平常状態を保っても、加齢や季節、時間帯などによって生体信号は変化していくため、異常とすべき判定基準を固定化していると次第に誤判定が多くなるという課題もあった。
【００１２】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は上記課題を解決するために、例えばベッド、トイレ、浴槽、エアコン、カーペット、電気毛布、椅子などの機器に装着された体温計、血圧計、心拍計、呼吸計、体重計などの対象者に装着することなく対象者に由来する振動、温度、重量、音、光などの物理信号を検知する非侵襲型バイタルセンサによって対象者の生活行動や生命活動を検知して複数に分類し分類毎の許容継続時間を順次積算して安否状態を判定する安否判定手段と、ポケットベル、携帯電話などの携帯型無線装置に通報する通報手段とを備え、安否判定手段は、前記対象者の安否状態が通報事象と判定されると、前記通報手段を駆動し前記対象者の安否状態を送出するものである。
【００１３】
上記発明によれば、非侵襲型バイタルセンサが住居内の生活用品、電化機器または設備機器に装着されているため、対象者本人が何の違和感を感じることなく見守られるシステムになる。対象者の安否状態は段階別または種類別に判定され、緊急通報先でもきめ細かく異常内容を把握できるため、適切な対処を示唆できる。異常発生時、通報手段が所定の携帯型無線装置に通報しメッセージが表示されるので介護者がこの携帯型無線装置さえ携帯しておけば、対象者から目を離すことが可能になる。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明は、対象者が装着することなく対象者に由来する振動、温度、重量、音、光などの物理信号を検知する非侵襲型バイタルセンサと、前記非侵襲型バイタルセンサによって対象者の生活行動や生命活動を検知して複数に分類し分類毎の許容継続時間を順次積算して安否状態を判定する安否判定手段と、所定の携帯型無線装置に通報する通報手段とを備え、前記安否判定手段は、前記対象者の安否状態が通報事象と判定されると、前記通報手段を駆動し前記対象者の安否状態を送出するものである。
【００１５】
異常発生時には所定の携帯型無線装置に安否内容が明示されるので介護者がこの携帯型無線装置さえ携帯しておけば、対象者から目を離すことが可能になる。特に寝たきり高齢者や遠隔地の独居高齢者がいる家族、介護者に重くのしかかっていた精神的な圧迫感を取り除くことができる。
【００１６】
また、非侵襲型バイタルセンサによって対象者の生活行動や生命活動を検知して複数に分類し分類毎の許容継続時間を順次積算して通報事象を判定するので、対象者の動作や周囲環境変化に伴う一過性のノイズによって誤判定することはない。
【００１７】
また対象者が装着することなく対象者に由来する振動、温度、重量、音、光などの物理信号を検知する非侵襲型バイタルセンサと、前記非侵襲型バイタルセンサによって対象者の生活行動や生命活動を検知して複数に分類し分類毎の許容継続時間を順次積算して安否状態を判定する安否判定手段と、所定の携帯型無線装置からの呼出信号に対する着信手段とを備え、前記安否判定手段は、前記携帯型無線装置から呼び出された場合、前記対象者の安否状態を送出するものである。
【００１８】
異常発生後でなくても、介護者や家族の方が遠隔地から能動的にかつ対象者本人を何ら煩わすことなく、対象者の現在の安否状態を把握できる。
【００１９】
また非侵襲型バイタルセンサが住居内の生活用品、電化機器または設備機器に装着された非侵襲型バイタルセンサによって対象者の安否状態を段階別または種類別に判定する安否判定手段を備えたものである。
【００２０】
非侵襲型バイタルセンサが住居内の生活用品、電化機器または設備機器に装着されているため、対象者本人が意識しなくても住居内における対象者の自然な生活行動から安否状態を連続的に判定できる。
【００２１】
また対象者に由来する振動、温度、重量、音、光などの物理信号を検知する複数の非侵襲型バイタルセンサと、前記複数の非侵襲型バイタルセンサ出力信号を無線送信する無線送信手段と、前記無線送信手段からの信号を受信する無線受信手段と、前記無線受信手段を介し対象者の安否状態を段階別または種類別に区分する安否判定手段とを備えたものである。
【００２２】
対象者に由来する振動、温度、重量、音、光などの物理信号を検知する複数の非侵襲型バイタルセンサを設けたので現在の生活、生命活動を直接検出できる。複数の非侵襲型バイタルセンサ出力信号を住居内で無線送信するので、各非侵襲型バイタルセンサの設置工事は飛躍的に簡単になる。無線なので配線コードが邪魔になったり部屋の美観を損ねることもなくなる。
【００２３】
また非侵襲型バイタルセンサ出力信号または安否判定条件を手動調節できる手動調節手段を備えたことで、個人差の大きい生活行動や生体信号に柔軟に対応し、誤判定を著しく低減できる。
【００２４】
また非侵襲型バイタルセンサ出力信号または安否判定条件を自動調節する学習判定手段を備えたことで、加齢や季節、時間帯などによって変化していく生体信号に安否判定条件が追従し、誤判定が低減できる。
【００２５】
（実施例１）
以下本発明の第１の実施例を図１及び図２を用いて説明する。図１において１は対象者、２はベッドであり、３は非侵襲型バイタルセンサである。非侵襲型バイタルセンサ３の出力は、無線送信機４、無線受信機５を介して対象者１の安否状態を判定する安否判定手段６に接続されている。無線送信機４と無線受信機５との間は４００ＭＨｚ帯の特定小電力無線を用いており、住居内で見通し２００ｍ程度の無線通信が可能となっている。安否判定手段６は対象者１の異常を判定した場合、通報手段７を駆動し、さらに通報手段７は所定のポケットベル電話番号へ自動ダイヤルする。通報手段７の自動ダイヤル動作によって第１の交換機８、公衆電話網９、第２の交換機１０、ポケットベル中央局１１の接続完了後、安否判定手段６は異常発生事象に対応するコードを通報手段５を介してポケットベル中央局１１に送信する。ポケットベル中央局１１がポケットベル端末装置１２に対し、異常発生事象に対応するコードを送信することで、ポケットベル端末装置１２ではアラーム音が鳴り、例えば「長時間、ベッド上で体動がありません。」などといった異常発生事象のメッセージと各非侵襲型バイタルセンサの出力データ内容が表示される構成である。また携帯電話機１３から携帯電話中央局１４、第３の交換機１５、公衆電話網９、第１の交換機８を介して着信手段１６にアクセスすると、着信手段１６は安否判定手段６を駆動して非侵襲型バイタルセンサ３の出力を呼び出す構成である。ここで呼び出される非侵襲型バイタルセンサ３の出力内容は、安否判定手段６から音声応答手段１７を介し音声合成音によって携帯電話機１３に伝えられる。無線受信機５、安否判定手段６、通報手段７、着信手段１６、音声応答手段１７は１つのケースに収納され、電話機１８が切り替えて使用できる構成である。
【００２６】
非侵襲型バイタルセンサ３の構成を図２を用いて説明する。非侵襲型バイタルセンサ３は、マットレス３ａ内に振動センサ３ｂ、温度センサ３ｃ、湿度センサ３ｄ、音声センサ３e、重量センサ３ｆが組み込まれている。振動センサ３ｂの出力信号はさらに体動抽出部３ｇ、心拍抽出部３ｈ、呼吸抽出部３ｉに接続され対象者１の動作や生命活動に伴う体動、心拍数、呼吸数を検出する。同様に対象者１に由来する温度、湿度、重量、音声データも同時に検出される。ここには図示しないが振動センサ３ｂ、温度センサ３ｃ、湿度センサ３ｄ、音声センサ３ｅはそれぞれマットレスの上部と下部２箇所に設けられており、外部からの暗振動、気温、空気湿度、外部の暗騒音成分をキャンセルする。すなわち非侵襲型バイタルセンサ３からはマットレス３ａ上部に存在する対象者１に由来する体動、心拍数、呼吸数、温度、湿度、発話量が有効に取り出せる構成である。
【００２７】
次に安否判定手段６の構成を図３〜図４を用いて説明する。図３のように、非侵襲型バイタルセンサ３の体動抽出部３ｇ、心拍抽出部３ｈ、呼吸抽出部３ｉ、温度センサ３ｃ、湿度センサ３ｄ、音声センサ３ｅ、重量センサ３ｆ各出力はそれぞれ体動異常判定部６１、心拍異常判定部６２、呼吸異常判定部６３、温度異常判定部６４、湿度異常判定部６５、音声異常判定部６６、重量異常判定部６７の各異常判定部に接続されている。また６１〜６７の各異常判定部は通報事象生成部６８および在床判定部６９に接続されている。在床判定部６９はマットレス３ａ上に人体が存在するか否かを判定し、存在するときのみ通報事象生成部６８の動作を許可するゲートスイッチの役割を果たしている。通報事象生成部６８では６１〜６７の各異常判定部のうちいずれかの異常判定条件が成立すれば、（異常判定に関与したセンサ情報だけでなく）非侵襲型バイタルセンサ３の出力内容を各項目にわたってコード化し、安否判定手段６に出力する。６１〜６７の各異常判定部における異常判定動作のうち、体動異常判定部６１を例にとり説明する。図４において、分類手段６１ａは体動抽出部３ｇの出力信号から体動量を算出するが、体動量はマットレス３ａ上部で発生した０．１〜３０Ｈｚ帯域の振動加速度レベル（実効値）として定義する。異常レベル換算手段６１ｂは、体動量算出手段６１ａで算出された体動量を（表１）のように８段階に分類し、異常レベルに換算する。継続判定手段６１ｃは異常レベル換算手段６１ｂおよび第１のタイマ６１ｄに接続されている。
【００２８】
【表１】

【００２９】
第１のタイマ６１ｄは各異常レベルの継続時間を計算し、これが所定の許容継続時間を越えた場合、通報条件成立とみなして通報事象生成部６８に信号送出する。（表１）の例では、各分類番号に対応した異常レベルと継続時間が順次積算されていき、その積が１．０を越えた時に通報条件が成立する。仮に分類番号が３から２に移っても積算値はクリアされず蓄積されていくが、体動量が一旦異常レベル０である領域（分類番号５〜７）に移れば積算値は０クリアされる。一方、体動量算出手段６１ａの出力は差分手段６１ｅにも接続されている。差分手方、体動量算出手段６１ａの出力は差分手段６１ｅにも接続されている。差分手段６１ｅは体動量の時間変化を算出する。無変動判定手段６１ｆはこの差分手段６１ｅおよび第２のタイマ６１ｇに接続され、所定値を下回る体動量時間変化が所定時間以上継続した場合と逆に所定値を上回る体動量時間変化が所定時間以上継続した場合に、通報条件成立とみなして通報事象生成部６８に信号送出する。
【００３０】
心拍、呼吸、温度、湿度、音声、重量に関しても同様に、異常レベルの継続と過小変動ないし過大変動の継続に対して異常判定するので説明を省く。
【００３１】
動作、作用について説明すると、非侵襲型バイタルセンサ３がベッド２に装着されているため、対象者１の寝心地感を損なうことなく安否状態を連続判定でき、異常発生時にはポケットベル端末装置１２に安否内容が明示されるので介護者に「一時的に目を離しても心配ない。」という安心感を提供できる。また異常発生後でなくても、介護者や家族の方が携帯電話機１３を用いて対象者１本人を何ら煩わすことなく、現在の安否状態を把握することもできる。
【００３２】
また対象者１に由来する振動、温度、湿度、音声、重量といった物理信号を検知する非侵襲型バイタルセンサ３を設けたので、外乱の影響を受にくく総合的に現在の生活、生命活動を検出できる。また非侵襲型バイタルセンサ３出力信号を住居内で無線送信するので、各非侵襲型バイタルセンサの設置工事は飛躍的に簡単になる。無線なので配線コードが邪魔になったり部屋の美観を損ねることもなくなる。既築住宅への設置も簡単である。
【００３３】
また非侵襲型バイタルセンサ３出力信号の所定範囲継続時間によって対象者の安否状態を判定する継続判定手段６１ｃを備えたので、対象者の動作や周囲環境変化に伴う一過性のノイズによって誤判定することはない。「生命活動がない」といった非常に危険度の高いセンサ出力であれば短い継続時間で、「長時間寝返りをしてない」といった危険度の低いセンサ出力であれば長い継続時間で異常と判定することによって通報先での対応が適切に図ることができる。また変動判定手段６１ｆにより、体動量そのもので異常判定しなくても、生体に特有のゆらぎがなければ異常と判定できるので、（場合によっては対象者１本人さえ気づかないような）循環器系の疾患など体調の異変をいち早く発見することが出来る。
【００３４】
尚、ここでは非侵襲型バイタルセンサ３がベッド２に取り付けられる構成を示したが、トイレの便座、浴槽、椅子、ドア、絨毯、カーペット、毛布などの生活用品に取り付け、心電図や血圧、体温をはじめとするバイタルサインを複合的に計測してもよい。これにより住居内における時間的・空間的な空白をなくすことができる。また遠隔の通報・確認先としては公衆電話網１９を介したポケットベル端末装置１２や携帯電話機１３を示したが、通信媒体はこれに限るものではない。構内無線送受信システムやＣＡＴＶ、高速ＩＳＤＮ等の専用回線を用いても構わない。
【００３５】
（実施例２）
図５は本発明の実施例２の安否確認システムのうち体動異常判定手段６１の構成図である。実施例１と異なるのは６１〜６７の各異常判定部の構成だけであるが、ここでは体動異常判定部６１を例にとり説明する。図５において実施例１と同一符号のものは同一構造を有し、説明は省略する。６１ｈは切替手段であり、体動量算出手段６１ａの出力信号を加工せずにそのまま伝えるか、一旦手動調節手段６１ｉを通すか学習判定手段６１ｊを通すかの３方向いずれかに切り替えるスイッチである。手動調節手段６１ｉは体動量算出手段６１ａで算出した体動量を−３０ｄＢから＋３０ｄＢまで手動でバイアスを与えるアッテネータ／アンプ構成である。さらに手動調節手段６１ｉには分類番号１や８のように滅多に起こり得ない状況に対応した体動量を強制出力して、試験的に異常通報させるスイッチも設けられている。
【００３６】
学習判定手段６１ｊには外部環境である室温検出手段６１ｋが接続されており、室温が低いほど異常判定が出やすくなるよう仮想的な体動量補正処理を施している。さらに過去の在床時間中の体動量推移から体動量補正を行う。常に過去数日間の履歴をもとに、対象者１の通常生活状態での体動量を測定しておき、ここから異常判定条件をある範囲内で更新していく構成である。
【００３７】
次に動作、作用について説明すると、手動調節手段６１ｉが体動量算出手段６１ａの出力信号に強制的にバイアスを与えることで、安否判定条件の厳しさが自由に変えられ、個人差の大きい生活行動や生体信号に柔軟に対応し、誤判定を著しく低減できる。また学習判定手段６１ｊを備えたことで、通常室温によって変化する体動に応じて安否判定条件も自動調節されることになる。また過去数日間の体動量の平均値と標準偏差から、日常生活上で対象者１が発生する体動の分布を測定し、この分布範囲から大きく逸脱するときに異常と判定するように体動量補正処理を施し、この補正量も順次更新していく。これにより個人毎、季節毎あるいは対象者１の加齢に伴って変動していく体動量にも対応し、異常でないのに異常通報を頻発させたり、逆に異常なのに通報しないといった誤判定を低減することになる。
【００３８】
心拍、呼吸、温度、湿度、音声、重量に関しても同様に、異常レベルの継続と過小変動ないし過大変動の継続に対して異常判定するので説明を省く。
【００３９】
尚、ここでは手動調節手段６１ｉや学習判定手段６１ｊを体動量算出手段６１ａに切り替え接続し、体動量補正を行う構成としたが、実施例１における異常レベルの分類（表１）の内容そのものを変更しても構わない。
【００４０】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明から明らかなように本発明の安否確認システムによれば、次の効果が得られる。
【００４１】
携帯型無線装置により、介護者が対象者から目を離すことが可能になる。特に寝たきり高齢者や遠隔地の独居高齢者がいる家族、介護者に常時のしかかっていた精神的な圧迫感を取り除くことができる。さらに、対象者は非侵襲型バイタルセンサを装着することがないので、煩わしくない。また、対象者の動作や周囲環境変化に伴う一過性のノイズによって誤判定することはなく、誤判定を低減することになる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施例における安否確認システムのブロック図
【図２】同実施例の非侵襲型バイタルセンサのブロック図
【図３】同実施例の安否判定手段のブロック図
【図４】同実施例の安否判定手段における体動異常判定部のブロック図
【図５】本発明の第２の実施例における体動異常判定部のブロック図
【図６】従来の安否確認システムのブロック図
【符号の説明】
１対象者
２ベッド
３非侵襲型バイタルセンサ
４無線送信機
５無線受信機
６安否判定手段
７通報手段
１２ポケットベル端末
１３携帯電話機
６１ｃ継続判定手段
６１ｉ手動調節手段
６１ｊ学習判定手段[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for confirming the safety of a solitary elderly person, a handicapped person, a patient, and the like at home and making an emergency call when an abnormality is determined.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional safety confirmation system of this type is generally, for example, as shown in JP-A-6-46160. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, on the dwelling unit side 100, a terminal network control device (T-NCU) 101 capable of two-way communication connected to the subscriber telephone line 200, an adapter device 102, an electronic water meter 103, Presence / absence detection means 104 composed of a moving object sensor or an electric lock for detecting the presence / absence of a resident, abnormality detection means 105 such as a fire, emergency notification means 106 such as a push button, and an indicator light and a buzzer Alarm means 107 is provided.
[0003]
The adapter device 102 automatically notifies the electronic water meter 103 when the amount of water used for a predetermined time is less than a predetermined amount and when there is an emergency notification signal from the emergency notification means 106 such as a push button. When the presence / absence detection means 104 including the moving body sensor and the electric lock is absent, the notification is stopped. Further, when the abnormality detection means 105 such as a fire sensor is activated, and when it is determined from the electronic water meter 103 that water equipment is abnormal or water leakage is obvious, the resident is notified by an alarm means 107 such as an indicator light or a buzzer. Had become.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, conventional safety confirmation systems make indirect judgments based only on information from the electronic water meter and the presence / absence detection means. Can not do. In particular, when the subject was a bedridden elderly person, the caregiver could not take his eyes off with ease, and the mental burden on the care was extremely heavy.
[0005]
In addition, there was no way to know if the caregiver or family wanted to know the current safety status of the subject from a remote location, rather than a report after the occurrence of the abnormality. There is a method to confirm that the target person comes out by calling the phone, but there is a possibility that the subject is asleep while sleeping, and if the phone is frequently called only for safety confirmation, the subject is uneasy It gives a feeling. Furthermore, it cannot respond to hearing-impaired people who cannot answer calls or elderly people who are bedridden.
[0006]
In order to continuously grasp the safety status of the subject, a method of having the subject always wear a biological measurement device such as a Holter electrocardiograph can be considered, but this is very troublesome for the subject himself. there were. In particular, the elderly are prone to inflammation of the skin, and it is not desirable to wear electrodes and cuffs for a long time. The portable emergency call button system has been put into practical use, but the subject is often not wearing it, and there is a problem that in the event of a seizure or a fall, the user often falls into a situation where even the button cannot be pressed. . This is even more so in the elderly with dementia and disabled people.
[0007]
It is conceivable to install a special surveillance camera, but the privacy of the subject is violated, and the subject becomes aware that the subject is always being watched. There is also a problem that the image transmission system becomes expensive.
[0008]
In addition, in order to grasp the safety status without attaching the living body measurement device to the subject himself, many noninvasive vital sensors must be installed and installed in household goods, electric appliances or equipment in the house However, there was a problem that the installation work was extremely time-consuming.
[0009]
When a non-invasive vital sensor is installed in household goods, electric appliances or equipment in a house, the presence or absence of an abnormality cannot be determined from only instantaneous sensor output values. There is also a problem in that noise due to the movement of the subject or changes in the surrounding environment is mixed into the sensor signal, causing a false report.
[0010]
In addition, there is a problem that there is a great difference between individuals in the living behavior and the biological signal of the subject, and if the criteria for determining normality and abnormality are fixed uniformly, there are many erroneous determinations and the actual use cannot be tolerated.
[0011]
Furthermore, no matter how much the same person keeps the normal state, the biological signal changes depending on aging, season, time zone, etc., so if the criteria for determining abnormalities are fixed, the number of erroneous determinations will gradually increase. There was also.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a subject such as a thermometer, a sphygmomanometer, a heart rate monitor, a respiratory meter, a weighing scale, etc. attached to devices such as a bed, a toilet, a bathtub, an air conditioner, a carpet, an electric blanket, and a chair. Non-invasive vital sensors that detect physical signals such as vibration, temperature, weight, sound, and light originating from the subject without being attached to the subject, detect the subject's living activities and life activities , classify them into multiple groups, and classify A safety determining means for sequentially integrating the permissible continuation time of the subject, and a notifying means for notifying a portable wireless device such as a pager, a mobile phone, etc., wherein the safety determining means includes the safety state of the subject. Is determined to be a notification event , the notification means is driven to transmit the safety status of the subject.
[0013]
According to the above invention, since the noninvasive vital sensor is mounted on household goods, electric appliances, or facility equipment in the house, a system in which the subject himself / herself can be monitored without feeling uncomfortable. The safety status of the target person is determined for each stage or type, and the details of the abnormality can be grasped even at the emergency call destination, so that appropriate measures can be suggested. When an abnormality occurs, the notification means notifies a predetermined portable wireless device and a message is displayed. Therefore, if the caregiver carries this portable wireless device, it is possible to keep an eye on the target person.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a non-invasive vital sensor for detecting physical signals such as vibration, temperature, weight, sound, and light derived from the subject without wearing the subject, and the life of the subject by the non-invasive vital sensor. A safety determining means for detecting an action or a life activity , classifying the action or life activity into a plurality of categories, sequentially accumulating permissible durations for each category to determine a safety status, and a notifying means for notifying a predetermined portable wireless device; When the safety status of the subject is determined to be a notification event, the determination means drives the notification means to transmit the safety status of the subject.
[0015]
When an abnormality occurs, the content of safety is clearly indicated on a predetermined portable wireless device. Therefore, if the caregiver carries this portable wireless device, he / she can keep an eye on the target person. In particular, it is possible to eliminate the feeling of mental pressure that has been heavily burdened on families and caregivers with bedridden elderly people or elderly people living alone in remote areas.
[0016]
In addition, non-invasive vital sensors detect the subject's living activities and life activities, classify them into multiple groups, and sequentially accumulate the permissible duration for each category to determine the notification event. There is no erroneous determination due to the transient noise associated with.
[0017]
A non-invasive vital sensor for detecting physical signals such as vibration, temperature, weight, sound, and light derived from the subject without being worn by the subject, and the non-invasive vital sensor for the living behavior and life of the subject. A safety determining means for detecting an activity , classifying the activity into a plurality of categories, sequentially accumulating permissible continuation times for each category to determine a safety status, and a receiving means for a call signal from a predetermined portable wireless device; The means sends the safety status of the subject when called from the portable wireless device.
[0018]
Even after the occurrence of the abnormality, the caregiver and family can grasp the current safety status of the target person from a remote place without any trouble for the target person.
[0019]
In addition, the noninvasive vital sensor is provided with safety determining means for determining the safety status of the subject person by stage or type by the noninvasive vital sensor attached to the household goods, electric appliances or equipment in the house. .
[0020]
Since non-invasive vital sensors are attached to household items, electrical appliances or equipment in the house, the safety status can be continuously determined from the subject's natural living behavior in the house without the user's awareness. Can be determined.
[0021]
In addition, a plurality of non-invasive vital sensors that detect physical signals such as vibration, temperature, weight, sound, and light derived from the subject, and a wireless transmission unit that wirelessly transmits the plurality of non-invasive vital sensor output signals, The wireless communication device includes a wireless receiving unit that receives a signal from the wireless transmitting unit, and a safety determining unit that classifies the safety status of the subject through the wireless receiving unit by stages or types.
[0022]
Since a plurality of non-invasive vital sensors for detecting physical signals such as vibration, temperature, weight, sound, and light originating from the subject are provided, current life and life activities can be directly detected. Since a plurality of non-invasive vital sensor output signals are wirelessly transmitted in the house, installation work of each non-invasive vital sensor is greatly simplified. Since it is wireless, the wiring cords do not get in the way or spoil the aesthetics of the room.
[0023]
In addition, the provision of the manual adjustment means capable of manually adjusting the output signal of the non-invasive vital sensor or the safety determination condition allows the apparatus to flexibly cope with living behaviors and biological signals having large differences between individuals, thereby significantly reducing erroneous determination.
[0024]
In addition, by providing a learning determination unit that automatically adjusts the noninvasive vital sensor output signal or the safety determination condition, the safety determination condition follows the biological signal that changes according to aging, season, time zone, etc. Can be reduced.
[0025]
(Example 1)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 1, 1 is a subject, 2 is a bed, and 3 is a non-invasive vital sensor. The output of the non-invasive vital sensor 3 is connected to a safety determination unit 6 that determines the safety state of the subject 1 via a wireless transmitter 4 and a wireless receiver 5. Between the wireless transmitter 4 and the wireless receiver 5, specific low-power wireless communication in the 400 MHz band is used, and wireless communication with a line of sight of about 200 m is possible in a house. When the safety determination means 6 determines that the subject 1 is abnormal, the safety determination means 6 drives the notification means 7, and the notification means 7 automatically dials a predetermined pager telephone number. After the connection of the first exchange 8, the public telephone network 9, the second exchange 10, and the pager central office 11 is completed by the automatic dialing operation of the notification means 7, the safety determination means 6 sends the code corresponding to the abnormality occurrence event to the notification means. 5 to pager central office 11. When the pager central office 11 sends a code corresponding to an abnormal event to the pager terminal device 12, the pager terminal device 12 emits an alarm sound, for example, "No motion on the bed for a long time. ., Etc., and the output data content of each non-invasive vital sensor. When the mobile phone 13 accesses the receiving means 16 through the mobile phone central office 14, the third exchange 15, the public telephone network 9, and the first exchange 8, the receiving means 16 drives the safety judging means 6 to disable access. In this configuration, the output of the invasive vital sensor 3 is called. The output content of the non-invasive vital sensor 3 called here is transmitted from the safety determination means 6 to the mobile phone 13 through a voice response means 17 by means of a voice synthesis sound. The wireless receiver 5, the safety determination means 6, the reporting means 7, the receiving means 16, and the voice response means 17 are housed in one case, and the telephone 18 can be switched and used.
[0026]
The configuration of the non-invasive vital sensor 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The non-invasive vital sensor 3 has a vibration sensor 3b, a temperature sensor 3c, a humidity sensor 3d, a voice sensor 3e, and a weight sensor 3f incorporated in a mattress 3a. The output signal of the vibration sensor 3b is further connected to a body motion extracting unit 3g, a heartbeat extracting unit 3h, and a respiratory extracting unit 3i, and detects a body motion, a heart rate, and a respiratory rate associated with the movement and life activity of the subject 1. Similarly, temperature, humidity, weight, and voice data originating from the subject 1 are also detected at the same time. Although not shown here, a vibration sensor 3b, a temperature sensor 3c, a humidity sensor 3d, and an audio sensor 3e are provided at two locations on an upper portion and a lower portion of the mattress, respectively. Cancel the noise component. That is, the non-invasive vital sensor 3 can effectively extract the body motion, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, humidity, and utterance derived from the subject 1 located above the mattress 3a.
[0027]
Next, the configuration of the safety determination means 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the respective outputs of the body movement extracting unit 3g, the heartbeat extracting unit 3h, the respiratory extracting unit 3i, the temperature sensor 3c, the humidity sensor 3d, the voice sensor 3e, and the weight sensor 3f of the noninvasive vital sensor 3 are body movements. The abnormality determination unit 61, the heart rate abnormality determination unit 62, the respiratory abnormality determination unit 63, the temperature abnormality determination unit 64, the humidity abnormality determination unit 65, the voice abnormality determination unit 66, and the weight abnormality determination unit 67 are connected to the abnormality determination units. . Each of the abnormality determination units 61 to 67 is connected to the notification event generation unit 68 and the presence determination unit 69. The occupancy determination unit 69 determines whether or not a human body exists on the mattress 3a, and functions as a gate switch that permits the operation of the notification event generation unit 68 only when the human body is present. If any one of the abnormality determination units 61 to 67 satisfies the abnormality determination condition, the notification event generation unit 68 outputs the output contents of the non-invasive vital sensor 3 (not only the sensor information involved in the abnormality determination). The information is coded over the items and output to the safety determination means 6. Among the abnormality determination operations of the abnormality determination units 61 to 67, the body movement abnormality determination unit 61 will be described as an example. In FIG. 4, the classification means 61a calculates the amount of body movement from the output signal of the body movement extraction unit 3g. The amount of body movement is defined as a vibration acceleration level (effective value) in the 0.1 to 30 Hz band generated in the upper part of the mattress 3a. . The abnormal level converting means 61b classifies the amount of body movement calculated by the amount of body movement calculating means 61a into eight levels as shown in (Table 1) and converts it into an abnormal level. The continuation determining means 61c is connected to the abnormal level converting means 61b and the first timer 61d.
[0028]
[Table 1]

[0029]
The first timer 61d calculates the duration of each abnormal level. If the duration exceeds a predetermined allowable duration, the first timer 61d regards that the reporting condition is satisfied and sends a signal to the reporting event generator 68. In the example of (Table 1), the abnormal level and the duration corresponding to each classification number are sequentially accumulated, and when the product exceeds 1.0, the notification condition is satisfied. Even if the classification number changes from 3 to 2, the integrated value is accumulated without being cleared, but once the body movement amount moves to an area where the abnormal level is 0 (classification numbers 5 to 7), the integrated value is cleared to 0. . On the other hand, the output of the body movement amount calculation means 61a is also connected to the difference means 61e. The output of the difference method and body movement amount calculation means 61a is also connected to the difference means 61e. The difference means 61e calculates a temporal change in the amount of body movement. The non-fluctuation determination means 61f is connected to the difference means 61e and the second timer 61g, and when the body movement amount time change below the predetermined value continues for a predetermined time or longer, the body movement amount time change exceeding the predetermined value exceeds the predetermined time or longer. If the continuation is continued, it is considered that the notification condition is satisfied, and a signal is transmitted to the notification event generation unit 68.
[0030]
Similarly, regarding the heart rate, breathing, temperature, humidity, voice, and weight, the abnormality is determined for the continuation of the abnormal level and the continuation of the under-change or the over-change, so that the explanation is omitted.
[0031]
The operation and action will be described. Since the non-invasive vital sensor 3 is mounted on the bed 2, the safety state can be continuously determined without impairing the feeling of sleep of the subject 1, and the safety of the pager terminal device 12 is detected when an abnormality occurs. Since the contents are clearly indicated, it is possible to provide the caregiver with a sense of security that "I do not worry even if I temporarily take my eyes off." In addition, even after the occurrence of the abnormality, the caregiver or family can use the mobile phone 13 to grasp the current safety status without bothering the subject.
[0032]
In addition, since the non-invasive vital sensor 3 that detects physical signals such as vibration, temperature, humidity, voice, and weight derived from the subject 1 is provided, it is hardly affected by disturbance and detects current life and life activity comprehensively. it can. Further, since the output signal of the non-invasive vital sensor 3 is wirelessly transmitted in the house, the installation work of each non-invasive vital sensor is greatly simplified. Since it is wireless, the wiring cords do not get in the way or spoil the aesthetics of the room. Installation in existing houses is easy.
[0033]
In addition, since the continuation determination means 61c for determining the safety status of the subject based on the duration of the predetermined range of the output signal of the noninvasive vital sensor 3 is provided, erroneous determination is made due to transient noise caused by the motion of the subject or a change in the surrounding environment. I will not. If the sensor output has a very high degree of risk such as "no life activity", it is determined to be abnormal with a short duration, and if the sensor output has a low degree of risk such as "not turning over for a long time", the abnormality is determined with a long duration. This makes it possible to appropriately deal with the report destination. In addition, even if the fluctuation determination means 61f does not determine the abnormality based on the amount of body movement itself, it is possible to determine that there is no abnormality unless there is a fluctuation peculiar to the living body. Abnormalities in physical condition such as diseases can be discovered quickly.
[0034]
Here, the configuration in which the non-invasive vital sensor 3 is attached to the bed 2 is shown. Vital signs including the first one may be measured in combination. This can eliminate temporal and spatial gaps in the house. Although the pager terminal device 12 and the mobile phone 13 via the public telephone network 19 are shown as remote notification / confirmation destinations, the communication medium is not limited to this. A private line such as a private wireless transmission / reception system, CATV, or high-speed ISDN may be used.
[0035]
(Example 2)
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the body movement abnormality determining means 61 in the safety confirmation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The only difference from the first embodiment is the configuration of each of the abnormality determination units 61 to 67. However, here, the body movement abnormality determination unit 61 will be described as an example. In FIG. 5, components having the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same structure, and a description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 61h denotes a switching unit that switches the output signal from the body movement amount calculating unit 61a as it is without processing it, or switches the signal through a manual adjusting unit 61i or a learning determining unit 61j once. The manual adjustment unit 61i has an attenuator / amplifier configuration for manually applying a bias to the body movement amount calculated by the body movement amount calculation unit 61a from −30 dB to +30 dB. Further, the manual adjusting means 61i is provided with a switch for forcibly outputting a body movement amount corresponding to a situation that rarely occurs, such as classification numbers 1 and 8, and for reporting an abnormality on a test basis.
[0036]
The learning determination unit 61j is connected to a room temperature detection unit 61k, which is an external environment, and performs a virtual body movement amount correction process so that an abnormality determination is more easily performed as the room temperature is lower. Further, the body movement amount is corrected based on the body movement amount transition during the past staying time. In this configuration, the body movement amount of the subject 1 in the normal living state is always measured based on the history of the past several days, and the abnormality determination condition is updated within a certain range from this.
[0037]
Next, the operation and function will be described. The manual adjustment means 61i forcibly applies a bias to the output signal of the body movement amount calculation means 61a, so that the strictness of the safety judgment condition can be freely changed, and the living behavior with a large individual difference. And biological signals can be flexibly handled, and erroneous determination can be significantly reduced. In addition, the provision of the learning determination means 61j automatically adjusts the safety determination condition in accordance with the body movement that normally changes with room temperature. In addition, the distribution of body movements generated by the subject 1 in daily life is measured from the average value and the standard deviation of the body movement amounts in the past several days, and the movement amount is determined to be abnormal when the deviation greatly deviates from this distribution range. A correction process is performed, and the correction amount is sequentially updated. In this way, it corresponds to the amount of body movement that fluctuates with each individual, each season, or with the aging of the subject 1, and reduces erroneous judgments such as frequent occurrence of abnormal notification even though it is not abnormal, and conversely, not reporting abnormally. Will do.
[0038]
Similarly, regarding the heart rate, breathing, temperature, humidity, voice, and weight, the abnormality is determined for the continuation of the abnormal level and the continuation of the under-change or the over-change, so that the explanation is omitted.
[0039]
Here, the manual adjustment means 61i and the learning determination means 61j are switched and connected to the body movement amount calculation means 61a to perform the body movement amount correction. However, the contents of the abnormal level classification (Table 1) in the first embodiment are themselves. You can change it.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, the following effects can be obtained by the safety confirmation system of the present invention.
[0041]
The portable wireless device allows the caregiver to keep an eye on the subject. In particular, it is possible to eliminate the feeling of mental oppression that has always been given to families and caregivers who have bedridden elderly people or elderly people living alone in remote areas. Furthermore, since the subject does not wear the noninvasive vital sensor, it is not bothersome. Further, there is no erroneous determination due to the transient noise caused by the motion of the subject or a change in the surrounding environment, and the erroneous determination is reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a safety confirmation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a non-invasive vital sensor of the embodiment; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of safety judgment means of the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a body movement abnormality determination unit in the safety determination unit of the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a body movement abnormality determination unit in a second embodiment of the present invention. Block diagram [Explanation of symbols]
1 Subject 2 Bed 3 Non-invasive vital sensor 4 Wireless transmitter 5 Wireless receiver 6 Safety determination means 7 Notification means 12 Pager terminal 13 Mobile phone 61c Continue determination means 61i Manual adjustment means 61j Learning determination means

Claims

A non-invasive vital sensor that detects physical signals such as vibration, temperature, weight, sound, and light derived from the subject without being worn by the subject, and the non-invasive vital sensor detects the subject's living behavior and life activities. A safety determining means for detecting the safety status by sequentially integrating the allowable duration time for each classification and detecting the safety status, and a notifying means for notifying the safety status to a predetermined portable wireless device. A safety confirmation system that, when the safety status of the subject is determined to be a notification event , drives the notification device and sends the safety status of the subject.

A non-invasive vital sensor that detects physical signals such as vibration, temperature, weight, sound, and light derived from the subject without being worn by the subject, and the non-invasive vital sensor detects the subject's living behavior and life activities. Safety determining means for detecting the safety state by sequentially integrating the permissible continuation time for each classification by detecting the safety duration, and receiving means for a call signal from a predetermined portable wireless device, the safety determining means Is a safety confirmation system for transmitting the safety status of the subject when called from the portable wireless device.

The safety confirmation system according to claim 1, wherein the non-invasive vital sensor is mounted on household goods, electric appliances, or equipment in a house.

Vibration derived from the subject, temperature, weight, sound, a plurality of non-invasive vital sensors to detect physical signals such as light, wireless transmission means for wirelessly transmitting the plurality of non-invasive vital sensor output signals, 4. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a radio reception unit that receives a signal from the radio transmission unit; and a safety determination unit that classifies a safety status of the subject through the radio reception unit by step or type. Safety confirmation system described.

The safety confirmation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising a manual adjustment unit capable of manually adjusting a non-invasive vital sensor output signal or a safety determination condition of the safety determination unit.

The safety confirmation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising a learning determination unit that automatically adjusts a noninvasive vital sensor output signal or a safety determination condition of the safety determination unit.