JP7345175B2 - Nurse call system, repeater and nurse call handset - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a nurse call system, a repeater, and a nurse call handset, and in particular, a method for wirelessly transmitting a calling signal from a nurse call handset to a repeater, and transmitting the calling signal to a nurse call main unit via the repeater. It is suitable for use in a nurse call system constructed as described above.

Generally, nurse call systems used in hospitals and nursing care facilities include a nurse call handset installed at the bedside of a patient or care recipient (hereinafter simply referred to as a "patient"), and a The system includes a wall-embedded handset to be connected, a hallway light installed near the entrance of the hospital room, and a nurse call main unit installed at the nurse center.

In this type of nurse call system, when a patient presses the call button on the nurse call handset to call a nurse or caregiver (hereinafter simply referred to as a "nurse"), the patient is notified that the call has been made. Announcement will be made on the nurse call base unit. When the nurse performs a response operation such as going off-hook on the nurse call base unit in response to this, a communication path is formed between the nurse call base unit and the nurse call base unit, and the patient and nurse can talk on the phone. It is now possible to do so. Further, a nurse call system is also provided in which when a patient presses a call button on a nurse call slave unit to make a call, a call confirmation light on a wall-embedded slave unit lights up. The patient can confirm whether or not a call is being made by checking the lighting state of the call confirmation light.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a nurse call system is also known in which a nurse call slave device is configured with a wireless transmitter and a call signal is transmitted via a wireless receiver (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The nurse call system described in Patent Document 1 includes a transmitting unit (nurse call slave device) that transmits radio waves of a predetermined frequency by operating a transmission switch for calling, and a wired communication unit that receives radio waves from the transmitting unit. and a receiving unit that calls a nurse station (nurse call base unit) via the nurse station.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-298752

It is conceivable to configure the nurse call handset with a wireless transmitter and provide the nurse call handset with a call confirmation light so that the nurse call handset can visually confirm that a call is being made. In this case, the nurse call slave unit cancels the lighting state and returns to the standby state by receiving a response signal sent from the receiver when the nurse responds with the nurse call base unit. Alternatively, it may be possible to cancel the lighting state of the nurse call handset when a nurse goes to a patient's room and performs a predetermined recovery operation.

Here, if the receiver (repeater) that relays the call signal from the nurse call handset to the wall-mounted handset has fallen off from the wall-mounted handset and the wiring is not connected. , a calling signal is not transmitted to the nurse call master unit, and a response signal is not transmitted from the repeater to the nurse call slave unit. However, the nurse call handset does not know whether the repeater is detached from the wall-embedded handset, so it continues to wait for the response signal to be transmitted. Therefore, there is a problem in that the call confirmation light and the like continue to be lit, and power is wasted in the nurse call handset. Wireless nurse call handsets are often configured to operate using a built-in battery as a power source. As power consumption increases, the period of time during which the battery can operate is shortened, so it is desirable to avoid unnecessary increases in power consumption.

The present invention was made to solve such problems, and the present invention wirelessly transmits a calling signal from a nurse call handset to a repeater, and transmits the calling signal to a nurse call main unit via the repeater. In a nurse call system designed to do this, if a call operation is performed on the nurse call handset while the repeater has fallen off from the wall-embedded handset, wasteful consumption in the nurse call handset. The purpose is to suppress the increase in power consumption.

In order to solve the above problems, the nurse call system of the present invention includes a nurse call handset that wirelessly transmits a call signal, and a wired communication path that transmits the call signal from the nurse call handset to a wall-embedded handset. and a relay device that relays the information to the nurse call base unit via the nurse call base unit. The nurse call handset wirelessly transmits a call signal to the repeater in response to pressing the call button, lights up the handset confirmation light to notify that it is in the calling state, and then calls in response to a predetermined operation. When the state is canceled or when the calling state is canceled by receiving a cancellation instruction signal from the repeater, the handset confirmation light is controlled to be turned off. The repeater transmits the call signal received from the nurse call handset to the wall-mounted handset, and if there is no normal response returned from the wall-mounted handset within a predetermined time, A release instruction signal instructing to release the call state of the device is transmitted to the nurse call slave device.

According to the present invention configured as described above, when a call operation is performed on the nurse call handset while the repeater has fallen off from the wall-mounted handset, Even if a call signal is sent to the nurse call handset, a normal response is not returned from the wall-embedded handset to the repeater. to the nurse call handset. In response to this, the calling state of the nurse call handset is released, and the handset confirmation light that was turned on in response to the press of the call button is turned off. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the slave unit confirmation light from continuing to be lit, and to suppress an unnecessary increase in power consumption in the nurse call slave unit.

1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a nurse call system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of a job transmission type handset according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a wall-embedded slave device, a repeater, and a message transmission type slave device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a nurse call base device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the 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 the association with button identification information. It is a flow chart showing an example of basic operation of the nurse call system according to the present embodiment. It is a flow chart showing an example of basic operation of the nurse call system according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of operation regarding the display control of the business button with which the business transmission type slave device according to this embodiment is provided.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a nurse call system according to this embodiment. Note that although a nurse call system installed in a hospital will be explained here as an example, the nurse call system of this embodiment is not limited to one installed in a hospital. For example, it is also applicable when installed in a nursing care 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 hallway light 3, a wall-embedded slave unit 4, a repeater 5, a handheld slave unit 6, and It is configured to include a transmission type handset 7 (corresponding to a "nurse call handset" in the claims). The nurse call base device 1 may be installed at a nurse station, or may be a portable nurse call base device carried by each nurse. The wall-embedded handset 4, the repeater 5, the hand-held handset 6, and the message transmitting handset 7 are installed in the patient's hospital room.

The nurse call base device 1, the controller 2, the hallway light 3, the wall-embedded handset 4, the repeater 5, and the handheld handset 6 are connected through a wired communication path. On the other hand, the repeater 5 and the job transmission type handset 7 are connected wirelessly. The business transmission type handset 7 wirelessly transmits a calling signal to the repeater 5. The repeater 5 receives the calling signal from the job transmission handset 7 and transmits the calling signal to the nurse call base unit 1 via a wired communication path including the wall-embedded handset 4.

The nurse call base unit 1 is used to respond to calls from a patient (hand type handset 6 or message transmission type handset 7), and is used by a nurse to communicate with the patient. The nurse call base unit 1 performs a predetermined notification operation when receiving a call from a patient. The notification operation is performed by outputting a ringing tone from a speaker included in the nurse call base device 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 device 1.

If the nurse performs a response operation such as going off-hook while performing this notification operation, the nurse call main device 1 stops the above-mentioned 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-type handset 6, the nurse call main unit 1 forms a communication path with the hand-type handset 6 and communicates with the patient. Make it possible to do so. In addition, when a response operation is performed to a call from the business transmission handset 7, the nurse call base unit 1 forms a communication path with the repeater 5, and receives the call from the repeater 5. Receives synthesized speech and outputs it from the speaker.

The controller 2 is disposed between the nurse call base unit 1 and the hallway light 3, and controls communications and data transmission and reception. The transmitted and received data includes a call signal sent from the hand-type handset 6 or the job transmission type handset 7 to the nurse call base unit 1, and a response notification sent from the nurse call base unit 1 to the business job transmission type handset 7. This includes signals, synthesized voice audio signals 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 patient room in the hospital. This hallway light 3 is equipped with a display device, and displays the names of patients in the hospital room, and when a patient in the hospital room calls a nurse using a hand-type handset 6 or a message-transmitting handset 7. , it is now visible that the call was made. Note that the fact that a call has been made may be indicated by lighting or blinking an LED. The LED turns off when a predetermined recovery operation is performed.

The hallway light 3 transmits a call signal transmitted from the hand-type handset 6 or the job transmission type handset 7 via the repeater 5 to the nurse call main unit 1 via the controller 2. Further, the hallway light 3 transmits a response notification signal transmitted from the nurse call base unit 1 via the control unit 2 to the job transmission type slave unit 7 via the wall-embedded slave unit 4 and the repeater 5. do. In addition, the hallway light 3 is connected to an audio signal transmitted from the repeater 5 via the communication path formed by the response operation on the nurse call base unit 1 (the patient's call voice input from the microphone of the hand-type handset 6). , or related to synthesized speech for transmitting business matters generated by the repeater 5) to the nurse call base unit 1 via the controller 2, and from the nurse call base unit 1 via the controller 2. The voice signal related to the nurse's voice is transmitted to the hand-held handset 6 via the wall-embedded handset 4 and the repeater 5.

The wall-embedded handset 4 is embedded in the wall of each bedside in the hospital room. This wall-embedded slave unit 4 is connected to the hallway light 3. The wall-embedded slave unit 4 includes a connection terminal for connecting a repeater 5 or a hand-held slave unit 6. Although it is possible to directly connect the hand-held handset 6 to the wall-embedded handset 4, in this embodiment, a repeater 5 is connected to the wall-embedded handset 4, and the hand-held handset is connected to the repeater 5. The form child device 6 is connected. The wall-embedded handset 4 transmits and receives the above-mentioned calling signal, response notification signal, and audio signal between the hallway light 3 and the repeater 5. Note that the wall-embedded handset 4 may include a call button for the patient to call the nurse, and a microphone and speaker for the patient to use when talking with the nurse.

The wall-embedded handset 4 also includes a call confirmation light (hereinafter referred to as a wall confirmation light 4a). This wall confirmation light 4a lights up when a patient in the hospital room uses the handheld handset 6 or the message transmitting handset 7 to call a nurse, to notify that the call has been made. It has become. The wall confirmation light 4a turns off when a response notification signal is received from the nurse call base unit 1. The wall-embedded slave device 4 transmits a lighting state notification signal to the repeater 5 to notify the lighting state of the wall confirmation light 4a when the wall confirmation light 4a is turned on and off.

The hand-type slave device 6 is connected to the wall-embedded slave device 4 or the repeater 5, and is installed at the patient's bedside. As mentioned above, the hand-type slave unit 6 can be directly connected to the wall-embedded slave unit 4, but in this embodiment, the hand-held slave unit 6 can be directly connected to the wall-embedded slave unit 4. A hand type handset 6 is connected. The hand-type handset 6 includes a call button 6a for the patient to call the nurse, a microphone (not shown) and a speaker 6b for the patient to use when talking with the nurse.

The hand-type handset 6 is equipped with 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 emitted. is transmitted to the nurse call base unit 1 via the repeater 5, the wall-embedded handset 4, the hallway light 3, and the controller 2. The call type is, for example, a general call, an emergency call, or a specific call (toilet or intravenous drip).

The task transmission handset 7 is wirelessly connected to the repeater 5 and installed at the patient's bedside. For example, the business transmission type handset 7 is connected to the repeater 5 using Bluetooth (registered trademark) wireless communication means.

The task transmission type handset 7 includes a plurality of task buttons 7a (corresponding to "call buttons" in the claims) for the patient to call a nurse, and the patient can press any of the task buttons 7a. When the button 7a is operated, a call signal containing button identification information that can identify the operated job button 7a is transmitted to the repeater 5. The task transmission type handset 7 has a built-in battery and operates by obtaining power from the battery. In this embodiment, the repeater 5 is provided with a voice synthesis function, which will be described later, so that battery consumption of the business transmission type handset 7 is suppressed.

The repeater 5 is installed between the business transmission type slave unit 7 and the wall-embedded slave unit 4. The repeater 5 is connected to a general power outlet and operates by obtaining power from the outlet. The repeater 5 transmits and receives the above-mentioned calling signal, response notification signal, and voice signal between the wall-embedded handset 4, the hand-held handset 6, and the message transmission handset 7. Regarding the audio signal, the repeater 5 generates a synthesized voice corresponding to the button identification information included in the calling signal received from the business transmission type handset 7, and transfers the generated synthesized voice audio signal to the wall-embedded device. It is transmitted to the nurse call main unit 1 via the device 4, the hallway light 3, and the controller 2.

Further, the repeater 5 receives the above-mentioned lighting state notification signal of the wall confirmation light 4a from the wall-embedded slave device 4. Further, the repeater 5 transmits a cancellation instruction signal, which will be described later, to the business-transfer type handset 7 depending on the reception state of the lighting state notification signal. Details of these operations will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of the business-transfer type handset 7. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the task transmission type handset 7 includes a plurality of task buttons 7a. In this embodiment, eight task buttons 7a are arranged, four on each side of the front of the housing. Each job button 7a is written with words that concisely represent the content of the job that the patient is transmitting to the nurse. In the example in Figure 2, the words "toilet", "painful", "medication", "tube feeding", "pain", "take phlegm", "intravenous drip", and "errands" each contain eight words. are written on the respective button 7a.

These task buttons 7a are made of a translucent resin material or glass material, and on the back side (inside the casing) there is an LED (corresponding to the "child unit confirmation light" in the claims). ) is installed. The message buttons 7a can be operated by pressing them, and when the patient presses any of the message buttons 7a, the message transmitting handset 7 is set to the calling state and the pressed message is activated. The LED corresponding to the subject button 7a lights up, and a call signal containing button identification information that allows identification of the pressed subject button 7a is transmitted to the repeater 5.

As mentioned above, the task button 7a is made of a translucent material, so when the LED on the back side lights up, the pressed task button 7a appears to glow, making it easy to see which task button 7a was pressed. can be seen at a glance. That is, by lighting up the LED corresponding to the pressed job button 7a, the content of the job corresponding to the pressed job button 7a (the content of the wording written on the job button 7a) can be identified. The state will be as shown in . In the following description, the fact that the LED arranged on the back side of the business button 7a is turned on or off is referred to as "the business button 7a is turned on or off" for convenience. That is, when the task button 7a is turned on or off, it means that the handset confirmation light is turned on or off.

The task transmission type handset 7 includes a lighting switch 7b. The light switch 7b can also be operated by pressing the light switch 7b, and when the patient presses the light switch 7b, all the task buttons 7a light up. For example, after the lights in the hospital room have been turned off at night, by pressing the light switch 7b when the wording of the task written on the task button 7a is not visible, all the task buttons 7a are illuminated and the message is displayed. You can check the contents. Note that the handset display control unit (described later) provided in the business transmission type handset 7 has an adjustment function that lights up the LED of the business button 7a at two levels of brightness, and when the lighting switch 7b is pressed. In this case, all the task buttons 7a are lit at low brightness. Further, when any of the task buttons 7a is pressed, the handset display control section lights up the pressed task button 7a with high brightness.

The task transmission type handset 7 is equipped with a response display lamp 7c. This response display lamp 7c is a lamp for informing that the nurse has responded to the call made by pressing the job button 7a. This response display lamp 7c also has a structure in which an LED is arranged on the back side of a transparent material. When the nurse performs a response operation on the nurse call base device 1, a response notification signal is transmitted from the nurse call base device 1 to the job transmission type slave device 7. Then, when the business transmission type handset 7 receives this response notification signal, the response display lamp 7c lights up. Thereby, the patient can check whether the nurse has responded to the call made by pressing any of the job buttons 7a.

The job transmission type handset 7 includes a recovery button 7d for the nurse to operate. In order to prevent the patient from accidentally operating the recovery button 7d, the recovery button 7d is arranged on the top surface of the case, which is different from the front surface of the case where the task button 7a and the light switch 7b, which are operated by the patient, are arranged. There is. This recovery button 7d is a button for turning off the business button 7a pressed by the patient to put it in a recovery state (a state in which the call state is canceled). That is, by pressing the recovery button 7d when the nurse arrives at the hospital room (corresponding to a predetermined recovery operation performed in the room where the nurse call handset is installed), the task button pressed by the patient can be restored. It is possible to release the lighted state of 7a and return the task transmission type handset 7 to the recovery state.

The task button 7a also turns off when the task transmission type handset 7 receives a release instruction signal from the repeater 5. That is, when the business transmission type handset 7 receives the release instruction signal from the repeater 5, the calling state of the business transmission type handset 7 is canceled and the business button 7a is turned off.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are block diagrams showing functional configuration examples of the nurse call system according to this embodiment. Here, an example of the functional configuration of the wall-embedded handset 4, the repeater 5, and the job transmission type handset 7 is shown in FIG. 3, and an example of the functional configuration of the nurse call base device 1 is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the nurse call main unit 1 according to the present embodiment has a functional configuration including a calling signal receiving section 101, a notification processing section 102, a response operation detecting section 103, a communication path forming section 104, and a synthesized voice receiving section 105. and a synthesized speech output section 106. The nurse call base device 1 also includes a speaker 111 and a display 112 as a hardware configuration.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the wall-embedded handset 4 according to the present embodiment includes a calling signal relay section 401, a response notification relay section 402, a synthesized voice relay section 403, a wall display control section 404, and a A display state transmitting section 405 is provided. The repeater 5 according to the present embodiment has a functional configuration including a calling signal relay section 501, a response notification relay section 502, a communication path related processing section 503, a synthesized voice generation section 504, a synthesized voice transmission section 505, a display state reception section 506, and A release instruction section 507 is provided. Further, the repeater 5 includes an audio data storage section 511 as a storage medium. The business transmission type handset 7 according to the present embodiment has a functional configuration such as a press detection section 701, a calling signal transmitting section 702, a handset display control section 703, a response notification receiving section 704, a cancellation instruction receiving section 705, and a calling state control section. 706.

Each of the functional blocks included in the nurse call base unit 1, the wall-embedded handset 4, the repeater 5, and the message transmitting handset 7 may be configured by hardware, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or software. It is possible to do so. For example, when configured by software, each of the functional blocks described above is actually configured with a computer's CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., and is realized by operating a program stored in the RAM or ROM. Note that the program may be stored in other storage media such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

The press detection unit 701 of the job transmission type handset 7 detects the press of the job button 7a and the light switch 7b by the patient. Further, the press detection unit 701 detects the press of the recovery button 7d by the nurse. When the press detection unit 701 detects that the patient has pressed the business button 7a, it notifies the call signal transmission unit 702, handset display control unit 703, and call state control unit 706 of this fact. When the press detection unit 701 detects a press of the lighting switch 7b by the patient, it notifies the handset display control unit 703 of this fact. Furthermore, when the press detection unit 701 detects a press of the recovery button 7d by the nurse, it notifies the handset display control unit 703 and the call state control unit 706 to that effect.

The call state control section 706 sets the task transmission type handset 7 to the call state when the press detection section 701 detects that the patient presses the task button 7a. In addition, when the press detection unit 701 detects that the nurse presses the recovery button 7d, the call state control unit 706 sends a release instruction signal instructing the release of the call state to the repeater 5. , the message transmission type handset 7 is released from the calling state.

The call signal transmitter 702 transmits a call signal including button identification information that can identify the pressed job button 7a to the repeater 5 in response to the press of the job button 7a. Note that the button identification information corresponding to each business button 7a is stored in advance in a storage medium (not shown) of the business transmission type handset 7.

The handset display control unit 703 controls the display of the business button 7a and the response display lamp 7c. That is, when the press detection unit 701 detects that the lighting switch 7b is pressed, the slave device display control unit 703 lights up all the task buttons 7a at low brightness. For example, the handset display control unit 703 lights up all the task buttons 7a at low brightness for a certain period of time after the lighting switch 7b is pressed, and then turns off all the task buttons 7a. Alternatively, the handset display control unit 703 lights up all the job buttons 7a in response to the pressing of the lighting switch 7b, and then turns off all the job buttons 7a when the lighting switch 7b is pressed again. Alternatively, when any of the job buttons 7a is pressed, the job buttons 7a other than the pressed job button 7a may be turned off.

Furthermore, when any of the job buttons 7a is pressed by the press detection unit 701, the slave unit display control unit 703 causes the job transmission type slave unit 7 to enter the calling state in response to the press of the job button 7a. In order to notify the patient that the task button 7a has been pressed, and also to inform the patient and the nurse who rushed to the hospital which task button 7a was pressed, the button 7a that was pressed is illuminated with high brightness, and the button 7a that was pressed is The content of the message corresponding to the message button 7a (the content of the wording written on the message button 7a) is displayed in an identifiable manner. Furthermore, when the response notification receiving unit 704 receives a response notification signal sent from the nurse call base unit 1, the handset display control unit 703 turns on the response display lamp 7c.

Furthermore, when the press detection unit 701 detects that the recovery button 7d is pressed (corresponding to a “predetermined operation” in the claims), the handset display control unit 703 causes the call status control unit 706 to transmit the message. When the calling state of the handset 7 is canceled, the illuminated business button 7a is turned off (the above-mentioned display state is canceled). Further, in the handset display control section 703, the cancellation instruction receiving section 705 receives a cancellation instruction signal from the repeater 5, and in response, the calling state control section 706 cancels the calling state of the business transmission type handset 7. In this case, the illuminated task button 7a is also turned off.

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 slave unit display control unit 703 of this fact. The response notification signal received by the response notification receiving unit 704 is a signal generated when the nurse performs a response operation on the nurse call base unit 1 after the nurse is called by pressing the job button 7a. be. The handset display control unit 703 controls the lighting of the response display lamp 7c as described above in response to the response notification signal received by the response notification receiving unit 704.

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

Further, when the calling signal relay unit 501 receives the calling signal transmitted by the calling signal transmitting unit 702 of the business transmission handset 7, the calling signal relay unit 501 notifies the synthetic voice generating unit 504 of the button identification information included in the calling signal. At the same time, the call signal is relayed to the wall-embedded handset 4 as a call signal of a specific call type (button identification information is not included). When the calling signal relay unit 501 receives a calling signal from the business transmission type handset 7, the calling signal relay unit 501 transmits the call signal regardless of the content of the button identification information included in the calling signal (that is, depending on which business button 7a is pressed). 1), the call signal is relayed to the wall-embedded handset 4 as a call signal of a specific call type (for example, general call) among the plurality of call types.

That is, the task buttons 7a for "toilet" and "intravenous drip" shown in FIG. 2 are generally assigned a call type of special call, and the task buttons 7a for "pain" and "pain" Generally, the call type ``emergency call'' may be assigned, but even when these task buttons 7a are pressed, the call signal relay unit 501 transmits the general call signal to the wall. The data is sent to the included handset 4.

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 transmits the call signal to the wall-embedded device as a call signal of the call type corresponding to the pressed call button 6a. Relay to slave unit 4. On the other hand, when the calling signal relay unit 501 receives a calling signal from the business transmission type handset 7, it relays the calling signal to the wall-mounted handset 4 as a calling signal of a specific calling type. . In this way, in this embodiment, one of the call types prepared in the nurse call system is used to transmit a call signal to the wall-embedded handset when transmitting the patient's business to the nurse using synthesized voice. 4 to the nurse call base unit 1.

The response notification relay unit 502 receives a response notification signal sent from the nurse call base unit 1 via the controller 2, the hallway light 3, and the wall-mounted slave unit 4, and transmits the response notification signal to the job transmission type slave unit 7. Relay. The call path related processing unit 503 performs processing related to forming a call path with the nurse call base unit 1. The process related to forming a call path is a process for forming a call path in cooperation with the call path forming unit 104 of the nurse call base unit 1. For example, in response to a request from the call path forming unit 104, the process Execute processing according to the request.

When a response operation is performed on the nurse call base unit 1 in response to a call from the hand-type handset 6, the call path related processing unit 503 cooperates with the call path forming unit 104 of the nurse call base unit 1. , performs the necessary processing to form a communication path between the nurse call base unit 1 and the hand-type handset 6. For processing in this case, the hand-shaped handset 6 is also equipped with a communication path-related processing section, but it is not shown. Further, when a response operation is performed on the nurse call base unit 1 to a call from the business transmission type handset 7, the call path related processing unit 503 communicates with the call path forming unit 104 of the nurse call base unit 1. They cooperate to perform the necessary processing to form a communication path between the nurse call base unit 1 and the repeater 5.

When the calling signal relaying section 501 notifies the button identification information included in the calling signal that the calling signal relaying section 501 has received from the business transmission handset 7, the synthetic voice generating section 504 generates a message corresponding to the button identification information. The audio data is read from the audio data storage unit 511 to generate synthesized audio. The audio data storage unit 511 stores a plurality of audio data corresponding to multiple types of synthesized voices and button identification information in association with each other. The plurality of types of synthesized speech indicate the content of the business that the patient conveys to the nurse.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the content of synthesized speech corresponding to a plurality of pieces of speech data stored in the speech data storage unit 511 according to the present embodiment and the association with button identification information. The eight synthesized voices shown in FIG. 5 correspond to the eight task buttons 7a shown in FIG. 2. In other words, there are 8 items with the following words: ``toilet,'' ``pain,'' ``medication,'' ``tube feeding,'' ``pain,'' ``take phlegm,'' ``intravenous drip,'' and ``errands.'' Audio data for generating eight synthesized voices shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the audio data storage unit 511 in association with the button identification information “001” to “008” of the button 7a. For example, a synthesized voice saying "I want to go to the toilet" is associated with the button identification information "001" corresponding to the first task button 7a located at the upper left corner of the case of the task transmission handset 7. voice data is stored. In addition, in association with the button identification information "008" corresponding to the eighth task button 7a located at the bottom right of the case of the task transmission handset 7, a synthesized voice saying "I have something to do." Audio data is stored.

When the display state receiving unit 506 notifies that the wall confirmation light 4a of the wall-embedded handset 4 has been turned off, the synthesized voice transmitting unit 505 transmits a signal between the nurse call main unit 1 and the repeater 5. When it is determined that a call path has been established and the call is in progress, the synthesized voice generation unit 504 generates a synthesized voice (included in the call signal received by the call signal relay unit 501 from the business transmission handset 7). A voice signal (synthesized voice according to the button identification information) is transmitted to the nurse call base unit 1 via the communication path. Note that in the following description, "synthesized speech is transmitted" may be used, but this is synonymous with "synthesized speech audio signal is transmitted".

In this way, in this embodiment, by using a limited number of call types prepared in the nurse call system, the nurse uses a synthesized voice to convey more types of business than the number of call types to the nurse. The call can be sent to base unit 1. In this embodiment, it is possible to transmit synthesized voices of eight types of business to the nurse call base unit 1 using one call type, for example, a general call.

The display state receiving unit 506 sends a lighting state notification signal to the wall-embedded handset 4 in response to the call signal relay unit 501 relaying the calling signal transmitted from the task transmission type handset 7 to the wall-mounted handset 4. Receive from form handset 4. The lighting state notification signal in this case is a signal indicating that the wall confirmation light 4a is turned on (hereinafter referred to as a lighting notification signal). Furthermore, when the wall-embedded slave unit 4 receives a response notification signal sent from the nurse call base unit 1, the display state receiving unit 506 receives a lighting state notification signal from the wall-embedded slave unit 4. do. The lighting state notification signal in this case is a signal notifying that the wall confirmation light 4a has been turned off (hereinafter referred to as a lights-off notification signal).

The release instruction unit 507 causes the display state receiving unit 506 to change the status of the wall-embedded handset within a predetermined time after the call signal relay unit 501 transmits the calling signal from the message transmitting handset 7 to the wall-mounted handset 4. A release instruction signal that instructs to release the calling state of the business transmission type handset 7 when the lighting notification signal (corresponding to the "normal response" in the claims) is not received from the handset 4. The message is transmitted to the job transmission type handset 7. Here, the predetermined time is set to be shorter than the time normally assumed as the time from the occurrence of a call from the patient until the nurse performs a response operation on the nurse call master device 1. Normally, it takes only a short time (less than 1 second) for the wall-embedded handset 4 to display the wall confirmation light 4a after receiving the call signal from the repeater 5, so the time is 1 second or shorter. may be set as the predetermined time.

The call signal relay unit 401 of the wall-embedded handset 4 receives the call signal transmitted from the call signal relay unit 501 of the repeater 5, and transmits it to the hallway light 3. The call signal sent to the hallway light 3 is sent to the nurse call base unit 1 via the controller 2. The response notification relay unit 402 receives a response notification signal sent from the nurse call base device 1 via the controller 2 and the hallway light 3, and relays it to the repeater 5. The synthesized voice relay unit 403 receives the synthesized voice transmitted by the synthesized voice transmitter 505 and transmits it to the hallway light 3. The synthesized voice transmitted to the hallway light 3 is transmitted to the nurse call base unit 1 via the controller 2.

When the calling signal relay unit 401 receives a calling signal from the calling signal relay unit 501 of the repeater 5, the wall display control unit 404 turns on the wall confirmation light 4a to notify that a call has been made. Further, the wall display control unit 404 controls the wall confirmation light 4a when the response notification relay unit 402 receives a response notification signal in response to a predetermined response operation performed by a nurse on the nurse call base unit 1. Turn off the light.

When the wall confirmation light 4a is turned on by the wall display control section 404, the display state transmitting section 405 sends a lighting state notification signal (lighting notification signal) to notify this, and the calling signal relay section 501 transmits the calling signal to the wall. It is transmitted to the repeater 5 as a normal response that is returned within a predetermined time after being transmitted to the embedded handset 4. Furthermore, when the wall confirmation light 4a is turned off by the wall display control unit 404, the display state transmitting unit 405 transmits a lighting state notification signal (lights-off notification signal) to the repeater 5 to notify this fact.

The call signal receiving unit 101 of the nurse call base unit 1 receives the call signal from the hand-type handset 6 and the call from the job transmission type handset 7 that are relayed by the call signal relay unit 401 of the wall-embedded handset 4. Receive a signal. 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, and stops the notification operation in response to a predetermined response operation detected by the response operation detection unit 103. That is, when the paging signal receiving section 101 receives a paging signal, the notification processing section 102 outputs a paging tone from the speaker 111 and causes the display 112 to display information such as the patient and the type of paging related to the paging. Execute notification operation. Thereafter, when the response operation detection unit 103 detects a response operation such as off-hook, the notification processing unit 102 stops the above-mentioned notification operation and transmits a response notification signal to the wall-embedded handset 4.

The communication path forming unit 104 forms a communication path with the repeater 5 or the hand-type handset 6 when the response operation detection unit 103 detects a response operation to the notification operation performed in response to receiving the calling signal. do. That is, when the response operation detection unit 103 detects a response operation to the notification operation performed in response to the calling signal from the hand-type handset 6, the communication path forming unit 104 creates a communication path between the hand-type handset 6 and the notification operation. Perform processing to form. Further, when the response operation detection unit 103 detects a response operation to the notification operation performed in response to the calling signal from the business transmission type handset 7, the communication path forming unit 104 creates a communication path between the relay device 5 and the relay device 5. Perform processing to form.

The synthesized voice receiving unit 105 receives the voice signal of the synthesized voice sent from the repeater 5 via the communication path formed by the communication path forming unit 104. The synthesized voice output unit 106 outputs the synthesized voice of the business from the speaker 111 based on the voice signal of the synthesized voice received by the synthesized voice receiving unit 105 . By listening to the synthesized voice output from the speaker 111, the nurse can understand the business matters conveyed by the patient without having to talk to the patient.

6 and 7 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the nurse call system according to this embodiment configured as described above. The flowcharts in FIGS. 6 and 7 show basic operation examples related to output processing of synthesized speech and display control of the task button 7a, which are executed when the patient presses any task button 7a. Operations related to processing are omitted. Note that in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, explanations of the operations of the controller 2 and the hallway light 3 are omitted.

First, when the press detection unit 701 detects that any job button 7a is pressed by the patient (step S1), the handset display control unit 703 lights up the job button 7a that was pressed (step S2). ). Further, the calling signal transmitting unit 702 transmits a calling signal including button identification information that can identify the pressed business button 7a to the repeater 5 (step S3). The call signal relay unit 501 of the repeater 5 receives the call signal transmitted by the call signal transmitter 702, and relays it to the wall-embedded handset 4 as a call signal of a specific call type (step S4). .

Further, the call signal relay unit 401 of the wall-embedded handset 4 receives the call signal transmitted from the repeater 5, and relays it to the nurse call base unit 1 (step S5). When the calling signal relay unit 401 receives the calling signal, the wall display control unit 404 turns on the wall confirmation light 4a (step S6). Then, the display state transmitting unit 405 transmits a lighting notification signal to the repeater 5 to notify that the wall confirmation light 4a is turned on (step S7).

The display state receiving unit 506 of the repeater 5 receives the lighting notification signal transmitted from the display state transmitting unit 405 of the wall-embedded slave device 4, and sends a message to the synthesized voice generating unit 504 to notify that the wall confirmation light 4a is turned on. (Step S8). Upon receiving this notification, the synthesized voice generation unit 504 transfers voice data to the voice data storage unit 511 according to the button identification information included in the call signal received by the call signal relay unit 501 from the business transmission handset 7 in step S4. , and generates synthesized speech (step S9). Note that the synthetic speech generation unit 504 may generate the synthetic speech immediately after receiving the calling signal in step S4, without waiting for the reception of the lighting notification message.

The call signal receiving unit 101 of the nurse call base unit 1 receives the call signal sent from the job transmission type handset 7 via the repeater 5, the wall-embedded handset 4, the hallway light 3, and the controller 2. Receive (step S10). The notification processing unit 102 performs a predetermined notification operation in response to the reception of the calling signal by the calling signal receiving unit 101 (step S11). During this notification operation, the response operation detection unit 103 monitors whether or not the nurse performs a response operation (step S12).

When the response operation detection unit 103 detects a response operation by the nurse, the notification processing unit 102 stops the notification operation (step S13). In response, the notification processing unit 102 transmits a response notification signal to the wall-embedded slave device 4 (step S14 in FIG. 7). Further, the communication path forming unit 104 forms a communication path with the repeater 5 (step S15). The response notification relay unit 402 of the wall-embedded handset 4 and the response notification relay unit 502 of the repeater 5 relay the response notification signal sent from the nurse call base unit 1 to the job transmission type handset 7 ( Steps S16 and S17), and the response notification receiving unit 704 of the job transmission type handset 7 receives this (step S18).

When the call signal relay unit 401 receives the response notification signal, the wall display control unit 404 of the wall-embedded handset 4 turns off the wall confirmation light 4a (step S19). Then, the display state transmitting unit 405 transmits a lights-off notification signal to the repeater 5 to notify that the wall confirmation light 4a has been turned off (step S20).

The display state receiving unit 506 of the repeater 5 receives the lights-off notification signal transmitted from the display state transmitting unit 405 of the wall-embedded slave unit 4, and sends a synthesized voice transmitting unit 505 to notify that the wall confirmation light 4a has been turned off. (Step S21). Upon receiving this notification, the synthesized voice transmitter 505 transmits the synthesized voice generated by the synthesized voice generator 504 in step S9 to the wall-embedded handset 4 via the communication path formed in step S15 ( Step S22).

The synthesized voice relay unit 403 of the wall-embedded handset 4 receives the synthesized voice transmitted from the synthesized voice transmitter 505 of the repeater 5, and relays it to the nurse call base unit 1 (step S23). In the nurse call base unit 1, the synthesized voice receiving unit 105 receives the synthesized voice voice signal transmitted from the repeater 5 (step S24), and the synthesized voice output unit 106 generates a synthesized voice based on the synthesized voice voice signal. is output from the speaker 111 (step S25). By listening to the synthesized voice output from the speaker 111, the nurse can grasp the business message being conveyed by the patient. The nurse then heads to the ward where the call was made in order to perform nursing duties corresponding to the request.

In the above step S18, when the response notification receiving unit 704 of the job transmission type handset 7 receives the response notification signal, the response notification receiving unit 704 notifies the handset display control unit 703 to that effect. Upon receiving this notification, the handset display control unit 703 turns on the response display lamp 7c for a certain period of time, and then turns it off (step S26). Further, in the business transmission type handset 7, after the response notification receiving unit 704 receives the response notification signal, the response notification receiving unit 704 changes to the responding state for a certain period of time (for example, 10 seconds), and then changes to the recovery waiting state.

Thereafter, the job transmission type handset 7 monitors whether the recovery button 7d has been pressed (step S27). Then, when the nurse who has arrived at the hospital room presses the recovery button 7d and the press detection unit 701 detects this, the handset display control unit 703 turns off the task button 7a that was lit in step S2 (step S28). ). With the above steps, the processing of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is completed.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the operation related to the display control of the job button 7a, which is executed when the patient presses any job button 7a. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the explanation of the operations of the nurse call base unit 1, the controller 2, the hallway light 3, and the wall-embedded slave unit 4 is omitted. In addition, in FIG. 8, the steps numbered the same as those shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 perform the same processing, and therefore, redundant explanation will be omitted here.

After the calling signal relay unit 501 of the repeater 5 transmits the calling signal to the wall-embedded handset 4 in step S4, the display state receiving unit 506 causes the display state transmitting unit 405 of the wall-embedded handset 4 to turn on the It is determined whether a notification signal has been received (step S81). Here, if the display state receiving unit 506 receives the lighting notification signal (that is, if the processes in steps S5 to S8 in FIG. 6 are executed), the process proceeds to step S9 in FIG. 6, and the process shown in FIGS. The subsequent operations are executed according to the flowchart shown in .

On the other hand, within a predetermined time after the calling signal relay unit 501 transmits the calling signal to the wall-mounted handset 4 in step S4, the display state receiving unit 506 receives the lighting notification signal from the wall-mounted handset 4. If not, the release instruction unit 507 transmits a release instruction signal to the task transmission type handset 7, instructing to cancel the calling state of the business transmission type handset 7 (step S82). For example, if the repeater 5 is disconnected from the wall-mounted handset 4 and is not connected, the wall-mounted handset 4 will not receive the calling signal from the repeater 5, and therefore the lighting notification signal will not be received. Don't reply. Therefore, the display state receiving unit 506 does not receive the lighting notification signal from the wall-embedded slave device 4 within the predetermined time, and the process of step S82 is performed.

In the business transmission type handset 7, the cancellation instruction receiving unit 705 receives the cancellation instruction signal from the repeater 5 within a predetermined time after the calling signal transmitting unit 702 transmits the calling signal to the repeater 5 in step S3. It is determined whether or not this has been done (step S83). Here, if the release instruction receiving unit 705 does not receive the release instruction signal within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S18 in FIG. 7, and subsequent operations are executed according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. .

On the other hand, if the release instruction receiving unit 705 receives the release instruction signal within a predetermined time after transmitting the call signal to the repeater 5 in step S3, the call state control unit 706 calls the business transmission type handset 7. The state is released (step S84). Then, the handset display control unit 703 turns off the business button 7a that was lit in step S2 (step S85). With the above steps, the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is completed. In this case, the job button 7a will turn off within a predetermined time of only about 1 second or less after pressing the job button 7a, without waiting for the nurse to operate the recovery button 7d.

As explained above in detail, in this embodiment, when the job button 7a is operated on the job transmission type slave unit 7 while the repeater 5 has fallen off from the wall-embedded slave unit 4, Even if the repeater 5 sends a call signal to the wall-mounted handset 4, a normal response (lighting notification signal) is not returned from the wall-mounted handset 4 to the repeater 5, so the message cannot be transmitted. A release instruction signal instructing to cancel the calling state of the handset 7 is transmitted from the repeater 5 to the handset 7 for transmitting business. In response to this, the calling state of the message transmitting handset 7 is released, and the message button 7a, which was lit in response to the press of the message button 7a, is turned off. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the task button 7a from continuing to light up, and to suppress an unnecessary increase in power consumption in the task transmission type handset 7.

In the above embodiment, an example was explained in which when the nurse who rushed to the hospital room operated the recovery button 7d of the job transmission handset 7, the call state was canceled and the job button 7a was turned off. The invention is not limited to this. For example, when a nurse performs a response operation on the nurse call base unit 1 in response to a call from a patient, and a response notification signal is thereby transmitted to the business transmission type slave unit 7 (response is performed in step S18 in FIG. 7). When the notification receiving unit 704 receives the response notification signal), the calling state of the business transmission type handset 7 may be canceled and the business button 7a may be turned off.

Further, in the above embodiment, as an example of the predetermined recovery operation performed in the room where the business transmission type slave unit 7 is installed, the pressing operation of the recovery button 7d provided on the business transmission type slave unit 7 is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in response to a pressing operation of a recovery button provided on the wall-embedded slave unit 4, a recovery instruction signal is sent to the job transmission type slave unit 7, thereby turning off the lit job button 7a and restoring. It may be set as a state.

Further, in the above embodiment, the job transmission type slave unit 7 provided with a plurality of job buttons 7a has been described as an example of the wireless nurse call slave unit, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, while configuring the hand-type handset 6 to be wireless, the hand-type handset 6 is equipped with a call confirmation light, and the call confirmation light is turned on when the call button 6a is pressed. In response to pressing a recovery button provided on the handset 4 or in response to receiving a response notification signal, the lit call confirmation light may be turned off to enter the recovery state. In this case, the release instruction section 507 of the repeater 5 transmits a release instruction signal to the hand-type handset 6, and in response, the call confirmation light of the hand-type handset 6 is turned off.

Further, in the above embodiment, the wall-embedded slave device 4 includes the wall confirmation light 4a, and the repeater 5 uses the lighting state notification signal (lighting notification signal) to notify the lighting state of the wall confirmation light 4a. Although an example has been described in which it is detected that the device is detached from the embedded handset 4, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the wall-embedded handset 4 receives a calling signal from the repeater 5, a reception notification signal notifying that the calling signal has been received is sent back to the repeater 5 as a normal response. The disconnection of the repeater 5 from the wall-embedded slave device 4 may be detected based on whether the repeater 5 receives the signal within a predetermined time.

In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of implementation of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed to be limited thereby. That is, the present invention may be embodied in various forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics.

1 Nurse call base unit 2 Controller 3 Corridor light 4 Wall-mounted slave unit 5 Repeater 6 Hand-type slave unit (nurse call slave unit)
7 Message transmission type handset (nurse call handset)
7a Business button 7d Recovery button 401 Calling signal relay section 404 Wall display control section 405 Display state transmission section 501 Calling signal relay section 506 Display state reception section 507 Cancellation instruction section 701 Press detection section 702 Calling signal transmission section 703 Handset display control Section 705 Release instruction receiving section 706 Call state control section

Claims (10)

a nurse call handset that wirelessly transmits a call signal;
a repeater that receives the call signal from the nurse call slave unit and transmits the call signal to the nurse call base unit via a wired communication path including the wall-embedded slave unit;
The above nurse call handset is
a calling signal transmitter that wirelessly transmits the calling signal to the repeater in response to pressing a calling button;
When the call state is entered in response to pressing the call button, the handset confirmation light is turned on to notify that the call state is in effect, and when the above call state is canceled in response to a predetermined operation, a handset display control unit that turns off the handset confirmation light;
a release instruction signal receiving unit that receives a release instruction signal from the repeater;
a calling state control unit that cancels the calling state when the canceling instruction signal receiving unit receives the canceling instruction signal;
The handset display control unit controls the handset confirmation light to turn off even when the calling state is canceled by the calling state control unit,
The above repeater is
a calling signal relay unit that transmits the calling signal to the wall-embedded handset when receiving the calling signal from the nurse call handset;
If there is no normal response from the wall-embedded slave unit within a predetermined time after the call signal is sent to the wall-embedded slave unit, the call state of the nurse call slave unit is canceled. and a release instruction unit that transmits the release instruction signal to the nurse call handset. The above-mentioned wall-embedded slave unit is
When the call signal is received from the repeater, the wall confirmation light is turned on to notify that the call has been made, and in response to the predetermined response operation being performed on the nurse call base unit, the a wall display control unit that turns off a wall confirmation light;
Claim 1, further comprising a display state transmitter that transmits a lighting state notification signal to the repeater as the normal response to notify that the wall confirmation light has been turned on by the wall display controller. The nurse call system described in 3. The nurse call system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation is a predetermined recovery operation performed in a room in which the nurse call handset is installed. The above call button includes multiple task buttons,
In response to the pressing of the job button, the handset display control section causes the handset confirmation light to turn on in a display state so that the contents of the job corresponding to the pressed job button can be identified. The nurse call system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising control to cancel the display state in response to the predetermined operation. A repeater that receives a call signal wirelessly transmitted from a nurse call slave unit and transmits the call signal to a nurse call base unit via a wired communication path including a wall-embedded slave unit,
a calling signal relay unit that transmits the calling signal to the wall-embedded handset when receiving the calling signal from the nurse call handset;
If there is no normal response from the wall-embedded slave unit within a predetermined period of time after the above-mentioned call signal is sent to the wall-embedded slave unit, the call state will be entered in response to the press of the call button. a release instruction unit that transmits a release instruction signal instructing the nurse call handset to release the call state of the nurse call handset to the nurse call handset whose handset confirmation light is turned on to notify that it is in the call state; A repeater characterized by comprising: The normal response is that when the wall-mounted handset receives the call signal from the repeater, a wall confirmation light lights up on the wall-mounted handset to notify that a call has been made. 6. The repeater according to claim 5, wherein the lighting state notification signal is a lighting state notification signal to notify that the lighting state has been turned on. A nurse call slave unit that wirelessly transmits the calling signal to a repeater that relays the calling signal to a nurse call base unit via a wired communication path including a wall-embedded slave unit,
a calling signal transmitter that wirelessly transmits the calling signal to the repeater in response to pressing a calling button;
When the call state is entered in response to pressing the call button, the handset confirmation light is turned on to notify that the call state is in effect, and when the above call state is canceled in response to a predetermined operation, a handset display control unit that turns off the handset confirmation light;
A cancellation sent from the repeater when there is no normal response returned from the wall-mounted slave unit within a predetermined time after the repeater transmits the call signal to the wall-mounted slave unit. a release instruction signal receiving unit that receives the instruction signal;
a calling state control unit that cancels the calling state when the canceling instruction signal receiving unit receives the canceling instruction signal;
The nurse call handset, wherein the handset display control section controls the handset confirmation light to turn off even when the call state is canceled by the call state control section. The normal response is that when the wall-mounted handset receives the call signal from the repeater, a wall confirmation light lights up on the wall-mounted handset to notify that a call has been made. 8. The nurse call handset according to claim 7, characterized in that the lighting state notification signal is a lighting state notification signal to notify that the nurse call handset has been activated. The nurse call handset according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the predetermined operation is a predetermined recovery operation performed in a room in which the nurse call handset is installed. The above call button includes multiple task buttons,
In response to the pressing of the job button, the handset display control section causes the handset confirmation light to turn on in a display state so that the contents of the job corresponding to the pressed job button can be identified. The nurse call handset according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising control to cancel the display state in response to the predetermined operation.