Call system

Abstract

To enable a first person to call a second person by operating a contact sensor arranged on clothing.SOLUTION: A call system (1) comprises: a mutual capacitance type contact sensor (11) having a fibrous conductor, which can be integrally formed with or attached to clothing (C) worn by a first person; a first information provision unit (12a) that provides the first person with first information to assist in operating the contact sensor; a second information provision unit (12b) that provides a second person with second information for calling the second person; and a control unit (14) that executes a call process to call the second person by providing the second information from the second information provision unit based on the first person's operation of the contact sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a calling system for a first person to call a second person. [Background technology]

[0002] US Patent No. 5,999,633 discloses a sensor system that uses a fabric-based pressure sensor to monitor the body surface, and can provide information about the condition of the body surface to users, caregivers, and clinicians (see the abstract of US Patent No. 5,999,633). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2015-509028 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional techniques are merely capable of providing the condition of the body surface to a clinician or the like, and do not allow the user to call up the clinician or the like.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to realize a call system that enables a first person to call a second person by operating a contact sensor placed on the first person's clothing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a call system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a call system for a first person to call a second person, the call system comprising: a mutual capacitance type contact sensor having a fibrous conductor, which can be formed integrally with or attached to clothing worn by the first person, and which is operated by the first person; a first information providing unit for providing the first person with first information assisting in the operation of the contact sensor; a second information providing unit for providing the second person with second information for calling the second person; and a control unit for executing a call process to call the second person by providing the second information from the second information providing unit based on the first person's operation of the contact sensor. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a call system can be realized that enables a first person to call a second person by operating a contact sensor arranged on the first person's clothing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a paging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a calling method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between first information provided by a first information providing unit and an operation of a contact sensor. FIG. [Figure 4] 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of information on options for a call reason provided by a first information providing unit. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of information of options provided by a first information providing unit. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of information of options provided by a first information providing unit. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of information of options provided by a second information providing unit. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a paging system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] The call system 1 is a system for a first person Pa to call a second person Pb. The first person Pa is, for example, a medical or nursing care subject or worker, and the second person Pb is, for example, a medical or nursing care worker, supervisor, or work supervisor. It is assumed that the first person Pa and the second person Pb are in an area Ra and an area Rb separated from each other, respectively.

[0011] At least one of the first person Pa and the second person Pb may be multiple. As described below, multiple first persons Pa can call the second person Pb. Also, the first person Pa may call multiple second persons Pb. Furthermore, both the first person Pa and the second person Pb may be multiple. In this way, when at least one of the first person Pa and the second person Pb is multiple, it is preferable that the number of the first information providing units 12a and the second information providing units 12b described below corresponds to the number of the first persons Pa and the second persons Pb.

[0012] The paging system 1 includes a contact sensor 11, a first information providing unit 12a, a second information providing unit 12b, a storage unit 13, and a control unit .

[0013] The contact sensor 11 is for operation by the first person Pa, and has a contact surface 11a that the first person Pa can directly or indirectly touch. The first person Pa can operate the contact sensor 11 by directly or indirectly touching the contact surface, and can call the second person Pb via the call system 1. The first person Pa can operate the contact sensor 11 by directly touching the contact surface 11a with, for example, a fingertip. The first person Pa may operate the contact sensor 11 by indirectly touching the contact surface 11a via some object (for example, a rod-shaped member). When the first person Pa touches the contact surface 11a, the capacitance of the place on the contact surface 11a where the first person Pa touches changes. The contact sensor 11 can detect this change in capacitance, and thus the place of contact.

[0014] The contact sensor 11 is a mutual capacitance type contact sensor having a fibrous conductor, and can be formed integrally with the clothing C. For example, the contact sensor 11 can be formed integrally with the clothing C by weaving (e.g., embroidering) a first fibrous conductor for generating an electric field and a second fibrous conductor for absorbing an electric field into the clothing in a lattice pattern. Alternatively, the contact sensor 11 may be attachable to the clothing C. That is, the contact sensor 11 may be formed in the form of, for example, an applique, a sticker, or a badge, and attached to the clothing C.

[0015] The contact sensor 11 may be integrally formed with the clothing C worn by the first person Pa, particularly at least one of the left and right sleeves, or may be attached to at least one of the left and right sleeves of the clothing C. If the first person Pa is right-handed, the contact sensor 11 is disposed on the left sleeve of the clothing C, and if the first person Pa is left-handed, the contact sensor 11 is disposed on the right sleeve of the clothing C. This allows the first person Pa to operate the contact sensor 11 with his / her dominant hand. A pair of contact sensors 11 may be disposed on each of the left and right sleeves of the clothing C. Whether the first person Pa is right-handed or left-handed, the contact sensor 11 can be easily operated with the dominant hand.

[0016] The contact sensor 11 may have an auxiliary device 111. The auxiliary device 111 may include, for example, a voltage generating unit for applying a voltage to the electrodes of the contact sensor 11, a capacitance detecting unit for detecting the capacitance of the contact sensor 11, and a communication unit for communicating with the control unit 14. The communication between the communication unit and the control unit 14 may be either wired or wireless. The auxiliary device 111 may be disposed in, for example, a pocket PK of the clothing C. Here, the auxiliary device 111 is separate from the contact sensor 11, but the auxiliary device 111 may be integrated with the contact sensor 11.

[0017] The first information providing unit 12a is an information providing unit that provides the first person Pa with first information that assists in the operation of the contact sensor 11. The second information providing unit 12b is an information providing unit for providing the second person Pb with second information that calls the second person Pb. The first information providing unit 12a and the second information providing unit 12b are connected to the control unit 14 by wire or wirelessly, and provide information based on an instruction from the control unit 14.

[0018] The first information providing unit 12a and the second information providing unit 12b can be, for example, an image display device, an audio output device, or a combination thereof. Examples of the image display device include a liquid crystal display device and an EL (Electro Luminescence) display device. Examples of the audio output device include a speaker and an earphone. In this case, the first information providing unit 12a and the second information providing unit 12b provide first information and second information as information such as an image and audio.

[0019] The first information providing unit 12a and the second information providing unit 12b are preferably arranged in the area Ra and the area Rb where the first person Pa and the second person Pb are located, respectively. The storage unit 13 and the control unit 14 can be appropriately arranged in the area Ra, the area Rb, and other areas.

[0020] The storage unit 13 is configured from hardware resources that store information, such as a secondary storage device (for example, a flash memory, a hard disk, or an SSD (Solid State Drive)), and stores a table T that represents a correspondence between a plurality of positions on the contact surface 11a and a plurality of options. The table is information that represents, for example, a range of coordinates on the contact surface 11a and an option that corresponds to this range.

[0021] The control unit 14 is configured with, for example, a processor (for example, a CPU: Central Processing Unit). Note that, as the control unit 14 and the storage unit 13, a computer, for example, a personal computer (PC) or a server device may be used.

[0022] The control unit 14 executes a call process for calling the second person Pb by providing the second information from the second information providing unit 12b based on the operation of the first person Pa on the contact sensor 11. The control unit 14 can receive an option selected by the first person Pa based on the table T and the position on the contact surface 11a that the first person Pa touches, and execute a call method S10 described below.

[0023] The control unit 14 controls the first information providing unit 12a to provide information representing a correspondence between a plurality of positions on the contact surface 11a and a plurality of options as the first information. An example of the first information is an image in which a plurality of options are arranged. Data of this image may be stored in the storage unit 13 in advance, or may be generated by the control unit 14 based on the table T. By providing the first information, the first person Pa can easily select an option using the contact sensor 11.

[0024] (Call method S10) 2 is a flow diagram showing a calling method S10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The calling method S10 executes a reception process S11 and a calling process S13. The calling method S10 will be described in detail below.

[0025] (1) Reception process S11 The control unit 14 executes a plurality of reception processes S11. The first person Pa operates the contact sensor 11 to select an option. At this time, the control unit 14 controls the first information providing unit 12a to provide the first information and assist the first person Pa in selecting an option. The control unit 14 accepts the option selected by the first person Pa based on the table T and the position on the contact surface 11a that the first person Pa touches.

[0026] The reception process S11 is, for example, any one of the following first reception process, second reception process, and third reception process. The first reception process is a process for receiving a selection of a call process for calling a second person Pb based on a first operation of the first person Pa on the contact sensor 11. The second reception process is a process for receiving a selection of execution of the call process selected in the first reception process based on a second operation of the first person Pa on the contact sensor 11. The third reception process is a reception process for receiving a selection of a call reason for calling a second person Pb based on a third operation of the first person Pa on the contact sensor 11.

[0027] This reception process S11 can be repeated until "execution" (selection of) the call process is accepted (i.e., the second reception process) (step S12). For example, the first reception process and the third reception process may be performed before or after the second reception process. Also, the first reception process and the third reception process may be performed simultaneously. That is, the first reception process can also serve as the third reception process. For example, as described below, if the option selected in the first reception process represents both "call process" and "reason for calling", then the selection of this option corresponds to both the first operation and the third operation (the first reception process and the third reception process).

[0028] (2) Call processing S13 After the second reception process (YES in step S12), the control unit 14 executes the call process. The control unit 14 controls the second information providing unit 12b to provide second information for calling the second person Pb from the second information providing unit 12b by, for example, image information, audio information, or both. This second information preferably includes information on the reason for the call selected in the third reception process. The called second person Pb moves from the area Rb to the area Ra to check the condition of the first person Pa, take action, etc.

[0029] (Examples) Hereinafter, application examples of the paging system 1 in (1) medical care, nursing care, and (2) work sites will be described. For ease of understanding, the first information providing unit 12a and the second information providing unit 12b are assumed to be display devices that provide image information as information.

[0030] (1) Application to medical care and nursing care An example in which the paging system 1 is applied to medical care and nursing care will be described. A first person Pa is a person who is receiving medical care or nursing care, and is, for example, lying on a bed.

[0031] 3 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the first information provided by the first information providing unit 12a and the operation of the contact sensor 11. The first information providing unit 12a displays "Call", "Adjust Bed", "Confirm", and "Return" as options. The first information providing unit 12a displays the location on the contact surface 11a where the finger F of the first person Pa is in contact as a cursor AR.

[0032] "Call" is the first option for selecting a call process. "Bed Adjustment" is an option for selecting a call process for bed adjustment. "Bed Adjustment" is the first option for selecting "Call Process" and is also the third option for selecting "Reason for Call". "Confirm" is an option for confirming the selected option, and if "Call" or "Bed Adjustment" is selected, it functions as the second option for selecting execution of the call process. "Back" is an option for displaying other options not shown in the first information providing unit 12a.

[0033] The first person Pa can select "Call" or "Adjust Bed", and then select "Confirm" for the call. The control unit 14 accepts these selections and executes the call process. That is, the control unit 14 controls the second information providing unit 12b to provide second information for calling the second person. In this case, if "Adjust Bed" is selected, the second information includes information on "Adjust Bed".

[0034] After selecting "call", the first person Pa can select an option for the reason for calling. Information on the option for the reason for calling is provided by the first information providing unit 12a. For example, by setting as follows, "Decide" can be used as an option for providing information on the option for the reason for calling. That is, when "Call" is selected, if "Decide" is selected, the setting is made so that information on the option for the reason for calling is provided instead of executing the call process. Alternatively, a dedicated option for "reason for calling" for providing information on the option for the reason for calling may be displayed together with "Call" etc.

[0035] 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of information on options for the reason for calling provided by the first information providing unit 12a. The first information providing unit 12a displays the options as "physical abnormality," "falling off the bed," "excretion," "decision," and "return."

[0036] "Physical abnormality", "Falling out of bed", and "Excretion" are the third options for selecting the reason for the call. "Confirm" is an option for confirming the selected option. "Back" is an option for displaying other options that are not shown in the first information providing unit 12a.

[0037] The first person Pa can select the third option for selecting the reason for the call, and then select the second option for selecting execution of the call process. The control unit 14 executes the call process after accepting the selection of the third option. In this call process, the second information provided by the second information providing unit 12b includes information on the reason for the call selected in the third acceptance process (any of "physical abnormality," "falling off the bed," and "excretion").

[0038] (2) Application to the workplace An example in which the paging system 1 is applied to a work site will be described. It is assumed that a first person Pa and a second person Pb are a worker and a work supervisor, respectively.

[0039] It is assumed that the work site is divided into areas A1 to A3, B1 to B3, and C1 to C3, and that workers are working in each area. That is, it is assumed that a plurality of first persons Pa (workers) can call a second person Pb. It is assumed that there are a plurality of contact sensors 11 and first information providing units 12a in accordance with the plurality of first persons Pa. It is assumed that each of the plurality of first persons Pa wears clothing C having a contact sensor 11, and can receive information provided by the first information providing unit 12a.

[0040] 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of information of options provided by the first information providing unit 12a. The first information providing unit 12a displays "A1" to "A3", "B1" to "B3", "C1" to "C3", "Decidue", and "Back" as options.

[0041] "A1" to "C3" are first options for selecting a call process, and also serve as options for identifying the call location (areas A1 to C3). In other words, selecting "A1" means selecting a call to area A1. In this way, the call process options also serve as options for information accompanying the call process (here, the location to be called), making it easier for the first person Pa to quickly call the second person Pb. Also, the first information can be made common among the different areas A1 to C3.

[0042] "OK" is an option for finalizing the selected option, and if any of "A1" to "C3" is selected, it functions as a second option for selecting execution of the call process. "Back" is an option for displaying other options that are not shown on the first information providing unit 12a.

[0043] The first person Pa can select one of "A1" to "C3" based on the display contents of the first information providing unit 12a, and then select "OK" to call. The control unit 14 accepts these selections and executes the call process. That is, the control unit 14 controls the second information providing unit 12b to provide second information for calling the second person. In this case, if "A1" is selected, the second information includes information that the caller is in the area "A1".

[0044] The first person Pa can select an option of the calling reason after selecting "A1", for example. Information on the option of the calling reason is provided by the first information providing unit 12a. For example, an option dedicated to "calling reason" for providing information on the option of the calling reason is displayed together with "A1" and the like, and when "calling reason" is selected, information on the option of the calling reason is provided. Alternatively, when "OK" is selected after selecting "A1", information on the option of the calling reason may be provided instead of executing the calling process. In this case, "OK" shown in FIG. 5 does not function as a second option for selecting the execution of the calling process.

[0045] 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of information on options for the reason for calling provided by the first information providing unit 12a. The first information providing unit 12a displays the options "injury / emergency", "injury / minor injury", "equipment / abnormality", "equipment / maintenance", "decision", and "back".

[0046] "Injury - Emergency" indicates that one of the workers has been injured and requires emergency response. "Injury - Minor Injury" indicates that one of the workers has been injured, but the injury is relatively minor. "Equipment - Abnormality" indicates that an abnormality has occurred in the equipment. "Equipment - Maintenance" indicates that equipment maintenance is required. "Confirm" is an option for confirming the selected option. "Back" is an option for displaying other options that are not shown in the first information providing unit 12a.

[0047] The first person Pa can select the third option for selecting the reason for the call, and then select the second option for selecting execution of the call process. The control unit 14 executes the call process after accepting the selection of the third option. In this call process, the second information provided by the second information providing unit 12b includes information on the reason for the call selected in the third acceptance process (any of "injury / emergency", "injury / minor injury", "equipment / malfunction", and "equipment / maintenance").

[0048] 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the second information provided by the second information providing unit 12b. Here, in response to the selection of "injury emergency", the second information providing unit 12b displays "A2 emergency" to indicate that an injured person requiring emergency care has occurred in the area A2.

[0049] Here, the second information providing unit 12b displays options similar to those displayed by the first information providing unit 12a in Fig. 5, highlights the option that was selected and the call was executed, and also displays the reason for the call. That is, the second information providing unit 12b is used for both monitoring the operation state of the contact sensor 11 and the call process. In this way, if the second information providing unit 12b is able to monitor the operation state of the contact sensor 11, it becomes easy for the second person Pb to sense the situation of the first person Pa before the call process.

[0050] As described above, in the call system 1, the first person Pa can call the second person Pb by operating the contact sensor 11 based on the support from the first information providing unit 12a. The first person Pa can select a reason for calling and present the reason for calling at the time of calling.

[0051] [Note] The call system of aspect 1 is a call system for a first person to call a second person, comprising: a mutual capacitance type contact sensor having a fibrous conductor, which can be formed integrally with or attached to clothing worn by the first person, and which is operated by the first person; a first information providing unit for providing the first person with first information assisting in the operation of the contact sensor; a second information providing unit for providing the second person with second information for calling the second person; and a control unit that executes a call process to call the second person by providing the second information from the second information providing unit based on the first person's operation of the contact sensor.

[0052] In the call system 1 of the first aspect, a first person Pa can call a second person Pb by operating the contact sensor 11 based on support from a first information providing unit 12a.

[0053] The call system of aspect 2 is the call system of aspect 1, in which the control unit executes a first reception process that accepts a selection of the call process based on a first operation of the first person on the contact sensor, and a second reception process that accepts a selection of execution of the call process selected in the first reception process based on a second operation of the first person on the contact sensor, and then executes the call process.

[0054] In the call system 1 of the second aspect, the first person Pa can select a call process and then select to execute the selected call process, thereby reducing the occurrence of erroneous call processes.

[0055] The call system of aspect 3 is the call system of aspect 2, wherein the contact sensor has a contact surface that can be directly or indirectly contacted by the first person, and the call system includes a memory unit that stores a table that corresponds multiple positions on the contact surface with multiple options, the multiple options including a first option for selecting the call process and a second option for selecting execution of the call process, and the control unit executes the first reception process and the second reception process based on the position on the contact surface contacted by the first person and the table.

[0056] In the call system 1 of aspect 3, based on a table T that represents a correspondence between a plurality of positions on the contact surface 11a of the contact sensor 11 and a plurality of options, the control unit 14 can accept the selection of a first option for selecting a call process and a second option for selecting the execution of the call process.

[0057] The call system of aspect 4 is the call system of either aspect 2 or 3, wherein the control unit executes a third reception process that accepts a selection of a call reason for calling the second person based on a third operation of the first person on the contact sensor, and then executes the call process, and the second information provided in the call process includes information on the call reason selected in the third reception process.

[0058] In the calling system 1 of the fourth embodiment, the first person Pa can select a calling reason for calling the second person Pb, and can present the selected calling reason when calling the second person Pb.

[0059] The call system of aspect 5 is the call system of any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the contact sensor is attached to at least one of the left sleeve and the right sleeve of the clothing, or is formed integrally with at least one of the left sleeve and the right sleeve of the clothing.

[0060] In the paging system 1 of the fifth aspect, the first person Pa can use his / her dominant hand to operate the contact sensor arranged on the sleeve opposite his / her dominant hand. By wearing clothing in which the contact sensor is arranged on the sleeve opposite his / her dominant hand, the first person Pa can easily operate the contact sensor 11 with his / her dominant hand. Furthermore, by using clothing C in which the contact sensor 11 is arranged on both the left and right sleeves, the first person Pa can easily operate the contact sensor 11 with his / her dominant hand, regardless of whether his / her dominant hand is left or right.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 system, 11 contact sensor, 11a contact surface, 111 auxiliary device, 12a first information providing unit, 12b second information providing unit, 13 memory unit, 14 control unit, Pa first person, Pb second person

Claims

1. 1. A calling system for a first person to call a second person, comprising: a mutual capacitance type contact sensor having a fibrous conductor, the contact sensor being integral with or attachable to a garment worn by the first person, and operable by the first person; a first information providing unit for providing the first person with first information for assisting the first person in operating the contact sensor; a second information providing unit for providing the second person with second information for calling the second person; a control unit that executes a call process to call the second person by providing the second information from the second information providing unit based on an operation of the first person on the contact sensor; A paging system comprising:

2. The control unit is a first reception process for receiving a selection of the call process based on a first operation by the first person on the contact sensor; a second reception process for receiving a selection of execution of the call process selected in the first reception process based on a second operation of the first person on the contact sensor, and then The calling system according to claim 1 , which executes the call processing.

3. the contact sensor has a contact surface that can be directly or indirectly touched by the first person; the call system includes a storage unit that stores a table that indicates a correspondence between a plurality of positions on the contact surface and a plurality of options; the plurality of options includes a first option for selecting the call processing and a second option for selecting execution of the call processing; the control unit executes the first reception process and the second reception process based on the position on the contact surface touched by the first person and the table. The paging system according to claim 2.

4. The control unit is executing a third reception process for receiving a selection of a reason for calling the second person based on a third operation of the first person on the contact sensor, and then executing the call process; 4. The calling system according to claim 2, wherein the second information provided in the calling process includes information on a reason for the calling selected in the third receiving process.

5. The contact sensor is attached to at least one of a left sleeve and a right sleeve of the garment, or is integrally formed with at least one of a left sleeve and a right sleeve of the garment. A paging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images