Bathroom monitoring system

Abstract

To provide a bathroom monitoring system which is less susceptible to malfunctioning and is capable of sensing whether a bather is drowning in a bathtub or not using a simple configuration.SOLUTION: Movement of a bather A in and out of a bathtub is detected by bathtub entry / exit detection means 10, 20 of a bathroom monitoring system 9. Propagation failure of a projected detection wave L1 is detected by bathtub-side detection means 10 installed on bathroom walls 4a, 4b above the bathtub 3. When entry of the bather into the bathtub is detected by the bathtub entry / exit detection means 10, 20, a drowning determination unit 31 determines whether the bather is drowning or not based on detection information from the bathtub-side detection means 20 until the bather moving out of the bathtub is detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for monitoring a bather in a bathroom, and particularly to a bathroom monitoring system for monitoring the presence or absence of drowning of a bather.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the proportion of accidental deaths in the bathtub among accidental deaths in the house is high. In the caregiving field, the caregiver often monitors the care recipient while bathing, but human monitoring has limitations in terms of time and labor. Therefore, a system for monitoring the care recipient while bathing using sensors and the like has been intensively studied.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, a system has been proposed in which a human presence sensor composed of a pyroelectric infrared sensor detects the presence or absence of a person in the bathroom and is used for makeup water control. In Patent Document 2, by combining two-dimensional temperature distribution data in the bathroom by an array type infrared sensor including a plurality of pyroelectric infrared elements and two-dimensional image data by a visible light camera, the position, movement, body contour, etc. of the bather are detected, and a system for determining the presence or absence of abnormality of the bather has been proposed. In Patent Document 3, a system has been proposed in which a bather is monitored by a heart rate sensor, a pyroelectric infrared sensor, a water level sensor, etc., and when it is determined that the bather is drowning, a calling voice is reported, and further, the drain plug is opened to drain the bathtub water.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The human presence sensor composed of an infrared pyroelectric sensor is sensitive to infrared rays emitted from the human body and other warm objects. Therefore, the detection accuracy decreases when the bathroom temperature is high, and there is a risk of false detection due to the influence of steam and showers. In addition, combining two-dimensional temperature distribution data and image data not only complicates data processing but may also cause psychological stress to the bather. Furthermore, using multiple types of sensors such as a heart rate sensor, an infrared pyroelectric sensor, and a water level sensor together will complicate the system and lead to cost increases. In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a bathroom monitoring system that has a low risk of malfunction and can detect whether a bather is drowning in a bathtub with a simple configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention is a system for monitoring a bather in a bathroom, A system for monitoring a bather in a bathroom, Entry / exit detection means for detecting the entry and exit of the bather, Bathtub-side detection means disposed on the bathroom wall portion above the bathtub for detecting an obstacle to the propagation of the projected detection wave, A drowning determination unit that determines the presence or absence of drowning based on the detection information by the bathtub-side detection means from the time when entry into the bathtub is detected by the entry / exit detection means until exit from the bathtub is detected, characterized by comprising the above.

[0007] When a bather or the like exists on the propagation axis of the detection wave of the bathtub-side detection means, an obstacle to the propagation of the detection wave is detected. When there is no shielding body such as a bather on the propagation axis, no obstacle to the propagation of the detection wave is detected. Since it detects the presence or absence of an obstacle to the propagation of the detection wave, compared with the case of using an infrared pyroelectric sensor as the detection means, the influence of hot water vapor, temperature, etc. is small, and the risk of malfunction is small. By arranging the bathtub-side detection means on the bathroom wall part above the bathtub, when the bather is taking a normal bath in the bathtub, the detection wave of the bathtub-side detection means is affected by the bather and suffers from propagation interference. On the other hand, when the bather is drowning, the propagation interference of the detection wave of the bathtub-side detection means disappears. Therefore, according to the bathroom monitoring system, it is possible to detect whether the bather is drowning in the bathtub with a simple configuration using the propagation interference detection means of the detection wave. The detection wave is preferably a light wave (detection light), and more preferably an infrared ray. The bathtub-side detection means preferably includes an infrared ray blocking type sensor that projects infrared rays and detects whether they are blocked. The detection of the presence or absence of propagation interference may include, in addition to detecting the presence or absence of blocking of the detection wave such as detection light, detecting the degree of attenuation of the detection wave and determining whether the degree of attenuation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Attenuation includes a decrease in light quantity, shielding, absorption, scattering, reflection, etc.

[0008] Preferably, when the drowning determination unit detects no propagation interference by the bathtub-side detection means after the detection of the entry into the bathtub by the entry / exit detection means and before the detection of the exit from the bathtub, it determines that the bather is drowning. Thereby, it is possible to detect the drowning of the bather.

[0009] Preferably, when the drowning determination unit detects no propagation interference by the bathtub-side detection means after the detection of the entry into the bathtub by the entry / exit detection means and before the detection of the exit from the bathtub, and this state continues for a certain drowning determination time, it determines that the bather is drowning. Thereby, it is possible to detect the drowning of the bather. The drowning determination time is, for example, about 3 seconds.

[0010] Preferably, the bathroom monitoring system further includes a safety confirmation means that performs a safety confirmation process including reporting when the bathtub-side detection means continuously detects propagation interference for a first predetermined time or more after the detection of the entry into the bathtub. Thereby, when the bather stays in the bathtub for a long time, it is possible to perform a safety confirmation. The first predetermined time is, for example, about 10 minutes.

[0011] Preferably, the bathtub-side detection means includes a plurality of wave transmitting and receiving means arranged at intervals in the short side direction of the bathtub, and each wave transmitting and receiving means has a wave transmitting section for projecting the detection wave and a wave receiving section for receiving the detection wave facing the wave transmitting section in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub. As a result, the detection range of the bathtub-side detection means extends in the short side direction of the bathtub, and it is possible to detect a bather in the bathtub under normal conditions regardless of the physique, posture, or movement of the bather in the bathtub. Moreover, false determination of drowning can be prevented. The number of the wave transmitting and receiving means of the bathtub-side detection means is preferably several to a dozen or so, and more preferably about 8. The interval between adjacent wave transmitting and receiving means of the bathtub-side detection means is set so that detection omission of a bather during bathing does not occur, and is preferably several cm to a dozen or so cm, and more preferably about 5 cm.

[0012] Preferably, after the determination of entering the bathtub, when a propagation failure is detected in at least a part of the plurality of wave transmitting and receiving means in the bathtub-side detection means, and the presence or absence state of the detection of the propagation failure in each of the plurality of wave transmitting and receiving means continues for a second predetermined time or more, the bathroom monitoring system further includes safety confirmation means for performing a safety confirmation process including reporting. As a result, when the bather does not move for a long time in the bathtub, this can be detected and a safety confirmation can be performed. The second predetermined time is, for example, about 5 minutes.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, there is little risk of malfunction, and it is possible to detect whether a bather is drowning in the bathtub with a simple configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment (Figs. 1 to 6)> Figures 1 and 2 show a bathroom 1 in a house, a nursing facility, etc. A bathroom monitoring system 9 for watching over a bather A is provided in the bathroom 1. The bathroom monitoring system 9 includes two systems of detection means 10 and 20 and a processing device 30.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), two systems of detection means 10 and 20 are provided on the bathroom wall 4. As shown in FIG. 4, these detection means 10 and 20 are each composed of a module of a detection light interruption type photosensor that detects the interruption (propagation obstacle) of the detected light L1 and L2 (detection wave) projected (projected). The detected lights L1 and L2 are preferably infrared rays. Each detection means 10 and 20 is preferably composed of a module of an infrared ray interruption type sensor.

[0017] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, bathtub side detection means 10 is provided on the bathroom wall portions 4a and 4b above the bathtub 3 in the bathroom 4. The bathtub side detection means 10 includes a plurality (here, eight) of light transmitting and receiving means 11 (light transmitting and receiving wave means), a main unit unit 14 and a sub-unit unit 15 that house these light transmitting and receiving means 11. Each light transmitting and receiving means 11 has a light projecting portion 12 (light projecting wave portion) and a light receiving portion 13 (light receiving wave portion). As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the light projecting portion 12 and the light receiving portion 13 are separately housed in the main unit unit 14 and the sub-unit unit 15. For each light transmitting and receiving means 11, the light projecting portion 12 is housed in either the main unit unit 14 or the sub-unit unit 15, and the light receiving portion 13 is housed in the other of the main unit unit 14 and the sub-unit unit 15.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the main unit unit 14 and the sub-unit unit 15 are each formed in an elongated box shape extending along the short side direction (left and right direction in FIG. 3) of the bathtub 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the main unit unit 14 and the sub-unit unit 15 are arranged so as to face each other in the longitudinal direction (up and down direction in FIG. 1) of the bathtub 3. As a result, the light projecting portion 12 and the light receiving portion 13 of each light transmitting and receiving means 11 face each other straight horizontally in the longitudinal direction (up and down in FIG. 1) of the bathtub 3 with the bathtub 3 interposed therebetween in a plan projection view. In addition, in FIGS. 3 and 4, for the convenience of drawing, in order to distinguish the light projecting portion 12 and the light receiving portion 13, the light receiving portion 13 is shown with a shaded pattern.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3(a), in the main unit unit 14, the light projecting portion 12 and the light receiving portion 13 are alternately arranged in the extending direction of the main unit unit 14 (left and right direction in FIG. 3(a)). As shown in FIG. 3(b), in the sub-unit unit 15, the light receiving portion 13 and the light projecting portion 12 are alternately arranged in the extending direction of the sub-unit unit 15 (left and right direction in FIG. 3(b)). As a result, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a plurality (here, eight) of light transmitting and receiving means 11 are arranged at intervals in the short side direction (left and right direction in FIG. 2) of the bathtub 3.

[0020] Note that the arrangement order of the light emitting unit 12 and the light receiving unit 13 in each unit 14, 15 does not necessarily have to be alternating, and may be irregular. Only one of the light emitting unit 12 and the light receiving unit 13 may be accommodated in the master unit 14, and only the other of the light emitting unit 12 and the light receiving unit 13 may be accommodated in the slave unit 15.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the master unit 14 of the bathtub side detection means 10 is disposed on the upper bathroom wall portion 4a of the bathtub 3 on the side (the upper side in FIG. 1) facing the bathroom door 5, for example, on the bathroom wall 4. The slave unit 15 is disposed on the upper bathroom wall portion 4b of the bathtub 3 on the side of the bathroom door 5 (the lower side in FIG. 1), for example, on the bathroom wall 4.

[0022] Note that the master unit 14 may be provided on the bathroom wall portion 4b on the bathroom door 5 side, and the slave unit 15 may be provided on the bathroom wall portion 4a on the side facing the bathroom door 5. Further, the bathroom door 5 may be provided on the washbasin side wall portion 4c that intersects the bathroom wall portions 4a, 4b. Each unit 14, 15 protrudes from the inner wall surface of the bathroom wall portions 4a, 4b, but may be embedded in the bathroom wall portions 4a, 4b, and the front surface of the units 14, 15 and the inner wall surface of the bathroom wall portions 4a, 4b may be flush.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, an optical axis L11 (propagation axis) is formed so as to connect the light projecting portion 12 and the light receiving portion 13 of each light projecting and receiving means 11. The optical axis L11 extends in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub 3. The light projecting portion 12 projects the detection light L1 along the optical axis L11, and this is received by the light receiving portion 13. The projection frequency of the detection light L1 is, for example, several times to several hundred times (preferably about 10 times per 100 ms) per several tens of ms to several hundred ms. When preferably 80 to 90% of the detection light L1 is blocked and not received, the bathtub side detection means 10 acquires detection information of light blocking (propagation failure). The effective detection distance of each light projecting and receiving means 11 (the maximum separation distance between the light projecting portion 12 and the light receiving portion 13 that can effectively detect the transmission and blocking of the detection light L1) is preferably larger than the longitudinal size of the bathroom 1 (for example, about 1.6 meters to 2 meters). Thereby, it is possible to reduce the sensitivity degradation due to the bathroom environment such as water droplets, showers, steam, and temperature adhering to the light projecting and receiving means 21.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the height H from the upper end of the bathtub 3 to the bathtub side detection means 10 and thus to the optical axis L11 10 is set to a height at which the bather A during normal bathing in the bathtub 3 can be detected regardless of the build and posture, and preferably H 10 = several cm to several tens of cm, and more preferably H 10 = about 150 mm.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality (here, eight) of optical axes L11 by a plurality of light projecting and receiving means 11 are formed in parallel at intervals in the short side direction of the bathtub 3. The arrangement interval of the light projecting and receiving means 11, that is, the pitch P of the optical axis L11 11 is set to an interval at which the bather A during normal bathing in the bathtub 3 can be detected by at least one (preferably two) light projecting and receiving means 11 regardless of the build, posture, and position, and preferably P 11 = several cm to a dozen or so cm, and more preferably P 11 = about 50 mm. Thereby, by making the pitch of the optical axis L11 smaller than the head width of the small-sized bather A2 (minimum adult human body), for example, the head of the bather A during bathing can be monitored at two or more points.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3(a), further, the master unit 14 is provided with a response switch 16 and a stop switch 17. The response switch 16 is a switch for the bather A to respond to the call for confirmation of safety from the bathroom monitoring system 9.

[0027] The stop switch 17 is a switch for stopping the monitoring function such as confirmation of safety of the bathroom monitoring system 9. For example, when cleaning the bathroom 1 or when a person who does not need to be monitored takes a bath, by pressing the stop switch 17, the reporting by the system 9 can be stopped. Preferably, by providing the response switch 16 and the stop switch 17 apart from each other, misoperation of the switches can be prevented.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 2, more preferably, the response switch 16 is arranged at the end on the side opposite to the washbasin 2 side (the left side in Fig. 2) in the master unit 14. Thus, the response switch 16 can be arranged in front of the bather A during bathing. The stop switch 17 is arranged at the end on the washbasin 2 side (the right side in Fig. 2) in the master unit 14. Thus, it is easy for a person during cleaning or a person who does not need to be monitored to press. As shown in Fig. 3(b), these switches 16 and 17 are not provided in the slave unit 15.

[0029] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, on the bathroom wall portions 4a and 4b on the washbasin 2 side (the right side in Fig. 1) from the bathtub side detection means 10, washbasin side detection means 20 are arranged. The washbasin side detection means 20 is a sensor unit that detects whether the projected detection light is blocked, and includes a plurality of light transmitting and receiving means 21 (light transmitting and receiving wave means), and the master unit 24 and the slave unit 25 that house these light transmitting and receiving means 21. Preferably, the number of the light transmitting and receiving means 21 is less than the number of the light transmitting and receiving means 11 of the bathtub side detection means 10, for example, two.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 4, each light transmitting and receiving means 21 has a light transmitting section 22 (wave transmitting section) and a light receiving section 23 (wave receiving section). As shown in Figs. 3(a) and 3(b), the light transmitting section 22 and the light receiving section 23 are separately housed in the main unit unit 24 and the sub-unit unit 25. For each light transmitting and receiving means 21, the light transmitting section 22 is housed in either the main unit unit 24 or the sub-unit unit 25, and the light receiving section 12 is housed in the other of the main unit unit 24 and the sub-unit unit 25.

[0031] As shown in Figs. 3(a) and 3(b), the main unit unit 24 and the sub-unit unit 25 are each formed in a rectangular box shape. As shown in Fig. 3(a), the main unit unit 24 is arranged on the bathroom wall portion 4a on the same side as the main unit unit 14 of the bathtub side detection means 10, on the side of the washing area 2 (right side in Fig. 3(a)) from the main unit unit 14. Further, as shown in Fig. 3(b), the sub-unit unit 25 is arranged on the bathroom wall portion 4b on the same side as the sub-unit unit 15 of the bathtub side detection means 10, on the side of the washing area 2 (left side in Fig. 3(b)) from the sub-unit unit 15. In each unit 24, 25, the light transmitting sections 22 and the light receiving sections 23 of two light transmitting and receiving means 21 are arranged side by side and housed. Note that only one of the light transmitting section 22 and the light receiving section 23 may be housed in the main unit unit 24, and only the other of the light transmitting section 22 and the light receiving section 23 may be housed in the sub-unit unit 25.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 1, the main unit unit 24 and the sub-unit unit 25 are arranged so as to face each other in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub 3 (vertical direction in Fig. 1). As a result, as shown in Fig. 4, the light transmitting section 22 and the light receiving section 23 of each light transmitting and receiving means 21 face each other straight horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub 3 (vertical in Fig. 4). Note that in Figs. 3 and 4, for the convenience of drawing, in order to distinguish the light transmitting section 22 and the light receiving section 23, the light receiving section 23 is illustrated with a shaded pattern.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 4, an optical axis L21 (propagation axis) is formed so as to connect the light projecting part 22 and the light receiving part 23 of each light projecting / receiving means 21. The optical axis L21 extends in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub 3. The light projecting part 22 projects the detection light L2 along the optical axis L21, and this is received by the light receiving part 23. The light projection frequency of the detection light L2 is, for example, several times to several hundreds of times (preferably about 10 times per 100 ms) per several tens of ms to several hundreds of ms. When preferably 80% to 90% of the detection light L2 is blocked and not received, the detection means 20 on the washroom side acquires detection information of light blocking (propagation failure). The effective detection distance of each light projecting / receiving means 21 (the maximum separation distance between the light projecting part 22 and the light receiving part 23 that can effectively detect the transmission and blocking of the detection light L2) is preferably larger than the longitudinal size of the bathroom 1 (for example, about 1.6 meters to 2 meters). Thereby, it is possible to reduce the sensitivity degradation due to water droplets, showers, steam, temperature, and other bathroom environments adhering to the light projecting / receiving means 21.

[0034] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, two (a plurality of) light projecting / receiving means 21 are arranged at intervals in the short side direction of the bathtub 3 (the left-right direction in Fig. 1). Thereby, as shown in Fig. 4, two (a plurality of) optical axes L21 are formed in parallel at intervals in the short side direction of the bathtub 3. The arrangement interval of the light projecting / receiving means 21, that is, the interval P between the optical axes L21 21 is set to an interval capable of detecting the entering and exiting operation of the bather A, and preferably P 21 = several cm to a dozen or so cm, and more preferably P 21 = about 50 mm.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 3, preferably, the light projection surface (projection surface) 22a of the light projecting part 22 of the detection means 20 on the washroom side is smaller than the light projection surface (projection surface) 12a of the light projecting part 12 of the detection means 10 on the bathtub side. Thereby, the degree of freedom in the arrangement location of the detection means 20 on the washroom side can be increased. Also, unnecessary detection in the washroom 2 can be reduced.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, preferably, the units 24, 25 and thus the washing area side detection means 20 are arranged near the washing area side frame 3a of the bathtub 3 on the bathroom wall portions 4a, 4b. Thereby, interference with the bathroom door 5 can be avoided. As shown in FIG. 2, more preferably, the washing area side detection means 20 is arranged at a slightly higher position (about several cm to several tens of cm) than the bathtub side detection means 10. Note that the arrangement height of the washing area side detection means 20 is preferably set to a height at which the detection light L2 is not easily blocked even when the bather A in the bathtub 3 tilts the body toward the washing area 2 side or raises the arm, and more preferably, is set to a height at which the detection light L2 is not blocked by the auxiliary equipment 6 for getting in and out of the bathtub such as a handrail or a transfer platform installed on the washing area side frame 3a. As shown in FIG. 1, the units 24, 25 of the washing area side detection means 20 overlap with the washing area side ends of the units 14, 15 of the bathtub side detection means 10 in a plan view projection.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the units 24, 25 protrude from the inner wall surfaces of the bathroom wall portions 4a, 4b, but may be embedded in the bathroom wall portions 4a, 4b, and the front surfaces of the units 24, 25 and the inner wall surfaces of the bathroom wall portions 4a, 4b may be flush.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, the processing device 30 is constituted by a controller including a microcomputer, a communication circuit, a drive circuit, a power supply circuit, etc. (not shown), and functions as a determination unit 31, a safety confirmation means 32, and a drowning countermeasure means 33. The determination unit 31 performs a determination of the bather A getting into the bathtub, getting out of the bathtub, a long-term safety determination, a low-movement safety determination, and a drowning safety determination based on the detection information by the detection means 10, 20. Note that the determination unit 31 may be built in the detection means 10, 20. The detection means 10, 20 may have a determination function. The safety confirmation means 32 performs a safety confirmation process including sending a safety confirmation inquiry according to the safety determination of the determination unit 31. When the determination unit 31 determines that the bather A in the bathtub 3 is in a drowning state, the drowning countermeasure means 33 performs a drowning countermeasure process such as sending an alarm and draining water from the bathtub 3.

[0039] As illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the bathroom monitoring system 9 operates as follows. Each of the detection means 10 and 20 constantly projects detection lights L1 and L2 and detects the presence or absence of interruption (step 100). When there is no person such as bather A or a bath assisting person (not shown) in the bathroom 1, or even when there is a person but they are washing their body in the wash area 2, not only the bathtub-side detection means 10 but also the wash area-side detection means 20 allows the detection light L2 projected from the light projecting unit 22 to pass through without being interrupted and be received by the light receiving unit 23. Therefore, detection of light transmission is detected by both detection means 10 and 20, and detection of light interruption is not detected.

[0040] In the detection means 10 and 20 of the light interruption type, when a shielding body such as a bather exists on the optical axes L11 and L21, detection of light interruption is detected. When there is no shielding body such as a bather on the optical axes L11 and L21, detection of light interruption is not detected. Therefore, the detection means 10 and 20 of the light interruption type have a low risk of malfunction due to steam, temperature, shower, etc.

[0041] Depending on the movement of bather A or the bath assisting person when washing their body in the wash area 2, the detection light L2 of the wash area-side detection means 20 may be interrupted. However, subsequent interruption of the detection light L1 of the bathtub-side detection means 10 cannot occur unless the bathtub entry operation described later is performed, so bathtub entry determination is not made.

[0042] <Bathtub entry determination> When bather A performs the operation of entering the bathtub 3, it is inevitable that the bather A straddles above the bathtub-side frame 3a of the washing area of the bathtub 3 from the washing area 2 side to the bathtub 3 side. At this time, the bather A crosses the optical axis L21. As a result, the detection information of the interruption of the detection light is obtained by the washing area side detection means 20 (step 101). By arranging the washing area side detection means 20 on the bathroom wall portions 4a and 4b near the bathtub-side frame 3a of the bathtub 3, it is possible to cross the optical axis L21 during the operation of the bather A entering the bathtub, and it is possible to block the detection light L2. Further, if the bather A crosses any one of the two (plural) optical axes L21 of the washing area side detection means 20, the detection information of the interruption of the detection light can be obtained by the washing area side detection means 20. Thus, the operation of entering the bathtub can be detected.

[0043] After the determination unit 31 obtains the detection information of the interruption of the detection light by the washing area side detection means 20, the determination unit 31 checks whether the interruption of the detection light by the bathtub side detection means 10 is detected (step 102). Considering the time required to enter the bathtub from the washing area 2 to the bathtub 3, the determination unit 31 may check whether the interruption of the detection light by the bathtub side detection means 10 is detected, for example, after 10 seconds to 1 minute have elapsed since the interruption of the detection light by the washing area side detection means 20 was detected. Thus, it is possible to avoid determining that it is an operation of entering the bathtub due to a movement that is not an operation of entering the bathtub.

[0044] When the bather A enters the bathtub 3, the detection light L1 of the bathtub side detection means 10 is blocked by the bather A, and the detection information of the interruption of the detection light is continuously obtained by the bathtub side detection means 10. In response to this, the determination unit 31 determines that the bather has entered the bathtub (step 103). That is, when the bathtub side detection means 10 starts to detect the interruption of the detection light following the detection of the interruption of the detection light by the washing area side detection means 20, the determination unit 31 determines that the bather has entered the bathtub. Preferably, when the interruption of the detection light continues for a predetermined time of several seconds or less (preferably 0.5 seconds to 2 seconds, more preferably about 1 second) in the bathtub side detection means 10, the determination unit 31 determines that the bather has entered the bathtub (is bathing). Thus, it is possible to prevent confusion with the operation of getting out of the bathtub. More preferably, if at least one of the eight (plural) detection lights L1 of the bathtub side detection means 10 is blocked by the bather A, it is determined that the bather has entered the bathtub. Note that, regardless of whether or not the detection light of the washing area side detection means 20 is blocked, when the detection light of the bathtub side detection means 10 is continuously blocked for a predetermined time of several seconds or more (for example, 10 seconds or more), the determination unit 31 may determine that a person has entered the bathtub (is taking a bath).

[0045] By arranging the bathtub side detection means 10 at a predetermined height H above the bathtub 3 10 it is possible to block the detection light L1 by the bather A in the bathtub 3 during normal times (when not drowning), and the bather A can be detected. Since the bathtub side detection means 10 has eight (a plurality of) optical axes L11 and the detection range extends over a wide range of the bathtub 3, the bather A in the bathtub 3 during normal times (when not drowning) can be detected regardless of the build of the bather A, the posture and movement in the bathtub. This can avoid misjudging as drowning when the bather A is taking a normal bath.

[0046] After determining that a person has entered the bathtub, the determination unit 31 performs a determination of exiting the bathtub and a determination of safety. <Determination of exiting the bathtub> Specifically, after determining that a person has entered the bathtub, the determination unit 31 checks whether or not the detection of the blocking of the detection light by the washing area side detection means 20 is detected (step 110). When the bather A performs an operation of exiting the bathtub 3, the bather A inevitably straddles from the bathtub 3 side to the washing area 2 above the bathtub side frame 3a of the bathtub 3. At this time, since the bather A crosses the optical axis L21 of the washing area side detection means 20, detection information on the blocking of the detection light is acquired by the washing area side detection means 20. By arranging the washing area side detection means 20 on the bathroom wall portions 4a, 4b near the bathtub side frame 3a of the bathtub 3, it is possible to cross the optical axis L21 during the operation of the bather A exiting the bathtub, and it is possible to block the detection light L2. Further, if the bather A crosses any one of the two (a plurality of) optical axes L21 of the washing area side detection means 20, it is possible to acquire detection information on the blocking of the detection light by the washing area side detection means 20. Thus, the operation of exiting the bathtub can be detected.

[0047] After detecting the blocking of the detection light by the washing area side detection means 20, the determination unit 31 checks whether or not the detection light is blocked in both detection means 10 and 20 (step 111). After bather A moves to the washing area 2, both the bathtub-side detection means 10 and the washing area-side detection means 20 no longer detect the interruption of the detection light. In response to this, the determination unit 31 determines that the bather has exited the bathtub (step 112). That is, after the determination of entry into the bathtub, when the washing area-side detection means 20 detects the interruption of the detection light and then both the bathtub-side detection means 10 and the washing area-side detection means 20 no longer detect the interruption of the detection light, the determination unit 31 determines that the bather has exited the bathtub. The bathtub-side detection means 10 and the washing area-side detection means 20 constitute the entry / exit detection means. Note that the pattern of the exit determination is not necessarily limited to the pattern in which, immediately after the washing area-side detection means 20 detects the interruption of the detection light, both the detection means 10 and 20 no longer detect the interruption of the detection light. Even when the bathtub-side detection means 10 detects the interruption of the detection light after the washing area-side detection means 20 detects the interruption of the detection light, and then both the detection means 10 and 20 no longer detect the interruption of the detection light, it is determined that the bather has exited the bathtub. Also, when both the detection means 10 and 20 no longer detect the interruption of the detection light between the determination of entry into the bathtub and the determination of exit from the bathtub, if the washing area-side detection means 20 detects the interruption of the detection light within, for example, about 3 seconds from that point until the drowning determination time elapses, and then both the detection means 10 and 20 no longer detect the interruption of the detection light, it is determined that the bather has exited the bathtub.

[0048] On the other hand, if the detection light L2 of the washing area-side detection means 20 is blocked by the actions of the bathing assistant or the bather himself / herself in the washing area 2 while bather A is still bathing in the bathtub 3, the bathtub-side detection means 10 continues to obtain the detection information of the interruption of the detection light by the bather A in the bathtub 3 thereafter. Therefore, the determination unit 31 does not determine that the bather has exited the bathtub. In short, the determination unit 31 preferably gives priority to the detection information by the bathtub-side detection means 10 among the detection means 10 and 20 for determination.

[0049] Since the detection means 20 on the washing area side is arranged at a higher position than the detection means 10 on the bathtub side, even in cases other than the operation of the bather A getting out of the bathtub 3, for example, when the bather A is bathing in a posture biased towards the washing area 2 side in the bathtub 3, raising the arm and putting it out towards the washing area 2 side, or tilting the body towards the washing area 2 side, etc., the detection light L2 can be prevented from being blocked as much as possible. Also, even if the build of the bather A1 in the bathtub 3 is large, the detection light L2 can be prevented from being blocked. Further, even if an auxiliary device 6 for getting in and out of the bathtub such as a climbing handrail or a transfer platform is installed on the washing area side frame 3a of the bathtub 3, the optical axis L21 can be prevented from interfering with the auxiliary device for getting in and out of the bathtub. Thereby, it is possible to prevent false determination. For example, it is possible to prevent misjudging that the bather has gotten out of the bathtub when the bather A drowns from a bathing posture biased towards the washing area 2 side in the bathtub 3.

[0050] <Safety determination> After determining the entry into the bathtub, the determination unit 31 performs a long bath safety determination 120, a lack of movement safety determination 130, and a drowning safety determination 140 until the determination of getting out of the bathtub. The execution order of these safety determinations 120, 130, 140 is not limited to the order shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 and can be arbitrarily set. A plurality of types of safety determinations 120, 130, 140 may be performed simultaneously.

[0051] <Long bath safety determination> As shown in FIG. 6(a), in the long bath safety determination, it is determined whether the detection means 10 on the bathtub side has detected the interruption of the detection light continuously for a first predetermined time or more (step 121). The first predetermined time is, for example, less than 10 minutes to several tens of minutes, preferably about 10 minutes. During the long bath safety determination, even if the interruption state of one of the detection lights L1 of the detection means 10 on the bathtub side is interrupted, if another detection light L1 is interrupted at that time, it is assumed that the detection light interruption state continues for the entire detection means 10 on the bathtub side. Thereby, even if the bather A moves in the bathtub 3 and another detection light L1 is interrupted, the long bath safety determination continues.

[0052] When the determination unit 31 determines that the detection light blocking state of the bathtub-side detection means 10 has continued for a first predetermined time or longer, the safety confirmation means 32 issues a safety confirmation inquiry (step 122). Thus, when the bather A has been taking a bath for a long time, safety confirmation can be performed.

[0053] Upon receiving the report, when the bather A presses the response switch 16, it can be confirmed that there is no abnormality in the bather A. Instead of pressing the response switch 16, safety confirmation may be obtained by the bather A's voice or the like. If no operation such as pressing the response switch 16 has occurred even after a certain time has elapsed since the start of reporting the safety confirmation for long bathing, the safety confirmation means 32 may issue an alarm or notify a related person of a message.

[0054] <Inactivity safety determination> As shown in FIG. 6(b), in the inactivity safety determination, when at least a part of the detection light L1 of the bathtub-side detection means 10 is blocked, it is determined whether or not the blocking state or non-blocking (transmission) state of each of the eight (a plurality of) detection lights L1 has continued for a second predetermined time or longer (step 131). The fact that the blocking or transmission state of each detection light L1 is constant without change means that the bather A taking a bath in the bathtub 3 is in an inactive state (including a motionless state). The second predetermined time is, for example, several minutes to ten-odd minutes, preferably about 5 minutes.

[0055] When the determination unit 31 determines that the blocking or transmission state of each detection light L1 has continued for a second predetermined time or longer, the safety confirmation means 32 issues a safety confirmation inquiry (step 132). Thus, when the bather A is in an inactive state, safety confirmation can be performed.

[0056] Upon receiving the report, when the bather A presses the response switch 16, it can be confirmed that there is no abnormality in the bather A. Pressing the response switch 16 located at a position away from the body position in the normal bathing posture becomes one indicator that the health state of the bather A is safe. Instead of pressing the response switch 16, the safety check may be performed by the voice of bather A or by detecting the movement of bather A by the bathtub side detection means 10. If no operation such as pressing the response switch 16 is detected even after a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of reporting the safety check in the immobile state, the safety confirmation means 32 may issue an alarm or notify a related person with a message. Furthermore, the automatic opening and closing drain plug of the bathtub 3 may be opened to drain water from the bathtub 3.

[0057] <Drowning safety determination> As shown in Fig. 6(c), further, when the entrance / exit detection means 10 and 20 detect the entry into the bathtub, the determination unit 31 (drowning determination unit) determines the presence or absence of drowning based on the detection information by the bathtub side detection means 10 until the exit from the bathtub is detected. Preferably, after the entry into the bathtub is detected by the entrance / exit detection means 10 and 20, when the interruption of the detection light by the bathtub side detection means 10 and the interruption of the detection light by the washroom side detection means 20 are no longer detected while the exit from the bathtub is not detected, it is determined that the person has drowned.

[0058] Specifically, after the determination unit 31 determines the entry into the bathtub, when the interruption of the detection light by the bathtub side detection means 10 is no longer detected despite the fact that the exit from the bathtub is not detected, that is, despite the fact that the interruption of the detection light by the washroom side detection means 20 is not detected, there is a possibility that bather A has sunk into the hot water in bathtub 2. Preferably, the state where the interruption of the detection light by the bathtub side detection means 10 is no longer detected means that all eight (a plurality of) detection lights L1 are in the non-interrupted (transmitted) state.

[0059] More preferably, after the entry into the bathtub is detected by the entrance / exit detection means 10 and 20, when the state where the interruption of the detection light L1 by the bathtub side detection means 10, that is, the non-interrupted state of the detection light, continues for a certain drowning determination time without the exit from the bathtub being detected, it is determined that the person has drowned (step 141). The drowning determination time is about several seconds (for example, 3 seconds).

[0060] The height H from the upper end of the bathtub 3 to the bathtub side detection means 10 10 is preferably H10 = several centimeters to several tens of centimeters, more preferably H 10 = By setting it to about 150 mm, even for a large-sized bather A1 or a small-sized bather A2, and even in a relaxed bathing posture, during normal bathing (when not drowning), at least the head can block the detection light L1, and during drowning, the head can be positioned below the detection light L1, so that it is possible to determine whether the bather is in a drowning state or not. Also, even when the amount of hot water is close to full and the nose and mouth are immersed in the hot water, it is possible to prevent misjudging as not drowning by the head blocking the detection light L1.

[0061] According to the determination of whether the bather is drowning or not by the determination unit 31, the drowning countermeasure means 33 performs drowning countermeasure processes such as sounding an alarm and opening the automatic opening and closing drain plug of the bathtub 3 to drain water from the bathtub 3 (step 142). If the bather A presses the response switch 16 upon receiving the alarm, it can be confirmed that there is no abnormality with the bather A.

[0062] Thus, according to the bathroom monitoring system 9, with a simple configuration using two systems of detection means 10 and 20 that block detection light such as infrared rays, it is possible to detect whether the bather A enters or exits the bathtub 3 and whether the bather is drowning in the bathtub 3, and perform safety confirmation and the like. Also, the possibility of misjudgment due to shower, steam, etc. can be reduced. By using a single type or the same type of sensor, even if a malfunction occurs, the cause can be easily grasped and the repair can be facilitated. There is no need to monitor with a camera, so the privacy of the bather A is not invaded. The bather A can take a bath with peace of mind alone, and the bathing assistant does not need to monitor, which also improves the work efficiency and reduces the burden in the nursing facility.

[0063] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Regarding the configurations that overlap with the previously described forms in the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are given in the drawings and the description thereof is omitted. <Second Embodiment (Fig. 7)> As shown in Fig. 7, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the washroom side detection means 20 is arranged to be shifted to the washroom 2 side from the position directly above the washroom side frame 3a of the bathtub 3. Each unit 24, 25 of the washroom side detection means 20 does not overlap with each unit 14, 15 of the bathtub side detection means 10 in a plan view projection, and is arranged further away from the washroom 2 side than the units 14, 15.

[0064] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the master unit 14 of the bathtub side detection means 10 and the master unit 24 of the washroom side detection means 20 may be integrally connected to form a single unit. The slave unit 15 of the bathtub side detection means 10 and the slave unit 25 of the washroom side detection means 20 may be integrally connected to form a single unit. The number of light transmitting and receiving means 11 of the bathtub side detection means 10 is not limited to 8, and may be 9 or more, 7 or less, or even just 1. The number of light transmitting and receiving means 21 of the washroom side detection means 20 is not limited to 2, and may be just 1, or 3 or more. The washroom side detection means 20 may be arranged at the same height as the bathtub side detection means 10. The washroom side detection means 20 may be arranged on the bathroom wall portion in the middle of the washroom 2. It may be decided to discriminate the bathtub entry operation and the bathtub exit operation of the bather A according to the order in which the detection light L2 by a plurality (for example, 2) of light transmitting and receiving means 21 arranged above the washroom side frame 3a of the bathtub 3 is sequentially blocked. Among these light transmitting and receiving means 21, those on the bathtub 3 side (the left side in Fig. 1) may constitute the "bathtub side detection means", and those on the washroom 2 side (the right side in Fig. 1) may constitute the "washroom side detection means". The detection light (detection wave) is not limited to infrared rays, and may be light waves with wavelengths other than the infrared region such as visible light and ultraviolet rays. Further, the detection wave is not limited to light waves, and may be other electromagnetic waves or ultrasonic waves. The entry / exit tank detection means is not limited to the detection light interruption type detection means 10 and 20 such as the infrared interruption type, and may use a pyroelectric sensor, an infrared reflection type sensor, a radio wave sensor, etc. to detect the entry / exit tank.

Industrial Applicability

[0065] The present invention can be applied to a bathroom monitoring system for monitoring a care recipient, for example, in a bathroom of a house or a care facility.

Explanation of Signs

[0066] 1 Bathroom A Bather 2 Washroom 3 Bathtub 3a Washroom side frame 4a, 4b Bathroom wall 9 Bathroom monitoring system 10 Bathtub side detection means 11 Light transmitting / receiving means (wave transmitting / receiving means) L11 Optical axis (propagation axis) L1 Detection light (detection wave) 12 Light projecting section (wave projecting section) 12a Light projecting surface (projecting surface) 13 Light receiving section (wave receiving section) 16 Response switch 17 Stop switch 20 Washroom side detection means 21 Light transmitting / receiving means L21 Optical axis (propagation axis) L2 Detection light (detection wave) 22 Light projecting section (wave projecting section) 23 Light receiving section (wave receiving section) 22a Light projecting surface (projecting surface) 30 Processing device 31 Judgment section 32 Safety confirmation means 33 Drowning countermeasure means

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a bather in a bathroom, comprising: an in-out tank detection means for detecting the entry and exit of the bather into and out of the tank; a tank-side detection means disposed on the bathroom wall portion above the tank for detecting an obstacle to the propagation of the projected detection wave; a drowning determination unit for determining the presence or absence of drowning based on the detection information by the tank-side detection means from when the entry into the tank is detected by the in-out tank detection means until the exit from the tank is detected; A bathroom monitoring system, characterized by comprising the above.

2. The bathroom monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the drowning determination unit determines that there is drowning when, after the detection of the entry into the tank by the in-out tank detection means, the detection of the obstacle to the propagation by the tank-side detection means stops without the detection of the exit from the tank.

3. The bathroom monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the drowning determination unit determines that there is drowning when, after the detection of the entry into the tank by the in-out tank detection means, the state where the detection of the obstacle to the propagation by the tank-side detection means is not detected continues for a certain drowning determination time without the detection of the exit from the tank.

4. The bathroom monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising a safety confirmation means for performing a safety confirmation process including reporting when the tank-side detection means continuously detects an obstacle to the propagation for a first predetermined time or more after the detection of the entry into the tank.

5. The bathroom monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the tank-side detection means includes a plurality of wave transmitting and receiving means arranged at intervals in the short side direction of the tank, and each wave transmitting and receiving means has a wave transmitting portion for projecting the detection wave and a wave receiving portion for receiving the detection wave facing the wave transmitting portion in the longitudinal direction of the tank.

6. The bathroom monitoring system according to claim 5, further comprising a safety confirmation means for performing a safety confirmation process including reporting when, after the determination of the entry into the tank, an obstacle to the propagation is detected in at least a part of the plurality of wave transmitting and receiving means in the tank-side detection means and the presence or absence state of the detection of the obstacle to the propagation in each of the plurality of wave transmitting and receiving means continues for a second predetermined time or more.

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