Watching system and program

Abstract

To provide a watching system that can comprehend a state of a user more readily.SOLUTION: A watching system according to one embodiment is adapted to watch a user who uses a device and includes a control unit for displaying a block indicating information of the user on a display and moving at least part of the block on the basis of information acquired from a sensor installed to the device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a monitoring system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Various proposals have been made in the past to grasp the status of a user using a bed. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a user status display system that includes a communication unit that acquires user information indicating the status of a user using a bed from a detection device, and a display unit that displays the status of the user as a pattern based on the user information acquired by the communication unit, and changes the outer shape of the pattern display unit that displays the pattern according to the status of the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-25494 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, further improvements in convenience are required even for the user status display system disclosed in Patent Document 1. Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a monitoring system and program that can more easily grasp the status of a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One embodiment of the monitoring system is a monitoring system for monitoring a user who uses a device, and includes a control unit that displays a block showing information about the user on a display and moves at least a portion of the block based on information obtained from a sensor installed in the device.

[0006] The block may include a status display graphic including at least one of a graphic representing the device and a graphic representing the user. The movement of at least a part of the block may include the movement of the status display graphic.

[0007] The movement of the status display graphic may include a change in either the size of the status display graphic or the position of the status display graphic, or may include a change in both the size of the status display graphic and the position of the status display graphic.

[0008] The movement of the status display graphic may include repeated changes of the status display graphic. The monitoring system may further include the device being a bed device. The control unit may move the status display graphic when the user starts to move, sits up, is at the edge of bed, is at the very end, or is out of bed.

[0009] A program in one embodiment is a program for monitoring a user who uses a device, and causes a computer to function as a control means that displays a block showing information about the user on a display and moves at least a portion of the block based on information obtained from a sensor installed in the device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The present invention can provide a monitoring system and program that can more easily grasp the user's condition. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a monitoring system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the bed apparatus shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display of the terminal device. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining user information indicated by a block. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of control in the monitoring system. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display when an alert is displayed. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the movement of the status display graphic. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the movement of the status display graphic. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing still another example of the movement of the status display graphic. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing still another example of the movement of the status display graphic. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The monitoring system is a system for monitoring a person using a device. Hereinafter, the person using the device will be referred to as a user, and the person monitoring the user will be referred to as a monitor. The user includes a person receiving care, a hospitalized patient, etc. The monitor includes a caregiver who performs care work, a nurse, etc.

[0013] The monitoring system can be applied to various facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes where devices are installed, as well as private homes. In this embodiment, an example is disclosed in which the device is a bed device. Note that the device is not limited to a bed device and may be another type of device such as an electric chair.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a monitoring system 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the bed apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0015] 1, the monitoring system 100 includes a plurality of bed devices 1, a terminal device 3, and a server 5. The number of bed devices 1 included in the monitoring system 100 is, for example, multiple, but may also be one. The bed device 1 is, for example, an electric bed.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 2, the bed apparatus 1 includes a bed frame 11, a bed plate 13, and a sensor 15. The bed plate 13 is made up of, for example, a plurality of plate members arranged in the longitudinal direction of the bed apparatus 1. A mattress (not shown) is placed on the bed plate 13. The bed apparatus 1 further includes a drive mechanism for driving the bed plate, a bedside terminal, a remote control for operation, and the like, all of which are not shown.

[0017] The sensor 15 of the bed apparatus 1, the terminal device 3, and the server 5 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network N (for example, the Internet). Here, "connected" may mean a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0018] The sensor 15 is, for example, a load sensor. The sensor 15 is configured by, for example, a plurality of (for example, four) detection units 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d. The detection units 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d are provided, for example, on the head-side and foot-side plate members of the floorboard 13, respectively.

[0019] The detectors 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d can detect the load at each position. The type of sensor 15 and the number of detectors are not limited to the above example. The bed apparatus 1 may include a plurality of sensors with different types of detection means.

[0020] The terminal device 3 is, for example, a personal computer equipped with a display 30. The terminal device 3 is installed in a location (for example, a nurse's station) away from the location where the bed apparatus 1 is installed. There may be one terminal device 3 or multiple terminal devices. The terminal device 3 may be a portable device such as a smartphone or a tablet.

[0021] The server 5 is placed at a location away from where the bed apparatus 1 is installed. The server 5 controls the entire monitoring system 100. The server 5 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage device, etc. The server 5 is an example of a computer. The server 5 may also be a cloud server.

[0022] The CPU is the main controller of the server 5. The ROM and storage device store various programs. The RAM expands the programs and various data. The storage device stores data related to the determination criteria described below.

[0023] The server 5 includes a control unit 50. The control unit 50 mainly controls the display on the display 30. The functions of the control unit 50 disclosed in this embodiment may be realized by the CPU of the terminal device 3, or may be realized by cooperation of multiple control elements such as the server 5 and the terminal device 3. When a terminal is placed at the bedside, the functions of the control unit 50 may be realized by the bedside terminal.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display 30 of the terminal device 3. Here, it is assumed that the monitoring system 100 is provided with a plurality of bed devices 1. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining user information indicated by blocks.

[0025] The information of one user is displayed in a block showing the user's information, as shown in Fig. 3. The number of displayed blocks is equal to the number of bed apparatuses 1 connected via the network N.

[0026] Note that the blocks showing the user's information may not be displayed only on the display 30 of the terminal device 3, but may also be displayed on the display of a bedside terminal, etc. In the example shown in Fig. 3, blocks B1 to B9 showing the user's information are displayed on the display 30.

[0027] Blocks B1 to B9 have a rectangular shape in the example shown in Fig. 3. However, the shapes of blocks B1 to B9 are not limited to this example and may be other polygonal shapes, circular shapes, oval shapes, or other shapes.

[0028] Next, the user information shown in one block will be explained using block B8 shown in Fig. 4. The various information explained below is also displayed in the other blocks. Block B8 includes a status display graphic 40, name information 51, weight information 53, alert history information 55, and mode information 57.

[0029] The status display graphic 40 is a graphic that indicates the status of the user and changes depending on the status of the user. The status display graphic 40 is sometimes called a pictogram. The status of the user includes being in bed, moving, sitting up, sitting on the edge of the bed, at the very end, and getting out of bed. The status display graphic 40 is displayed to the left of block B8.

[0030] In the example shown in Fig. 4, the status display graphic 40 includes both a graphic 41 representing the bed apparatus 1 and a graphic 43 representing the user. The status display graphic 40 may include at least one of the graphic 41 representing the bed apparatus 1 and the graphic 43 representing the user. The graphic 41 representing the bed apparatus 1 and the graphic 43 representing the user are surrounded by a frame 45. The frame 45 is part of the status display graphic 40. The frame 45 is, for example, rectangular.

[0031] The status display graphic 40 in block B8 indicates that the user is in the extreme end state. The extreme end state refers to, for example, a state in which a user lying down is positioned at the end of the bed apparatus 1. In the graphic 43 in block B8, some of the arms and legs of the lying down user protrude from the bed apparatus 1, but at the extreme end, some of the arms and legs of the user do not have to protrude from the bed apparatus 1.

[0032] Here, another example of the user's status indicated by the status display graphic 40 shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

[0033] The status display graphic 40 in block B4 indicates that the user is in bed. In bed means, for example, that the user is lying down and stable on the bed apparatus 1. A stable state means, for example, that the user is not moving on the bed apparatus 1. The graphic 43 in block B4 indicates that the user is stable while lying down.

[0034] The state display graphic 40 in block B5 indicates the start of movement. The start of movement is, for example, a state in which a lying user turns over or moves around somewhere other than the end of the bed apparatus 1. The graphic 43 in block B5 indicates that the lying user is moving.

[0035] The state display graphic 40 in block B6 indicates a state of sitting up. Sitting up means, for example, a state in which a user who has been lying down sits up on the bed apparatus 1. The graphic 43 in block B6 indicates that the user is sitting up.

[0036] The status display graphic 40 in block B7 indicates an edge sitting position. An edge sitting position is, for example, a state in which the user is sitting at the edge of the bed apparatus 1. The graphic 43 in block B7 indicates that the user is sitting at the edge of the bed apparatus 1.

[0037] The status display graphic 40 of block B9 indicates getting out of bed. Getting out of bed means, for example, that the user is away from the bed apparatus 1. In other words, when getting out of bed, the user is not on the bed apparatus 1. In the status display graphic 40 of block B9, a graphic 41 indicating the bed apparatus 1 is displayed, but a graphic 43 indicating the user is not displayed.

[0038] 4, the status display graphic 40 has a graphic 41 indicating the bed apparatus 1 and a graphic 43 indicating the user, as well as an area A. The area A corresponds to the area surrounded by the frame 45 excluding the graphic 41 indicating the bed apparatus 1 and the graphic 43 indicating the user.

[0039] The color of area A changes depending on the user's condition. For example, in the condition display graphic 40 (in bed) of block B4, area A is a cool color (e.g., blue). In FIG. 3, area A is marked with a dot. For example, in the condition display graphic 40 of blocks B5 to B9 (starting to move, sitting up, sitting on the edge of the bed, at the very end, getting out of bed), area A is gray.

[0040] Block B8 displays information other than the status display graphic 40. Name information 51 is displayed above the status display graphic 40, as shown in Fig. 4. The name information 51 includes the name of the user, the management number of the bed apparatus 1, the room number where the bed apparatus 1 is installed, etc.

[0041] Weight information 53 and alert history information 55 are displayed to the right of the status display graphic 40. Alert history information 55 is displayed below weight information 53. Weight information 53 includes current weight, weight from one day ago, etc. Alert history information 55 is information related to the most recently displayed alert.

[0042] The alert history information 55 includes the time when the alert was displayed, the state of the user when the alert was displayed, etc. The mode information 57 is displayed below the state display graphic 40. The mode information 57 is information indicating the mode currently selected in the bed apparatus 1.

[0043] Block B8 may further display bed apparatus information 59. The bed apparatus information 59 is displayed below the mode information 57 and the alert history information 55. The bed apparatus information 59 includes information on the height of the bed board 13 provided in the bed apparatus 1, the angle of the board members constituting the bed board 13, and the like.

[0044] The arrangement of each piece of information in block B8 is merely an example and is not limited to the above example. Note that the information displayed in block B8 is not limited to the above example, and other information may be displayed. The other information may be displayed in block B8 instead of or together with the above information. Examples of other information include information regarding the user's pulse rate per minute and the user's respiratory rate per minute.

[0045] Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, all information that can be displayed in block B8 is displayed, but the display of block B8 may be configured to be switchable between a pattern in which all information is displayed and a pattern in which only part of the information (for example, only the status display graphic 40) is displayed.

[0046] 3, a graphic 61 indicating that the power supply of the bed apparatus 1 is OFF is displayed in block B1, a graphic 62 indicating that the bed apparatus 1 is temporarily stopped is displayed in block B2, and a graphic 63 indicating that the power supply of the bed apparatus 1 is ON is displayed in block B3, instead of the status display graphic 40. The graphic 63 in block B3 indicates that the user is not being monitored.

[0047] Furthermore, in the example shown in Fig. 3, multiple buttons 70 are displayed on the display 30. By operating these buttons 70, the monitor can switch between monitoring the user, checking various information (e.g., reports, alert logs), and changing settings. In the example shown in Fig. 3, monitoring is selected.

[0048] In addition, in the example shown in Figure 3, the display 30 displays blocks showing information about all users being monitored, but the display of the blocks may be configured to be switchable depending on the floor on which the bed device 1 is installed, etc.

[0049] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of control in the monitoring system 100. The control shown in Fig. 5 is executed by the control unit 50 of the server 5. More specifically, the CPU of the server 5 operates in accordance with a control program stored in a ROM or storage device and loaded into a RAM, thereby executing the following processing.

[0050] When watching over a user who uses the bed apparatus 1, the power of the bed apparatus 1 is ON, and the bed apparatus 1, the terminal device 3, and the server 5 are in a state in which they can communicate with each other via the network N.

[0051] First, the control unit 50 starts monitoring the user (step S101). Monitoring of the user by the control unit 50 is started, for example, when the monitor selects a predetermined mode. This mode is a mode that can display an alert depending on the state of the user.

[0052] The monitor may select the mode via, for example, the terminal device 3, or may select the mode using a remote control installed in the bed device 1. The monitoring system 100 may also be configured to always display an alert without selecting a mode.

[0053] When monitoring starts, the control unit 50 acquires information from the sensor 15 via the network N. The acquisition of information by the control unit 50 is, for example, always performed (between steps S102 to S109 below). The information acquired from the sensor 15 is, for example, a signal based on the load detected by the detection units 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d of the sensor 15.

[0054] Next, the control unit 50 determines the state of the user based on the information acquired from the sensor 15 (step S102). Specifically, the control unit 50 determines, based on the information acquired from the sensor 15, whether the state of the user is in bed, has started to move, has sat up, is sitting on the edge of the bed, is at the very end, or has left the bed.

[0055] The criteria for determining the state of the user based on the information acquired by the control unit 50 from the sensor 15 are stored in advance in the storage device. The criteria are set according to the state of the user (in bed, starting to move, sitting up, sitting on the edge of the bed, at the very end, getting out of bed).

[0056] Next, the control unit 50 causes the display 30 to display the status display graphic 40 based on the determined status of the user (step S103). As a result, the status display graphic 40 based on the status of the user is displayed in the block displayed on the display 30. The status display graphic 40 is, for example, as described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0057] Next, the control unit 50 determines whether or not to display an alert on the display 30 based on the determined state of the user (step S104). For example, when the control unit 50 determines that the state of the user is starting to move, sitting up, sitting on the edge of the bed, at the very end, or getting out of bed, the control unit 50 determines to display an alert.

[0058] The status of the user for which the alert is to be displayed may be changed as appropriate. If the control unit 50 determines that the alert should not be displayed (No in step S104), the process returns to step S102. In other words, if the control unit 50 determines that the user is in bed, the alert is not displayed.

[0059] Next, when it is determined that an alert should be displayed (YES in step S104), the control unit 50 causes the display 30 to display the alert (step S105).

[0060] Specifically, the alert is displayed on the status display graphic 40 of the block representing the user of the bed apparatus 1. When the user's status is moving, sitting up, sitting on the edge of the bed, at the very end, or getting out of bed, the alert is displayed on the display 30.

[0061] Here, displaying an alert means that at least a part of the block moves. In this embodiment, this means that the status display graphic 40 moves. The movement of the status display graphic 40 will be described later.

[0062] Furthermore, when an alert is displayed, the color of at least a part of the block may change. In this embodiment, the color of the status display graphic 40 changes. In this case, the color of area A is a highly visible color. For example, the color of area A is a warm color (e.g., red). In FIG. 4, area A is shaded.

[0063] Furthermore, the watching system 100 may output a warning sound such as a buzzer from a speaker or the like of the terminal device 3 while the alert is being displayed.

[0064] The timing of displaying the alert can be changed as appropriate. For example, the control unit 50 may display the alert immediately after determining the user's condition in step S104, or may display the alert after a preset time has elapsed since determining the user's condition.

[0065] Next, the control unit 50 determines whether the user's state has changed to a predetermined state (step S106). If the control unit 50 determines that the user's state has changed to a predetermined state (step S106 Yes), it causes the display 30 to display a new state display graphic 40 (step S107). The predetermined state is one of the following states: starting to move, sitting up, sitting on the edge of the bed, at the very end, and getting out of bed. In other words, if the user's state is in bed, the state display graphic 40 does not change.

[0066] For example, after displaying a status display graphic 40 indicating edge sitting in step S103, if it is determined in step S106 that the user's status has changed to getting out of bed, the control unit 50 displays a status display graphic 40 indicating getting out of bed on the block.

[0067] Furthermore, if the control unit 50 determines that the user's status has not changed to a predetermined status (No in step S106), it does not change the status display graphic 40. In this case, the status display graphic 40 displayed in step S103 continues to be displayed on the display 30.

[0068] Next, the control unit 50 determines whether or not to stop displaying the alert (step S108). Specifically, the control unit 50 determines whether or not an alert stop condition is met. The determination criteria used by the control unit 50 to stop displaying the alert are stored in advance in the storage device.

[0069] The criterion for this determination is, for example, whether or not a button (for example, a confirmation button described later) displayed on the display 30 has been pressed. Note that the criterion for this determination may be other than the above.

[0070] If the control unit 50 determines that the alert stop condition is met, it stops the display of the alert (Yes in step S108). When the alert display is stopped, the color of the status display graphic 40 returns to gray. If the control unit 50 determines that the alert stop condition is not met (No in step S108), it returns to step S105.

[0071] Subsequently, when the control unit 50 stops displaying the alert (No in step S108), the control unit 50 returns to step S102 and determines the state of the user. In this way, the monitoring system can monitor the user of the bed apparatus 1 by repeatedly executing steps S102 to S109.

[0072] It should be noted that the control in the watching system 100 is not limited to the example described using Fig. 5. For example, after the alert is displayed in step S105, the processes in steps S106 and S107 do not have to be executed.

[0073] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the display 30 when an alert is displayed. In the example shown in Fig. 6, an alert is displayed in block B8. The status display graphic 40 in block B8 moves, and the color of area A changes.

[0074] In this case, an alert notification display 81 is displayed in the alert list 80 on the display 30. The alert notification display 81 displays, for example, information about the user who is the target of the alert.

[0075] The alert notification display 81 includes a confirmation button 82. The alert stops when the monitor presses the confirmation button 82. When the alert stops, the alert notification display 81 is deleted from the alert list 80.

[0076] The alert notification display 81 may further include the name of the user who is the target of the alert, the room number, the user's condition, the time elapsed since the alert was displayed, etc. In addition, another alert notification display 83 may also be displayed on the display 30.

[0077] Next, the movement of the status display graphic 40 in the alert display will be described. In this embodiment, when an alert is displayed, the status display graphic 40 moves. In other words, in this embodiment, the status display graphic 40 is animated in the alert display.

[0078] The movement of the status display graphic 40 will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10. Figures 7 to 10 are diagrams showing some examples of the movement of the status display graphic 40.

[0079] 7, the size of the status display graphic 40 is changing. Specifically, the size of the status display graphic 40 is expanding and contracting. In this case, expanding means that the size of the status display graphic 40 changes from a reference size S1 (the size of the status display graphic 40 before the alert is displayed) to a size S2 that is larger, and contracting means that the size of the status display graphic 40 changes from the reference size S1 to a size S3 that is smaller than the reference size S1.

[0080] The status display graphic 40 changes size repeatedly, for example, in the order of size S1, size S2, size S1, size S3, and size S1. Note that the sizes S2 and S3, which change relative to the reference size S1, can be changed as appropriate. Note that when the alert stops, the status display graphic 40 returns to the reference size S1.

[0081] 8, the position of the status display graphic 40 has changed. Specifically, the position of the status display graphic 40 has changed from the position before the alert was displayed. For example, the status display graphic 40 has changed from a reference position P1 (the position of the status display graphic 40 before the alert was displayed) to a position P2 tilted counterclockwise, or from the reference position P1 to a position P3 tilted clockwise.

[0082] The position of the status display graphic 40 changes repeatedly in the order of, for example, position P1, position P2, position P1, position P3, and position P1. The angle of inclination relative to the reference position P1 can be changed as appropriate.

[0083] 9, the position of the status display graphic 40 also changes from the reference position P1. For example, the status display graphic 40 changes to a position P4, which is moved leftward from the reference position P1, or to a position P5, which is moved rightward from the reference position P1. The status display graphic 40 repeatedly changes position, for example, from position P1 to position P4 to position P1 to position P5, again in this order.

[0084] 10, the position of the status indicator graphic 40 also changes from the reference position P1. For example, the status indicator graphic 40 moves upward from the reference position P1 to a position P6, or moves downward from the reference position P1 to a position P7.

[0085] The status display graphic 40 changes position repeatedly, for example, in the order of position P1, position P6, position P1, position P7, and position P1. The position to which the status display graphic 40 moves relative to the reference position P1 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the position of the status display graphic 40 may move diagonally relative to the reference position P1. Note that when the alert stops in the examples shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the status display graphic 40 returns to the reference position P1.

[0086] In one example, the movement of the status display graphic 40 means a change in both the size of the status display graphic 40 and the position of the status display graphic 40. Specifically, the movement of the status display graphic 40 means that the movements described with reference to Figures 7 and 8 are performed simultaneously.

[0087] The movement of the status display graphic 40 may be a simultaneous change of the movements described with reference to Figures 7 and 9, or a simultaneous change of the movements described with reference to Figures 7 and 10. The movement of the status display graphic 40 may be a change of either the size of the status display graphic 40 or the position of the status display graphic 40.

[0088] This movement of the status display graphic 40 includes a change in at least one of the size of the status display graphic 40 and the position of the status display graphic 40. The movement of the status display graphic 40 in the alert display may be the same regardless of the user's status, or may differ depending on the user's status.

[0089] By displaying an alert with a moving status display graphic 40 on the display 30 (block) as described above, the monitor can easily grasp the alert. For example, compared to when the alert is displayed by changing color, the monitor can grasp the alert more easily. In other words, the improved visibility of the alert display reduces the likelihood of the monitor overlooking the alert display.

[0090] In particular, when many blocks are displayed on the display 30, the size of the blocks becomes small, making it difficult to find the block displaying the alert among the many blocks. In this embodiment, the status display graphic 40 moves, making it easier for the monitor to find the user for whom the alert is displayed.

[0091] In this embodiment, both the size and the position of the status display graphic 40 change, making it easier for the observer to find the block on which the alert is displayed. Furthermore, the status display graphic 40 changes repeatedly, making it easier to attract the observer's attention.

[0092] Even when the status display graphic 40 moves as described above, the status display graphic 40 does not overlap with, for example, other information (such as weight information 53 or alert history information 55). Therefore, it is unlikely to prevent the monitor from understanding other information displayed in block B8.

[0093] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a monitoring system 100 and a program that can more easily grasp the status of a user. This reduces the burden on the monitor of monitoring the user and improves the services provided by the monitor. Note that this embodiment can also provide various other advantageous effects in addition to those described above.

[0094] Although the present embodiment discloses an example in which the status display graphic 40 changes repeatedly, the status display graphic 40 does not have to change repeatedly. For example, the status display graphic 40 may simply increase in size or change in position.

[0095] In this embodiment, an example has been disclosed in which the status display graphic 40 of the block moves, but the entire block may move, or at least one of the name information 51, weight information 53, alert history information 55, and mode information 57 may move.

[0096] In this embodiment, an example is disclosed in which the entire status display graphic 40 moves, but while the alert is displayed, the graphic 43 representing the user may move within the frame 45 according to the user's status.

[0097] As one example, the size of the graphic 43 representing the user may be enlarged or reduced, or the position of the graphic 43 representing the user may be changed, or these may be performed simultaneously. As another example, the graphic 43 representing the user may be displayed as an animation depending on the state of the user. For example, if the state of the user is getting up, the graphic 43 representing the user may be displayed as an animation that makes it appear as if the user is getting up.

[0098] In this embodiment, an example has been disclosed in which the color of area A changes while the alert is displayed, but when the alert is displayed, at least a part of the block may flash. The color of area A when the alert is displayed may vary depending on the state of the user.

[0099] Furthermore, the monitoring system 100 may be able to select from various modes according to the display of the alert. The various modes may include, for example, a mode for monitoring an edge-sitting position. In this mode, if the user's state changes from edge-sitting to getting out of bed while the alert is displayed and then changes back to edge-sitting, the control unit 50 may not display the alert even if the user is still in edge-sitting mode. In addition to the above, various modes according to the display of the alert may be envisioned.

[0100] In the present embodiment, an example has been disclosed in which the state of the user is determined based on information from the sensor 15, which is a load sensor, but the control unit 50 may be configured to determine the state of the user based on information from other types of sensors, such as, but not limited to, biosensors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1...bed device, 3...terminal device, 5...server, 15...sensor, 30...display, 40...status display graphic, 50...control unit, 100...monitoring system, N...network.

Claims

1. A monitoring system for monitoring a user who uses a device, a control unit that displays a block indicating the user's information on a display and moves at least a part of the block based on information acquired from a sensor provided in the device; Monitoring system.

2. the block includes a status display graphic including at least one of a graphic representing the device and a graphic representing the user; The movement of at least a part of the block includes the movement of the status display graphic. The monitoring system according to claim 1 .

3. The movement of the status display graphic includes a change in either the size or the position of the status display graphic. The monitoring system according to claim 2 .

4. The movement of the status display graphic includes a change in both the size of the status display graphic and the position of the status display graphic. The monitoring system according to claim 2 .

5. The moving of the status display graphic includes the status display graphic repeatedly changing. The monitoring system according to claim 3 or 4.

6. Further comprising the device being a bed device, The monitoring system according to claim 5.

7. the control unit moves the state display graphic when the user starts to move, stands up, is in an edge-sitting position, is at the very end, or is out of bed. The monitoring system according to claim 6.

8. A program for watching over a user who uses a device, Computer, a control means for displaying a block showing information about the user on a display and for moving at least a part of the block based on information acquired from a sensor provided in the device; A program to function as a

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