Nurse call system

Abstract

To provide a nurse call system for transmitting a call signal to a nurse call master unit by using a general-purpose information terminal such as a personal computer used as a tool for daytime communication by a patient whose hand or finger is hardly moved.SOLUTION: A nurse call system 1 includes a slave unit 2 for transmitting a call signal, a master unit 3 for a nurse to respond to a call using the slave unit 2, a calling device 6 for transmitting the call signal to the slave unit 2 by radio, and a radio receiver 5 connected to the slave unit 2. The calling device 6 is composed of a general-purpose information terminal 7 used by the patient and a communication adapter 8 connected to the general-purpose information terminal 7, and transmits a calling signal from the communication adapter 8 to the radio receiver 5 by the operation of the general-purpose information terminal 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a nurse call system that includes a nurse call handset that transmits a call signal for a patient to call a nurse, and a nurse call base unit that allows a nurse to respond to a call made using the nurse call handset. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, nurse call systems have been known in which patients call nurses using push-button call buttons. Among these, there is one that has a configuration in which a wireless receiver is attached to a terminal to which a normal call button is connected, and a call signal is sent to a nurse call master unit via the wireless receiver using a wireless push button (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-165712 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional nurse call system described above had the problem that patients who can barely move their hands or fingers, such as those suffering from muscular dystrophy, have difficulty using the push-button call button to call a nurse.

[0005] In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a nurse call system that transmits call signals to a nurse call master unit using a general-purpose information terminal such as a personal computer, which is used as a communication tool during the day by patients who have lost the ability to move their hands and fingers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a nurse call system including a nurse call handset that sends a call signal for a patient to call a nurse, a nurse call base unit that allows a nurse to respond to a call made using the nurse call handset, a call device that wirelessly transmits the call signal to the nurse call handset, and a wireless receiver connected to the nurse call handset, wherein the call device is composed of a general-purpose information terminal used by the patient and a communication adapter connected to the general-purpose information terminal, and the communication adapter transmits the call signal wirelessly by operating the general-purpose information terminal. Furthermore, the invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1, the general-purpose information terminal has a display unit, and when a dedicated application is installed on the general-purpose information terminal, a call button is displayed on the display unit, and when the call button is operated, a call signal is transmitted wirelessly from the communication adapter. Furthermore, the invention as set forth in claim 3 is characterized in that in the invention as set forth in claim 1 or 2, the call signal is transmitted by low power consumption communication. Furthermore, the invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 3, the communication adapter is provided with a push button, and the communication adapter transmits a call signal using low-power communication using electromotive force generated when the push button is pressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, by attaching a communication adapter to a commonly available general-purpose information terminal, it becomes possible to send a call signal to a nurse call master unit using the general-purpose information terminal.

[0008] Therefore, it is possible to perform the call operation of the nurse call master unit by simply operating the general-purpose information terminal, without using a call means such as a push button. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram showing an intercom system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] A reference diagram showing the appearance of a general-purpose information terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a communication adapter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a nurse call system 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a reference diagram showing the appearance of a general-purpose information terminal 7, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a communication adapter 8.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the nurse call system 1 has a nurse call handset (hereinafter simply referred to as the "handset") 2 that sends a call signal for a patient to call a nurse, and a nurse call base unit (hereinafter simply referred to as the "base unit") 3 that allows a nurse to respond to a call made using the handset 2.

[0012] The handset 2 is equipped with a call unit 4 and a wireless receiver 5 that receives a call signal wirelessly. The handset 2 is also connected to a calling device 6 that outputs a call signal wirelessly, and the calling device 6 is composed of a general-purpose information terminal 7 used by the patient and a communication adapter 8 connected to the general-purpose information terminal 7. The base unit 3 is a device for responding to calls from the handset 2 via the wireless receiver 5, and is equipped with a speaker that reports voice and ringing sounds, a base unit communication IF that communicates with the wireless receiver 5, a base unit CPU that controls the base unit 3, and the like (not shown).

[0013] The wireless receiver 5 includes a receiving antenna 5a that receives a call signal from the calling device 6, a receiver communication IF 5b that notifies the base unit 3 when a call signal from the calling device 6 is received, and a receiver CPU 5c that controls the wireless receiver 5. The wireless receiver 5 may be connected to the base unit 3 by wire or wirelessly. The wireless receiver 5 may be an existing receiver that is attached to the handset 2 for use, or may be a new receiver created to suit the nurse call system 1.

[0014] The general-purpose information terminal 7 includes a display unit 7a such as a monitor, input devices 7b such as a mouse and keyboard, a terminal-side terminal 7c such as a USB terminal to which the communication adapter 8 is connected, a storage unit 7d for storing applications and data, and a terminal CPU 7e for controlling the general-purpose information terminal 7. The general-purpose information terminal 7 may be, for example, a commonly available personal computer or tablet. The general-purpose information terminal 7 may be a personal computer or other device previously used by the patient, with the input device 7b customized for the patient. A dedicated application is installed on the general-purpose information terminal 7, causing a call button 11 to appear on the display unit 7a, as shown in FIG. 2. The application may be automatically installed when the communication adapter 8 is connected to the general-purpose information terminal 7 for the first time, installed by connecting an installation CD or USB, or downloaded from the Internet. The shape and size of the call button 11 may be determined appropriately according to the patient's condition and needs.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the communication adapter 8 has a USBIF 8a such as a USB terminal for connecting to the terminal side terminal 7c, a wireless transmission unit 8b for wirelessly transmitting a call signal, an adapter CPU 8c for controlling the communication adapter 8, and a power supply unit 8d for receiving power from the general-purpose information terminal 7 and supplying power to the wireless transmission unit 8b and the adapter CPU 8c.

[0016] The nurse call system 1 configured as described above operates as follows. However, since the response operation from the base unit 3 when a call is received is the same as in the conventional system, a description thereof will be omitted. Here, the explanation will focus on the operation of transmitting a call signal from the call device 6.

[0017] When a dedicated application is installed with the communication adapter 8 connected to the general-purpose information terminal 7, a call button 11 is displayed on the display unit 7a. When the call button 11 is operated by the input device 7b, the general-purpose information terminal 7 instructs the communication adapter 8 to send a call signal. Upon receiving the instruction, the communication adapter 8 wirelessly transmits the call signal from the wireless transmitter 8b to the wireless receiver 5 of the handset 2. When the wireless receiver 5 receives the call signal from the communication adapter 8 via the receiving antenna 5a, it notifies the base unit 3 that a call has been made from the calling device 6. Upon receiving the notification from the wireless receiver 5 of the handset 2, the base unit 3 performs a response operation similar to that of the conventional method.

[0018] According to the nurse call system 1 described above, by attaching a communication adapter 8 to a commonly available general-purpose information terminal 7, it becomes possible to send a call signal to the base unit 3 using the general-purpose information terminal 7.

[0019] Therefore, it is possible to call the base unit 3 simply by operating the general-purpose information terminal 7, without using a call means such as a push button.

[0020] Furthermore, the nurse call system of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and the overall configuration of the nurse call system, as well as the general-purpose information terminal and communication adapter that make up the calling device, can be modified as needed.

[0021] For example, the call signal transmitted by the communication adapter 8 may be transmitted according to low-power communication standards such as the Enocean (registered trademark) standard. Specifically, low-power communication is a communication standard that consumes 10 mW or less of power and transmits signals with a transmission power of 1 mW or less. This allows the wireless receiver 5 to use a receiver that receives signals according to low-power communication, as used in conventional technology, without modification, thereby enabling the use of standardized circuits and reducing costs. In addition to the call button 11 displayed on the display section 7a of the general-purpose information terminal 7, the communication adapter 8 may be provided with a push-button type call button that transmits a call signal when pressed. At this time, the communication adapter 8 may be configured to use the electromotive force generated when the call button is pressed to transmit a call signal using low-power communication such as Enocean (registered trademark). This allows the communication adapter 8 to transmit a call signal without requiring an external power source, so that the call signal can be output from the communication adapter 8 even when the power of the general-purpose information terminal 7 is turned off. Furthermore, the communication adapter 8 may be capable of make output. [Explanation of symbols]

[0022] 1··Nurse call system, 2··Nurse call handset, 3··Nurse call base unit, 4··Intercom unit, 5··Wireless receiver, 5a··Receiving antenna, 6··Call device, 7··General-purpose information terminal, 7a··Display unit, 8··Communication adapter, 8b··Wireless transmitter unit, 11··Call button.

Claims

1. A nurse call system including a nurse call handset that transmits a call signal for a patient to call a nurse, a nurse call base unit that allows a nurse to respond to a call made using the nurse call handset, a call device that wirelessly transmits a call signal to the nurse call handset, and a wireless receiver connected to the nurse call handset, the calling device is composed of a general-purpose information terminal used by the patient and a communication adapter connected to the general-purpose information terminal; A nurse call system characterized in that the communication adapter transmits a call signal wirelessly by operating the general-purpose information terminal.

2. the general-purpose information terminal has a display unit, When a dedicated application is installed on the general-purpose information terminal, a call button is displayed on the display unit, 2. The nurse call system according to claim 1, wherein when the call button is operated, a call signal is transmitted wirelessly from the communication adapter.

3. 3. The nurse call system according to claim 1, wherein the call signal is transmitted by low-power communication.

4. The communication adapter is provided with a push button, The nurse call system according to claim 3, wherein the communication adapter transmits a call signal using low-power communication that uses electromotive force generated when the push button is pressed.

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