Nurse call system

Abstract

To quickly reproduce a video image at an event occurrence point from a stored video image even when the video image over a prescribed time before and after the event occurrence point is stored.SOLUTION: The monitoring system has a slave unit 2, a master unit 3, a camera 5 for imaging a patient, a video analysis part 52 for detecting a specific event of the patient from a video image picked up by the camera 5, and a video storage part 35, and the video storage part 35 has a temporary video recording part 35a for temporarily recording the video and a specific video storage part 35b for recording and storing the video for a fixed time before and after the detected specific event as a center. While the camera 5 is in the imaging state, the captured video of the camera 5 is continuously recorded in the temporary recording unit 35a, and when the video analysis unit 52 detects a specific event, the master device CPU38 sets a flag in the captured video of the camera 5 at the time of detection, and records the video for 5 minutes before and after the time at which the specific event is detected in the specific video storage unit 35b together with the flag information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a nurse call system, and more particularly to a nurse call system equipped with a camera for capturing images of a patient. [Background technology]

[0002] To prevent patients from falling, wandering, or engaging in other dangerous behavior, nurse call systems have become widespread, in which cameras are installed to capture images of patients, monitor the patients, and detect any undesirable movements or behaviors and notify nurses (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a system, the patient being monitored is constantly photographed with a camera, and the captured video is recorded and saved for a certain period of time.The system is also equipped with a video analysis unit that determines the patient's posture and movements from the video, and if a specific event occurs, such as the patient getting up, it detects this and notifies the nurse, helping to prevent falls and other accidents. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-92796 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The conventional nurse call system equipped with a camera recorded video footage of the moment a specific event, such as getting up or sitting on the edge of a chair, was detected, as well as footage from a certain period before and after. This allowed the video footage to be used to confirm the events leading up to a fall or other incident that occurred later. However, when playing back this recorded video, the video for a certain period before and after the incident is played back from the beginning, and it is not possible to pinpoint the exact moment the incident occurred. Therefore, while it can be used to check the situation before and after the incident, playing back the video at the exact moment the incident occurred is time-consuming and cumbersome.

[0005] In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a nurse call system that allows the user to quickly check the video of the event from the recorded video, even if the video is recorded for a certain period of time before and after the point at which the event occurred. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a nurse call system that includes a nurse call handset that allows patients to call a nurse, a nurse call base unit that responds to calls from patients, a camera that captures images of the patient, a controller that controls communication between devices, a video analysis unit that detects specific events occurring to the patient from the video captured by the camera, a video storage unit that records and saves the video captured by the camera, and a recording / playback control unit that controls the recording / playback of the video.The video storage unit includes a temporary recording unit that temporarily records the video, and a specific video storage unit that records and saves video for a certain period of time before and after the video of the detected specific event.While the camera is in an imaging state, the temporary recording unit continuously records the video captured by the camera, and the recording / playback control unit, when the video analysis unit detects a specific event, sets a flag on the video captured by the camera at the time of detection, and records video for a certain period of time before and after the time the specific event was detected, along with information about the flag, in the specific video storage unit. With this configuration, when a specific event in a patient is detected, video footage is recorded for a certain period of time around the time of detection, and saved. However, because the video footage at the time of the event is recorded with a flag, it is easy to search for the video footage at the time of the event, and it is possible to quickly check the state of the specific event. Furthermore, because video footage is recorded from before the event occurred, it is possible to check the patient's behavior before and after the event, and it is easy to understand the circumstances of the event if any abnormality occurs in the patient.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the nurse call parent unit has a video display unit that displays the video captured by the camera and a playback operation unit that operates to play back the video recorded in the video storage unit, and the playback operation unit has an event playback button that plays back the video from the time the flag was set, and the recording / playback control unit plays back the video from the time the flag was set when the event playback button is operated when playing back the video from a specific video storage unit. According to this configuration, the video can be quickly played back from the point in time when an event occurred by simply operating the event playback button, which is very convenient. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, when a specific event in a patient is detected, video is recorded for a certain period of time around the time of detection and saved, but because the video at the time of the event is recorded with a flag set, it is easy to search for the video at the time of the event, and it is possible to quickly check the state at the time of the specific event. Furthermore, because video is recorded from before the event occurred, it is possible to check the patient's behavior before and after the event, and it is easy to understand the circumstances that occurred when some abnormality occurs in the patient. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a nurse call system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a nurse call base unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a controller. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a camera. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the display of recorded video. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a nurse call system according to the present invention. Nurse call system 1 includes a nurse call handset 2 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "handset") that patients use to call a nurse, a nurse call base unit 3 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "base unit") that nurses use to respond to calls, a controller 4 that controls communications / calls, a camera 5 that captures images of the patient, a hallway light 6 that alerts patients in front of their rooms when a call is made, and a mobile terminal 7 that nurses carry. The base unit 3, the control unit 4, the camera 5, and the hallway light 6 are connected to an in-hospital LAN 100 installed in the hospital, and are connected to each other.

[0011] A handset 2 is installed at each bed and has a call grip button 2a that the patient operates to make a call, and a plate handset 2b with a communication function. The plate handset 2b is installed on the wall and has a communication section (not shown) equipped with a microphone and speaker, a connection terminal 21 to which the call grip button 2a is connected, and the plate handset 2b is connected to the corridor light 6 via a signal line L1. When the call grip button 2a is operated to make a call, the plate handset 2b generates a call signal and sends it to the corridor light 6.

[0012] Fig. 2 shows a functional block diagram of the base unit 3. In addition to a large first display unit 31 that displays a list of patient information for the ward, a small second display unit 32 that displays caller information and recorded video, and a handset 33 for making calls, the base unit 3 also includes a first touch panel (operation unit) 31a provided on the first display unit 31, a second touch panel (operation unit) 32a provided on the second display unit 32, an information storage unit 34 that stores various setting information related to the base unit 3, an image storage unit 35 that stores images captured by the camera 5, an image processing unit 36 ​​that processes images displayed on the first display unit 31 and the second display unit 32, an audio processing unit 37 that processes call audio, a base unit CPU 38 that controls the base unit 3, and a base unit communication IF 39 that connects to the in-hospital LAN 100 to communicate with other devices, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0013] The video storage unit 35 has a temporary recording unit 35a that continuously records video captured by the camera 5 and sequentially erases the video after a certain period of time, such as 10 hours, has passed, and a specific video storage unit 35b that records and stores specific video. The parent device CPU 39 has a function as a recording / playback control unit that controls the recording / playback of video.

[0014] As shown in the functional block diagram of Figure 3, the control unit 4 includes a mobile terminal / nurse association table memory unit 41 that stores the association between the mobile terminal 7 and nurses, a nurse / patient association table memory unit 42 that stores the patient's nurse in charge in addition to patient information, a setting information memory unit 43 that stores various setting information, a control unit CPU 44 that controls communication between devices and also controls the control unit 4, and a control unit communication IF 45 that is connected to the in-hospital LAN 100 and communicates with other devices.

[0015] The camera 5 is installed near the bed and above it so as to capture the entire image of the patient being monitored on the bed. As shown in the functional block diagram of Figure 4, in addition to the imaging unit 51, it is equipped with a video analysis unit 52, a camera CPU 53 that controls the camera, a camera communication IF 54 for connecting to the hospital LAN, etc. The video analysis unit 52 has the function of detecting events such as the patient getting up, sitting on the edge of the bed, and even getting out of bed. When all detectable events or a specific pre-set event is detected, the camera CPU 53 generates a detection signal and outputs it to the control unit 4.

[0016] A corridor light 6 is installed in each hospital room, and is equipped with a call notification unit 6a that notifies the patient when a call is made by a patient in the hospital room operating the handset 2, and a patient information display unit 6b that displays information about the patient in the hospital room. The corridor light 6 also relays the call signal from the handset 2 and transmits it to the control unit 4, and relays calls between the handset 2 and the base unit 3 or mobile terminal 7.

[0017] The mobile terminal 7 is, for example, a smartphone, and can establish a communication path between the base unit 3 or the handset 2, and further between the mobile terminals 7, via a base station 8 installed at an appropriate location in the hospital. That is, calls from patients via the handset 2 can be answered, and calls can be made between nurses. Furthermore, it is possible to display images captured by the camera 5. The base station 8 is connected to a PBX (switchboard) 9 that manages communications with the mobile terminals 7 via a communication line L2, and the PBX 9 is connected to the controller 4 via a signal line L3.

[0018] Reference numeral 101 denotes a hub that constitutes the hospital LAN 100, which is made up of a PoE switch and supplies power to the connected cameras 5 and the like.

[0019] The nurse call system 1 configured as described above operates as follows. However, since the calling operation by operating the handset 2 and the response operation by the base unit 3 or mobile terminal 7 are the same as in the past, explanations will be omitted here, and the explanation will focus on the recording / playback of the video captured by the camera 5.

[0020] The camera 5 is activated by operating the base unit 3 and begins capturing images, and the captured images are transmitted to the base unit 3 and continuously recorded in the temporary recording unit 35a. It operates as follows: When the camera 5 is activated, events such as posture and movement to be notified of the patient being imaged are set. At this time, all events that can be detected by the image analysis unit 52 may be set, or specific events such as sitting on the edge of the bed or getting out of bed may be selected and set. In response to this setting, when the camera 5 detects the set specific event, it transmits an event detection signal to the parent unit 3. Upon receiving this event detection signal, the parent unit 3 records the captured image of the detected event in the specific image storage unit 35b.

[0021] A specific description will be given below. When the master CPU 38 receives the event detection signal, it sets a flag on the video at the time of detection and starts recording in the specific video storage unit 35b. This recording is performed by adding video from a certain time back in time in addition to the video from the time the flag was set, i.e., the time the event was detected. For example, video from a time 5 minutes back in time is recorded, and video from the time the flag was set up to, say, 5 minutes later is saved. In other words, in this case, a total of 10 minutes of video is recorded for 5 minutes before and after the time the flag was set. The video is saved together with the flag information. The previous video is obtained from the temporary recording unit 35a. As a result, for each detected event, a 10-minute video, for example, centered on the time of detection, is recorded in the specific video storage unit 35b.

[0022] The video recorded in the specific video storage unit 35b in this way is played back as follows. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a recorded video displayed on the second display unit 32 serving as the video display unit of the parent unit 3. Here, the state is shown in which the specific event of getting up is detected and the recorded video is being played back. The second display unit 32 has a video display area E1 and an operation area E2. The operation section area E2 is provided with a playback operation section formed by the second touch panel 32a, and is provided with a play / stop button B1, a fast-forward (forward) button B2, a rewind (backward) button B3, and an event playback button B4. Touching the play / stop button B1 when the video is stopped starts playback, and touching it during playback stops playback. The event playback button B4 is a button that starts playback from the time a flag was set, and operating (touching) this button causes the video to jump to the time the flag was set and play back.

[0023] When playing back such recorded video, a list of recorded videos (not shown) is first displayed, and the desired video is selected from this list, and the patient video is then displayed. P1 indicates the hospital room number, P2 indicates the patient name, and P3 indicates the medical department.

[0024] In this way, when a specific event in a patient is detected, video footage is recorded for a certain period of time around the time of detection and saved, but because the video footage at the time of the event is recorded with a flag, it is easy to search for the video footage at the time of the event, and it is possible to quickly check the state of the specific event. Furthermore, because video footage is recorded from before the event occurred, it is possible to check the patient's behavior before and after the event, and it is easy to understand how it happened if any abnormality occurs in the patient. In addition, by simply operating the event playback button B4, the video can be quickly played back from the point at which the event occurred, which is very convenient.

[0025] In the above embodiment, the video is recorded and saved for 5 minutes before and after the time of detection, for a total of 10 minutes, but the recording time can be any length, such as 10 minutes before and after, for a total of 20 minutes, or 1 minute before and after. Furthermore, although the image storage unit 35 is provided in the parent device 3, it may be provided in the control device 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 1··Nurse call system, 2··Nurse call handset, 3··Nurse call main unit, 4··Control unit, 5··Camera, 32··Second display unit (video display unit), 32a··Second touch panel (playback operation unit), 35··Video storage unit, 35a··Temporary recording unit, 35b··Specific video storage unit, 38··Main unit CPU (recording / playback control unit), 52··Video analysis unit, E2··Operation unit area, B4··Event playback button.

Claims

1. A nurse call system having a nurse call handset for a patient to call a nurse, a nurse call base unit for responding to calls from patients, a camera for capturing images of the patient, a controller for controlling communication between devices, a video analysis unit for detecting specific events in the patient from the images captured by the camera, a video storage unit for recording and saving the images captured by the camera, and a recording / playback control unit for controlling the recording / playback of the images, The video storage unit includes a temporary recording unit that temporarily records video, and a specific video storage unit that records and stores video for a certain period of time before and after the video of the detected specific event, While the camera is in an image capturing state, the temporary recording unit continuously records the image captured by the camera, This nurse call system is characterized in that, when the video analysis unit detects the specific event, the recording / playback control unit sets a flag on the camera image at the time of detection, and records video for a certain period of time before and after the time the specific event was detected in the specific video storage unit, along with information about the flag.

2. The nurse call master unit has a video display unit that displays the captured video of the camera, and a playback operation unit that plays back the video recorded in the video storage unit, the playback operation unit has an event playback button for playing back video from the time when the flag was set, The nurse call system of claim 1, wherein the recording / playback control unit plays back the video from the time the flag was set when the event playback button is operated when playing back the video from the specific video storage unit.

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