Bathroom monitoring system

Abstract

This system provides a bathroom monitoring system that can accurately detect bathing abnormalities such as drowning in a bathtub based on the water level in the tub. [Solution] The bather detection means 10 of the bathroom monitoring system 9 is located on the bathroom walls 3a and 3b above the bathtub 2. The bather detection means 10 detects bather A in the bathtub 2 using a detection wave L1. The bathing abnormality determination unit 43 determines whether or not bather A is drowning or has other bathing abnormalities based on the detection information from the bather detection means 10. The water level gauge 30 measures the water level in the bathtub 2. The detection height adjustment means 45 adjusts the propagation axis L of the detection wave L1 used for bathing abnormality determination according to the water level Lw measured by the water level gauge 30. 11 Adjust the height.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for monitoring bathers in a bathroom, and more particularly to a bathroom monitoring system that monitors for drowning while bathing. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, drowning in bathtubs has accounted for a significant portion of accidental deaths in homes. While caregivers often supervise those receiving care while they bathe, human monitoring is limited in terms of both time and effort. Therefore, systems that use sensors and other technologies to monitor those receiving care while they bathe are being actively considered.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that uses a water level sensor to detect pressure changes in the bathtub that occur when a bather enters or leaves the tub, and determines whether the bather has entered or left the tub based on the detection results. Patent Document 2 discloses a system that includes a water level detection unit for detecting the water level in a bathtub, and determines whether or not there is a person bathing in the bathtub based on the detection result. Patent Document 3 discloses a system that determines whether or not a person is drowning based on biological information such as the heart rate of a bather obtained from a heart rate sensor and information on changes in the water level in the bathtub obtained from a water level sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-002643 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-203621 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-022678 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The systems described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 determine entry and exit from the tank, but do not perform drowning detection. The system in Patent Document 3 combines two types of sensor information to determine whether or not a person is drowning, making the determination process complex. Therefore, the inventors devised a method to detect bathers using detection waves such as infrared rays to determine if they are drowning. On the other hand, if the projection height of the detection waves is kept constant, depending on the water level in the bathtub, it is possible that the system may misidentify a bather as not drowning when they are actually drowning, or misidentify a bather as drowning when they are not. In view of these circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a bathroom monitoring system that can accurately detect whether or not there is a bathing abnormality such as drowning in a bathtub, according to the water level in the bathtub. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a system for monitoring bathers in a bathroom, A bather detection means is positioned on the bathroom wall above the bathtub and detects a person bathing in the bathtub using detection waves. A bathing abnormality determination unit determines whether or not there is a bathing abnormality based on the detection information from the bather detection means, A water level gauge for measuring the water level in the bathtub, A detection height adjustment means adjusts the height of the propagation axis of the detection wave used for the determination according to the water level measured by the water level gauge, It is characterized by having the following features.

[0007] In this bathroom monitoring system, when the water level in the bathtub is relatively high, the propagation axis of the detection wave used for determination is adjusted to be relatively high. When the water level in the bathtub is relatively low, the propagation axis of the detection wave used for determination is adjusted to be relatively low. This allows for accurate detection of whether a bather is drowning in the bathtub according to the water level. Therefore, it is possible to prevent false judgments that there is no bathing abnormality when there is actually a drowning or other bathing abnormality, or false judgments that a bathing abnormality has occurred when there is no bathing abnormality. The detection wave is preferably an optical wave (detection light), more preferably an infrared ray. The bather detection means preferably includes an infrared ray blocking type sensor that projects infrared rays and detects whether they are blocked. An abnormal bathing state refers to a state that seems to be drowning or the like, and includes a state in which the bathing posture is abnormal.

[0008] Preferably, the bather detection means includes a plurality of stages of detection wave transmitting and receiving means spaced apart vertically. The detection height adjustment means includes an operation selection means that selectively or effectively operates the detection wave transmitting and receiving means of the stage corresponding to the measured water level among the plurality of stages, and stops or invalidates the operation of the detection wave transmitting and receiving means of other stages. By selectively switching the plurality of stages of detection wave transmitting and receiving means or selecting and discarding detection information, the height of the propagation axis of the detection wave used for determination can be adjusted. It is not necessary to raise and lower the detection wave transmitting and receiving means, and mechanical elements for raising and lowering are not required. "Effectively operate" means using the detection information by the detection light transmitting and receiving means of the stage corresponding to the measured water level as valid information for determining an abnormal bathing state. "Invalidate" means that although the detection light transmitting and receiving means of other stages are operated, the detection information thereof is not used for determining an abnormal bathing state.

[0009] Preferably, each stage of the detection wave transmitting and receiving means has a plurality of projecting parts that project a detection wave and a plurality of receiving parts that receive the detection wave of the corresponding projecting part, and these projecting parts and receiving parts are arranged side by side in the short side direction of the bathtub, and the corresponding projecting parts and receiving parts are arranged so as to face each other in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub. The projecting parts and receiving parts of the plurality of stages of detection wave transmitting and receiving means are arranged vertically separated from each other. Thereby, a propagation axis of the detection wave is formed so as to connect the corresponding projecting part and receiving part. A plurality of propagation axes of the detection wave are formed by the projecting parts and receiving parts of the plurality of stages of detection wave transmitting and receiving means. Whether the detection wave of the stage used for determination is blocked by the bather or not can be used to determine an abnormal bathing state.

[0010] The detection height adjustment means may include a lifting means for raising and lowering the bather detection means according to the measured water level. This allows the height of the detection wave propagation axis to be raised or lowered according to the water level in the bathtub.

[0011] Preferably, the bather detection means has a pair of detection units facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub, and each detection unit has a plurality of projection units that project detection waves and a plurality of receiving units that receive detection waves from the corresponding projection units, arranged in the short direction of the bathtub, and the corresponding projection units and receiving units are separated into one detection unit and the other detection unit and are arranged facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub. This allows for the determination of bathing abnormalities based on whether or not the detection wave is blocked by the bather. Preferably, the lifting means raises and lowers the pair of detection units in synchronous or integral manner. This allows the projection and receiving sections to be raised and lowered while ensuring that the corresponding projection and receiving sections always face each other in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the bathroom monitoring system of the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect whether or not there are any bathing abnormalities, such as whether or not the bather is drowning in the bathtub, according to the water level in the bathtub. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a bathroom monitoring system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, along with a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bathtub. [Figure 2] Figure 2(a) is a cross-sectional view along line II-II in Figure 1 when the water level in the bathtub is relatively high. Figure 2(b) is a cross-sectional view along line II-II in Figure 1 when the water level in the bathtub is relatively low. [Figure 3]Figure 3(a) is a cross-sectional view along the line IIIa-IIIa in Figure 2(a). Figure 3(b) is a cross-sectional view along the line IIIb-IIIb in Figure 2(a). [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a plan view illustrating the bather detection means and auxiliary detection means of the bathroom monitoring system. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the detection on / off and height adjustment processing flow of the bathroom monitoring system. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the bathing monitoring process flow of the bathroom monitoring system. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a system configuration diagram showing a bathroom monitoring system according to a second embodiment of the present invention, along with a cross-section perpendicular to the short side of the bathtub. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment (Figures 1-6)> Figure 1 shows a bathroom 1 in a residence or care facility. Bathroom 1 is equipped with a bathroom monitoring system 9 to keep an eye on the bather A. The bathroom monitoring system 9 comprises a bather detection means 10, an auxiliary detection means 20, a water level gauge 30, and a controller 40.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a bather detection means 10 is positioned on the bathroom wall 3 above the bathtub 2. The bather detection means 10 is a detection means that detects a bather A in the bathtub 2 using detection light L1 (detection wave). The bather detection means 10 includes two (multiple) stages of detection light transmission and reception means 11 (detection wave transmission and reception means). These detection light transmission and reception means 11 are separated from each other vertically. Hereafter, when distinguishing between the two stages of detection light transmission and reception means 11, the upper stage detection light transmission and reception means 11 and its components will be denoted with the letter "A", and the lower stage detection light transmission and reception means 11 and its components will be denoted with the letter "B".

[0016] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each stage of the detection light emission / receiving means 11 has multiple sets (for example, 8 sets) of light-emitting units 13 (projection units) and light-receiving units 14 (wave-receiving units) arranged in the short direction (left-right direction in Figure 3) of the bathtub 2. In Figure 3 and other figures, for the sake of drawing convenience, the light-receiving units 14 are shown with a shaded pattern to distinguish them from each other. The light-emitting units 13A, 13B and light-receiving units 14A, 14B of the two stages (multiple stages) of the detection light emission / receiving means 11A, 11B are arranged vertically apart from each other. As shown in Figure 4, the corresponding sets of light-emitting units 13 and light-receiving units 14 in each stage face each other one-to-one along the longitudinal direction of the bathtub 2.

[0017] Specifically, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the bather detection means 10 has a pair of detection units 15 and 16. The detection units 15 and 16 are respectively located on bathroom wall sections 3a and 3b facing the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in Figure 4) of the bathtub 2 in the bathroom wall 3. Each detection unit 15 and 16 is formed in an elongated box shape extending in the short direction (up-down direction in Figure 4) of the bathtub 2. As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), each detection unit 15 and 16 has a light-emitting section 13 and a light-receiving section 14, which are arranged alternately in the short direction of the bathtub 2 in two rows, upper and lower. The upper light-emitting section 13A and light-receiving section 14A of these detection units 15 and 16 constitute the detection light emission and reception means 11A. The lower light-emitting section 13B and light-receiving section 14B constitute the detection light emission and reception means 11B.

[0018] Furthermore, the order in which the light-emitting unit 13 and the light-receiving unit 14 are arranged in each detection unit 15, 16 does not necessarily have to be alternating; it may be irregular. The master unit 15 may house only one of the light-emitting unit 13 or the light-receiving unit 14, while the slave unit 16 may house only the other of the light-emitting unit 13 or the light-receiving unit 14.

[0019] As shown in Figure 4, each detection unit 15, 16 protrudes from the bathroom wall 3a, 3b, but it may also be embedded in the bathroom wall 3a, 3b, and the front surface of the detection unit 15, 16 may be flush with the wall surface of the bathroom wall 3a, 3b. The number of sets of light-emitting units 13 and light-receiving units 14 is not limited to 8, but may be 7 or less, or 9 or more.

[0020] As shown in Figure 4, the corresponding light-emitting units 13 and light-receiving units 14 of each stage of the detection light emission / receiving means 11 are arranged separately in one detection unit 14 and the other detection unit 15. That is, one of the corresponding light-emitting units 13 and light-receiving units 14 is located in the detection unit 15 of the master unit, and the other is located in the detection unit 16 of the slave unit.

[0021] As shown in Figure 4, the light-emitting unit 13 projects detection light L1. The light-receiving unit 14 receives the detection light L1 from the corresponding light-emitting unit 13. The optical axis L of the detection light L1 is aligned so as to connect these corresponding light-emitting unit 13 and light-receiving unit 14. 11 The (propagation axis) is formed. Optical axis L 11 It extends straight horizontally along the longitudinal direction of the bathtub 2. Preferably, the bather detection means 10 detects propagation interference such as the blocking of the projected detection light L1. The detection light L1 is preferably infrared. Preferably, the light-emitting unit 13 includes an infrared light-emitting element, and the light-receiving unit 14 includes an infrared light-receiving element. Preferably, the bather detection means 10 is composed of an infrared blocking type photoelectric sensor module.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, an auxiliary detection means 20 is positioned higher than the bather detection means 10 on the bathroom wall 3 on the washing area 4 side (right side in Figure 1) of the bather detection means 10, primarily for detecting the bather A's entry and exit movements from the bathtub. Preferably, the auxiliary detection means 20 is positioned above the washing area side frame 2a of the bathtub 2. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the auxiliary detection means 20 includes multiple sets (in this case, two sets) of light-emitting units 23 (projection units) and light-receiving units 24 (wave-receiving units), and a master unit 25 and a slave unit 26 positioned on the bathroom wall sections 3a and 3b, respectively. The master unit 25 and the slave unit 26 each have a light-emitting unit 23 and a light-receiving unit 24 positioned side by side. Corresponding light-emitting units 23 and light-receiving units 24, forming a pair, face each other straight in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub 2.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, the projection unit 23 projects detection light L2 (detection wave), which is preferably infrared light. The light receiving unit 24 receives the detection light L2 from the corresponding projection unit 23. The auxiliary detection means 20 detects propagation interference such as the blocking of the projected detection light L2. Preferably, the auxiliary detection means 20 is composed of an infrared blocking type photoelectric sensor module.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, a water level gauge 30 (water level detection means) is connected to the bathtub 2. The water level gauge 30 has a detection port 31 and a measuring unit 32 facing into the bathtub 2, and measures the pressure of the hot water in the bathtub 2, and consequently the water level in the bathtub 2.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, each detection means 10, 20, and 30 is connected to the controller 40 via a signal line 49. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the controller 40 is equipped with a microcomputer, input / output interface, drive circuit, power supply circuit, communication circuit, etc. The controller 40 functions as an entry / exit determination unit 41, an exit / exit determination unit 42, a drowning determination unit 43 (bathing abnormality determination unit), a detection on / off means 44, a detection height adjustment means 45, a drowning response processing unit 46 (bathing abnormality response processing unit), etc. The determination units 41 to 43 determine whether bather A has entered or exited the bath and make safety determinations, including drowning (bathing abnormality), based on detection information from the detection means 10, 20, and 30. In particular, the drowning determination unit 43 determines whether bather A has drowned (bathing abnormality) based on detection information from the bather detection means 10, etc.

[0026] The detection on / off means 44 turns the operation of the detection means 10 and 20 on and off according to the water level measured by the water level gauge 30. The detection height adjustment means 45 adjusts the detection optical axis L used for determination in each determination unit 41, 42, 43 according to the water level measured by the water level gauge 30. 11 The height is adjusted. More specifically, the detection height adjustment means 45 includes an operation selection means 45a that selectively operates the detection light emitting means 11 of the two (multiple) stages of detection light emitting means 11A, 11B according to the measured water level.

[0027] When the drowning detection unit 43 determines that drowning has occurred (bathing abnormality), the drowning response unit 46 performs a predetermined drowning response procedure (bathing abnormality response procedure). The predetermined drowning response procedure includes activating an alarm (not shown), draining the water from the bathtub 2, and notifying a designated contact person.

[0028] As shown in the flowcharts in Figures 5 and 6, the bathroom monitoring system 9 performs, in parallel, the following: a flow 100 of on / off and detection height adjustment processing of detection means 10,20 by detection on / off means 44 and detection height adjustment means 45, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "detection on / off / height adjustment processing") and a flow 200 of bath monitoring processing (Figure 6) such as bath entry determination, bath exit determination, and drowning determination by determination units 41, 42, 43, etc.

[0029] <Detection on / off and height adjustment processing> As shown in the flowchart of Figure 5, the initial state of the bathroom monitoring system 1 is standby mode. In standby mode, the bather detection means 10 and the auxiliary detection means 20 are stopped (off) (step 101). Alternatively, the detection means 10 and 20 may be in a sleep state.

[0030] The controller 40, which serves as the detection on / off means 44 and the detection height adjustment means 45, constantly acquires water level measurement data from the water level gauge 30 in the bathtub 2 (step 102). Then, it determines whether the measured water level Lw is equal to or greater than the monitoring requirement standard water level Lw0 (Lw≧Lw0) (step 103). As shown in Figure 2, the monitoring requirement standard water level Lw0 is set, for example, near the center height of the detection port 31 of the water level gauge 30 or near the height of the measurement unit 32 (Figure 1). Preferably, the monitoring requirement standard water level Lw0 is set near the upper limit of the water level range where the possibility of a user being in the bath is low, or near the upper limit of the water level range where the possibility of drowning is extremely low, even if a user is in the bath.

[0031] As shown in the flowchart of Figure 5, when the water level in the bathtub 2 is below the monitoring requirement standard water level Lw0 ("no" in step 103), the standby mode is maintained, and the detection on / off means 44 keeps the detection means 10 and 20 stopped or in a sleep state (step 103 → 101). This reduces the possibility that the system 9 will perform unnecessary monitoring operations due to the detection means 10 and 20 detecting non-bathing operations such as cleaning the bathtub or falsely detecting an object. It also saves electricity.

[0032] When the water level in the bathtub 2 rises due to filling with hot water, and the measured water level Lw becomes equal to or greater than the monitoring requirement standard water level Lw0 ("yes" in step 103), the standby mode is deactivated (step 104), and the detection means 10 and 20 are activated by the detection on / off means 44. At this time, for the bather detection means 10, the lowest detection light emitting means 11B is selected and activated by the operation selection means 45a of the detection height adjustment means 45 (step 110). As a result, each light emitting unit 13B emits detection light L1B The light is projected, and each light receiving unit 14B detects the corresponding detection light L 1B The system detects whether or not the signal is blocked. The detection light emission / receiving means 11A of the upper stage (other stages) that was not selected is stopped from operating by the operation selection means 45a.

[0033] Furthermore, the operation selection means 45a may activate the detection light emitting means 11 of the selected stage and disable the operation of the detection light emitting means 11 of the other stages. In other words, the detection light emitting means 11 of each stage may be operated regardless of the water level Lw, and only the detection information from the detection light emitting means 11 of the selected stage may be used as valid information for the drowning determination described later, while the detection information from the detection light emitting means 11 of the other stages may not be used for the drowning determination described later.

[0034] Furthermore, the water level of the bathtub 2 is measured by the water level gauge 30 (step 111), and it is determined whether the measured water level Lw is equal to or greater than the first detection switching water level Lw1 (Lw≧Lw1) (step 112). The first detection switching water level Lw1 is a water level height set from the viewpoint of preventing omissions in drowning response processing (failure to execute step 231) such as misjudgment in the drowning determination (step 230) in the bath monitoring processing flow 220 (Figure 6). As shown in Figure 2(a), the first detection switching water level Lw1 is higher than the monitoring necessity criterion water level Lw0 (Lw1>Lw0). Preferably, the first detection switching water level Lw1 is below the detection light axis L of the detection light projection / receiving means 11B below the water level Lw1. 11B The height h1 up to is the height h from the nostrils to the top of the head of a person. A1 It is set to a certain extent. The first detection switching water level Lw1 may be set according to the actual body size of the person being monitored, such as the height from the nostrils to the top of the head.

[0035] As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, when the measured water level Lw in the bathtub 2 is less than the first detection switching water level Lw1 (in the "no" of step 112), it is further determined whether the measured water level Lw is below the monitoring necessity reference water level Lw0 (step 113). Here, when Lw > Lw0 (in the "no" of step 113), the process returns to step 111. Therefore, as long as the water level in the bathtub 2 is above the monitoring necessity reference water level Lw0 and less than the first detection switching water level Lw1 (Lw0 < Lw < Lw1), while the lower detection light transmitting and receiving means 11B continues to operate (step 110), the steps 111 to 113 of water level measurement and two-stage determination are repeatedly executed.

[0036] When the water filling further progresses or the bather A enters the bathtub and the measured water level Lw becomes equal to or higher than the first detection switching water level Lw1 (Lw ≥ Lw1), it is determined as "yes" in step 112. Then, the upper detection light transmitting and receiving means 11A is selected and operated by the operation selection means 45a (step 120). As a result, each light projecting unit 13A projects the detection light L 1A and each light receiving unit 14A detects the presence or absence of interruption of the corresponding detection light L 1A . On the other hand, the operation of the lower detection light transmitting and receiving means 11B is stopped, and each light projecting unit 13B and light receiving unit 14B are turned off.

[0037] Thereafter, the water level in the bathtub 2 is measured by the water level gauge 30 (step 121), and it is determined whether the measured water level Lw has become equal to or lower than the second detection switching water level Lw2 (Lw ≤ Lw2) (step 122). The second detection switching water level Lw2 is a water level height set from the viewpoint of suppressing unnecessary drowning countermeasure processing (step 231) such as false alarms due to false determination in the drowning determination (step 230) in the bathing monitoring process flow 220 (FIG. 6) described later. As shown in FIG. 2(b), preferably, the second detection switching water level Lw2 is such that the height h2 from the water level Lw2 to the detection optical axis L 11A of the upper detection light transmitting and receiving means 11A is, for example, the height dimension h A0It is set to be at or above that level. The second detection switching water level Lw2 may be set according to the actual size of the body, such as the head, of the person being monitored A. Preferably, the second detection switching water level Lw2 is slightly lower than the first detection switching water level Lw1 (Figure 2(a)) and higher than the monitoring necessity criterion water level Lw0 (Lw1>Lw2>Lw0).

[0038] As shown in the flowchart of Figure 5, as long as the water level of the bathtub 2 is greater than the second detection switching water level Lw2 (Lw>Lw2, i.e., "no" in step 122), the upper detection light emitting / receiving means 11A continues to operate (step 120), and steps 121 to 122 of water level measurement and determination are repeatedly performed.

[0039] When the water level in the bathtub 2 drops due to the scooping out of the bath or when bather A leaves the bath, and the measured water level Lw falls below the second detection switching water level Lw2 ("yes" in step 122), the operation selection means 45a stops the upper detection light emitting means 11A and switches to the operation of the lower detection light emitting means 11B (step 110). Then, the water level measurement and two-stage determination loop is restarted (steps 111-113).

[0040] If the water level in the bathtub 2 drops further due to drainage or other reasons, and the measured water level Lw falls below the monitoring requirement standard water level Lw0 ("yes" in step 113), the bathroom monitoring system 9 enters standby mode (step 101), and the detection on / off means 44 stops (turns off) the operation of the detection means 10 and 20. Alternatively, the detection means 10 and 20 are put into sleep mode. Water level measurement (step 102) and determination (step 102) continue.

[0041] <Bathtime supervision> As shown in the flowchart in Figure 6, in the bath monitoring processing flow 200 of the bathroom monitoring system 9, each determination unit 41, 42, and 43, which are configured by the controller 40, are in standby mode in their initial state (step 201).

[0042] When the water level Lw of bathtub 2 becomes equal to or greater than the monitoring requirement standard water level Lw0 ("yes" in step 103 of Figure 5), the standby mode in the detection on / off and height adjustment processing flow 100 is released (step 104), and in the bathing monitoring processing flow 200, the standby mode of the determination units 41, 42, and 43 is also released and the monitoring process begins ("yes" in step 202). In the monitoring process, bather detection information is acquired by the detection means 10 and 20 (step 210). Specifically, the presence or absence of blocking of detection lights L1 and L2 is detected. Based on this detection information, the bathing determination unit 41 first performs a bathing entry determination (step 211).

[0043] When bather A enters the bathtub 2, they inevitably step over the top of the washing area side frame 2a (Figure 1) of the bathtub 2. At this time, bather A is aligned with the optical axis L of the detection light L2 of the auxiliary detection means 20. 21 (Figure 4) is crossed. As a result, the detection light L2 is blocked, and the auxiliary detection means 20 acquires detection information of detection wave blockage. Furthermore, when bather A steps over the washing area side frame 2a and enters the bathtub 2, multiple detection light axes L are detected by the operating detection light transmitting / receiving means 11A or 11B of the bather detection means 10. 11 The detection light L1 is blocked when it passes over at least one of the detection points, and detection information of detection light blockage (detection wave blockage) is obtained. In response, the tank entry determination unit 41 determines that the tank is entered ("yes" in step 211).

[0044] When a person enters the bath, which stage of the detection light emitting / receiving means 11A, 11B of the bather detection means 10 is in operation is determined by the water level Lw of the bathtub 2 at that time or immediately before (Figure 5). Preferably, the bath entry determination unit 41 does not distinguish which stage of the detection light emitting / receiving means 11A, 11B is in operation, and therefore the detection light Lw in the output of either stage is used. 1A ,L 1B The determination of whether or not to enter the tank is made based on whether or not the signal is blocked. This simplifies the determination process.

[0045] When bather A enters the bathtub, the water level in the bathtub 2 rises. As a result, if the measured water level Lw rises from below the detection switching water level Lw1 (Figure 2(b)) to above the detection switching water level Lw1 (Figure 2(a)), the bather detection means 10 is switched to the operation of the upper detection light emitting means 11A, as explained in the detection on / off / height adjustment flow 100 in Figure 5 (step 112 → step 120). If the water level after the rise due to entering the bathtub remains below the detection switching water level Lw1 (Figure 2(b)), the lower detection light emitting means 11B continues to operate as before entering the bathtub.

[0046] As shown in the flowchart in Figure 6, after the determination of whether the person has entered the bath ("yes" in step 211), bather detection information is subsequently acquired by the detection means 10 and 20 (step 220). Based on this bather detection information, the determination units 42 and 43 perform a determination of whether the person has left the bath (step 221) and a determination of whether the person is drowning (step 230).

[0047] When bather A exits the bathtub 2, they inevitably step over the upper part of the washing area side frame 2a of the bathtub 2. At this time, the optical axis L of the auxiliary detection means 20 21 Bather A crosses the area. As a result, the auxiliary detection means 20 acquires detection light blockage information. After bather A moves to the washing area 4, both the bather detection means 10 and the auxiliary detection means 20 no longer detect detection light blockage. Accordingly, the exit determination unit 42 determines that the bather has exited ("yes" in step 221). After that, each determination unit 41, 42, and 43 returns to the standby state (step 201).

[0048] When bather A leaves the bathtub, the water level in the bathtub 2 drops. As a result, if the measured water level Lw falls from, for example, the first detection switching water level Lw1 or higher (Figure 2(a)) to the second detection switching water level Lw2 or lower (Figure 2(b)), the bather detection means 10 switches from the operation of the upper detection light emitting means 11A to the operation of the lower detection light emitting means 11B, as explained in the detection on / off / height adjustment flow 100 in Figure 5 (step 122 → step 110).

[0049] As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, until the bathtub exit is detected by the bathtub exit determination unit 42 ( "yes" in step 221), the drowning determination unit 43 determines the presence or absence of drowning based on the detection information by the bather detection means 10 (step 230). Preferably, when the detection light interruption by the bather detection means 10 and the detection light interruption by the auxiliary detection means 20 are no longer detected without the detection of the bathtub exit ( "yes" in step 221), the drowning determination unit 43 determines that drowning has occurred ( "yes" in step 230). That is, when the detection light interruption by the bather detection means 10 is no longer detected despite the fact that the detection light interruption by the auxiliary detection means 20 is not detected, there is a possibility that the bather A has sunk into the hot water in the bathtub 2, and it is determined that drowning has occurred.

[0050] The drowning determination is made based on the detection information by the detection light transmitting and receiving means 11 of the stage corresponding to the water level Lw in the bathtub 2. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, for example, when the water level Lw in the bathtub 2 is at or above the first detection switching water level Lw1 (FIG. 2(a)), or when the water level (Lw ≧ Lw1) has dropped from that level to less than the first detection switching water level Lw1 and more than the second detection switching water level Lw2 (Lw2 < Lw < Lw1), since the upper-stage detection light transmitting and receiving means 11A is operating effectively (step 120), the detection information on whether the upper-stage detection light L 1A is interrupted is acquired and used for the drowning determination. If the detection light L 1A is no longer interrupted, it is determined that drowning has occurred ( "yes" in step 230). The lower-stage detection light transmitting and receiving means 11B is stopped and not used for the drowning determination. This can prevent the misjudgment that the bather A is not drowning when actually drowning.

[0051] At this time, if it is assumed that the drowning determination is made based on the detection information of the lower-stage detection light transmitting and receiving means 11B, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2(a), although the bather A is drowning, there is a possibility that it is not determined that drowning has occurred because the detection light L 1B is interrupted, and there is a risk of omission in the drowning response process such as a failure to report or an alarm not being issued (non-execution in step 231). The first detection switching water level Lw1 is the height dimension h from a person's nostrils to the top of the headA1 By setting it in consideration, when the nostrils of the bather A are in a drowning state immersed in the hot water in the bathtub 2, the upper detection light L 1A The transmission (no interruption) of can be surely detected and it can be surely determined that the person is drowning ("yes" in step 230), and the omission of drowning countermeasure processing can be surely prevented.

[0052] As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, when the water level Lw in the bathtub 2 is below the second detection switching water level Lw2 and above the monitoring necessity reference water level Lw0 (FIG. 2(b)), or when the water level (Lw0 < Lw ≤ Lw2) rises from that level to above the second detection switching water level Lw2 and below the first detection switching water level Lw1 (Lw2 < Lw < Lw1), since the lower detection light transmitting and receiving means 11B is effectively operating (step 110), the lower detection light L 1B The detection information on whether the interruption exists or not is acquired and used for drowning determination. When the detection light L 1B is no longer interrupted, it is determined that the person is drowning ("yes" in step 230). The upper detection light transmitting and receiving means 11A is stopped and not used for drowning determination. Thus, it is possible to prevent misjudging that the person is drowning when actually the bather A is not drowning.

[0053] At this time, if it is assumed that a drowning determination is made based on the detection information of the upper detection light transmitting and receiving means 11A, although the bather A is not drowning, in FIG. 2(b), the detection light L 1A is no longer interrupted, there is a possibility of being determined as drowning, and there is a risk that unnecessary drowning countermeasure processing (step 231) such as a false alarm, that is, an alarm being issued erroneously, may be executed. By setting the second detection switching water level Lw2 in consideration of the height dimension h A0 of a person's head, even when the head of the bather A is not immersed in the hot water in the bathtub 2 (FIG. 2(b)), it is possible to surely suppress misjudging as drowning due to the detection of the transmission (no interruption) of the detection light L 1A .

[0054] Preferably, eight (a plurality) of the detection lights L 1A or L1B Drowning is determined when all of the detection lights L1 are in an unblocked (transmitted) state. More preferably, drowning is determined when the state in which the blocking of all detection lights L1 of the detection light transmitting means 11 of the selected stage is not detected continues for a certain drowning determination time. The drowning determination time is a few seconds (for example, 3 seconds).

[0055] In this way, the bathroom monitoring system 9 can accurately detect whether bather A is drowning in the bathtub 2 according to the water level Lw. When the drowning detection unit 43 determines that drowning has occurred, the drowning response processing unit 46 performs water response processing such as issuing an alarm or draining the water (step 231). When a caregiver or the like performs the alarm cancellation process, for example, by pressing a release button (not shown) provided on the detection unit 15 or 16 (step 232), each detection unit 41, 42, and 43 returns to standby mode (step 201).

[0056] Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, components that overlap with those described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. <Second Embodiment (Figure 7)> As shown in Figure 7, in the bathroom monitoring system 9B according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the detection light emitting means 11 of the bather detection means 10 has only one stage. The single-stage detection light emitting means 11 is raised and lowered by the lifting means 51.

[0057] The pair of detection units 15 and 16 of the bather detection means 10 are mounted on the bathroom walls 3a and 3b so as to be able to move up and down via a lifting means 51. The lifting means 51 may be, for example, a linear motor, or a combination of a rotary motor and a conversion mechanism such as a pinion rack that converts rotational motion into linear motion.

[0058] The lifting and lowering means 51 of the pair of detection units 15 and 16 are driven and controlled synchronously by the controller 40. As a result, the pair of detection units 15 and 16 are raised and lowered synchronously and integrally. The lifting and lowering means 51 and the controller 40 constitute the detection height adjustment means 50B.

[0059] Each detection unit 15, 16 has multiple light-emitting units 13 (projection units) and light-receiving units 14 (wave-receiving units) arranged in a line along the shorter side of the bathtub 2. Similar to the first embodiment (Figures 2 and 3), the corresponding light-emitting units 13 and light-receiving units 14 are separated into one detection unit 15 and the other detection unit 16, and are arranged to face each other along the longer side of the bathtub 2. Because the pair of detection units 15, 16 move up and down synchronously and integrally, the corresponding light-emitting units 13 and light-receiving units 14 always face each other straight along the longer side of the bathtub 2, regardless of the movement of the detection units 15, 16.

[0060] In the bathroom monitoring system 9B, the height of the detection units 15 and 16 is adjusted by the lifting mechanism 51 of the detection height adjustment means 50B based on the water level measured in the bathtub 2 by the water level gauge 30. When the water level Lw in the bathtub 2 is high, the detection units 15 and 16 are positioned at a high location within the lifting range. When the water level Lw in the bathtub 2 is low, the detection units 15 and 16 are positioned at a low location within the lifting range. This allows for accurate detection of whether bather A is drowning in the bathtub 2 according to the water level Lw when determining drowning.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from its spirit. For example, the detection light (detection wave) is not limited to infrared light; it can also be visible light, ultraviolet light, or other light waves with wavelengths outside the infrared range. Furthermore, the detection wave is not limited to light waves; it can be other electromagnetic waves or even ultrasound. The bather detection means 10 is not limited to a blocking type sensor that detects whether or not a detection wave such as detection light L1 is blocked, but may also be a sensor that detects the degree of attenuation of the detection wave. Attenuation includes a decrease in light intensity, absorption, scattering, reflection, etc. In the first embodiment (Figure 1), the number of stages in the bather detection means 10 is not limited to two stages, but may be three or more stages. The drowning detection unit 43 (bathing abnormality detection unit) is for determining conditions that appear to be drowning, and may also be for determining abnormalities in bathing posture. [Industrial applicability]

[0062] This invention can be applied, for example, to a bathroom monitoring system that keeps an eye on a person receiving care in a bathroom in a home or care facility. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 1 bathroom 2 Bathtub 3 bathroom wall 3a Bathtub wall 3b Bathtub wall 9. Bathroom monitoring system 9B Bathroom Monitoring System 10. Means for detecting bathers 11. Detection light transmission / reception means (detection wave transmission / reception means) 11A Upper detection light transmission / reception means (detection wave transmission / reception means) 11B Lower detection light transmission / reception means (detection wave transmission / reception means) 13. Light Projection Unit 13A Upper light projection unit (projection unit) 13B Lower light projection unit (projection unit) 14 Light receiving section (wave receiving section) 14A Upper light receiving section (wave receiving section) 14B Lower light receiving section (wave receiving section) 15 detection units 16 detection units 30. Water level gauge (water level detection means) 40 controllers 43 Drowning Judgment Department (Bathing Abnormality Judgment Department) 44 Detection On / Off Means 45 Detection height adjustment means 45a Operation selection means 50B Detection height adjustment means 51 Lifting and lowering means A bathers L1 detection light (detection wave) L 1A Upper detection light L 1B Lower detection light L 11 Optical axis (propagation axis) Lw Measured water level

Claims

1. A system for monitoring bathers in a bathroom, A bather detection means is positioned on the bathroom wall above the bathtub and detects a person bathing in the bathtub using detection waves. A bathing abnormality determination unit determines whether or not there is a bathing abnormality based on the detection information from the bather detection means, A water level gauge for measuring the water level in the bathtub, A detection height adjustment means adjusts the height of the propagation axis of the detection wave used for the determination according to the water level measured by the water level gauge, A bathroom monitoring system characterized by having the following features.

2. The bather detection means includes multiple stages of detection wave transmission and reception means separated vertically, The bathroom monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the detection height adjustment means includes an operation selection means for selectively or effectively operating the detection wave transmission / reception means of the stage corresponding to the measured water level among the multiple stages, and stopping or disabling the operation of the detection wave transmission / reception means of the other stages.

3. Each stage of the detection wave projection and receiving means has a plurality of projection units that project detection waves and a plurality of receiving units that receive detection waves from the corresponding projection units, and these projection units and receiving units are arranged in the short direction of the bathtub, and the corresponding projection units and receiving units are arranged to face each other in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub. The bathroom monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the projection unit and the receiving unit of the multiple stages of detection wave transmission and reception means are arranged vertically apart from each other.

4. The bathroom monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the detection height adjustment means includes a lifting means for raising and lowering the bather detection means according to the measured water level.

5. The bather detection means has a pair of detection units facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub, and each detection unit has a plurality of projection units that project detection waves and a plurality of receiving units that receive detection waves from the corresponding projection units, arranged in the short direction of the bathtub, and the corresponding projection units and receiving units are separated into one detection unit and the other detection unit and arranged facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub. The bathroom monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein the lifting means raises and lowers the pair of detection units in synchronous or integral manner.

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