Nurse Call System

Abstract

To enable a simultaneous broadcast to all patients from a nurse call master unit without increasing a cost and a size of a control machine.SOLUTION: A nurse call system in which a control machine 10 for supplying a power supply to all of nurse call slave units 11 is provided between a nurse call master unit 1 and the plurality of nurse call slave units 11. The nurse call system classifies the plurality of nurse call slave units 11 connected to the nurse call master unit 1 into a plurality of groups, records a sound inputted into a microphone 6 of the nurse call master unit 1 into a recording part 8 when a broadcast is together started in the nurse call master unit 1, and sequentially reproduces a sound signal recorded after the termination of the recording with a slave unit speaker 15 of the nurse call slave unit 11 in each group. A power supply capacity of the control machine 10 can be suppressed, and the broadcast is performed to all patients from the nurse call master unit 1 together without increasing a coast and a size of the control machine 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a nurse call system that enables a patient to call a medical professional such as a nurse, and more particularly to a nurse call system that enables a medical professional to make a broadcast to all patients. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, hospitals and other facilities use nurse call systems, which allow patients in a hospital to call medical staff such as nurses or doctors (hereinafter simply referred to as medical staff) by operating the call operation unit of a nurse call handset when they need support.

[0003] Many nurse call systems are configured with a nurse call handset installed near the bed in the patient's room, in the toilet, or in the bathroom, a nurse call master installed in the nurse's station, a hallway light installed on the hallway side near the entrance to the patient's room, and a controller that controls the transmission and reception of calls and data. In addition to the above configuration, nurse call systems are also provided that include mobile terminals (e.g., PHS (Personal Handy phone System) terminals) carried by medical staff and PBX (Private Branch Exchange).

[0004] In this type of nurse call system, when a patient operates the call operation unit of a nurse call handset, the nurse call handset outputs a call signal to a nurse call parent unit, and the nurse call parent unit that inputs the call signal notifies the patient of the call by sounding an alarm from a speaker, turning on / flashing a lamp provided for each patient, or displaying on a display unit that a call has been made.

[0005] In addition, such nurse call systems generally include a function that allows a medical professional to use a nurse call master unit to broadcast a message to all patients using nurse call slave units, or to select a specific patient from among all patients using nurse call slave units and broadcast a message to the selected patient individually (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this case, each nurse call slave unit is equipped with a speaker, and the contents of the broadcast message or individual message are output as audio from the speaker.

[0006] However, when broadcasting to all patients simultaneously using the technology described in Patent Document 1, the following problem occurs. That is, since the controller connected between the nurse call master unit and each nurse call slave unit supplies power to all the nurse call slave units, there is a problem that power consumption increases significantly when the speakers of all the nurse call slave units are operated by a simultaneous broadcast. To solve this problem, it is necessary to increase the capacity of the power supply installed in the controller unit, but this causes problems such as an increase in the cost and size of the controller unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-290399 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and its object is to enable a nurse call parent unit to broadcast to all patients simultaneously without increasing the cost or size of the control unit that supplies power to each nurse call child unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a nurse call system that connects a nurse call parent unit to multiple nurse call handsets, broadcasts audio input into a microphone provided on the nurse call parent unit to multiple nurse call handsets simultaneously, and is equipped with a controller that supplies the power required for this broadcast to the multiple nurse call handsets.The multiple nurse call handsets are pre-classified into multiple groups, and when a broadcast is started on the nurse call parent unit, the nurse call parent unit records the audio input into the microphone, and after recording is completed, the controller supplies power to the nurse call handsets sequentially by group, and the nurse call parent unit outputs the recorded audio to the nurse call handsets that are supplied with power, so that the nurse call handset that is supplied with power and has input the recorded audio plays the audio on its speaker.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, power and audio output to the nurse call handset of the first group is performed at the same time that the nurse call master unit starts recording audio. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention configured as described above, multiple nurse call handsets connected to a nurse call parent unit are classified into multiple groups, and the audio for the general broadcast is recorded and played back for each group, thereby reducing the power capacity of the control unit and allowing the nurse call parent unit to make general broadcasts to all patients without increasing the cost or size of the control unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a nurse call system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a nurse call system according to this embodiment. In Fig. 1, 1 is a nurse call master unit, which is installed in a nurse station where medical staff are stationed, and is used by the medical staff. Here, the nurse call master unit 1 is configured with a control unit 2, a master unit interface 3, a display unit 4, a speaker 5, a microphone 6, an operation unit 7, and a storage unit 8.

[0014] Also, reference numeral 10 denotes a controller that controls communication between the nurse call parent unit 1 and multiple nurse call slave units 11, and also supplies power to the multiple nurse call slave units 11. Here, the power supplied by the controller 10 to the nurse call slave units 11 includes power required for a general broadcast and power required at other times, but the power in this embodiment refers to the power required for a general broadcast.

[0015] Nurse call handset 11 connected to nurse call master 1 via controller 10 is installed near each patient's bed and is used when patients call medical staff and when patients listen to general announcements. Here, nurse call handset 11 is configured with handset interface 12, handset control unit 13, call operation unit 14, handset speaker 15, and handset microphone 16. Generally, all nurse call handset 11 are connected to one nurse call master 1, whether it be on a ward or floor basis.

[0016] In addition, a corridor light (not shown) is connected between the control unit 10 and the nurse call handset 11. The corridor light displays the name of the patient in the hospital room, and also displays that a call has been made when the patient in the hospital room makes a call. As with well-known nurse call systems, the mobile terminals carried by medical staff and the PBX may be linked to the nurse call master unit 1. This makes it possible to make simultaneous announcements from the mobile terminals.

[0017] Here, the multiple nurse call terminals 11 are classified into multiple groups (for example, multiple areas). In this embodiment, the multiple nurse call terminals 11 are classified into areas 1 to n (n is a natural number of 2 or more).

[0018] The control unit 2 is for controlling each component of the nurse call master unit 1 as described below, and is composed of a CPU, etc. The master unit interface 3 is for connecting the nurse call master unit 1 and each nurse call slave unit 11 to perform communication. Here, the master unit interface 3 inputs a call signal output from the nurse call slave unit 11, and also inputs and outputs a voice signal, which will be described later.

[0019] Display unit 4 is configured with a display and the like, and is used to notify by video or the like of a call from a patient made by nurse call handset 11. Speaker 5 is used to notify by voice of a call from a patient made by nurse call handset 11, and is used to output the voice of the patient input from nurse call handset 11. Microphone 6 is used to input the voice of the medical staff when responding to a call from a patient made by nurse call handset 11, and is used to input the voice of the medical staff when making a general broadcast by nurse call master unit 1.

[0020] The operation unit 7 is composed of a response operation button (not shown) that is operated when responding to a call from a patient, and a general broadcast operation button (not shown) that is operated when starting and ending a general broadcast. The storage unit 8 is composed of a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk, and stores identification information (such as information such as a bed number) for distinguishing the nurse call handset 11 from other nurse call handset 11, and group information indicating the group into which each nurse call handset 11 is classified, in association with each other. In addition, when the operation unit 7 is operated to start a general broadcast, the storage unit 13 stores the voice of the medical staff inputted by the microphone 6 as an audio signal.

[0021] The handset interface 12 is for connecting the nurse call handset 11 and the nurse call base unit 1 to perform communication. The handset interface 12 also inputs the audio signal of the general broadcast output from the nurse call base unit 1, and exchanges audio signals between the nurse call handset 11 and the nurse call base unit 1 when a communication path is established between them. The handset control unit 13 is for controlling each component of the nurse call handset 11 as described below, and is composed of a CPU, etc.

[0022] Call operation unit 14 is attached to the housing of nurse call handset 11, and is operated by the patient when the patient calls a medical staff member. Handset speaker 15 is attached to the housing of nurse call handset 11, and is used to output the sound of a general broadcast and to output the voice of the medical staff member when a communication path is established between nurse call handset 11 and nurse call master unit 1. Handset microphone 16 is attached to the housing of nurse call handset 11, and is used to input the voice of the patient when a communication path is established between nurse call handset 11 and nurse call master unit 1.

[0023] When the call operation unit 14 is operated, the handset control unit 13 generates a call signal, and the handset interface 12 outputs the call signal generated by the handset control unit 13 to the nurse call parent unit 1. The call signal also includes the above-mentioned identification information. When the parent unit interface 3 inputs the call signal, the control unit 7 operates the display unit 4 and the speaker 5 to notify the user that a patient is calling.

[0024] When a medical professional who notices the above-mentioned notification operates the operation unit 7, the control unit 2 stops the above-mentioned notification operation and establishes a communication path between the nurse call master unit 1 and the nurse call handset 11. Then, when the operation unit 7 is operated again, for example, after the conversation has ended, the control unit 2 disconnects the above-mentioned communication path. These operations may also be performed by off-hook and on-hooking a handset (not shown).

[0025] Meanwhile, in the nurse call system configured as above, when a medical professional operates the operation unit 7 to make a broadcast, the control unit 2 operates the microphone 6 and the storage unit 8. When the medical professional inputs the voice of the contents of the broadcast into the microphone 6, the control unit 2 stores the voice signal input into the microphone 6 in the storage unit 8. Then, when the medical professional finishes inputting the voice of the contents of the broadcast, he or she operates the operation unit 7. The control unit 2 then stops storing the voice signal in the storage unit 8.

[0026] Control unit 2 reads out the identification information stored in association with the group information of area 1 from the group information stored in memory unit 8, reads out the audio signal stored in memory unit 8, and outputs it to control unit 10. Control unit 10 supplies power to nurse call handset 11 corresponding to the identification information input from nurse call parent unit 1, and outputs the audio signal input from nurse call parent unit 1 to nurse call handset 11 corresponding to the above-mentioned identification information.

[0027] In this embodiment, the controller 10 supplies power to the nurse call handset 11 that corresponds to the specific identification information and outputs an audio signal, but this is not limited to this. For example, the nurse call handset 11 may receive power and input an audio signal only when the identification information matches that of its own device.

[0028] In the nurse call handset 11 supplied with power from the control unit 10, an audio signal is input via the handset interface 12, and the handset control unit 13 operates the handset speaker 14 to output the broadcast audio. Then, when the output of the broadcast audio ends, the control unit 10 stops the supply of power to the nurse call handset 11.

[0029] Next, control unit 2 reads out the identification information stored in association with the group information of area 2 from the group information stored in memory unit 8, reads out the audio signal stored in memory unit 8, and outputs it to control unit 10. Control unit 10 supplies power to nurse call handset 11 corresponding to the identification information input from nurse call parent unit 1, and outputs the audio signal input from nurse call parent unit 1 to nurse call handset 11 corresponding to the above-mentioned identification information.

[0030] In the nurse call handset 11 supplied with power from the control unit 10, an audio signal is input via the handset interface 12, and the handset control unit 13 operates the handset speaker 14 to output the broadcast audio. Then, when the output of the broadcast audio ends, the control unit 10 stops the supply of power to the nurse call handset 11.

[0031] The control unit 10 repeats the above-mentioned operations up to the nurse call handset 11 whose identification information is stored in association with the group information of area n, thereby completing a simultaneous broadcast to the nurse call parent unit 1 and all nurse call handset 11 connected to the control unit 10.

[0032] As described in detail above, according to this embodiment, the nurse call system connects a nurse call parent unit 1 and multiple nurse call handsets 11, broadcasts the voice input into the microphone 6 provided on the nurse call parent unit 1 to the multiple nurse call handsets 11 simultaneously, and is equipped with a controller 10 that supplies the power required for this broadcast to the multiple nurse call handsets 11. The multiple nurse call handsets 11 are pre-classified into multiple groups, and when a broadcast is started by the nurse call parent unit 1, the nurse call parent unit 1 records the voice input into the microphone 6. After the recording is completed, the controller 10 supplies power to the nurse call handsets 11 in sequence by group, and the nurse call parent unit 1 outputs the recorded voice to the nurse call handsets 11 to which power is being supplied, so that the nurse call handset 11 that is supplied with power and has received the recorded voice plays the voice on the handset speaker 15.

[0033] As a result, multiple nurse call handsets 11 connected to the nurse call parent unit 1 are classified into multiple groups and the audio for the simultaneous broadcast is recorded and played back for each group, thereby reducing the power capacity of the control unit 10 and enabling simultaneous broadcasts to be made from the nurse call parent unit 1 to all patients without increasing the cost or size of the control unit 10.

[0034] In the embodiment described above, the voice for the general broadcast is recorded in the nurse call master unit 1 and then playback to each group is started, but this is not limited to this. For example, when the general broadcast is started in the nurse call master unit 1, the voice input to the microphone 6 of the nurse call master unit 1 is output from the handset speaker 15 of the nurse call slave unit 11 of the first group, and the voice recorded at that time may be played back sequentially on the handset speaker 15 of the nurse call slave unit 11 of the subsequent groups.

[0035] As a result, the simultaneous broadcast to the first group is performed during recording, which has the advantage of completing the simultaneous broadcast to all nurse call slaves 11 more quickly than in the previously described embodiment. However, in the previously described embodiment, the simultaneous broadcast to each nurse call slave 11 begins after recording of the voice for the simultaneous broadcast is completed, so it is possible to cancel the simultaneous broadcast if the wrong voice is recorded.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the broadcast audio signal is stored in the memory unit 8 in the nurse call master unit 1, but this is not limited to this. For example, the broadcast audio signal may be stored in a memory unit in the controller 10.

[0037] In addition, the above-mentioned embodiment is merely an example of a specific embodiment for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited thereby. In other words, the present invention can be carried out in various forms without departing from its spirit or main characteristics. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 Nurse call base unit 2. Control section 3 Parent unit interface 4 Display 5 Speakers 6. Microphone 7 Control section 8 Memory section 10. Controller 11 Nurse call base unit 12 Child Unit Interface 13 Child unit control section 14 Call operation section 15 Handset speaker 16 Handset Microphone

Claims

1. A nurse call system that connects a parent unit to a plurality of nurse call slave units, broadcasts a voice input to a microphone provided on the parent unit to the plurality of nurse call slave units simultaneously, and includes a controller that supplies the power required for the simultaneous broadcast to the plurality of nurse call slave units, A nurse call system characterized in that the multiple nurse call handsets are pre-classified into multiple groups, and when the nurse call parent unit starts the general broadcast, the nurse call parent unit records the voice input into the microphone, and after recording is completed, the control unit supplies power to the nurse call handsets sequentially by group, and the nurse call parent unit outputs the recorded voice to the powered nurse call handset, so that the nurse call handset that is powered and has input the recorded voice plays the voice on its speaker.

2. A nurse call system that connects a parent nurse call unit to a plurality of nurse call slave units, broadcasts audio input to a microphone provided on the parent nurse call unit to the plurality of nurse call slave units simultaneously, and is equipped with a controller that supplies the power required for the simultaneous broadcast to the plurality of nurse call slave units, A nurse call system in which the multiple nurse call handsets are pre-classified into multiple groups, and when the nurse call parent unit begins the mass broadcast, the nurse call parent unit records the voice input into the microphone while the control unit supplies power to the nurse call handsets of the first group to output the voice input into the microphone, and the nurse call handsets of the first group that input the voice play the voice on their speakers, and after the recording and playback of the voice are completed, the control unit sequentially supplies power to the groups other than the first group, and the nurse call parent unit outputs the recorded voice to the nurse call handsets to which power is supplied, so that the nurse call handsets that are powered and have input the recorded voice play the voice on their speakers.

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