Wall-mounted handset and device status determination device

Abstract

To make it possible, even when a plurality of connection machines are connected through a connector of a wall-embedded slave machine, to accurately determine an operation state and a connection state for each connection machine.SOLUTION: A wall-embedded slave machine 4 comprises: a first determination unit 41A for determining an operation state and a connection state of a hand type slave machine 6 and an operation state of a sensor slave machine 7 by comparing voltage generated on a calling line NC4 connected to a connector 40 of the wall-embedded slave machine with a threshold; and a second determination unit 41B for determining a connection state of the sensor slave machine 7 by comparing voltage generated on an LED line EL4 by supply of weak current to the extent of inhibiting an LED 62 of the hand type slave machine 6 from being lit up with a threshold. With respect to the connection state of the sensor slave machine 7, the determination is performed using the voltage generated on the LED line EL4 differing from the calling line NC4, which reduces the number of thresholds to be used for the determination and makes it easy to determine an operation state and a connection state for each connection machine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wall-embedded handset and an equipment status determination device, and is particularly suitable for use in a nurse call system that allows a patient to call a nurse by pressing a call button. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a nurse call system that can distinguish the type of connected device (button type pager, special pager, external device, etc.) even when multiple connected devices are connected to a wall embedded handset (plate handset), and can detect the disconnection status for each type of connected device when the connected device becomes disconnected (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the nurse call system described in Patent Document 1, when a connected device becomes disconnected, it detects which connected device has become disconnected from the inherent resistance value of the connected device.

[0003] On the other hand, there are also nurse call systems that detect whether a call operation has been performed and whether the button pager has been dropped by using a comparator to compare the voltage generated on the call line with a threshold value, which is one of the multiple signal lines of the connector (connection terminal) that connects the wall-embedded handset and the button pager. In a nurse call system with this type of detection function, the three states of the button pager (call / standby / dropped) are determined by comparing the voltage generated on the call line with a threshold value.

[0004] However, when multiple connection devices are connected to a wall-embedded handset with multiple connectors, or when a distributor is connected to a wall-embedded handset and multiple connection devices are connected, if one tries to determine the three states (ringing, waiting, and disconnection) for each connected device using voltage thresholds, the number of thresholds to be used for the determination becomes large, making it difficult to accurately identify each state of each connected device.

[0005] For example, when two types of connection devices are connected to a wall-embedded handset, a total of nine states must be identified using eight thresholds, combining the three states of the first connection device (ringing / standby / disconnection) with the three states of the second connection device (ringing / standby / disconnection). When three types of connection devices are connected to a wall-embedded handset, a total of 27 states must be identified using 26 thresholds. It is difficult to accurately identify these many states by comparing the voltage generated on the calling line with the thresholds. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-168570 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to make it easier to accurately determine the operation status and connection status of each connected device by comparing the voltage with a threshold value, even when multiple connected devices are connected via the connector of a wall-embedded handset. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention compares the voltage generated in a call line used for communication of a call signal among a plurality of signal lines connected to the connector of a wall-embedded handset with a threshold value, thereby determining the operation and connection states of some of the connected devices connected via the connector and the operation states of other connected devices other than the some of the connected devices. In addition, a weak current that does not light up the LED is supplied to an LED line among the plurality of signal lines used for controlling the light emission of an LED provided in the connected device, and the connection states of the other connected devices are determined by comparing the voltage generated in the LED line in response to the supply of the weak current with a threshold value. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention configured as described above, unlike the conventional technology that detects the operation and connection status of all of the multiple connected devices by comparing the voltage generated on the call line with a threshold value, the connection status of the other connected devices other than some of the connected devices is determined using the voltage generated on the LED line different from the call line, so that it is possible to reduce the number of threshold values ​​used for determination on the call line and the LED line. As a result, even if multiple connected devices are connected through the connector of the wall-embedded handset, it is possible to easily and accurately determine the operation and connection status of each connected device by comparing the voltage with the threshold value. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a nurse call system including a wall-embedded handset according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of connection pins of a connector of a wall-embedded handset according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wall-embedded slave unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with the configurations of a distribution outlet, a hand-held slave unit, and a sensor slave unit. [Figure 4] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of determination made by a first determination unit and a second determination unit; FIG. [Diagram 5] 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of a voltage output to an LED line when a light emission control unit controls light emission of an LED. FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a voltage appearing on an LED line EL when a second determination unit determines whether or not a sensor child unit has fallen off. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing another example of the contents of determination made by the first determination unit and the second determination unit. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example in which two sensor slave units are connected. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram showing another example of the contents of determination made by the first determination unit and the second determination unit. FIG. [Figure 10]13 is a diagram showing another example of the contents of determination made by the first determination unit and the second determination unit. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a nurse call system including a wall-embedded handset according to this embodiment. Note that, although a nurse call system installed in a hospital will be described as an example here, the nurse call system of this embodiment is not limited to being installed in a hospital. For example, it can also be applied to a case where it is installed in a care facility or the like.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the nurse call system of this embodiment is configured with a nurse call master unit 1, a controller 2, a corridor light 3, a wall-embedded slave unit 4, a distribution outlet 5, a hand-held slave unit 6, and a sensor slave unit 7. In the following description, the hand-held slave unit 6 and the sensor slave unit 7 are collectively referred to as the nurse call slave units 6, 7.

[0013] The nurse call master unit 1 performs a predetermined notification process upon receiving a call from the nurse call extension units 6 and 7. In this embodiment, the nurse call master unit 1 includes a stationary nurse call master unit installed in a nurse center and a portable nurse call master unit carried by a nurse. The predetermined notification process includes a process of displaying patient information (e.g., name, room number, bed number, etc.) about the called patient on a display and a process of outputting a ring tone from a speaker. When a nurse responds to a call from the hand-held extension unit 6 using the nurse call master unit 1, a communication path is formed between the hand-held extension unit 6 and the nurse call master unit 1, allowing the patient and nurse to talk to each other.

[0014] The control unit 2 is placed between the nurse call master unit 1 and the corridor light 3, and controls the sending and receiving of various data including calls and call signals. The corridor light 3 is installed outside near the entrance of each hospital room, and displays the name of the patient in the room on a display device, and when a call is made using the nurse call extension units 6 and 7, displays on the display device that a call has been made. The corridor light 3 also transfers the call signal sent from the nurse call extension units 6 and 7 to the nurse call master unit 1 via the control unit 2.

[0015] The wall-embedded handset 4 is embedded in the wall of each bedside in the patient's room, and communicates various data including calls and call signals between the corridor light 3 and the nurse call handset 6, 7. The wall-embedded handset 4 also controls the light emission of the LED in the hand-held handset 6 so that the LED functions as a call confirmation light or a night light. That is, when the wall-embedded handset 4 receives a call signal from the hand-held handset 6, it turns on the LED at high brightness to inform the patient that a call is being made. When the clock (not shown) indicates nighttime, the wall-embedded handset 4 turns on the LED at low brightness to inform the patient of the location of the hand-held handset 6. The wall-embedded handset 4 may also turn on the LED at low brightness to inform the patient of the location of the hand-held handset 6 when the illuminance in the patient's room falls below a certain level.

[0016] The wall-embedded handset 4 includes a connector 40 that is connected to multiple signal lines, and is configured to be able to connect connection devices via the connector 40. A connection device that can be connected to the connector 40 of the wall-embedded handset 4 is, for example, a hand-held handset 6. A distribution outlet 5 can also be connected to the connector 40, and multiple connection devices can also be indirectly connected to the wall-embedded handset 4 via the distribution outlet 5. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the distribution outlet 5 is connected to the connector 40 of the wall-embedded handset 4, and the hand-held handset 6 and the sensor handset 7 are connected to the distribution outlet 5.

[0017] The distribution outlet 5 includes two connectors 51, 52, and is configured to be able to connect one or two connection devices via the connectors 51, 52. Connection devices that can be connected to the distribution outlet 5 are, for example, the hand-shaped sub-unit 6 and the sensor sub-unit 7. The first connector 51 is a connector having a pin structure for connecting the hand-shaped sub-unit 6, and has the same pin structure as the connector 40 of the wall-embedded sub-unit 4. The second connector 52 is a connector having a pin structure for connecting the sensor sub-unit 7.

[0018] In this manner, the wall-embedded slave unit 4 of the present embodiment is capable of connecting to the distribution outlet 5 via the connector 40, and is further capable of connecting to a plurality of connection devices via the distribution outlet 5. The hand-shaped slave unit 6 and the sensor slave unit 7 are examples of a plurality of connection devices indirectly connected via the connector 40 of the wall-embedded slave unit 4.

[0019] The connector 40 of the wall-mounted handset 4 (as well as the first connector 51 of the distribution outlet 5) is connected to a plurality of signal lines as described above. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the connector 40 has six connection pins P1 to P6, and six signal lines are connected to these six connection pins P1 to P6.

[0020] The first signal line is a speaker line used for communication to output audio to the hand-shaped handset 6. The second signal line is a microphone line used for communication to input audio from the hand-shaped handset 6. The third signal line is a ground line, and the sixth signal line is a power line. The fourth signal line is a call line used for communication of call signals, and call signals from the nurse call handsets 6 and 7 are input. The fifth signal line is an LED line used to control the illumination of the LED provided in the hand-shaped handset 6.

[0021] The hand-shaped handset 6 is equipped with a call button for the patient to call a nurse, and a microphone and speaker that the patient uses when talking to the nurse. The hand-shaped handset 6 outputs a call signal in response to pressing of the call button. The hand-shaped handset 6 is also equipped with an LED (not shown) that functions as a call confirmation light and a night light as described above, and turns the LED on and off in response to a control signal supplied from the wall-embedded handset 4. Note that the configuration of the hand-shaped handset 6 is not limited to this. For example, it may be one that does not have a microphone and speaker (for example, a grip push button).

[0022] The sensor slave unit 7 is, for example, any one of various sensors such as a bed exit sensor installed on the bed, a mat sensor installed under the bed, a breath sensor, a voice sensor, or a contact sensor installed at the bedside. The sensor slave unit 7 outputs a call signal when a predetermined state is detected by the sensor. For example, the bed exit sensor outputs a call signal when it detects that the patient has left the bed. Also, the mat sensor outputs a call signal when it detects that the patient has stepped on the mat under the bed. Also, the breath sensor and the voice sensor output a call signal when it detects the breath or voice of the patient. Also, the contact sensor outputs a call signal when it detects that the patient has touched a predetermined position.

[0023] In this embodiment, the wall-embedded handset 4 has a function as an equipment status determination device, and determines the operation status (presence or absence of a call operation) and connection status (presence or absence of disconnection) of the nurse call handset 6, 7. For example, the wall-embedded handset 4 determines three types of states of the hand-held handset 6: call / standby / disconnection, and three types of states of the sensor handset 7: call / standby / disconnection. The wall-embedded handset 4 makes this determination by comparing the voltage generated on the call line with a threshold value and the voltage generated on the LED line with a threshold value.

[0024] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the wall-embedded slave unit 4 with respect to the execution of this determination, together with the configurations of the distribution outlet 5, the hand-held slave unit 6, and the sensor slave unit 7. As shown in FIG. 3, the wall-embedded slave unit 4 of this embodiment is equipped with a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 41 including a CPU, RAM, ROM, an A / D converter, a D / A converter, etc. A call line NC4 connects the microcomputer 41 to the fourth pin P4 of the connector 40, and an LED line EL4 connects the microcomputer 41 to the fifth pin P5 of the connector 40. Note that the connection between the microcomputer 41 and the other connection pins P1 to P3, P6 is omitted from the illustration.

[0025] The distribution outlet 5 has two connectors 51, 52 for connecting the hand-type slave unit 6 and the sensor slave unit 7, and a plug 53 for connecting to the connector 40 of the wall-embedded slave unit 4. A call line NC5 connects the fourth pin P4' of the plug 53 to the fourth pin P4 of the first connector 51, and a LED line EL5 connects the fifth pin P5' of the plug 53 to the fifth pin P5 of the first connector 51. The call line NC5 and the LED line EL5 each have a branch midway, and the second connector 52 is connected to the branch. Resistors R1 and R2 are present between the call line NC5 and the second connector 52 and between the LED line EL5 and the second connector 52, respectively.

[0026] The handheld handset 6 has a plug 61 that connects to the first connector 51 of the distribution outlet 5. A call line NC6 is connected to the fourth pin P4' of the plug 61, and an LED line EL6 is connected to the fifth pin P5' of the plug 61. A resistor R3 and a switch SW1 are connected in parallel to the call line NC6. When the call button of the handheld handset 6 is pressed, the switch SW1 turns on and a call signal is issued. The issued call signal is sent to the microcomputer 41 via the call lines NC6, NC5, and NC4. A resistor R4 and an LED 62 are directly connected to the LED line EL6.

[0027] The sensor slave 7 has a plug 71 that connects to the second connector 52 of the distribution outlet 5. The plug 71 has a plurality of connection pins to which a switch SW2 is connected. When a predetermined state is detected by the sensor of the sensor slave 7, the switch SW2 turns on and a call signal is issued. The issued call signal is sent to the microcomputer 41 via call lines NC5 and NC4.

[0028] With the above configuration, different voltage values ​​appear on the call line NC4 and LED line EL4 of the wall-embedded handset 4 depending on the combination of states, such as whether the hand-type handset 6 is connected via the distribution outlet 5, whether the sensor handset 7 is connected via the distribution outlet 5, whether the switch SW1 of the hand-type handset 6 is on and a call is being made, and whether the switch SW2 of the sensor handset 7 is on and a call is being made. The microcomputer 41 determines the operation state and connection state of the nurse call handsets 6, 7 based on the voltage values ​​appearing on the call line NC4 and LED line EL4.

[0029] The microcomputer 41 has, as its functional configuration, a first judgment unit 41A, a second judgment unit 41B, a call control unit 41C, and a light emission control unit 41D. The first judgment unit 41A judges the operation state and connection state of the hand-shaped child device 6 (corresponding to one of the multiple connected devices) connected via the connector 40, and the operation state of the sensor child device 7 (corresponding to the other connected devices other than the one of the connected devices) by comparing the voltage generated on the call line NC4 with a threshold value. Regarding the connection state of the hand-shaped child device 6, a current of a predetermined magnitude is supplied to the call line NC4, and the voltage generated on the call line NC4 is compared with a threshold value at a predetermined period to judge whether the hand-shaped child device 6 has fallen off.

[0030] In addition, the second judgment unit 41B repeatedly supplies a weak current to the LED line EL4 at a predetermined period so that the LED 62 of the hand-shaped sub-unit 6 does not light up, and judges the connection state of the sensor sub-unit 7 by comparing the voltage generated in the LED line EL4 in response to the supply of the weak current with a threshold value.

[0031] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the first determination unit 41A compares the voltage generated on the calling line NC4 with five threshold values ​​Th 11 ~Th 15 By comparing the voltage generated on the LED line EL4 with one threshold value Th, the first determination unit 41A determines which of six states the combination of the operation state (standby or calling) and connection state (disconnected) of the hand-shaped slave unit 6 and the operation state (standby or calling) of the sensor slave unit 7 corresponds to. In this example, the first determination unit 41A distinguishes between a calling operation of the hand-shaped slave unit 6 and a calling operation of the sensor slave unit 7 with respect to the operation state of the connected device. The second determination unit 41B also compares the voltage generated on the LED line EL4 with one threshold value Th 21 By comparing the signal with the signal, the connection state of the sensor slave unit 7 (whether it has fallen off or not) is determined.

[0032] When the hand-type handset 6 is not detached and is connected to the wall-embedded handset 4 via the connector 40 and the distribution outlet 5, the voltage generated in the call line NC4 fluctuates under the influence of the resistor R3 and the on / off state of the switch SW1 of the hand-type handset 6. When the hand-type handset 6 is detached, the voltage generated in the call line NC4 fluctuates as it is no longer influenced by the resistor R3. Similarly, when the sensor handset 7 is not detached and is connected to the wall-embedded handset 4 via the connector 40 and the distribution outlet 5, the voltage generated in the call line NC4 fluctuates under the influence of the resistor R1 of the distribution outlet 5 and the on / off state of the switch SW2 of the sensor handset 7. The first judgment unit 41A judges the voltage value of the call line NC4 that fluctuates in this way and five threshold values ​​Th 11 ~Th 15 By comparing the above, it is possible to determine which of the six states shown in FIG. 4 exists.

[0033] In addition, when comparing a case where the sensor slave unit 7 is not disconnected and is connected to the wall-embedded slave unit 4 via the connector 40 and the distribution outlet 5 with a case where the sensor slave unit 7 is disconnected, the voltage generated in the LED line EL4 when a weak current is passed through the LED line EL4 varies depending on whether or not it is affected by the resistor R2 of the distribution outlet 5. Note that the weak current output from the second determination unit 41B to the LED line EL4 is a weak current that does not cause the LED 62 to emit light, so even when the hand-type slave unit 6 is connected, the resistor R4 and the LED 62 of the hand-type slave unit 6 are equivalent to an open circuit. Therefore, the influence of the resistor R4 can be almost ignored. The second determination unit 41B determines the voltage value of the LED line EL4 that varies under the influence of the resistor R2 in this way and one threshold value Th 21 By comparing the two states shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to determine which of the two states shown in FIG.

[0034] In the case of the conventional technology in which the judgment is made only by comparing the voltage generated in the calling line NC4 with the threshold value, it was necessary to distinguish a total of nine types of states, which are a combination of three types of states of the hand-type child device 6 (calling / standby / dropped off) and three types of states of the sensor child device 7 (calling / standby / dropped off), using eight threshold values. In contrast, according to the present embodiment, even the first judgment unit 41A, which has the most, can distinguish five threshold values ​​Th. 11 ~Th 15 It is possible to determine the operation state and connection state of the hand-shaped slave unit 6 and the sensor slave unit 7 simply by using the above.

[0035] The call control unit 41C transmits different types of call signals to the corridor light 3 based on the results of the judgments made by the first judgment unit 41A and the second judgment unit 41B. That is, the call control unit 41C transmits different types of call signals to the corridor light 3 in each of the following cases: when it is judged that a call has been made by the hand-type child unit 6 (the sensor child unit 7 is on standby), when it is judged that a call has been made by the sensor child unit 7 (the hand-type child unit 6 is on standby), when it is judged that the hand-type child unit 6 has fallen off, and when it is judged that the sensor child unit 7 has fallen off.

[0036] The operation when it is determined that a call has been made by both the hand-shaped slave unit 6 and the sensor slave unit 7 may be set arbitrarily. For example, the first call may be given priority, and the second call may wait until the first process is completed. Similarly, the operation when it is determined that a call has been made by the sensor slave unit 7 when the hand-shaped slave unit 6 has fallen off may also be set arbitrarily. For example, it may be set arbitrarily as to which of the hand-shaped slave unit 6's falling off call or the sensor call of the sensor slave unit 7's sensor call is given priority.

[0037] Based on the result of the judgment by the first judgment unit 41A, the light emission control unit 41D controls the light emission of the LED 62 of the hand-shaped child unit 6 so that the LED 62 functions as a call confirmation light. That is, when it is judged that a call has been made by the hand-shaped child unit 6 (the sensor child unit 7 is on standby), the light emission control unit 41D turns on the LED 62 at high brightness to inform the patient that a call is being made. Furthermore, regardless of the result of the judgment by the first judgment unit 41A, when a clock (not shown) detects that it is nighttime, the light emission control unit 41D turns on the LED 62 at low brightness so that the LED 62 functions as a night light.

[0038] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a voltage output by the light-emission control unit 41D to the LED line EL4 for controlling the light emission of the LED 62. Fig. 5(a) shows a voltage output by the light-emission control unit 41D when the LED 62 of the hand-held handset 6 is caused to emit light as a call confirmation light. As shown in Fig. 5(a), when the LED 62 is caused to emit light as a call confirmation light, the light-emission control unit 41D applies a voltage V1 of a magnitude that allows a current sufficient for the LED 62 to emit light to flow to the LED line EL4 for a certain period T1.

[0039] FIG. 5(b) shows the voltage output by the light emission control unit 41D when the LED 62 of the hand-held slave unit 6 emits light as a night light. As shown in FIG. 5(b), when the LED 62 emits light as a night light, the light emission control unit 41D intermittently applies a voltage V1 of a magnitude such that a current sufficient for the LED 62 to emit light flows, in pulses of a period T2 shorter than a certain period T1, to the LED line EL4.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the voltage appearing on the LED line EL4 when the second determination unit 41B determines the presence or absence of detachment of the sensor slave unit 7. FIG. 6(a) shows the voltage output by the second determination unit 41B to the LED line EL4. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the second determination unit 41B continuously applies a voltage V2 (V2 < V1) of a magnitude such that a current weak enough for the LED 62 not to emit light flows, to the LED line EL4 for a certain period T3 (T3 < T1).

[0041] FIG. 6(b) shows the state of change of the voltage actually generated on the LED line EL4 when the second determination unit 41B applies a voltage as shown in FIG. 6(a) to the LED line EL4. As shown in FIG. 6(b), the voltage value is not stable immediately after the second determination unit 41B applies a voltage to the LED line EL4. Therefore, the second determination unit 41B detects the voltage value generated on the LED line EL4 after a certain output stabilization time T4 has elapsed since the voltage was output to the LED line EL4, and compares it with the threshold value Th 21 for comparison.

[0042] The second determination unit 41B constantly monitors the connection state of the sensor slave unit 7 by repeatedly executing the output process of the weak current to the LED line EL4 at a predetermined period and detecting the voltage generated on the LED line EL4. The first determination unit 41A also constantly monitors the operation state and connection state of the hand-held slave unit 6 and the operation state of the sensor slave unit 7 by repeatedly detecting the voltage generated on the call line NC4 at a predetermined period.

[0043] Incidentally, when the second determination unit 41B outputs a weak current to the LED line EL4 at a predetermined cycle as described above, it is possible that the light emission control unit 41D is controlling the light emission of the LED 62 at the timing of the output. Therefore, the second determination unit 41B determines whether the LED 62 is on or not under the control of the light emission control unit 41D, and if it is determined that the LED 62 is on, it instructs the light emission control unit 41D to turn off the LED 62, and then supplies a weak current to the LED line EL4 to determine the connection state of the sensor slave unit 7. Then, after the determination, it instructs the light emission control unit 41D to turn on the LED 62 again.

[0044] In this way, even when the LED 62 is turned on by the light emission control unit 41D, it is possible to determine the connection state of the sensor slave unit 7 using the LED line EL4. Although this process causes the LED 62 to momentarily go into an off state, the period T3 during which the second determination unit 41B passes a weak current (i.e., the period during which the LED 62 is off) can be made short, and it can be said that the patient will hardly notice that the LED 62 has gone off for a moment.

[0045] As described above in detail, in this embodiment, the operation state and connection state of the hand-type slave unit 6 and the operation state of the sensor slave unit 7 are determined by comparing the voltage generated in the call line NC4, among the multiple signal lines connected to the connector 40 of the wall-embedded slave unit 4, with a threshold value. In addition, a weak current that does not light the LED 62 of the hand-type slave unit 6 is supplied to the LED line EL4, and the connection state of the sensor slave unit 7 is determined by comparing the voltage generated in the LED line EL4 in response to the supply of the weak current with a threshold value.

[0046] According to the present embodiment configured as described above, unlike the conventional technology that detects all of the operation and connection states of the hand-type slave unit 6 and the sensor slave unit 7 by comparing the voltage generated in the call line with a threshold value, the connection state of the sensor slave unit 7 is determined using the voltage generated in the LED line EL4 different from the call line NC4, so that it is possible to reduce the number of threshold values ​​used for determination in each of the call line NC4 and the LED line EL4. As a result, even if multiple connection devices are connected via the connector 40 of the wall-embedded slave unit 4, it is possible to easily and accurately determine the operation and connection state of each connection device by comparing the voltage with a threshold value.

[0047] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the first judgment unit 41A and the second judgment unit 41B judge eight states as shown in FIG. 4, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, eight states as shown in FIG. 7 may be judged. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the handheld handset 6 has three call buttons, and depending on which call button is pressed, a general call, a toilet assistance call, or an IV end call can be made. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the first judgment unit 41A judges the voltage generated in the call line NC4 and two threshold values ​​Th 11 ~Th 12 The first determination unit 41A determines the connection state of the hand-held handset 6 by comparing the voltage generated on the call line NC4 with three threshold values ​​Th 13 ~Th 15 By comparing these, it is determined whether the operation is a call operation of the hand-type sub-unit 6 or a call operation of the sensor sub-unit 7, and if it is a call operation of the hand-type sub-unit 6, the type of the call operation is further identified.

[0048] In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which one sensor slave unit 7 can be connected to the distribution outlet 5, but two or more sensor slave units may be connected to the distribution outlet 5. Fig. 8 shows a configuration in which two sensor slave units 7A, 7B can be connected to the distribution outlet 5, and shows a state in which the two sensor slave units 7A, 7B are actually connected. In this case, one of the multiple connection devices connected via the connector 40 is the hand-shaped slave unit 6, and the other connection devices are the two sensor slave units 7A, 7B.

[0049] In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the first judgment unit 41A judges whether the voltage generated on the calling line NC4 is equal to or smaller than 11 threshold values ​​Th 11 ~Th 111 By comparing the above, the first determination unit 41A determines which of 12 states is the combination of the operation state (standby or call) and connection state (disconnected) of the hand-shaped slave unit 6, the operation state (standby or call) of the first sensor slave unit 7A, and the operation state (standby or call) of the second sensor slave unit 7B. In this example, the first determination unit 41A identifies which of the hand-shaped slave unit 6, the first sensor slave unit 7A, and the second sensor slave unit 7B is the call operation, with respect to the operation states of the connected devices.

[0050] The second determination unit 41B determines whether the voltage generated in the LED line EL4 is equal to or smaller than three threshold values ​​Th 21 ~Th 23 By comparing the above, the second determination unit 41B determines which of the four states corresponds to the combination of the connection state (disconnected or not) of the first sensor slave unit 7A and the connection state (disconnected or not) of the second sensor slave unit 7B. In this example, the second determination unit 41B identifies which of the two sensor slave units 7A, 7B is in the disconnected state.

[0051] In addition, even if a plurality of sensor slave units 7A, 7B are configured to be connectable, the type of the call operation of the hand-type slave unit 6 may be further identified, for example, as shown in FIG. 10. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the first determination unit 41A determines whether the voltage generated in the call line NC4 is equal to or smaller than six threshold values ​​Th 11 ~Th16 By comparing these, it is determined which of seven states exists for the combination of the operation state (standby or three types of call) and connection state (disconnected) of the hand-shaped sub-unit 6, the operation state (standby or call) of the first sensor sub-unit 7A, and the operation state (standby or call) of the second sensor sub-unit 7B.

[0052] In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a plurality of connection devices are indirectly connected to the connector 40 of the wall-embedded handset 4 via the distribution outlet 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the wall-embedded handset 4 may be configured to include a plurality of connectors 40, and a plurality of connection devices may be directly connected to the plurality of connectors 40. In such a configuration, when the call line and the LED line are branched and connected to the plurality of connectors 40 from the microcomputer 41, the microcomputer 41 compares the composite voltage generated on the call line and the composite voltage generated on the LED line with the threshold value, as in the above embodiment.

[0053] In the above embodiment, a configuration example has been described in which some of the multiple connected devices connected via the connector 40 are the hand-shaped child device 6, and the other connected devices are one sensor child device 7 or two sensor child devices 7A and 7B, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, there may be a plurality of connected devices. As an example, the hand-shaped child device 6 and the grip push button may be directly or indirectly connectable to the wall-embedded child device 4 as some of the connected devices.

[0054] In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of the implementation of 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 implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit or main characteristics. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 4 Wall-mounted slave unit 5 Distribution outlet 6 Handheld handset (connected device) 7, 7A, 7B Sensor slave unit (connected device) 40 Connectors 41 Microcomputer 41A First Judgment Section 41B Second Judgment Section 41C Call control unit 41D Light emission control unit 62 LED NC4 Call Line EL4 LED Line

Claims

1. A wall-embedded handset having a connector connected to a plurality of signal lines, the handset being capable of connecting a connection device via the connector, the plurality of signal lines include a call line used for communication of a call signal and an LED line used for controlling light emission of an LED included in the connected device, a first determination unit that determines an operation state and a connection state of some of the multiple connected devices directly or indirectly connected via the connector, and an operation state of other connected devices other than the some of the connected devices, by comparing a voltage generated on the call line with a threshold value; a second determination unit that determines a connection state of the other connected device by supplying a weak current to the LED line such that the LED does not light up and comparing a voltage generated in the LED line in response to the supply of the weak current with a threshold value. A wall-embedded handset characterized by the above.

2. The wall-embedded handset described in claim 1, characterized in that the second judgment unit judges whether the LED is lit or not, and if it is judged that the LED is lit, judges the connection state of the other connected device by turning off the LED and then supplying the weak current, and after said judgment, turns the LED back on.

3. The wall-mounted handset described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first judgment unit distinguishes whether the operation state of the connected device is an operation of one of the connected devices or an operation of another connected device by comparing the voltage generated on the call line with a threshold value.

4. The wall-mounted handset described in claim 3, characterized in that the first judgment unit further identifies the type of operation when it is an operation of one of the connected devices by comparing the voltage generated on the call line with a threshold value regarding the operation state of the connected device.

5. The wall-mounted handset described in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that when multiple other connected devices are connected, the first judgment unit further identifies which of the multiple other connected devices is being operated by comparing the voltage generated on the call line with a threshold value regarding the operation state of the connected device.

6. The wall-embedded sub-unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, when multiple other connected devices are connected, the second judgment unit identifies which of the multiple other connected devices is in a disconnected state by comparing the voltage generated on the LED line with a threshold value.

7. a first determination unit that determines the operation and connection states of some of the multiple connected devices directly or indirectly connected via the connector, and the operation states of other connected devices other than the some of the connected devices, by comparing a voltage generated in a call line used for communication of a call signal among a plurality of signal lines connected to the connector of the wall-embedded handset with a threshold value; a second determination unit that supplies a weak current to an LED line used for light emission control of an LED included in the connected device among the plurality of signal lines such that the LED does not light up, and determines a connection state of the other connected device by comparing a voltage generated in the LED line in response to the supply of the weak current with a threshold value. The device for determining an equipment state is characterized in that:

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