Air mat control device and air mat control method

Abstract

To provide an air mat control device for appropriately controlling the state of an air mat in accordance with a user, accurately, quickly and easily without providing a dedicated sensor. An air mattress control device (200) controls the state of an air mattress (100) that holds a user. An acquisition unit (260) acquires user information from an external medium (300) for controlling the state of the air mattress (100) to suit the user. A control unit (210) controls the state of the air mattress (100) using the user information acquired by the acquisition unit (260).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air mat control device and an air mat control method.

Background Art

[0002] When a patient or a care recipient lies on a hospital bed or a care bed for a long time, a technique is known in which an air mat is placed on the bed to disperse the pressure received by the patient or the care recipient and prevent the occurrence of bedsores.

[0003] In recent years, a technique has also become known in which hospital staff, care staff, etc. input the height and weight information of the user into the control device of the air mat, and the control device adjusts the air pressure of the air mat according to the height and weight information (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a technique is also known in which a dedicated configuration such as a pressure sensor is provided on the air mat to grasp physical information such as the weight of the user (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary for the on-site staff to manually input the height and weight information directly into the control device, which may be time-consuming for setting in the busy medical and care sites. Furthermore, since manual input on-site is required, there is also a risk of errors such as input mistakes and patient mix-ups. In addition, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to install a dedicated sensor for each necessary piece of information, which poses problems in terms of the size, cost, expandability, etc. of the device.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an air mat control device and an air mat control method for appropriately controlling the state of an air mat according to a user without providing a dedicated sensor and accurately and quickly without trouble.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The air mat control device controls the state of the air mat that holds the user. The acquisition unit acquires user information for controlling the state of the air mat according to the user from an external medium. The control unit controls the state of the air mat using the user information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0008] The air mat control method controls the state of the air mat that holds the user. The acquisition step acquires user information for controlling the state of the air mat according to the user from an external medium. The control step controls the state of the air mat using the user information acquired in the acquisition step.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the air mat control device of the present invention, the state of the air mat is controlled using the user information acquired from an external medium by the acquisition unit. Thereby, the state of the air mat can be appropriately controlled according to the user accurately and quickly without trouble.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. Also, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation and may be different from the actual ratios.

[0012] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air mat system to which the air mat control device according to the first embodiment is applied.

[0013] The air mat system shown in FIG. 1 is used, for example, in hospitals, nursing facilities, etc.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the air mat system is composed of an air mat 100, an air mat control device 200, and an external medium 300. The air mat 100 and the air mat control device 200 are interconnected via a connection tube T1. The connection tube T1 has a plurality of air blowing tubes capable of independently transferring air and a wiring capable of transmitting an electrical signal. The air mat control device 200 supplies air to the air mat 100 via the connection tube T1 and transmits and receives electrical signals to and from sensors provided on the air mat 100. The external medium 300 is a medium outside the air mat control device 200 such as a name tag or a tag attached to the user. The air mat control device 200 acquires user information from the external medium 300 possessed by the user and controls the state of the air mat 100 according to the user based on the acquired user information. Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

[0015] <Air mat 100> The air mat 100 is, for example, placed on a bed mattress 110, and a plurality of bag-shaped air cells 120 extending in the short side direction of the bed mattress 110 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the bed mattress 110. The air mat 100 has a plurality of independent air supply systems. Different air blowing tubes are connected to each air supply system, and air is independently supplied to each air supply system. Each air cell 120 is connected to one of the plurality of air supply systems, and the internal pressure is controlled for each air supply system. Each air cell 120 may be divided into a plurality of groups, and the air cells 120 may communicate with each other for each group.

[0016] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the air mat 100 has three air supply systems. Each air cell 120 is sequentially divided into three groups in the arranged order, and the air cells 120 within each group communicate with each other. Each group is connected to each of the three air supply systems. By periodically changing the internal pressure settings of the three air supply systems, the air cells 120 connected to each air supply system can be periodically inflated and deflated to cause the air mat 100 to fluctuate. As a result, the air cells 120 in contact with the user can be periodically changed, preventing congestion and compression caused by the same air cell 120 continuously contacting the user for a long time and suppressing the occurrence of bedsores. Note that the type, shape, number, arrangement, etc. of the air cells 120 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1, and the air cells 120 may be used in any manner. Also, the number of air supply systems and the connection method of the air cells 120 are not limited to the above example. For example, by providing air cells on the side of the air mat 100 and periodically inflating and deflating them, it may be possible to encourage the user to change their posture by turning over.

[0017] Furthermore, the air mat 100 may be provided with various sensors such as an internal pressure sensor for detecting the internal pressure of each air cell 120 and an angle sensor for detecting the inclination of the air mat 100 when the user is lifted up. Also, the air mat 100 can be provided with various configurations that can be controlled according to the user's state and usage environment, such as temperature adjustment means, blowing means, display means, and sound generation means.

[0018] <Air mat control device 200> The air mat control device 200 acquires user information from an external medium 300, and controls the state of the air mat 100 using the acquired user information. The air mat control device 200 can supply air to the air mat 100 by dividing it into a plurality of air supply systems, and can control the internal pressure of the air cells 120 connected to each air supply system. Further, the air mat control device 200 receives signals transmitted from various sensors provided on the air mat 100, determines the state of the air mat 100 and the user, and controls the state of the air mat 100 according to the determination result. For example, the air mat control device 200 determines the user's back-lifting state based on information from the angle sensor of the air mat 100, and if it is determined that the user is lifting their back, in order to prevent the bottoming of the user's waist portion, the internal pressure of the air cell 120 can be increased. Hereinafter, the air mat control device 200 will be described in detail.

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the air mat control device.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the air mat control device 200 includes a CPU 210, a ROM 220, a RAM 230, a storage 240, a display operation unit 250, an acquisition unit 260, an air supply unit 270, and a communication unit 280, and these are mutually connected via a bus 290 for signal exchange.

[0021] The CPU 210 performs control of the above-described units and various arithmetic processes according to programs recorded in the ROM 220 and the storage 240. By executing the program, the CPU 210 functions as a control unit, a reference unit, a reception unit, and an authentication unit.

[0022] The ROM 220 stores various programs and various data.

[0023] The RAM 230 temporarily stores programs and data as a work area.

[0024] The storage 240 stores various programs including the operating system and various data. Also, in the storage 240, the user's identification information, physical information, biological information, air mat setting information, etc. are stored in a mutually associated manner.

[0025] The display operation unit 250 is, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display, various operation buttons, etc., and is used to display various information and perform various inputs.

[0026] The acquisition unit 260 has an input device such as an RFID tag reader, a barcode reader, a camera capable of reading a two-dimensional barcode, etc., and recognizes RFID tags, barcodes, two-dimensional barcodes, etc. provided on an external medium 300 such as the user's tag to acquire user information. Also, the acquisition unit 260 may communicate with an external recording medium such as a portable memory, a smartphone held by the user, or a wearable device worn by the user via various communication interfaces provided in the communication unit 280 to acquire user information. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 260 may photograph the name printed on the user's tag with a camera and perform image processing such as character recognition on the photographed image to acquire the patient's name as user information. Also, the acquisition unit 260 may photograph the user's face with a camera, analyze the photographed face image, and match it with a pre-registered database to identify the user, and acquire information regarding the identified user as user information. Also, the acquisition unit 260 may acquire the user's voice via a microphone or the like, or may acquire biological information such as the user's fingerprint, vein, iris, etc. via various biological information acquisition devices. The acquisition unit 260 can identify the user by matching the various acquired biological information with a pre-registered database and acquire information regarding the identified user as user information.

[0027] The air supply unit 270 includes a pump that supplies air, a distributor that distributes the air to each air supply line, and a valve that adjusts the supply amount. Based on various settings stored in the RAM 230 or the storage 240, the internal pressure information from the internal pressure sensor of the air mat 100, the instructions from the CPU 210, etc., the air supply unit 270 supplies air so that each air cell 120 of the air mat 100 reaches a predetermined internal pressure.

[0028] The communication unit 280 is a wired or wireless communication interface for communicating with external devices such as the air mat 100, the user's smartphone, wearable device, server on the network, etc. As the communication interface, various standards such as USB, RS232C, Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth (registered trademark) are used, for example.

[0029] <External medium 300> The external medium 300 is, for example, a user's tag provided with an RFID tag, barcode, two-dimensional barcode, etc., a portable memory, smartphone, wearable device, etc. that the user has. Identification information for identifying the user is recorded on the external medium 300. Also, information such as the user's physical information such as height and weight, biological information indicating the user's condition and medical history, and setting information of the air mat 100 optimized for the user may be recorded on the external medium 300.

[0030] Note that each component of the air mat system may include components other than the above-described components, or may not include some of the above-described components.

[0031] <Information stored in the storage 240> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage of the air mat control device.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, in the storage 240 of the air mat control device 200, for example, information such as user identification information, name, height, weight, status, internal pressure setting, expansion and contraction cycle setting, etc. are stored in an associated manner with each other.

[0033] The identification information is information for identifying the user, and is unique information within a system expressed by, for example, alphanumeric characters and symbols. As the identification information, for example, a patient ID assigned to each patient in a hospital patient management system can be used.

[0034] The name is the user's name, etc., and is used as information for identifying the user in the same way as the above identification information. Also, for example, by displaying the name on the display operation unit 250 of the air mat control device 200 for the user to confirm, it may be used to detect attachment mistakes of patient tags, information registration mistakes, etc. In addition to the name, information such as the user's age, date of birth, information related to the user's face and voice, etc. may be recorded, and the air mat control device 200 can identify and authenticate the user using each piece of information.

[0035] The height and weight are the user's body information, and are used to optimally control the state of the air mat 100 according to the user. For example, the air mat control device 200 may calculate the optimal internal pressure of the air mat 100 according to the user's weight and control the internal pressure of the air mat 100. Alternatively, the air mat control device 200 may judge the user's body type based on the user's weight and height and control the internal pressure and the fluctuation of the internal pressure of the air mat 100 according to the body type. In addition, as the body information, for example, information related to the BMI value (Body Mass Index), body fat percentage, bone mass, muscle mass, etc. may be stored, and the air mat control device 200 can appropriately control the state of the air mat 100 based on each piece of information.

[0036] The state is biometric information indicating information regarding the user's symptoms, medical history, etc., and is used to optimally control the state of the air mat 100 according to the user. For example, in the example of FIG. 3, it is shown that "Mr. B" and "Mr. D" have symptoms of muscle contracture. When muscle contracture occurs, the area of the user's body in contact with the air mat 100 decreases due to the bending of the body, resulting in an increase in pressure. As a result, the air mat 100 sinks excessively, causing bottoming and making it easier for bedsores and the like to occur. To prevent this, when there are symptoms of muscle contracture, by setting the internal pressure of the air mat 100 higher than normal, the user's posture can be stabilized and pressure concentration can be prevented. Also, it is shown that "Mr. E" is in a state where "rest" is required. When in a state where rest is required, by setting a longer expansion and contraction cycle or reducing the degree of fluctuation of the internal pressure, the amount of movement of the user can be reduced to maintain rest. As biometric information, for example, information regarding body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, etc. may be stored and can be used to optimally control the state of the air mat 100 respectively. For example, the air mat control device 200 may control the temperature adjustment means, air blowing means, etc. of the air mat 100 based on the information regarding the user's body temperature to adjust the surface temperature of the air mat 100 and the user's perceived temperature so that the user can spend comfortably.

[0037] The internal pressure setting and the expansion and contraction cycle setting are the setting information of the air mat 100, and the optimal set value for each user is stored in advance. The internal pressure setting is the set value of the internal pressure of the air cell 120. In the example of FIG. 3, a value of 14 to 22 mmHg is registered as the internal pressure setting. A plurality of values of the internal pressure setting may be provided so that the internal pressure can be set for each air supply system. The expansion and contraction cycle setting indicates the time cycle when the air cell 120 connected to each air supply system is periodically expanded and contracted. In the example of FIG. 3, a value of 5 minutes is registered as the expansion and contraction cycle setting. The air mat As the setting information of the air mat 100, the degree of variation in the internal pressure of the air cell 120 according to the user's back-lifting state may be stored. Further, as the setting information of the air mat 100, information for managing the internal pressure in each mode set according to the user's state, such as a back-lifting mode corresponding to the back-lifting state and a contraction mode corresponding to the contraction state, may be registered. Furthermore, as the setting information of the air mat 100, the function of the air mat 100 corresponding to the type of bed on which the air mat 100 is installed may be set. For example, in the case of a bed having a back-lifting function, it may be set to perform internal pressure control of the air cell 120 according to the back-lifting state. Also, in the case of a bed having a leg-lifting function, it may be set to perform internal pressure control of the air cell 120 according to the leg-lifting state.

[0038] Note that the above-described information described as being stored in the storage 240 may be recorded on the external medium 300. The air mat control device 200 may control the air mat 100 using the information acquired from the external medium 300.

[0039] <Outline of the setting process executed by the air mat control device 200> FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the setting process executed by the air mat control device according to the first embodiment. Note that the process of the air mat control device 200 shown in FIG. 4 is stored as a program in the storage 240 of the air mat control device 200 and is executed by the CPU 210 controlling each unit. The process shown in FIG. 4 is a setting process executed when the user uses the air mat 100 or the like.

[0040] First, the air mat control device 200 acquires user information from the external medium 300 (step S101). Specifically, in the acquisition unit 260 of the air mat control device 200, the user information is acquired by reading or receiving information from the external medium 300 such as the user's tag.

[0041] Subsequently, the air mat control device 200 determines whether the user information has been acquired in the acquisition unit 260 (step S102).

[0042] When user information has not been acquired (step S102: NO), the air mat control device 200 repeats the process of step S101 until user information is acquired.

[0043] When user information has been acquired (step S102: YES), the air mat control device 200 calculates settings for the air mat 100 according to the user using the acquired user information (step S103). Specifically, the air mat control device 200 calculates settings for the air mat 100, such as the internal pressure of the air cells 120 of the air mat 100 and the cycle of expansion and contraction of the air cells 120, using the user information.

[0044] For example, when the air mat control device 200 acquires the user's body information or biological information as user information, the air mat control device 200 calculates appropriate settings for the air mat 100 according to the user based on the acquired body information or biological information. Alternatively, when the air mat control device 200 acquires setting information for the air mat 100 as user information, the air mat control device 200 can use the acquired setting information as the settings for the air mat 100 as it is. Further, when the air mat control device 200 acquires the user's identification information as user information, the air mat control device 200 refers to the storage 240 as a reference unit and acquires the user's body information, biological information, setting information for the air mat 100, etc. associated with the identification information. The air mat control device 200 calculates appropriate settings for the air mat 100 based on the information acquired from the storage 240.

[0045] Subsequently, the air mat control device 200 controls the state of the air mat 100 based on the settings calculated in the process of step S103 (step S104). Specifically, the air mat control device 200 controls the air supply unit 270 etc. based on settings such as the internal pressure of the air cells 120 of the air mat 100 and the cycle of expansion and contraction of the air cells 120 to control the state of the air mat 100.

[0046] ​ As described above, according to the air mat control device 200 of the first embodiment, the state of the air mat 100 is controlled using the user information acquired from the external medium 300 by the acquisition unit 260. Thereby, the state of the air mat 100 can be appropriately controlled according to the user accurately and quickly without trouble.

[0047] Further, the user information includes at least one of the user's body information, biological information, identification information, and setting information of the air mat 100. Thereby, the state of the air mat 100 can be controlled corresponding to various types of information recorded in the external medium 300.

[0048] Further, when the identification information is acquired by the acquisition unit 260 of the air mat control device 200, the storage unit acquires at least one of the body information, biological information, and setting information associated with the identification information, and controls the state of the air mat 100 based on the acquired information. Thereby, even when only the identification information is recorded in the external medium 300, by associating various information such as body information, biological information, and setting information with the identification information and storing it in the storage unit, the air mat 100 can be appropriately controlled based on the various information.

[0049] Further, the acquisition unit 260 of the air mat control device 200 has at least one of an RFID tag reader, a barcode reader, and a camera, and acquires user information from at least one of an RFID tag, a barcode, and a two-dimensional barcode. Therefore, according to the environment to which the air mat system is applied, the configuration adopted as the acquisition unit 260 can be appropriately selected, and user information can be acquired from an appropriate external medium 300.

[0050] Further, the acquisition unit 260 of the air mat control device 200 has a communication interface for communicating with an external recording medium, and acquires user information by communicating with the recording medium. Thereby, user information can be acquired from various devices such as the user's smartphone and wearable device, and the system can be flexibly expanded to improve convenience.

[0051] Further, the air mat control device 200 controls the state of the air mat 100 by changing settings related to the internal pressure of the air cell 120, the expansion and contraction cycle, the degree of pressure fluctuation according to the user's back-raising state, functions corresponding to the type of bed to be installed, and the like. Thereby, in consideration of detailed conditions such as the characteristics and state of the user and the usage environment, the state of the air mat 100 can be controlled more appropriately according to the user.

[0052] <Second Embodiment> Next, the air mat system of the second embodiment will be described.

[0053] In the above-described first embodiment, an example in which the air mat control device 200 controls the air mat 100 using the user information acquired from the external medium 300 as it is has been described. However, the air mat control device 200 may confirm whether the acquired user information and the information acquired or calculated based on the user information are appropriate. Hereinafter, an example of confirming whether the information acquired by the air mat control device 200 is appropriate will be described.

[0054] Since the configuration of the air mat system of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, the processing in the air mat system of the second embodiment will be described.

[0055] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the setting process executed by the air mat control device according to the second embodiment. Note that the processing of the air mat control device 200 shown in FIG. 5 is stored as a program in the storage 240 of the air mat control device 200 and is executed by the CPU 210 controlling each part.

[0056] Since the processing of steps S201 to S203 in FIG. 5 is the same as the processing of steps S101 to S103 in FIG. 4, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0057] The air mat control device 200 of the second embodiment checks whether the user information acquired in the process of step S202, various information acquired or setting information calculated in the process of step S203 is appropriate (step S204). Specifically, the air mat control device 200 displays the acquired or calculated various information on the display operation unit 250 together with an "OK" button or the like, and accepts a confirmation operation from a user such as a user or a staff member.

[0058] If there is no problem with the result of the confirmation (step S205: YES), the air mat control device 200 proceeds to the process of step S208.

[0059] If there is a problem with the result of the confirmation (step S205: NO), the air mat control device 200 displays the confirmation result and accepts an input for correcting various information (step S206). Specifically, the air mat control device 200 displays a screen for inputting correction information on the display operation unit 250 and accepts an input for correction from the user. Note that the case where there is a problem with the result of the confirmation includes a case where user information cannot be acquired, a case where various information associated with the acquired user information is not appropriately registered in the storage 240, or a case where the user determines that the acquired user information, calculated setting information, etc. are not appropriate and the air mat control device 200 accepts an input to that effect.

[0060] For example, if the weight information pre-registered in the storage 240 is old information and the weight displayed on the display operation unit 250 is different from the current weight of the user, the user can input the current weight of the user on the display operation unit 250 to correct the weight information. Also, when it is determined that the user information displayed on the display operation unit 250 is different from that of the actual user and the user information of another person is displayed, the air mat control device 200 may display a message prompting confirmation of misattachment of a patient tag or the like.

[0061] Subsequently, the air mat control device 200 registers the content of the correction received in the process of step S206 in the storage 240 (step S207), and proceeds to the process of step S208. Since the process of step S208 is the same as the process of step S104 in FIG. 4, the description thereof is omitted. When the process of step S208 is completed, the air mat control device 200 ends the setting process and continues to execute the control of the air mat 100 based on the setting.

[0062] As described above, according to the air mat control device 200 of the second embodiment, when the information associated with the acquired identification information cannot be obtained from the storage 240, or when it is determined that the information obtained from the storage 240 is inappropriate, the input of at least one of the body information, biological information, and setting information is accepted. Thereby, the air mat control device 200 can more appropriately control the state of the air mat 100 based on the appropriately corrected user information.

[0063] Note that the air mat control device 200 may authenticate whether the user specified by the user information matches the actual user in the confirmation process of step S204. For example, the air mat control device 200 requests the input of information such as the user's date of birth and a preset password on the display operation unit 250, and matches the input information with the information pre-registered in the storage 240 to authenticate the user. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the state of the air mat 100 from being controlled based on incorrect user information when the system is set by mistake with the wrong user.

[0064] <Third Embodiment> Next, the air mat system of the third embodiment will be described.

[0065] In the first and second embodiments, the description has been made assuming that the user information is acquired from the external medium 300 in the main body of the air mat control device 200, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the information may be acquired from the external medium 300 by an external terminal configured separately from the main body of the air mat control device 200.

[0066] FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air mat system to which the air mat control device according to the third embodiment is applied. Regarding the configurations similar to those of the air mat systems of the first and second embodiments, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 6, the air mat system includes an air mat 100, an air mat control device 200, an external medium 300, and an external terminal 400. The air mat control device 200 has basically the same configuration as the air mat control device 200 shown in FIG. 1, except that only the configuration of the acquisition unit 260 is different. The external terminal 400 is an information terminal provided separately from the air mat control device 200 and communicates with the air mat control device 200 via the communication unit 280. As the communication interface, various wired or wireless standards are used. For example, standards such as USB, RS232C, Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth (registered trademark) are used.

[0068] The external terminal 400 has input devices such as an RFID tag reader, a barcode reader, a camera capable of reading a two-dimensional barcode, and various communication interfaces, which have been described as being provided in the air mat control device 200 in the first and second embodiments. The external terminal 400 acquires user information by recognizing an RFID tag, a barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, etc. provided on the external medium 300 or by communicating with another device via the communication interface.

[0069] The procedure of the process executed by the air mat control device 200 according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the first and second embodiments. In the processes of step S101 in FIG. 4 and step S201 in FIG. 5, the air mat control device 200 acquires user information from the external terminal 400 as an acquisition unit.

[0070] As described above, in the third embodiment, the external terminal 400 acquires user information from the external medium 300, and the air mat control device 200 acquires user information from the external terminal 400. Thereby, user information can be acquired from the external medium 300 without being affected by the installation location of the air mat control device 200, the position of the external medium 300, etc., and the convenience of the system is improved.

[0071] <Fourth Embodiment> Next, the air mat system according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0072] In the first to third embodiments, an example has been described in which information such as user identification information, name, height, weight, status, internal pressure setting, and expansion and contraction cycle setting is stored in the storage 240 of the air mat control device 200, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the above information may be stored in a device such as a server connected to the air mat control device via a network.

[0073] FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air mat system to which the air mat control device according to the fourth embodiment is applied. Regarding the same configuration as the air mat systems of the first to third embodiments, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 7, the air mat system includes an air mat 100, an air mat control device 200, an external medium 310, and a server 500. The air mat control device 200 has basically the same configuration as the air mat control device 200 shown in FIG. 1, except for the configuration of the storage 240. The external medium 310 is a wearable device such as a smart watch worn by the user. The air mat control device 200 may obtain user information from, for example, an RFID tag mounted on the external medium 310 or a barcode or two-dimensional barcode displayed on the display unit of the external medium 310, or may obtain user information by communicating with the external medium 310 by wire or wirelessly. The server 500 is, for example, a server that manages patient information in a hospital and can be connected from the air mat control device 200 via a wired or wireless network.

[0075] The server 500 stores in its internal storage unit the identification information, name, height, weight, status, internal pressure setting, inflation and deflation cycle setting, etc. of the user, which were described as being stored in the storage 240 of the air mat control device 200 in the first to third embodiments.

[0076] The procedure of the process executed by the air mat control device 200 in the fourth embodiment is basically the same as that in the first to third embodiments. In the processes of step S103 in FIG. 4 and step S203 in FIG. 5, the air mat control device 200 uses the identification information as a reference unit to obtain various information associated with the identification information from the server 500. The air mat control device 200 controls the state of the air mat 100 based on the information obtained from the server 500.

[0077] In this way, the air mat control device 200 refers to the storage unit of the server 500 using the identification information and obtains the information associated with the identification information from the server 500. Thereby, for example, when a hospital server is connected as the server 500, the existing electronic medical record information for managing patient information can be used as the above information for controlling the state of the air mat 100, and the existing devices and information assets can be effectively utilized.

[0078] <Fifth Embodiment> Next, the air mat system of the fifth embodiment will be described.

[0079] In the first to fourth embodiments, an example of controlling the state of the air mat 100 by acquiring body information, biological information, identification information, setting information, etc. for each individual user as user information has been described. However, instead of information for each individual user, users may be classified into groups with similar body information, biological information, and settings of the air mat 100, and the state of the air mat 100 may be controlled for each group.

[0080] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage of the air mat control device of the fifth embodiment. Since the configuration of the air mat system of the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the first to fourth embodiments, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 8, in the storage 240 of the air mat control device 200, for example, information such as group ID, internal pressure setting and expansion / contraction cycle setting of the air mat 100, and mode setting are stored in association with each other. The mode setting is an item for setting operation modes such as normal mode, constriction mode, and rest mode according to the state of the user.

[0082] The group ID is an identifier for classifying a plurality of users with the same settings of the air mat 100 into a plurality of groups, and is set in common for the plurality of users. The group ID can be set to a value with fewer digits than, for example, the identification information for identifying an individual user.

[0083] The external medium 300 or the external medium 310 (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "external medium 300") is set with a group ID of the group to which the user having the external medium belongs. For example, when using an RFID tag that is used as a patient tag in an existing patient management system as the external medium 300, the group ID can be set in a free area separate from the area where the identification information of the individual user is stored.

[0084] The air mat control device 200 acquires the group ID as user information from the external medium 300, and acquires information on the internal pressure setting and the inflation / deflation setting associated with the acquired group ID from the storage 240. The air mat control device 200 controls the air mat 100 based on the internal pressure setting and the inflation / deflation setting acquired from the storage 240.

[0085] In this way, by setting the group ID and controlling the state of the air mat 100 for each group, even when, for example, using a patient tag used in an existing patient management system or the like in this system, there are variations in the format of the identification information of individual users and it is difficult to identify users, the state of the air mat 100 can be appropriately controlled. Also, since the group ID can be set to a value with a smaller number of digits than the identification information of the individual user, the amount of information stored in the storage 240 can be reduced, and memory resources can be saved.

[0086] In the above embodiment, an example in which the setting information of the air mat 100 is stored in the storage 240 in association with the group ID has been described, but it is not limited to this. The group ID may be associated with physical information or biological information, and the state of the air mat 100 may be controlled based on each information.

[0087] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, an example in which the air supply unit 270 is integrally provided as a part of the air mat control device 200 has been described. However, the hardware configuration of the air mat system is not limited to this. For example, the air mat control device 200 and the air supply device may be provided separately and wirelessly connected to each other. That is, the external terminal 400 in FIG. 6 described in the third embodiment may be used as the air mat control device 200, and the state of the air mat 100 may be controlled by communicating with the air supply unit 270 provided as a separate device.

[0088] Also, each of the above embodiments has been described as an independent embodiment, but the embodiments may be implemented in combination with each other. For example, the third to fifth embodiments may be combined so that the external terminal 400 obtains a group ID from the external medium 300, obtains setting information associated with the group ID from the server 500, and controls the state of the air mat 100.

[0089] In addition, each processing unit in the above-described flowchart is divided according to the main processing content in order to facilitate understanding of the processing of the air mat control device 200. The present invention is not limited by the method of classifying the processing steps or their names. The processing executed by the air mat control device 200 can be further divided into more processing steps. Also, one processing step may execute more processing.

[0090] The means and methods for performing various processes in the air mat system according to the above-described embodiments can be realized by either a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. The above program may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk and a CD-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred and stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk. Further, the above program may be provided as a single application software, or may be incorporated into the software of the device as a function of the air mat system.

Explanation of Signs

[0091] 100 Air mat, 110 Bed mattress, 120 Air cell, T1 Connection tube, 200 Air mat control device, 210 CPU, 220 ROM, 230 RAM, 240 Storage, 250 Display operation unit, 260 Acquisition unit, 270 Air supply unit, 280 Communication unit, 290 Bus, 300, 310 External media, 400 External terminal, 500 Server.

Claims

1. An air mat control device that controls a state of an air mat that holds a user, an acquisition unit that acquires setting information of the air mat from an external medium for controlling a state of the air mat according to the user; A control unit that controls a state of the air mattress using the setting information acquired by the acquisition unit; having The acquisition unit has at least one of an RFID tag reader, a barcode reader, and a camera, and acquires the setting information by reading information from at least one of an RFID tag, a barcode, and a two-dimensional barcode associated with the user.

2. The air mat control device of claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the state of the air mat by changing settings related to at least one of the internal pressure of the air cell of the air mat, the period of expansion and contraction of the air cell, and the degree of fluctuation of the internal pressure of the air cell according to the user's back-raised state.

3. 1. An air mat control method for controlling a state of an air mat that holds a user, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring setting information of the air mat from an external medium for controlling a state of the air mat according to the user; a control step of controlling a state of the air mattress using the setting information acquired in the acquisition step; having An air mattress control method in which, in the acquisition step, the setting information is acquired by reading information from at least one of an RFID tag, a barcode, and a two-dimensional barcode associated with the user using at least one of an RFID tag reader, a barcode reader, and a camera.

Images