Emergency detection system and program

Abstract

To detect occurrence of an emergency due to a poor physical condition of a user while protecting the privacy of the user.SOLUTION: An emergency detection system (1) comprises: a millimeter wave sensor (3) attached so as to be directed to an internal space of a sauna room used by a plurality of people; person number determination means (61) for determining whether or not the number of users in the sauna room is multiple or one on the basis of a detection signal of the millimeter wave sensor; measurement means (62) for measuring vital information and a posture of the user on the basis of the detection signal of the millimeter wave sensor when it is determined that the number of users in the sauna room has become one by the person number determination means; estimation means (63) for estimating that the user is in a poor physical condition in the case where at least one of the vital information and the posture measured by the measuring means is outside a normal range; and notification means (64) for notifying staff of occurrence of an emergency in response to the estimation of a poor physical condition by the estimation means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an emergency detection system and program, and particularly to an emergency detection system and program in a bathing facility having a sauna room used by a plurality of people.

Background Art

[0002] According to the "2020 Survey of the Actual Situation of Saunas in Japan" by the General Incorporated Association Japan Sauna and Thermal Bath Comprehensive Research Institute, it is reported that the estimated number of people taking saunas four or more times a month is 3.24 million, one or more times a month is 6.512 million, one or more times a year is approximately 17.681 million, and the cumulative total is approximately 27.61 million. Since saunas are expected to have various effects such as health, skin care and beauty, diet, and relaxation, there are many enthusiasts. However, there are cases where physical condition deteriorates due to pre-existing medical conditions, alcohol consumption, etc. In the worst case, there are also cases where a person becomes unconscious, is taken to the hospital, and dies.

[0003] In a household bathroom or the like, technologies for detecting abnormalities (physical condition deterioration) of a bather have been conventionally proposed for the purpose of watching over the elderly. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-174092 (Patent Document 1) discloses installing an infrared camera or the like in a bathroom and determining the abnormality of a bather based on a photographed image.

[0004] Also, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-123447 (Patent Document 2) and Utility Model Registration No. 3181084 (Patent Document 3), technologies for acquiring vital information non-contact have been conventionally proposed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In a sauna room, an emergency button is usually installed. However, when using the sauna alone and experiencing physical discomfort or collapsing due to a seizure, etc., it may not be possible to press the emergency button. In such cases, it takes time until it is discovered by staff or other users, increasing the risk of the user's condition deteriorating. Therefore, a technology that can automatically detect a situation where the emergency button cannot be pressed even in case of physical discomfort, that is, the occurrence of an emergency, is desired.

[0007] Also, as described above, in a household bathroom, it is possible to monitor bathers with a surveillance camera. However, since the sauna room of the bathing facility is used by an unspecified number of people, it is not possible to install a surveillance camera from the perspective of privacy protection.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its object is to provide an emergency detection system and a program that can detect the occurrence of an emergency due to a user's physical discomfort while protecting the user's privacy.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] An emergency detection system according to an aspect of the present invention is an emergency detection system in a bathing facility having a sauna room used by a plurality of people, the system including: a millimeter-wave sensor attached so as to face the internal space of the sauna room; a number determination means for determining whether there are a plurality of users or one user in the sauna room based on a detection signal of the millimeter-wave sensor; a measurement means for measuring vital information and posture of the user based on the detection signal of the millimeter-wave sensor when the number determination means determines that the number of users in the sauna room has become one; an estimation means for estimating that the user is in poor physical condition when at least one of the vital information and posture measured by the measurement means is outside the normal range; and a notification means for notifying the occurrence of an emergency in response to the estimation means estimating that the user is in poor physical condition.

[0010] Preferably, when the number determination means determines that the number of users in the sauna room has become one, the notification means notifies that there is a risk of an emergency occurring.

[0011] The measurement means may start measuring the vital information and posture when a predetermined time has elapsed since the number determination means determines that the number of users in the sauna room has become one.

[0012] Preferably, the emergency detection system further includes an adjustment control means for performing adjustment control of the air environment of the sauna room when the estimation means estimates that the user is in poor physical condition.

[0013] Preferably, the vital information includes at least one of heart rate and respiration.

[0014] Preferably, at least a part of the wall surrounding the sauna room is composed of a translucent member having translucency, and the millimeter-wave sensor is attached to the back surface of the translucent member.

[0015] An emergency detection program according to another aspect of the present invention is an emergency detection program applied to a bathing facility having a sauna room used by a plurality of people. Based on a detection signal from a millimeter-wave sensor attached to face the internal space of the sauna room, it includes steps of determining whether there are a plurality of users or one user in the sauna room; when it is determined that the number of users in the sauna room has become one, measuring the vital information and posture of the user based on the detection signal of the millimeter-wave sensor; when at least one of the measured vital information and posture is outside the normal range, estimating that the user is in poor physical condition; and causing a computer to execute a step of notifying the occurrence of an emergency in response to the estimated poor physical condition.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, the millimeter-wave sensor is used to estimate the poor physical condition of a user who is alone in the sauna room, so that the occurrence of an emergency can be detected while protecting the privacy of the user. In addition, since it is provided with notification means for notifying the occurrence of an emergency, the risk of aggravation due to a delay in discovering a user with poor physical condition can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0019] <Overview of Emergency Detection System> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of an emergency detection system 1 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the emergency detection system 1 is applied to a bathing facility having a sauna room 100 used by a plurality of people, and detects the occurrence of an emergency due to a user's poor physical condition in the sauna room 100.

[0020] The sauna room 100 is surrounded by a wall 110 on the periphery, and sauna equipment 101 is provided inside. The wall 110 is typically made of a wooden material. A part of the wall 110 is constituted by a light-transmitting member 120 having light-transmitting properties such as wire mesh glass. The light-transmitting member 120 may be a window for installing a TV 130. Note that an emergency button 140 may be installed on the wall 110 in the same manner as in a normal sauna room.

[0021] In the present embodiment, a millimeter-wave sensor 3 is attached so as to face the internal space of the sauna room 100. "Millimeter wave" is an electromagnetic wave having a frequency band of 30 GHz to 300 GHz. The millimeter-wave sensor 3 is mainly characterized by having excellent environmental resistance due to its strong linear (straight-ahead) property, being able to detect movement with high precision due to its short wavelength (1 to 10 mm), and being able to miniaturize the antenna.

[0022] The radio waves of the millimeter-wave sensor 3 can penetrate through members other than metal, such as wood, glass, and plastic, even if the sensing part is shielded. Therefore, in this embodiment, the millimeter-wave sensor 3 is attached to the back side (outside the wall 110) of the wall 110 of the sauna room 100, rather than inside the sauna room 100, so as to be directed at the internal space of the sauna room 100. Specifically, the millimeter-wave sensor 3 is attached to the back side of the light-transmitting member 120 where the TV 130 is installed. As a result, the millimeter-wave sensor 3 is not directly exposed to high temperatures, so that the inside of the sauna room 100 can be appropriately sensed. Note that the millimeter-wave sensor 3 may be attached to the back side of the ceiling of the sauna room 100.

[0023] The emergency detection system 1 according to this embodiment includes one such millimeter-wave sensor 3, analyzes the detection signal of the millimeter-wave sensor 3, and can measure the number of users in the sauna room 100, as well as the vital information and posture of (a single) user. The vital information and posture are respectively indicators for specifying the physical condition of the user. Also, by measuring the vital information and posture of the user in this way, it is possible to detect (estimate) whether the user is in poor physical condition. As a result, it is possible to detect the occurrence of an emergency while protecting the privacy of the user.

[0024] In addition, when the emergency detection system 1 detects that a user is in poor physical condition, it issues an alert to notify the staff room or the on-duty staff of the occurrence of an emergency. As a result, the staff can grasp the occurrence (or high possibility) of an emergency without constantly monitoring the situation inside the sauna room 100. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the risk of aggravation due to a delay in discovering a user in poor physical condition.

[0025] In addition, when the emergency detection system 1 detects that a user is in poor physical condition, it adjusts and controls the air environment of the sauna room 100 by turning off the power of the sauna facility 101. As a result, it is possible to reduce the risk of progression of aggravation in a short time until the staff arrives.

[0026] The analysis of the detection signal of the millimeter-wave sensor 3, the alert reporting process, and the adjustment control of the air environment in the sauna room 100 described above are executed by the control device 2.

[0027] <Functional Configuration of Emergency Detection System> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the emergency detection system 1 according to the present embodiment. The emergency detection system 1 includes, as its functions, a number determination unit 61, a measurement unit 62, an estimation unit 63, a notification processing unit 64, and an adjustment control unit 65. These functional blocks are included in the control device 2.

[0028] FIG. 2 also shows the hardware configuration of the control device 2. The control device 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 that executes various arithmetic processes, a storage unit 22 that stores various data and programs, a timing unit 23 that performs a timing operation, and a communication unit 24 that communicates with communication devices such as terminals 4 and 5 via a network. Although not shown, it is assumed that the control device 2 includes an input / output I / F (interface) that inputs a signal from the millimeter-wave sensor 3 and outputs a control signal to the sauna facility 101. The control device 2 is realized by, for example, a general-purpose computer.

[0029] The number determination unit 61 measures the number of users in the sauna room 100 based on the detection signal of the millimeter-wave sensor 3 and determines whether the number of users is plural or one. The measurement of the number using the millimeter-wave sensor 3 can be executed by a known analysis technique. Such an analysis technique may utilize AI.

[0030] When the number determination unit 61 determines that the number of users in the sauna room 100 has become one, the measurement unit 62 measures vital information and posture based on the detection signal of the millimeter-wave sensor 3. The vital information includes at least one of heart rate and respiration, and preferably both. That is, it is desirable for the measurement unit 62 to measure heart rate, respiration, and posture. The measurement of these indicators using the millimeter-wave sensor 3 can also be performed by known analysis techniques using, for example, AI. Note that the vital information may include indicators other than heart rate and respiration.

[0031] In general, since the physical condition tends to deteriorate when using the sauna room 100 for a long time, the measurement unit 62 may start the measurement process when a predetermined time has elapsed after the number determination unit 61 determines that the number of users in the sauna room 100 has become one. The predetermined time is, for example, 3 to 15 minutes, and in this embodiment, it is 10 minutes as an example. By doing so, the processing load on the CPU can be reduced.

[0032] The estimation unit 63 determines whether each of the vital information and posture measured by the measurement unit 62 is within a predetermined normal range, and if it is within the normal range, estimates that the physical condition is normal. That is, the estimation unit 63 estimates that the physical condition is normal if all of the heart rate, respiration, and posture are within the normal range. On the other hand, when at least one of the vital information and posture is outside the normal range, it is estimated that the user has a poor physical condition. That is, if at least one of the heart rate, respiration, and posture is outside the normal range, it is estimated that the physical condition is poor (deteriorated). Note that the normal range of the vital information is specified by a threshold value predetermined as an upper limit and a threshold value predetermined as a lower limit. The normal range of the posture can be set, for example, by learning a large number of previously measured posture data.

[0033] When the number determination unit 61 determines that the number of users in the sauna room 100 has become one, the notification processing unit 64 notifies "start of single use" and notifies that there is a risk of an emergency situation. Further, after the start of single use, in response to the estimation unit 63 estimating that the user is in poor physical condition, an alert is issued to notify the occurrence of an emergency situation.

[0034] Specifically, the notification processing unit 64 transmits a signal representing each situation to at least one of the terminal 4 in the staff room (hereinafter referred to as the "staff room terminal") and the terminal 5 of the staff on duty (hereinafter referred to as the "staff terminal") via the communication unit 24. That is, the notification processing unit 64 and the communication unit 24 function as notification means for notifying the occurrence of an emergency situation and the risk thereof.

[0035] Note that the notification method executed by the notification processing unit 64 is not limited to the form of transmitting a signal representing each situation to the terminals 4 and 5. For example, an emergency lamp in the staff room may be lit, or a voice may be output from a speaker in the staff room. Further, although it is desirable for the notification processing unit 64 to notify the risk of an emergency situation at the start of single use, such risk notification processing may be omitted.

[0036] When the estimation unit 63 estimates that the user is in poor physical condition, the adjustment control unit 65 performs adjustment control of the air environment in the sauna room 100. Specifically, as described above, it is desirable to turn off the power of the sauna facility 101 and lower the temperature of the sauna room 100.

[0037] Note that the staff room terminal 4 is realized by, for example, a tablet. The staff terminal 5 is realized by, for example, a smartphone. The staff room terminal 4 and the staff terminal 5 typically include, as a hardware configuration, a processor such as a CPU that executes various arithmetic processes, a storage unit that stores various data and programs, a display unit that displays various information, a vibration generation unit that generates vibration, a sound generation unit that generates sound, and a communication unit that communicates with other communication devices via a network. Further, an optical generation unit that generates light may be further provided.

[0038] <Operation of the emergency detection system> FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the emergency detection process in the present embodiment. The emergency detection process is realized by the CPU 21 of the control device 2 reading and executing a program (emergency detection program) stored in advance in the storage unit 22. Note that this process is executed during a time period when the sauna room 100 is available.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, first, the number determination unit 61 determines whether there are multiple users or one user in the sauna room 100 based on the detection signal of the millimeter-wave sensor 3 (step S2). If it is determined that there are multiple people in the sauna room 100 (YES in step S4), even if one of the users has a physical problem, other users can notify the staff of the abnormality by pressing, for example, the emergency button 140. Therefore, without proceeding to the next step, the number determination is continued.

[0040] When it is determined that there is only one user in the sauna room 100 (i.e., there is only one person), the notification processing unit 64 notifies the staff room terminal 4 and the staff terminal 5 via the communication unit 24 of "start of single-person use" and notifies that there is a risk of an emergency occurring (step S6). Specifically, for example, a pop-up screen indicating "start of single-person use" is displayed on the display units of the staff room terminal 4 and the staff terminal 5. Alternatively, vibration or sound may be generated on these terminals 4 and 5. As a result, each staff member can grasp that the situation in the sauna room 100 requires attention.

[0041] After that, when 10 minutes have elapsed in a state where the determined number of people by the number determination unit 61 is one (YES in step S8), the process proceeds to step S12, and the measurement process by the measurement unit 62 is started. On the other hand, if the number of users changes within 10 minutes after it is determined that single-person use has started, that is, if the number of users becomes 0 or more than one (NO in step S8, YES in step S10), the process ends without proceeding to step S12. Note that this process is assumed to be repeatedly executed during the time zone when the sauna room 100 is available.

[0042] In step S12, the measurement unit 62 measures the heart rate, respiration, and posture of the user based on the detection signal of the millimeter-wave sensor 3 and outputs the measurement result to the estimation unit 63. The estimation unit 63 determines (1) whether the heart rate is within the normal range, (2) whether the respiration is within the normal range, and (3) whether the posture is within the normal range (step S14). When all of the conditions (1) to (3) are within the normal range, this determination process is repeatedly executed until the number of users in the sauna room 100 changes (YES in step S14, NO in step S16).

[0043] When the estimation unit 63 determines in the above determination process that at least one of the conditions (1) to (3) is outside the normal range (NO in step S14), it proceeds to step S18. Specifically, (1) if the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute or 100 beats per minute or more, it is determined that the heart rate is outside the normal range. (2) If the breathing rate is 10 breaths per minute or less or 20 breaths per minute or more, it is determined that the breathing is outside the normal range. (3) When the posture is not constant and there is tremor or the person is in a hunched state, the posture is determined to be abnormal (outside the normal range).

[0044] In step S18, the notification processing unit 64 issues an alert to the staff room terminal 4 and the staff terminal 5 via the communication unit 24 to notify the occurrence of an emergency. Specifically, for example, a pop-up screen indicating "Emergency occurred" is displayed on the display units of the staff room terminal 4 and the staff terminal 5. Alternatively, vibration or sound may be generated on these terminals 4 and 5. As a result, each staff member can grasp that there is a high possibility that the user in the sauna room 100 is in poor physical condition and an emergency has occurred, and can rush to the scene and immediately check the user's condition. Therefore, the risk of the user's condition worsening due to a delay in discovery can be reduced.

[0045] Also, an emergency lamp and a buzzer may be provided outside the wall 110 of the sauna room 100 (for example, near the entrance) to notify people near the sauna room 100 of the occurrence of an emergency with an "alert light" or an "emergency alert sound". As a result, the possibility of early rescue of the user inside the sauna room 100 is increased, so that the worsening of the condition can be prevented.

[0046] Note that the estimation unit 63 may vary the degree of urgency according to the type (condition) of the indicator that has fallen outside the normal range. For example, the case where the indicator that has fallen outside the normal range is the heart rate may be defined as "Level 1", and the case where the indicator that has fallen outside the normal range is the respiration or posture may be defined as "Level 2" with a higher degree of urgency than Level 1. In this case, the notification processing unit 64 issues a "warning alert" if it is Level 1, and issues an "emergency alert" if it is Level 2. As a result, the staff can know the degree of urgency, and thus can take appropriate actions according to the degree of urgency. For example, when receiving an "emergency alert", it is possible to request an ambulance even before checking the scene.

[0047] In parallel with the notification processing by the notification processing unit 64 as described above, the adjustment control unit 65 turns off the power of the sauna facility 101 (step S20). As a result, the temperature of the sauna room 100 decreases, so that the risk of the user's condition worsening can be reduced compared to the case where a high temperature state of 70 degrees or more is maintained.

[0048] Note that the adjustment control unit 65 may further promote ventilation by a ventilation device (not shown) provided in the sauna room 100. Further, when the degree of urgency described above is "Level 2", control may be performed to automatically open the door (not shown) at the entrance and exit of the sauna room 100. Thereby, the risk of the user's condition worsening can be more reliably reduced.

[0049] As described above, according to the present embodiment, by simply providing one millimeter-wave sensor 3 in the sauna room 100, the heart rate, respiration, and posture of the user can be measured, so that the privacy of the user can be protected. Further, an alert is issued when at least one of the heart rate, respiration, and posture is determined to be outside the normal range. Therefore, even in a situation where the emergency button 140 cannot be pressed, such as when the user is in poor physical condition and unable to move or has lost consciousness, the staff can be notified of the occurrence of an emergency. Therefore, the risk of the user's condition worsening due to a delay in discovery can be reduced.

[0050] In addition, in the present embodiment, when the number of users in the sauna room 100 becomes one, the risk of an emergency occurrence is notified, so that the staff can know at an early stage that an emergency may occur.

[0051] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when at least one of the heartbeat, respiration, and posture is determined to be outside the normal range, the air environment in the sauna room 100 is adjusted, so that the risk of the user's condition worsening can be reduced.

[0052] A series of operations of the above-described emergency detection system 1 are schematically shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the control device 2 is described as an "AI server".

[0053] In the present embodiment, an example in which one millimeter-wave sensor 3 is provided in the sauna room 100 has been described. However, a plurality of millimeter-wave sensors 3 may be provided according to the shape of the sauna room 100 or the like.

[0054] Also, the emergency detection process executed by the control device 2 may be provided as a program. Such a program can be recorded and provided on an optical medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-ROM) or a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card. Also, the program can be provided by downloading via a network.

[0055] The program according to the present invention may be one that calls necessary modules in a predetermined array at a predetermined timing among program modules provided as part of a computer operating system (OS) to execute processing. In that case, the program itself does not include the above modules and the processing is executed in cooperation with the OS. A program that does not include such modules may also be included in the program according to the present invention.

[0056] Further, the program according to the present invention may be provided by being incorporated into a part of another program. Even in such a case, the program itself does not include the modules included in the other program, and the processing is executed in cooperation with the other program. Such a program incorporated into another program may also be included in the program according to the present invention.

[0057] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0058] 1 Emergency detection system, 2 Control device, 3 Millimeter wave sensor, 4 Staff room terminal, 5 Staff terminal, 61 Number determination unit, 62 Measurement unit, 63 Estimation unit, 64 Notification processing unit, 65 Adjustment control unit, 100 Sauna room, 101 Sauna equipment, 110 Wall, 120 Translucent member, 140 Emergency button.

Claims

1. An emergency detection system in a bathing facility having a sauna room used by multiple people, comprising: A millimeter-wave sensor attached so as to be directed at the internal space of the sauna room; Number determination means for determining whether there are multiple users or one user in the sauna room based on the detection signal of the millimeter-wave sensor; When it is determined by the number determination means that the number of users in the sauna room has become one, based on the detection signal of the millimeter-wave sensor, measurement means for measuring vital information including the user's heartbeat and respiration, and posture including tremors and huddling; Estimation means for estimating that the user is in poor physical condition when at least one of the vital information and posture measured by the measurement means is outside the normal range; Notification means for notifying the occurrence of an emergency in response to the estimation of poor physical condition by the estimation means, The notification means issues a warning alert when the index outside the normal range is the heartbeat, and issues an emergency alert with a higher degree of urgency than the warning alert when the index outside the normal range is respiration or posture. An emergency detection system.

2. The emergency detection system according to claim 1, wherein the notification means notifies that there is a risk of occurrence of an emergency when it is determined by the number determination means that the number of users in the sauna room has become one.

3. The emergency detection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measurement means starts measuring vital information and posture when a predetermined time has elapsed since it is determined by the number determination means that the number of users in the sauna room has become one.

4. The emergency detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising adjustment control means for performing adjustment control of the air environment of the sauna room when it is estimated by the estimation means that the user is in poor physical condition.

5. At least a part of the wall surrounding the sauna room is composed of a translucent member having translucency, The emergency detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the millimeter-wave sensor is attached to the back surface of the translucent member.

6. An emergency detection program applied in a bathing facility having a sauna room used by multiple people, comprising: Based on a detection signal from a millimeter-wave sensor attached so as to be directed at the internal space of the sauna room, a step of determining whether there are multiple users or one user in the sauna room; When it is determined that the number of users in the sauna room has become one, based on the detection signal of the millimeter-wave sensor, measuring vital information including the user's heart rate and respiration, and a posture including fidgeting and hunching. When at least one of the measured vital information and posture is outside the normal range, estimating that the user has a poor physical condition. Causing a computer to execute a notification step of notifying the occurrence of an emergency in response to the estimation of a poor physical condition. An emergency detection program that, in the notification step, issues a warning alert when the index outside the normal range is the heart rate, and issues an emergency alert with a higher degree of urgency than the warning alert when the index outside the normal range is respiration or posture.

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