Drowning detection system

Abstract

Provided is a drowning detection system that has a simple configuration, is low in cost, and is easy to introduce. 【Solution means】 A power transmission module having a power transmission unit for wireless power supply, which is laid in a plurality on the bottom of a pool, a wearable device worn by a swimmer in the pool, which has a power reception unit for wireless power supply that receives power by approaching the power transmission unit, and a processing execution unit that executes predetermined processing related to drowning rescue on the assumption that drowning has occurred when the power reception unit has received power.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drowning detection system that realizes prompt detection of drowning accidents in a pool.

Background Art

[0002] News of deaths due to drowning during swimming occurs every year. According to a WHO report, the annual number of deaths due to drowning worldwide exceeds 370,000. The main causes include insufficient surveillance, lack of appropriate safety measures, lack of appropriate swimming education, lack of knowledge and awareness about drowning, and lack of knowledge and training regarding emergency response.

[0003] As a specific accident that recently occurred, on April 22, 2023, a 5-year-old boy who was participating in a swimming school was found at the bottom of the pool and was taken to the hospital but died. The facility side revealed that the surveillance situation was insufficient. On this day, in addition to the said boy, 18 primary and middle school students participated. Regarding the surveillance situation, the facility side assigned 3 adult coaches to monitor 19 students, monitoring from inside and outside the pool, but no one noticed that the boy had sunk. Especially children often quietly sink into the water without developing the no-panic syndrome and thrashing around, and in that case, it is difficult to be noticed by those around them.

[0004] In order to reduce such drowning accidents, it is essential to have sufficient surveillance, introduction of safety measures, and improvement of emergency response capabilities. However, in modern society where the social issue of shortage of manpower continues, there is a limit to increasing the number of monitors with emergency response capabilities, and even if the number of monitors is increased, it cannot be denied that there is a possibility of missing a drowning person as in the above case.

[0005] As a scientific measure to prevent missing a drowning person, typically the installation of cameras can be mentioned. For example, the automatic surveillance system "Poseidon" of MG International Poseidon described in Non-Patent Document 1 is a system that arranges a plurality of surveillance cameras on the ceiling above the pool to detect and notify swimmers who may be drowning.

[0006] There is also a mechanism that uses a sensor instead of a camera. The position tracking system "nagi" of Owell Co., Ltd. described in Non-Patent Document 1 is a system that attaches a tag that emits radio waves to a swimmer's swimming cap or goggles, and when the tag sinks in water and the signal is interrupted for 30 seconds or more, it notifies the monitor that there is a possibility of drowning.

[0007] Also, "Qianshui Xiaobai" of Qianshui Technology Co., Ltd. described in Non-Patent Document 2 is a wearable smart terminal for children (can be attached to swimming goggles or a swimming cap), which can identify various drowning scenes, transmits the situation by pressure values and signals, and infers whether the wearer regularly surfaces to breathe. In case of danger, it notifies the lifesaver and the monitor with light and an alarm.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0008]

Non-Patent Document 1

[0009]

Non-Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] "Poseidon" was introduced in 11 pools in Japan 20 years ago. However, despite the insufficient detection accuracy, the introduction cost was as high as 26 million yen, and the annual maintenance cost was 2 million yen. As a result, the number of introduced facilities has now decreased to 5

[0011] In addition, "nagi" is also expensive and large-scale, so it cannot be easily introduced into swimming schools or public and private pools. "Shallow Water Xiaobai" uses wireless transmission technology, so errors such as radio wave interference and interruption are likely to occur, and the system tends to become complex

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a simple-structured, low-cost and easily introduced drowning detection system

Means for Solving the Problems

[0013] The drowning detection system of the present invention includes a power transmission module provided with a wireless power supply power transmission unit laid out in plurality on the bottom of a pool, a power reception unit for wireless power reception by approaching the power transmission unit, a wearable device worn by a swimmer in the pool, and a processing execution unit for executing a predetermined process related to drowning rescue when it is determined that drowning has occurred based on the power reception by the power reception unit

[0014] The processing execution unit may be provided in the wearable device and include a first light emitting unit that emits light by the power received by the power receiving unit, an imaging unit that continuously or periodically images the light emitting state of the first light emitting unit, a determination unit that determines the presence or absence of light emission by analyzing the captured image by the imaging unit, and an operation execution unit that executes a predetermined operation related to drowning rescue when it is determined that light emission is present in the determination unit

[0015] The processing execution unit may be provided in the power transmission module and includes a power reception detection unit that detects that the power reception unit has received power, a second light emitting unit that is provided in the power transmission module and emits light when the power reception detection unit detects power reception, an imaging unit that continuously or periodically images the light emission state of the second light emitting unit, a determination unit that determines the presence or absence of light emission by analyzing the captured image obtained by the imaging unit, and an operation execution unit that executes a predetermined operation related to drowning rescue when the determination unit determines that light emission is present.

[0016] When the power reception detection unit of a certain power transmission module detects power reception, the second light emitting units of other power transmission modules in a predetermined surrounding may be further caused to emit light.

[0017] The wearable device may further include a first light emitting unit that emits light by the power received by the power reception unit, and the imaging unit may image the light emission states of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit.

[0018] The predetermined operation may be an operation that enables a person other than a swimmer to sense the occurrence of drowning with at least one of the five senses.

[0019] The predetermined operation may be an operation of draining water from the pool.

[0020] The predetermined operation may be an operation of raising the bottom of the pool so that a swimmer is lifted toward the water surface when the power reception unit receives power.

[0021] The processing execution unit may provide the wearable device with a floating bag that expands when the power reception unit receives power.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, a drowning detection system with a simple configuration, low cost, and easy introduction can be realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same functional parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the functional parts once described will be omitted as appropriate.

[0025] A functional block diagram of the drowning detection system 100 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The drowning detection system 100 includes a power transmission module 110, a wearable device 120, and a processing execution unit 130.

[0026] The power transmission module 110 includes a power transmission unit 111 for wireless power supply, and a plurality of them are laid on the bottom 11 of the pool 10. The power transmission module 110 may be configured in a tile shape as shown in FIG. 2, for example. If a sheet 12 such as PVC is pasted on the laid power transmission modules 110, immersion of the power transmission modules 110 can be prevented.

[0027] A power supply for power transmission and an amplifier (not shown) are connected to the power transmission unit 111 to form a state where power transmission is possible. The amplification factor of the amplifier is set according to the wireless power supply method and the power required by the wearable device 120.

[0028] The wearable device 120 includes a power receiving unit 121 for wireless power reception by approaching the power transmission unit 111, and is worn by a swimmer in the pool 10. The wearable device 120 may be configured, for example, in a band shape so as to be wound around the arm. In that case, it is advisable to wind it around both arms that do not sink to a deep position during normal swimming. Also, it may be made less likely to fall off by configuring it to be wound around the waist where there is less movement than the arm or by sewing it to a swimsuit in advance.

[0029] As the wireless power supply method, various known methods such as the electromagnetic induction method (magnetic field coupling method, magnetic field resonance method), electric field coupling method, etc. can be adopted. Generally, since the density of the human body is higher than that of water, a drowning person tends to sink to the bottom. Usually, since the weight of a human is greater than that of the same volume of water, when drowning, the body is pulled downward in the water and sinks toward the bottom. As shown in FIG. 3, when a swimmer 20 wearing the wearable device 120 drowns, the power transmission unit 111 of the power transmission module 110 and the power receiving unit 121 of the wearable device 120 are in a state of contact or very close proximity. Therefore, when approaching within a predetermined distance determined as drowning, it is advisable to determine the wireless power supply method, the amplification factor of the amplifier connected to the power transmission unit 111, etc. so that the power required for light emission, etc. is transmitted and received. For example, the electromagnetic induction method has a high power supply efficiency of 70 - 90%, a power supply distance of about several mm to 10 cm, and a transmitted and received power of about several W to several kW, which is suitable for the present invention.

[0030] Specifically, the power transmission unit 111 and the power receiving unit 121 may be configured according to the adopted method. For example, in the case of the magnetic field coupling method, both are configured with coils. Also, since the swimmer 20 may sink face up or face down when drowning, it is more desirable to provide a plurality of power receiving units 121 at different positions of the wearable device 120 in order to enhance the power reception performance.

[0031] When the power receiving unit 121 receives power, the processing execution unit 130 executes predetermined processing related to drowning rescue on the assumption that drowning has occurred.

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the processing execution unit 130 will be specifically described.

[0033] <First Embodiment> The process execution unit 130 is composed of a first light emitting unit 131, an imaging unit 132, a determination unit 133, and an operation execution unit 134. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram.

[0034] The first light emitting unit 131 is a light source that is provided in the wearable device 120 and emits light by the power received by the power receiving unit 121. As described in the explanation of the power receiving unit 121, since there are various drowning postures, in order to enhance visibility, it is more desirable to provide a plurality of first light emitting units 131 at different positions of the wearable device 120. The type of the light emitting element of the first light emitting unit 131 may be arbitrarily determined within the range that can be covered by the power received by the power receiving unit 121. For example, since an LED is low-power and high-brightness, it is suitable for the present invention.

[0035] It is difficult to monitor the light emission of the first light emitting unit 131 in the water of the pool 10 from the outside without overlooking it with the naked eye. Therefore, in the present invention, the light emission state of the first light emitting unit 131 is imaged, and the presence or absence of light emission is determined by analyzing the captured image.

[0036] The imaging unit 132 continuously or periodically images the light emission state of the first light emitting unit 131. The imaging unit 132 may be arranged in the water of the pool 10 or outside as long as it can image to the extent that it does not interfere with the determination of the light emission state of the first light emitting unit 131.

[0037] The determination unit 133 analyzes the captured image of the light emission state of the first light emitting unit 131 to determine the presence or absence of light emission. The determination of the presence or absence of light emission based on the captured image may be performed based on the threshold value of the pixel value, or may be performed by inputting the captured image into a learned model learned using a learning image.

[0038] Also, an edge AI-equipped camera may be adopted as the imaging unit 132 and the determination unit 133, and the difference between the light from the first light-emitting unit 131 and the ambient ambient light may be analyzed by AI for image analysis, and it may be determined that there is light emission when the light does not move for a certain period of time (for example, 30 seconds to 1 minute). Since the edge AI-equipped camera performs AI processing at the edge without going through the cloud or the Internet, it can make an immediate determination without delay.

[0039] When the determination unit 133 determines that there is light emission, the operation execution unit 134 executes a predetermined operation related to drowning rescue.

[0040] The predetermined operation may be an operation that allows others other than the swimmer 20 to sense the occurrence of drowning with at least one of the five senses. For example, operations such as displaying the fact that drowning has occurred on the display means in characters, turning on or flashing high-intensity lighting that is easy for others to recognize, emitting sound from the sound-emitting means, and vibrating the vibration means worn by others can be cited. This makes it easier for others to notice the occurrence of drowning.

[0041] The predetermined operation may be an operation of draining water from the pool 10. Also, when the power receiving unit 121 receives power, the bottom 11 of the pool 10 may be raised so that the swimmer 20 is lifted toward the water surface 13. Thereby, the drowning swimmer 20 can be lifted and rescued outside. In the operation of raising the bottom 11 mentioned here, the bottom 11 itself may be raised, or a mesh-like floor may be further arranged on the power transmission module 110 (sheet 12) and lifted.

[0042] Each of the above-mentioned predetermined operations may be executed in combination.

[0043] In addition, an input unit 138 such as a button or a switch for the swimmer 20 to stop the light emission by himself / herself when the first light emitting unit 131 emits light even though the swimmer 20 is not drowning may be provided on the wearable device 120. Thereby, when an instruction input to stop the light emission is input to the input means, the state where the light emission has stopped is imaged by the imaging unit 132, and when it is determined by the determination unit 133 based on the captured image that there is no light emission, the operation of the operation execution unit 134 is stopped.

[0044] Further, the wearable device 120 may be further provided with a sensor unit 139 such as a piezo sensor that detects vibration, start detecting vibration triggered by power reception by the power reception unit 121, and cause the first light emitting unit 131 to emit light when a vibration pattern peculiar to drowning is detected. For example, by wearing the wearable device 120 on the upper arm, the vibration state of the chest due to breathing is detected, and a vibration pattern peculiar to drowning is detected. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of false detection in a case where there is no drowning.

[0045] <Second Embodiment> The process execution unit 130 is composed of a power reception detection unit 135, a second light emitting unit 136, an imaging unit 132, a determination unit 133, and an operation execution unit 134. A functional block diagram is shown in FIG. 4.

[0046] The power reception detection unit 135 is provided in the power transmission module 110 and detects that the power reception unit 121 has received power. As a method for detecting power reception by the power reception unit 121 in the power reception detection unit 135, for example, a method of monitoring the current and voltage of the power transmission unit 111 by utilizing the change in the load on the power transmission side due to the start of power reception can be mentioned. In addition, a method in which the power reception unit 121 wirelessly transmits a feedback signal upon power reception and receives it can be mentioned. Further, when the coil on the power transmission side and the coil on the power reception side are in resonance, a method of monitoring the resonance frequency by utilizing the change in the resonance frequency due to power reception can be mentioned.

[0047] The second light-emitting unit 136 is a light source that is provided in the power transmission module 110 and emits light upon detection of power reception by the power reception detection unit 135. The type of light-emitting element of the second light-emitting unit 136 may be arbitrarily determined within the range of power that can be provided on the power transmission side. For example, an LED is suitable for the present invention because it has low power and high brightness. The second light-emitting unit 136 may be configured as a point light source, or when the power transmission module 110 is configured in a tile shape, it may be configured to cause the entire tile to emit light. Further, in order to enhance the detectability by the naked eye, it may be configured to emit light, for example, with characters such as HELP or an arrow indicating a position.

[0048] To enhance the visibility during light emission, the second light-emitting units 136 of other power transmission modules 110 around a predetermined periphery of the power transmission module 110 that has detected power reception may also be caused to emit light in conjunction. Further, a first light-emitting unit 131 that emits light by the power received by the power reception unit 121 may be provided in the wearable device 120 and caused to emit light together with the second light-emitting unit 136.

[0049] The imaging unit 132 continuously or periodically images the light emission state of the second light-emitting unit 136. When the first light-emitting unit 131 also emits light, the light emission state of the first light-emitting unit 131 is also imaged together.

[0050] The determination unit 133 and the operation execution unit 134 are basically the same as those in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, it is specified which power reception detection unit 135 of the power transmission module 110 at which position has detected the power reception of the wearable device 120, that is, at which position of the power transmission module 110 the swimmer 20 who has drowned is located. Therefore, when causing the bottom 11 of the pool 10 to perform an operation of rising as a predetermined operation of the operation execution unit 134, the range of the bottom 11 to be raised may be limited to a predetermined range including the power transmission module 110 at the specified position.

[0051] <Third Embodiment> The processing execution unit 130 may be configured as a floating bag unit 137 that inflates the floating bag when the power receiving unit 121 provided in the wearable device 120 receives power. A functional block diagram is shown in FIG. 5. Thereby, the drowning swimmer 20 can be lifted by the floating bag. The said structure may be implemented together with the operation execution unit 134 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

[0052] In a pool, it is not easy to distinguish between a swimmer and a drowning person, and when trying to detect drowning, the system tends to be large-scale. However, in the drowning detection system of the present invention described above, since it has a simple configuration in which the light source emits light when a swimmer submerges to the bottom of the pool, the system can be realized at low cost, and since the drowning person can be discriminated by light, early detection becomes possible. In particular, by applying an edge AI-equipped camera to the imaging and image analysis of the light emitted from a drowning person or the like, the occurrence of drowning can be detected with high accuracy.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The above embodiments are examples, and any configuration that has substantially the same configuration as the technical idea described in the claims of the present invention and exhibits the same operational effects is included in the technical scope of the present invention. That is, within the scope of the technical idea expressed in the present invention, appropriate changes can be made, and forms with such changes and improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0054] 10 Pool 11 Bottom 12 Sheet 13 Water surface 20 Swimmer 100 Drowning detection system 110 Power transmission module 111 Power transmission unit 120 Wearable device 121 Power receiving unit 130 Processing execution unit 131 First light emitting unit 132 Imaging unit 133 Determination unit 134 Operation execution unit 135 Power reception detection unit 136 Second light emitting unit 137 Buoyant bag unit 138 Input unit 139 Sensor unit

Claims

1. A power transmission module including a power transmission unit for wireless power transmission, which is laid in plurality on the bottom of a pool; A wearable device worn by a swimmer in the pool, including a power reception unit for wireless power reception by approaching the power transmission unit; A processing execution unit that executes predetermined processing related to drowning rescue on the assumption that drowning has occurred when the power reception unit has received power; A drowning detection system comprising the above.

2. The processing execution unit includes: A first light emitting unit provided on the wearable device and emitting light by the power received by the power reception unit; An imaging unit that continuously or periodically images the light emission state of the first light emitting unit; A determination unit that determines the presence or absence of light emission by analyzing the captured image by the imaging unit; An operation execution unit that executes a predetermined operation related to drowning rescue when it is determined by the determination unit that light emission is present; The drowning detection system according to claim 1, comprising the above.

3. The processing execution unit includes: A power reception detection unit provided on the power transmission module for detecting that the power reception unit has received power; A second light emitting unit provided on the power transmission module and emitting light by the detection of power reception by the power reception detection unit; An imaging unit that continuously or periodically images the light emission state of the second light emitting unit; A determination unit that determines the presence or absence of light emission by analyzing the captured image by the imaging unit; An operation execution unit that executes a predetermined operation related to drowning rescue when it is determined by the determination unit that light emission is present; The drowning detection system according to claim 1, comprising the above.

4. The drowning detection system according to claim 3, characterized in that when the power reception detection unit of a certain power transmission module detects power reception, the second light emitting units of other power transmission modules in a predetermined surrounding also emit light.

5. The wearable device further includes a first light emitting unit provided thereon and emitting light by the power received by the power reception unit, The imaging unit images the light emission states of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit. The drowning detection system according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

6. The predetermined operation is an operation that enables a person other than the swimmer to sense the occurrence of drowning by at least one of the five senses. The drowning detection system according to any one of claims 2 to 5 is characterized by the above.

7. The predetermined operation is an operation of draining water from the pool. The drowning detection system according to any one of claims 2 to 5 is characterized by the above.

8. The drowning detection system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the predetermined operation is an operation of raising the bottom of the pool so that when the power receiving unit receives power, the swimmer is lifted toward the water surface.

9. The drowning detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing execution unit includes a floating bag that expands when the power receiving unit receives power in the wearable device.

Images